Search found 99 matches

by Ferrus
Thu Sep 04, 2008 5:19 pm
Forum: Languages of the World
Topic: Purifying Persian
Replies: 56
Views: 191799

The Iranian government cares little about foreign words per se, after all the Islamic theocracy has encouraged the use of Arabic loan words and the like in a way the more nationalistic government before them did not.

It is the fact that western words are being used that amounts to the problem.
by Ferrus
Sat Aug 04, 2007 5:12 pm
Forum: Good Word Suggestions
Topic: temblor
Replies: 19
Views: 25877

A small earthquake, then?
by Ferrus
Sat Aug 04, 2007 5:11 pm
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: QUEAN
Replies: 2
Views: 6991

After seeing this word I assumed it was an architectural term till I forgot that the said word is 'quoin'.

A very good word indeed - is the second meaning of rather more recent provenance?
by Ferrus
Mon Jul 09, 2007 9:24 am
Forum: Good Word Suggestions
Topic: Appose
Replies: 6
Views: 9290

Appose

http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/appose

1 archaic : to put before : apply (one thing) to another
2 : to place in juxtaposition or proximity

Presumably 'apposite' is related?
by Ferrus
Sun Jun 03, 2007 2:12 pm
Forum: Good Word Suggestions
Topic: Empery
Replies: 2
Views: 6053

Empery

Absolute dominion or jurisdiction; sovereignty.

Found this reading Henry V today.
by Ferrus
Mon May 28, 2007 1:14 pm
Forum: Suggestions
Topic: Books on Words
Replies: 8
Views: 41814

Steven Pinker's books are a good read for those interested in linguistics.
by Ferrus
Mon May 28, 2007 1:13 pm
Forum: Languages of the World
Topic: The Piraha (last vowel nasalized)
Replies: 5
Views: 17739

Is this article available online?
by Ferrus
Mon May 28, 2007 1:12 pm
Forum: Idioms
Topic: "Trench" as in "receive the next trench of ca
Replies: 11
Views: 48805

I remember The Guardian's obituary for Saddam Hussein. Whilst discussing his dealings with Iran in the late 1970's they said they were able to strike a deal over the 'tranche' of land along the Shatt al-Arab. Hastily searching my dictionary it appeared that the word is French for 'slice' and is usua...
by Ferrus
Mon May 28, 2007 1:06 pm
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: OLEAGINOUS
Replies: 4
Views: 8220

I remember this word being used by The Times to describe George Galloway's conduct in his rant to U.S. Senate when questioned over the oil-for-food scandal. I was rather impressed to see there was someone there with even a glimmer of humour.
by Ferrus
Mon May 28, 2007 11:16 am
Forum: Good Word Suggestions
Topic: Exanimate
Replies: 14
Views: 17489

Exanimate

Adj. exanimate - deprived of life; no longer living
by Ferrus
Mon Apr 09, 2007 6:24 pm
Forum: Good Word Suggestions
Topic: Approximation
Replies: 4
Views: 9506

For the reverse, does one deproximate or unproximate?
I can find neither in any dictionary, although deproximate impresses me as the most felicitous of the two.
by Ferrus
Sun Apr 08, 2007 3:24 pm
Forum: Good Word Suggestions
Topic: Approximation
Replies: 4
Views: 9506

Approximation

Latterly I have been reading a book on Faraday in which he is quoted using the word 'approximate' in a very literal manner. He talks of 'approximating' a magnet to a coil of wire - making it come close. Is this still standard English?
by Ferrus
Sun Apr 08, 2007 3:18 pm
Forum: Good Word Suggestions
Topic: Jaded
Replies: 2
Views: 6287

I have seen the word used in the sense of 'overworked' in 19th century books, but most modern users seem to regard it as something approximating 'cynical through experience'.
by Ferrus
Sun Apr 08, 2007 3:11 pm
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: DEPORTMENT
Replies: 14
Views: 21859

so, who is Samuel Keays, ok fess up.

mark needs-to-know Bailey
Moi. (It is an unusual occurrence to be called by my real name online)
by Ferrus
Fri Mar 23, 2007 1:51 pm
Forum: Good Word Suggestions
Topic: Froward
Replies: 4
Views: 8272

Froward

fro·ward (frwrd, -rd)
adj.
Stubbornly contrary and disobedient; obstinate.

froward·ly adv.
froward·ness n.
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/froward

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