Friday, January 30, 2004
woolgathering
The Word of the Day for January 30 is:
woolgathering • \WOOL-gath-uh-ring ("th" as in "the")\ • noun
: indulgence in idle daydreaming
Example sentence:
"Ruth, stop your woolgathering," said the teacher, snapping her fingers and pulling the child away from her daydream.
Did you know?
"Woolgathering" once literally referred to the act of gathering loose tufts of wool that had gotten caught on bushes and fences as sheep passed by. As you might imagine, woolgathering was an unprofitable enterprise; its practitioners must have seemed to wander aimlessly, gaining little for their efforts. In the mid-16th century, "woolgathering" began to appear in figurative phrases such as "my wits (or my mind) went a-woolgathering"—in other words, "my mind went wandering aimlessly." From there, it wasn't long before the word "woolgathering" came to suggest foolish or purposeless mind-wandering.
Example story:
Theirs was woolgathers love.
woolgathering • \WOOL-gath-uh-ring ("th" as in "the")\ • noun
: indulgence in idle daydreaming
Example sentence:
"Ruth, stop your woolgathering," said the teacher, snapping her fingers and pulling the child away from her daydream.
Did you know?
"Woolgathering" once literally referred to the act of gathering loose tufts of wool that had gotten caught on bushes and fences as sheep passed by. As you might imagine, woolgathering was an unprofitable enterprise; its practitioners must have seemed to wander aimlessly, gaining little for their efforts. In the mid-16th century, "woolgathering" began to appear in figurative phrases such as "my wits (or my mind) went a-woolgathering"—in other words, "my mind went wandering aimlessly." From there, it wasn't long before the word "woolgathering" came to suggest foolish or purposeless mind-wandering.
Example story:
Theirs was woolgathers love.
Thursday, January 29, 2004
Wednesday, January 28, 2004
insouciance
insouciance
Main Entry: in·sou·ci·ance
Pronunciation: in-'sü-sE-&n(t)s, an-süs-yäns
Function: noun
Etymology: French, from in- + soucier to trouble, disturb, from Latin sollicitare -- more at SOLICIT
: lighthearted unconcern : NONCHALANCE
- in·sou·ci·ant /in-'sü-sE-&nt, an-süs-yän/ adjective
- in·sou·ci·ant·ly /in-'sü-sE-&nt-lE/ adverb
Example story: Cammie's usual insouciance had vanished on the eve of her colonopscopy. The tired, irritable and fearful woman immured herself in the library researching techniques on stress reduction. It was as if her former aplomb of self-assurance were the characteristics of another. She was searching for answers. Her introspection led her about and she discovered she would always return to her true state. Yet this trial of health reminded her freedom and happiness must be strived for, as all rights must. Her usual easiness had always been temporary she discovered. In a fortress of reference materials she re-gained her composure with a plan of action.
Main Entry: in·sou·ci·ance
Pronunciation: in-'sü-sE-&n(t)s, an-süs-yäns
Function: noun
Etymology: French, from in- + soucier to trouble, disturb, from Latin sollicitare -- more at SOLICIT
: lighthearted unconcern : NONCHALANCE
- in·sou·ci·ant /in-'sü-sE-&nt, an-süs-yän/ adjective
- in·sou·ci·ant·ly /in-'sü-sE-&nt-lE/ adverb
Example story: Cammie's usual insouciance had vanished on the eve of her colonopscopy. The tired, irritable and fearful woman immured herself in the library researching techniques on stress reduction. It was as if her former aplomb of self-assurance were the characteristics of another. She was searching for answers. Her introspection led her about and she discovered she would always return to her true state. Yet this trial of health reminded her freedom and happiness must be strived for, as all rights must. Her usual easiness had always been temporary she discovered. In a fortress of reference materials she re-gained her composure with a plan of action.
