Lexicon
By request: a compilation of the words I use.Archive for Verb
Conflate
Conflate
Verb (transitive): Combine (two or more texts, ideas ect.) into one.
Conflate is another verb for combining things. Terms like mixing or combining seem more apt for physical things, like ingredients in a recipe, while conflate seems to be mostly applied to ideas or theories. The use of the term makes sense as conflate comes ultimately from a Latin term meaning “kindled, fused.” You might use conflate to refer to a story that combines many issues into one theme or to refer to an author who blends multiple ideas into an argument.
Suffice
Suffice
Verb: (intransitive) be enough or adequate; (transitive) meet the needs of.
Sometimes you have enough. Sometimes you need to say that something is enough. For these situation the verb suffice exists. I guess I don’t have much more to say except that I like this word. I hope this suffices.
Festoon
Festoon
Noun: a chain or garland of flowers, leaves or ribbons, hung in a curve as a decoration; a curved or molded ornament representing such a garland.
Verb: (transitive, often be festooned with) adorn a place with chains, garlands or other decorations.
It is the darkest time of year in the northern hemisphere as the winter solstice is just a couple of days away. Yet in this darkness we festoon the world with decorations as Christians celebrate the coming of the light into the world. I like the word festoon because it is both a noun and a verb. As a noun it refers to the things used as decorations, what we in the United States might usually think of as a garland. As a verb, the usage I am more familiar with, festoon refers to the act of decorating. I particularly like how we festoon our homes inside and out with what the British call fairy lights. So, even though it is dark and the nights are long, festoon your homes with festoons of your pleasing and join the celebration.
Surfeit
Surfeit
Noun (usually singular): an excessive amount of something, (archaic) an illness caused or regarded as being caused by excessive eating or drinking.
Verb (transitive): cause (someone) to desire no more of something as a result of having consumed or done it to excess; (intransitive, archaic) consume too much of something.
Surfeit is just excess in another guise. For example, many home gardeners suffer from a surfeit of zucchini late in the summer. I like surfeit because it can also be used as a verb. Say, for example, you just finished an eighteen hour road trip, you might say that you are surfeited with driving.
Vet
Vet
Verb (transitive): make a careful and critical examination of (something); (often be vetted) British, investigate (someone) thoroughly, especially in order to insure that they are suitable for a job requiring security, loyalty or trustworthiness.
Vet describes the process most people indicate when they say they are double checking something. For example, if you are writing a paper or an essay or an article, you may vet your sources by checking to make sure they are reputable and have the qualifications to make the assertions they make. The word can also be applied to a person. Say that you are being considered for a job or a club, the organization you want to join may go through a vetting process where they check your qualifications against those of the position you would like to attain. Vet has slightly academic ring to it, but I like it for its precision in describing the process of critically evaluating something or someone.
For a conversation about words, usage and etymology follow this link to a conversation with ‘the word guru.’
Foist
Foist
Verb (transitive): impose an unwelcome or unnecessary person or thing on; (foist someone/something into) introduce someone or something surreptitiously or unwarrantably into.
Continuing with another word starting with the letter f. Foist is one of my favorite verbs as of late. You might use foist when someone tries to sneak something by you, as in an automobile mechanic trying to foist aftermarket parts on a repair when you wanted to use new. The second definiton implies a try at getting someting into a group that it doesn’t belong in. For example someone might try to foist a new member into a super secret society who hasn’t proven his or her merrit and mettle.
Addle
Addle
Intransitive verb: (chiefly humorous) make unable to think clearly, confuse; (archaic) to make or become rotten, chiefly of eggs.
Based on this definition the deceive Jacques Clouseau from the Pink Panther franchise is constantly addled by the world arround him. I’m more familiar with this term used in the phrase ‘addled with grief.’ Simmilar words to addle include mix-up, bewilder and perplex. I hope the tasks of the week don’t addle your brain.
Requite
Requite
Verb (formal, transitive): make an appropriate return for a favor or a service, reward; revenge or retaliate for an injury or a wrong; respond to love or affection.
Here is another verb for this week. I’ve seen requite used most often in the negative referring to an unrequited love. I like this term more in its positive form. It seems a nice way to say that a favor has been returned. Requite also reminds me of the verb reciprocate and could often be used in its place.
Wane
Wane
Verb (intransitive): (of the moon) have a progressively smaller part of its visible surface illuminated, so that it appears decreased in size; (of a condition or feeling) decrease in power, vigor or extent, become weaker.
I looked up into the sky at about 9:30 A.M. today and saw the thin, white crescent of a waning moon high in the azure morning sky. The verb wane can be used to describe more than just a shrinking moon. It can describe just about anything that is diminishing in some respect. Such as, I know that summer is waning when I see school busses on the streets and the first maples begin to blush with brilliant oranges, yellows and reds.
Fete
Fete
Noun: a celebration or festival.
Verb (transitive), usually be feted: honor or entertain (someone) lavishly.
We have parties, bashes, gatherings, shindigs, receptions, showers, reunions and jubilees, but, I think, not nearly enough fetes. This word conjures images of a grand celebration especially when used as a verb. So, the next time you have a birthday, anniversary or other event worth celebrating, I hope your friends and loved ones fete you and it thoroughly.
