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ultima ratio regum ool-tuh-muh RAW-tee-o RAY-goom phrase the last argument of kings; war 1792Thomas PaineThe Rights of ManWithout consuming, like the Ultima Ratio Regum, it winds its progress from nation to nation, and conquers by a silent operation.1884Grant AllenPhilistiaYou know the motto Louis Quatorze used to cast on his bronze cannon—'Ultima ratio regum.' Well, we Socialists ought to be able to find better logic for our opponents than that, oughtn't we?'1981Patrick O'BrianThe Ionian MissionIf Captain Aubrey were to turn his cannon - the ultima ratio regum, and of other bullies - on Professor Graham, the truth would remain unaltered.1992Neal StephensonSnow Crash'What does ultima ratio regum mean?' | 'The Last Argument of Kings,'' the Librarian says.Labels: Grant Allen, Neal Stephenson, Patrick O'Brian, Thomas Paine
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redoubt ri-DOWT noun a stronghold; a defensive line or position 1882Theodore RooseveltThe Naval War of 1812The Louisiana herself took no part in this action. Patterson had previously landed some of her guns on the opposite bank of the river, placing them in a small redoubt. To match these the British also threw up some works and placed in them heavy guns, and all through New Year's day a brisk cannonade was kept up across the river between the two water-batteries, but with very little damage to either side.1902Helen KellerStory of My LifeThe harbour was our joy, our paradise. What glorious sails we had to Bedford Basin, to McNabb's Island, to York Redoubt, and to the Northwest Arm! And at night what soothing, wondrous hours we spent in the shadow of the great, silent men-of-war. Oh, it was all so interesting, so beautiful! The memory of it is a joy forever.1987Dean KoontzShadowfiresThe stillness of the mountain redoubt seemed less ominous than it had… 1988Jack L. ChalkerThe Maze in the MirrorPandross's security redoubt wasn't all that far…1997James AxlerSkydarkBut even with the wags travel was a high risk enterprise, and increasingly the mattrans units in the redoubts offered the best option for a change of scene or quick exit from a hotspot.Labels: Dean Koontz, Helen Keller, Jack L. Chalker, James Axler, Theodore Roosevelt
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auto-da-fé aw-to-duh-FAY noun execution of a heretic; burning at the stake; death sentence levied by the Spanish Inquisition 1932John SteinbeckThe Pastures of HeavenFor a moment I thought this auto-da-fé was serious.1989Gore VidalHollywood...I shall ask the governor, most respectfully, to refrain from his auto-da-fé until there is a new trial…1991James P. HoganEntoverse They're rounding up all the heretics for the great auto-da-fé.Labels: Gore Vidal, James P. Hogan, John Steinbeck
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frisson free-ZAWN noun a thrill; a brief episode of excitement 1905G. K. Chesterton Heretics When a French journalist desires a frisson there is a frisson; he discovers, let us say, that the President of the Republic has murdered three wives. 1991Roger ZelaznyPrince of ChaosAs I grew older, however, I, too, came to enjoy it, partly for the occasional frisson it provided my adolescence.1995Greg EganTap...a frisson of awe at the sheer Power of the Chip.2001Jeffery DeaverThe Blue NowhereHe would rather have had her close, Gillette decided, remembering during her visits how he'd loved to brush fingertips with her or press his shoe against the side of her foot, the contact producing an electric frisson that was akin to making love.Labels: G. K. Chesterton, Greg Egan, Jeffery Deaver, Roger Zelazny
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flibbertigibbet FLI-bur-tee-jib-uht noun a silly person; a person who changes their mind at the drop of a hat 1907O. HenryHeart of the WestHe shut himself in his room like some venomous kobold or flibbertigibbet, whining, complaining, cursing, accusing.1969Kurt VonnegutSlaughterhouse FiveAll this responsibility at such an early age made her a bitchy flibbertigibbet.1986Winston GroomForrest Gump'This is the foul fiend Flibbertigibbet,' Tom o'Bedlam say.Labels: Kurt Vonnegut, O. Henry, Winston Groom
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metteur en scène me-toor awn sen noun the director of a movie or of a stage play 1957Ian FlemingFrom Russia with LoveHe had been directly behind the mass executions of the 1930s when a million died, he had been metteur en scène of most of the great Moscow show trials, he had organized the bloody genocide in the Central Caucasus in February 1944…Labels: Ian Fleming
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gaumless GAWM-luhs adjective dull and stupid; vacuous 1847Emily BronteWuthering Heights'I've tied his tongue,' observed Heathcliff. 'He'll not venture a single syllable all the time! Nelly, you recollect meat his age—nay, some years younger. Did I ever look so stupid: so 'gaumless,' as Joseph calls it?' 1918F. W. MoormanSongs of the RidingsHe minds His business, does the Lord, An' wastes no gaumless words.Labels: Emily Bronte, F. W. Moorman
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equipollent ee-kwuh-PAW-luhnt adjective equivalent; equal in significance or power 1597Francis BaconThe Essays: Of Custom and EducationOnly superstition is now so well advanced, that men of the first blood, are as firm as butchers by occupation; and votary resolution, is made equipollent to custom, even in matter of blood.1822Sir Walter ScottThe Fortunes of Nigel'Doubtless, my lord, the having, as you say, deserved it, must be an excruciation to your own mind,' replied his tormentor; 'a kind of mental and metaphysical hanging, drawing, and quartering, which may be in some measure equipollent with the external application of hemp, iron, fire, and the like, to the outer man.'1869Albert G. MackeyThe Symbolism of FreemasonryThe ladder of Masonry, like the equipollent ladders of its kindred institutions, always had seven steps, although in modern times the three principal or upper ones are alone alluded to.Labels: Albert G. Mackey, Francis Bacon, Sir Walter Scott
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kermess KUR-muhs noun a fair or carnival that raises funds for charity 1865Mary Mapes DodgeHans Brinker or The Silver SkatesMen, women, and children go clattering about in wooden shoes with loose heels; peasant girls who cannot get beaux for love, hire them for money to escort them to the kermis, and husbands and wives lovingly harness themselves side by side on the bank of the canal and drag their pakschuyts to market.1894Anatole France The Red LilyIn the movement and the noise of the kermess she said…1911Gaston LerouxThe Phantom of the OperaBut the curtain rose on the kermess scene and Richard made a sign to the stage-manager to go away.Labels: Anatole France, Gaston Leroux, Mary Mapes Dodge
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targe tawrj noun a defensive shield 1903Ambrose BierceShapes of ClayAgainst abstractions evermore you charge | You hack no helmet and you need no targe.1913Quintus SmyrnaeusThe Fall of TroyAugeias' monstrous stable there was wrought | With cunning craft on that invincible targe; | And Hercules was turning through the same | The deep flow of Alpheius' stream divine,1987Paul Edwin ZimmerA Gathering of Heroes...a frail, leather-covered wood targe met the wide blade's lashing hammer-blow.Labels: Ambrose Bierce, Paul Edwin Zimmer, Quintus Smyrnaeus
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