The Death of Fissiparous and Other Words: A Dictionary of Words & Phrases on the Verge of Extinction

discomfit

dis-kuhm-FIT

verb

to make someone perplexed; to defeat someone; to disconcert; to frustrate

1818Jane AustenPersuasionBut, though discomfited and disappointed, he could still do something for his own interest and his own enjoyment.1901Miles FranklinMy Brilliant Career'I am so glad you have come, my dear. I must have a good look at you when we get into the light. I hope you are like your mother.' This prospect discomfited me. I knew she would find a very ugly girl with not the least resemblance to her pretty mother, and I cursed my appearance under my breath.1967Alistair MacLeanWhere Eagles DareSmith, his already reddening face discomfited and tight in anger, rose, made to leave…

Labels: Alistair MacLean, Jane Austen, Miles Franklin

Permalink: discomfit
Entry By: CJ Cooney
Smash illiteracy! Email This Word To A Friend:

nadir

NAY-deer

noun

the lowest point; the low-water mark; the time of greatest struggle or opposition or adversity or depression; the opposite of zenith

1860Anthony TrollopeCastle RichmondHe did not, indeed, perceive the aesthetic value of sin—he did not perceive the esthetic value of anything—and his analysis of human nature was not profound enough to reach the conception of sin, crime being to him the nadir of downward possibility—but he had a professional, a sort of half Scotland Yard, half master of hounds interest in a criminal.1921Louis Joseph VanceRed MasqueradeThe formulation of this question marked the turning point in Sofia's descent toward the nadir of shame and anguish; from the moment its significance was clearly apprehended (but it took her long to reach this stage) the complexion of her thoughts took on another colour, and the smart of chagrin was soothed even as the irritation excited by critical examination of Victor's conduct grew more acute.1938Clark Ashton SmithThe Maze of Maal Dweb...avoid the pale porphyry stairs that wound heavenward through dizzy, nadir-cleaving chasms…1971Alistair MacLeanBear IslandIt is a fact that when a person reaches that nadir of nausea which is the inevitable prelude to violent sickness the complexion does assume a hue which can only be described as greenish…

Labels: Alistair MacLean, Anthony Trollope, Clark Ashton Smith, Louis Joseph Vance

Permalink: nadir
Entry By: CJ Cooney
Smash illiteracy! Email This Word To A Friend:

sub rosa

suhb RO-zuh

adverb

in confidence; secretly; covertly

1927Sinclair LewisElmer GantryWhatever worldly expressions he might use in sub rosa conversations with the less sanctified theological students…1962Alistair MacLeanSatan BugYou will remember that there was nothing sub rosa about Gregori's arrival in this country…2000Robert Ludlum and Galye LyndsThe Hades FactorFrom the great shuttered embassy, they handled passport questions, reported on local media, and occasionally passed sub-rosa messages between Washington and Baghdad.

Labels: Alistair MacLean, Galye Lynds, Robert Ludlum, Sinclair Lewis

Permalink: sub rosa
Entry By: CJ Cooney
Smash illiteracy! Email This Word To A Friend:

byzantine

BAI-zan-teen

adjective

hard to comprehend due to complexity; intricacy; complicated

1982Alistair MacLeanPartisansBut in the deepest recesses of her mind she wondered whether the plan was indeed God's will—or merely part of Bernice's byzantine design.1991Robert LudlumThe Road to Omaha...she had brought up her own daughters to serve the byzantine infrastructures of the government's myriad bureaus, departments, and agencies.1992Pat CadiganTrue FacesMaybe it should have prepared me for the more byzantine protocols of extraterrestrials, but I've got a bad attitude.1998Chuck RogersTarget CommandDuring the cold war, KGB operations were Byzantine to say the least.

Labels: Alistair MacLean, Chuck Rogers, Pat Cadigan, Robert Ludlum

Permalink: byzantine
Entry By: CJ Cooney
Smash illiteracy! Email This Word To A Friend:

ARCHIVES
» 2009.01
» 2009.02
» 2009.03
» 2009.04
» 2009.05
» 2009.06
» 2009.07
» 2009.08
» 2009.09
» 2009.10
» 2009.11
» 2009.12
» 2010.01
» 2010.02
» 2010.03
» 2010.04
» 2010.05
» 2010.06
» 2010.07
» 2010.08