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

objurgate

awb-jur-GAYT

verb

to scold; to chastise; to denounce

1871George MeredithThe Adventures of Harry Richmond'Prayers!' He was about to objurgate, but affirmatived her motion to ring the bell for the servants, and addressed Peterborough: 'You read 'em abroad every morning?'1907O. HenryHeart of the WestFour of his fellow-passengers followed, inspired by his example, ready to explore, to objurgate, to resist, to submit, to proceed, according as their prime factor might be inclined to sway them.1914Arnold BennettThe Price of LoveRachel remained alone, to objurgate Rachel. It was indeed only too obvious from Mrs. Tams's constrained and fussy demeanour that the old woman had divined the existence of serious trouble in the Fores household.1926H. Rider HaggardThe Treasure of the Lake...at this point a kind of rage possessed me which caused me to berate and objurgate Hans…

Labels: Arnold Bennett, George Meredith, H. Rider Haggard, O. Henry

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Entry By: CJ Cooney
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traduce

truh-DOOS

verb

to subject someone to humiliation or blame through lies; to seduce

1826Mary Wollstonecraft ShelleyThe Last ManMy productions however were sufficiently unpretending; they were confined to the biography of favourite historical characters, especially those whom I believed to have been traduced, or about whom clung obscurity and doubt.1908Arnold BennettHow to Live on Twenty Four Hours a DayI know that I shall be accused by angry readers of traducing the city worker; but I am pretty thoroughly acquainted with the City, and I stick to what I say.1914John GalsworthyThe MobFor God's sake, Stephen, stop before it's gone past mending. Don't ruin your life with Katherine. Hubert was her favourite brother; you are backing those who killed him. Think what that means to her! Drop this—mad Quixotism—idealism—whatever you call it. Take Katherine away. Leave the country till the thing's over—this country of yours that you're opposing, and—and—traducing. Take her away! Come! What good are you doing? What earthly good? Come, my boy! Before you're utterly undone.

Labels: Arnold Bennett, John Galsworthy, Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley

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Entry By: CJ Cooney
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