Labels: Bram Stoker, Clive Barker, Guy Gavriel Kay, J. D. Robb
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Permalink: miasma Entry By: CJ Cooney Smash illiteracy! Email This Word To A Friend: |
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miasma mai-AZ-muh noun poisonous air; noxious air; unpleasant atmosphere 1897DraculaThere was an earthy smell, as of some dry miasma, which came through the fouler air. But as to the odour itself, how shall I describe it? It was not alone that it was composed of all the ills of mortality and with the pungent, acrid smell of blood, but it seemed as though corruption had become itself corrupt. Faugh! It sickens me to think of it.1995SacramentThe shutters, which were to her left, remained open a little way, but the daylight fluttered at the sill, stopped from entering by the miasma she was giving off.1998Sailing to Sarantium...the miasma of an excruciating headache…1999Conspiracy In DeathEve knew the layer all too well. Sweet, sickly. And here, sneaking under the miasma of urine and sour flesh was the smell of death, and she noted with a faint frown, the bright metallic hint of blood.Labels: Bram Stoker, Clive Barker, Guy Gavriel Kay, J. D. Robb
ignotum per ignotius ig-NO-tuhm pur ig-NO-tee-uhs phrase explaining something difficult to comprehend by reference to something even harder to comprehend 1400The Canterbury Tales'Yea, Sir, and is it thus? This is ignotum per ignotius. What is Magnesia, good Sir, I pray?'1909Darwin and Modern ScienceHe refused to supplement them by hypothetical geographical changes for which there was no independent evidence: this was simply to attempt to explain ignotum per ignotius.1989The Great and Secret ShowObscurum per obscurius, ignotum per ignotius, they advised. Let the obscure be explained by the more obscure, the unknown by the more unknown.Labels: A. C. Seward, Clive Barker, Geoffrey Chaucer
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