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

feague

feeg

adjective

to whip; to beat; to enliven; to perk up

1785Francis GroseA Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar TongueFEAGUE. To feague a horse; to put ginger up a horse's fundament, and formerly, as it is said, a live eel, to make him lively and carry his tail well; it is said, a forfeit is incurred by any horse-dealer's servant, who shall shew a horse without first feaguing him. Feague is used, figuratively, for encouraging or spiriting one up.1996Gene WolfeExodus from the Long Sun'That'd feague you, huh?

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Entry By: CJ Cooney
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nimiety

ni-MAI-uh-tee

noun

too much; excess; more than necessary

1994Gene WolfeCalde of the Long SunHad Chenille, who had stabbed Orpine in a nimiety of terror, loved something beyond herself?

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Entry By: CJ Cooney
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benison

BE-nuh-suhn

noun

a blessing

1645John MiltonL'AllegroELD. BRO. Unmuffle, ye faint stars; and thou, fair moon, | That wont'st to love the traveller's benison,1900Chestnutt, Charles WaddellThe House Behind The CedarsWhen Rena came back unexpectedly at the behest of her dream, Frank heard again the music of her voice, felt the joy of her presence and the benison of her smile.1901Lew WallaceBen Hur'The other love is but a memory; of which I will say further that, like a benison of the Lord, it hath a compass to contain a whole family, if only'—his voice lowered and trembled—'if only I knew where they were.'1916Rupert HughesWe Can't Have EverythingHe caught her bruised hand and began to kiss it and pour tears on it. And she looked down at his beautiful bent head and laid her other hand on it in benison.1994Gene Wolfe Calde of the Long SunQuetzal raised the baculus to bestow a benison…

Labels: Charles Waddell, Chestnutt, Gene Wolfe, John Milton, Lew Wallace, Rupert Hughes

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Entry By: CJ Cooney
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renitent

RE-nuh-tuhnt

adjective

stubborn resistance to pressure; resistant to persuasion; lacking pliancy

1987Gene WolfeThe Urth of the New Sun...I could see the renitent surface under my feet…1992Julian MayJack The BodilessOne intuits that the potential for metapsychic calamity still lurks within the Mind of this highly renitent people.'

Labels: Gene Wolfe, Julian May

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Entry By: CJ Cooney
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