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I'm CJ Cooney, a writer on communication, ideas, culture and history. This blog is a chronicle of my adventures in lexicography.

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If reading were a sin, the average person today would be a saint.  And this dictionary in progress would be blasphemy. More...

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ultima ratio regum
bedizen

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REFERENCEER
REF-ren-sear. Noun. 1. Anyone who enjoys reading or browsing dictionaries, thesauri, encyclopedias, and other sundry reference materials. 2. A publisher of reference material. 3. CJ's book blog adventure.

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.

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Entry By: CJ Cooney
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bedizen
bi-DAI-zuhn
verb
to dress-up or decorate in a garish or gaudy manner
1850Nathaniel Hawthorne The Scarlet Letter Prithee, young one, who art thou, and what has ailed thy mother to bedizen thee in this strange fashion?1864Charles Kingsley The Roman and the Teuton But still the Trolls can tempt and bribe the greedier or the more vain; and still the wonders inside haunt their minds; till it becomes a fixed idea among them all, to conquer the garden for themselves and bedizen themselves in the fine clothes, and drink their fill of the wine. 1895Grant Allen The British Barbarians Sometimes people cover their heads with filth or ashes; and sometimes they bedizen them with crape and white streamers. 1997Jack VanceThe Demon PrincesBedizened and fashionable, Gersen now failed to recognize himself in the mirror.

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Entry By: CJ Cooney
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