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asperity a-SPAER-uh-tee noun ill temper; a bump; harshness; severity 1815Jane AustenEmma'Not Harriet's equal!' exclaimed Mr. Knightley loudly and warmly; and with calmer asperity, added, a few moments afterwards,'No, he is not her equal indeed, for he is as much her superior in sense as in situation.'1890Cornelius TacitusThe Reign of TiberiusFor these his assumed manners and foreign habit, Tiberius blamed him in a gentle style, but censured him with great asperity for violating an establishment of Augustus, and entering Alexandria without consent of the Prince.1915Will Levington ComfortRed FleeceWhat do you want? she asked, though not quite with the original asperity.1976Peter O'DonnellLast Day in LimboHe lifted his head and said with asperity…Labels: Cornelius Tacitus, Jane Austen, Peter O'Donnell, Will Levington Comfort
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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
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execrable EK-si-kruh-bul adjective absolutely inferior; very bad; hateful 1789Jane AustenLove and FriendshipOh! consider that a few weeks will at once put an end to every flattering Hope that you may now entertain, by uniting the unfortunate Victim of her father's Cruelty to the execrable and detested Graham.1897E. W. HornungDead Men Tell No TalesThat, however, will surprise you the less when I pause to declare that I have paid as much as four shillings and sixpence for half a loaf of execrable bread; that my mate and I, between us, seldom took more than a few pennyweights of gold-dust in any one day; and never once struck pick into nugget, big or little, though we had the mortification of inspecting the 'mammoth masses' of which we found the papers full on landing, and which had brought the gold-fever to its height during our very voyage.1981James ClavellNoble House'Where ship now?' Four Finger Wu had asked in execrable pidgin English.Labels: E. W. Hornung, James Clavell, Jane Austen
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valetudinary va-luh-too-den-EAR-ee adjective, noun a person obsessed with their health; a sick person 1815Jane AustenEmmaThe evil of the actual disparity in their ages (and Mr. Woodhouse had not married early) was much increased by his constitution and habits; for having been a valetudinarian all his life, without activity of mind or body, he was a much older man in ways than in years; and though everywhere beloved for the friendliness of his heart and his amiable temper, his talents could not have recommended him at any time.1877Michel de MontaigneThe Essays of MontaigneAll which conceits come now into my head, by the remembrance of a story was told me by a domestic apothecary of my father's, a blunt Swiss, a nation not much addicted to vanity and lying, of a merchant he had long known at Toulouse, who being a valetudinary, and much afflicted with the stone, had often occasion to take clysters, of which he caused several sorts to be prescribed him by the physicians, acccording to the accidents of his disease; which, being brought him, and none of the usual forms, as feeling if it were not too hot, and the like, being omitted, he lay down, the syringe advanced, and all ceremonies performed, injection alone excepted; after which, the apothecary being gone, and the patient accommodated as if he had really received a clyster, he found the same operation and effect that those do who have taken one indeed; and if at any time the physician did not find the operation sufficient, he would usually give him two or three more doses, after the same manner.Labels: Jane Austen, Michel de Montaigne
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