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

sciolist

SAI-uh-list

noun

a pretender to knowledge; a dabbler

1861John Stuart MillConsiderations on Representative GovernmentClauses omitted which are essential to the working of the rest; incongruous ones inserted to conciliate some private interest, or some crotchety member who threatens to delay the bill; articles foisted in on the motion of some sciolist with a mere smattering of the subject, leading to consequences which the member who introduced or those who supported the bill did not at the moment foresee, and which need an amending act in the next session to correct their mischiefs.1910Arthur Christopher BensonThe Silent IsleNo doubt, if the writer in question made any claim to be discussing the latest theological position on the subject of the Atonement, in a technical way, he would be a mere sciolist; but he is only claiming to discuss the Current conception of the Atonement; and, as far as I can judge, he states it fairly enough.1935Kenneth RobesonDoc Savage: Spook Hole'Exacerbative sciolist in cognoscence,' said Johnny.

Labels: Arthur Christopher Benson, John Stuart Mill, Kenneth Robeson

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Entry By: CJ Cooney
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ambage

AM-bij

noun, adjective

roundabout; ambiguous; not forthright; a circuitous route

1652Robert BurtonThe Anatomy of MelancholyHaving thus briefly anatomised the body and soul of man, as a preparative to the rest; I may now freely proceed to treat of my intended object, to most men's capacity; and after many ambages, perspicuously define what this melancholy is, show his name and differences.1943Kenneth RobesonDoc Savage: The Running Skeletons'Only a sesquipedalian ambagious inveteberate lacks convulition,' said Johnny.

Labels: Kenneth Robeson, Robert Burton

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Entry By: CJ Cooney
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indurate

IN-dyoor-uht

verb

to harden; to make callous or unfeeling; to establish

1826James Fenimore CooperThe Last of the MohicansThe frame of the white man, judging by such parts as were not concealed by his clothes, was like that of one who had known hardships and exertion from his earliest youth. His person, though muscular, was rather attenuated than full; but every nerve and muscle appeared strung and indurated by unremitted exposure and toil.1904Henry JamesThe Golden BowlIt had its effect for her: quite apart from its light on the familiar phenomenon of her husband's indurated conscience, it gave her, full in her face, the particular evocation of which she had made him guilty.1915Anna Katharine GreenThe Golden SlipperThe peculiar attitude of Miss Postlethwaite towards her indurate tormentor awakened in my agitated mind something much deeper than curiosity, but when I strove to speak her name with the intent of inquiring more particularly into her condition, such a look confronted me from the steady eye immovably fixed upon my own, that my courage—or was it my natural precaution—bade me subdue the impulse and risk no attempt which might betray the depth of my interest in one so completely outside the scope of the present moment's business.1933Kenneth RobesonDoc Savage: The Phantom CityHis metallic hands, sensitive for all of their indurate strength, encountered cloth.

Labels: Anna Katharine Green, Henry James, James Fenimore Cooper, Kenneth Robeson

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Entry By: CJ Cooney
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