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

remonstrance

ri-MAWN-struhns

noun

a protest; a complaint; a grievance

1861R. M. BallantyneThe Gorilla Hunters'O Peterkin,' said I, in a tone of remonstrance, 'how could you be so unkind as to waken me when I had just got to sleep? Shabby fellow!' 1906Lucas MaletThe Far HorizonAll day thunder had threatened, but had not broken. And, even yet, the face of heaven seemed less peaceful than remonstrant, a sullenness holding it as of troops in retreat denied satisfaction of imminent battle.1954J. R. R. TolkienThe Lord of the Rings: The Two TowersThey heard the gentle remonstrance of a kindly king with an erring but much-loved minister.1966Ian FlemingQuantum of SolaceOf course Masters himself, as he was to tell me later, went through the usual dreary sequence—remonstrance, bitter quarrel, furious rage, violence (he told me he damned nearly throttled her one night) and, finally, icy withdrawal and sullen misery.

Labels: Ian Fleming, J. R. R. Tolkien, Lucas Malet, R. M. Ballantyne

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Entry By: CJ Cooney
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sobriquet

SO-bri-kay

noun

a nickname

1906Lucas MaletThe Far Horizon'That is very taking and stylish; and it is just what I should like to have done with my Peachie.' This graceful sobriquet was generally understood to bear testimony to the excellence of Mrs. Porcher's complexion.1983Alan Dean FosterKrullErgo spoke the words and for a change lived up to his sobriquet, the Magnificent.2000Robin CookShock'Milk of amnesia' was Carl's humorous sobriquet for the anesthetic agent propofol, which was dispensed as a white liquid, and the term never failed to tickle her funny bone.

Labels: Alan Dean Foster, Lucas Malet, Robin Cook

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Entry By: CJ Cooney
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pedagogic

pe-duh-GAW-jik

adjective

related to the profession of teaching or education

1915Ford Madox FordThe Good SoldierWith her little, pedagogic sectarianism she remembered that Catholics do not do this thing.1919Lucas MaletDeadham HardDons, head-masters, the pedagogic and professorial tribe generally, he had long taken in his stride quite unabashed. Church dignitaries, too, left him saucily cool.2002Robert LudlumThe Janson Directive'There's always time for recriminations,' said Charlotte Ainsley with a severe, over-the-glasses pedagogic look.

Labels: Ford Madox Ford, Lucas Malet, Robert Ludlum

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Entry By: CJ Cooney
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