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quod erat demonstrandum
kwawd AER-awt de-muhn-STRAN-duhm
phrase
that which was to be demonstrated; used in mathematics at the end of proof and is often symbolized with a small square; abbreviation: QED
1829Honore De BalzacThe Girl With The Golden EyesIf this hurried glance at the population of Paris has enabled us to conceive the rarity of a Raphaelesque face, and the passionate admiration which such an one must inspire at the first sight, the prime interest of our history will have been justified. Quod erat demonstrandum—if one may be permitted to apply scholastic formulae to the science of manners.1897Henry Seton MerrimanThe Grey LadyAnd it is thus that the little habits are acquired, and the little habits make the woman, therefore the little habits make the match. Quod erat demonstrandum.1905Donald MacKenzie WallaceRussiaNow vot is evidently the same root as the German vat in Vater, and the English fath in father. Quod erat demonstrandum.1971Poul AndersonOperation Chaos'Remember, this is a gut issue. Nornwell manufactures a lot of police and defense equipment, like witchmark fluorescers and basilisk goggles. We're under contract to develop more kinds. The police and the armed forces serve the Establishment. The Establishment is evil. Therefore Nornwell must be shut down.' | 'Quod erat demonstrandum about,' she sighed.'

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susurrus
suh-SUR-uhs
noun
a gentle whispering sound; a soft humming sound; a soft rustling sound
1911Max Beerbohm Zuleika Dobson Echoes of his boots fell from the upper stairs and met the ascending susurrus of a silk skirt. 1984Eric Van LustbaderThe Miko...he heard nothing above the soft susurrus of the faraway traffic on Highway 70.1994Poul Anderson The Stars Are Also FireBackground noise was a susurrus through which a gust of music would twang…

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xenophilia
ZE-no-fil-ee-uh
noun
love of foreign persons
1970Larry NivenRingworld'So it is,' said Louis. In point of fact, he was hooked. Xenophilia and restlessness and curiosity combined: wherever the puppeteer was going, Louis Wu was going too.1978Poul AndersonThe Avatar...it is a kind of xenophilia, and when a conifict of which they approve (and they approve of most) does erupt, they take the lead in cheering on the warheads and calling for more soldiers to feed the furnace.1979David BrinSundiverDuring breakfast she had sat between Bubbacub and LaRoque, trying to mediate the Earthman's embarrassing Xenophilia with the Library Representative's aloof suspicion.

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libation
lai-BAY-shuhn
noun
an alcohol beverage; ceremonial drinking
1953Jim ThompsonSavage NightYou look like you might be able to use a small libation, Mr. Bigelow.1967Poul AndersonEutopiaSolemnly, they poured a libation before they drank.1990Piers AnthonyFirefly'Here—I have brought wherewithal for a libation.' He reached behind him and brought out a hip flask.1996Ann RuleA Fever in the HeartKenny Marino had invited three girls to come to his parents' home that night for Tequila Sunrises, a curious Christmas libation.

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trebuchet
tre-byuh-SHET
noun
a medieval artillery for hurling large stones or other objects during sieges
1960Poul AndersonThe High CrusadeThe boat carried several of these-also a disassembled trebuchet which his artisans had constructed.1976Karl Edward WagnerDark CrusadeKane's trebuchets are smashing the outer walls to powder.2003Clive Cussler and Paul KemprecosWhite DeathHe's a medieval weapons buff, so he developed a gadget similar to a trebuchet that had a surprising range.

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