Labels: Donald MacKenzie Wallace, Henry Seton Merriman, Honore De Balzac, Poul Anderson
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Permalink: quod erat demonstrandum Entry By: CJ Cooney Smash illiteracy! Email This Word To A Friend: |
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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 1829The 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.1897The 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.1905RussiaNow vot is evidently the same root as the German vat in Vater, and the English fath in father. Quod erat demonstrandum.1971Operation 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.'Labels: Donald MacKenzie Wallace, Henry Seton Merriman, Honore De Balzac, Poul Anderson
susurrus suh-SUR-uhs noun a gentle whispering sound; a soft humming sound; a soft rustling sound 1911Zuleika Dobson Echoes of his boots fell from the upper stairs and met the ascending susurrus of a silk skirt. 1984The Miko...he heard nothing above the soft susurrus of the faraway traffic on Highway 70.1994The Stars Are Also FireBackground noise was a susurrus through which a gust of music would twang…Labels: Eric Van Lustbader, Max Beerbohm, Poul Anderson
xenophilia ZE-no-fil-ee-uh noun love of foreign persons 1970Ringworld'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.1978The 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.1979SundiverDuring breakfast she had sat between Bubbacub and LaRoque, trying to mediate the Earthman's embarrassing Xenophilia with the Library Representative's aloof suspicion.Labels: David Brin, Larry Niven, Poul Anderson
libation lai-BAY-shuhn noun an alcohol beverage; ceremonial drinking 1953Savage NightYou look like you might be able to use a small libation, Mr. Bigelow.1967EutopiaSolemnly, they poured a libation before they drank.1990Firefly'Here—I have brought wherewithal for a libation.' He reached behind him and brought out a hip flask.1996A Fever in the HeartKenny Marino had invited three girls to come to his parents' home that night for Tequila Sunrises, a curious Christmas libation.Labels: Ann Rule, Jim Thompson, Piers Anthony, Poul Anderson
trebuchet tre-byuh-SHET noun a medieval artillery for hurling large stones or other objects during sieges 1960The High CrusadeThe boat carried several of these-also a disassembled trebuchet which his artisans had constructed.1976Dark CrusadeKane's trebuchets are smashing the outer walls to powder.2003White DeathHe's a medieval weapons buff, so he developed a gadget similar to a trebuchet that had a surprising range.Labels: Clive Cussler, Karl Edward Wagner, Paul Kemprecos, Poul Anderson
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