alpenglow

Pronounced: AL-puhn-glow, noun

Notes: This is a word that few of us have seen, and yet many people have seen

Yesterday’s word

The word reeve, as a verb, means “to pass (a rope or something like) through”. As a noun, it means “a local official”.

First usage

The verb form goes back to the early 1600s; the noun form goes back to before 1100.

Background / Comments

No one knows where the verb form came from; however, the noun form comes from Old English gerefa (high official). Our word is one of the root words behind “sheriff”, which was originally the high official (“reeve”) of the certain area in the UK (“shire”) – the shire’s reeve, which was shortened to “sheriff”.

reeve

Pronounced: reev, verb/noun

Notes: An interesting word; see tomorrow’s comments

Yesterday’s word

The word desiderata is the plural form of desideratum and thus means “several things wanted or needed”

First usage

Our word came into English in the mid-1600s

Background / Comments

As you might guess from the singular and plural forms, our word comes from Latin; specifically, the Latin word dēsīderāre (to long for; require). I find it easy to remember the meaning of this word by seeing the word “desire” (parts of it, at least) in our word.

desiderata

Pronounced: dih-sid-uh-RAY-tuh (alt 1: dih-sid-uh-RAH-tuh) (alt 2: dih-zid-uh-RAY-tuh)

Notes: This is a plural noun; once again, this is a word I could have figured out, but I didn’t until after reading about it

Yesterday’s word

The word nuncupate means

  • to solemnly pronounce
  • to declare a will orally
First usage

This word came into English in the mid-1500s

Background / Comments

Our word comes from Latin nuncupare (to name), which is composed of nomen (name) and capere (to seize). As I noted yesterday, the adjectival form nuncupative (spoken rather than written; oral) may be more familiar (at least, it is to me; I’m pretty sure I’ve run across “nuncupative will” in my reading). The idea of nuncupative wills goes back to Roman law. Back then, it had to be heard by seven witnesses, and later presented to a magistrate. In the United States, some states allow oral wills, but usually in extreme circumstances, such as imminent peril of death from a terminal illness or from military or maritime service. It is common to require that such wills be recorded in writing within a specific time frame. Witnesses are required. It’s probably easier to have one drawn up that attempt to nuncupate.

nuncupate

Pronounced: NONE-kyuh-pate, verb

Notes: I think the adjectival form ‘nuncupative’ may be better known

Yesterday’s word

The word nugatory means “of no value; worthless; trifling; having no effect; futile; in vain”

First usage

Our word came into English in the very late 1500s or very early 1600s

Background / Comments

I’m still impressed that a word meaning worthless has so many possible pronunciations. Our word is another one from the Latin word nūgātōrius (worthless; useless; trifling).

nugatory

Pronounced: NOO-guh-tawr-ee (alternative #1: NOO-guh-TORE-ee) (alternate #2: nyoo-)

Notes: Kind of an excess of riches in ways to pronounce this word

Yesterday’s word

The word desacralize means “to deprive of hallowed status”

First usage

A more recent term; it came into English in the 1910s

Background / Comments

I should have been able to figure out this word by noting the “sacr” in the word, and matching it to “sacred”… the rest would have fallen into place. This word comes from the Latin word de- (away from) and sacer (sacred).

desacralize

Pronounced: dee-SAY-kurh-lize (alt: dee-SAK-ruh-lize), verb

Notes: Another word I didn’t know, but it made sense after I saw the origin

Yesterday’s word

The word vicissitude means “the change or variation in the course of something; cyclical ups and downs”

First usage

Our word came into English in the mid-1500s

Background / Comments

As I wrote yesterday, I had this word wrong; I thought the definition meant “weariness” or “exhaustion”. The word comes from a Latin word vicissitūdō, which is equivalent to the word visissim (in turn).

vicissitude

Pronounced: vih-SIS-ih-tood (alt -tyood), noun

Notes: I had the wrong meaning for this word

Yesterday’s word

The word pernoctate means

  • to stay up all night
  • to pass the night somewhere
First usage

This word came into English in the early 1600s

Background / Comments

What a great word! This is another one I hope to remember and sprinkle into conversation. Our word comes from the Latin word pernoctare (to spend the night). The Latin word is composed of per- (through) and nox (night).

fubsy

Pronounced: FUHN-zee, adj

Notes: A nice word to know

Yesterday’s word

The word slacktivism means “activism that requires minimal effort” (examples are forwarding a message, or clicking a “like” button).

First usage

This word came into English in the 1990s

Background / Comments

Our word is a blend of slack and activism. As I said, for some people today, forwarding an email, or filling out a form online, or clicking “Like” are how they pat themselves on the back for being “involved”. Another word – “clicktivism” – is also used.

slacktivism

Pronounced: SLACK-tuh-viz-uhm, noun

Notes: This seems like a word for the modern age, but I don’t think I’ve seen it

Yesterday’s word

The word encomium is “a formal expression of praise; a eulogy”

First usage

This word came into English in the late 1500s

Background / Comments

A eulogy is often associated with funerals, but our word is not. The word came from Latin and into Latin from the Greek word enkṓmion (in reveal)