Encomium

Pronunciation:
\en-ˈkō-mē-əm\


Definition:
glowing and warmly enthusiastic praise
 
Etymology:
Latin, from Greek enkōmion, from en in + kōmos revel, celebration


First Known Use: 1567

I saw this word used in a comment about the press after Whitney Houston's death. Here is the quote:
 
"If you've come within earshot of a mainstream media outlet in the past week, you've encountered a tribute to Whitney Houston. There's a huge unspoken presence in almost every encomium, though: perhaps out of reluctance to seem to speak ill of the dead, they don't mention Houston's disastrous 2010 tour, which was as clear a signal as the public could've asked for that the singer was suffering."
 
What a sad topic, but a great word. This is one of those words that could be used prolifically and very few would have any idea what it meant!
 
Use it, wordsmiths! Use it!

Pensive

Pronunciation:
\ˈpen(t)-siv\

Definition:
1: musingly or dreamily thoughtful

2: suggestive of sad thoughtfulness

Etymology:
Middle English pensif, from Anglo-French, from penser to think, from Latin pensare to ponder, frequentative of pendere to weigh

First Known Use: 14th century

I have always loved this word. It is very descriptive in a narrow way, much like melancholy.
 
Jack, Chase and I were driving back from Huntsville after seeing a movie and Chase, who was sitting beside me, was very quiet and looking out the window. I patted him on the leg and said, "Chase, you doing okay?" "Yes" was his one-word reply. "Are you pensive?" I asked. "Mom, I don't even know what that means. Good grief, I'm just sitting here."
 
That comment made me pensive. haha!

Venery

Pronunciation:
/venərē/

Definition:
the art, act, or practice of hunting

Etymology:
Middle English venerie, from Anglo-French, from Old French vener to hunt, from Latin venari

First Known Use: 14th century

This word is used in a beautifully written book I am currently reading, "Hotel du Lac" by Anita Brookner. In the following passage, Brookner is describing a woman:

"To Penelope, men were conquests, attributes, but they were also enemies; they belonged to the species that must never be granted more than the amount of time and attention she considered they deserved."

She goes on to say that Penelope "was accomplished in venery."

Accomplished in the hunt; the chase. Isn't this a wonderful word?

I use Botticelli's famous painting The Birth of Venus to illustrate this word because it seems to depict the chase between man and woman perfectly.

Enamored

Pronunciation:
 \i-ˈna-mər\

Definition:
1: to inflame with love —usually used in the passive with of

2: to cause to feel a stro
ng or excessive interest or fascination —usually used in the passive with of or with
 
Etymology:
Middle English enamouren, from Anglo-French enamourer, from en- + amour love

First Known Use: 14th century

This is not a new word for any of you. However, my friend Debbie uses it in such an English way that I find that I am ... well ... enamored with her usage.
 
Debbie will describe something that someone either likes or dislikes and uses this word. "Paul is not enamored with my going to Birmingham," as an example. "I am enamored with her style of writing," as another example.
 
Just like my grandmother used to exclaim of a good idea: "That is a pregnant idea!" Debbie uses this word, typically used in the description of lovey-dovey feelings, to describe anything dealing with feeling. I love this usage!

Stolid

Pronunciation: \ˈstä-ləd\

Definition:  having or expressing little or no sensibility

Etymology: Latin stolidus dull, stupid

First Known Use: circa 1600

In Doc by Marie Daria Russell, a Dutch priest is described as stolid. Not a compliment, I would say.

I found it used again in a cute little poem titled The Adventures of two Dutch Dolls and a "Golliwogg", by Florence K. Upton. Here is an excerpt with the usage:

Said Peggy--"After work so hard,

I think a rest we need;
Let's take a ride
Seated astride
Upon this gentle steed."
 Then simple Sarah Jane climbed up
Upon his wooden back;
With tim'rous heart
She felt him start
Upon the open track.

Ere long they knew that hidden there,
Beneath a stolid mien,
Dwelt a fierce will.
They could not still
They rode as if by steam!

Rapacity

Pronunciation: \rə-ˈpa-sə-tē\

Definition: excessively grasping or covetous

Etymology: Latin rapac-, rapax, from rapere to seize


First Known Use: 1651

I read this sentence, "The rapacity and corruption of Indian Agents." in the novel Doc by Marie Doria Russell, page 82. I had never heard heard this word before and now I have added a new item to my vocabulary!

Haiku in NYC!

Finally, haiku goes mainstream!

"Curbside Haiku,” a DOT safety education and public art campaign launched in November 2011, is a set of twelve bright, eye-catching designs by artist John Morse that mimic the style of traditional street safety signs. Each sign is accompanied by a haiku poem. The “Curbside Haiku” installation can be seen citywide on 144 signs to promote road safety. Each design and haiku delivers a safety message by focusing on a transportation mode.

Placed near eye level in high-crash locations near cultural institutions and schools, the colorful signs draw attention to the critical importance of shared responsibility among pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists in keeping New York City’s streets safe.