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.

Mellifluous

Pronunciation:
\me-ˈli-flə-wəs, mə-\

Definition:
1: having a smooth rich flow
2: filled with something (as honey) that sweetens

Etymology:
Middle English mellyfluous, from Late Latin mellifluus, from Latin mell-, mel honey + fluere to flow; akin to Gothic milith honey, Greek melit-, meli


First Known Use: 15th century

My husband heard this word yesterday on NPR while listening to a story about a man's speech. Before I looked up the word, I thought it may be a negative term, but it is quite complimentary. Another very descriptive word for you to add to your vocabulary!

Insular

Pronunciation:
\ˈin(t)-su-lər, -syu-, ˈin-shə-lər\
 
Definition:
1a : of, relating to, or constituting an island b : dwelling or situated on an island

2: characteristic of an isolated people; especially : being, having, or reflecting a narrow provincial viewpoint
3: of or relating to an island of cells or tissue

Etymology:
Late Latin insularis, from Latin insula island

First Known Use: 1611

The 2011 National Book Award winners were announced. The awards are long considered to be insular, and this year was no exception. In this case, I would prefer this definition: ; standing alone; isolated. While I don't think some mainstream books deserve an award, it would be nice for more popular authors and titles to be considered. It seems that they can't win unless they lack an audience.

Coffer

Pronunciation:
\ˈko-fər, ˈkä-\

Definition:
1: chest; especially : strongbox

2: treasury, funds —usually used in plural
3: a recessed panel in a vault, ceiling, or soffit

Etymology:
Middle English coffre, from Anglo-French, ultimately from Latin cophinus basket, from Greek kophinos

First Known Use: 13th century

I heard this word this morning during our sermon. The preacher was talking about Catholics being able to purchase forgiveness of sins, or the security of a loved one's release from purgatory (the purchase of these is called indulgences). Preacher explained that as soon as the coins hit the bottom of the coffer, the loved one would be released into paradise. It's a word not widely used now, and I liked it!

Disentangle

Pronunciation:
/disenˈtaNGgəl/

Definition:
1.Free (something or someone) from an entanglement; extricate
2.Remove knots or tangles from (wool, rope, or hair).

Etymology:
None found

First known use: 1550

I ran across disentangle in a book I was reading and wondered why the author would use this word, as opposed to untangle.

To get to the bottom of it, you would have to go back to the root of the words: tangle. Entangled is almost always used when one thing becomes entwined with another, not when one thing becomes entwined or interwoven in itself, as with hair.

Does that straighten it out for you?