learn a new word each day

I saw this word twice yesterday, and I was only 60% sure of the definition so I looked it up.

Main Entry: equa·nim·i·ty
Function: noun
Etymology: Latin aequanimitas, from aequo animo with even mind

1 : evenness of mind especially under stress
2 : right disposition

Envy and jealousy are very close in meaning. Envy denotes a longing to possess something awarded to or achieved by another: to feel envy when a friend inherits a fortune. Jealousy, on the other hand, denotes a feeling of resentment that another has gained something that one more rightfully deserves: to feel jealousy when a coworker receives a promotion. Jealousy also refers to anguish caused by fear of unfaithfulness.

1. Something in which a person excels.
2. The strong part of a sword blade, between the middle and the hilt.

[French fort, from Old French, strong, from Latin fortis. See fort.]

USAGE NOTE The word forte, coming from French fort, should properly be pronounced with one syllable, like the English word fort. Common usage, however, prefers the two-syllable pronunciation, (fôr’tā’), which has been influenced possibly by the music term forte borrowed from Italian. In a recent survey a strong majority of the Usage Panel, 74 percent, preferred the two-syllable pronunciation. The result is a delicate situation; speakers who are aware of the origin of the word may wish to continue to pronounce it as one syllable but at an increasing risk of puzzling their listeners.

Hmm, I looked this up because I was not sure if it had an accent on the e, and then I learn that I am not even pronouncing it correctly. Interesting. Are you a part of the 74% like me?

tum·brel or tum·bril
n.
1. A two-wheeled cart, especially a farmer’s cart that can be tilted to dump a load.
2. A crude cart used to carry condemned prisoners to their place of execution, as during the French Revolution.

pro•le•tar•i•at noun
1. The class of industrial wage earners who, possessing neither capital nor production means, must earn their living by selling their labor.
2. The poorest class of working people.

from wordsmith.org Jun 21, 2002

1) tope (tope) verb tr., intr.
To drink (liquor) habitually and copiously.

[Of uncertain origin, perhaps from obsolete top (to drink) as in “top off”.]

2) tope (tope) noun
A small shark with a long snout (Galeorhinus galeus).

[Of unknown origin.]

3) tope (tope) noun
A usually dome-shaped monument built by Buddhists. Also known as a stupa.

[From Hindi top, from Prakrit or Pali thupo, from Sanskrit stupa (head).

Pictures!
tope, the fish:
http://www.dkimages.com/discover/previews/936/55093583.JPG

tope, the building:
http://www.buddhanet.net/sanchi.htm

from wordsmith.org
Date: Sun Jan 2 2000
“The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet.” -Aristotle

Hibernian (hie-BUR-nee-uhn)
adjective
1. Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of Ireland or its inhabitants; Irish.

noun
2. A native of Ireland. [Hiberni(a), the Latin and poetic name for the island of Ireland + -an]

I want to expand my knowledge and vocabulary. I am just a housewife, so it is for my own enjoyment only. But I think that’s a great reason.

Function: transitive verb
Etymology: Middle English encoragen, from Anglo-French encorager, from en- + curage courage
1 a : to inspire with courage, spirit, or hope : HEARTENshe was encouraged to continue by her early success
b : to attempt to persuade : URGEthey encouraged him to go back to school
2 : to spur on : STIMULATEwarm weather encourages plant growth
3 : to give help or patronage to : FOSTERgovernment grants designed to encourage conservation

There is no such thing as a ‘self-made’ man. We are made up of thousands of others. Everyone who has ever done a kind deed for us, or spoken one word of encouragement to us, has entered into the make-up of our character and of our thoughts. George Matthew Adams

ac·cre·tion (ə-krē’shən) pronunciation
n.
1. Growth or increase in size by gradual external addition, fusion, or inclusion.
2. Something contributing to such growth or increase: “the accretions of paint that had buried the door’s details like snow” (Christopher Andreae).