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D is for Dictionary (Dec 2019, 31 pages, 31 pages in total)

(2020-01-04 18:21:45) 下一个

I finished the first 31 pages of the dictionary over Dec 2019. The glacial pace
didn't mean that I idled. I took 35 10.5"x8" sheets (on both sides--there must
be a word for it) of notes, mostly of entries copied verbatim. Ocassionally, I
stopped and pondered on the finish line. At this speed, I wouldn't be able to do
it before I turn 50.

Strangely, it is easy to stop thinking about the last page. I am not young but
feel nonetheless having plenty of time. Years of physical training seems to lend
directly to this kind of projects. I do not even force myself to do one page a
day. My friend L has expressed interest and suggested that I read one page of
each letter at a time to avoid boredom. Well. So far, I haven't needed to. For
me, it's never boring!

Over the month, I was treated to the most absorbing new-to-me words, never-
heard-of meanings, usage notes, etymologies, examples, etc. It was an exciting book 
of stories and I was able to connect the dots. The simple "advisedly," e.g.,  
reminded me of a whole speech in the movie Four Weddings and A Funeral:
        Dearly beloved, we are gathered
        together here in the sight of God
        and in the face of this congregation
        to join together this man
        and this woman in holy matrimony,
        which is an honourable estate, instituted
        of God in the time of man's innocence,
        signifying unto us the mystical union
        that is betwixt Christ and his Church
        and therefore is not
        by any to be enterprised
        nor taken in hand unadvisedly,
        lightly, or wantonly,
        but reverently, discreetly, advisedly,
        soberly, and in the fear of God.
        Therefore, if any man
        can show any just cause
        why they may not
        lawfully be joined together,
        Let him speak now or else hereafter
        for ever hold his peace.

        
I enjoyed the etymologies of "adolescent" and "adult." The adolescent grows up
to be the adult. The two words ultimately come from forms of the same Latin 
word, adolescere, meaning "to grow up." "adolescent" derived from the present
participle meaning "growing up." "adult" derived from the past participle
meaning "grown up." How cogent!

Many names from mythology (Greek, Roman, Norse, Hindu, and Arab), the Bible,
and historical events have made it to the dictionary. I have met Abraham, Abel,
Abednego, king David's wife Abgail and son Absalom, of the Bible, and Actaeon,
Admetus, Adrastea, Aeacus, Aegeus, Aegisthus, Aeneas, Aeolus, Aesculapius, and
Aether from Greek and Roman mythology. Each word is a story and some are epics.

The most impressive ones include
- Aceldama: In the New Testament, a potter's field near Jerusalem purchased by
  the priests as a burial ground for strangers with the reward that Judas had
  received for betraying Jesus and had later returned to them. A place with
  dreadful associations. 

  
  I guess "Aceldama" could only be used in writing or a conversation with a
  Christian.

- Adler, Afred: 1870-1937 Austrian psychiatrist who rejected Freud's emphasis
  on sexuality and theorized that neurotic behavior is an overcompensation for
  feelings of inferiority.

  Finally, someone came forward to debunk that phony;-) I like Adler's theory.

- Actium: A promontary and ancient town of western Greece. In 31 B.C., it was
  the site of Octavian's navy victory over Mark Antony and Cleopatra. As a
  result of the battle, Egypt came under Roman control and Octavian established
  as the ruler of Rome.

  Alas. The lovers, Antony, for all his oratory prowess, and Cleopatra her
  ravishing beauty and arresting charm, did not endure.

- Adam's Bridge: A chain of shoals extending about 29km between India and Sri
  Lanka. According to Hindu legend, the bridge was built to transport Rama, hero
  of Ramayana, to the island to rescue his wife from the demon king Ravana.

  Some say the prototype of the monkey king in the Chinese classic 'Journey To
  The West' is Hanuman in Ramayana. Curious why it's called Adam's.

- Aegospotami: A small river and ancient town of southern Thrace in present west
  Turkey. The culminating battle of the Peloponnesian War, in which Lysander and
  the Spartans destroyed the Athenian fleet, took place in the mouth of the
  river at 405 B.C.

  I know little about this war but will sure read about it down the road.

Maladies assaulting mankind seemed rampant. I met one disease per page on
average. After such rare ailments as
- aboulia: loss or impairment of the ability to make decisions and act
  independently
, and
- acedia: spiritual torpor and apathy; ennui,
I was delighted to find "afebrile" which means "having no fever."

I have never expected reading a dictionary could be addictive. I easily spend
two hours on it daily. In fact, it has replaced video-watching as entertainment.
There are still 2043 pages to go and it's going to be a long feast. Thank You!

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7grizzly 回复 悄悄话 回复 '暖冬cool夏' 的评论 : Thank you, 暖冬, for enduring the post and finding something to like ;-) It's a bit dry, I think, to most folks and only language buffs can appreciate. I don't mind being a 'walking dictionary' at all. :-)

The Bible to me is first a collection of stories shared in the minds of the western people. I'm sure you know Noah's Ark. To have more meaningful conversations or just better understanding of English writings, it helps to know these stories.
暖冬cool夏 回复 悄悄话 I know none of the A's from Abraham:(. Once you finish the dictionary after 50, you will be a walking dictionary:). Like your words "arrestingly" and your word root explanation of "adolescent" and "adult". I learn it from you. Happy dictionary studying.
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