Word: Ineptitude You Pronounce It: /iˈneptəˌt(y)o͞od/ Definition: noun lack of skill or ability. "the officials displayed remarkable ineptitude" I found it while reading Rhetoric in the European Tradition by Thomas M. Conley when he writes about Plato and the influencing factors behind his philosophy, "Athens, it was clear to him, had fallen because of the ineptitude … Continue reading Word of the day: 1/30/17
Tag: Word of the day
Word of the week: Esoteric
Word: esoteric You Pronounce It: [es-uh-ter-ik] Definition: adjective 1.understood by or meant for only the select few who have special knowledge or interest; recondite: poetry full of esoteric allusions. 2.belonging to the select few. 3.private; secret; confidential. 4.(of a philosophical doctrine or the like) intended to be revealed only to the initiates of a group: the esoteric doctrines … Continue reading Word of the week: Esoteric
Word of the week: Mesmeric
Word: Mesmeric You Pronounce it: mez-mer-ik Definition: adjective 1. produced by mesmerism; hypnotic. 2. compelling; fascinating. Or: 3. causing a person to become completely transfixed and unaware of anything else around them. "she found herself staring into his mesmeric gaze" I found it: While reading The Beetle by Richard Marsh when he says, "I was far, yet, from being … Continue reading Word of the week: Mesmeric
Word of the Week: Epistemology
Word: Epistemology You Pronounce it: [ih-pis-tuh-mol-uh-jee] Definition: noun 1.a branch of philosophy that investigates the origin, nature, methods, and limits of human knowledge. I found it: During class discussion in a Theory course. I found it easier to remember it as "knowledge and knowing." Not to be confused with "Epistolary" which I used to do (as silly … Continue reading Word of the Week: Epistemology
Word of the Week: July 12, 2016
Word: Nihillistic You Pronounce It: ni·hil·ism Definition: n. 1. Philosophy The doctrine that nothing actually exists or that existence or values are meaningless. 2. Relentless negativity or cynicism suggesting an absence of values or beliefs: nihilism in postwar art. 3. a. Political belief or action that advocates or commits violence or terrorism without discernible constructive goals. b. also Nihilism … Continue reading Word of the Week: July 12, 2016
Word of the Week: Abstruse
Word: Abstruse You Pronounce It: [ab-stroos] Definition: adjective 1. hard to understand; recondite; esoteric: abstruse theories. 2. Obsolete. secret; hidden. Origin: 1590-1600 Latin: abstrūsus thrust away, concealed (past participle of abstrūdere), equivalent to abs- abs- + trūd- thrust + -tus past participle suffix I found it: While reading, The Rhetorical Tradition: Readings from Classical Times to the Present by Bissell and … Continue reading Word of the Week: Abstruse
Word of the Week: Periphery
Word: Periphery You Pronounce It: [puh-rif-uh-ree] Definition: noun, plural peripheries. 1. the external boundary of any surface or area. 2. the external surface of a body. 3. the edge or outskirts, as of a city or urban area. 4. the relatively minor, irrelevant, or superficial aspects of the subject in question: The preliminary research did not, of course, take me beyond … Continue reading Word of the Week: Periphery
Word of the week:6/6/16–Invective
Word: Invective You Pronounce it: [in-vek-tiv] Definition: noun 1. vehement or violent denunciation, censure, or reproach. 2. a railing accusation; vituperation. 3. an insulting or abusive word or expression. I found it: While reading "Unladylike Polemics: Christine de Pizan's Strategies of Attack and Defense" by Christine Moneera Laennec. "The idea of characterizing de Pizan's writing as invective, which becomes separated … Continue reading Word of the week:6/6/16–Invective
Word of the week: Heuristic
Word: Heuristic You Pronounce it: hyoo-ris-tik Definition: adjective 1. serving to indicate or point out; stimulating interest as a means of furthering investigation. 2. encouraging a person to learn, discover, understand, or solve problems on his or her own, as by experimenting, evaluating possible answers or solutions, or by trial and error: a heuristic teaching method. 3. of, relating … Continue reading Word of the week: Heuristic
Word of the week: 4/6/16–Halcyon
Word: Halcyon You Pronounce it: [hal-see-uh n] Definition:adjective, Also, halcyonian [hal-see-oh-nee-uh n] (Show IPA), halcyonic [hal-see-on-ik] (Show IPA) 1.calm; peaceful; tranquil: halcyon weather. 2.rich; wealthy; prosperous: halcyon times of peace. 3.happy; joyful; carefree: halcyon days of youth. 4.of or relating to the halcyon or kingfisher. noun 5.a mythical bird, usually identified with the kingfisher, said to … Continue reading Word of the week: 4/6/16–Halcyon
Mrs. Lady Renaissance 