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Author Topic: Darkstorme's Word of the Day  (Read 5172 times)

darkstorme

Darkstorme's Word of the Day
« Reply #20 on: August 28, 2010, 02:05:32 am »
And now a brief diversion into politics...

Hegemony

When you're talking politics on the level of nation-states, the word hegemony (heh-jem-oh-nee, emphasis on the second syllable) is likely to feature.

Hegemony is dominance by one nation, state, or culture over other (usually smaller) similar bodies, or an attempt to do the same.  This can be antagonistic (as in a nation exerting martial power over its neighbours) or largely benign (as in a nation or organization taking the lead in a confederation.)

A similar term, cultural hegemony, is a Marxist political and philosophical term (are you listening, Farros?) to do with the dominance of one culture (for example, that of the ruling class) over all others in a society.  This is accomplished by establishing the perception that the dominant culture's ideology is beneficial to all, when in fact it only benefits the members of that culture.

The term to describe things that pertain to a hegemony is "hegemonic".

Usage:
  • Prantz, under Lord Rael, seeks absolute hegemony over Dregar.
  • Milara's hegemony over most of Alindor was uncontested for many decades.
References:
 

darkstorme

Darkstorme's Word of the Day
« Reply #21 on: August 30, 2010, 02:40:08 am »
A useful adjective for all you Berylites out there:

Iridescent

Often used interchangeably with opalescent or lustrous, an object described to be iridescent (ir-ih-des-scent) often appears superficially white or milky-white, but acquires a play of colours when seen at varying angles in light.

Objects in everyday life that can be said to be iridescent are things like the mother-of-pearl seen on the inside of seashells and clam shells, the thin film of a soap bubble, or the rainbow-like patterns seen in a slick of oil on water.  (Unfortunately, the beauty is somewhat lost in BP-scale slicks.)

The property of being iridescent is known as iridescence.

Usage:

  • The goblin clubbed the still-twitching adventurer once more, stilling his motions forever, then pried open the man's mailed hand.  The huge pearl was iridescent in the morning sun, and the goblin crooned to it.  "Now you are mine... my own...."
  • The bard turned the heavy white dragon scale over and over in his hands wonderingly.  Easily as hard as forged iron, the scale looked like some sort of rare gemstone, the light glinting off its surface in a spray of iridescence.
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darkstorme

Darkstorme's Word of the Day
« Reply #22 on: August 31, 2010, 02:42:18 am »
Today's word is good for alchemists and people frequenting hot springs (come to it, Layo needs a good hot springs resort):

Effervescence

Originally a chemist's term, effervescence (eff-er-vess-sense) is the term applied to gas escaping an aqueous solution.  So carbonated water, or any acid/base neutralization reaction would be an excellent example of effervescence.  A liquid that bubbles (through the approach of its boiling point or some other means of gas escaping a solution) is said to be "effervescing".

As with many such terms, it has been borrowed by other walks of life.  An individual with a "bubbly" personality is said to be effervescent, and if a thinker's mind can be said to be "bubbling over with ideas", "effervescent" can be as readily applied.

Usage:
  • The gnome carefully mixed the aqueous acid solution into the flask, and his eyes sparkled as it began to effervesce.  At last, he'd got the recipe right!  His eyes narrowed.  Funny, the recipe didn't say the liquid should bubble THAT mu... seconds later, he awoke flat on his back, smoke rising from what remained of his eyebrows.
  • It's said that the effervescent waters of some of the springs on the slopes of Firesteep are wonderfully invigorating.  Which is fortunate, because any who partake in a bath therein will need their newfound vigour in escaping the mountain's other inhabitants.
References:
 

Unknown User

Darkstorme's Word of the Day
« Reply #23 on: August 31, 2010, 02:42:18 am »

   
Quote:

   
   
      
   
   

         
            

               Originally Posted by darkstorme
               View Post
            

            
Today's word is good for alchemists and people frequenting hot springs (come to it, Layo needs a good hot springs resort):

         
      

From Succession:




   
Quote:

   
   
      
   
   

         
            Zaj contains one of the most sought-after restorative  towns on Dregar, Lakeside. It is not  uncommon to find several dozens of influential people and their families  relaxing in the saunas here or taking guarded hikes up the  mountainside.
         
      

 

Unknown User

Darkstorme's Word of the Day
« Reply #24 on: August 31, 2010, 02:42:18 am »
Ah, but saunas are not hot springs.  Though still very relaxing.
 

darkstorme

Darkstorme's Word of the Day
« Reply #25 on: September 01, 2010, 04:03:23 am »
You've met the character, now meet the word:

Stygian

 Literally "having to do with Styx" (the river, not the band), the word has its origins in Greek mythology.  It's such a good word, however, that writers (and character submitters) employ it in realms where there was never a realm known as Greece.  So why should Layonara be any exception?

Though originally confined to a certain stygian river (see what I did there?) the word has come to mean any hellish situation (though usually tied to underground confinement, rather than fiery pits).  Also, in parallel to the word acheronian (based on the river Acheron, which happens to run parallel to the Styx) stygian has come to apply to any situation or locale which is dark, dismal, and seemingly devoid of all hope.  So it's a word that could reasonably be applied to a great many dungeons.

Usage:
  • Shiff peered into the stygian depths of the crevasse.  And then twenty pairs of glowing eyes were looking back.
  • Something blew out the torch, and the party was plunged into stygian darkness.

References:

 

darkstorme

Darkstorme's Word of the Day
« Reply #26 on: September 02, 2010, 02:05:19 am »
And now, to kick off Wizards and Sorcerers week:

Conflagration

A conflagration (con-fla-gray-shun) is a firestorm - an intense, uncontrollable fire that extends over a relatively large area.  It might include multiple buildings, acres of forest, or as little as a few rooms, depending on its context.  The difference between a simple fire and a conflagration, however, lies in its intensity and the writer's perception of its destructive power.

It can also be employed to describe a large-scale military conflict in a metaphorical fashion - "the conflagration of war".

There's also a verb form of the word: conflagrate - to kindle or set fire to something.  It's not often used, most likely because it doesn't really scan well in a sentence.  "He lit the oily rag" reads better than "He conflagrated the oily rag."

The application of this word in conjunction with wizards and sorcerers should be fairly self-evident. ;)

Usage:

  • The wizard strode away from the conflagration, his eyes hard.  Behind him, something exploded as the fire breached another stockroom.  As the former Corathite temple fell in on itself, spraying embers in the air, the wizard vanished into the woods.
  • The cultists danced about the conflagration, their shouts of triumph and praise to Pyrtechon easily drowning out the screams of the people trapped inside.
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darkstorme

Darkstorme's Word of the Day
« Reply #27 on: September 03, 2010, 02:36:54 am »
Today during Wizard and Sorceress week, we're going with one for the Divination-specialists (we know you're out there, and we're sorry):

Sibylline

A delightful word that a dear friend introduced me to, sibylline (sih-bill-een) means oracular or prophetic.  It can also mean cryptic or mysterious - which often amounts to the same thing.

The word derives, originally, from the Greek sibylla, or "prophetess", which referred primarily to the oracles at Delphi and Pessinos.  The word "sibyl" still refers to seers or oracles, almost exclusively female.

The word is not in any way related to "sibilant", which derives from the Latin "to hiss or whistle".

Usage:
  • After finishing the last word of the spell, the sorceress' eyes glazed over and she began mumbling sibylline utterances, which her fellow party members dutifully took down.
  • The sibylline prophecy was worked into a song by the master bard and set free to sing on the wind - perhaps someone, somewhere, would know what it meant.
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darkstorme

Darkstorme's Word of the Day
« Reply #28 on: September 04, 2010, 02:36:59 am »
For all you Enchanters out there...

Ensorcell

This word (en-sore-sell)'s definition couldn't really be more straightforward.  It literally means to enchant or bewitch someone.  The way it sounds notwithstanding, it is not restricted to sorcerers - any spell that controls a person or thing can be said to ensorcell them.

In our world, the word derives from a word in Old French which means... more or less exactly the same thing.  People have been coming up with words to describe "the magical control of another person or thing" for a long time.  (I'm saving the best of them for Xeen week, though.)

So, with the definition behind us...

Usage:
  • The final whispered words drifted past her lips and the stunned fighter stiffened.  Ensorcelled, the man stood facing the sorceress, who smiled wickedly.  'Well, now, isn't this precious?'  A red-painted fingernail tapped her chin thoughtfully.  'You know the friends you left in the camp to pursue me?'  The man nodded unwillingly.  'Kill them.'
  • The gnomish tinkerer scowled at his workbench.  He'd ensorcelled a broom to help him clean up the lab - though that hadn't turned out all that well, in reflection - so why couldn't he make the model cart move without a horse?
Reference:
 

darkstorme

Darkstorme's Word of the Day
« Reply #29 on: September 04, 2010, 02:36:59 am »
Today, illusionists!

Phantasmagoria

A series or collection of illusions, deceptions, phantasms and/or hallucinations.  Despite what the name might sound like, the illusions needn't be bloody; the word derives from a old French term which meant, literally, "a collection of phantasms".

The term was borrowed to mean a pre-cinema show consisting of projected images or figures that would appear to shift from one form to another.

Usage:
  • Jacob's dreams of late had been a phantasmagoria; always, he woke up unrested with the sense he was missing something important.
  • The spell rushed towards him... and then a phantasmagoria burst from the night: sounds, colours, lights... he closed his eyes but it just... kept... coming!
 

darkstorme

Darkstorme's Word of the Day
« Reply #30 on: September 06, 2010, 02:50:30 am »
For all the Abjurers out there...

Obviate

To remove a need or difficulty, or to prevent or avoid a problem in the first place, this word (ob-vee-ate) is more or less the Abjurer's stock-in-trade.

Usage:
  • Timulty's foresight in casting Mind Blank obviated the need for further caution when approaching the Myconid colony.
  • By warding the fighter with every spell he knew, the abjurer sought to obviate any risk of sending him to talk with the dark elves.
References:
 

darkstorme

Darkstorme's Word of the Day
« Reply #31 on: September 07, 2010, 02:45:30 am »
And finally, to do with the abilities of wizards and sorcerers in general:

Extirpate

In a general sense, this (ex-stir-pate) means to annihilate, or destroy completely.  But it can also mean to eliminate a growth, a plant, or a species over a range.  Local extinctions, extermination, and excision are all examples of extirpation.

Usage:
  • Pressing the cloud of noxious gas ahead of her with magically-summoned gusts of wind, the magess extirpated the rat infestation, one by one.
  • Grinning wickedly, the sorcerer let the fan of fire from his hand play up and down the trunk of the tree.  The magical fire burned clean through the trunk and down into the ground, consuming the roots, extirpating the tree entirely.  The druid was going to be furious.  Perfect.
References:
 

darkstorme

Darkstorme's Word of the Day
« Reply #32 on: September 07, 2010, 02:45:30 am »
Something happened?  Did it occur, or did it...

Transpire

As indicated in the setup, if something transpires (trans-pyre), it has occurred.  This is not, however, the only definition attached to this particular verb.  A secret or previously unknown fact can also transpire - that is, come to light.

Also, plants transpire - they emit vapour (primarily water vapour) from their leaves.  This form of the verb is less likely to see use in a roleplaying scenario, however, unless you're a particularly technically-minded druid.

Usage:
  • It was two bells past midnight when the events of that fateful evening transpired.
  • It transpired that the party's rogue had been working for the Haven authorities all along.
Reference:
 

darkstorme

Darkstorme's Word of the Day
« Reply #33 on: September 09, 2010, 02:47:17 am »
It's altogether too late, I muttered in a hoarse voice...

Guttural

Invariably a good word when looking for an adjective to describe a villain (or thug)'s mode of speech, a guttural (gut-ter-ral) tone of voice is one that is often compared to the croaking of frogs and crows, a hoarse, harsh, throaty noise.

It can also be used to describe the glottal sound in linguistics; any consonant sound made in the back of the throat can also be so described.  The c in "cut", for example.

Usage:
  • The man's common was almost indecipherable through his guttural accent, but eventually it was made clear that he had come to broker a truce.
  • A guttural voice spoke from beyond the ring of wan light cast by the torches, and Mirrim felt the hairs on the back of her neck try to stand on end.
References:
 

darkstorme

Darkstorme's Word of the Day
« Reply #34 on: September 09, 2010, 02:47:17 am »
A particularly pleasant word, that can have gruesome application...

Incarnadine

A pretty word, incarnadine (in-car-nah-deen), and one that (as with many of my favourite words) can take on the roles of multiple parts of speech.  Derived from the same root as incarnate, carnal, and similar words, the base meaning is that of a flesh or blood colour.

The word can be a noun, the colour itself, or an adjective, describing objects of that colour.  It can even be used as a verb, to describe the process of rendering an object incarnadine.  (Shakespeare was particularly fond of that last.)

Usage:
  • The cleric put on a brave front, but the wound in his shoulder left his formerly dazzling white robe incarnadine, and he was swaying on his feet.
  • The ruddy light of the blazing fires incarnadined the rainclouds, lending a hellish cast to the whole scene.
References:
 

darkstorme

Darkstorme's Word of the Day
« Reply #35 on: September 10, 2010, 02:39:53 am »
What?  What was that?  I can't hear over the... the... I need a word to describe the din outside...

Raucous

Best delivered in a harsh and loud tone of voice, raucous (raw-cuss) is a term to describe harsh, loud, unpleasant noises.  It can also be used to describe any boisterous or rowdy group or location.

Usage:
  • The raucous cries of the oncoming goblin horde grew louder, echoing through the cavern.  The wizard glanced up with concern.
  • The One-Eyed Harpy is known to be a raucous establishment.
References:
 

darkstorme

Darkstorme's Word of the Day
« Reply #36 on: September 12, 2010, 02:54:49 am »
I hold it to be true that this is a word that is often misspelled or confused...

Tenet

Now, a tenant is someone who occupies a location, rented, owned, or otherwise.  A tenet (teh-net), on the other hand, is a belief, dogma, or idea central to a belief, religion, or organization.  A common phrase in religious circles is "tenets of faith": the ideas or dogmas central to the religion, without which an individual cannot be said to be a member of that religion.

As a different example, a tenet of laissez-faire capitalism is that a market without interference best serves the public.  Any tenet is an idea so central to whatever it is a tenet of that without accepting it an individual cannot be said to hold the belief/faith/stance of an organization.

Personal tenets are also possible - those things held to be true by an individual which, if shaken, would result in a radical change in the personality/worldview of the individual.

Usage:
  • It is a tenet central to the Rofireinite faith that the public is best served by a well-structured and -enforced set of laws.
  • One of the tenets of the Foundation and other charities is that those who have plenty have a responsibility to those in need.
References:
 

darkstorme

Darkstorme's Word of the Day
« Reply #37 on: September 13, 2010, 02:21:51 am »
He is determined.  He is unflappable.  He will not back down.  He is...

Stalwart

Stalwart (stahl-wart) is almost always applied to individuals, rather than inanimate objects.  It means hardy, strong, dependable, loyal, impervious to hardship... basically, Paladins.  Particularly dwarven Paladins.

Usage:
  • Waves of raiding giants have broken against the stalwart defenders of Ulgrid's Fortress.
  • The stalwart paladin stood over the body of her fallen comrade, her glowing longsword holding the raging undead at bay.
References:
 

darkstorme

Darkstorme's Word of the Day
« Reply #38 on: September 14, 2010, 02:42:48 am »
Deep into the night, one light stays...

Aglow

Literally glowing or radiant - often softly so, however, rather than the harsher light from incandescent heat or sunlight.

It can also be used figuratively to describe someone who is so happy or contented as to be positively radiant.

Usage:
  • Acacea's face was aglow in the light from the damped embers in the hearth, her voice rising and falling in the cadence of her story.
  • When the local magistrate spoke of his newborn daughter, his face was aglow with pride.
Reference:
 

darkstorme

Darkstorme's Word of the Day
« Reply #39 on: September 14, 2010, 02:42:48 am »
Jetlag annoys me.  Wait, not "annoy"...

Vex

To worry, annoy, agitate, or perplex.  This definition of the verb is the origin of the adjective "vexing" (this kind of adjective - one derived from the present tense of a verb - is called a participle adjective, by the way).  The adjective simply describes an item or person which worries, annoys, agitates, or perplexes another person, usually the speaker.

The final meaning of the verb is to subject a topic to prolonged discussion, deliberation, or examination - to worry a topic to death, as it were.  In a way, this is an extension of the previous definition, with the alteration that the target of all this vexing is the topic (or the audience, depending on how you wish to interpret it.)

The product of vexing an individual or group is vexation, in the same vein as aggravation, annoyance, agitation, etc.

Usage:
  • The little Shadonite was most vexing, thought Lance as he returned to his tent.  Most vexing indeed.  He fought well enough, but when the party was at peace... and then his thoughts were interrupted by the realization that his tent had been filled with stink beetles.  Most vexing indeed.
  • Multiple adventurers have made it their lives' work to vex, bedevil and annoy Lord Rael.
Reference: