Darkstorme's Word of the Day

[darkstorme]

*sighs*  And now that my computer is back to a reasonable level of operation:

Unbridled

To describe something as unbridled (un-bry-dull'd) means that it is unrestrained, or uncontrolled.  This fits neatly with Grand, particularly because it's often paired with the passions (anger, lust, etc.).

It can also mean an animal often fitted with a bridle who lacks one - for example, a horse or pony.

Usage:

• The scream that ripped from the orc's throat was one of unbridled fury, and he lunged towards them.
  
• Arkolio had been so caught up in unbridled passion, (he claimed later) that the lass' name had flown clean out of his head.
  

References:

• unbridled - definition of unbridled by the Free Online Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia.
  
• unbridled - Definition of unbridled - online dictionary powered by PowerVocabularyBuilder.com
  

(I need someone other than Arkolio who reliably gets into trouble.)

[darkstorme]

A good word for orc females and anyone who gets in the way of Grand's followers:

Subjugate

To subjugate (sub-jih-gate) someone (or, more often, multiple someones) is to conquer them, break them, enslave them, or make them submit.  Countries with less-than-totally-democratic systems of government are often accused of subjugating their populaces.

Usage:

• Under the new leadership, the tribe was successful, subjugating all the smaller tribes in the region.
  
• Subjugation wasn't something Sophia intended to experience.  Inflict, on the other hand...
  

Reference:

• http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subjugate
  
• subjugate - Wiktionary
  

The followers of Grand prefer the axe, of course.  And there's something to be said for edged weapons.  But every so often, you just need something that has a nice weight that you can hit people with.  And for that, there's the...

Cudgel

A cudgel (cud-jull) is another term for a club - a heavy length of wood, stone, or metal that is used to hit people or creatures.

To cudgel is to beat something, as if with a cudgel.  It can also be used metaphorically - for example, one can cudgel one's brain in an attempt to think particularly hard.  (If one were to actually cudgel one's brain, thinking would be more difficult or impossible.)

Usage:

• Pallena habitually carries about a cudgel.  The power of Nature is all well and good, but there are some things for which a solid length of wood is the perfect solution.
  
• The drunk wrenched the table leg free, and turned around, his improvised cudgel raised.
  

Reference:

• cudgel - definition of cudgel by the Free Online Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia.
  
• Cudgel | Define Cudgel at Dictionary.com
  

[darkstorme]

To wrap up Grand, since I've been negligent:

Legion

A legion (lee-jun) can be a large military group, whose numbers and unit makeup vary from army to army.  It can also refer simply to a large number of things (usually animate things).

To describe a group as legion is to describe them as being multitudinous - a large or extremely numerous group.

In real life, the word was a Roman term for a army division comprised of three to six thousand infantry with supporting cavalry - the infantrymen were known as "legionnaires".  Similarly, the Legion can refer to organizations in many countries which support (and provide a social venue for) veterans.

The phrase "we are legion" is a biblical allusion, referring to a tale in the bible wherein a man, possessed by many demons, referred to himself as Legion "for we are many".  (It's worth noting that the original greek referred to it as "chora", but the latin word has a certain ring to it.)

Usage:

• Scouting several miles from the town, Tod was horrified to find an orcish legion on the move.  The town couldn't possibly hope to stand against a force of that size.
  
• Throughout Rael, but particularly in Prantz, Lord Rael's informants are legion, ubiquitous, and so unremarkable as to be unnoticed.
  

Reference:

• legion - definition of legion by the Free Online Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia.
  
• Legion | Define Legion at Dictionary.com
  

[darkstorme]

Once again, a short breather before we get on to the next in the pantheon.

Designation

A designation (deh-zig-nay-shun) is a marking or pointing out of a particular item or individual.  It can also be the assignment or nomination of a given item or individual to a particular task or position, or the name or title associated with that task or position.

Someone or something that has a designation has been designated.

Usage:

• The ship's designation was "Wave Kitten".  There couldn't be many ships with that name.
  
• Only a few adventurers were designated to help deal with the elven crisis.
  

References:

• designation - definition of designation by the Free Online Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia.
  
• Designation | Define Designation at Dictionary.com
  

[darkstorme]

Egregious

Something that is remarkably, conspicuously or flagrantly poorly done or bad is egregious (eh-gree-juss).  The adverbial form (to describe an action) is egregiously.

Usage:

• After a particularly egregious decision one night, Shiff awoke in the morning to find himself buck naked save for a pink apron, accompanied by a potted elderberry bush, somewhere in the Spirit Dunes.
  
• It had been an egregious lie, one that even the thick-witted dockmaster had seen through.  Even so, it had bought enough time for a hasty retreat.
  

Reference:

• egregious: Definition, Synonyms from Answers.com
  
• egregious - definition of egregious by the Free Online Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia.
  

[darkstorme]

Prevaricate

To prevaricate (pre-vair-ih-kate) is to avoid telling the truth, or the whole truth, either through a half-truth, misleading or ambiguous language that is technically true, or quibbling over details.

When one is prevaricating, the process is prevarication.

Usage

• "Well, y'see, m'lord, I didn't see who was actually painting those words, y'see..." Daniel was certain the boy was prevaricating, so he kept up the 'cleric stare'.  He'd get the truth out of him.
  
• One of the first things any Katherian noble learns is the subtle gradations between prevarication and lying.
  

Reference:

• prevaricate definition - Dictionary - MSN Encarta
  
• prevaricate: Definition, Synonyms from Answers.com
  

[ShiffDrgnhrt]

Additional Usage:
While sitting upstairs in the Buckle with Daniel, Tyra knew it was no time for her usual prevaricating.  She was in enough trouble already...

[darkstorme]

There's a face that we wear in the cold light of day -
It's society's mask, it's society's way.
And the truth is, that it's all a...

Facade

A facade (fuh-sahd) is the ornamental facing of a building - the parts meant to be seen by the public.  While it can be used to refer to the entire architectural exterior of a building, often a facade is just a frontpiece to the building that makes it appear more attractive, while the remainder of the building remains mundane.  Which led to the word's second meaning...

...namely, that of a deceptive or artificial front presented to make something appear to be what it's not.  Presenting a facade, then, is providing a false image in an attempt to persuade someone that something is other than it is.

Usage:

• The matron turned back to the party, and Tralek swallowed as he watched the facade of warmth fall from her face.  "So," she hissed, "Not content to play the part I've written for you, is that it?"
  
• The facades facing onto Crimson Eagle's Square are maintained with a subsidy from the Hempstead Trade Board - must keep the city looking her best, after all!
  

References:

• facade - definition of facade by the Free Online Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia.
  
• facade - Definition of facade at YourDictionary.com
  

[darkstorme]

Ubiquitous

If something is described as ubiquitous (you-bick-kwih-tuss), this means it is (or appears to be) omnipresent, everywhere at once.

The property of being ubiquitous is ubiquity.

Usage:

• While the originals were rare, imitation copies of the Bracers of the Scouts seem practically ubiquitous.
  
• Elohanna moved cautiously through the streets of Arnax, the ubiquitous symbols of Corath inducing the sensation of a near-physical oppression.
  

References:

• Ubiquitous | Define Ubiquitous at Dictionary.com
  
• Definition of ubiquitous, acquiesce, benefit, ascent
  

[darkstorme]

Best to catch up before starting Grannoch tonight...

Tonsorial

A rather specialized adjective, tonsorial (tawn-sore-ee-ull) means "having to do with barbering or a barber".

(For those that care, it comes from the latin, "tonsor" - one who shaves.)

Usage:

• Lying innocuously among the tonsorial implements was the razor, glittering like a cruel gem, somehow more real than everything around it...
  
• The barber in Hempstead's merchant district had a rather unique tonsorial device.  Most barbers had mirrors, silvered or otherwise.  This one, however, at the touch of a secret button, displayed an illusion of the subject with a perfect haircut.  It readily made up for the barber's lack of skill with scissors or blade.  This, one feels, explains Razeriem.
  

Reference:

• tonsorial - definition of tonsorial by the Free Online Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia.
  
• What does tonsorial mean? definition and meaning (Free English Language Dictionary)
  

- - - - - - -

And now, starting Grannoch!

At the intersection of Earth and Air:

Fulgurite

A fulgurite (full-gyer-ite) is a slender, tubular glassy rock (sometimes with branches) which is formed when lightning strikes sandy soil.  They're often collected, due to their rarity, and are occasionally used as jewelry.  (You can also make your own, but I wouldn't recommend it.)

Usage

• Given that this is a rather specialized term, its usage should only be to describe a rock created by silica fused into glass by a lightning bolt.

Reference:

• fulgurite: Definition from Answers.com
  
• http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fulgurite
  

[Alatriel]

Fulgurite

The jeweler watched from a distance as the Mistite called the storms upon the beach.  Lightning struck the sand all around, but the Mistite simply laughed to the air in joy of the chaos surounding him.  Yes, the jeweler thought to himself, there will be many fulgurites after this that I can use to make lots of Trues.  I simply have to find them!

[darkstorme]

Water and air?

Froth

A forth (frahth) is a mass of bubbles in a liquid or gel.  Given its light nature, it can also be used to describe a trivial subject.  To be "in a froth" is to be angry, and borrows more from the verb definition, below.

To froth is to produce a froth, as above.  Frothing at the mouth is usually a sign of either truly apoplectic rage or hydrophobia.

Usage:

• "Ugh.  I told you we shouldn't drink here," Alazira said, blowing the froth from her drink.  "Why?  That looked like a good head on your beer."  "This is WATER!"
  
• The frothing waters were quickly stained red as razor teeth found flesh.
  

References:

• froth - definition of froth by the Free Online Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia.
  
• Froth | Define Froth at Dictionary.com
  

[darkstorme]

Fire and earth:

Igneous

Igneous (ig-nee-us) means, literally, from, of, or related to fire.

More commonly used by Aragenites than Grannoch's followers, igneous can also be used to describe a kind of rock formed when molten lava solidifies.  Basalt, granite, and pumice would be examples.

Usage:

• The altar was carved of heavy igneous rock - the heartstone of a long-dead volcano.
  
• As the sun beat down on the desert, an igneous wind sprang up, and Lance felt as though he was cooking in his own armour.
  

Reference:

• http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/igneous
  
• Igneous | Define Igneous at Dictionary.com
  

[darkstorme]

Water and earth (yes, I could say "mud", but if "mud" is a new word to you, this thread isn't going to help much):

Slurry

A slurry (slur-ree) is a thin mixture of water (or another liquid) and particulate matter - usually clay, rock dust, or cement.

Usage:

• As Zakariem poured a little more oil over the worktable, the glistening liquid picked up some of the dust from the sapphire he'd been polishing.  A strangely beautiful slurry of oil and glittering blue dust dripped to the floor.
  
• As the rain beat down into the quarry, a slurry snaked across the canyon floor and into the nearby river, staining the pristine waters white with the powdered rock.
  

Reference:

• slurry - definition of slurry by the Free Online Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia.
  
• Safety Glossary Definition - Slurry
  

Mix fire and water...

Seethe

Something is seething (see-thing) if it is bubbling and churning as if boiling.  This can also be used figuratively to describe an individual (or area) in a state of great excitement.

An item can also be seethed by allowing it to soak in a liquid.

Usage:

• The fire blazed under the cauldron, and the liquid within seethed, acrid steam pouring from it.  Chakar eyed the mixture dubiously, then dipped in a spoon and gingerly sampled it.  "Hm.  Needs more eye of newt."  Other than that, it was a perfectly servicable stew.
  
• They seemed alone in the cavern, until a glint of movement caught his eye.  He lifted the torch, and gasped.  The ground around their small raised outcrop of rock seethed with insectoid bodies - millions of ants as large as his outstretched hand.  And they were coming closer.
  

Reference:

• Seethe - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary
  
• seethe: Definition, Synonyms from Answers.com
  

- - - - -

Aside: my original choice for water + earth was thixotropic, a favourite word of a geologist friend of mine.  Thixotropic mud has the interesting property of becoming extremely fluid under vibration, so during an earthquake ground that appeared solid can "liquefy", causing structures to collapse, ground to subside, or disastrous landslides to occur.

However, I've only ever seen the term used in fiction once (twice, now), and that was in a novel written by that same friend.  And she had to work at it.  So, instead, you get slurry.

[darkstorme]

Fire and air...

Sulphurous

The most obvious meaning of sulphurous (sull-fur-uss) means "having to do with or related to sulphur."  But that's both specialized and unsuited to the topic at hand.

Sulphurous can also describe stifling, hot, humid and oppressive air, or a caustic atmosphere, literal or figurative.

Usage:

• The geyser erupted beneath Tralek's feet, blasts of steam and sulphurous air scalding his exposed skin.
  
• Heat haze rippled over the cobbles near the wharf, and the sulphurous air lay over the city like a suffocating blanket.
  

References:

• Definition of Sulphurous from dictionary.net
  
• Sulphurous | Define Sulphurous at Dictionary.com
  

And finally, the place where these things meet:

Confluence

In geography, a confluence (con-flew-ence) is the flowing together of two rivers, the point at which they merge, or the river resulting from their combination.

More generally, a confluence is any merging or flowing together of two or more previously discrete entities, materials, or bodies.

Usage:

• The confluence of the devastation wrought by the remnants of Bloodstone's armies and the privation of the Dark Ages meant that most of Belinara and parts of Dregar remained fallow and uninhabitable for decades.
  
• At the confluence of the four elements, atop a mountain, the temple of Grannoch was built.
  

Reference:

• confluence - definition of confluence by the Free Online Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia.
  
• Confluence - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary
  

[darkstorme]

*glances at the last datestamp, blushes, and proceeds*

Replete

To say that something is replete (reh-plete) - often "with" something - is to say that it abounds with something, or is full of something, or stuffed with something.  Basically, if a is replete with b, a has no reason to fear a b shortage.

If someone is described as replete, or (more likely) describes themselves that way, their appetite (of one sort or another) has been satiated.  Most often, it's a straightforward appetite for food - playing on the other meaning of the word.

The state of being replete is repletion.

Usage:

• Jennara's history is replete with good works.  Truly, she is an example to halfling monks everywhere.  Tiny fists of justice!
  
• He settled back in his chair with a lovely sense of repletion.  The roast boar had been delectable.
  

Reference:

• replete - definition of replete by the Free Online Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia.
  
• repletion - definition of repletion by the Free Online Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia.
  

[ShiffDrgnhrt]

I was watching TV today, and came across an interesting word.  May fit under the Rofirein set of words.  Hope you don't mind me adding.


Obstreperous
–adjective 1.resisting control or restraint in a difficult manner; unruly.
2. noisy, clamorous, or boisterous

To say something is obstreperous  [uhb-strep-er-uhs]   is to say is noisy, clamorous, or boisterous.  It can also be used to describe someone who is stubbornly resisting authority, control, or restraint in a boisterous manner (such as being violent).

Usage:
* - The obstreperous child screamed the entire time it was in the market square.  It wanted that new doll, and was not going to go quietly without it.
* - Despite being cornered in the Vehl arena, Nym was not going to just let them take him.  He would be obstreperous to the end, especially where Stalker was concerned.

? ?