~ Word of the Day ~

Started by Blythe, March 21, 2017, 01:41:05 PM

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Flower

Today's word of the day is....

Occident
noun AHK-suh-dunt

Definition
: regions or countries lying to the west of a specified or implied point of orientation




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Remec

#1526
There once was an explorer from Kent,
Who had problems letting his anger vent;
After one such rumpus,
He broke his compass,
Leading to quite the spectacular occident.


8-)

Flower

Today's word of the day is....

ambivalent
adjective am-BIV-uh-lunt

Definition
: having or showing simultaneous and contradictory attitudes or feelings toward something : characterized by ambivalence




Today's spook filled picture is....


Lilias

‘For a cloistered nun, Sister Marie Chantal certainly seems to know a lot about the evil that men do,’ observed Inspector Sokoloff, coming into the back room. Through the one-way window into the interrogation room, the sister in question could be seen sitting serenely, hands clasped over the rosary that hung from her waist. She met Sokoloff’s eyes briefly through the glass, smiled knowingly, like one who had done this repeatedly before, and turned her attention back to her beads.

‘Mmmh,’ said the analyst, without taking her eyes off her laptop screen. ‘I’d be surprised if she didn’t. You haven’t checked her background, have you?’

‘Let me remind you that she came in to volunteer information, rather than us having to track her down. Plus, background checks are what you get paid to do.’

The analyst rolled her eyes, then turned her laptop in his direction. ‘She was a psychotherapist, in another life. Honours degree, successful practice, the works. I bet she got to hear as many confessions of evil as any priest. Then she got assaulted by one of her patients, who died under suspicious circumstances and the case was never solved satisfactorily. Eight years ago. That’s when she up and left everything behind, took the veil and never practised professionally again. Though she probably does at least some counselling - she’s associated with the head of some kind of academic research facility, up in Cambridgeshire. Dame Madeleine Beaucourt. Have you heard of that one?’

Sokoloff managed not to fall out of his chair, but the analyst still caught the glance of mixed elation and terror he shot towards the interrogation room. ‘Max, what’s the matter? I take it you do recognise the name. How bad is it?’

If the Arcanum is involved, we’re in over our heads, he thought, but of course he couldn’t say that out loud. Instead, he stood up and headed for the door. ‘I don’t know yet, Claudia. But it does go far, and we’re going to need all the help we can get.’
To go in the dark with a light is to know the light.
To know the dark, go dark. Go without sight,
and find that the dark, too, blooms and sings,
and is traveled by dark feet and dark wings.
~Wendell Berry

Double Os <> Double As (updated Feb 20) <> The Hoard <> 50 Tales 2024 <> The Lab <> ELLUIKI

Hob

Today's word of the day is....

Luddite
noun LUH-dyte

Definition
: one of a group of early 19th-century English workmen destroying laborsaving machinery as a protest; broadly : one who is opposed to especially technological change




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Hob

Today's word of the day is....

by and large
adverb BYE-und-LAHRJ

Definition

: on the whole : in general




Today's spook-filled picture is....

[/quote]

Hob

"By and large," the Luddite admitted blandly, "I'm pretty ambivalent about the whole disruptive economic rivalry between traditional weavers and the factory owners. Sure, Ludd's manifesto about 'full-fashioned work at the old-fashioned price being established by custom and law' is nice and all that, especially given the milieu, but when it comes down to it? I just like breaking stuff."

Hob

Today's word of the day is....

emblazon
adverb BYE-und-LAHRJ

Definition

1a : to inscribe or adorn with or as if with heraldic bearings or devices

1b : to inscribe (something, such as heraldic bearings) on a surface

2 : celebrate, extol




Today's spook filled picture is....


persephone325

#1533
Yesterday's word of the day was....

quip
noun KWIP

Definition
1 a : a clever usually taunting remark : gibe

b : a witty or funny observation or response usually made on the spur of the moment

2 : quibble, equivocation

3 : something strange, droll, curious, or eccentric : oddity



Yesterday's spook filled picture....

This doesn't have to end in a fight, Buck.
It always ends in a fight.
You pulled me from the river. Why?
I don't know.
"Don't dwell on those who hold you down. Instead, cherish those who helped you up."

Flower

Today's word of the day is....

tergiversation
noun ter-jiv-er-SAY-shun

Definition

1 : evasion of straightforward action or clear-cut statement : equivocation

2 : desertion of a cause, position, party, or faith




Today's spook filled picture is....


Lilias

We made it to the summerhouse just before the last of the daylight was gone; it felt as if it was at the other end of the grounds from the manor, damn old money and their huge estates. Once in sight, however, even I had to admit it was perfect for the gathering. Faintly outlined in the gloaming was an octagonal pavilion with fairy lights festooning all windows. The moon, a mere sickle-shaped sliver about to sink into its monthly three-day darkness, seemed to balance on the edge of the roof. Nobody would bother us out here.

Annelies was holding the door open for us by the time we trudged over. The inside of the pavilion was all woven throws and overstuffed cushions and hurricane lamps with flickering pillar candles. An extra-cozy boudoir for a rich girl, perhaps a reading a writing nook, on the surface. But the books and notebooks in the shelves under the windows were not as innocuous as the setting suggested at first, and a rug that used to cover the floor had been rolled away to reveal a pentacle inlaid on the floor in dull grey metal - cold iron, I assumed.

We shrugged into our robes and sat down in the circle, making sure we had all our ingredients - mugwort, rue, an obsidian arrowhead, a rusted nail, lengths of black cord, a jar for everything to go into. Annelies joined us, bringing a little cauldron with a candle inside, which she positioned in the centre. Unusual candle holder, and candles, as far as I knew, went around the circle, not inside, but whatever. ‘Mind your hems,’ warned Annelies, then pulled the candle out, touched it to the circle, and a line of tiny hissing sparkles ran all around it, enclosing us in a ring of little blue flames. Now that was a cool trick.

Annelies grinned at our surprise, then replaced the candle in the cauldron and reached for one of the cords. We did the same. There was a binding to work, and no time to waste.
To go in the dark with a light is to know the light.
To know the dark, go dark. Go without sight,
and find that the dark, too, blooms and sings,
and is traveled by dark feet and dark wings.
~Wendell Berry

Double Os <> Double As (updated Feb 20) <> The Hoard <> 50 Tales 2024 <> The Lab <> ELLUIKI

Flower


October 14, 2018's word of the day is....

crapulosus
adjective KRAP-yuh-lus

Definition

1 : marked by intemperance especially in eating or drinking

2 : sick from excessive indulgence in liquor




Today's spook filled picture is....


Flower

Today's word of the day is....

nary
adjective NAIR-ee

Definition

: not any : not one




Today's spook filled picture is....


Flower

Today's word of the day is....

acceptation
noun ak-sep-TAY-shun

Definition
1 : acceptance; especially : favorable reception or approval

2 : a generally accepted meaning of a word or understanding of a concept




Today's spook filled picture is....


The Green One

An eery gloaming fell upon the valley, the weakened light of a dying waning crescent moon struggling through clouds and mist to reach the lands. There were flashes of dim, yellowy light here and there, scintillating eyes lurking behind the shadows. There were splashes in the once calm river, light steps disturbing the waters, hushed whispers among the travelers. Nary of them aware of their watchers, unaware of those eight eyes following their every move. It wasn't clever to delve into orcish lands with the sun hiding behind occidental regions. The wanderers may have entered the darkening forest, but not all of them would be lucky to see the light of a new day.

Not available for new stories

Lilias

‘You know, I can’t remember the last time it wasn’t just eight of us here,’ said Callie, reaching for the bottle of Cabernet again. The other women around the table nodded.

‘Well, we know that Polly is more likely than any of us to be pulled away on an emergency on Saturday evening,’ observed Effie, still nursing her gin and tonic. ‘And Friday. And Thursday. Too many last-moment panicked rewrites before the next day’s rituals. Face it, we should just set another day if we want her to be here more often.’

‘We could move it to Sunday, and drown the end-of-weekend blues in booze,’ suggested Mel with a twinkle in her eye that suggested she was only half joking.

‘The blues are certainly your specialty, Mel--I don’t see why you would suppress them!’ jibed Thalia, then threw back the last of her wine, missing Mel’s glare.

‘Cut it off, you two,’ grumbled Terri in warning. ‘I very nearly didn’t make it, what with a premiere and wardrobe malfunctions, and no end of pointe shoes to modify. I don’t come here for more bickering.’

‘People are depending on us way too much,’ said Clio, putting down her whisky tumbler a bit more forcefully than it was strictly necessary.

‘Just unwilling to put in the work, unless we show up,’ agreed Callie. It was a particularly sore point for the two of them. ‘It’s inspiration or bust.’

‘We get that too,’ said Erin, nudging Effie’s elbow. ‘At least our kind of people, if uninspired, will just come across as derivative, or tacky. Yours will be positively dull.’

‘Sorry, I don’t see how tacky is better than dull,’ shrugged Callie. ‘I just wish they would treat it like the job it is. Write a few thousand words of your own instead of waiting for me to trickle-feed you a few dozen. Will they scintillate? Probably not. Will they thrill? Nah. But it’s the stuff I can work on with them to shape. You need to shovel some sand before you can start building your sandcastle, sheesh.’

‘Okay, I think you’ve had enough,’ said Clio, nudging the Cabernet away; there was nary a drop left in the bottle. ‘And perhaps you should steer your folk away from high fantasy for a while. Tavern scenes don’t seem to be good for you.’
To go in the dark with a light is to know the light.
To know the dark, go dark. Go without sight,
and find that the dark, too, blooms and sings,
and is traveled by dark feet and dark wings.
~Wendell Berry

Double Os <> Double As (updated Feb 20) <> The Hoard <> 50 Tales 2024 <> The Lab <> ELLUIKI

Hob

Today's word of the day is....

de rigueur
adjective duh-ree-GUR

Definition
1 :  prescribed or required by fashion, etiquette, or custom : proper




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Hob

Today's word of the day is....

linchpin
noun LINCH-pin

Definition
1  : a locking pin inserted crosswise (as through the end of an axle or shaft)

2 : one that serves to hold together parts or elements that exist or function as a unit




Today's spook filled picture is....


Flower

Today's word of the day is....


brouhaha
adverb LEEF

Definition
1 : a state of commotion or excitement
2 : hubbub, uproar




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Flower

Today's word of the day is....


mawkish
adverb MAW-kish

Definition
1 : lacking flavor or having an unpleasant taste

2 : exaggeratedly or childishly emotional




Today's spook filled picture is....


JanesAddiction

"I'm sorry for your loss." Another one Chris had heard a lot that day was "If you need anything, don't hesitate to call." The words were said with good intentions but they felt hollow. No one could ease his despair, and even if they could he was in no state to recognize what he needed to heal the wound festering within his heart.

The young man sat alone in a well furnished room, shadows covering the space made it seem as empty as he felt inside. She had been the one to decorate the apartment, the dark oak table was topped with a translucent blue vase that a mourner had filled with daisies. Likewise others had left their condolences on the surface in the form of various dishes meant to ensure Chris had something to eat "Guess they assume she was the one who cooked." The lack of bitterness surprised him and became his new fixation as the realization stirred some feeling inside him.

As quickly as the emotion came it disappeared, swallowed by the void in his soul where love had once grown. Suddenly the emptiness was crushing, the silence deafening and the darkness blinding. With all the energy he could muster in his morose state, Chris sprung from his chair and marched to the far wall. A loud click followed the flourish of his wrist and light flooded the room. A soft hum graced his ears as the shadows of the fan blades began to swirl until they were a constant ring on the ceiling.

Still the emptiness presided within his mind, body and spirit, Chris determined to change this. He strode back to the table defiantly, ripping the cover off the nearest container. A deep plastic bin full of his mother's chocolate chip cookies, one was quickly snatched, the trembling hand bringing it up to his face. He took a bite for the first time in two days since he heard the news. What was supposed to be sweet and nostalgic in taste felt mawkish to his tongue. He forced himself to swallow the baked good even though he knew it wouldn't ease the hollowness he was experiencing. Still it was the first act of self care he'd preformed in days. Another bite of the oddly bland treat had him thinking of all the other daily rituals he neglected, a shower was in order.
Random PM's and questions welcome :D
Sorry 10/20/18      Updated O/o's 11/05/18

Hob

Today's word of the day is....


Indoctrinate
verb in-DAHK-truh-nayt

Definition
1 : to instruct especially in fundamentals or rudiments : teach

2 : to imbue with a usually partisan or sectarian opinion, point of view, or principle




Today's spook filled picture is....


Hob

#1547
Today's word of the day is....


fugacious
adjective fyoo-GAY-shus

Definition

1 : lasting a short time : evanescent




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Hob

9]
Today's word of the day is....


holy writ
noun HOH-lee-RIT

Definition

1 often capitalized Holy Writ : Bible

2 : a writing or utterance having unquestionable authority




Today's spook filled picture is....


Nico

To say that the past years had been interesting, would be the understatement of the century.

Certain things hardly could be put into words. Those were insufficient at best, distorting the facts and making it all so insignificant as a result. Words. For as long as he could remember, there was always the presence of a very ambivalent relationship to clarifications and classifications. Not only to those, because things never were that simple, but we shall not go there. Would he even care about being classified? Put into a little box, just to make it easier for everyone else? Screw that. They could take their oh-so-very-precious books and worship them like the holy writ and suffocate on the knowledge they think they would gain by reading. Too bad. For them. It was almost precious how they all clung to their values.

Emotions. Those were always a double edged blade. They were.. interesting, to say the least. Fugacious at best. And repulsive in the very same moment. Useful, yes certainly and still, contemptible. He could not count how often people called him 'privileged' while all those pitiful sheep had no idea just how privileged he truly was - and it had nothing to do with status, money or his family. Not in the slightest. They all never would know. Not until it was too late, however, never knowing what delightful targets they all made. And why? Because of their emotions. All those little things that made them all so vulnerable. Pitiful, truly. Maybe entertaining such thoughts amused him more than it should. Then again, was there even such a thing as 'too much'?

If any word would come close to describe the journey, it certainly would be - revealing.

Enlightening, perhaps. What was it called when the pieces finally fell into place and pulled everything together to create a whole. Complete. Yes, complete was, in the end, the word. And then - not. There was always more to things, always more than two sides and always more than two points of views. He knew exactly whose doing it had been and even that was like a dance on the volcano. He had let it happen, even after he realised one thing or the other. After all, it served his purpose.

Either way, if he ever felt himself, then it was now. He never felt so satisfied before. So in control and full of energy and power he had not known before. No regret, no remorse. Only the knowledge that guilt had no place in himself. It was, perhaps, that final revelation that made everything else worth his time. He was not meant to feel guilt or remorse, he was not meant to be blinded and restrained by all the silly little things that kept everyone else paralysed, almost. They all were so indoctrinated. Remote controlled by some unseen force, or perhaps they all just were idiots. He was more inclined to believe the latter.

Time to make the next step. He barely had started to unleash his potential.