16 April 2013

libation

[lahy-bey-shuhn] noun

1. a pouring out of wine or other liquid in honor of a deity.

2. the liquid poured out.

3. Often Facetious.

a. an intoxicating beverage, as wine, especially when drunk in ceremonial or celebrative situations.

b. an act or instance of drinking such a beverage.

Origin:
1350–1400; Middle English libacio ( u ) n < Latin lībātiōn- (stem of lībātiō ) a drink offering, equivalent to lībāt ( us ) (past participle of lībāre to pour; cognate with Greek leíbein ) + -iōn- -ion

Related forms

li·ba·tion·al, li·ba·tion·ar·y, adjective

Today’s aphorism

Only mediocrity can be trusted to be always at its best. Genius must always have lapses proportionate to its triumphs.

-Max Beerbohm, essayist, parodist, and caricaturist (1872-1956)

On this day

16 April – Panda Appreciation Day. It was on this day in 1972, that the People’s Republic of China presented US President Richard Nixon with two pandas, Ling Ling and Hsing Hsing.