1 October 2014 – satire

1 October 2014

satire

[sat-ahyuh r]

noun

1. the use of irony, sarcasm, ridicule, or the like, in exposing, denouncing, or deriding vice, folly, etc.
2. a literary composition, in verse or prose, in which human folly and vice are held up to scorn, derision, or ridicule.
3. a literary genre comprising such compositions.

Origin
Latin

1500-1510; < Latin satira, variant of satura medley, perhaps feminine derivative of satur sated (see saturate )

Related forms

nonsatire, noun

Can be confused

burlesque, caricature, cartoon, parody, satire (see synonym study at burlesque; see synonym study at the current entry)
satire, satyr.

Synonyms

1. See irony1. 2, 3. burlesque, caricature, parody, travesty. Satire, lampoon refer to literary forms in which vices or follies are ridiculed. Satire, the general term, often emphasizes the weakness more than the weak person, and usually implies moral judgment and corrective purpose: Swift’s satire of human pettiness and bestiality.Lampoon refers to a form of satire, often political or personal, characterized by the malice or virulence of its attack: lampoons of the leading political figures.

Dictionary.com

Examples from the web for satire

– Its impossible to watch any kind of western satire with her.
– Shows range from political satire to performance puppetry and admission is by donation.
– Parody would be a first cousin, a satire on an actual work of art.

Anagram

tea sir
its ear
a rites


Today’s aphorism

It’s beautiful to be alone. To be alone does not mean to be lonely. It means the mind is not influenced and contaminated by society.

– Jiddu Krishnamurti


On this day

1 October – International Day of Older Persons.

1 October – World Vegetarian Day.

1 October 1867 – ‘Das Kapital‘ by Karl Marx first published.

1 October 1869 – The world’s first postcards are issued in Vienna, Austria.

1 October 1893 – birth of Yip Man, Wing Chun Kung Fu grand-master. Immortalised in the movie, Ip Man. Died 2 December 1972.

1 October 1908 – the Model T Ford rolls out.

1 October 1918 – Damascus captured by Arab forces under the direction of Lawrence of Arabia (T.E. Lawrence) in World War I.

1 October 1942 – Little Golden Books commences publishing.

1 October 1957 – United States commences printing ‘In God We Trust’ on its paper currency.

1 October 1958 – Britain transfers Christmas Island to Australia.

October 2014 WOTDs


31 October 2014

connote

[kuh-noht]

verb (used with object), connoted, connoting.
1. to signify or suggest (certain meanings, ideas, etc.) in addition to the explicit or primary meaning:
The word “fireplace” often connotes hospitality, warm comfort, etc.
2. to involve as a condition or accompaniment:
Injury connotes pain.
verb (used without object), connoted, connoting.
3. to have significance only by association, as with another word:
Adjectives can only connote, nouns can denote.

Origin
Medieval Latin
1645-1655; < Medieval Latin connotāre, equivalent to Latin con- con- + notāre to note

Can be confused
connote, denote.

Synonyms
1. intimate, imply.

Examples from the web for connote
– It was felt to connote flash and ostentation rather than style and elegance.
– To me, they do not merely connote gender, but patriarchy.
– Let me remind you that words such as mistake connote negativity in human language.

Dictionary.com

Anagram

not once
neon cot


30 October 2014

pandy

[pan-dee]

noun, plural pandies.
1. a stroke on the palm of the hand with a cane or strap given as a punishment in school.
verb (used with object), pandied, pandying.
2. to hit on the palm of the hand.

Origin
Latin
1795-1805; < Latin pande stretch out! (imperative of pandere), i.e., open your hand to take the blow

Dictionary.com


29 October 2014

pre-eminent

[pree-em-uh-nuh nt]

adjective

1. eminent above or before others; superior; surpassing:
He is preeminent in his profession.

Also, preeminent.

Origin
late Middle English Latin
1400-1450; late Middle English < Latin praeēminent- (stem of praeēminēns), present participle of praeēminēre to project forward, be prominent. See pre-, eminent

Related forms
pre-eminently, adverb

Synonyms
distinguished, peerless, supreme. See dominant.

Dictionary.com

Anagram

mere tenpin
in meter pen


28 October 2014

puerile

[pyoo-er-il, -uh-rahyl, pyoo r-il, -ahyl]

adjective
1. of or pertaining to a child or to childhood.
2. childishly foolish; immature or trivial:
a puerile piece of writing.

Origin
Latin
1650-1660; < Latin puerīlis boyish, equivalent to puer boy + -īlis -ile

Related forms
puerilely, adverb
nonpuerile, adjective
nonpuerilely, adverb

Synonyms
1. youthful, juvenile. 2. juvenile, silly.

Dictionary.com

Examples from the web for puerile
– The writing of such cables is puerile and serves no value to society.
– Some observers decry the inanity of the site’s top stories, and even habitual users admit that the comments are mostly puerile.
– And it was no mere puerile phantasm that caused me to imagine this community, either.

Anagram

pure lie


27 October 2014

quell

[kwel]

verb (used with object)
1. to suppress; put an end to; extinguish:
The troops quelled the rebellion quickly.
2. to vanquish; subdue.
3. to quiet or allay (emotions, anxieties, etc.):
The child’s mother quelled his fears of the thunder.

Origin

Middle English, Old English
900 before 900; Middle English quellen, Old English cwellan to kill; akin to Old Norse kvelja to torment, German quälen to vex; cf. kill1

Related forms
quellable, adjective
queller, noun
unquellable, adjective
unquelled, adjective

Can be confused
kill, kiln, quell.

Synonyms
1, 2. crush, quash, overpower, overcome, defeat, conquer, quench. 3. calm, pacify, compose

Antonyms
1, 2. foster. 3. agitate.

Dictionary.com

Examples from the web for quell
– He practiced endlessly as well, to quell his nervousness.
– Her bitter Love shall quell me at the last.
– If the monsoon lives up to expectations, the prospect of a good summer harvest will help to quell food inflation.


26 October 2014

diktat

[dik-taht]

noun
1. a harsh, punitive settlement or decree imposed unilaterally on a defeated nation, political party, etc.
2. any decree or authoritative statement:
The Board of Education issued a diktat that all employees must report an hour earlier.

Origin
Latin
1930-1935; < German: literally, something dictated < Latin dictātus, past participle of dictāre to dictate

Dictionary.com

Examples from the web for diktat
– Surely, then, it should be put to a vote rather than being enacted via bureaucratic diktat.
– Nowadays the price of gold is set by the market rather than by official diktat.
– The alternative to euro-zone diktat is being abandoned to the market.

Anagram

tad kit


25 October 2014

mafan

[Mah-fuhn]

– something troublesome or inconvenient.

For example:

– Cleaning house is mafan.
– Dealing with bureacracy is mafan.

Origin:

– Mandarin Chinese.

Source:

http://www.knowmoreinsixtyseconds.com/#!/video/the-one-chinese-word-you-should-know

Anagram

fan ma


?
24 October 2014

abecedarian

[ey-bee-see-dair-ee-uh n]

noun
1. a person who is learning the letters of the alphabet.
2. a beginner in any field of learning.
adjective
3. of or pertaining to the alphabet.
4. arranged in alphabetical order.
5. rudimentary; elementary; primary.

Also, abecedary.

Origin

Medieval Latin
1595-1605; < Medieval Latin abecedāriānus. See abecedary, -an

Dictionary.com

Examples from the web for abecedarian
– abecedarian, for instance, cut in half the likelihood of participants receiving special education.

Anagram
abide arcane
band ice area


23 October 2014

realpolitik

[rey-ahl-poh-li-teek, ree-]

noun
1. political realism or practical politics, especially policy based on power rather than on ideals.

Also, Realpolitik.

Origin

1910-1915; < German, equivalent to real real1+ Politik politics, policy; see politic

Related forms

realpolitiker [rey-ahl-poh-lee-ti-ker, ree-] noun

Dictionary.com

Examples from the web for realpolitik

– We’re back to realpolitik –which requires the mind and not the heart.
– Because of basic logic, because of human nature, because of harsh realpolitik realities.
– In fact, the two countries have been edging closer for years-for reasons of pure realpolitik.

Anagram

patio killer
opiate krill
lake oil trip


22 October 2014

aide-mémoire

[eyd-mem-wahr; French ed-mey-mwar]

noun, plural aide-mémoire.

1. a memorandum summarizing a discussion, agreement, or action.
Origin
1840-1850; < French: literally, (that which) aids (the) memory

Dictionary.com

Anagram

dearie memo I


21 October 2014

argot

[ahr-goh, -guh t]

noun
1. a specialized idiomatic vocabulary peculiar to a particular class or group of people, especially that of an underworld group, devised for private communication and identification:
a Restoration play rich in thieves’ argot.
2. the special vocabulary and idiom of a particular profession or social group:
sociologists’ argot.

Origin

Latin

1855-1860; < French, noun derivative of argoter to quarrel, derivative Latin ergō ergo with v. suffix -oter

Related forms

argotic [ahr-got-ik]

Dictionary.com

Examples from the web for argot
– Some novices feel compelled to create lexicons of their new argot.
– In the argot of civil rights, high lending lending standards will result in what is called disparate impact.
– Or, to put it in the argot familiar to every first-year law student, money is fungible.

Anagram

Gator
go art


20 October 2014

repugnant

[ri-puhg-nuh nt]

adjective
1. distasteful, objectionable, or offensive:
a repugnant smell.
2. making opposition; averse.
3. opposed or contrary, as in nature or character.

Origin
Middle English, Middle French, Latin
1350-1400; Middle English repugnaunt < Middle French < Latin repugnant- (stem of repugnāns, present participle of repugnāre), equivalent to repugn (āre) to repugn + -ant- -ant

Related forms

repugnantly, adverb
unrepugnant, adjective
unrepugnantly, adverb

Synonyms

3. antagonistic, adverse, hostile.

Dictionary.com

Examples from the web for repugnant

– Carving up humanity with a system of psychiatric labeling is rather repugnant in any case.
– Rising inequality isn’t only morally repugnant, he said, it is economically inefficient and damaging to the country.
– It can be a smart loss mitigation strategy, even if philosophically repugnant.

Anagram

anger punt
a pen grunt


19 October 2014

ruse

[rooz]

noun

1. a trick, stratagem, or artifice.

Origin
late Middle English
1375-1425; late Middle English (noun use of obsolete rusen to detour) < Middle French, derivative of ruser to retreat. See rush1

Synonyms
See trick.

Ruse
[roo-sey]

noun

1. a city in N Bulgaria, on the Danube.

Dictionary.com

Word Origin and History for ruse
n. early 15c., “dodging movements of a hunted animal;” 1620s, “a trick,” from Old French ruse, reuse “diversion, switch in flight; trick, jest” (14c.), back-formed noun from reuser “to dodge, repel, retreat; deceive, cheat,” from Latin recusare “deny, reject, oppose,” from re-, intensive prefix (see re- ), + causari “plead as a reason, object, allege,” from causa “reason, cause” (see cause (n.)). It also has been proposed that the French word may be from Latin rursus “backwards,” or a Vulgar Latin form of refusare. Johnson calls it, “A French word neither elegant nor necessary.” The verb ruse was used in Middle English.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper

Anagram

sure
user
rues


18 October 2014

parlous

[pahr-luh s]

adjective

1. perilous; dangerous.
2. Obsolete. clever; shrewd.
adverb
3. to a large extent; greatly.

Origin

1350-1400; Middle English, variant of perlous, syncopated variant of perilous

Related forms
parlously, adverb
parlousness, noun
Dictionary.com

Examples from the web for parlous
– Thus the parlous state of modeling and the concomitant need for modesty among those addicted to central planning.
– Second is the parlous state of the academic job market.
– Or maybe you’re totally sanguine about the prospect, knowing you’ll find the list parlous simple.


17 October 2014

wrangle

[rang-guh l]

verb (used without object), wrangled, wrangling.
1. to argue or dispute, especially in a noisy or angry manner.
verb (used with object), wrangled, wrangling.
2. to argue or dispute.
3. to tend or round up (cattle, horses, or other livestock).
4. to obtain, often by contrivance or scheming; wangle:
He wrangled a job through a friend.
noun
5. a noisy or angry dispute; altercation.

Origin
Low German
1350-1400; Middle English, apparently < Low German wrangeln, frequentative of wrangen to struggle, make an uproar; akin to wring

Related forms

outwrangle, verb (used with object), outwrangled, outwrangling.
unwrangling, adjective

Can be confused
wangle, wrangle.

Synonyms
1, 5. quarrel, brawl. 5. argument.

Dictionary.com

Examples from the web for wrangle
– Matt needed to wrangle and relocate it but it put up a bit of a fight.
– Bonus points if you can wrangle a week-day visit when the crowds tend to be lightest.
– The officer also made a call asking for some help to wrangle the critter.

Anagram

we gnarl


16 October 2014

dragoon

[druh-goon]

noun
1. (especially formerly) a European cavalryman of a heavily armed troop.
2. a member of a military unit formerly composed of such cavalrymen, as in the British army.
3. (formerly) a mounted infantryman armed with a short musket.
verb (used with object)
4. to set dragoons or soldiers upon; persecute by armed force; oppress.
5. to force by oppressive measures; coerce:
The authorities dragooned the peasants into leaving their farms.

Origin
French
1615-1625; < French dragon, special use of dragon dragon, applied first to a pistol hammer (so named because of its shape), then to the firearm, then to the troops so armed

Related forms
dragoonage, noun
undragooned, adjective

Dictionary.com

Anagram

go adorn


15 October 2014

euphony

[yoo-fuh-nee]

noun, plural euphonies.

1. agreeableness of sound; pleasing effect to the ear, especially a pleasant sounding or harmonious combination or succession of words:
the majestic euphony of Milton’s poetry.

Origin
Late Latin Greek
1615-1625; Late Latin euphōnia < Greek euphōnía. See eu-, -phony
Dictionary.com

Examples from the web for euphony
– He and his speechwriters deserve credit for using the accident of euphony to give the argument cohesiveness and force.
– Avoid the possessive unless its omission destroys the euphony of the name or changes its descriptive application.

Anagram

honey up


14 October 2014

sartorial

[sahr-tawr-ee-uh l, -tohr-]

adjective

1. of or pertaining to tailors or their trade:
sartorial workmanship.
2. of or pertaining to clothing or style or manner of dress:
sartorial splendor.
3. Anatomy. pertaining to the sartorius.

Origin

Late Latin
1815-1825; < Late Latin sartor tailor + -ial

Related forms

sartorially, adverb
presartorial, adjective
unsartorial, adjective
unsartorially, adverb

Dictionary.com

Examples from the web for sartorial

– They even share a sartorial tie: the devout in both faiths wear special undergarments.
– But the sartorial façade of sophistication was a flimsy one.
– We scavenged our search results for reports on the screenings, implications of sartorial missteps, and expressions of sisterhood.

Anagram

sailor art
oar trials
A Tsar roil


13 October 2014

desultory

[des-uh l-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee]

adjective

1. lacking in consistency, constancy, or visible order, disconnected; fitful:
desultory conversation.
2. digressing from or unconnected with the main subject; random:
a desultory remark.

Origin

Latin

1575-1585; < Latin dēsultōrius pertaining to a dēsultor (a circus rider who jumps from one horse to another), equivalent to dēsul-, variant stem of dēsilīre to jump down ( dē- de- + -silīre, combining form of salīre to leap) + -tōrius -tory1

Related forms

desultorily, adverb
desultoriness, noun

Synonyms

1. See haphazard.

Dictionary.com

Examples from the web for desultory

– The complexity of the field ensures that all too many graduate projects end up with only desultory results.
– It helps that he is by nature a desultory, recessive fellow.
– This sort of thing went on for a while in a desultory, unplanned fashion.

Anagram

sultry ode
ye old rust


12 October 2014

maladroit

[mal-uh-droit]

adjective
1. lacking in adroitness; unskillful; awkward; bungling; tactless:
to handle a diplomatic crisis in a very maladroit way.

Origin

Middle French

1665-1675; < French, Middle French; see mal-, adroit

Related forms
maladroitly, adverb
maladroitness, noun

Synonyms
clumsy, inept; gauche.

Dictionary.com

Examples from the web for maladroit
– When he was in office he proved a politically maladroit figure in terms of getting his negatives up.
– Your correspondents may find solace in such similarly maladroit utterances.
– Most damaging of all were his maladroit dealings with the army.

Anagram

To admiral
marital do
mad tailor


11 October 2014

exiguous

[ig-zig-yoo-uh s, ik-sig-]

adjective

1. scanty; meager; small; slender:
exiguous income.

Origin
Latin
1645-1655; < Latin exiguus scanty in measure or number, small, equivalent to exig (ere) (see exigent ) + -uus deverbal adj. suffix

Related forms

exiguity [ek-si-gyoo-i-tee], exiguousness, noun
exiguously, adverb

Dictionary.com

Examples from the web for exiguous

– The speed at which the firing squads operated made his argument seem exiguous.


10 October 2014

agnomen

[ag-noh-muh n]

noun, plural agnomina [ag-nom-uh-nuh]

1. an additional, fourth name given to a person by the ancient Romans in allusion to some achievement or other circumstance, as ‘Africanus’ in ‘Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus’.
Compare cognomen .
2. a nickname.

Origin

1745-1755; < Late Latin, equivalent to ad- ad- + nōmen name, with alteration to ag- through influence of agnōscere; see agnize

Related forms

agnominal [ag-nom-uh-nl], adjective
Dictionary.com

Anagram

no mange
man gone


9 October 2014

habitué

[huh-bich-oo-ey, -bich-oo-ey; French a-bee-twey]

noun, plural habitués [huh-bich-oo-eyz, -bich-oo-eyz; French a-bee-twey] (Show IPA)

1. a frequent or habitual visitor to a place:
a habitué of art galleries.

Origin
Late Latin
1810-1820; < French, noun use of masculine past participle of habituer < Late Latin habituāre. See habituate
Dictionary.com

Examples from the web for habitué

– It is said he is a confirmed morphine habitue and his mind has been falling ever since he was arrested a couple of months ago.
– When the mood possessed him he could be as entertaining a companion as any club habitue.

Anagram

hi tuba


8 October 2014

abject

[ab-jekt, ab-jekt]

adjective

1. utterly hopeless, miserable, humiliating, or wretched:
abject poverty.
2. contemptible; despicable; base-spirited:
an abject coward.
3. shamelessly servile; slavish.
4. Obsolete. cast aside.

Origin
late Middle English Latin
1400-1450; late Middle English < Latin abjectus thrown down (past participle of abicere, abjicere), equivalent to ab- ab + -jec- throw + -tus past participle suffix

Related forms
abjectly, adverb
abjectness, abjectedness, noun
unabject, adjective
unabjectly, adverb
unabjectness, noun

Can be confused
abject, object.

Synonyms
1. debasing, degrading; miserable. 2. base, mean, low, vile.

Antonyms
exalted.

Dictionary.com

Anagram

cab jet


7 October 2014

ukase

[yoo-keys, -keyz, yoo-keys, -keyz]

noun

1. (in czarist Russia) an edict or order of the czar having the force of law.
2. any order or proclamation by an absolute or arbitrary authority.

Origin

1720-1730; < French < Russian ukáz, Old Russian ukazŭ, noun derivative of ukazati to show, indicate, assign, command, equivalent to u- prefix + kazati to show, order

Synonyms

2. edict, directive, ruling, decree, fiat.

Dictionary.com

Example:

– The government enacted a ukase banning fireworks.


6 October 2014

mundane

[muhn-deyn, muhn-deyn]

adjective

1. of or pertaining to this world or earth as contrasted with heaven; worldly; earthly:
mundane affairs.
2. common; ordinary; banal; unimaginative.
3. of or pertaining to the world, universe, or earth.

Origin
Latin
1425-1475; < Latin mundānus, equivalent to mund (us) world + -ānus -ane; replacing late Middle English mondeyne < Middle French mondain < Latin, as above

Related forms

mundanely, adverb
mundaneness, noun
postmundane, adjective
submundane, adjective
unmundane, adjective

Synonyms
1. secular, temporal. See earthly.
Dictionary.com

Examples from the web for mundane

– What I fear is that my conclusions appear trivial and mundane.
– To the layman our modes of space travel can seem a little mundane.
– But his greatest gift—one of particular relevance to the business traveller—is the way he forces readers to rethink the mundane

Anagram

unnamed


5 October 2014

cognitive

[kog-ni-tiv]

adjective

1. of or pertaining to the act or process of knowing, perceiving, remembering, etc.; of or relating to cognition :
cognitive development; cognitive functioning.
2. of or pertaining to the mental processes of perception, memory, judgment, and reasoning, as contrasted with emotional and volitional processes.

Origin
Medieval Latin
1580-1590; < Medieval Latin cognitīvus, equivalent to Latin cognit (us) known (see cognition ) + -īvus -ive

Related forms
cognitively, adverb
cognitivity, noun
noncognitive, adjective

Dictionary.com

Examples from the web for cognitive

– Researchers have been aware of the surprising cognitive abilities of these crows for some years now.
– Under time pressure, negotiators tend to rely more on stereotypes and cognitive shortcuts.
– But they also say it provides a platform on which more complex cognitive tasks can take place relatively easily.

Anagram

give tonic
evict go in
icing vote


4 October 2014

war (1)
[wawr]

noun
1. a conflict carried on by force of arms, as between nations or between parties within a nation; warfare, as by land, sea, or air.
2. a state or period of armed hostility or active military operations:
The two nations were at war with each other.
3. a contest carried on by force of arms, as in a series of battles or campaigns:
the War of 1812.
4. armed fighting, as a science, profession, activity, or art; methods or principles of waging armed conflict:
War is the soldier’s business.
5. active hostility or contention; conflict; contest:
a war of words.
6. aggressive business conflict, as through severe price cutting in the same industry or any other means of undermining competitors:
a fare war among airlines; a trade war between nations.
7. a struggle to achieve a goal: the war on cancer; a war against poverty;
a war for hearts and minds.

verb (used without object), warred, warring.
10. to make or carry on war; fight:
to war with a neighboring nation.
11. to carry on active hostility or contention:
Throughout her life she warred with sin and corruption.
12. to be in conflict or in a state of strong opposition:
The temptation warred with his conscience.
adjective
13. of, belonging to, used in, or due to war:
war preparations; war hysteria.

Origin
late Old English Old North French, Germanic
1150 before 1150; (noun) Middle English, late Old English werre < Old North French < Germanic; cognate with Old High German werra strife; (v.) Middle English, late Old English werrien (transitive) to make war upon, derivative of the noun; compare Old French guerrer, Old North French werreier; akin to war2

war (2)
[wahr]

adjective, adverb, Scot. and North England
1. worse.

Origin
1150-1200; Middle English werre < Old Norse verri worse

war.
1. warrant.

Dictionary.com

Examples from the web for war
– Privateers were privately owned, armed ships hired by governments during time of war.
– The left often complains about the culture war as if it’s a war they don’t want to fight.
– New ways of healing are as much a product of war as are new ways of killing.

British Dictionary definitions for war
war
/wɔː/
noun
1. open armed conflict between two or more parties, nations, or states related adjectives belligerent martial
2. a particular armed conflict: the 1973 war in the Middle East
3. the techniques of armed conflict as a study, science, or profession
4. any conflict or contest: a war of wits, the war against crime
5. (modifier) of, relating to, resulting from, or characteristic of war: a war hero, war damage, a war story
6. to have had a good war, to have made the most of the opportunities presented to one during wartime
7. (informal) in the wars, (esp of a child) hurt or knocked about, esp as a result of quarrelling and fighting

verb wars, warring, warred
8. (intransitive) to conduct a war

Word
C12: from Old Northern French werre (variant of Old French guerre), of Germanic origin; related to Old High German werra

Expand
War.
abbreviation

1. Warwickshire
Collins English Dictionary – Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for war
n. late Old English (c.1050), wyrre, werre, from Old North French werre “war” (Modern French guerre), from Frankish *werra, from Proto-Germanic *werso (cf. Old Saxon werran, Old High German werran, German verwirren “to confuse, perplex”). Cognates suggest the original sense was “to bring into confusion.”

Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian guerra are from the same source; Romanic peoples turned to Germanic for a word to avoid Latin bellum because its form tended to merge with bello- “beautiful.” There was no common Germanic word for “war” at the dawn of historical times. Old English had many poetic words for “war” ( wig, guð, heaðo, hild, all common in personal names), but the usual one to translate Latin bellum was gewin “struggle, strife” (related to win ).

First record of war time is late 14c. Warpath (1775) is originally in reference to North American Indians, as are war-whoop (1761), war-paint (1826), and war-dance (1757). War crime first attested 1906. War chest is attested from 1901; now usually figurative. War games translates German Kriegspiel (see kriegspiel ).

v. “to make war on,” mid-12c.; see war (n.). Related: Warred ; warring.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper

Idioms and Phrases with war

war
war horse
war of nerves
also see:
all’s fair in love and war
at war
been to the wars
declare war
tug of war
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Anagram

raw


3 October 2014

twit (1)

[twit]

verb (used with object), twitted, twitting.

1. to taunt, tease, ridicule, etc., with reference to anything embarrassing; gibe at.
Synonyms: jeer at, mock, insult, deride.
2. to reproach or upbraid.
Synonyms: chide, scold, rebuke, criticize, revile, castigate.
noun
3. an act of twitting.
4. a derisive reproach; taunt; gibe.

Origin

Middle English, Old English
1520-1530; aphetic variant of obsolete atwite, Middle English atwiten, Old English ætwītan to taunt, equivalent to æt- at1+ wītan to blame

twit (2)

[twit]

noun
1. a weak or thin place in yarn caused by uneven spinning.

Origin

1810-20; origin uncertain

twit (3)

[twit]

1. an insignificant, silly, or bothersome person:
Pay no attention to that obnoxious little twit!

Origin

1920-25; perhaps orig. noun derivative of twit1, i.e., “one who twits others,” but altered in sense by association with expressive words with tw- (twaddle, twat, twerp, etc.) and by rhyme with nitwit

twit (4)

[twit]

1. a confused, excited state:
to be in a twit about company coming.

Synonyms: dither, tizzy, stew.

Origin

probably shortened from twitter

Dictionary.com

Examples from the web for twit
– The film is a merciless, sometimes hilarious portrait of the aristocracy, though the earl is far from being a twit.
– But there’s not much either actor can do with this bluntly drawn twit.


2 October 2014

candid

[kan-did]

adjective

1. frank; outspoken; open and sincere:
a candid critic.
2. free from reservation, disguise, or subterfuge; straightforward:
a candid opinion.
3. informal; unposed:
a candid photo.
4. honest; impartial:
a candid mind.
5. Archaic. white.
6. Archaic. clear; pure.
noun
7. an unposed photograph.
Origin

French, Latin
1620-1630; (< French candide) < Latin candidus shining white, equivalent to cand (ēre) to be shining white (akin to incense ) + -idus -id4

Related forms

candidly, adverb
candidness, noun
pseudocandid, adjective
pseudocandidly, adverb
quasi-candid, adjective

Synonyms
1. ingenuous, naive, plain. See frank1.
Dictionary.com

Examples from the web for candid Expand

– At the end of his life, he wrote an autobiography for his children that was totally candid, and not intended for publication.
– Her writing voice is just as striking—alternately sweet and sour, naïve and cynical, but always unflinchingly candid.
– But beyond that, the loss of board confidentiality destroys the possibility of candid and productive discussion in the boardroom.

Anagram

can did


1 October 2014

satire

[sat-ahyuh r]

noun

1. the use of irony, sarcasm, ridicule, or the like, in exposing, denouncing, or deriding vice, folly, etc.
2. a literary composition, in verse or prose, in which human folly and vice are held up to scorn, derision, or ridicule.
3. a literary genre comprising such compositions.

Origin
Latin

1500-1510; < Latin satira, variant of satura medley, perhaps feminine derivative of satur sated (see saturate )

Related forms

nonsatire, noun

Can be confused

burlesque, caricature, cartoon, parody, satire (see synonym study at burlesque; see synonym study at the current entry)
satire, satyr.

Synonyms

1. See irony1. 2, 3. burlesque, caricature, parody, travesty. Satire, lampoon refer to literary forms in which vices or follies are ridiculed. Satire, the general term, often emphasizes the weakness more than the weak person, and usually implies moral judgment and corrective purpose: Swift’s satire of human pettiness and bestiality.Lampoon refers to a form of satire, often political or personal, characterized by the malice or virulence of its attack: lampoons of the leading political figures.

Dictionary.com

Examples from the web for satire

– Its impossible to watch any kind of western satire with her.
– Shows range from political satire to performance puppetry and admission is by donation.
– Parody would be a first cousin, a satire on an actual work of art.

Anagram

tea sir
its ear
a rites

29 September 2014 – emasculate

29 September 2014

emasculate

[v. ih-mas-kyuh-leyt; adj. ih-mas-kyuh-lit, -leyt]

verb (used with object), emasculated, emasculating.
1. to castrate.
2. to deprive of strength or vigor; weaken.
Synonyms: debilitate, undermine, devitalize, soften.
adjective
3. deprived of or lacking strength or vigor; effeminate.

Origin
Latin
1600-1610; < Latin ēmasculātus (past participle of ēmasculāre), equivalent to ē- e-1 + māscul(us) male + -ātus -ate1

Related forms
emasculation, noun
emasculative, adjective
emasculator, noun
emasculatory [ih-mas-kyuh-luh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee], adjective
self-emasculation, noun
unemasculated, adjective
unemasculative, adjective
unemasculatory, adjective

Dictionary.com

Examples from the web for emasculate
– Atrazine in the water has been shown to chemically emasculate frogs, turning healthy males into hermaphrodites.
– The government would probably not have had to emasculate its new measures with clumsy compromises.
– Now television is poised to absorb and emasculate the movies, all in the name of home entertainment.

Anagram

casual meet
team clause
amulet case


Today’s aphorism

Expecting is the greatest impediment to living. In anticipation of tomorrow, it loses today.

– Lucius Annaeus Seneca, 5AD – 65AD


On this day

29 September 1997 – death of Roy Lichtenstein, American pop artist.

29 September – World Heart Day.

28 September 2014 – aberration

28 September 2014

aberration

[ab-uh-rey-shuh n]

noun
1. the act of departing from the right, normal, or usual course.
2. the act of deviating from the ordinary, usual, or normal type.
3. deviation from truth or moral rectitude.
4. mental irregularity or disorder, especially of a minor or temporary nature; lapse from a sound mental state.
5. Astronomy. apparent displacement of a heavenly body, owing to the motion of the earth in its orbit.
6. Optics. any disturbance of the rays of a pencil of light such that they can no longer be brought to a sharp focus or form a clear image.
7. Photography. a defect in a camera lens or lens system, due to flaws in design, material, or construction, that can distort the image.

Origin

Latin

1585-1595; < Latin aberrātiōn- (stem of aberrātiō), equivalent to aberrāt (us), past participle of aberrāre (see aberrant ) + -iōn- -ion

Related forms
aberrational, adjective

Synonyms
1. wandering; deviation, divergence. 4. abnormality, eccentricity, illusion, delusion, hallucination.
Dictionary.com

Examples from the web for aberration

– Although there are no colors in the photograph, chromatic aberration will blur the image.

Anagram

arena orbit
tiara borne
boa terrain
a orient bar
a ranter bio


Today’s aphorism

Before you discover your soulmate, you must first discover your soul.

– Charles F. Glassman


On this day

28 September 551BC – birth of Confucius, Chinese teacher and philosopher, founder of Confucianism. Died 479BC.

28 September 1330 – birth of Nicholas Flamel, French alchemist who purportedly made it his life’s work to decode a mysterious book, known as Book of Abramelin the Mage. Some believe he decoded the recipe for the Philosopher’s Stone, which could turn base metals into silver and gold, and was said to be the elixir of life. Died 22 March 1418(?) He was seen at least 3 times after his death, which led to rumour that he had produced the elixir of life and was therefore immortal. He has been immortalised in numerous books and movies, including ‘Harry Potter‘ by J.K. Rowling, and the ‘Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel‘ series by Michael Scott.

28 September 1872 – birth of David Uniapon, indigenous preacher, author and inventor. He is on the Australian $50 note. David influenced government decision making regarding aboriginal issues and invented a hand-piece for shearing sheep.

28 September 1895 – death of Louis Pasteur, French bacteriologist, one of the founders of microbiology. Invented the process for preventing milk and wine from causing sickness, known as pasteurisation. (Not entirely fool-proof, as over-imbibing wine still seems to cause sickness in some). Born 27 December 1822.

28 September 1967 – birth of Moon Unit Zappa, American musician. Son of legendary musician, Frank Zappa.

27 September 2014 – insinuate

27 September 2014

insinuate

[in-sin-yoo-eyt]

verb (used with object), insinuated, insinuating.

1. to suggest or hint slyly:
He insinuated that they were lying.
2. to instill or infuse subtly or artfully, as into the mind:
to insinuate doubts through propaganda.
3. to bring or introduce into a position or relation by indirect or artful methods:
to insinuate oneself into favor.
verb (used without object), insinuated, insinuating.
4. to make insinuations.

Origin

Latin

1520-1530; < Latin insinuātus, past participle of insinuāre to work in, instill. See in-2, sinuous, -ate1

Related forms

insinuative [in-sin-yoo-ey-tiv, -yoo-uh-] (Show IPA), insinuatory [in-sin-yoo-uh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee], adjective
insinuatively, adverb
insinuator, noun
half-insinuated, adjective
preinsinuate, verb, preinsinuated, preinsinuating.

Synonyms

1. See hint. 2. introduce, inject, inculcate.

Dictionary.com

Examples from the web for insinuate Expand

– His enemies insinuate that it was not his political insights that were worth so much, but his influence and connections.
– Your questions are disingenuous because they’re meant to insinuate there are fundamental and serious issues with climate change.
– This, in no way, is meant to insinuate that the comments received were tallied as votes in a referendum.

Anagram

annuities
a suite inn


Today’s aphorism

We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.

– Plato


On this day

27 September 1540 – The Jesuits (Society of Jesus) founded by Ignatius Loyola.

27 September 1660 – death of St Vincent de Paul, Catholic priest, born in France, who dedicated himself to serving the poor. Born 24 April 1581.

27 September 1722 – birth of Samuel Adams, American revolutionary and founding father. Died 2 October 1803.

27 September 1947 – birth of Marvin Lee Aday, American rocker – otherwise known as Meatloaf.

27 September 1961 – birth of Irvine Welsh, Scottish writer – ‘Train-spotting‘, ‘Ecstasy‘.

27 September 1963 – Lee Harvey Oswald visits Cuban embassy in Mexico to apply for a Cuban visa. The embassy initially denies the visa, stating that the man was not Lee Harvey Oswald. The embassy said he would need Soviet approval. Following scrutiny from the KGB and CIA, and intense debate between the Soviets, Cuba and Oswald (?) the visa was finally issued. Oswald, or the man purporting to be Oswald, never travelled to Cuba, but returned to the U.S. on 3 October 1963 … conspiracy, anyone?

26 September 2014 – comity

26 September 2014

comity

[kom-i-tee]

noun, plural comities.

1. mutual courtesy; civility.
2. Also called comity of nations. courtesy between nations, as in respect shown by one country for the laws, judicial decisions, and institutions of another.

Origin

Latin

1535-1545; < Latin cōmitās, equivalent to cōm (is) affable + -itās -ity

Dictionary.com

Examples from the web for comity

– Electronic communication between them has yet to catch up with the new spirit of comity.
– Ideological comity clearly outweighs intellectual integrity here.
– Each episode in this elaborate dance has been designed to advance transatlantic comity a step.

Anagram

icy tom
Om City


Today’s aphorism

The trick is that as long as you know who you are and what makes you happy, it doesn’t matter how others see you.

– Wendy Mass, Every Soul A Star.


On this day

26 September 1181 – birth of St Francis of Assisi, Italian friar and founder of the men’s Franciscan Order, the women’s Order of St Clare and the Third Order of St Francis. Although these are all Catholic Orders, he was never ordained as a Catholic priest. Died 3 October 1226.

26 September 1774 – birth of Johnny Appleseed (John Chapman), American environmentalist. Appleseed was a nurseryman who introduced significant numbers of apple trees to Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, West Virginia and Illinois. His legend grew while he was still alive because of his generous nature, care for animals and the environment, and respect he had for the American Indian tribes who believed he’d been touched by the ‘Great Spirit’ because of his love and admiration for them and the gospel message he preached. Born 26 September 1774. Died 11 March 1845. The exact date of Appleseed’s death is in dispute, with some sources claiming 18 March 1845 and others as ‘Summer 1845′. 11 March is celebrated in the USA as ‘Johnny Appleseed Day’.

26 September 1888 – birth of Thomas Stearns Eliot (T.S. Eliot), poet, playwright, publisher, winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature, described as ‘arguably the most important English language poet of the 20th century’. Wrote ‘The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock‘, ‘The Waste Land‘, ‘Ash Wednesday‘, ‘The Hollow Men‘. Died 4 January 1965.

26 September 1902 – death of Levi Strauss, German-born, American clothing manufacturer. Most notable for Levi jeans. Born 26 February 1829.

26 September 1907 – New Zealand declares independence from Great Britain.

26 September 1960 – Fidel Castro delivers the longest speech in U.N. history, at 4 hours, 29 minutes.

26 September 1983 – Australia wins the America’s Cup yacht race; the first nation to take the cup off America in 132 years.

26 September 1997 – the Basilica of St Francis of Assisi (in Assisi, Italy) partially collapses after an earthquake strikes the region.

25 September 2014 – dissonant

25 September 2014

dissonant

[dis-uh-nuh nt]

adjective

1. disagreeing or harsh in sound; discordant.
2. out of harmony; incongruous; at variance.
3. Music. characterized by dissonance.

Origin

late Middle English Anglo-French, Latin
1400-14501400-50; late Middle English dissonaunte (< Anglo-French) < Latin dissonant- (stem of dissonāns, present participle of dissonāre to sound harsh), equivalent to disson- (derivative of dissonus discordant; see dis-1, sound ) + -ant- -ant

Related forms

dissonantly, adverb
undissonant, adjective
undissonantly, adverb

Synonyms

2. incompatible, incongruent, inconsistent.

Dictionary.com

Examples from the web for dissonant

– Reading about a dissonant chord doesn’t make it sound any sweeter, but repeated hearing certainly does.
– The dissonant chords and primitive rhythms had a still more unnerving effect upon the audience.
– Upending such a value set is too cognitively dissonant for many on both sides of the equation.

Anagram

saint nods
sand is not


Today’s aphorism

A sword never kills anybody; it is a tool in the killer’s hand.

– Lucius Annaeus Seneca, 5AD – 65AD


On this day

25 September 1780 – Major General Benedict Arnold, joins the British during the American Revolution, becoming forever known as a traitor. Arnold had been a successful officer. He had trained patriot (American) troops using his own time and money after the government failed to provide the resources he felt necessary for a successful Army. He leading troops to victory in the battle of Saratoga where he was injured. While recuperating his commanding officer claimed the credit for the victory. Some of his enemies had him unfairly charged with dereliction of duty. Arnold had invested considerable time, money and effort in the American forces, but felt betrayed and that the revolution had been corrupted. He claimed his only option was to change sides. He eventually moved to London, however, he was not welcomed there because he was seen as a traitor to his own country. He died in 1801.

25 September 1958 – End of World War I in Andorra … Andorra was not invited to the Treaty of Versailles in 1919, so diplomatic peace between Germany and Andorra, relating to World War I, was not settled until this date. Refer to 12 September 1990 for the end of World War II.

25 September 1980 – death of John Bonham, Led Zeppelin drummer. Born 31 May 1948.

25 September 2005 – death of Don Adams, American actor, most famous for his character Maxwell Smart (Agent 86) in the TV show ‘Get Smart’. Born 13 April 1923. Famous catchphrases include ‘missed it by that much‘, ‘would you believe …‘, ‘sorry about that Chief‘, ‘the old [something] trick‘, ‘that’s the second […..] I’ve ever seen‘.

24 September 2014 – consonant

24 September 2014

consonant

[kon-suh-nuh nt]

noun

1. Phonetics.
(in English articulation) a speech sound produced by occluding with or without releasing (p, b; t, d; k, g), diverting (m, n, ng), or obstructing (f, v; s, z, etc.) the flow of air from the lungs (opposed to vowel ).
(in a syllable) any sound other than the sound of greatest sonority in the syllable, as b, r, and g in brig (opposed to sonant ).
Compare vowel (def 1b).
(in linguistic function) a concept empirically determined as a phonological element in structural contrast with vowel, as the b of be, the w of we, the y, s, and t of yeast, etc.
2. a letter that usually represents a consonant sound.
adjective
3. in agreement; agreeable; in accord; consistent (usually followed by to or with):
behavior consonant with his character.
4. corresponding in sound, as words.
5. harmonious, as sounds.
6. Music. constituting a consonance.
7. Physics. noting or pertaining to sounds exhibiting consonance.
8. consonantal.

Origin

Middle English, Anglo-French, Latin

1350-1400; Middle English consona (u) nt (< Anglo-French) < Latin consonant- (stem of consonāns, present participle of consonāre to sound with or together). See con-, sonant

Related forms

consonantlike, adjective
consonantly, adverb
unconsonant, adjective

Synonyms
3. concordant, congruous, conformant.

Antonyms
6. dissonant.

Dictionary.com

Examples from the web for consonant Expand

– And then you have to couch it in the right terms, to have it be consonant with the other values of the university.
– Once you’ve got the infixes and the prefixes in your head, and the three- consonant root verbs you can construct any word you want.
– Select any consonant after you have guessed at a word, and it will appear in each appropriate square in the puzzle.

Anagram

Canton son
scant noon


Today’s aphorism

The one who follows the crowd will usually get no further than the crowd. The one who walks alone, is likely to find himself in places no-one has ever been.

– Albert Einstein


On this day

24 September 1724 – birth of Sir Arthur Guiness, Irish brewer and founder of the Guinness brewery. Died 23 January 1803.

24 September 1869 – Black Friday. Wall Street panic caused by two speculators, Fisk and Gould, trying to corner the gold market on the New York Gold Exchange. During reconstruction following the American Civil War, the US government had issued large amounts of money backed by nothing but credit. Rumour had it that the government would buy back the money with gold. Fisk and Gould attempted to profit from this by buying large amounts of gold, driving the price higher. The government unloaded $4 million of its own gold on the market which caused the price to plummet. As the price plummeted, investors panicked and sold their holdings, many were ruined.

24 September 1936 – birth of Jim Henson, American muppeteer (Sesame Street, the Muppet Show). Died 16 May 1990.

24 September 1952 – birth of Mark Sandman, US musician, singer, songwriter. Founder of the alternative rock band, Morphine, which blended heavy bass sounds with blues and jazz. Sandman was described as the most under-rated and skilled bass player of his generation. Sandman collapsed and died on stage during a Morphine concert in Latium, Italy. His death was the result of a heart attack and blamed on heavy smoking, stress and extreme heat, in which the temperature on the night was in excess of 38o Celsius. Died 3 July 1999.

24 September 1990 – The Supreme Soviet agrees to change to free market.

24 September 1991 – death of Theodore Seuss Geisel, (Dr Seuss), children’s author. Born 2 March 1904.

23 September 2014 – surfeit

23 September 2014

surfeit

[sur-fit]

noun

1. excess; an excessive amount:
a surfeit of speechmaking.
2. excess or overindulgence in eating or drinking.
3. an uncomfortably full or crapulous feeling due to excessive eating or drinking.
4. general disgust caused by excess or satiety.
verb (used with object)
5. to bring to a state of surfeit by excess of food or drink.
6. to supply with anything to excess or satiety; satiate.
verb (used without object)
7. to eat or drink to excess.
8. to suffer from the effects of overindulgence in eating or drinking.
9. to indulge to excess in anything.

Origin

Middle English, Middle French
1250-1300; (noun) Middle English sorfete, surfait < Middle French surfait, surfet (noun use of past participle of surfaire to overdo), equivalent to sur- sur-1+ fait < Latin factus, past participle of facere to do (see fact ); (v.) sorfeten, derivative of the noun

Related forms

unsurfeited, adjective
unsurfeiting, adjective

Synonyms

1. superabundance, superfluity. 5, 6. stuff, gorge. 6. fill.
Antonyms

1. lack.
Dictionary.com

Examples from the web for surfeit

– Unfortunately, the basic appeal of such debates is often diluted by an excess of detail and a surfeit of characters.
– Instead, the technology-driven surfeit of modern information has made the need for clarity and concision more acute.
– It does them no harm, although if they eat too many they may have some difficulty digesting a surfeit of cicada skins.

Anagram

sure fit
surf tie


Today’s aphorism

Blind faith in your leaders, or in anything, will get you killed.

– Bruce Springsteen


On this day

23 September 63BC – birth of Augustus Caesar, founder of the Roman Empire and first Roman Emperor.

23 September 1122 – The Concordat of Worms, sometimes known as Pactum Calixtinum, which was an agreement between Pope Calixtinum and Holy Roman Emperor Henry V, near the City of Worms, to end the first phase of the power struggle between the Papacy and the Emperors by granting Kings the right to grant Bishops in their territories with secular authority, but not sacred authority. Bishops then swore allegiance to the King and the Pope. The Kings could also call on them for military support.

23 September 1215 – birth of Kublai Khan, of the Mongol Empire. He was the grandson of Genghis Khan. In 1271, Kublia Khan established the Yuan Empire ruling over modern-day Mongolia, China and Korea. He became the first non-Chinese Emperor to conquer all of China. He died on 18 February 1294.

23 September 1913 – French aviator Roland Garros, becomes the first person to fly across the Mediterranean Sea.

23 September 1949 – birth of Bruce Springsteen (a.k.a. The Boss), American rocker.

22 September 2014 – slake

22 September 2014

slake

[sleyk]

verb (used with object), slaked, slaking.

1. to allay (thirst, desire, wrath, etc.) by satisfying.
2. to cool or refresh:
He slaked his lips with ice.
3. to make less active, vigorous, intense, etc.:
His calm manner slaked their enthusiasm.
4. to cause disintegration of (lime) by treatment with water.
Compare slaked lime.
5. Obsolete. to make loose or less tense; slacken.
verb (used without object), slaked, slaking.
6. (of lime) to become slaked.
7. Archaic. to become less active, intense, vigorous, etc.; abate.

Origin

Middle English, Old English
before 1000; Middle English slaken to mitigate, allay, moderate, lessen one’s efforts, Old English slacian to slacken, lessen one’s efforts, equivalent to slæc slack1+ -ian causative verb suffix

Related forms

slakable, slakeable, adjective
slakeless, adjective
unslakable, adjective
unslakeable, adjective
unslaked, adjective

Synonyms

1. satisfy, quench, gratify, relieve.

Dictionary.com

Examples from the web for slake

– And some of the water would continue to be used for irrigation or to slake the thirst of urban areas.
– Room temperature, or even warmer drinks are the best way to slake thirst.
– We have to slake our thirst for crude and invest immediately and aggressively in alternative energy sources.

Anagram

leaks


Today’s aphorism

If you look around, complacency is the great disease of your autumn years, and I work hard to prevent that.

– Nick Cave


On this day

22 September 1913 – execution by hanging of Ernest Austin at Boggo Road Gaol. Austin was the last man to be legally executed in Queensland. He had been convicted of the rape and murder of 12 year old Ivy Mitchell at Cedar Creek Road near Samford. Austin is buried in South Brisbane Cemetry. It is said that his ghost haunts Boggo Road Gaol. Queensland abolished the death penalty in 1922, becoming the first Australian state to do so.

22 September 1957 – birth of Nick Cave in Warracknabeal, Victoria (Australia). Australian gothic/alternative musician. Frontman of ‘The Birthday Party’ and ‘Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds’, also having a successful solo career. In 2006, he formed ‘Grinderman’, an alternative rock band which disbanded in 2011.

22 September 2890 – birth of Bilbo Baggins, Hobbit, born in the Shire. Star of the iconic novel, ‘The Hobbit‘, by J.R.R. Tolkien. Bilbo also features in Tolkien’s ‘The Lord of the Rings‘. Note, his birthday is in the year 2890 in the Third Age or in the year 1290 in Shire-Reckoning). There is some disparity between Shire-Reckoning and the Gregorian calendar. Some believe that 12 September is the comparative Gregorian date, others believe 14 September is the Gregorian date to celebrate Bilbo’s birthday, as explained in one of the appendices to Lord of the Rings.

22 September 2968 – birth of Frodo Baggins, Hobbit, born in the shire. Nephew of legendary hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, with whom he shares his birthday. Star of J.R.R. Tolkien’s ‘Lord of the Rings‘. His birthday is in the year 2968 in the Third Age, or in the year 1368 in Shire-Reckoning). As Bilbo celebrated his eleventy-first (111th) birthday, Frodo was celebrating his 33rd birthday, which is the age at which a hobbit legally comes of age.