11 January 2018

precipitate

[verb pri-sip-i-teyt; adjective, noun pri-sip-i-tit, -teyt]

verb (used with object), precipitated, precipitating.

1. to hasten the occurrence of; bring about prematurely, hastily, or suddenly:
to precipitate an international crisis.
2. to cast down headlong; fling or hurl down.
3. to cast, plunge, or send, especially violently or abruptly:
He precipitated himself into the struggle.
Chemistry. to separate (a substance) in solid form from a solution, as by means of a reagent.
verb (used without object), precipitated, precipitating.
5. Meteorology. to fall to the earth’s surface as a condensed form of water; to rain, snow, hail, drizzle, etc.
6. to separate from a solution as a precipitate.
7. to be cast or thrown down headlong.
adjective
8. headlong:
a precipitate fall down the stairs.
9. rushing headlong or rapidly onward.
10. proceeding rapidly or with great haste:
a precipitate retreat.
11. exceedingly sudden or abrupt:
a precipitate stop; a precipitate decision.
12. done or made without sufficient deliberation; overhasty; rash:
a precipitate marriage.
noun
13. Chemistry. a substance precipitated from a solution.
14. moisture condensed in the form of rain, snow, etc.

Origin of precipitate

Latin

1520-1530; (v. and adj.) < Latin praecipitātus (past participle of praecipitāre to cast down headlong), equivalent to praecipit- (stem of praeceps steep; see precipice ) + -ātus -ate1; (noun) < New Latin praecipitātum a precipitate, noun use of neuter of praecipitātus

Related forms

precipitately, adverb
precipitateness, noun
precipitative, adjective
precipitator, noun
nonprecipitative, adjective

Can be confused

precipitate, precipitous.

Synonyms

1. accelerate. 4. crystallize. 12. reckless, impetuous.

Antonyms

1. retard. 12. careful.

Dictionary.com

Examples from the Web for precipitate

Contemporary Examples

And it was probably at least partly this that precipitated his downfall.
Relishing Rembrandt’s Blockbuster London Show
Nancy Durrant
October 16, 2014

Rather, it precipitated a month-long diplomatic crisis of byzantine complexity that exposed deeper, long-term sources of conflict.
Barbara Tuchman’s ‘The Guns of August’ Is Still WWI’s Peerless Chronicle
James A. Warren
September 29, 2014

Our public fascination with buttholes has also precipitated a whole new genre of celebrity rumors.
The ‘Back Door’ Is Having Its Pop Culture Moment
Gabriella Paiella
September 27, 2014

Her departure was precipitated by her decision as an IACC member to vote against more funding for studies on vaccine safety.
“Autism Speaks”- but Should Everyone Listen?
Emily Shire
June 13, 2014

Did the writers give you any idea what precipitated this collapse—perhaps a nuclear war or environmental devastation?
The Great Character Actor: Guy Pearce on His Brilliant Career, From ‘Priscilla’ to ‘The Rover’
Richard Porton
May 23, 2014

Historical Examples

Let not your Clarissa be precipitated into a state she wishes not to enter into with any man!
Clarissa, Volume 1 (of 9)
Samuel Richardson

This was on April 24, 1846, and precipitated hostilities at once.
Aztec Land
Maturin M. Ballou

This precipitated a vigorous discussion which extended into the next day.
The History of Woman Suffrage, Volume IV
Various

I have been precipitated, alive, into this hell by another ghost.
Romance
Joseph Conrad and F.M. Hueffer

For this, Europe, during two centuries, was precipitated on Asia.
Blackwoods Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 59, No. 366, April, 1846
Various

Anagram

irate peptic
pita receipt
create pi pit
trace pie tip

Today’s quote

The sun does not shine for a few trees and flowers, but for the wide world’s joy.

– Henry Ward Beecher

On this day

11 January 1986 – Brisbane’s Gateway Bridge opens.

11 January 2008 – death of Edmund Hillary, New Zealand mountaineer, explorer and philanthropist. Hillary and sherpa Tbeenzing Norgay became the first men to reach the summit of Mt Everest. Born 20 July 1919.

11 January 2011 – flood-waters from the Lockyer Valley reach the Brisbane River catchment, causing the river to break its banks, flooding the CBD and other river-side suburbs, including New Farm, Fortitude Valley, West End, St Lucia, Rocklea and Graceville, inundating 20,000 homes. The Brisbane River peaked on 13 January 2013 at a height of 4.46m. The city of Ipswich was also inundated, with the Bremer River peaking on 12 January 2011. The worst affected areas included Goodna and Gailes. There were reports of bull sharks in the city centre of Goodna. A total of 35 people died as a result of the flooding in Toowoomba, the Lockyer Valley, Brisbane and Ipswich.

11 January 2016 – death of David Bowie, British musician and actor, born David Robert Jones. Born 8 January 1947.

10 January 2018

gerontocracy

[jer-uh n-tok-ruh-see, jeer-]

noun, plural gerontocracies.

1. government by a council of elders.
2. a governing body consisting of old people.
3. a state or government in which old people rule.

Origin of gerontocracy

1820-1830 First recorded in 1820-30; geronto- + -cracy

Related forms

gerontocrat [juh-ron-tuh-krat], noun
gerontocratic, adjective

Dictionary.com

Examples from the Web for gerontocracy

Historical Examples

gerontocracy, that is, government by the aged, is the most ancient form of government.
The Cult of Incompetence
Emile Faguet

Anagram

corn category
correct agony

Today’s quote

Sanity is a madness put to good uses.

― George Santayana

On this day

10 January 1946 – the inaugural meeting of the United Nations General Assembly, with 51 nations, convenes in London.

10 January 1949 – RCA introduces the world’s first vinyl record which played at 45rpm while Columbia released the world’s first vinyl record which played at 33rpm.

10 January 1998 – Night of Noah, Townsville. The city was drenched with rains from ex-Tropical Cyclone Sid. In a 24-hour period, 549mm fell on the city as recorded by the Bureau of Meteorology, however of this, more than 500mm during a 12 hour period. There were unofficial recordings that exceeded 700mm during this period.

10 January 2011 – Flash flooding strikes Toowoomba, Queensland, after 160mm of rain falls in 36 hours, killing four people. The flood water flowed down the Toowoomba range, inundating properties in the Lockyer Valley, including Grantham, Withcott, Helidon, killing nine people.

8 January 2018

contretemps

[kon-truh-tahn; French kawntruh-tahn]

noun, plural contretemps [kon-truh-tahnz; French kawntruh-tahn] (Show IPA)

1. an inopportune occurrence; an embarrassing mischance:
He caused a minor contretemps by knocking over his drink.

Origin of contretemps

1675-1685; < French, equivalent to contre- counter- + temps time (< Latin tempus); perhaps alteration (by folk etymology) of Middle French contrestant, present participle of contrester to oppose; see contrast

Dictionary.com

Examples from the Web for contretemps Expand

Contemporary Examples

That seemed like it was the end of the matter but then new life was breathed into the contretemps on Monday.
A Cuomo-Christie Proxy War?
Ben Jacobs
December 3, 2013

The contretemps escalated during a commercial break when Khrushchev was handed a note by one of his advisers.
Nikita Khrushchev, Talk Show Guest
Stephen Battaglio
November 20, 2010

Carter reveals that Jay made weird, borderline mentorly calls to Kimmel long before the Conan contretemps began.
Secrets of the Late Night War
Bryan Curtis
November 8, 2010

But the Web contretemps has had an impact all the same, particularly on the political right.
The GOP’s Supreme Problem
Reihan Salam
May 27, 2009

Historical Examples

He determined to take no notice of the contretemps, but return boldly to the attack.
Masterpieces of Mystery
Various

Not only was there no contretemps, but all went off well and pleasantly.
Diary And Notes Of Horace Templeton, Esq.
Charles James Lever

It was an aggravation of annoyance to have her as a witness of these contretemps.
The Girls of St. Olave’s
Mabel Mackintosh

A contretemps less likely to occur at the Choctaw Chief, and there stayed they.
The Death Shot
Mayne Reid

I will write all the pleasant things, but for the jokes—the contretemps, no!
Pixie O’Shaughnessy
Mrs. George de Horne Vaizey

There are no contretemps, no unhappy moments, no jealousies, no heart-burnings.
Betty Vivian
L. T. Meade

Anagram

cement ports
most percent
centre stomp
protects men

Today’s quote

Truth is like the sun. You can shut it out for a time, but it ain’t goin’ away.

– Elvis Presley

On this day

8 January 1935 – birth of Elvis Aaron Presley, the King of Rock and Roll. Died 16 August 1977.

8 January 1947 – birth of David Bowie, British musician and actor, born David Robert Jones. Died 11 January 2016.

8 January 1959 – Fidel Castro’s rebel forces take control of Cuba. Castro eventually became President and ruled the nation until 2011.

8 January 1964 – US President Lyndon B. Johnson introduces legislation that results in the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, otherwise known as the War on Poverty, in an effort to reduce the increasing poverty rate, which at that time was around 19%. Through this a number of poverty-reduction strategies were implemented, including Social Security Act 1965, Food Stamp Act of 1964, Elementary and Secondary Education Act (1965), Community Action Program, Job Corps, and Volunteers in Services to America. Within 10 years the poverty rate had been reduced to around 11%. In 2014, the rate had risen to around 15%.

7 January 2018

arnica

[ahr-ni-kuh]

noun

1. any composite plant of the genus Arnica, having opposite leaves and yellow flower heads.
2. a tincture of the flowers of A. montana, of Europe, and other species of Arnica, formerly used as an external application in sprains and bruises.

Origin of arnica

1745-1755; < New Latin < ?

Dictionary.com

Examples from the Web for arnica

Historical Examples

She spent the whole morning bathing and poulticing me, and rubbing me with arnica.
My Antonia
Willa Cather

Free applications of arnica or iodine will have an excellent effect.
Searchlights on Health: Light on Dark Corners
B.G. Jefferis

Oil of arnica is an excellent application for inflamed Piles.
An Epitome of Homeopathic Healing Art
B. L. Hill

There was an atmosphere of arnica and dejection in the house when we got there.
At Good Old Siwash
George Fitch

My knee he bandaged with arnica, after bathing it a long while with warm water.
White Dandy; or, Master and I
Velma Caldwell Melville

The next morning all were lame and sore and there were demands for arnica and a massage.
Baseball Joe on the Giants
Lester Chadwick

I have hitherto been successful in all cases by using tincture of arnica.
Troy and its Remains
Henry (Heinrich) Schliemann

Or apply common white paint by laying it on gently with a brush, or else tincture of marigold or arnica in the same manner.
Cooley’s Cyclopdia of Practical Receipts and Collateral Information in the Arts, Manufactures, Professions, and Trades…, Sixth Edition, Volume I
Arnold Cooley

Mrs. Bull had to patch up his coat and give him some arnica and vaseline.
The Casual Ward
A. D. Godley

Oh, I shall give him a bottle of arnica, or whatever it is, for black eyes!
The Story of Louie
Oliver Onions

Anagram

air can

Today’s quote

He is richest who is content with the least, for content is the wealth of nature.

– Socrates

On this day

7 January – Christmas Day celebrated by some eastern and Orthodox churches, which is 25 December under the old Julian calendar. Most western churches celebrate Christmas on 25 December in the Gregorian calendar system which began replacing the Julian calendar throughout the world from 1582.

7 January 1943 – Death of Nikola Tesla, Serbian American inventor, electrical engineer, mechanical engineer and futurist. Inventor of alternating current (A/C) electricity supply. Born 10 July 1856.

7 January 1979 – Brutal Cambodian dictator, Pol Pot, is overthrown as Vietnamese forces invade Phnom Penh. Pol Pot and his army, the Khmer Rouge, were responsible for killing approximately 1.7 million people.

6 January 2018

prorogue

[proh-rohg]

verb (used with object), prorogued, proroguing.

1. to discontinue a session of (the British Parliament or a similar body).
2. to defer; postpone.

Origin of prorogue

late Middle English Latin

1375-1425; late Middle English proroge < Latin prōrogāre to prolong, protract, defer, literally, to ask publicly, equivalent to prō- pro-1+ rogāre to ask, propose

Related forms

prorogation [proh-ruh-gey-shuh n] (Show IPA), noun
nonprorogation, noun
unprorogued, adjective

Synonyms

1. suspend.

Dictionary.com

Examples from the Web for prorogue

Historical Examples

The sovereign had never dared to prorogue them against their will, they argued.
The Scottish Parliament
Robert S. (Robert Sangster) Rait

This view of q bears upon the theory of words like prorogue, &c.
The English Language
Robert Gordon Latham

The Governor had the right to summon, to prorogue, and to dissolve the Assembly.
Give Me Liberty
Thomas J. Wertenbaker

The Governor may prorogue or dissolve the Legislative Assembly by proclamation or otherwise whenever the Governor considers it expedient.
Queensland Constitution

Anagram

grope our
pour ogre
urge poor

Today’s quote

How terrible is wisdom when it brings no profit to he that is wise.

– Sophocles

On this day

6 January – the Epiphany, which commemorates when the Three Wise Men of the East (the Magi) visited the baby Jesus, with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. The Epiphany is celebrated the day after the ‘Twelve Days of Christmas’, which conclude on 5 January.

6 January 1925 – birth of John DeLorean, founder of the DeLorean Motor Company in Detroit, Michigan. The DeLorean with Gull-Wing doors was featured in the movie, ‘Back to the Future‘.

6 January 1973 – one of Hitler’s cars, a Mercedes 770K sedan, was auctioned on this day for $153,000,000.

6 January 1994 – Figure-skater Nancy Kerrigan is knee-capped in a violent attack as she was about to speak to reporters. Her rival, Tonya Harding, was accused of orchestrating the attack, resulting in Harding and four men being charged and sentenced to jail.

6 January 2005 – Ku Klux Klan leader, Ray Killen, is arrested and charged over the murders of three civil rights activists in Philadelphia, more than 40 years previously. On 21 June 2005, (exactly 41 years to the day of the murders) Killen is found guilty of three counts of manslaughter and sentenced to 20 years jail on each count.

4 January 2018

bestial

[bes-chuh l, bees-]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or having the form of a beast :
the belief that a person could assume bestial form after death; the bestial signs of the zodiac.
2. without reason or intelligence; brutal; inhuman:
bestial treatment of prisoners.
3. beastlike in gratifying one’s sensual desires; carnal; debased.

Origin of bestial

Middle English Anglo-French Late Latin Latin

1350-1400; Middle English (< Anglo-French) < Late Latin bēstiālis (Latin bēsti(a) beast + -ālis -al1)

Related forms
bestially, adverb

Dictionary.com

Anagram

sit able
set bale

Today’s quote

The fewer our wants the more we resemble the Gods.

– Socrates

On this day

4 January – the eleventh day of the 12 days of Christmas (Western Christianity).

4 January 1903 – Thomas Edison electrocutes an elephant to prove the dangers of ‘alternating current’ electricity. He had previously electrocuted stray cats and dogs and even horses and cows. He snidely referred to it as ‘getting Westinghoused’. Topsy, the elephant, had squashed 4 trainers at the Luna Park Zoo on Coney Island, so the zoo had decided to hang her, before someone suggested she ‘ride the lightning’. More on this at http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/2008/01/dayintech_0104

4 January 1961 – death of Erwin Schrödinger, Nobel prize-winning Austrian physicist who developed a number of fundamental results in the field of quantum theory, which formed the basis of wave mechanics. He was the author of many works in various fields of physics: statistical mechanics and thermodynamics, physics of dielectrics, colour theory, electrodynamics, general relativity, and cosmology, and he made several attempts to construct a unified field theory. He paid great attention to the philosophical aspects of science, ancient and oriental philosophical concepts, ethics, and religion.[4] He also wrote on philosophy and theoretical biology. He is also known for his “Schrödinger’s cat” thought-experiment. Born 12 August 1887.

4 January 1965 – death 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‘. Born 26 September 1888.

3 January 2018

axiom

[ak-see-uh m]

noun

1. a self-evident truth that requires no proof.
2. a universally accepted principle or rule.
3. Logic, Mathematics. a proposition that is assumed without proof for the sake of studying the consequences that follow from it.

Origin of axiom

Latin

1475-1485; < Latin axiōma < Greek: something worthy, equivalent to axiō-, variant stem of axioûn to reckon worthy + -ma resultative

noun suffix

Can be confused

adage, aphorism, apothegm, axiom, maxim, proverb.
assumption, axiom, premise, presumption.

Dictionary.com

Examples from the Web for axiom

Contemporary Examples

Whether or not Hippocrates ever actually said “First, do no harm,” the axiom is central to medical ethics.
Why So Many Surgeons Are Psychos
Russell Saunders
December 16, 2014

Jakes says he believes in the axiom that the act of forgiveness is not really a gift to others as much as it is a gift to oneself.
Bishop T.D. Jakes on His New Book and Whitney Houston’s Death
Allison Samuels
March 9, 2012

Historical Examples

It is an axiom in all progress that the more we conquer the more easily we conquer.
The Conquest of Fear
Basil King

Anagram

am I ox

Today’s quote

All your children are poor, unfortunate victims of lies you believe. A plague upon your ignorance which keeps the young form the truth they deserve.

– Frank Zappa

On this day

3 January – the tenth day of the 12 days of Christmas (Western Christianity).

3 January 106BC – birth of Marcus Tullius Cicero (sometimes anglicised as Tully), Roman statesman, politician, philosopher, orator. Tully’s influence on Latin and other European languages was immense and still felt up to the 19th century. The history of prose in Latin and other languages was said to be either a reaction against, or a return to, his style. Died 7 December 43BC.

3 January 1521 – Pope Leo X excommunicates Martin Luther in the papal bull Decet Romanum Pontificem.

3 January 1892 – birth of J.R.R. Tolkien, author of ‘The Hobbit‘ and ‘Lord of the Rings‘. Died 2 September 1973. ‘The road goes ever on … ‘

3 January 1956 – birth of Mel Gibson, Australian actor.

3 January 1962 – Pope John XXIII excommunicates Fidel Castro.

3 January 1969 – birth of Michael Schumacher, German Formula 1 racing car driver.

3 January 1977 – Apple Computers is incorporated.

2 January 2018

ergot

[ur-guh t, -got]

noun

1. Plant Pathology.
a disease of rye and other cereal grasses, caused by a fungus of the genus Claviceps, especially C. purpurea, which replaces the affected grain with a long, hard, blackish sclerotial body.
the sclerotial body itself.
2. Pharmacology. the dried sclerotium of C. purpurea, developed on rye plants: used in the production of ergotamine and ergotoxine.

Origin of ergot

Old French

1675-1685; French: literally, a rooster’s spur; Old French argos, argoz, argot spur(s)

Dictionary.com

Examples from the Web for ergot

Historical Examples

A peculiar variety of sugar, extracted by alcohol from ergot of rye.
Cooley’s Practical Receipts, Volume II
Arnold Cooley

All the poisonous symptoms of ergot are induced from continuously partaking of bread made with ergot ised flour.
Cooley’s Cyclopdia of Practical Receipts and Collateral Information in the Arts, Manufactures, Professions, and Trades…, Sixth Edition, Volume I
Arnold Cooley

To prevent this the ergot should be well dried, and then placed in bottles or tin canisters, and closely preserved from the air.
Cooley’s Cyclopdia of Practical Receipts and Collateral Information in the Arts, Manufactures, Professions, and Trades…, Sixth Edition, Volume I
Arnold Cooley

The ergot is placed in a wide-mouth stoppered bottle, and covered with a thick layer of the powdered charcoal.
Cooley’s Cyclopdia of Practical Receipts and Collateral Information in the Arts, Manufactures, Professions, and Trades…, Sixth Edition, Volume I
Arnold Cooley

A small quantity of ether is dropped on the ergot contained in a bottle, and the latter closed with a well-fitting stopper.
Cooley’s Cyclopdia of Practical Receipts and Collateral Information in the Arts, Manufactures, Professions, and Trades…, Sixth Edition, Volume I
Arnold Cooley

M. Tancret states that he has succeeded in obtaining an alkaloid from ergot of rye, which he names ergot inine.
Cooley’s Cyclopdia of Practical Receipts and Collateral Information in the Arts, Manufactures, Professions, and Trades…, Sixth Edition, Volume I
Arnold Cooley

According to M. Bonjean, this preparation possesses all the hmostatic without any of the poisonous qualities of ergot.
Cooley’s Cyclopdia of Practical Receipts and Collateral Information in the Arts, Manufactures, Professions, and Trades…, Sixth Edition, Volume I
Arnold Cooley

There was ergot in it, cleverly concealed by the natural smell and taste of the sauce.
The Social Gangster
Arthur B. Reeve

The history of ergot of Rye is too fresh in the memory of most people to require more than an allusion here.
Epidemics Examined and Explained: or, Living Germs Proved by Analogy to be a Source of Disease
John Grove

ergot and turpentine are administered in case of hemorrhage—the former best, perhaps, hypodermatically.
A System of Practical Medicine By American Authors, Vol. II
Various

Anagram

or get

Today’s quote

In a nation that was proud of hard work, strong families, close-knit communities, and our faith in God, too many of us now tend to worship self-indulgence and consumption. Human identity is no longer defined by what one does, but by what one owns. But we’ve discovered that owning things and consuming things does not satisfy our longing for meaning. We’ve learned that piling up material goods cannot fill the emptiness of lives which have no confidence or purpose.

– Jimmy Carter

On this day

2 January – the ninth day of the 12 days of Christmas (Western Christianity).

2 January 1952 – birth of Graeme ‘Shirley’ Strachan. Lead singer of Australian band, Skyhooks. Died 29 August 2001 in a helicopter crash near Maroochydore, Queensland.

2 January 1979 – Sid Vicious, former bass player with the Sex Pistols, goes on trial for the murder of his girlfriend, Nancy Spugen. Vicious and Spungen had allegedly been using heroin, and Vicious claimed he woke to find her dead on the bathroom floor. He was released on bail on 1 February 1979. It was later revealed that Mick Jagger paid the bail. That night he celebrated his release with friends. Vicious had stopped using heroin, however, his mother provided some that night. Early the following morning (2 February 1979), Vicious died of an overdose.