3 December 2014

coterie

[koh-tuh-ree]

noun
1. a group of people who associate closely.
2. an exclusive group; clique.
3. a group of prairie dogs occupying a communal burrow.

Origin
Medieval Latin
1730-1740; < French, Middle French: an association of tenant farmers < Medieval Latin coter (ius) cotter2+ -ie -y3

Synonyms
1. See circle.

Dictionary.com

Examples from the web for coterie
– There is always a fun-loving coterie of practical jokers in every club.
– Speak to the significance of your ideas beyond your coterie.
– His reliance on a coterie of compatriots provoked particular irritation.

Anagram

cite roe
eco tier
core tie

Today’s quote

I got rabies shots for biting the head off a bat but that’s OK – the bat had to get Ozzy shots.

– Ozzy Osbourne

On this day

3 December – International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

3 December 1944 – Civil war breaks out in Greece following its liberation during World War II, when communist rebels fight democratic forces for control.

3 December 1948 – birth of Ozzy Osbourne, legendary British rocker, former lead singer of Black Sabbath, who has also had a successful solo career. He was born as John Michael Osbourne.

3 December 1984 – Bhopal Union Carbide accident in India in which thousands of people die from toxic gases that leaked from the factory when safety systems failed.

3 December 1992 – the world’s first SMS is sent. This monumental event occurred in the United Kingdom when Neil Papworth of the SEMA Group used a PC to send the message over a Vodafone GSM network to Richard Jarvis of Vodafone, who was using an Orbitel 901 phone. The message was ‘Merry Christmas’.

3 December 1993 – death of Frank Zappa, American revolutionary musician. Born 21 December 1940.