(pie-AK-yuh-luh-tiv) was coined by T.S. Eliot for his poem “Mr. Eliot’s Sunday Morning Service.” Derived from the Latin for “appease, purify, expiate,” it refers to atonement or reparation – e.g., for a sin or crime.
From the poem:
Synecdoche (sih-NEK-duh-kee) is a figure of speech in which the part is used for the whole. A few examples: the head for cattle, wheels for the car, hands for individuals, suits for businessmen.
Today’s Word: acolyte (noun) An acolyte (AK-uh-lite) is (1) one who attends or assists a leader, or (2) a follower. As used by the musician John Fahey: “From a social perspective, I am looking for friends, not…
Intentionality (in-ten-shuh-NAL-ih-tee ) is being deliberate or purposeful. As I used it today: “You can learn to act intentionally without attachment.”
Something that is veritable (VER-is-uh-buhl) is true, or at least feels that way. The word is used as an intensifier, usually to qualify a metaphor. Example by Hanya Yanagihara: “Between their rise in the…
To slubber (SLUH-ber) is to work hastily and carelessly; to perform in a slipshod manner. As used by Shakespeare in The Merchant of Venice: “I saw Bassanio and Antonio part; / Bassanio told him he would make…