My Science School

Stolid

Meaning:

Stolid means calm, dependable, stoic or not showing any emotion. It is used as an adjective.

Origin:

Stolid is derived from the Latin stolidus meaning dull or stupid. Its earliest usage dates back to the early 17th Century when it was used to describe someone considered stupid or not showing any emotions. However by the 19th Century, the term came to be frequently used to mean dependable and stoic, without the connotation of foolishness and it continues to remain so to this day.

Example sentences:

She remained stolid throughout the trial. My father's stolid appearance reflected his no-nonsense approach.

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Referee

The word referee corresponds to an official who watches a match or game closely in order to ensure that the rules are adhered to and also to intervene and arbitrate on matters arising from the play.

Referee can also denote a person who is willing to testify in writing about someone's character or ability, especially in job applications.

Origin

The word has been around since the 1620s. It was initially used to denote a "person who examines patent applications, but that sense of the word is largely obsolete now.

The word has been used synonymous to an umpire, meaning "one to whom any matter in question is referred for decision, since the 1660s.

Its usage in legal issues can be traced back to the 1680s, while the sporting use of the word, now most popular, is recorded only by the 1820s.

The usage of the word steadily increased from the second half of the 19th Century, but has reduced drastically since the second half of the 20th Century.

Usage

While football referees are never praised for having a good game, they are often vilified even if they get a few decisions in a game wrong.

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Bulwark

Meaning:

 Bulwark means a defensive wall, a rampart or any protection against external danger.

Origin:

The term, dating back to the early 15th Century, came from Middle Dutch bulwerke or Middle High German bolwerc, from bole "plank, tree trunk" + werc "work". Thus "bole-work," a construction of logs. It took on the figurative meaning of defence or security from the mid-15th Century.

Example sentences:

Vaccines act as a bulwark against many infectious diseases.

When the leader travels abroad, his guards accompany him as a bulwark against enemy attack.

I got drenched in the rain as I did not have an umbrella or any such bulwark to protect me from the downpour.

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Gazette

This noun is an old-fashioned word for a newspaper. It is also used in the titles of a few newspapers and magazines across the world. In fact, the first newspaper published in India was called "Hicky's Bengal Gazette". It also refers to an official publication - especially by the government containing important information about decisions that have been made and people who have been employed.

Origin:

The word gazette has an interesting origin. The word derives via French from the Italian word gazetta, so called because in 16th- and 17th-century Venice, Italy, such a periodical could be bought for a small copper coin called a gazzetta. The original gazettes were bulletins published in England in the 17th and 18th Centuries. They contained notices of government appointments and promotions, among others.

Example:

The government department publishes a gazette twice a year.

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Hygge

Hygge is a noun used to refer to the quality of cosiness that makes a person feel content and comfortable. It's also often used as an adjective meaning cosy or comfortable.

Origin:

It is actually a Danish word that has been used in English since the mid-20th Century. Pronounced hue-guh, the Danish word is said to have been borrowed from the Norwegian word hygge. It is, however, said that despite having been borrowed from Norwegian, the word hygge is more central to Danish lifestyle.

Usage

We're looking forward to a hygge evening at the river-side cottage.

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Sacrilege

Meaning:

Sacrilege means violation of what is considered sacred. It is an act of treating something important without respect. In other words, it means being disrespectful to something people admire or revere.

Origin:

Sacrilege came into English from the Latin sacrilegium which in turn came from sacrilegus meaning "stealer of sacred things" from the Latin roots sacer meaning "sacred" and legere meaning "to steal or take possession of

Example sentences:

It is sacrilege to propose a road tunnel near the ancient monument. Sending a guest away without food is sacrilege in my house. The damage done to the painting in the name of restoration is sacrilege.

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Shenanigans

This noun, used in informal contexts and as a plural, refers to secret or dishonest activities that people find interesting or amusing.

Origin

The origin of the word is not clear though there are a few theories. Suggestions include the Spanish word chanada, a shortened form of charranada that means "trick, deceit'. Also, the German word schenigelei, slang for "work, craft". Another guess is the Irish word sionnach meaning "fox'. One thing that's certain is it has been in use since the mid-19th Century because the earliest known use of the word in print appeared in an 1855-issue of San Francisco's periodical "Town Talk".

Usage

He knew she'd never put up with his shenanigans.

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The word manuscript corresponds to a book, document or even a piece of music that is written by hand rather than being typed or printed. Manuscripts also denote an authors original copy of a book or article, either handwritten or typed, that hasn't yet been printed and published.

Origin

The word has been around since 1600. It is derived from Medieval Latin manuscriptum, meaning "document written by hand and Latin manu scriptus for "written by hand". Manu is from manus for "hand" and scriptus is the past participle of scribere "to write". Manuscript has been in constant usage over the past two centuries and even witnessed increased usage in recent years.

Usage

The first step to get your work printed is sending your manuscript to various publishers.

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Epistle

This noun refers to a letter, and is usually used in formal communication.

Origin:

The word epistle has its origins in the Greek work epistellein (epi + stellein) where epistole refers to a message or letter and stellein refers to send to. Epistle is said to have been in use since the 13th Century.

Example:

We were delighted to receive your lengthy epistle.

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Bespoke

An adjective, bespoke means something made to suit certain specifications, or altered and commissioned to meet as per an individual's requirements.

Origin

Initially, bespoke was used as a past participle of the verb bespeak meaning to "speak for something". Over the years, the word evolved into an adjective describing tailor-made suits and shoes. Today, the word is used in the field of marketing and branding to talk about exclusivity and special editions.

Usage:

1. The shop sold bespoke furniture for children.

2. Her evening gown was made bespoke, paying attention to every detail.

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As a noun, the word ‘derring-do’ refers to brave, heroic actions or deeds, often carried out in a foolish or flaunting manner.

Origin

The word "derring-do" originated from the Middle English phrase "durring don, during do" meaning "daring to do". The word durring" meant "courage (to do something)".Modern English word "dare" was also derived from it. However, the phrase was mispelled as "derrynge do" in the 16th Century editions of the English poet Chaucer's work. Later, another poet Edmund Spenser misinterpreted it to mean "manhood and chivalry". Its usage was popularized by Sir Walter Scott.

Examples

1. Professor Gilderoy Lockhart in J.K. Rowling's "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" lied about his tales of derring-do.

2. The character of James Bond has captivated audiences with his charming, derring-do, and ability to take down even the evilest villains.

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