Wondrous Words Wednesday is one of my favorite memes sponsored by Kathy/Bermuda Onion. The purpose of this feature is to gather together the new-to-us words from our reading.
This week’s words come from my reading of Edith Wharton’s The Writing of Fiction. I reviewed it on Monday (here).
1. instantaneity: The effect of compactness and instantaneity sought in the short story is attained mainly by the observance of two “unities” –the old traditional one of time, and that other, more modern and complex, which requires that anyu rapidly enacted episode shall be seen through only one pair of eyes.
Instantaneity is a derivative of instantaneous (occurring or done in an instant)
2. apothegm: This anecdote might serve as an apothegm for the writer of short stories.
Apothegm is a noun meaning a consise saying or maxim.
3. draughtsman: It should mean that the narrator has so brooded on this subject that it has become his indeed, so made over and synthesized within him that, as a great draughtsman gives the essentials of a face or landscape in a half a dozen strokes, the narrator can “situate” his tale in an opening passage which shall be a clue to all the detail eliminated.
Draughtsman means a person who makes detailed technical plans or drawings; an artist skilled in drawing.
What new words did you learn this week?
I just hate those words with augh or ough – they never seem to be pronounced the way they ough-t!!!
And may I reiterate, I love the nice crisp look of your blog now!
I could kind of figure out instantaneity, but my gosh, it is quite a mouthful – I doubt I could say it without tripping over my tongue. Great words, and as always, I appreciate your participating.
Huh – I always thought it was spelled “draftsman” – kind of like draft beer. Or is that spelled draught? Is it draughty instead of drafty? Or am I mispronouncing draughtsman? Or is it some Olde English carryover?
Interesting words. If I thought long enough, I might could have guessed at a few, but it’s easier just to read the definition right here.
You always have the most amazing words! Thanks for sharing them!
lol I have a hard enough time pronouncing some regular words. lol
I learned that I don’t read enough!!! LOL!!!
“Apothegm” looks like it has a quite different type of meaning, doesn’t it? I love your new words this week!
I wish I could by joyfully retired too.
Molly/Bumbles: I should have mentioned that draghtsman is the English version of draftsman. You can stil drink and pronounce it draft beer.
Regarding words I learned this week: I must admit publicly that Gx has been (somewhat) right all along, for several years at least, in believing in the word trepidatious. I said it wasn’t a word, and there is long argument to support me (http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20060826045256AA4YwTV), but then I read it yesterday in the NY Times. I couldn’t believe it, but indeed, they published it. And if the NY Times can do it, well, who am I to argue?