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Wondrous Words Wednesday

Wondrous Words Wednesday @ BermudaOnion What new words have you learned this week? Join Kathy at Bermuda Onion to see more.

All my words are from the novel Life of Pi.

1. gunnel
(n)

Definition—the upper edge of the side of a vessel

Use“I brought both my legs to one side of the oar and placed my feet on the gunnel.”

2. cataleptic
(adj) [kat-l-EP-tik]

Definition—a physical condition usually associated with catatonic schizophrenia, characterized by suspension of sensation, muscular rigidity, fixity of posture, and often by loss of contact with environment

Use“Orange Juice had seemed practically cataleptic.”

stoat 3. stoat
(n) [stoht]

Definition—the ermine in its brown summer coat with black-tipped tail

Use“A case is mentioned in the literature of a stoat and a rat living in a companion relationship, while other rats presented to the stoat were devoured by it in the typical way of stoats.”

davits 4. davit
(n)

Definition—any of various types of small cranes that project over the side of a ship and are used to hoist boats, anchors, and cargo

Use“It was leaning in from its davits.”

* * *

How many did you already know?

4 comments:

Tea said...

All of your words are new to me. I really enjoyed learing the meaning of cataleptic. It's hard to relate it to orange juice. Interesting.

http://readwithtea.blogspot.com/2009/12/wondrous-words-it-happened-one-night-by.html

Margot said...

Great words from what I understand is a great book. Again, I like the pictures with the definitions. (Do I say that every week?)

The Westie Loving Therapist said...

Yeah, I knew one of your words - cataleptic. I guess my graduate studies have taught me something. :) Thanks for teaching me three new words!

Praying for you and your daddy at the doctor today.

bermudaonion said...

What great words! I read Life of Pi several years ago and probably had to look those words up, yet didn't remember any of them. Thanks for participating!

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