Blustery

blus·ter·y

adjective

(of weather or a period of time) characterized by strong winds.

“a gusty, blustery day”

Blustery. The word has been stuck in my mind all day and I really like it. It isn’t a commonly used word, but that’s how the National Weather Service is describing the next 2 days. Blustery.

We’ve had the most unusual winter so far. In the fall the long range forecast was for La Nina to be the influence with warmer than normal and dry conditions. I was okay with the warmer but not the dry. Well, that fell apart in December with the first cold front and snowfall. Totally unexpected, but what fun to watch the large flakes coming down and quickly covering everything with a white blanket that remained until the next morning.

So now we’re looking at blustery with a winter-mix for the next 2 days. Preparations are being made to keep the roads open and schools have already announced closures. I’ve made taco soup today and have everything to make a batch of broccolli cheese soup tomorrow; I’m in good shape and may even make a chess pie for a little indulgence. So for tonight there was nothing to do except enjoy the chimenea and a beverage while thinking about the blustery arrival around midnight!

A new word – abrogate

If you’ve read my blog for a while then you know that I love words and I especially love to discover a “new” word and then research it. So let me elucidate on my newest word, abrogate.

Abrogate is a verb meaning to repeal or do away with a law, right, or formal agreement (implying authoritative action). In addition, it can mean to fail to do something that is required (not taking responsibility). A close synonym is “annul”.

Example of use in a sentence: After his failure to take necessary action the company’s directors were force to abrogate the CEO’s contract.

It originated in the 16th century, being derived from the Latin root rogare, “to propose a law,” and ab-, “from” or “away.” Just to note that prerogative and interrogate are also based on the same root, rogare .

Say it out loud a few times. You will like the way it sounds and want to use it in a sentence!

My new word

I love words. I love the way they bring visual images to my mind, images that stay. I love the way they lead me along into new places and into new thoughts. I love the way they can be arranged and rearranged and still convey the same meaning. Words, how dear they are. And, how many they are in all languages.

So, when I see or hear a new word I have to discover more. What does it mean, how is it used, and does it have a root that maybe leads to another word? The dictionary, also full of words, is consulted.

Today I discovered the word “elucidation”. Don’t you love the way it sounds? Say it several times and you’ll agree. It sent me running to the dictionary.

The root word is “elucidate”. Elucidate, elucidated, and elucidating are all verbs. As a transitive verb it means “to make lucid especially by explanation or analysis”; as an intransitive verb it means “to give a clarifying explanation”. Elucidation and elucidator are used as nouns and elucidative is an adjective. Where did it come from? To answer that very simply it is derived from the Latin word lucidus which gives us the English word lucid. And when did it come into use? Sometime around 1586.

Thank you to Merriam-Webster for this wealth of information. I’m telling you – I love words!