Over an Umbrella

rubicund

2011-02-27T19:12:00.000-08:00

rubicund

- adj
Inclining to redness; ruddy; red.

fin de siecle

2011-02-19T12:56:00.000-08:00

fin de siecle

-adj
1. the end of the 19th century.
2. Sometimes, fin-de-siècle. of, pertaining to, or characterized by concepts of art, society, etc., associated with the end of the 19th century.

pomplamoose

2010-09-16T02:08:00.000-07:00

pamplemousse

-noun
French for grapefruit.

soporose

2010-09-15T23:53:00.000-07:00

soporose [sop-uh-rohs, soh-puh-]

-adj
1. sleepy
2. characterized by abnormal slumber.

sisyphean quiescence

2010-09-15T00:59:00.000-07:00

sisyphean [sis-uh-fee-uhn]

–adj
1.
of or pertaining to Sisyphus.
2.
endless and unavailing, as labor or a task.

quiescence [kwee-es-uhnt, kwahy-]

–noun
being at rest; quiet; still; inactive or motionless: a quiescent mind.

ennui

2010-08-18T16:42:00.000-07:00

ennui [ahn-wee]

–noun
a feeling of utter weariness and discontent resulting from satiety or lack of interest; boredom: The endless lecture produced an unbearable ennui.

sibyl

2009-08-26T22:22:00.000-07:00

sibyl [sib uhl]

–noun
1. any of certain women of antiquity reputed to possess powers of prophecy or divination.
2. a female prophet or witch.

amelie poulain

2009-06-25T19:21:00.001-07:00

"Sans toi les émotions d'aujourd'hui ne seraient que la peau morte des émotions d'autrefois.... "

Without you, today's emotions would be the scurf of yesterday's.

hubris hamartia

2009-03-16T19:04:00.000-07:00

hu⋅bris [hyoo-bris, hoo-]

–noun
excessive pride or self-confidence; arrogance.

ha⋅mar⋅ti⋅a [hah-mahr-tee-uh]

–noun
tragic flaw.

kerfuffle

2009-03-14T14:57:00.000-07:00

kerfuffle

- noun
a disorderly outburst or tumult; "they were amazed by the furious disturbance they had caused" [syn: disturbance]

L'esprit d'escalier Treppenwitz

2009-02-18T18:28:00.001-08:00

L'esprit d'escalier (literally, stairway wit) is a French term used in English that describes the predicament of thinking of the right retort too late. Originally a witticism of Denis Diderot, the French encyclopedist, in his Paradoxe sur le Comédien.

The phrase can be used to describe a riposte to an insult, or any witty, clever remark that comes to mind too late to be useful—when one is on the "staircase" leaving the scene. A seldom-used English translation exists: "staircase wit".

Treppenwitz
Sometimes Treppenwitz, the concept's German translation, is used to express the same idea. The nearest English expression would be "being wise after the event".

As in the French counterpart above, treppenwitz literally means 'the wit [or 'joke'] of the stairs'. It is the striking reply that crosses one's mind belatedly when already leaving, on the stairs. People are often angry because they did not have the fitting answer directly during a conversation.

The German term is old, but it was made popular by W. Lewis Hertslet who published his book in 1882 entitled 'Treppenwitz der Weltgeschichte'. In that book, he writes: "Like to a petitioner who is just leaving after an audience, a piquant, striking words occurs to history almost always delayed."

Abraham Lincoln said...

2009-02-17T21:00:00.000-08:00

" It is far better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt. "

dulcimer kithara

2009-02-16T13:52:00.000-08:00

dul⋅ci⋅mer [duhl-suh-mer]

–noun
1. Also called hammered dulcimer, hammer dulcimer. a trapezoidal zither with metal strings that are struck with light hammers.
2. a modern folk instrument related to the guitar and plucked with the fingers.

kith⋅a⋅ra [kith-er-uh]

–noun
a musical instrument of ancient Greece consisting of an elaborate wooden soundbox having two arms connected by a yoke to which the upper ends of the strings are attached.

Robert Graves said...

2009-02-08T14:36:00.001-08:00

" The supply of good women far exceeds that of the men who deserve them. "

cherchez la femme

2009-02-06T21:56:00.000-08:00

cher⋅chez la femme [sher-shey la-fam]

French.
look for the woman: advice offered facetiously in any situation, esp. one of doubt or mystery.

Tableau vivant

2009-01-30T21:24:00.000-08:00

ta⋅bleau vi⋅vant [ta-bloh vee-vahn]
plural ta⋅bleaux vi⋅vants [ta-bloh vee-vahn]. French.

Origin:
lit., living picture

inglenook

2009-01-30T15:44:00.000-08:00

in⋅gle⋅nook [ing-guhl-nook]

–noun
a corner or nook near a fireplace; chimney corner.

Roytelet

2009-01-30T15:43:00.001-08:00

Roytelet

Roy"te*let\, n. [F. roitelet, dim. of roi king.] A little king. [Archaic]

silhouette

2009-01-30T15:40:00.000-08:00

sil⋅hou⋅ette [sil-oo-et]

–noun
1. a two-dimensional representation of the outline of an object, as a cutout or configurational drawing, uniformly filled in with black, esp. a black-paper, miniature cutout of the outlines of a famous person's face.
2. the outline or general shape of something: the slim silhouette of a skyscraper.
3. a dark image outlined against a lighter background.
–verb (used with object)
4. to show in or as if in a silhouette.
5. Printing. to remove the background details from (a halftone cut) so as to produce an outline effect.

su⋅sur⋅rus

2009-01-30T15:36:00.000-08:00

su⋅sur⋅rus [soo-sur-uhs]

–noun, plural -rus⋅es.
a soft murmuring or rustling sound; whisper.

pastiche

2009-01-30T15:34:00.000-08:00

pas⋅tiche [pa-steesh, pah-]

–noun
1. a literary, musical, or artistic piece consisting wholly or chiefly of motifs or techniques borrowed from one or more sources.
2. an incongruous combination of materials, forms, motifs, etc., taken from different sources; hodgepodge.

adieu

2009-01-30T15:31:00.001-08:00

a⋅dieu [uh-doo, uh-dyoo; Fr. a-dyœ]

interjection, noun, plural a⋅dieus, a⋅dieux [uh-dooz, uh-dyooz; Fr. a-dyœ].
–interjection
1. good-bye; farewell.
–noun
2. the act of leaving or departing; farewell.

Eris

2009-01-30T15:29:00.003-08:00

Eris (Greek Ἔρις, "Strife") is the Greek goddess of strife, her name being translated into Latin as Discordia. Her Greek opposite is Harmonia, whose Latin counterpart is Concordia.

Lain Lethe

2009-01-30T15:26:00.000-08:00

Le⋅the [lee-thee]

–noun
1. Classical Mythology. a river in Hades whose water caused forgetfulness of the past in those who drank of it.
2. (usually lowercase) forgetfulness; oblivion.

Lain is an uncommon female name in English. It is also an uncommon English male name.

esoteric

2009-01-30T15:23:00.001-08:00

es⋅o⋅ter⋅ic [es-uh-ter-ik]

–adjective
1. understood by or meant for only the select few who have special knowledge or interest; recondite: poetry full of esoteric allusions.
2. belonging to the select few.
3. private; secret; confidential.
4. (of a philosophical doctrine or the like) intended to be revealed only to the initiates of a group: the esoteric doctrines of Pythagoras.

Imogen

2009-01-30T15:16:00.000-08:00

Imogen (alternatively Imogene) is a female given name, probably created by William Shakespeare for a character in his play Cymbeline. Shakespeare likely meant to use the name of Innogen, a legendary figure whose name was derived from a Celtic word inghean meaning maiden, but a misprinting that was never corrected resulted in the name of the character being printed instead as Imogen.

mellifluous mondegreen

2009-01-29T14:19:00.000-08:00

mel⋅lif⋅lu⋅ous [muh-lif-loo-uhs]

–adjective
1. sweetly or smoothly flowing; sweet-sounding: a mellifluous voice; mellifluous tones.
2. flowing with honey; sweetened with or as if with honey.

mon⋅de⋅green [mon-di-green]

–noun
a word or phrase resulting from a misinterpretation of a word or phrase that has been heard.

odalisque

2009-01-29T14:18:00.000-08:00

o⋅da⋅lisque [ohd-l-isk]

–noun
1. a female slave or concubine in a harem, esp. in that of the sultan of Turkey.
2. (initial capital letter) any of a number of representations of such a woman or of a similar subject, as by Ingres or Matisse.

foudroyant penumbra

2009-01-29T14:15:00.000-08:00

fou⋅droy⋅ant [foo-droi-uhnt; Fr. foo-drwa-yahn]

–adjective
1. striking as with lightning; sudden and overwhelming in effect; stunning; dazzling.
2. Pathology. (of disease) beginning in a sudden and severe form.

pe⋅num⋅bra [pi-nuhm-bruh]

–noun, plural -brae / [-bree] , -bras.
1. Astronomy.
a. the partial or imperfect shadow outside the complete shadow of an opaque body, as a planet, where the light from the source of illumination is only partly cut off. Compare umbra (def. 3a).
b. the grayish marginal portion of a sunspot. Compare umbra (def. 3b).
2. a shadowy, indefinite, or marginal area.

lithe lagniappe jejune

2009-01-29T14:10:00.000-08:00

lithe [lahyth]

–adjective, lith⋅er, lith⋅est.
bending readily; pliant; limber; supple; flexible: the lithe body of a ballerina.

la⋅gniappe [lan-yap, lan-yap]

–noun
1. Chiefly Southern Louisiana and Southeast Texas. a small gift given with a purchase to a customer, by way of compliment or for good measure; bonus.
2. a gratuity or tip.
3. an unexpected or indirect benefit.

je⋅june [ji-joon]

–adjective
1. without interest or significance; dull; insipid: a jejune novel.
2. juvenile; immature; childish: jejune behavior.
3. lacking knowledge or experience; uninformed: jejune attempts to design a house.
4. deficient or lacking in nutritive value: a jejune diet.

chatoyant

2009-01-29T14:07:00.000-08:00

cha⋅toy⋅ant [shuh-toi-uhnt]

–adjective
1. changing in luster or color: chatoyant silk.
2. Jewelry. reflecting a single streak of light when cut in a cabochon.
–noun
3. Jewelry. a cabochon-cut gemstone having this reflected streak, as a chrysoberyl cat's-eye.

petrichor

2009-01-29T14:02:00.000-08:00

Petrichor (pronounced /ˈpɛtrɨkɚ/) (from Greek petros, "stone" + ichor)

1. the name of the scent of rain on dry earth.
2. the smell of earth after a rain.

syzygy seraglio

2009-01-29T13:57:00.000-08:00

syz⋅y⋅gy [siz-i-jee]

–noun, plural -gies.
1. Astronomy. an alignment of three celestial objects, as the sun, the earth, and either the moon or a planet: Syzygy in the sun-earth-moon system occurs at the time of full moon and new moon.
2. Classical Prosody. a group or combination of two feet, sometimes restricted to a combination of two feet of different kinds.
3. any two related things, either alike or opposite.

se⋅ragl⋅io [si-ral-yoh, -rahl-]

–noun, plural -ragl⋅ios.
1. the part of a Muslim house or palace in which the wives and concubines are secluded; harem.
2. a Turkish palace, esp. of the sultan.

chiaroscuro imbroglio

2009-01-29T13:52:00.000-08:00

chi⋅a⋅ro⋅scu⋅ro [kee-ahr-uh-skyoor-oh]

–noun
1. the distribution of light and shade in a picture.
2. Painting. the use of deep variations in and subtle gradations of light and shade, esp. to enhance the delineation of character and for general dramatic effect: Rembrandt is a master of chiaroscuro.
3. a woodcut print in which the colors are produced by the use of different blocks with different colors.
4. a sketch in light and shade.

im⋅bro⋅glio [im-brohl-yoh]

–noun
1. a misunderstanding, disagreement, etc., of a complicated or bitter nature, as between persons or nations.
2. an intricate and perplexing state of affairs; a complicated or difficult situation.
3. a confused heap.

wanton

2009-01-29T13:30:00.000-08:00

wan⋅ton [won-tn]

–adjective
1. done, shown, used, etc., maliciously or unjustifiably: a wanton attack; wanton cruelty.
2. deliberate and without motive or provocation; uncalled-for; headstrong; willful: Why jeopardize your career in such a wanton way?
3. without regard for what is right, just, humane, etc.; careless; reckless: a wanton attacker of religious convictions.
4. sexually lawless or unrestrained; loose; lascivious; lewd: wanton behavior.
5. extravagantly or excessively luxurious, as a person, manner of living, or style.
6. luxuriant, as vegetation.
7. Archaic.
a. sportive or frolicsome, as children or young animals.
b. having free play: wanton breezes; a wanton brook.
–noun
8. a wanton or lascivious person, esp. a woman.
–verb (used without object)
9. to behave in a wanton manner; become wanton.
–verb (used with object)
10. to squander, esp. in pleasure (often fol. by away): to wanton away one's inheritance.

lascivious

2009-01-29T13:26:00.000-08:00

las⋅civ⋅i⋅ous [luh-siv-ee-uhs]

–adjective
1. inclined to lustfulness; wanton; lewd: a lascivious, girl-chasing old man.
2. arousing sexual desire: lascivious photographs.
3. indicating sexual interest or expressive of lust or lewdness: a lascivious gesture.

Galatea

2009-01-29T12:48:00.000-08:00

Gal⋅a⋅te⋅a [gal-uh-tee-uh]

–noun Classical Mythology.
1. a sea nymph who was the lover of Acis.
2. a maiden who had been an ivory statue carved by Pygmalion and brought to life by Aphrodite in response to his prayers.

Gaia

2009-01-28T20:42:00.001-08:00

Gaia

-noun
(Greek mythology) goddess of the earth and mother of Cronus and the Titans in ancient mythology [syn: Gaea]

éclat

2009-01-28T20:38:00.000-08:00

é⋅clat [ey-klah; Fr. ey-kla]

–noun
1. brilliance of success, reputation, etc.: the éclat of a great achievement.
2. showy or elaborate display: a performance of great éclat.
3. acclamation; acclaim.

geisha

2009-01-28T20:12:00.000-08:00

gei⋅sha [gey-shuh, gee-]

–noun, plural -sha, -shas.
a Japanese woman trained as a professional singer, dancer, and companion for men.

Pierrot

2009-01-28T20:10:00.000-08:00

Pi⋅er⋅rot [pee-uh-roh; Fr. pye-roh]

–noun, plural -rots / [-rohz; Fr. -roh].
1. a male character in certain French pantomime, having a whitened face and wearing a loose, white, fancy costume.
2. (lowercase) an actor, masquerader, or buffoon so made up.

harlequin

2009-01-28T20:08:00.002-08:00

har⋅le⋅quin [hahr-luh-kwin, -kin]

–noun
1. (often initial capital letter) a comic character in commedia dell'arte and the harlequinade, usually masked, dressed in multicolored, diamond-patterned tights, and carrying a wooden sword or magic wand.
2. a buffoon.
3. any of various small snakes having bright diamond-pattern scales.
–adjective
4. fancifully varied in color, decoration, etc.: harlequin pants.
5. resembling a harlequin's mask: harlequin glasses.

Petrushka

2009-01-28T20:08:00.001-08:00

Petrushka (Петрушка) is a stock character of Russian folk puppetry (rayok) known at least since 17th century. Petrushkas were used as marionettes, as well as hand puppets. Traditionally he was a kind of a jester distinguished by red dress, red kolpak (a kind of pointy hat), and often a long nose.

The name is actually a hypocoristic for "Pyotr" (Пётр), which is Peter in Russian (incidentally, petrushka is also the Russian word for parsley). However, the character has little or nothing in common with such stock characters as Petruccio or Pierrot. Petrushka is rather a Russian Punch or Pulcinella in character.

Initially, Petrushka was a character of typical slapstick comedy targeting the adult audience. As puppet theatre gradually became predominantly children's entertainment, Petrushka became less vulgar and aggressive.

lachrymose

2009-01-28T19:52:00.000-08:00

lach⋅ry⋅mose [lak-ruh-mohs]

–adjective
1. suggestive of or tending to cause tears; mournful.
2. given to shedding tears readily; tearful.

adumbrate

2009-01-28T19:45:00.000-08:00

ad⋅um⋅brate [a-duhm-breyt, ad-uhm-breyt]

–verb (used with object), -brat⋅ed, -brat⋅ing.
1. to produce a faint image or resemblance of; to outline or sketch.
2. to foreshadow; prefigure.
3. to darken or conceal partially; overshadow.

shibboleth carte blanche

2009-01-28T19:42:00.002-08:00

shib⋅bo⋅leth [shib-uh-lith, ‑leth]

–noun
1. a peculiarity of pronunciation, behavior, mode of dress, etc., that distinguishes a particular class or set of persons.
2. a slogan; catchword.
3. a common saying or belief with little current meaning or truth.

carte blanche [kahrt blanch, blahnch; Fr. kart blahnsh]

–noun, plural cartes blanches [kahrts blanch, blahnch; Fr. kart blahnsh].
1. unconditional authority; full discretionary power.
2. a sheet of paper that is blank except for a signature and given by the signer to another person to write in what he or she pleases.
3. Cards. a hand having no face card but with a special scoring value, as in piquet.

kowtow

2009-01-28T19:42:00.001-08:00

kow⋅tow [kou-tou, -tou, koh-]

–verb (used without object)
1. to act in an obsequious manner; show servile deference.
2. to touch the forehead to the ground while kneeling, as an act of worship, reverence, apology, etc., esp. in former Chinese custom.

gregarious

2009-01-28T19:36:00.000-08:00

gre⋅gar⋅i⋅ous [gri-gair-ee-uhs]

–adjective
1. fond of the company of others; sociable.
2. living in flocks or herds, as animals.
3. Botany. growing in open clusters or colonies; not matted together.
4. pertaining to a flock or crowd.

folie à deux cri du cœur cherchez la femme

2009-01-28T19:31:00.000-08:00

fo⋅lie à deux [fo-lee uh doo; Fr. faw-lee a dœ]

–noun, plural fo⋅lies à deux / [fo-leez uh doo; Fr. faw-lee za dœ]. Psychiatry.

the sharing of delusional ideas by two people who are closely associated.

cri de coeur [kr d kr]

An impassioned outcry, as of entreaty or protest.

cher⋅chez la femme [sher-shey la-fam]

French.
look for the woman: advice offered facetiously in any situation, esp. one of doubt or mystery.

flâneur

2009-01-28T19:30:00.000-08:00

flâ⋅neur [flah-nœr]

–noun, plural -neurs / [-nœr]. French.

idler; dawdler; loafer.

fleur-de-lis

2009-01-28T19:28:00.000-08:00

fleur-de-lis [flur-dl-ee, -ees, floor-; Fr. flœr-duh-lees]

–noun, plural fleurs-de-lis / [flur-dl-eez, floor-; Fr. flœr-duh-lees].

1. a heraldic device somewhat resembling three petals or floral segments of an iris tied by an encircling band.
2. the heraldic bearing of the royal family of France.
3. the iris flower or plant.

femme fatale

2009-01-28T19:27:00.000-08:00

femme fa⋅tale [fem fuh-tal, -tahl, fey-; Fr. fam fa-tal]

–noun, plural femmes fa⋅tales / [fem fuh-talz, -tahlz, fey-; Fr. fam fa-tal].

an irresistibly attractive woman, esp. one who leads men into difficult, dangerous, or disastrous situations; siren.

Schadenfreude

2009-01-28T19:26:00.000-08:00

scha⋅den⋅freu⋅de [shahd-n-froi-duh]

–noun
satisfaction or pleasure felt at someone else's misfortune.

au courant

2009-01-28T19:24:00.000-08:00

au cou⋅rant [oh koo-rahn; Fr. oh koo-rahn]

–adjective
1. up-to-date.
2. fully aware or familiar; cognizant.

bon mot

2009-01-28T15:48:00.000-08:00

bon mot [bon moh; Fr. bawn moh]

–noun, plural bons mots /ˈbɒn ˈmoʊz; Fr. bɔ̃ ˈmoʊ/ [bon mohz; Fr. bawn moh].

a witty remark or comment; clever saying; witticism.

savoir-faire

2009-01-28T15:42:00.000-08:00

sa⋅voir-faire [sav-wahr-fair; Fr. sa-vwar-fer]

–noun
knowledge of just what to do in any situation; tact.

peu à peu

2009-01-28T15:39:00.000-08:00

peu à peu [pœ a pœ]

French.
little by little.

Cantabile crescendo

2009-01-28T15:36:00.000-08:00

can⋅ta⋅bi⋅le [kahn-tah-bi-ley, -bee-, kuhn-; It. kahn-tah-bee-le]

–adjective
1. songlike and flowing in style.
–adverb
2. in a cantabile manner.

cre⋅scen⋅do [kri-shen-doh, -sen-doh; It. kre-shen-daw]
noun, plural -dos, -di /-di/ [-dee], adjective, adverb, verb

–noun
1. Music.
a. a gradual, steady increase in loudness or force.
b. a musical passage characterized by such an increase.
c. the performance of a crescendo passage: The crescendo by the violins is too abrupt.
2. a steady increase in force or intensity: The rain fell in a crescendo on the rooftops.
3. the climactic point or moment in such an increase; peak: The authorities finally took action when public outrage reached a crescendo.
–adjective, adverb
4. gradually increasing in force, volume, or loudness (opposed to decrescendo or diminuendo ).
–verb (used without object)
5. to grow in force or loudness.

hoi polloi capriccio

2009-01-28T15:33:00.000-08:00

hoi pol⋅loi [hoi puh-loi]

–noun
the common people; the masses (often preceded by the).

ca⋅pric⋅ci⋅o [kuh-pree-chee-oh; It. kah-preet-chaw]

–noun, plural -ci⋅os, -ci /-tʃi/ [-chee]
1. Music. a composition in a free, irregular style.
2. a caper; prank.
3. a whim; caprice.

Equinox flowers (Higanbana)

2009-01-28T15:28:00.000-08:00

彼岸花

Also known as...

Cluster amaryllis
Red Spider Lily

Higan

(彼岸) - a Buddhist holiday celebrated in Japan during both the Spring and Autumnal Equinox. It is observed by nearly every Buddhist sect in Japan. The tradition extends from mild weather that occurs during the time of equinoxes.

The etymology of higan means "The Other Shore", which is a common euphemism used in Buddhist literature to refer to Enlightenment. One crosses from this shore of ignorance and suffering to the other shore of Enlightenment and peace.

Oborozukiyo

2009-01-28T15:25:00.000-08:00

-noun

misty, moonlight night.

Origin:
Japanese.

Dulcet avoirdupois

2009-01-28T15:00:00.001-08:00

dul⋅cet [duhl-sit]

–adjective
1. pleasant to the ear; melodious: the dulcet tones of the cello.
2. pleasant or agreeable to the eye or the feelings; soothing.
3. Archaic. sweet to the taste or smell.
–noun
4. an organ stop resembling the dulciana but an octave higher.

av⋅oir⋅du⋅pois [av-er-duh-poiz]

–noun
1. avoirdupois weight.
2. Informal. bodily weight: He carries around a lot of excess avoirdupois.