Word - 185

ELYSIAN \ih-LIZH-un\ adjective, often capitalized

1 : of or relating to Elysium

*2 : blissful, delightful

Example sentence:

"The summer, in some climates, makes possible to man a sort of Elysian life." (Henry David Thoreau, Walden)

Did you know?

In classical mythology Elysium, also known as the Elysian Fields, was the paradise reserved for the heroes immortalized by the gods. Ancient Greek poets imagined it as the abode of the blessed after death. The first known use of the place-name as a word for a blissful state enjoyed by mere mortals is found in Shakespeare's Henry V. Following the Bard, many other writers over the centuries have used "Elysium," as well as "Elysian Fields," to refer to paradisiacal places or states. Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) was the first to summon "Elysian" as an adjective for the blissful quality emanating from such places.

Word - 184

LOOLYGAG \LAH-lee-gag\ verb

: to spend time idly, aimlessly, or foolishly

: dawdle

Example sentence:

"Please stop lollygagging around and get ready for school," pleaded Mom.

Did you know?

You certainly didn't want to be known as a "lollygagger" at the beginning of the 20th century. Back then, "lollygag" was slang for "fooling around" (sexually, that is). That sense of "lollygag" was in use as long ago as 1868, and it probably originated as an alteration of the older (and more dawdlingly innocent) "lallygag." Nowadays, "lollygag" doesn't usually carry such naughty connotations, but back in 1946, one Navy captain considered lollygagging enough of a problem to issue this stern warning: "Lovemaking and lollygagging are hereby strictly forbidden.... The holding of hands, osculation and constant embracing of WAVES [Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service], corpsmen or civilians and sailors or any combination of male and female personnel is a violation of naval discipline...."

Word - 183

TOCSIN \TOCK-sin\ noun

1 : an alarm bell or the ringing of it

*2 : a warning signal

Example sentence:
A coalition of parents was sounding the tocsin for the school music program -- if voters didn't approve a tax increase, the program was sure to be axed.

Did you know?

Although it has occasionally been spelled like its homonym "toxin," "tocsin" has nothing to do with poison. Rather, it is related through French, and ultimately Latin, to the English words "touch" and "signal." "Tocsin" long referred to the ringing of church bells to signal events of importance to local villagers, including dangerous events such as attacks. Its use was eventually broadened to cover anything that signals danger or trouble.

Word - 182

APHORISM \AF-uh-riz-um\ noun

1 : a concise statement of a principle

*2 : a terse formulation of a truth or sentiment

: adage

Example sentence:

Through his work as a radio broadcaster, Ted has entertained countless listeners with his feel-good stories and his pithy, down-home aphorisms.

Did you know?

"Aphorism" was originally used in the world of medicine. Credit Hippocrates, the Greek physician regarded as the father of modern medicine, with influencing our use of the word. He used "aphorismos" (a Greek ancestor of "aphorism" meaning "definition" or "aphorism") in titling a book outlining his principles on the diagnosis and treatment of disease. That volume offered many examples that helped to define aphorism, beginning with the statement that starts the book's introduction: "Life is short, Art long, Occasion sudden and dangerous, Experience deceitful, and Judgment difficult." English speakers originally used the term mainly in the realm of the physical sciences, but eventually broadened its use to cover principles in other fields.

Word - 181

FRIGORIFIC \frig-uh-RIFF-ik\ adjective

: causing cold

: chilling

Example sentence:

Jamie shivered as she faced the frigorific blast of wind blowing off the lake.

Did you know?

The chill in "frigorific" comes from "frigus," the Latin word for "frost" or "cold." ("Frigorific" is derived from Latin "frigorificus," the adjective form of "frigus.") "Frigus" has provided us with other icy words as well. It is the source of "refrigerate" ("to keep cold"), and also of the combining form "frigo-" ("cold") and the noun "frigorimeter" ("a thermometer designed for low temperatures"), both of which are primarily scientific and somewhat rare. "Frigus" is also related to the ancestors of "frigid" ("intensely cold"). "Frigorific" is a relatively unusual word and is used considerably less often than its relatives "refrigerate" and "frigid."