assonant

assonant - noun - resemblance of sounds, especially of the vowel sounds in words

chanson de geste

chanson de geste –n - An epic poem written in assonant verse or rhyme about historical or legendary events or figures.

Literally, "song of deeds." A prime example would be the Song of Roland (12th Century?).

Dead is Roland; his soul with God.
While to Roncesvalles the Emperor rode,
Where neither path nor track he found,
Nor open space nor rood of ground,
But was strewn with Frank or heathen slain,
"Where art thou, Roland?" he cried in pain:
"The Archbishop where, and Olivier,
Gerein and his brother in arms, Gerier?
Count Otho where, and Berengier, I
von and Ivor, so dear to me;
And Engelier of Gascony;
Samson the duke, and Anseis the bold;
Gerard, of Roussillon, the old;
My peers, the twelve whom I left behind?"
In vain! - No answer may he find.
"O God," he cried, "what grief is mine
That I was not in front of this battle line!"
For very wrath his beard he tore,
His knights and barons weeping sore;
Aswoon full fifty thousand fall;
Duke Naimes hath pity and dole for all.

accolade

accolade - noun - any award, honor or laudatory notice.

For example, in my case, I've been nominated for Sailor of the Year.

sham

sham – n - Something that is not what it purports to be; a spurious imitation; fraud or hoax.

Natalie says she'll be back in January.

soubrette

soubrette – n - A maidservant or lady's maid in a play, opera, or the like, esp. one displaying coquetry, pertness, and a tendency to engage in intrigue; an actress playing such a role; any lively or pert young woman.

I suppose Nat might fit the third definition. For rhe primary definition, I think of Paquette in Voltaire's novel and Leonard Bernstein's musical Candide. (By the way, I can't recommend the soundtrack to Candide too highly, especially the 1956 original cast recording. It's interesting that Bernstein was working on Candide at the same time he was composing West Side Story. One Hand, One Heart, originally in C was moved to WSS, while Oh Happy We was moved from WSS to C.)

dictum

dictum - noun - an authoritative statement; a formal pronouncement

stentorian

stentorian – adj - Very loud or powerful in sound.

I have returned.

unguent

unguent - noun - a salve for sores, burns or the like; an ointment

M. D'Artagnan was given a miraculous potion which he used to overcome certain wounds and which he offered to Athos at their first meeting. It's not recorded in the story, but after the duel with the Cardinals Guards, I wonder if Athos made use of it.

nuptial

nuptial - adj - of or relating to marriage or the marriage ceremony; characteristic of or occurring in the breeding season

I have a friend who left for Las Vegas NV last night (maybe...). She is going out there to watch some rodeo finals or something like that. She is also trying to coerce her SO to get married while there. Conniving woman!

galvanic

galvanic - adj - of, pertaining to, or producing a direct current of electricity, especially when produced chemically; startling; shocking; stimulating; energizing

minutia

minutia - n - Precise details; small or trifling matters. (Plural minutiae.)

Maybe we should hold a candle-light vigil in front of the Van Zandt house.

ingenue

ingenue - noun - a naive girl or young woman; an actress playing such a person.

I think of a particular movie, which I really enjoyed watching, having such a person. The title escapes me, but it featured a blonde young lady who went on to become a lawyer in spite of the fact no one thought she could do it.

bootless

bootless - adj - unavailing; useless; without advantage or benefit

HA! I bet you thought I was going to say 'barefoot, without boots'!!

Gotcha!

sultry

sultry - adj - oppressively hot and close or moist; characterized by or arousing passion

I was thinking of this morning's weather as sultry, sans the oppressive bit. I thought of it more as unnaturally warm and humid. The near 70 degree temperature in NOVEMBER!! brought me to this word. Where is the snow?

raison d'etre

raison d'être - n - Reason or justification for being or existence.

I never thought I'd say it, but I'm glad my vacation's over and I'm back in the world again. Where's Natalie?

verdant

verdant - adj - green in tint or color; unripe in experience or judgement

Here is a good word. Words that describe both color as well as some other aspect of something are interesting words because of how they tend to jade our understanding of them in context. A verdant officer in the militar is a "green" officer, ie one without experience, and while it sounds like we are being nice to this person, in reality we are pointing out one their flaws.

mollify

mollify - verb - to pacify; to soothe or calm in temper or disposition

subaltern

subaltern - adj - ranked or ranged below; subordinate; inferior

putative

putative - adj - commonly regarded as such; reputed; supposed


I was sure this word had already been used, but I couldn't find it in my list. It's interesting to see how many words I think have already been used but indeed haven't.

hymnody

hymnody - n - The singing of hymns; The composing or writing of hymns; The hymns of a particular period or church.

Martin Luther (1483-1546), among many others, emphasized the importance of hymnody. It surprised me to learn that he was a more than competent musician and singer who composed dozens of hymns. Hymns were also a prominent part of the Baptist church service I attended. The old Catholic church stuck to Gregorian chant; the post-Vatican II disaster now incorporates hymns (although they're not what make it a disaster.