basilica

basilica - noun - an oblong building ending in a semicircular apse used in ancient Rome especially for a court of justice and place of public assembly; an early Christian church building consisting of nave and aisles with clerestory and a large high transept from which an apse projects.

A fascinating structure to say the least. Especially how they were constructed. Creating one of these vaulted buildings was no mean feat in ancient Rome, yet we see them all over the place. They were quite the fad thing to do in ancient architecture.

folio

folio - n - A large sheet of paper folded once to make two leaves, or four pages, of a book or manuscript; a volume having pages of the largest size (about 15 inches), formerly made from such a sheet.

Many of Shakespeare's plays were published in smaller (quarto) editions during his lifetime, but these were what today would be considered pirated editions. Moreover, Shakespeare did not have any say in these publications, so their quality is erratic to say the least. His complete plays were first published in 1623, in what is now known as the First Folio; others were to follow. These different editions are why there were - and still are - Shakespeare scholars; the burning question continues to be, "What did Shakespeare actually write, and what was finally performed. To give just one example out of many possible, there's a soliloquy in Hamlet that begins, "Oh, that this too too solid flesh would melt. . ." One edition I've seen renders that as, "Oh, that this too too sullied flesh would melt. . ." The story continues, offering yet another proof that Shakespeare was not just for his time, but for the ages.

denizen

denizen - noun - a dweller; an inhabitant

recusant

recusant - n - Refusing to submit, comply, etc.; obstinate in refusal; refusing to attend services in the Church of England.

Virtually nothing is known of Shakespeare's early life. There's a baptismal record, bans posted for his marriage to Anne Hathaway, birth records for three children (Susanna and the twins Hamnet and Judith), and little but rumor until his name pops up in London in 1592 (There's substantial evidence that he'd already been there for a few years though). Today's word comes up because there is a generally discredited notion that he may have been a recusant Catholic.

swamped

swamped - adj - sunk by being filled with water; rendered powerless, especially by an excessive amount or profusion of something

broil

broil - n - A rowdy argument; a brawl.

Here's another entry in my Shakespeare glossary. Think of Montagues and Capulets in the sunny streets of Verona, or Plug Uglies and Bowery Boys in the grimy streets of New York City.

Aside to Jeff and Natalie: Am I here all alone? I've been talking to myself for years, but I'd really welcome hearing from the rest of our small, select circle.

engulf

engulf - verb - to swallow up or overwhelm by or as if by overflowing and enclosing

archaic

archaic - adj - Of, relating to, or characteristic of a much earlier, often more primitive period, especially one that develops into a classic stage of civilization.

I'm still plugging Shakespeare.

One of the obstacles to a modern reader's enjoyment of Shakespeare is his language, which is generously peppered with obsolete or archaic words. For an example of the former, there's "sirrah," which I used yesterday. For an example of the latter, there's "fond," which in Shakespeare's time meant "foolish." That's why most editions of his works are heavily footnoted. It's hard to enjoy a play when you must constantly be glancing at the bottom of a page (or a facing page) to get a definition, but there's a simple solution: read more Shakespeare, and you'll find yourself growing accustomed to his Elizabethan English. How say you?

profusion

abundance; a great quantity or amount; lavish spending; extravagance

sirrah

sirrah - n - Formerly a contemptuous term of address to a man or boy; often used in anger.

And often used by Shakespeare's characters.

Inspired by Jeff, I have begun reading - or rereading - William Shakespeare's (1562-1614) complete works. I'm working my way from earliest to latest plays, after which I'll dive into the sonnets and poems.

It's not clear in most cases when exactly Shakespeare wrote a given play, but the best educated guesses indicate the first were The Comedy of Errors, Love's Labors Lost, and 2 Henry VI, so I started with 1 Henry VI, and will continue with the second and third parts before moving on to the early comedies.

Jeff, you once suggested a readers blog. Would Shakespeare be suitable?

inane

inane - adj - Lacking sense or substance.

Like this guy here.

I'll admit I laugh at the latest Bushisms, but I also cringe when I hear him speak. Bush had hardly begun his first term when some wit correctly stated that "It's sad when the President of France and the King of Jordan speak better English than the President of the United States." To what do we attribute this disorder? It's not lack of brainpower. Steve Sailer has persuasively argued that Bush's IQ is in the neighborhood of 125. He has also argued, equally persuasively, that Bush is the most intellectually lazy man ever to occupy the White House.

chary

chary - adj - wary; cautious; not giving or expending freely, sparing

chiliasm

chiliasm - n - The doctrine stating that Jesus will reign on Earth for 1,000 years.

Are either of you chiliasts? It's not part of my theology, but I'd be interested in gaining some insight into this belief.

I know I'm behind on my words. I'll catch up next week. Sorry!

arrogate

arrogate - verb - to claim or seize without right or justification; to appropriate; to claim on behalf of another; to ascribe

This raises the question about Jacob, did he arrogate Esau's blessing? My take is yes.

geocentric

geocentric - adj - Relating to, measured from, or with respect to the center of the earth; Having the Earth as a center.

The solar system and the "fixed stars" were believed to orbit geocentrically, meaning that they revolved around the Earth. The main proponent of this view was Ptolemy (Claudius Ptolemaius) of Alexandria (c. 90 - c. 168, see illustration), who expounded on the geocentric theory in his Almagest, one of the greatest intellectual works in history - it's only failing being that it's wrong. Polish canon Nicolaus Copernicus (1473-1543) was the first to put forth the heliocentric theory, viz., that the Earth and other planets revolved around the sun in his book De Revolutionis Orbium Coelestium (On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Bodies). That was a step in the right direction, but Copernicus and later Galileo Galilei (1564-1642) believed that the planetary orbits were circular. It was Johannes Kepler (1571-1630) who finally demonstrated that the orbits were elliptical.

eremite

eremite - noun - a hermit, especially a religious recluse

I'll defer to John to discuss this word. For what ever reason though, this word is too close to termite for me not to have some humorous moments with it.

licentious

licentious - adj - Lacking moral discipline or ignoring logal restraint, especially in sexual conduct.

What can I possibly say? Except maybe that "If it feels good, do it" will always be an easier sell than Samuel Johnson's "He who makes an animal of himself loses only the pain of being a man."

And now for another of Johnny Kavanagh's favorite poems! This one's by Vachel Lindsay (1879-1931); it's called General William Booth Enters Into Heaven. I'd have preferred to use The Congo, but my nerve failed me.

(NB: Lindsay's poems are meant to be performed.)

General William Booth Enters into Heaven
[To be sung to the tune of The Blood of the Lamb with indicated instrument]

I
[Bass drum beaten loudly.]

Booth led boldly with his big bass drum --
(Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?)
The Saints smiled gravely and they said: "He's come."
(Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?)
Walking lepers followed, rank on rank,
Lurching bravoes from the ditches dank,
Drabs from the alleyways and drug fiends pale --
Minds still passion-ridden, soul-powers frail: --
Vermin-eaten saints with mouldy breath,
Unwashed legions with the ways of Death --
(Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?)

[Banjos.]

Every slum had sent its half-a-score
The round world over. (Booth had groaned for more.)
Every banner that the wide world flies
Bloomed with glory and transcendent dyes.
Big-voiced lasses made their banjos bang,
Tranced, fanatical they shrieked and sang: --
"Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?"
Hallelujah! It was queer to see
Bull-necked convicts with that land make free.
Loons with trumpets blowed a blare, blare, blare
On, on upward thro' the golden air!
(Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?)

II
[Bass drum slower and softer.]

Booth died blind and still by Faith he trod,
Eyes still dazzled by the ways of God.
Booth led boldly, and he looked the chief
Eagle countenance in sharp relief,
Beard a-flying, air of high command
Unabated in that holy land.

[Sweet flute music.]

Jesus came from out the court-house door,
Stretched his hands above the passing poor.
Booth saw not, but led his queer ones there
Round and round the mighty court-house square.
Then in an instant all that blear review
Marched on spotless, clad in raiment new.
The lame were straightened, withered limbs uncurled
And blind eyes opened on a new, sweet world.

[Bass drum louder.]

Drabs and vixens in a flash made whole!
Gone was the weasel-head, the snout, the jowl!
Sages and sibyls now, and athletes clean,
Rulers of empires, and of forests green!

[Grand chorus of all instruments. Tambourines to the foreground.]

The hosts were sandalled, and their wings were fire!
(Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?)
But their noise played havoc with the angel-choir.
(Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?)
O shout Salvation! It was good to see
Kings and Princes by the Lamb set free.
The banjos rattled and the tambourines
Jing-jing-jingled in the hands of Queens.

[Reverently sung, no instruments.]

And when Booth halted by the curb for prayer
He saw his Master thro' the flag-filled air.
Christ came gently with a robe and crown
For Booth the soldier, while the throng knelt down.
He saw King Jesus. They were face to face,
And he knelt a-weeping in that holy place.
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

piebald - adj - having spots and patches of black and white, or other colors; mottled; mixed; composed of incongruous parts

I always think of horses when I come across this word. Wikipedia suggests this word is used to especially describe horses.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Pookie.jpg

abet

abet - v. - to actively second and encourage (as an activity or plan), forward; to assist or support in the achievement of a purpose