I was in the mood for some Greek today…
pathos (pa·thos): / PAY thaws /
noun
(1) the quality or power to evoke pity or compassion, as in literature, music, or a real experience
(2) sympathetic pity, especially when expressed
(3) suffering (obsolete)
[From Greek pathos meaning “suffering, feeling, sensation, emotion,” from paschein meaning “to suffer, experience.” Possibly related to Greek penthos meaning “grief, sorrow.”]
Usage: I couldn’t help but be moved by the pathos of the hurricane’s aftermath.
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I hope this is never used to describe my writing career once I'm published. epigone (ep·i·gone): / EP i gohn / noun (1) an undistinguished imitator; a mediocre disciple; an inferior follower of or successor to an important writer, philosopher, painter, etc. [From Latin epigonus meaning "successor," from Greek epigonos…
January 11, 2007
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A moment of personal candor... dysphoria (dys·pho·ri·a): / dis FOHR ee uh / noun (1) a state of feeling dissatisfied, unhappy, depressed, anxious, or unwell [From Greek dysphoria meaning "distress, malaise, discomfort," from dysphoros meaning "hard to bear," from pherein meaning "to bear."] Usage: [via] So it is with a…
February 27, 2007
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Since my mind isn't fully functional yet this morning afternoon, here's a quick word I learned many moons ago while reading Homer (IIRC, Hymns, but I could be remembering incorrectly). paean (pae·an): / PEE uhn / noun (1) a song or hymn of praise, triumph, joy, thanksgiving, or tribute (2)…
February 25, 2007
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