Deserving Words

Another versatile word which has a bit of an antiquated feel to it. In familiar, non-topical contexts (which is my main focus— see definition three), this verb is rarely seen. I say we bring it back and put it into good use once more! 

be·lay

[bih-ley]   /bɪˈleɪ/

verb,  -layed,  -lay·ing, verb (used with object), noun

1. Nautical.  to fasten (a rope) by winding around a pin or short rod inserted 

 in a holder so that both ends of the rod are clear.

2. Mountain Climbing. to secure (a person) by attaching to one end of a rope.

3. (used chiefly in the imperative) to cease (an action); stop. to ignore.

Synonyms.  cease, halt, stall
Antonyms.  commence, initiate

Etymology: from O.E. bilecgan, which, among other senses, meant “to lay a thing about” (with other objects), from be- + lecgan “to lay” (see lay). The only surviving sense is the nautical one of “coil a running rope round a cleat or pin to secure it” (also transferred to mountain-climbing), first attested 1540s; but this is possibly a cognate word, from Du. beleggen.

Belay that, the meeting will be at 9:00 rather than 8:00.

I decided to start off the weekend with “b” words.  When I encounter this word, I perceive it as very active in its definition. It seems stock piled with vivid imagery.I also appreciate the euphony of /ɑʒ/ in the last syllable.

bar·rage

[buh-rahzh]   /bəˈrɑʒ/

noun, verb,  -raged,  -rag·ing.

1. Military.  a heavy barrier of artillery fire to protect one’s own advancing or 

retreating troops or to stop the advance of enemy troops.

2. an overwhelming quantity or explosion, as of words, blows, or criticisms: 

a barrage of questions.

3. Civil Engineering.  an artificial obstruction in a watercourse to increase the 

depth of the water, facilitate irrigation, etc.

Synonyms.  besiege, bombard, volley
Antonyms.  cease, truce

Etymology: 1859, “action of barring; man-made barrier in a stream,” from Fr. barrer ”to stop,” from barre ”bar,” from O.Fr. barre (see bar (n.1)). Artillery sense is 1916, from World War I French phrase tir de barrage ”barrier fire” intended to isolate the objective. As a verb by 1917. 

Women often struggle with low-self esteem amid a barrage of images portraying unrealistic beauty. 

I enjoy this word for a couple of reasons. The first is that an “x” is used in the spelling. I’m a big supporter of the less frequently used letters in the alphabet (ampersand anyone?!). The second is that its definitions cross over from the fields of literature and mathematics. This is a task I am unable to do as my math skills are terribly poor. I’ll have to live vicariously through this word instead. 

ax·i·om

[ak-see-uh

noun

1. a self-evident truth that requires no proof.

2. a universally accepted principle or rule.

3. Logic, Mathematics. 

    a proposition that is assumed withoutproof for the sake of studying 

    the consequences that follow from it.

Synonyms.  adage, aphorism, proverb
Antonyms.  ambiguity, paradox

Etymology:1475–85; < Latin axiōma < Greek: something worthy, equivalent to axiō-, variant stem of axioûn to reckon worthy + -ma resultative noun suffix

Forget the old axiom that children should be seen and not heard.

I genuinely experience a small rush of euphoria when I come across this word in print. Hearing it spoken in a conversation is an even greater thrill. It is such a pretty, sophisticated word, which seemingly contradicts its very definition. Oh, how I love a good paradox!

aus·tere

[aw-steer]     /ɔˈstɪər/

adjective

1. severe in manner or appearance; uncompromising; strict; forbidding.

2. rigorously disciplined and severely moral; ascetic; abstinent.

3. grave; sober; solemn; serious:  an austere manner.

4.without excess, luxury, or ease; simple; limited; severe:  an austere life.

5.severely simple; without ornament:  austere writing.

6. lacking softness; hard:  an austere bed of straw.

7. rough to the taste; sour or harsh in flavor.

Synonyms.  bleak, spartan, stark.

Antonyms.  luxurious, comfortable, lush; sybaritic.

Etymology: early 14c., from L. austerus “dry, harsh, sour, tart,” transliterated from Gk. (αυστηρός). Austeros “bitter, harsh,” especially “making the tongue dry” (originally used of fruits, wines), related to auos “dry,” auein “to dry” (see aurora). Use in English is figurative: “stern, severe, very simple.”

The austere décor was softened by early evening candle light.

This is another lovely, yet sadly under appreciated, “A” word. Not only is it euphonic (pleasing to the ear in sound), but if you rearrange the letters, you get sausage! :D Haha I’m such a word nerd. 

as·suage

 [uh-sweyj, uh-sweyzh]     /əˈsweɪdʒ, əˈsweɪʒ/

verb (used with object), -suaged,  -suag·ing.

1. to make milder or less severe; relieve; ease:  to assuage one’s pain.

2. to appease; satisfy; allay; relieve:  to assuage one’s hunger

3. to soothe, calm, or mollify: to assuage his fears; to assuage her anger.

Synonyms.  alleviate, lessen
Antonyms.  intensify, exacerbate

Etymology:  c.1300, from O.Fr. assouagier “alleviate, calm, soothe, pacify,” from V.L. *adsuaviare, from L. ad- “to” + suavis “sweet, agreeable” (see sweet).

She assauged the pain in her foot by massaging it.

What a truly beautiful word! The phonetic sounds are just lovely, in my opinion. Sadly, one doesn’t come across it very often. A deserving word, indeed.

a·plomb 

 [uh-plom, uh-pluhm]     /əˈplɒm, əˈplʌm/

noun

1. imperturbable self-possession, poise, or assurance
2. the perpendicular, or vertical, position

Synonyms.  composure, equanimity, imperturbability
Antonyms.  confusion, discomposure; doubt, uncertainty

Etymology: “Assurance, confidence,” 1828, from French; literally, “perpendicularity”, from the phrase à plomb, “poised upright, balanced”; literally, “on the plumb line”, from Latin plumbum, “(the metal) lead”; of which the weight at the end of the line was made.

She played her role with great aplomb.