Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Wondrous Words Wednesday-Jan. 20


Bermudaonion asks you to share new words that you have learned during your reading adventures in the last week. Feel free to join in the fun!

I've learned a few new words as I've been reading Matrimony by Joshua Henkin:

Pusillanimous:  lacking courage or resolution; cowardly; faint-hearted; timid.

Here is how pusillanimous was used on page 12:
"'Sophmoric' and 'pusillanimous.' Do you know what those words mean?"
"They mean Chesterfield thinks we suck."


Petard(although there are a couple of meanings to this word,the following definition relates to how it is used in this sentence): hurt, ruined, or destroyed by the very device or plot one had intended for another.

Here is how petard was used on page 33:
"You act presumptuous with a girl and you end up hoist with your own petard."

Jejune: without interest or significance; dull; insipid.

Here is how jejune was used on page 36:
Emboldened, Julian explained to Pilar that there were certain words he liked. "Sullied," for instance. And "jejune."

So did you learn any new words this week?

8 comments:

Margot said...

I like how the author threw in new words right into the dialogue of the characters.

Sherrie said...

Hi!
Those are all new words to me. Thanks for sharing. Have a great day!

Sherrie
Just Books

Booksnyc said...

great words - I have heard petard before but did not know that exact definition. Thanks!

Lisa notes... said...

I wouldn’t want to have to pronounce pusillanimous very often (or spell it either). Great words.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

LOL - not sure my YA audience would understand any of those words if I put them in one of my books!
I now know what DRM stands for - is that close enough?

bermudaonion said...

Great words! I know some people who are pretty jejune! LOL Thanks for participating.

Suko said...

Enjoyed reading your wondrous words! I am new to this meme--here's my first attempt:
http://suko95.blogspot.com/2010/01/wondrous-words-wednesday.html

Joshua Henkin said...

Hi, Jo-Jo. Glad to hear my book is enriching your vocabulary (and, indirectly, that of your readers). Happy reading to you all--

Josh