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The Scottish Chiefs
Jul. 20th, 2023 05:48 pm
For those of you who were wondering if my memory of The Scottish Chiefs by Jane Porter as 'stabbings and secret passages!' was accurate... well, I did a reread, with Wikipedia open in a browser tab pretty much the whole time. :p
Buckle up! This got long, but not as long as the novel... (And there are some, hmm, shifts of opinion as I go so that's fun too!)
( Read more... )
NaNo2019: Word of the Day 26-30
Nov. 30th, 2019 09:02 pmword of the day: retinue
source: http://www.merriam-webster.com/word-of-the-day/
(noun: a group of retainers or attendants)
Aunt Bessie entered Fallingwing like a queen with her retinue, and was received as the same. It seemed the party from Granite House was of interest to the entire neighborhood, and Brandon was cynical enough to think that most people were hoping to hear gruesome and bloodcurdling tales of close encounters with the ghost.
word of the day: fawn
source: http://www.merriam-webster.com/word-of-the-day/
(verb: to court favor by a cringing or flattering manner)
"I say," said Whitling, meeting Brandon on the way down to the dining room. "Ought I to invite another chap to even out the party, or will we be graced with Ancel's presence enough that it won't matter?"
"It would take a miracle to deprive us of him once the others arrive," was Brandon's candid opinion. "The fellow will fawn around until someone snaps at him--and probably after."
word of the day: comestible
source: http://www.merriam-webster.com/word-of-the-day/
(adjective: edible)
"You girls caught this?" asked Aunt Bessie. "My, my, how remarkable!"
"Surely not," said Whitling. "Why, when I went fishing I only caught my hat."
"The hook goes in the lake," Clara informed him archly.
"We had a whole basket full of comestible fish," said Elena. "Nothing enormous, of course, but Mrs. Hudson said they were very nice--and so they are--"
"All the big ones heard you were coming and hid in terror," suggested Brandon.
word of the day: mutt
source: http://www.merriam-webster.com/word-of-the-day/
(noun: a mongrel dog : cur)
At the far end of the counter sat an enormous woman in a blue-and-gray checkered smock. She shifted a hunk of gum into her cheek. "Can I help you, love?"
"A city newspaper, please," said Brandon.
The shopkeeper slid from her stool with the same ponderous grace as a whale leaving a strand. The mutt that had been sleeping at her feet lifted its head, assessed the situation, decided Brandon posed no threat, and went back to sleep as its mistress hefted her bulk down the length of the counter to where there was a stack of papers. "I've got one of each. Any preference?"
"The Sun, thank you."
word of the day: incognito
source: http://www.merriam-webster.com/word-of-the-day/
(adjective: with one's identity concealed)
"Stephen did not describe your meeting the same way."
"No," said John. "I was not friendly. I was supposed to be incognito, and I rather suspected he was one of your friends. How awkward for me if he'd got a good look at my face and then saw my portrait in the gallery!"
NaNo2019: Word of the Day 21-25
Nov. 25th, 2019 08:55 pmword of the day: fortitude
source: http://www.merriam-webster.com/word-of-the-day/
(noun: strength of mind that enables a person to encounter danger or bear pain or adversity with courage)
"You miss your paper," guessed Aunt Bessie.
Brandon seemed puzzled by the conversation starter. "I… suppose I do? I may ride out to Birchwood in search of one later. Why? Am I being poor company?"
"You look a little lost, dear, and your fingers are twitching."
"I do beg your pardon!"
She laughed at him. "I shall see about arranging to have one delivered. You've shown admirable fortitude in doing without these last few days."
word of the day: heterodox
source: http://www.merriam-webster.com/word-of-the-day/
(adjective: contrary to or different from an acknowledged standard, a traditional form, or an established religion : unorthodox, unconventional)
The Inspector Detector in charge of the case shook his head. "We don't hold with such heterodox methods back at the station, so don't be congratulating yourselves just yet."
word of the day: jilt
source: http://www.merriam-webster.com/word-of-the-day/
(verb: to cast off or reject (someone, such as a lover) capriciously or unfeelingly)
"Someone should vet the suitors, though," said Clara. "I know! Hire a clerk, and make it so they have to pay an entry fee to attempt the feats."
"The fees pay the clerk's salary and other overhead associated with this project--yes very neat," said Brandon.
"Like a tournament," suggested Lonette, speaking up for the first time.
"Yes," declared Elena. "I like it. I may even condescend to attend the opening or closing ceremonies." She raised her nose in her haughtiest manner and looked down at the circle of friends.
Stephen clutched at his breast. "The Lady Fair comes forth to survey the field! We throw ourselves at her feet, praying for a mitigation of the tasks."
"Nonsense," said Elena. "There will be no such thing. What if someone actually completed them?"
"Fob them off with a clause in small print," said her brother.
"A perfectly legal way to jilt someone," said Irene.
word of the day: billingsgate
source: http://www.merriam-webster.com/word-of-the-day/
(noun: coarsely abusive language)
Ancel spoke fluent billingsgate, which added to his impersonation of Black MacAdaver.
word of the day: sempiternal
source: http://www.merriam-webster.com/word-of-the-day/
(adjective: of never-ending duration : eternal)
Brandon ended up choosing a volume on the husbandry of bees, which was supposed to have been written by a past MacAdaver. The style was every bit as dry as Elena accused him of enjoying, and sadly lacking in local and historical anecdotes. The author could have lived anywhere with a wide stretch of lawn and bit of garden, prosing on about the sempiternal nature of bees.
NaNo2019: Word of the Day 16-20
Nov. 20th, 2019 08:23 pmword of the day: word
source: http://www.merriam-webster.com/word-of-the-day/
(adjective : volunteering one's services where they are neither asked nor needed : meddlesome)
"I knew you were trouble from the moment I set eyes on you, you smug, entitled, meddling, officious, little lordling! As if your city ways made you the cock of the walk, and your money gave you the right to waltz in here--! And here you stand, butter wouldn't melt in your mouth, as if I didn't just see you arrested for murder!"
word of the day: carouse
source: http://www.merriam-webster.com/word-of-the-day/
(verb: to take part in a drunken revel : engage in dissolute behavior)
"How well do you know Ancel?"
"I just met the fellow. Why? What do you think of him?"
"I've heard stories. He has debts, and is part of a crowd known to carouse. They're unwelcome several places for their destructive and unruly behavior."
"He's been a model of civility, but I will keep that in mind."
word of the day: mot juste
source: http://www.merriam-webster.com/word-of-the-day/
(noun: the exactly right word or phrasing)
There was a quiet spot on the landing about halfway up the south tower. Elena huddled there, next to a window overlooking the lake. She couldn't bear the indignity. Why had only family spoken up to protest Elwin's innocence?
Fabric rustled next to her. To Elena's surprise, it wasn't Clara come up to try and cheer her with solid good sense or Whitling with a poorly timed mot juste about the long arm of the law. Instead, it was Lonette. The other girl looked troubled. "I'm sorry your brother is suspected of murder."
word of the day: recondite
source: http://www.merriam-webster.com/word-of-the-day/
(adjective: of, relating to, or dealing with something little known or obscure)
"I believe he was murdered?" said Brandon, glancing out the gallery window. It was still raining and the night was dark. "By the ghost?"
"Thus runs the local gossip," said the housekeeper, sharply. "The Inspector Detectors determined it was an old business rival."
"Ah," said Brandon. "How prosaic." He could see why the locals preferred the more recondite explanation since one was available.
word of the day: expedite
source: http://www.merriam-webster.com/word-of-the-day/
(verb: to accelerate the process or progress of : speed up)
"Luggage?"
"That's in Stephen's car. Oh, Win! Isn't this marvelous?"
"Passing fine," he said, pleased to see his little sister. "Was Father glad expedite your departure?"
Elena grinned. "He says it is right and proper for the young to gallivant about from place to place; and warned that we should be considerate of Aunt Whitling."
NaNo2019: Word of the Day 11-15
Nov. 15th, 2019 08:36 pmword of the day: armistice
source: http://www.merriam-webster.com/word-of-the-day/
(noun: temporary stopping of open acts of warfare by agreement between the opponents : truce)
"Look!" said Whitling. "Isn't that the Owlry in the distance?"
"Indeed," said Brandon, while his traveling companions craned their heads to see the lonely tower on a far hill. The train passed far enough away that the ruinous state was imperceptible. "Funny what one remembers from history."
"It was a fierce battle!" protested Whitling. "You can't tell me you didn't dream about holding the stairs against Black and his creations."
"I was only a little girl then," said Graves. "My sisters and I went out to cheer for the 95th Rifles after the armistice was signed. We didn't get a good view of the parade, but I still remember how handsome they looked in their uniforms!" She sighed reminiscently.
"I was too little to know what was going on," said Aunt Bessie. "As I got older, I heard about such dreadful creatures. We were terrified every time one was said to have been sighted. We never did like going out at night. One heard things--or imagined one did."
"The imagination is a powerful thing," agreed Brandon.
"I suppose this is part of why castles were built," Aunt Bessie continued. "They make one feel safer."
word of the day: bruit
source: http://www.merriam-webster.com/word-of-the-day/
(verb: report, rumor — usually used with about)
Riane turned to her husband with a smile. "Elwin was just telling Harold and I about the Granite House ghost."
"Is it anything like the ghost in the North Tower?" wondered Joel.
"Is there a ghost in the North Tower?" inquired Brandon, all innocent curiosity. Joel didn't rise to the bait. Instead he grinned as if the sally was witty.
"That's the spirit. I knew a Brandon was too smart to fall for just anything we'd bruit about."
word of the day: gambit
source: http://www.merriam-webster.com/word-of-the-day/
(noun: 2: a calculated move : stratagem)
"We wasted an entire afternoon going over the lakebed in the cove where Clara snagged the bracelet," said Brandon.
"A dedicated treasure hunter would have spent a week at it," said John.
"We're here for pleasure, not profit." Brandon's expression had gone shuttered and still, leaving little hint as to what he really thought of the gambit.
word of the day: incongruous
source: http://www.merriam-webster.com/word-of-the-day/
(adjective: lacking congruity: as a: not harmonious: incompatible)
Whitling pressed a towel on his friend, and Brandon rubbed himself down vigorously, grumbling the entire time about how nasty the lake had been. Clara did the same, but she was insisting that Stephen take the hook out and unwind the trailing weeds so she could see the prize that had cost her so dearly. By this time, other members of the party had appeared, voicing concern as they approached. Ancel's observations were incongruous both with the severity of the incident and with the way his eyes slid greedily to the object revealed in Stephen's large hands.
"We're fine, thank you," said Brandon.
"A little water never hurt anyone," added Clara, brightly.
word of the day: white elephant
source: http://www.merriam-webster.com/word-of-the-day/
(noun : a property requiring much care and expense and yielding little profit)
"Do they want the house too?" asked Tommy.
John threw his head back and indulged in a hearty laugh. "This old thing? It's a regular white elephant of a property. Those of us who love it can put up with its foibles, but it can drive one mad."
"Especially if there's a ghost," said Brandon.
"We do leave that option open," said John. "After all, there's only so much that can be explained away."
NaNo2019: Word of the Day 6-10
Nov. 10th, 2019 10:42 pmNov. 6 word count: 6,071
word of the day: chilblain
source: http://www.merriam-webster.com/word-of-the-day/
(noun: an inflammatory swelling or sore caused by exposure (as of the feet or hands) to cold)
The lamp in the housemaid's hand made a small ring of warm golden light, but it could not banish the chill of the room. "I hope we can get a fire going. This place is enough to give one chilblains as well as the creeps."
"It'll look better in the morning," said Brandon.
"Don't think Branwell Abbey ever looks quite like this," said Whitling.
"That's because my family decorated to a different aesthetic," said Brandon.
Nov. 7 word count: 7,001
word of the day: espouse
source: http://www.merriam-webster.com/word-of-the-day/
(verb: to take up and support as a cause : become attached to)
"This is how we get out of here," said Brandon. "Now, I don't normally espouse thwarting an Inspector Detector—"
"But you'll make an exception this time?" said Tommy, eagerly.
"Lives could be in danger," said Brandon. "On the other hand, we could be ensuring we spend a long time in jail."
"I expect to get time off for good behavior," said Tommy. "After all, I'm only following you because I'm young and impressionable."
Nov. 8 word count: 7,674
word of the day: lyric
source: http://www.merriam-webster.com/word-of-the-day/
(adjective: 2 a : expressing direct usually intense personal emotion especially in a manner suggestive of song)
The housemaid's retelling of the event was no lyric recitation, but it was engaging and touched on several salient points, including the fact that her father had been one of the witnesses of the ghost fleeing the scene that fateful night. "Spooked his horse and overturned the wagon. That's how he broke his leg and he's been laid up ever since."
Nov. 9 word count: 9,230
word of the day: aphorism
source: http://www.merriam-webster.com/word-of-the-day/
(noun: 2 : a terse formulation of a truth or sentiment : adage)
"Ever hear that curiosity killed the cat?"
Brandon had heard that particular aphorism more than once, often directed at himself. He wasn't any fonder of it today than he had been in the past. "It's also been said that satisfaction brought it back."
Nov. 10 word count: 9,293
word of the day: teleological
source: http://www.merriam-webster.com/word-of-the-day/
(adjective: : exhibiting or relating to design or purpose especially in nature)
"Right," said Doctor Baird. "I confess I am curious. How did you figure it all out, sir? Was it telelogical and scientific or amateur intuition?"
