NaNo2019: Word of the Day 11-15
Nov. 15th, 2019 08:36 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
meltintall3word 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."
