Notices by Algot (algot@mastodon.art), page 15

#WordOfTheDay

doldrums

/ˈdɒldrəmz/
plural noun
the doldrums
1 A state or period of stagnation or depression.
2 An equatorial region of the Atlantic Ocean with calms, sudden storms, and light unpredictable winds.

Origin
Late 18th century (as doldrum ‘dull, sluggish person’): perhaps from dull, on the pattern of tantrums.

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Vague memories sometimes re-appear when we are stuck in the doldrums of our best intentions.

#WordOfTheDay

normalization

/nɔːm(ə)lʌɪˈzeɪʃ(ə)n/
(British normalisation)
noun
mass noun
The process of bringing or returning something to a normal condition or state.

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While normalization seems like it is a good idea, I have made it my life's work to abnormalize things. Deal with it.

The night approaches.
Baseball on TV
I'll withstand your reproaches
I'm leaving for now, you see.

#SmallPoems

If a woman drives a Cadillac SUV...

...is she an Escalady?

#WordOfTheDay

reverie

/ˈrɛv(ə)ri/
noun
A state of being pleasantly lost in one's thoughts; a daydream.
mass noun ‘I slipped into reverie’

Origin
Early 17th century from obsolete French resverie, from Old French reverie ‘rejoicing, revelry’, from rever ‘be delirious’, of unknown ultimate origin.

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Our memories of words past become reveries as they retreat into the distance. Some are remembered as light daydreams, others, rarely (we hope), as dark nightmares.

Winding down July
New Boston Record
Hottest Month Ever!
In it's heat I sigh.

#SmallPoems

All arguments have two sides.

If they did not, they would be called agreements.

#WordOfTheDay

equilibrium

/ˌiːkwɪˈlɪbrɪəm/ /ˌɛkwɪˈlɪbrɪəm/
noun equilibria
mass noun
1 A state in which opposing forces or influences are balanced.
1.1 A state of physical balance.
1.2 A calm state of mind.

Origin
Early 17th century (in the sense ‘well-balanced state of mind’): from Latin aequilibrium, from aequi- ‘equal’+ libra ‘balance’.

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Bob's outwardly calm demeanor belied his inner turmoil. He kept things in equilibrium by burning rapidly through his emotional resources.

Net carbs?

I've never eaten a net.

How many carbs does a net usually have?

#WordOfTheDay

nectariferous

/ˌnɛktəˈrɪf(ə)rəs/
adjective
Botany
(of a flower) producing nectar.

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Sweet summer Sunday.
Great day for some play.
Lone bee buzzes and zooms
Seeking nectariferous blooms.

calefaction

#WordOfTheDay

/kalɪˈfakʃ(ə)n/
noun
mass noun
rare
The process of heating or warming.

Origin
from Old French, or from late Latin calefactio(n-), from calefacere ‘make warm’ (see calefacient).

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Hot time in the old town tonight!
Caused by the day's sun too bright.
Some of you I know just don't care
It's your winter, don't share our plight.

Still there is some satisfaction
To be had with calefaction.
Rare steaks on the summer grill
Will always have some traction.

#WordOfTheDay

fusspot

/ˈfʌspɒt/
noun
informal
A fussy person.

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Bob is not a fusspot, but he does keep his socks in pairs, folding their tops together for easy management.

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Weed/Wildflower Wednesday
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Queen Anne's Lace
Daucus carota
2019-07-24

This common summer flower is widespread in New England with a flat-topped flower head known as an umbel. When in fruit stage, the umbels curl closed to make a bird's nest shape.

The plant is also known as wild carrot because it is the plant from which the domesticated carrot was derived.

#plants #weeds #wildflowers #botany

Summer heat's respite
Just 60s overnight.
We enjoyed our sneaky plan,
By sleeping without a fan.

#SmallPoems

#WordOfTheDay

navel-gazing

noun
mass noun
Self-indulgent or excessive contemplation of oneself or a single issue, at the expense of a wider view.
as modifier ‘navel-gazing New Age types’

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I no longer engage in typical navel-gazing. Instead, I've resorted to gazing at other peoples' navels, when available.

Where did Noah keep his bees?

In his ark hives.

#WordOfTheDay

flourish

/ˈflʌrɪʃ/
verb
1 no object (of a living organism) grow or develop in a healthy or vigorous way, especially as the result of a particularly congenial environment.
1.1 Develop rapidly and successfully.

(MOST DEFINITIONS REDACTED)

Origin
from an obsolete sense of the verb, ‘adorn’ (originally with flowers).

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The word flourish has flourished, garnering abundant groups of meanings around its core. The result is a full page of definitions.

hot dogs, hamburgers
grill hotter than summer's air
but, today, barely

#SundayHaiku
#CLMOOC
#SmallPoems

#WordOfTheDay

colossus

/kəˈlɒsəs/
noun - colossi, colossuses
1 A statue that is much bigger than life size.
1.1 A person or thing of enormous size, importance, or ability.

Origin
Late Middle English via Latin from Greek kolossos (applied by Herodotus to the statues of Egyptian temples).

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The British Empire attempted to be the colonial colossus of the globe, exerting influence belying it's small island origins.

#WordOfTheDay

verdigris

/ˈvəːdɪɡriː/ /ˈvəːdɪɡriːs/
noun
mass noun
A bright bluish-green encrustation or patina formed on copper or brass by atmospheric oxidation, consisting of basic copper carbonate.

Origin
Middle English from Old French verte-gres, earlier vert de Grece ‘green of Greece’.

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Bob's statue proudly wore the oxidation of virdigris proudly like a cape.