I am enjoying going through the dictionary from A-Z and providing a word a day at 365 Word Quest. I am at #407 and only in the e's. It's interesting to see the etymology of many of these vital words. Here are some recent favourites:
-eclectic (hey it's in my slogan)- selecting what seems best from various styles, doctrines, ideas, methods; composed of elements drawn from a variety of sources, styles; a person who favours an eclectic approach especially in art or philosophy
-C17 from Greek eklektikos, to select, from legein to gather
-The art dealer took an eclectic approach in his selection of artifacts.
-ego- the self of an individual person; the conscious subject; psychoanalysis the conscious mind, based on perception of the environment from birth onwards
- C19 from Latin I
-egocentric, egocentrism, ego ideal, egoist, egomania, egotism, egotist
-His ego is as hardened as his arteries and hearing.
-elan- a combination of style and vigour
-C19 from French, elancer to throw forth, ultimately from Latin lancea lance
-The maestro directed the concerto with elan. (How interesting that elan is like throwing a lance...ultra cool?)
-emaciate- to become or cause to become abnormally thin
-C17 from Latin emaciare to make lean, from macer thin
-emaciated, emaciation
-Run way models often look emaciated to satisfy designer visions?
-emancipate- to free from restriction or restraint, especially social or legal restraint; to free from inhibitions; to liberate
-C17 from Latin emancipare to give independence
-The new technological devices did not so much emancipate users but evict them. (Are the Egyptians now emancipated from their former leader?)
-embellish- to improve or beautify by adding detail or ornament; adorn; to make a story more interesting by adding detail
-C14 from Old French embelir, from bel beautiful, from Latin bellus
-The different musical styles can not only co-exist, but punctuate and underscore and embellish one another.
-empathy- the power of understanding and imaginatively entering into another person's feelings
-C20 from Greek empatheia affection, passion, intended as a rendering of German Einfuhlung, a feeling in
-Empathy involves much more emotional involvement than sympathy.
