I found this fine word in the interesting and well-written book Not in Our Classrooms, edited by Eugenie C. Scott and Glenn Branch.
Atavistic (at-UH-vis-tik) [French atavisme, from Latin atavus, ancestor: atta, father + avus, grandfather]
adj.
- Of, pertaining to, or characterized by atavism; reverting to or suggesting the characteristics of a remote ancestor or primitive type.
- The reappearance of a characteristic in an organism after several generations of absence, usually caused by the chance recombination of genes.
- An individual or a part that exhibits atavism. Also; throwback.
- The return of a trait or recurrence of previous behavior after a period of absence.
Usage: According to one picture, the warriors for science appear to be dispassionate champions of uncompromising civility and truth, while warriors for religion appear to be atavistic throwbacks to premodern ignorance.
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I found this fine word in the interesting and well-written book Not in Our Classrooms, edited by Eugenie C. Scott and Glenn Branch. You might notice that this is first verb that I've used for word of the day so far.
Vitiate (vish-ee-eyt) [Latin vitiÄre; to spoil.]
v.
to impair the quality of;…
Okay, this is the last word from Virginia Woolf's Mrs. Dalloway.
Immaterial (im-uh-TEER-EE-uhl) [Latin im- without, not mÄteriÄlis; of, belonging to matter.]
adj.
of no essential consequence; unimportant.
not pertinent; irrelevant.
not material; incorporeal; spiritual; having no material…
This fine word also comes from Sam Harris's book, The End of Faith;
Ineluctable (in-i-LUHK-tuh-buhl) [Latin inluctbilis : in, not + luctbilis, penetrable]
adj.
incapable of being evaded; inescapable.
Usage: At the heart of every totalitarian enterprise, one sees outlandish dogmas, poorly arranged…
This word is from one of the books that I am now reading, Mark Jerome Walters' Seeking the Sacred Raven: Politics and Extinctions on a Hawai'ian Island. This book is a fascinating portrayal of the myriad difficulties involved with trying to save an endangered species.
Evanescent (ev-uh-NES-uhnt…
Thanks for the kind words!
You will perhaps be amused to learn that I included the word anodyne in a piece I wrote for Seed a few years ago.
you should check back becasue there will be a book review that is forthcoming, after i get out of the hospital and have regular computer access once more.