I finished the first 31 pages of the dictionary over Dec 2019. The glacial pace
didn't mean that I idled. I took 35 10.5"x8" sheets (on both sides--there must
be a word for it) of notes, mostly of entries copied verbatim. Ocassionally, I
stopped and pondered on the finish line. At this speed, I wouldn't be able to do
it before I turn 50.
Strangely, it is easy to stop thinking about the last page. I am not young but
feel nonetheless having plenty of time. Years of physical training seems to lend
directly to this kind of projects. I do not even force myself to do one page a
day. My friend L has expressed interest and suggested that I read one page of
each letter at a time to avoid boredom. Well. So far, I haven't needed to. For
me, it's never boring!
Over the month, I was treated to the most absorbing new-to-me words, never-
heard-of meanings, usage notes, etymologies, examples, etc. It was an exciting book
of stories and I was able to connect the dots. The simple "advisedly," e.g.,
reminded me of a whole speech in the movie Four Weddings and A Funeral:
Dearly beloved, we are gathered
together here in the sight of God
and in the face of this congregation
to join together this man
and this woman in holy matrimony,
which is an honourable estate, instituted
of God in the time of man's innocence,
signifying unto us the mystical union
that is betwixt Christ and his Church
and therefore is not
by any to be enterprised
nor taken in hand unadvisedly,
lightly, or wantonly,
but reverently, discreetly, advisedly,
soberly, and in the fear of God.
Therefore, if any man
can show any just cause
why they may not
lawfully be joined together,
Let him speak now or else hereafter
for ever hold his peace.
I enjoyed the etymologies of "adolescent" and "adult." The adolescent grows up
to be the adult. The two words ultimately come from forms of the same Latin
word, adolescere, meaning "to grow up." "adolescent" derived from the present
participle meaning "growing up." "adult" derived from the past participle
meaning "grown up." How cogent!
Many names from mythology (Greek, Roman, Norse, Hindu, and Arab), the Bible,
and historical events have made it to the dictionary. I have met Abraham, Abel,
Abednego, king David's wife Abgail and son Absalom, of the Bible, and Actaeon,
Admetus, Adrastea, Aeacus, Aegeus, Aegisthus, Aeneas, Aeolus, Aesculapius, and
Aether from Greek and Roman mythology. Each word is a story and some are epics.
The most impressive ones include
- Aceldama: In the New Testament, a potter's field near Jerusalem purchased by
the priests as a burial ground for strangers with the reward that Judas had
received for betraying Jesus and had later returned to them. A place with
dreadful associations.
I guess "Aceldama" could only be used in writing or a conversation with a
Christian.
- Adler, Afred: 1870-1937 Austrian psychiatrist who rejected Freud's emphasis
on sexuality and theorized that neurotic behavior is an overcompensation for
feelings of inferiority.
Finally, someone came forward to debunk that phony;-) I like Adler's theory.
- Actium: A promontary and ancient town of western Greece. In 31 B.C., it was
the site of Octavian's navy victory over Mark Antony and Cleopatra. As a
result of the battle, Egypt came under Roman control and Octavian established
as the ruler of Rome.
Alas. The lovers, Antony, for all his oratory prowess, and Cleopatra her
ravishing beauty and arresting charm, did not endure.
- Adam's Bridge: A chain of shoals extending about 29km between India and Sri
Lanka. According to Hindu legend, the bridge was built to transport Rama, hero
of Ramayana, to the island to rescue his wife from the demon king Ravana.
Some say the prototype of the monkey king in the Chinese classic 'Journey To
The West' is Hanuman in Ramayana. Curious why it's called Adam's.
- Aegospotami: A small river and ancient town of southern Thrace in present west
Turkey. The culminating battle of the Peloponnesian War, in which Lysander and
the Spartans destroyed the Athenian fleet, took place in the mouth of the
river at 405 B.C.
I know little about this war but will sure read about it down the road.
Maladies assaulting mankind seemed rampant. I met one disease per page on
average. After such rare ailments as
- aboulia: loss or impairment of the ability to make decisions and act
independently, and
- acedia: spiritual torpor and apathy; ennui,
I was delighted to find "afebrile" which means "having no fever."
I have never expected reading a dictionary could be addictive. I easily spend
two hours on it daily. In fact, it has replaced video-watching as entertainment.
There are still 2043 pages to go and it's going to be a long feast. Thank You!
