(I may or may
not return to the genealogy, the third post I mentioned. Right now
I'm busy so I'm going for the easy out.)
a
xebec
X is for X
Do you know that
my very old dictionary which I still use even though the cover and
the first couple of pages are missing (and the back cover is not in any great shape either and I'm pretty sure a couple of the pages are
taped in), given to me by a neighbor (she owned a bookstore) as a
high school graduation present (that would be 1968), only has one
page of words for the letter X?
It begins with:
x
n 1 a : the 24th
letter of the english alphabet b : a graphic representation of this
letter c : a speech counterpart of orthographic x 2 : TEN 3 : a graphic
device for
reproducing the letter x 4 : one designated x
esp. as the 24th
in order or class when order and class, the 23rd
in order or class when j is not used, the 21st
in order or class when j, v and w are not used or the first
in an order or class that includes x, y and sometimes z 5
a : an unknown quantity 6 : something shaped like or marked with
the letter X
and
ends with:
xylotomy n : the art of preparing sections of wood for microscopic examination
in between are
these:
xebec n : a
usu. 3-masted Mediterranean sailing ship with long overhanging bow
and stern
xeric adj : low or deficient in available moisture for the support of life
xiphoid adj 1 : shaped like a sword 2 : of, relating to, or being the
xiphisternum (you're going to have to look that one up yourself)
xylan n : a yellow gummy pentosan present in plant cell walls and woody
tissue
xylography n : the art of engraving on wood or of taking impressions from
engravings so made
Now, don't you
feel smarter?
PS.
if you want to read all the alphabet entries, there is a link on my
sidebar under 'stuff about me'.
X-cellent! I do love the lines of the mediteranian sailing vessel!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure these x words will come in handy any day now. Really, who needs more than a page of x words anyway.
ReplyDeletei had heard of xeric. that's it. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm sure I had heard of Xylan, but I don't think I could have pulled it out of my head (or that other place either!).
ReplyDeleteWell, of course there's the Xanax-taking xylophonist named Xerxes who was a bit xenophobic and....
ReplyDeleteOh, never mind. ;) Beautiful image of that boat.
Lovely, a well worn dictionary is hard to give up.
ReplyDeleteX got me like this too!
ReplyDelete(I think I cheated though)
Ooh, I got me a new desktop picture--your sailing ship. I must confess, with some embarrassment, that I never pick up a real dictionary anymore, but rely exclusively on the computer. I've even tried to sell my old unabridged (a massive book indeed), but I guess most people are like me and don't use them anymore despite their greater aesthetic appeal.
ReplyDeleteI know xylophone and your dictionary didn't!
ReplyDeleteX-words, whatever for. This is English/American, after all.
Congratulations on all the work that's come your way.
Excellent!
Wow.. you graduated before they invented xylophones! ;)
ReplyDeleteducking the X (cross) look you're probably giving me.
That was a fun read ellen. No kidding. Now the trick is to use one of those words in conversation tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteI am either going to call Squirrel at college and drop one of the scientific words on her [at least she'll know what I mean] or I am going for something shaped like a sword.
heehee
Interesting! I never realized that the "xylo" in "xylophone" comes from a root meaning wood -- which must be the case, based on the other words in your list.
ReplyDelete