Word of the Day (February 13, 2013): mainour

– noun:

[MEY-ner]

Definition:

1. a stolen article found on the person of or near the thief: to be taken with the mainour.

Examples:

1. Caught the thief, with the mainour, hey?

– Maria Edgeworth, the Parent’s Assistant

2. …if I be taken with the mainour, if the theft be found about me, I shall either be killed, or carted with a paper crown set upon my head, having my fault written in great text-letters.

– Fernando de Rojas, The Celestina

[From Dictionary.com]

Word of the Day (February 5, 2013): epexegesis

– noun:

[ep-ek-si-JEE-sis]

Definition:

1. the addition of a word or words to explain a preceding word or sentence.

2. the word or words so added.

Examples:

1. But you did establish personal contact?  In epexegesis or on a point of order?

– James Joyce, Finnegan’s Wake

2. One of the most striking peculiarities of colloquial speech in Dutch, and of natural free talk in general, is what is called epexegesis.

– Jan Gonda, Selected Studies

[From Dictionary.com]