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Word For The Day, Wednesday, August 26, 2009 - dead hand
Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary Word of the Day ^ | 08/26/2009 | Sue Donymn

Posted on 08/26/2009 7:30:43 AM PDT by VRWCmember



In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day".

dead hand • \DED-HAND\ • noun

1: an inalienable possession of property by a church or corporation
2: the oppressive influence of the past *

* Indicates the sense illustrated in the example sentence

Example sentence:

"If newspapers wish to survive," said Edward, "then editors need to wrest free from the dead hand of print journalism and embrace the more dynamic capabilities of the Web."

Did you know?
Does "dead hand" make you picture a pale dismembered hand creeping slowly toward its next unsuspecting victim? If so, you're in for a surprise -- but not a scary one. "Dead hand" is a literal translation of "mortmain," which comes from the Old French words "morte" (meaning "dead") and "main" (meaning "hand"). In very unspooky terms, both the French and English terms describe property that is left to a company, church, or charity in perpetuity. The "oppressive past influence" sense of both "mortmain" and "dead hand" developed from the idea of the dead exercising posthumous control over their property by dictating how it must be used after they die.

Rules: Everyone must leave a post using the Word for the Day in a sentence.
The sentence must, in some way, relate to the news of the day.

The Review threads are linked for your edification. ;-)
Practice makes perfect.....post on....


Review Threads:
Review Thread One: Word For The Day, Thursday 11/14/02: Raffish (Be SURE to check out posts #92 and #111 on this thread!)
Review Thread Two: Word For The Day, Tuesday 1/14/03: Roister
Review Thread Three: Word For The Day, Tuesday 1/28/03: Obdurate
Review Thread Four: Word For the Day, Friday 7/25/03: Potation
Review Thread Five: Word For the Day, Monday 8/19/03: Stolid
Review Thread Six: Word for the Day, Tuesday 11/09/2004: Peripatetic (Post #125 may be my best anagram post ever)


TOPICS: Word For The Day
KEYWORDS:
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To: xsmommy

Watched a movie last night called “Sydney White.” Wasn’t that the one you mentioned a while back?


21 posted on 08/26/2009 8:14:02 AM PDT by SoothingDave
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To: SoothingDave; xsmommy
OH my smart son!!!! He just woke up (yeah he's recovering so dont' worry about it) - and came in here saying "now that fat ted is dead, doesn't that make only 59 libs in the Senate?"

How fast can they get a special election rigged?

22 posted on 08/26/2009 8:14:22 AM PDT by WhyisaTexasgirlinPA
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To: VRWCmember
Is it fair to say that Ted Kennedy has passed much legislation that in fact gives him a dead hand in government for years to come?

Now we see Ted Kennedy's dead hand at work.

23 posted on 08/26/2009 8:15:05 AM PDT by geologist (The only answer to the troubles of this life is Jesus. A decision we all must make.)
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To: VRWCmember; All
Here's a feel good story about a kid who didn't give up despite having dyslexia and a stuttering problem as a child.
24 posted on 08/26/2009 8:24:15 AM PDT by secret garden (Dubiety reigns here)
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To: VRWCmember

I can only hope that Kennedy’s dead hand makes obamacarenation a dead hand


25 posted on 08/26/2009 8:26:13 AM PDT by verga (I am not an apologist, I just play one on Television)
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To: SoothingDave

yes, the 7 dorks, we love that movie. do you play gherkin of honor? ; )


26 posted on 08/26/2009 8:29:04 AM PDT by xsmommy
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To: VRWCmember
How about a Dead Man's hand?


27 posted on 08/26/2009 8:32:12 AM PDT by CholeraJoe (Did you not know the Royal hunting grounds are always forbidden?)
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To: secret garden

very inspiring story. good for him!


28 posted on 08/26/2009 8:34:58 AM PDT by xsmommy
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To: xsmommy

It was entertaining. I’d always wondered what it would be like to cross Legally Blonde with Revenge of the Nerds. The only thing missing was a cameo by Booger.

It was a good story, even if derivative.


29 posted on 08/26/2009 8:35:44 AM PDT by SoothingDave
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To: WhyisaTexasgirlinPA

ha! he’s got their #!
i doubt xsboy even knows yet that he’s dead, he was up and out early to first day of school today. found out that lisa murkowski has a son who’s a junior. Does appear to attract the RINO quotient, LOL!


30 posted on 08/26/2009 8:37:45 AM PDT by xsmommy
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To: SoothingDave

i loved that the long necked geek ended up a rich guy!


31 posted on 08/26/2009 8:38:27 AM PDT by xsmommy
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To: Gabz

Today is my 37th wedding anniversary........I do not want any more tedcarodrama in my day.


32 posted on 08/26/2009 8:40:01 AM PDT by tioga
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To: tioga

Happy anniversary to you and Mr. T!


33 posted on 08/26/2009 8:42:26 AM PDT by secret garden (Dubiety reigns here)
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To: verga
I can only hope that Kennedy’s dead hand makes obamacarenation a dead hand.

Teddie Kennedy's dead hand upon his fellow senators may not prove strong enough to get Obamacare legislation passed.

34 posted on 08/26/2009 8:45:03 AM PDT by proud2beconservativeinNJ ("In God We Trust")
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To: xsmommy

I almost teared up when sock puppet guy spoke! LOL


35 posted on 08/26/2009 8:46:48 AM PDT by SoothingDave
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To: tioga

Happy Anniversary, FRiend!!!!

Many more to you and Mr. Ti!!!


36 posted on 08/26/2009 8:47:56 AM PDT by Gabz
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To: tioga

congrats to you both!


37 posted on 08/26/2009 8:57:59 AM PDT by xsmommy
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To: SoothingDave

did you rent it or was it on some cable channel? bc we watched all the special features on the dvd as well. that movie is hilarious. xsgirls love She’s the Man, but that was much more cringeworthy in my opinion. lucille ballish.


38 posted on 08/26/2009 9:02:04 AM PDT by xsmommy
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To: SoothingDave

the geeks were all so endearing!


39 posted on 08/26/2009 9:02:44 AM PDT by xsmommy
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To: xsmommy; Gabz; secret garden

thanks! we are celebrating Ava’s birthday today, then tomorrow we will celebrate our anniversary.....the funeral delayed it all.


40 posted on 08/26/2009 9:23:04 AM PDT by tioga
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