Word For The Day, Thursday, July 3, 2003 - Antaean

Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary | 07/03/2003 | The Verbivores

[VRWCmember]

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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".

Antaean \an-TEE-un\ adjective
1. mammoth
2. having superhuman strength *

* Indicates the sense illustrated in the example sentence.

Example sentence: In an emergency, an average person can become an Antaean powerhouse, capable even of lifting a car to rescue someone trapped underneath.

Did you know?
In Greek mythology, Antaeus was the gigantic and powerful son of Gaea the Earth goddess and Poseidon the sea god. Antaeus was a wrestler and whenever he touched his mother (the Earth), his strength was renewed, so he always won his battles even if his opponents threw him to the ground. He proved invincible until he challenged Hercules to wrestle. Hercules discovered the source of the giant's strength, lifted him off the ground, and crushed him to death. In 18th century England, the poet William Mason discovered the power of "Antaean" as a descriptive English adjective, when he used it in his _Ode to the Hon. William Pitt_:

"If foil'd at first, resume thy course
Rise strengthen'd with Antaean force."

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....

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[Laura Earl]

Yeah, it's good for both.

[xsmommy]

so are pregnancy vitamins! my nails were the best when i was pregnant and taking those! strong as steel!

[Gabz]

It took lots of practice - but after I got divorced I had no money for frivolity, so learned real fast!!!!!

Then when I could afford it, I had just gotten used to doing them myself. when I wold get the inclination it would take me about an hour or so sitting in front of the TV.

Same thing when I used to wear my hair colored - always did it myself.

[Slip18]

I used to do the fake nails even though I have really strong nails. Gardening will make one break all the time. Now I just let them grow. If one breaks, they all get cut down.

[xsmommy]

what i just said! LOL!

[white rose]

Now, I realize that it's a "guy thing" to be inordinately fond of antaean sound systems, but come on now...

[Gabz]

I never garden with gloves - can't feel what I'm doing.

UH OH - gotten run for a little while - I hear hubby heading this way for a long deserved break.

Be back later!!! I better look like I'm working!

[xsmommy]

that's exactly what i do, if something breaks, they are cut down to nothing!

[Conspiracy Guy]

I'm a former upper middle manager at BellSouth the Baby bell for South east. Dilbert is so close to my old home it's frightening. lulabelle is still with BellSouth.

[Slip18]

They will be deaf in a few years.

With the powers vested in me, you get an A+.

[Conspiracy Guy]

Some must die for others to live. I guess you could put the worms to sleep first. GEEEZ ; )

[NYC GOP Chick]

I am impressed! I also have to go to a colorist to make me blonde. He was featured in Allure mag a few years ago. :)

[Slip18]

I don't care about the worms even though I cultivate them for gardening. But the mushing of them makes me ill. Yuck. Mealy works are bad enough alive. Used to feed those to a lizard of my sister's when I was babysitting it. They are gross.

[Laura Earl]

Do the same with mine.

[Laura Earl]

AAAHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I've been outed!

[Conspiracy Guy]

Birds and lizards love em.

[doubled]

Caught up with reading, an antaean effort. Coulrophobia is the fear of clowns. We did have it as a word more than a year ago I think. Can't help with feeding birds, the cat gets to the little ones too quick.

Speaking of which the fat cat brought us a nice mouse one day. Then the two of them watched as SWIMBO and I went to antaean efforts moving furniture, chasing a small mammal around the edge of the room trying to capture it in a cup to throw it outside. We didn't leave the backdoor propped open after that. Now we have to get up every five minutes to let them in, out, in, out, but we don't get anymore uninvited guests. The birds weren't bad as they would try to fly out on their own, but the mouse just wanted to hide in the couch.

"Antaean! Antaean!" yelled Dorothy as the tornado approached.

[Laura Earl]

That's nails, not lizards.....

[Conspiracy Guy]

I was just kidding. lulabelle is a stripper. There now is that better?

[Laura Earl]

Workin' for tips and tips alone!