Word For the Day, Thursday, August 14, 2003

The Verbivores | 8/14/03 | Teacher

[RikaStrom]

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”. Rules: Everyone must leave a post using the “word of the day”; in a sentence. The sentence must, in some way, relate to the news of the day. Practice makes perfect.....post on....

---

scintilla \sin-TIL-uh\, noun
scintillant; adjective

1. A tiny or scarcely detectable amount; the slightest particle; a trace
2. A spark; a flash.
3. Miniscule

In victory, they must hold on to at least a scintilla of humility, lest they get too cocky -- and ripe for a takedown.
--Bill Breen, "'We are literally trying to stop time,'" Fast Company, May 2000

Etymology: Latin scintilla, "a spark, a glimmer, a faint trace." Also from scintilla is the verb scintillate, "to sparkle."

[Laura Earl]

That I can get away with.

[hobbes1]

Yes. xs was here demonstrating each scenario ; )

[xsmommy]

you wish

[RikaStrom]

Hey, I saw the thread last night, but I might have had an adult beverage or two, and it was a small picture, and I am legally blind, you know!

[Agnes Heep]

That's just like me -- always bucking the rules. One of my all-time favorite cartoons depicts a creative writing class with about 30 students. Twenty-nine of those students are sitting facing the teacher, wide-awake, in rapt attention. The thirtieth is in the back of the class snoring away. "Some day," the teacher says, "one of you will be a great writer!"

[hobbes1]

I toldja to stop that onanism when you needed glasses...

[RikaStrom]

LOL, actually you do.

It was cute, but you can't have a grade. :-P

[xsmommy]

if HD had a prosthetic device, i can see him acting the fool with it on an amusement park ride and losing it, can't you?

[hobbes1]

Would your Hello Kitty be considered a prosthesis ?

[RikaStrom]

Great cartoon. :-)

[xsmommy]

no, bc it is not affixed to my body, silly.

[Conspiracy Guy]

I knew I wouldn't get a grade. Comments are important too.

[RikaStrom]

Thhhrrrpppt! I've needed glasses since I was 14 or so, I didn't know about onanism then. LOL

[RikaStrom]

Sorry, I was rushing. You all have been so profuse with your verbiage and I only have an hour for lunch..... (batting eyelashes and looking sweet and innocent)

[xsmommy]

not to obsess on Anna Nicole, but the show last night made clear that onanism is how VICKIE starts every day...

[Gabz]

Why, oh why did I ever think to get another dog?????????????

This puppy is going to drive me insane (no smarts cracks from the peanut gallery I know it's not a long trip)

[hobbes1]

Oh, well it might lack fixture, but as to permanantly in contact with....

[honeygrl]

There is a rock with a hole in the middle and a little ledge type thing covering part of the hole.. they fell into the hole and under the ledge part.

[xsmommy]

hm

[Conspiracy Guy]

I bet it's almost over now. I keep FR in background all day at work. When it's busy I fall behind on FREEPING. Dang job.