A.Word.A.Day--artificer

Wordsmith.org

The Magic of Words

Jul 26, 2010

This week's theme
Words that aren't what they appear to be

This week's words
artificer

Like what you see here?
Send a gift subscription
Share it with a friend

---

Discuss
Feedback
RSS/XML

---

A.Word.A.Day

with Anu Garg

Illustrating the importance of using the right word, Mark Twain once said, "The difference between the almost-right word & the right word is really a large matter -- it's the difference between the lightning-bug & the lightning."

Choosing the right word is critical, but with a million words in the language, it's hard to get to know them all. Sometimes we have to hazard a guess, and try to figure out a word by its looks and sounds. It doesn't always work and results can be similar to placing the publication Style (instead of InStyle) in the waiting area of a hair salon.

This week we feature five words whose meanings are different from what one might first guess.

artificer

PRONUNCIATION:

(ahr-TIF-uh-suhr)

MEANING:

noun:
1. An inventor.
2. A craftsperson.
3. A mechanic in the armed forces.

ETYMOLOGY:

From Latin artificium (craftsmanship, art), from art + facere (to make).

USAGE:

"The artificer turns a little sadly to his king: 'One day, I hope mankind will find a peaceful use for my invention,' he says."
Tom Lubbock; Flights of Fantasy; The Independent (London, UK); Sep 18, 2006.

Explore "artificer" in the Visual Thesaurus.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:

Nothing which does not transport is poetry. The lyre is a winged instrument. -Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)

This newsletter is made possible in part by these sponsors:

delanceyplace.com: thinker's daily quote A carefully selected non-fiction book excerpt free to your email each day.

Will Moses - Art, Puzzles, Books, Cards Challenging jigsaw puzzles, fine art prints, delightful children's books How to sponsor

Unsubscribe | Subscribe | Update address | Gift subscription | Contact us
Books by Anu Garg

© 2010 Wordsmith.org