![]() Johnson wrote the screenplay for Self Reliance during this scary, unpredictable and lonely period. “Genuine connection has always been scarce, but during the height of the pandemic in 2020 it became even more so. Their way of life is undergirded by religious faith. Undergird means “to strengthen or support (something) from below” or “to form the basis or foundation of.” Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for Apis: undergird \un-der-GHERD\ verb (If you’re looking to describe such a gastrointestinal tract, we might suggest “() stomach.”) Even the familiar phrase “()” is just a humorous way to refer to someone’s courage or mental stamina, not the literal strength of their digestive system. For a time, the word was also used to mean “physical strength” William Shakespeare used it that way in Henry VI, Part 1: “Coward of France! How much he wrongs his fame / () of his own arm's fortitude.” But despite use by the famous bard himself, that meaning () and is now considered obsolete. 2023įortitude comes from the Latin word fortis, meaning “strong,” and in English it has always been used primarily to describe strength of mind. “This emotional novel about forgiveness honors the immense fortitude manifested by families separated during wartime.” - review, The Christian Science Monitor, 24 Jan. To reach the summit of Denali requires not only great physical strength and training but the fortitude to persevere no matter the challenge. Less formal words with similar meanings include (), (), and (). Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for Apis: fortitude \FOR-tuh-tood\ nounįortitude is a formal word that refers to the strength of mind that enables someone to encounter danger or bear pain or adversity with courage. Wistly, in turn, may have come from whistly, an old term meaning “silently” or “quietly.” What’s more certain is that our modern wistful is a great word to describe someone full of () yearning, or something inspiring such yearning. It’s thought that the word is a combination of wistly, a now-obsolete word meaning “intently” and, perhaps, the similar-sounding wishful. But the etymology of wistful, while intriguing, is not entirely clear. And we’d like to ease your melancholy by telling you that the knowledge you seek-nay, () for-is closer at hand. We see you there, dear reader, gazing silently up at the moon, heart aching to know the history of wistful, as if it could be () on the lunar surface. With honeyed vocals and a potent dose of (), the shape-shifting () is reborn as a Sinatra-style lounge act, weaving wistful tales of heartache and tragedy over lush orchestrations.” - Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 30 Dec. “Josh Tillman, better known by stage name Father John Misty, dives headlong into big-band jazz on his sumptuous and melancholy fifth album. As the car pulled away, Lea cast one last wistful glance at the house where she'd spent so many happy years. Wistful can also mean “suggestive of sad thoughtfulness.” To be wistful is to be full of or to inspire () or desire tinged with (). Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for Apis: wistful \WIST-ful\ adjective Around the time of Shakespeare, however, a more appealing sense charmed its way into the English language and hasn’t left since: “to attract or interest someone,” or in other words, “to charm.” Nowadays, you’re just as likely to hear beguile applied to someone who woos an audience with charisma, as to a () trickster who () others to get their way. ![]() A prime example is beguile, which first appeared in English around the 13th century with the meaning “to lead or draw by deception.” For the next several centuries, most of the senses of the verb had to do, in one manner or another, with deceiving. Vexed, Julia summons an old school chum, Selina Dalton (Freida Pinto), and enlists her in a vindictive plot to beguile Malcolm and then break his heart as payback.” - Natalia Winkelman, The Boston Globe, 29 June 2022Ī number of English words have traveled a rather curious path from meanings related to deception or trickery to something less unwelcome. The more Machiavellian of the pair is Julia Thistlewaite (Zawe Ashton), who early on endures a public snubbing by the coveted Mr. ![]() “Recycling themes from ‘Dangerous Liaisons’ and ‘John Tucker Must Die,’ the movie follows two young women as they exact retribution on a snooty bachelor. She was cunning enough to beguile her classmates into doing the work for her. He beguiled the audience with his smooth and seductive voice. ![]() To beguile is to attract or interest someone, or to trick or deceive them. Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for Apis: beguile \bih-GHYLE\ verb ![]()
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