Wondrous Words Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Bermudaonion, where you can share new words that you’ve encountered or spotlight words you love. Feel free to get creative! If you want to play along, grab the button, write a post and come back and add your link to Mr. Linky!
(all definitions are courtesy of the Merriam-Webster Dictionary)
- portent (noun) - something that foreshadows a coming event
- "Yes, but theses are the same portents that precede lunchtime, frankly" ~pg. 27
- penultimate (adjective) - of or relating to the next to the last syllable of a word
- "He hung on the penultimate syllable, deepening his voice in comic pomposity even as he raised his eyebrows. INN-digo, he boomed. ~ pg. 31
- vespertine (adjective) - of, relating to, or occurring in the evening
- Sorry, I forgot to more where I read it in the book.
I can remember attending vespers when I was at camp - I'm sure that's related to vespertine, a word that's new to me. Thanks for playing along!
ReplyDeleteVespertine has a lovely hush of evening sound to it!
ReplyDeletelove the cover of Little Bee.. and vespertine is new to me, it sounds like evening:)
ReplyDeleteI did a post on vocab from Little Bee and included vespertine too- and, as I remember, I didn't understand how the word fit into the story. I think it appears as the native is accosting the British couple on the beach- a vespertine look comes into his eyes, maybe? Have you finished the book and did you like it?
ReplyDeleteI finished the book and really enjoyed it. I am posting the review tomorrow.
DeleteVespertine was the only word I DID know, probably because vespers are a part of my daily life. I found your other two words very interesting and the cover is an amazing piece of art. I really should read the book - one of these days.
ReplyDeleteVespertine is a lovely sounding word! I'd read Little Bee just for the new words!! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Monique,
ReplyDeleteI thought that I had missed a new Chris Cleave book, but then found that 'Little Bee' is published as 'The Other Hand', here in the UK and I already have it on my shelves to be read!
I was already looking forward to reading this one, from its great premise, even more so now that you and several others, have commented on the array of language and vocabulary the book contains.
The only one of your words that I didn't know was 'vespertine' and although I have a vague notion that 'vespers' has religious connotations, I didn't associate it with the evening.
Three excellent words to use in conversation without too much difficulty, thanks for sharing and glad that you enjoyed the book,
Yvonne
I didn't know vespertine either, but do know vespers and it's a rather obvious connection once you see it. I know portent and penultimate, both wondrous words indeed.
ReplyDeleteI love the new words. I thought about doing that on my blog but I don't like to take notes when I am reading. Great post!
ReplyDeleteIt is hard to get use to taking notes. That is why I love my Nook, I can just highlight and go. With a physical book it is much more difficult, since I don't write in books.
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