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Enjoy a year's worth of poems, puns, and puzzles in The Best of an Almanac of Words at Play. http://www.merriam-webster.com/book/puzzspec/wordplay.htm *************************************************************** The Word of the Day for February 2 is: benefic \buh-NEH-fik\ (adjective) : of, having, or exerting a favorable or beneficent influence Example sentence: Simone believes that her meditation practice is a benefic force in her life, helping her to focus and to find inner peace. Did you know? "Benefic" comes from Latin "bene facere," meaning "to do good to." The word was originally used by astrologers to refer to celestial bodies believed to have a favorable influence, and it's still used in astrological contexts. "Benefic," "beneficent," and "beneficial" are all synonyms, but there are shades of difference. "Beneficial" usually applies to things that promote health or well-being (as "beneficial treatment"), or that provide some benefit or advantage (as in "beneficial classes"). "Beneficent" means doing or effecting good (as "a beneficent climate"), but in particular refers to the performance of acts of kindness or charity (as "a beneficent organization"). "Benefic," the rarest of the three, tends to be a bit high-flown, and it's mostly used to describe a favorable power or force. ---------------- Brought to you by Merriam-Webster, Inc. http://www.Merriam-Webster.com ---------------- Subscribe or unsubscribe to Word of the Day via the Web at: http://www.Merriam-Webster.com/service/subinst.htm To join the list via e-mail, send a blank e-mail to: mw-wod-subscribe-request@listserv.webster.m-w.com To leave the list via e-mail, send a blank e-mail to: mw-wod-signoff-request@listserv.webster.m-w.com Questions about your subscription? Write to: mw-wod-request@listserv.webster.m-w.com Questions or comments about the Word of the Day? Write to: word@Merriam-Webster.com © 2002 by Merriam-Webster, Incorporated
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