|
|
Enron Mail |
***************************************************************
Looking for a new kind of feeding frenzy? Feast on colorful references in Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Allusions. http://www.m-w.com/book/writref/allusion.htm *************************************************************** The Word of the Day for January 14 is: cacophony \ka-KAH-fuh-nee\ (noun) : harsh or discordant sound : dissonance; specifically : harshness in the sound of words or phrases Example sentence: A cacophony of angry voices filled the room as the discussion between city council members heated up. Did you know? Whether they refer to the sound of music or the sound of nails on a chalkboard, words that descend from the Greek word "phone" are making a lot of noise in English. Why? Because "phone" means "sound" or "voice." "Cacophony" comes from a joining of the Greek prefix "kak-" ("bad") with "phone," and it essentially means "bad sound." "Symphony," a word that indicates harmony or agreement in sound, traces to "phone" and the Greek prefix "syn-" ("together"). "Polyphony" refers to a style of musical composition in which two or more independent melodies are juxtaposed in harmony, and it comes from a combination of "phone" and the Greek prefix "poly-" ("many"). Keep your ears open and you're sure to hear other descendants of "phone" in English. ---------------- 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
|