|
|
Enron Mail |
***************************************************************
Do you have the skills you need to get a good job? If you want to secure your future, you need training. http://links.quinstreet.com/adclick?area=fensuihagunduo *************************************************************** The Word of the Day for October 18 is: rife \RYFE\ (adjective) 1 : prevalent especially to an increasing degree 2 : abundant, common *3 : copiously supplied : abounding Example sentence: "Nature is rife with cheats. Think of the bumblebee who sucks nectar and darts away without pollinating the flower." (Erik Stokstad, _New Scientist_, July 27, 1996) Did you know? English is rife with words that have Germanic connections, many of which have been handed down to us from Old English. "Rife" is one of those words -- it's related to Middle Low German "rive," meaning "abundant." Not a whole lot has changed with "rife" in its 900-year history. We continue to use the word, as we have since the 12th century, for negative things, especially those that are widespread or prevalent. Typical examples are "shoplifting was rife" or "rife with misspelled words." "Rumors" and "speculation" are frequently described as "rife" as well. But "rife" can also be appropriately used, as it has been for hundreds of years, for good or neutral things. For example, you might speak of "the summer garden, rife with scents." *Indicates the sense illustrated in the example sentence. ---------------- Brought to you by Merriam-Webster, Inc. http://www.Merriam-Webster.com ---------------- *************************************************************** Discover the meanings you've been missing! Click here for your guide to over 900 allusions. http://www.merriam-webster.com/book/writref/allusion.htm *************************************************************** Visit http://www.Merriam-Webster.com/service/subinst.htm to subscribe to or unsubscribe from the Word of the Day mailing list. To subscribe to the list by e-mail, send a blank e-mail to mw-wod-subscribe-request@listserv.webster.m-w.com. To unsubscribe via e-mail, send a blank e-mail to mw-wod-signoff-request@listserv.webster.m-w.com. If you have questions about your subscription, write to mw-wod-request@listserv.webster.m-w.com. Send other questions or comments about the Word of the Day to word@Merriam-Webster.com. © 2001 by Merriam-Webster, Incorporated
|