Nov. 7th 2008 - Punctilious

[sea-gaagii.livejournal.com]

Since I have not yet been to sleep - it is still Friday!

punc·til·i·ous [ pungk tíllee əss ]
adjective

Definition:
1. careful about correct behavior: very careful about the conventions of correct behavior and etiquette
always punctilious in his manners

2. fastidious: showing great care in small details
a punctilious execution of a complex design

[Mid-17th century. French pointilleux< pointille "small point" pointe Latin punctum (see point)]

Bob was punctilious, every little detail about the luncheon would be followed to the exacting specifications laid out. Appropriate one kneed bows to be performed when ones tea cup was exactly half empty, the spices in the food specified in micro-gram measurements, and everyone had to wear a top hat with a ribbon tied with a complex knot variation that signified not only the wearer's rank to the other guests but also indicated the dessert choice to the waitstaff.
For only a brief moment did Bob think he was indulging his daughter just a little too much with these extravagant tea parties; all the stuffed animals just seemed so happy!

Nov. 8th, 2008 - esoteric

[roque.livejournal.com]

have just been made the Saturday poster-- I'll start off with an easy one and one of my favorites.

es⋅o⋅ter⋅ic [ es uh tair ik, es oh tair ik]
adjective

Definition:
1. understood by or meant for only the select few who have special knowledge or interest; recondite: poetry full of esoteric allusions.
2. belonging to the select few.
3. private; secret; confidential.
4. (of a philosophical doctrine or the like) intended to be revealed only to the initiates of a group: the esoteric doctrines of Pythagoras.


Etymology:
1645–55; < Gk esōterikós inner, equiv. to ester(os) inner + -ikos -ic


Example:
[L]et's not forget that many of the artists who are now "popular" -- Monet, Renoir, Picasso, even sometimes Old Masters like Titian and Rembrandt -- could be seen as absurdly difficult and esoteric to their contemporaries.
--Blake Gopnik, interviewed on Washingtonpost.com