jejune, wheedle

[skittles22088.livejournal.com]

Well, since accidentally missing last week, I bring you all two words for today!

jejune, adjective
ji-JOON

1 - without interest ot significance; dull; insipid: a jejune novel.
2 - juvenile; immature; childish: jejune behavior.
3 - lacking knowledge or experience; uninformed: jejune attempts to design a house.
4 - deficient or lacking in nutritive value: a jejune diet.

Origin 1610 from Latin jejunus meaning "hungry, empty."


wheedle, verb
WEED-il

Used with object
1 - to endeavor to influence a person by smooth, flattering, or beguiling words or acts: We wheedled him incessantly, but he would not consent.
2 - to persuade a person by such words or acts: She wheedled him into going with her.
3 - to obtain something by artful persuasions: I wheedled a new car out of my father.

Used without object
4 - to use beguiling or artful persuasions: I always wheedle if I really need something.

First known use 1660, origin unknown

Comments

[kryptyd.livejournal.com]

Cheers for jejune, one I've been seeing around for years, but only was vaguely aware of the meaning of until now.

[prettygoodword.livejournal.com]

Dealing with the jejune leads to ennui.

---L.

[iamunicorngirl.livejournal.com]

I suggest a 5th definition: 5 - Twilight by Stephanie Meyer

[theidolhands.livejournal.com]

Please note that "unknown origin" is being streamlined into "unknown entomology" in the tags (that is, there were two categories essentially meaning the same thing).