Word of the Day!

Well, since there's a tropical storm off the coast here, this word is pretty accurate right about now.

irriguous, adjective
ih-RIG-yoo-uhs

Well-watered; watery

Origin 1650, from Latin irriguus, equivalent to irrigare "to wet" + -uus

Example from 1667: Paradise Lost by John Milton:
A happy rural seat of various view:
Groves whose rich trees wept odorous gums and balm;
Others whose fruit, burnished with golden rind,
Hung amiable - Hesperian fables true.
If true, here only - and of delicious taste.
Betwixt them lawns, or level downs, and flocks
Gracing the tender herb, were interposed,
Or palmy hillock; or the flowery lap
Of some irriguous valley spread her store,
Flowers of all hue, and without thorn the rose.
Another side, umbrageous grots and caves
Of cool recess, o'er which the mantling vine
Lays forth her purple grape, and gently creeps
Luxuriant: meanwhile murmuring waters fall
Down the slope hills, dispersed, or in a lake,
That to the fringed bank with myrtle crowned
Her crystal mirror holds, unite their streams.

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

caparison, noun, verb

kuh-PAR-eh-suhn

noun:
1 - a decorative covering for a horse or for the tack or harness of a horse; trappings
2 - rich and sumptuous clothing or equipment

verb:
3 - to cover with a caparison
4 - to dress richly; deck

Origin 1590 from Middle French caparasson.  Also from Old Spanish caparazon and capa (cape).

Also a Japan-based manufacturer of custom electric guitars.


( Picture of Definition 1 )

frowzy or frowsy, adjective

FROW-zee

1 - messy or shabby in personal appearance or manner of dress
2 - In North America.  unpleasant to be in because of mustiness, staleness, or a bad smell

The origin is unknown, but the first known use is from 1681.

Examples:
For the sake of their image, the band members transformed themselves from clean-cut lads to frowzy rockers.
Joe's house was unlivable after the flood due to its frowzy smell.