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What are some of your favorite words you've come across while reading? (sh.itjust.works)

submitted 1 year ago by OptimistPrime@sh.itjust.works to c/books@lemmy.ml

8 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Mine is "palimpsest". I first encountered this word while reading The Secret History by Donna Tartt.

Definition: a manuscript or piece of writing material on which the original writing has been effaced to make room for later writing but of which traces remain.

I love that there's a word for this.

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[–] bonegakrejg@lemmy.ml 6 points 1 year ago (1 children)

"Defenestrate". Meaning to throw someone or something out of a window.

[–] OptimistPrime@sh.itjust.works 1 points 1 year ago

Ahh yeah! That's another one of my favorites

[–] Sraebog@lemmy.ml 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Mine is “snickerdoodle” which brought back long forgotten memories of bake sales. Also it’s just a delightful word!

[–] OptimistPrime@sh.itjust.works 3 points 1 year ago

One of the best cookies

[–] cheeseisdisgusting@lemmy.ml 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

One in Spanish that I really liked: arrebol. The definition is “the reddish colour of the sky during twilight”. It’s a pretty word for a pretty concept. 🌅

[–] OptimistPrime@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 year ago

Love that

[–] TychoRC@lemmy.one 2 points 1 year ago

I just came across "palimpsest" for the first time recently too! It was while reading The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, by VE Schwab. It's been a while since I had to look a word up, so it stuck in my mind, lol.

[–] Guthix@midwest.social 1 points 1 year ago

I literally thought Palimpsest when I saw the title.