[proh-tee-uh n, proh-tee-] adjective readily assuming different forms or characters; extremely variable. changeable in shape or form, as an amoeba. (of an actor or actress) versatile; able to play many kinds of roles. (initial capital letter) of, relating to, or suggestive of Proteus. What a word! There’s something so refreshing about starting over in a new place and having the freedom to really be who you want to be. There are so many introductions, and you can decide what you want to be known for. I could’ve said, “Hi, I’m Beth,Continue reading “protean.”
Category Archives: Words
laconic.
[luh–kon-ik] adjective using few words; expressing much in few words; concise. My new Idahome is in the small town of Ketchum. And here’s my laconic description from my five days here. Ketchum, ID: where bikes and wireless networks are left unlocked. Today is August 24th and I was chilly. The closest Target is two hours away. The library has a huge fireplace surroundedContinue reading “laconic.”
mnemonic.
[ni-mon-ik] adjective assisting or intended to assist the memory. pertaining to mnemonics or to memory. noun something intended to assist the memory, as a verse or formula. Computers. a programming code that is easy to remember, as STO for “store.”. It’s funny that this is today’s word, because I spent my Friday evening trying to come up with mnemonic devices to remember cocktails and liquor brands. I am not a big drinker. I enjoy a glass of red wine (for my heart health) or a cold amberContinue reading “mnemonic.”
eleemosynary.
[el-uh–mos–uh-ner-ee, –moz-, el-ee-uh-] adjective of or relating to alms, charity, or charitable donations; charitable. derived from or provided by charity. dependent on or supported by charity. Ketchum, ID. Whew. I think today I realized it’s a little New Zealand-esque. Mountains cast their shadows on the other mountains. And the mountains go on and on and on. The Sawtooth National Forest is full of cattle because it’s open range. Bikers, fly fishermen, and hikers fillContinue reading “eleemosynary.”
heliolatry.
[hee-lee-ol–uh-tree] noun worship of the sun. After leaving a highly air conditioned restaurant, I went outside, stood in the sun, and closed my eyes and savored how the sun felt as my goosebumps diminished. I then checked the Word of the Day and laughed when I read the meaning. The weather in Colorado has been so lovely; theContinue reading “heliolatry.”
saxicoline.
[sak-sik–uh-lin, -lahyn] adjective, Botany, Zoology living or growing among rocks. I sat in the sunshine at a coffee shop called The Daily Dose in Crested Butte and enjoyed about half my daily dose of caffeine. I shared a campsite with a father and his son last night and I could not have enjoyed myself more. The campground was full and theyContinue reading “saxicoline.”
argonaut.
noun. [ahr-guh-nawt, -not] A person in quest of something dangerous but rewarding; adventurer. Classical Mythology. A member of the band of men who sailed to Colchis with Jason in the ship Argo in search of the Golden Fleece. A person who moved to California during the gold rush of 1849. Paper nautilus. I’m in NebraskaContinue reading “argonaut.”
nabob.
[ney-bob] noun any very wealthy, influential, or powerful person. Also, nawab. a person, especially a European, who has made a large fortune in India or another country of the East. I was fortunate to be accepted back at the Outfitters to work a couple months while I was home meeting my amazing nephew, Jack. While I was folding a bright pink Patagonia t-shirt, a customer sauntered in and asked his friend, my manager, “Have you ever been to Ketchum, Idaho?”Continue reading “nabob.”
accouterment.
or (especially British) accoutrement [uh–koo-ter-muh nt, -truh-] noun personal clothing, accessories, etc. the equipment, excluding weapons and clothing, of a soldier. I loaded up Sangria Kia with accouterment galore, including wool base layers, bamboo leggings, my coffee maker, and hats full of buttons. I put an “Asheville” sticker on Sangria’s dupa and she seemed to be glowing, knowing an adventure was on the horizon. There’s not much IContinue reading “accouterment.”
flumadiddle.
[fluhm-uh–did-l] noun 1. utter nonsense. 2. worthless frills. The moving process can be refreshing. Getting rid of all the excess that I’ve accumulated over the years makes me feel lighter. So the past few nights, I’ve been going through the flumadiddle. I have trolls made out of pine cones by my alumna friend in Ireland. I haveContinue reading “flumadiddle.”
beth of fresh air 