Jump to content

Learned a new word today


silverfox

Recommended Posts

comport


As in '... But Judge Jed Rakoff refused to sign off the settlement, which he said ?does not comport with the most elementary notions of justice and morality? ...'


Verb

Formal

1. comport oneself - to behave in a specified way

2. comport with - to suit or be appropriate to [Latin comportare to collect]


Noun

A large, covered glass bowl on a stem, which can be used as a serving piece for compotes

(see http://www.replacements.com/thismonth/images/deans_corner_comport_x.jpg and updated post on page 4)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

There seems to be quite a wide band of definitions for it.


com?port (km-p?rt, -prt)

v. com?port?ed, com?port?ing, com?ports

v.tr.

To conduct or behave (oneself) in a particular manner: Comport yourself with dignity.

v.intr.

To agree, correspond, or harmonize: a foreign policy that comports with the principles of democracy.


[Middle English comporten, from Old French comporter, to conduct, from Latin comportre, to bring together : com-, com- + portre, to carry; see per-2 in Indo-European roots.]


The American Heritage? Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ?2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I like the word comport: it'll be added to my vocab. henceforth.


I came accross another new word recently. Take a look at this report of Serena William's recent outburst:


According to the Grand Slam Rule Book, unsportsmanlike conduct when referred to the Grand Slam committee can be treated as "aggravated behaviour", which "is flagrant and particularly injurious to the success of a Grand Slam, or is singularly egregious".


"egregious" in a set of sporting rules; now that is class.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just came across another word today that is new to me (but maybe not to the erudite and French speaking members of the Forum).


Rou?


As in: "Alan Clark, the notorious parliamentarian and rou?, left behind a cache of explosive material for his biographer, Ion Trewin"



rou?? [ roo ?y ] (plural rou??s)


noun


Definition:


debauched man: a man who regularly engages in drinking, gambling, and womanizing ( literary )



[Early 19th century. < French< past participle of rouer "break on the wheel" (a medieval instrument of torture) < Latin rotare (see rotate)]


Word History


The term rou? is thought to stem from Philip, duke of Orl?ans and regent of France (1715-1723), who humorously designated his debauched companions as rou?s, either to suggest that they deserved to be broken upon the wheel or because their behaviour was so exhausting that they felt they had undergone this torture.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Who?


First I've heard of it.


Anyway I always wanted to be infamous, it's always sounded much more exciting than being chivalrous Sean.


It's rather like a woman you fancy telling her best friend that you're 'nice'.


You will never get under the covers with her with that unfavourable description.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Latest Discussions

    • Malumbu said: "I've asked some good questions about how you address 'antisocial cycling" but nobody has offered any answers - as this is a forum I'd be keen to understand." Isn't this what City of London police are now doing, addressing 'antisocial cycling'?
    • A raptor shot into my back garden for a wood pigeon, which managed to get away before it was grabbed. It was very fast and the hawk was smaller than I’d thought it would be, with mid- and dark-brown feathers. Kite? 
    • Worried as only two Egyptian goslings at the pond this evening. Both parents in attendance.  The three of them were looking very healthy this morning. Did anyone see anything? 
    • We do in fact take frozen food ... whatever the form, if its food we generally take it!
Home
Events
Sign In

Sign In



Or sign in with one of these services

Search
×
    Search In
×
×
  • Create New...