accolade Definition an expression of praise approval esteem

accolade Definition: • an expression of praise, approval, esteem, or honor From the common Latin accollare & the Italian accolata “to hug or embrace around the neck” History: • In Medieval England, the accolade was the embrace about the neck or the tapping of a sword on the shoulders to confer knighthood.

conclave Definition: • A private gathering of History: a select group of people • In church history, where discussion is dignitaries would meet in kept secret for the purpose of selecting the next pope; the From Latin conclave, “a gathering was surrounded room which may be with secrecy and known as locked”; com = together + a papal conclave clavis = key

dirge Definition: • A somber song expressing mourning or grief, especially at a funeral Contraction of the Latin word dirige, meaning “direct” History: Dirige was the first word of a Roman Catholic service called “The Office of the Dead. ” The Latin phrase, “dirige, dominus meus, in conspectu tuo viam meam, ” comes from Psalm 5: 8, “Direct, O Lord my God, my way in Thy sight. ”

draconian Definition: • Extremely harsh or severe, especially in regards to rules or punishment From the name of the Greek statesman Draco whose name meant “sharpsighted” and from which we also get the word “dragon. ” History: • Draco, the Greek statesman, laid down a code of laws for Athens around 621 B. C. His laws mandated death as punishment for minor crimes. They were known as the Draconian Laws.

epicurean Definition: • Devoted to sensual pleasure and luxury, good food especially; the philosophy of “eat, drink, and be merry” Named for the Greek philosopher Epicurus History: Ironically, the Greek philosopher Epicurus taught “moderation in all things. ” He taught that pleasure was the highest good but at the cost of some pain and, therefore, moderation was the key. When the English began to use the word, they focused on the single idea of pleasure.

gossamer Definition: • Fine cobwebs often seen floating in the air or covered with dew on the ground • any delicate gauze-like fabric From Old English gos, meaning “goose” and sumer, “summer” History: In the early days of England the season starting in November was called gossamer, or “goose summer. ” This was the time when the geese were plucked and eaten. This time of the year is when silver cobwebs are often found floating in the air or in the grass.

immolate Definition: • To kill an animal or person in ritual sacrifice or to commit suicide as an act of protest, usually by fire From the Latin immolatus, “sprinkled with meal” History: In ancient days, lambs were often led to slaughter as animal sacrifices for the sins of the people. Just before making the sacrifice, the Romans would sprinkle mola, “meal” on the lamb. The original meaning was often used in reference to the sacrifice of Christ.

juggernaut Definition: • A relentless, crushing force that is destructive and insensitive • Anything to which someone is blindly enslaved From Hindi Jagannath, meaning "lord of the world“ History: In Hinduism, Krishna was the chief Hindu deity and “lord of the world” (Jagannath). Each year, when the idol of Krishna was dragged through the streets of Puri, India, worshippers threw themselves beneath the wheels of the cart and were crushed in frenzies of devotion.

junket Definitions: • An expense-paid trip, or excursion, especially one made by a politician • A dessert made with milk and rennet (curds & whey) From the Latin juncus, meaning “rush, ”; Middle Latin juncata, and later French jonquette, meaning “rush basket” History: In early France, custard was often made and taken to market in a basket of rushes, causing the custard to eventually take on the name of the basket. These baskets suggested a picnic, which is probably why the word became associated with the hoity -toity excursions of congressmen.

ostracism Definition: • Banishment; exclusion from society by general consent From Greek “ostrakon, ” meaning tile or potsherd History: When the ancient Athenians felt a public figure was dangerous, the citizens would assemble in the market place and vote whether he should be banished. They cast their votes on ostrakon; if 6000 were cast, the victim was kept out of state for 5 -10 years.

proletariat Definition: • The working class; those who earn their living by manual labor. From the Latin proletarius “citizen of the lowest class” and the Latin proles, “offspring, progeny. ” History: In ancient Rome, those who owned no property were exempt from taxes and military service. They served the state by having children. Marxism popularized this term.

rigmarole Definition: • A ridiculously complicated procedure; an irritating, tedious, or confusing sequence of tasks; a task or statement that seems unnecessary or absurd. From Old English ragman roll, “a long list or catalog” History: The English king Edward I wanted Scotland as a vassal kingdom. Since the Scottish kings and nobles were in no position to argue the matter, they agreed and presented Edward with documents of allegiance called ragman roll (1291). The documents were composed of mixed and various papers and signatures; thus the transference of meaning to “confusion. ”

rubric Definition: • A printed title or heading • A set of printed rules or instructions History: In medieval religious services, directions for the From Old French order of service were often rubrique, and from Latin written in red writing and rubrica, “red ochre, red found as headings in the coloring matter. ” book of prayer or liturgy.

Socratic Definition: • Of or relating to Socrates, his philosophy, or his method of arriving at the truth. From the name of the Greek philosopher Sokrates, “having safe might. ” History: The Greek philosopher Socrates (469 -399 B. C. ) used a method of eliciting truth by question and answer, inquiry and debate. His teaching methods are still used today and often referred to as “Socratic seminars. ”

sycophant Definition: • One who flatters someone in power for personal gain; a self-seeking flatterer From from Latin sӯcophanta, “informer, talebearer” and Greek sukophantēs, “the person showing a fig. ” History: “Showing the fig” in ancient Greece was a vulgar gesture made by sticking the thumb between two fingers, a display which vaguely resembles a fig. Prominent politicians in ancient Greece refrained from such vulgar gestures, but privately urged their followers to taunt their opponents. The idea of a “mean, servile flatterer” was first recorded in Medieval England.