i subscribe to numerous "word-a-day" feeds (because i love language and words) and often discover lovely little tidbits about language and words and meaning...recently wordsmith sent me limn. a lovely word for those of us who seek to portray the world and communicate to others through these abstract and powerful gestures of art and words.
limn - pronunciation: (lim)
meaning:
1. to portray in words.
2. to draw or paint, especially in outline.
2. to draw or paint, especially in outline.
etymology: via french, from latin luminare (to illuminate), from lumen (light). ultimately from the indo-european root leuk- (light), which is also the source of words such as lunar, lunatic, light, lightning, lucid, illuminate, illustrate, translucent, lux, lynx, and lucubrate. earliest documented use: 1440.
naturally, i had to go look up/ click on the link for lucubrate.
lucubrate - pronunciation: (LOO-kyoo-brayt)
meaning: To work (such as study, write, discourse) laboriously or learnedly.
etymology: here's a word that literally encapsulates the idiom "to burn the midnight oil". it's derived from latin lucubrare (to work by lamplight), from lucere (to shine). ultimately from the indo-european root leuk- (light) that's resulted in other words such as lunar, lunatic, light, lightning, lucid, illuminate, illustrate, translucent, lux, and lynx.
what i love about this is the connection of illumination and discipline, of drawing something out and engaging with it/ learning about it - and thinking through it. write. draw. repeat.
(btw - i highly recommend wordsmith as it not only offers great words, its daily email also links to wordgames and articles that relate to language and lexicographical information of all kinds. yum.)
