Centripetalism, sometimes called integrationism, is a form of democratic power sharing for divided societies (usually along ethnic, religious or social lines) which aims to encourage the parties towards moderate and compromising policies and to reinforce the centre of divided political spectrum. -from Wikipedia Not to be confused with centrifugalism which attempts to separate said political divides. Both terms are coming up frequently in one of my old Caribbean history books that I picked off the shelf on a lark. Both models were attempted by Spanish colonists with varying degrees of success.
FULL TONTO Urban Dictionary: To act or have acted in a manner likely to cause people to think you have lost your mind.
Nictate verb RARE gerund or present participle: nictitating blink. "the lid of her left eye began to nictate"
Twee. Excessively or affectedly quaint, pretty, or sentimental HA! That is so cool. My twelve year old grandson and I were looking through lists of phobias last night (we have odd ideas of fun) and came across this word. I'd never seen it before then and now have seen it twice in less than twenty-four hours in two sources. I really must find occasion to use it in a sentence. "My dear, I simply cannot read her books. Her characters are all dreadfully twee and suffer with hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia."
Let's see how dumb Kindle thinks I am. It remembers all my look-ups. decoupage (dā″koo͞-päzh′) noun The technique of decorating a surface with cutouts, as of paper. febrile (fĕb′rəl, fē′brəl) adjective Of, relating to, or characterized by fever; feverish. distaff (dĭs′tăf″) noun A staff that holds on its cleft end the unspun flax, wool, or tow from which thread is drawn in spinning by hand. discalced (dĭs-kălst′) adjective Barefoot or wearing sandals. Used of certain religious orders. seriatim (sîr″ē-ā′tĭm, -ăt′ĭm) adverb One after another; in a series. castellan (kăs′tə-lən) noun The keeper or governor of a castle. sinecure (sī′nĭ-kyoo͝r″, sĭn′ĭ-) noun A position or office that requires little or no work but provides a salary. muzziness (ˈmʌz.i.nəs) noun the quality of being confused and unable to think clearly because of tiredness, illness, alcohol, or drugs I probably should have known some these. I'm sure I heard of the first one, but I failed at knowing it. Eh, it's what I had to look up.
That's interesting . . . I wonder what the historical link is? Women were running the spinning wheel? Not trying to be funny or anything, but I wonder if that's the old logic.
Contretemps noun a minor dispute or disagreement. "she had occasional contretemps with her staff" • an unexpected and unfortunate occurrence. "the hotel had to deal with more than one contretemps before the end of the night"
I wonder if the connection between the term batchelor, and baccalaureate has anything to do with guys like Newton, who were lifelong bachelors.
Fife noun a kind of small shrill flute used with the drum in military bands. Found/learned this one while searching for some background reading music for Gods and Generals.
