limp - four letter words

Following the thought of words serving in many ways in a sentence, take a look at limp. Interestingly, this word derives from different sources and has two meanings.

First there is limp the verb and the noun. Arising from Old English ‘lemphealt’ and manifested in Middle German ‘limpfen’, the action of limping means to walk in an uneven or unstable manner (as with an injured leg).

In  this context, the noun is used to identify the action that an individual displays e.g. ‘He walks with a limp’.

In contrast, the word limp, as a state of being, arises in and refers to an animate or inanimate object that is not firm. This extends, as a metaphor, to imply that someone is not energetic or displays little vitality. 

A useful example is the socially off-putting ‘limp handshake’ which, in some contexts, implies a weak or disinterested person.

In this context, the word is likely to have its origin in Icelandic 'limpa' which means 'looseness'.

Felicity - a word serving many parts

In your reading you’re like to come across many words that serve multiple purposes.

Such a word is ‘felicity’ which apt to share at this time of year.

As a noun, ‘felicity’ arose from 14^th Century Latin, felicitas (happiness) whose stem is felix (happy). The word continues to mean happiness or joy. You’re likely to come across the female version of the name as ‘Felicity’ and the male version as Felix.

As a verb, ‘felicitate’ means to congratulate or wish joy to someone. This turns into the noun ‘felicitations’ which is less commonly found these days.

As an adjective, ‘felicitous’ means well-chosen or apt. Applied to a person it indicates they possess or display an agreeable style.

As an adverb, ‘felicitously’ infers that an action is marked by the state of joy or happiness.

It is on this note that I extend Season’s Greetings and goodwill to all who read and share this blog.

lake

A lake is a body of water that is land-locked. This means that it has no physical connection with the sea.

Its waters are fed by rivers and streams that flow from surrounding high ground into the lake.

Some lakes arise from natural disasters, like volcanic eruptions or earthquakes. The landscape changes dramatically and gives rise to new lowland areas where water can collect in vast amounts and form a lake or a system of lakes.

Here is a collection of photographs of some of the most beautiful lakes in the world.

Lakes can also be man-made. For instance, in Australia, Lake Burley-Griffin in Canberra, provides a serene retreat for locals who live in the area.

pond

Continuing the theme 'body of water', 'pond' relates to still water and is most likely to be man-made.

In public places like parks, a pond could be deliberately created in consistently boggy areas of public land.

In these circumstances, fish can be introduced to populate the pond. As a result, water birds are attracted to the area and become regular visitors or even residents of the pond and its surrounds.

Consider the many public parks and gardens in and around Melbourne and you are likely to have a memory that relates to visiting the ponds in one of these restful places.

pull

In contrast to 'push', the verb 'to pull', while equally vigorous, carries within it a different force and direction. And again, the verb can be used metaphorically.

Its simple meaning is 'to exert force on an object so that the object is drawn towards the force itself'.

Here are some applications:

• to pull a tooth is to extract a tooth
• to pull feathers is to pluck feathers from a bird
• to pull a muscle is to strain a muscle
• and, in recent food articles, 'pulled chicken' or 'pulled beef' means to tear into small, fine pieces once the flesh is cooked

Be aware that 'pull' is often partnered with prepositions that change the direction of the movement in the word.

Prepositions are often awkward for speakers to conquer when learning a new language. With this in mind, be aware of the direction that is built into the preposition when found in these common combinations:

• pull in
• pull away
• pull towards
• pull on
• pull off
• pull against
• pull through
• pull back
• pull down
• pull about
• pull up

Compare 'to pull' with 'to push' which was published last week.

push

Like verbs across multiple languages, this verb is full of action and vigor.

Its meaning is to apply a steady force in order to move an object (or person). From this simple concept, multiple applications of the word occur.

Consider these:
to push one's way through a crowd
to push on regardless of the difficulties
to push a point of view
to push for a political candidate
to push one's luck
to push out from the deck (in a boat)

Across these any many other applications of the verb 'to push', there is always a sense of applied force and movement. In broad uses of the verb the movement can be towards, away from or against.

Contrast this verb with the verb 'to pull'.

billabong

This indigenous Australian word refers to a body of water that has particular qualities attached to it.

A billabong is often a backwater channel connected with a stream or river. It rises and falls according to the water's flow. It often is the dead end of the river system.

The word arises in an Aboriginal language and was taken into English in the 19th Century. 'Billa' means river and 'bong' means dead.