dramatic

This word originates in the theatre where it describes the action of a performed a story (a piece of drama) that is full of emotion and action.

Over time, we have applied the word to events, situations and circumstances where emotions run high and actions or activities are fast and ever-changing.

Thus we are likely to hear of a dramatic change of events, a dramatic rescue, a dramatic tropical storm. All of these convey a similar combination of intensity in emotions, actions and responses.

convection

Convection is the process of heat or mass transfer through air or fluid. It is caused by the movement of molecules from cool to warmer regions.

The word arises from the Latin convehere which means to bring together. I mention ‘convection’ in this blog as inaccuracies in pronunciation often cause it to be mistaken for ‘convention’.

The easiest way to understand the process is via meteorological changes to air and temperature where hot air rises, then cools, forms rain clouds and results in cooler air.

We generally hear this word in relation to convection ovens where the process heats and cooks food in the contained environment of the oven.

convention

This noun is used in two common contexts:

A convention is a formal event at which many people meet and gather to discuss current matters that are relevant to their discipline or industry.

A convention is a method, an agreed way of doing something that has become common practice.

Be sure that you understand the context in which this word is being used. That way you will avoid confusion!

intimate

As an adjective, ‘intimate’ can be applied to many contexts.

Most common, is the meaning of being close to someone, as in ‘an intimate relationship’. This has the implication of being deeply personal and very private.

Friendships can be describes as ‘intimate’ when personal insights and feelings, those that are known to only a few others, are shared.

In contrast, ‘intimate’ can also be used when a person has deep knowledge, experience and understanding of a topic. Thus a professor of mathematics is likely to have an intimate understanding of his discipline.

As a verb ' to intimate' something can either mean to proclaim information in the public domain, or to imply or hint at something about an event or a person. In this context, make sure you know which meaning is relevant.

intimidate

Arising from 17^th Century Latin, intimidare meaning to ‘fill with fear’ or ‘make timid’ continues to be used in similar contexts nowadays.

It expands to include the application or threat of force to stop people from taking action e.g. exercising their right to vote in an election.

It also implies the uneven status that overpowers one person in the presence of another.

In the news, acts of intimidation appear in articles that are likely to relate to autocratic governments, political power plays by people against others and bullying.

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.