Altiloquent

Altiloquent?

Me?

Surely you jest!

I merely marvel at the lilt of language, the superlative subtleties of speech, the phonological possibilities present in every crisp, untrodden page that lies like an open road before me.

Okay, I may be prone to pontificating about the grandeur of garrulousness, especially when it’s gussied up with frilly frivolities. Ah, the ambience of adjectives, the succor of a superb simile, the …

I’m doing it, aren’t I?

Altiloquent, you say.

Hmmm …

It could be you’re right.

But who doesn’t love a great word?

And who among word lovers can limit their love to just one?

Alas …

From now until the end of this entry, I will restrict myself to touting the term altiloquent.

Focus.

It’s all business now, baby.

Al·til·o·quent:

An archaic adjective meaning “high-flown or pretentious” language.

In a word, highfalutin.

Rhymes with … ?

Magniloquent!

Oops, I said I wouldn’t stray.

Yep.

Guilty as charged.

  1. Winnie Nielsen says:

    This word is totally new to me! Hmmm, I wonder if you said it in daily conversation if anyone would have a clue as to what you were saying? Maybe in a salon with Oscar Wilde? It is true that most of us limit our word choices to a very narrow slice of the possibilities. One thing I loved about doing the MJF Grammar Badge was learning a new word every day for a month. It opened my eyes to the fact that I could be doing a whole lot better in the use of the English language!

  2. Catherine says:

    Hi, just had a look at your site from a prompt in my facebook and wondering if it you really mean ‘Gleaming word a week’ or ‘Gleaning word a week’

    gleaming present participle of gleam (Verb)
    Verb:
    1.Shine brightly, esp. with reflected light.
    2.(of a smooth surface or object) Reflect light because well polished: “gleaming limousines”.

    gleaning present participle of glean (Verb)
    Verb:
    1.Extract (information) from various sources.
    2.Collect gradually and bit by bit.

    Just wondering… Thanks. Catherine x

  3. Catherine says:

    Hi MaryJane
    Glad I cleared that up and anyway, both words work well since you and all your readers, including myself, are gleaming about gleaning such lovely words! I enjoy your posts very much! And have voted for you – ‘More Magazine’. Thanks for all you do.
    May God bless you. Catherine x

    • MaryJane says:

      Gleaning is such a cool word. Have you seen the 1857 Jean-Francois Millet painting, The Gleaners? It’s three peasant women gleaning a field of stray grain. And thanks!!! for your More vote!

  4. Catherine says:

    Gosh! ‘The Gleaners’ and ‘Angelus’ by Jean-Francois Millet c1857 are two of my favourite paintings! And you’re welcome – The Vote… You do a wonderful thing for our world… And for us Gals! x

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