Tag: New Words (Page 12 of 20)

I came across this great word in “The Dying Detective”, one of The Greatest Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. The context made the meaning of the word very clear, but I still wanted to share it with you. It’s so long and sounds so important.

Perambulate – to walk through, about, or over; traverse; to walk or travel about; stroll

Usage: “Then, unable to settle down to reading, I walked slowly round the room, examining the pictures of celebrated criminals with which every wall was adorned. Finally, in my aimless perambulation, I came to the mantlepiece.”

(My first thought when I read this word was that it reminded me of a scene from Pride and Prejudice when Elizabeth walks round the room with one of the Bingley sisters.)

Here is an interesting and rather commanding word that I found in The Greatest Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. Dr Watson was called in by Mrs Hudson to attend to “The Dying Detective”. Sherlock Holmes was on his deathbed. With great imperiousness, Holmes’ cries to Watson to stand back so that he does not catch the disease which is killing him. It was quite a thrilling story!

Imperious – domineering in a haughty manner; dictatorial; urgent; imperative

Usage: “Stand back! Stand right back!” said he with the sharp imperiousness which I had associated only with moments of crisis.

Here is a strange word that I found in “Wisteria Lodge”, one of The Greatest Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. Based on the context, I thought it might be a bird, so I looked it up to share it with you. I was wrong – it’s not a bird.

Catkins – a spike of flowers with scaly bracts and no petals, as on the willow or birch

Usage: “I’m sure, Watson, a week in the country will be invaluable to you,” [Holmes] remarked. “It is very pleasant to see the first green shoots upon the hedges and the catkins on the hazels once again.”

Here is a picture of Hazel Catkins from BBC Countryfile. I can see how these yellow flowers would bring joy and hope for the approaching spring.

Don’t misread this. It is not insufferable, it is insuperable, and before posting this, I had no idea what it meant. And the context didn’t help me guess at the meaning. I found the word in “Wisteria Lodge”, one of The Greatest Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.

Insuperable – incapable of being passed over, overcome, or surmounted

Usage: “I have not all my facts yet, but I do not think there are any insuperable difficulties.”

Usually when I read this word, I imagine it is related to mystify or mystery, which something secret or puzzling. But the way it was used in The Greatest Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, in the story “Wisteria Lodge”, I decided to look it up. I thought I was wrong about the definition for some time. But, apparently, mystification is the noun version of the verb mystify, so I was right.

Mystification – the state of feeling confused by something impossible to understand (and mystify is to perplex or bewilder)

Usage: “I can make nothing of this mystification of Scott Eccles.”

Here is an uncommon word that I found in The Valley of Fear, in my volume, The Greatest Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. From the context, I thought it meant praises or congratulations, and I wasn’t wrong. I like it when I guess correctly!

Plaudits – an enthusiastic expression of approval

Usage: “Here they were, safe and sound, their work well done, and the plaudits of their companions in their ears.”