"That's a great deal to make one word mean," Alice said in a thoughtful tone. "When I make a word do a lot of work like that," said Humpty Dumpty, "I always pay it extra."

Wednesday, 20 May 2009

Vagary

 
A vagary is an unexpected and inexplicable change in something (in a situation or a person's behaviour, etc.); an erratic notion or action; an impulsive or illogical desire; a caprice. It tends to be used more in the plural - vagaries - than the singular. For example "the vagaries of the weather"; "his wealth fluctuates with the vagaries of the stock market"; "he has dealt with human vagaries for many years" .
 

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