"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."

Thursday, 4 April 2013

Anile

Anile is an adjective meaning old-womanish; of or like a feeble old woman; like a foolish, doddering old woman; or weak-minded.  The word was first used as long ago as 1652.

I'm a bit anile in all of its senses until I've had my first tea or coffee in the morning. 
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3 comments:

  1. Librarian5 April 2013 at 07:06

    Never heard that one before! How is anile related to senile, I wonder?

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    1. Scriptor Senex5 April 2013 at 19:11

      Anile is from the Latin anilitas meaning the state of being an old woman. Senile is from senilus - being old (or an old man. So there is a similar root word there.

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    2. Cat8 April 2013 at 04:54

      I was wondering that myself.

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