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Today's Word: Gibbous (Adjective)

Pronunciation: ( gib'¥ s )

Definition 1: Convex, protuberant, protruding; more than half but less than fully illuminated, as the moon; humpbacked.

Usage 1: The original Latin word for hump, "gibber" ( gib'¥ r ), was used in medicine in reference to hunched backs in the 19th century. It gave rise to "gibberous" with the same meaning as today's word. Just remember to distinguish "gibber" from the word for an incomprehensible language, "gibber," from which we get "gibberish." These words are pronounced with a soft 'g' ( jib'¥ r ). The adverb for today's word is "gibbously" and you have your choice of nouns: "gibbousness" or "gibbosity."

Suggested Usage: In his conversation with today's contributor, Tim Ward asked, "Surely we've all suffered from the effects of engorging ourselves at family gatherings, when our already less-than-healthy statures assume a much more gibbous appearance?" My daughter's stomach is currently unusually gibbous with my first granddaughter, a much happier gibbosity.

Etymology: Today's word is a reduction of Latin gibb'¥ rôsus "hump-backed, hunch-back" from gibber "hump, hunch," which in Late Latin became gibbus "hump, bow." Today's word comes from Katy Brezger's backyard: "Now the gibbous moon in its grandeur presides over the manicured backyard and stops just short of The Woods. Strange dancing shadows sway in the summer windstorm. The large umbrella squatting on the picnic table even succumbs to the heavy breezes, turning this way and that as the wind gasps and blows. The Woods forebode even as they beckon, the wind tearing back the overcarriage just enough to cast illuminations on the old tractors. Oh, there be monsters, and madness looms." Katy's imagination and many others pervade the YD Agora; go there today:-

Dr. Language,
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submitted by Chris Stewart