On the Learning of New Words
(Photo by Adam UXB Smith)
I read as much as I can. In doing so I often encounter words I do not know the meaning of (up with which, I shall not put). Would that I was disciplined enough to keep a dictionary or a web-connected device nearby, to use as an instant reference.
I do a fair amount of reading in bed actually. I really don’t want to lug a dictionary into the sack, nor do I want to have a computer nearby. For me, reading is a way of getting away from a computer for awhile. My solution? A digital voice recorder.
When coming across a new and interesting word, I quickly “jot” it on a small digital voice recorder. True, it does not help me to know the meaning of the word or how it adds to the story or information I am reading right at that moment. But, it’s still pretty useful to look it up later. It’s unobtrusive enough that it does not detract from the reading at all.
A digital voice recorder has many uses for both a writer and a reader
I have been wanting to learn new vocabulary as I encounter it, but just didn’t have a good way. By good I mean convenient and easy. I’ve just started doing it. The book that finally got me to do something along these lines is the 1968 novel Camp Concentration, by Thomas M. Disch. I mean how can one let orthoepy go by without knowing for sure what it means!
Camp Concentration is a particularly rich source of interesting words since the characters rapidly get smarter as they experience the effects of an intelligence-boosting “drug” called Paladine. In contrast, I am currently reading Unwind, by Neal Shusterman, and have yet to use the digital recorder once.
Some of these words have multiple meanings, but based on context, here is a selection (approximately in the order in which they appear in the book) and what they meant, as used:
casuistry - Use of clever but unsound reasoning (from Wikipedia).
scurrrilities - Vulgar, coarse or abusive language (The Free Online Dictionary).
Alphavillean – Refers to the science fiction film Alphaville by Jean-Luc Godard, which is set in a dystopian future dictatorship (Wikipedia).
Pellucidar - A fictional primitive world on the inner surface of a hollow Earth, invented by Edgar Rice Burroughs (Wikipedia).
Empyrean - The place in the highest heaven, which in ancient cosmologies was supposed to be occupied by the element of fire (or aether in Aristotle’s natural philosophy). In Christian literature, notably the Divine Comedy,В the dwelling-place of God and the blessed (Wikipedia).
eidetically - Recalling of visual images with vivid and extraordinary detail (The Free Dictionary).
sylphs - Mythological creatures in the Western tradition. The term originates in Paracelsus, who describes sylphs as invisible beings of the air (Wikipedia).
orthoepy - The study of correct pronunciation (this word was defined–correctly–in the text).
Krebiozen - Carcalon, substance X, drug X, or creatine monohydrate is an alternative treatment marketed as a cure for cancer. Medical consensus since the 1960s is that it has no therapeutic value (Wikipedia).
farrago - An assortment or a medley; a conglomeration (The Free Dictionary).
unhouseled - Not having received the Eucharist especially shortly before death (Merriam-Webster Online).
jactitations - A tossing to and fro or jerking and twitching of the body (Merriam-Webster Online); or, a self promoting boast to the detriment of another (Dictionary.com).
spoonerism - An error in speech or deliberate play on words in which corresponding consonants, vowels, or morphemes are switched (Wikipedia).
concinnate - To place fitly together; to adapt; to clear (The Free Dictionary).
hypogeal - Underground (Wikipedia).
epalpibrate - Must mean something likeВ “without eyelids” since palpibrate means “with eyelids”. Perhaps “from the eyelids” or “above the eyelids”. (medilexicon.com).
symbolatrous - With or having symbolism?
consubstantial - Of the same substance, nature, or essence (The Free Dictionary).
quotidian - Daily; usual or customary (Merriam-Webster Online).
cloying - Causing disgust by supplying with too much of something originally pleasant, especially something rich or sweet (The Free Dictionary).
agnoiology - The study of culturally-induced ignorance or doubt, particularly the publication of inaccurate or misleading scientific data. Defined in the text as the philosophy of ignorance (Wikipedia).
imposture - Deceiving by means of an assumed character or name (Merriam-Webster Online).
Amazing and a lot of fun. Now it certainly is possible to ignore unknown words, or take “your best shot” at meanings based on context. Or, you could look them up.
March 16, 2010
Tags: digital voice recorder, Reading, vocabulary, words Posted in: Learning, Reading
4 Responses
If you want to embed the code to allow your readers to double-click on a word for its definition from Answers.com, there’s info at http://www.answers.com/main/answertips.jsp. Your blog (or any website) must allow java to run. -Rick
Thanks for the tip Rick. I’ll look into it this weekend. Phil…
Hi, Mr. McIntosh. Wow, cool blog! This got my attention because I’ve recently been grappling with the same problem. I just read a classic (Women in Love, D.H. Lawrence) which had some marvelous vocabulary. I wish I’d had a DVR on my bedside table – what a great idea. I’d really like to get one of these – is there a model you’d recommend? It’s funny, too, because I thought of getting something like this for Lily to help her make notes during the day at school. She said it probably wouldn’t be allowed, though. Is that true? Has anyone ever tried to use one at Challenger? Anyway, thanks for sharing this idea. Camp Concentration sounds very interesting – perhaps I’ll add it to my list!
Thanks for reading Howard. Camp Concentration is one of those books that leaves you thinking about it for awhile after it’s finished.
I am using a Sony ICD-67 which I purchased many years ago. They aren’t made any more but it still works and is reliable. So, I’d say any Sony or other name brand DVR in the $40-$100 would be good.
Let me know how the technique works for you.
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