Thursday, February 14, 2008

Words

1. pied-à-terre

A pied-à-terre is a small living unit typically located in a large city (typically an apartment or a condominium).
The phrase pied-à-terre literally translates from the French as "foot on the ground". This is said to be because pieds-à-terre were traditionally ground-floor apartments[who?]; however, more likely, the meaning of the phrase is "to have a foothold"[citation needed]; terre (ground, soil) referring to territory, rather than elevation.
A pied-à-terre is a residence that will be used temporarily, mostly as a second home. It is common[citation needed] in New York City realty for many building co-ops to prohibit pieds-à-terre because they only want buyers who will actually make the building/apartment their permanent place of residence.


I came across this word when I was looking for apartments on Craig's List. It had an aristocratic ring to it but only for someone who does not speak French. This is what not to rent.




August 8th, 2008

2. mis·an·thrope


Definition:

somebody who hates people: somebody who hates humanity, or who dislikes and distrusts other people and tends to avoid them
This is from the movie "In Search of a Midnight Kiss" that came out today.
Wilson (Scoot McNairy), a depressed video store clerk and struggling screenwriter from Austin, Texas, whips up a Craigslist personals ad ("Misanthrope seeks misanthrope," it begins) ..
3. vig·i·lant
adjective: carefully observant or attentive; on the lookout for possible danger ("The vigilant eye of the town watch")
This was in a comment on the internet regarding an article on Mumbai ..
4. Proprietorship

Pronunciation:
\prə-ˈprī-ə-tər\
Function:
noun
Etymology:
alteration of 1proprietary
Date:
1637
1: one granted ownership of a colony (as one of the original American colonies) and full prerogatives of establishing a government and distributing land2 a: a person who has the legal right or exclusive title to something : owner b: one having an interest (as control or present use) less than absolute and exclusive right
pro·pri·e·tor·shi


5. Subsidiary
A company that is completely controlled by another company
Lee Hecht Harrison database

6. Indoctrinate


inˈdäktrəˌnāt/
verb
past tense: indoctrinated; past participle: indoctrinated
  1. teach (a person or group) to accept a set of beliefs uncritically.
    "broadcasting was a vehicle for indoctrinating the masses"
    synonyms:brainwashpropagandizeproselytize, reeducate, persuadeconvince,conditionprogrammolddisciplineMore
    • archaic
      teach or instruct (someone).
      "he indoctrinated them in systematic theology"

    Indoctrination at Newton High School

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