Wednesday, July 20, 2005

Words: execrable [MW]

(I like to use this one. It toys with excrement but is basically a fancy way to say damnable.)

Main Entry:    ex·e·cra·ble
Pronunciation:    
ek-si-kr&-b&l
Function:    adjective
1 : deserving to be execrated : DETESTABLE <execrable crimes>
2 : very bad : WRETCHED <execrable hotel food>

Main Entry:    ex·e·crate
Pronunciation:    
ek-s&-krAt
Function:    transitive verb
Inflected Form(s):    -crat·ed; -crat·ing
Etymology:    Latin exsecratus, past participle of exsecrari to put under a curse, from ex + sacr-, sacer sacred
1 : to declare to be evil or detestable : DENOUNCE
2
: to detest utterly
- ex·e·cra·tive  /
-krA-tiv/ adjective

(It also adds new meaning to the term chief execrative officer -- Ken Lay, for example.)

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