Word Nerds: wintry words
Winter was fairly mellow until two weeks ago when late snows inundated our landscape. Finally the temps are rising from single digits to the almost balmy days of 40 degrees. I am more than ready to say “Until next year!” to winter. As the rains begin to erase the abundance of white snow to reveal hints of spring around the corner I have pulled up a batch of appropriate words to sign off my least favorite season.
Apricity: the warmth of the sun in winter–I am known to park my lounger in the open garage, curl up in a blanket over my winter togs and nap in the sun.
Psithurism: rustling or whispering sound–such as the wind in the trees; oh those wintry storms that send shivers of snow down from branches when I walk under them.
Hiemal: of or relating to winter—look for this one when the weather person is trying to be above the norm in describing how cold it is.
Subnivean: situated or occurring under the snow–like the snow shovel I forgot to put away the last time I cleared the driveway.
Brabble: noisy, quarrelsome chatter–as in a Super Bowl Sunday living room gathering
Psychrophilic: thriving at a relatively low temperature—as in all those juncos and chickadees that flock into my front yard foraging for the bird seed we toss out.
Skijoring: a winter sport in which a person wearing skis is drawn over snow or ice by a horse or vehicle—family home movies show my dad towing my mom behind our ‘57 Chevy down the snowy streets (disclaimer: of course we wouldn’t do this today).
Sitzmark: a depression left in the snow by a skier falling backward—yup, just like it sounds.
Brumation: a state or condition of sluggishness, inactivity, or torpor exhibited by reptiles (such as snakes or lizards) during winter or extended periods of low temperature—I can especially relate to this particular word.
Primaveral: of or relating to early spring—as in those brave little crocus popping up in my friend’s yard.
Etiolated: pale or drawn out due to lack of light—that’s why I own TWO Happy Lights.
brume: mist; fog—now that the rain is replacing the snow we are experiencing this in the morning.
vapid: without liveliness or spirit; flat; dull—not truly a winter word, but it sure describes how I feel with the gray days of winter.
dulcify: to sweeten—yay for hot chocolate and how it sweetens up those long dark evenings.
repine: to be fretfully discontented; fret; complain—me as I mope around the house after the second day of unrelenting snow.
absquatulate: to flee; abscond—this is what snowbirds do as they head off for sunnier climes in winter
convivium: a banquet, feast or gathering—Super Bowl Sunday!
So–looking forward to Spring or or you sad about Winter’s departure?
Pam Webb 