I had to look up 'Abaft'...geeze...I was in the Navy and never heard that one.
2007-12-20 02:51:39 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Poetry
I use "abject" in French (same spelling) as an adjective. I have looked it up in my OED and discovered it was also a verb, which I did not know.
Between your "abaft" and "abject", I have just seen one which is really nice:
abeyance: A state of suspension, temporary non-existence or inactivity; dormant or latent condition liable to be at any time revived. With an example from Edmund Burke, Speech Against Hastings:
"His honour is in abeyance; his estimation is suspended, and he stands as it were a doubtful person."
2007-12-20 03:16:49 · answer #1 · answered by Lady Annabella-VInylist 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Both of those words were, and perhaps, still are in use, somewhere. Certainly they still exist as elements in much of our classical literature.
Just because YOU don't use them in everyday speech does not mean that they should be discarded, nor their meanings not discussed.
The term, "abject poverty" has a clear meaning, now, as much as it ever did. When reading Melville, or Jack London, one could, possibly, miss an important reference when "abaft" is used. (even in your naval service, there were, I'm sure, a lot of terms that you never heard which were important and in common usage somewhere on board ship. How important is the term "abeam" to the crew of a ship's galley?)
Do you suggest that the English language needs to go on a diet, using only words that YOU know?
2007-12-20 03:03:55 · answer #2 · answered by Vince M 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Abaft ye pirates! I object to abject; it's a terrible abjective.
2007-12-20 04:41:27 · answer #3 · answered by Elaine P...is for Poetry 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I've heard "abject" but never "abaft."
USMC update: Home for 10 days starting tomorrow (YAY!!) then the last 3 weeks of SOI. (hates it more than boot!) Then off to VA to begin security training....
2007-12-20 03:18:53 · answer #4 · answered by Reenie: Mom of Marine 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Even though I only use about 8,000 words, it's comforting to know that many more are available should I need them--or to replace those that have worn out.
2007-12-20 03:09:31 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I abjectly surrender.
2007-12-20 05:21:43 · answer #6 · answered by Marguerite 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i don't think so..
2007-12-20 02:53:48 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋