Well, I dropped the ball yesterday for various reasons, so you get a double-whammy today. Two O verbs. I'm studying for the GRE, so I'll try to relegate myself to words that will be featured there (which these both may). But sometimes you have to have your schwas and your brooks. Without further ado:
obviate (v.)
Pronunciation: AHB-vē-āte
Definition: To anticipate and dispose of effectively; prevent; render unnecessary.
This first popped up in 1598 and meant "to meet and do away with." It's from the late Latin (300-700 CE) obviatus, the past participle of obviare, which roughly means "to act contrary to, go against." Obviare is itself from obvius, which means "that which moves against, that which is in the way." We also get "obvious" from this. Since obvius means that which moves in the way, it is readily apparent; right in front of you.
obtund (v.)
Pronunciation: ahb-'tênd
Definition: Make dull or blunt, deaden
Comes from Latin, again: obtundere, meaning "strike against" or "dull, deaden." Not a long jump, huh? Ob means "against," tund-ere is "to beat, strike." Use this word to talk about killjoys (a word literally as old as our country). "That obtundent Williams kept telling jokes until we all left." This word is ripe for that guy who just won't stop. They beat things until they have no life.
Of course, it also has a pretty good literal meaning, too: "The air-bag obtunded the severe impact."
Nick was the winner of last week's Root game. He'll win something literary, though I don't know what yet. Any suggestions?
And while we're on the subject of that, I think I may make that a once-every-two-weeks thing. I need more participants and more hullabaloo surrounding it.
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