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Oct 17, 2000

This week's theme
Semordnilaps, or words that spell other words when reversed

This week's words
avid
debut
ogre
strop
nonet

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debut

debut (day-BYOO, DAY-byoo)
noun
1. A first public appearance on a stage, on television, etc.
2. The first appearance of something, as a new product.
3. The formal introduction and entrance of a young woman into society, as at an annual ball.
4. The beginning of a profession, career, etc.
verb intr.
1. To make a debut, as in society or in a performing art.
2. To appear for the first time, as on the market.
verb tr.
1. To perform for the first time before an audience.
2. To place on the market for the first time; introduce.
adjective
Of, pertaining to, or constituting a first appearance.

[French debut, from debuter, to give the first stroke in a game, begin : de-, from, away (from Old French de-) + but, goal, target, from Old French butte.]

"The suspense builds from the first pages of Mary Howard's debut novel-- a book so sure-handed and graceful that you might forget it's a murder mystery."
Nina Sonenberg, Discovering the Body (book review), The New York Times, Oct 8, 2000.

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