A.Word.A.Day --favonian

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Jun 6, 2023

This week’s theme
Weather & climate

This week’s words
barometer
favonian
autumnal
weather vane
hibernal

The Triumph of Zephyr and Flora, detail (1734-35)

Art: Giovanni Tiepolo

A.Word.A.Day

with Anu Garg

favonian

PRONUNCIATION:

(fuh-VOH-nee-uhn)

MEANING:

adjective:
1. Relating to the west wind.
2. Mild; gentle; benign.

ETYMOLOGY:

After Favonius (literally, favorable), the god of the west wind in Roman mythology. His Greek equivalent is Zephyr. Earliest documented use: 1656.

USAGE:

“A face, a favonian little face hovers in his memory, slipping in and out of focus.”
Natalee Caple; Mackerel Sky; St. Martin’s Press; 2004.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:

There are two kinds of fools: One says, "This is old, therefore it is good"; the other says, "This is new, therefore it is better." -William R. Inge, clergyman, scholar, and author (6 Jun 1860-1954)

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