A.Word.A.Day --pavonine

A.Word.A.Day

Home

Jul 29, 2011

This week's theme
Animal words that are used metaphorically

This week's words
hircine
porcine
anserine
bovine
pavonine

This week's comments
AWADmail 474

Next week's theme
Yours to discover

Discuss

Feedback

RSS/XML

A.Word.A.Day

with Anu Garg

pavonine

PRONUNCIATION:

(PAV-uh-nyn)

MEANING:

adjective:
1. Of or resembling a peacock.
2. Vain; showy.

ETYMOLOGY:

From Latin pavo (peacock). Earliest documented use: 1656.

USAGE:

"The artists were attacked for being a narcissistic, pavonine, and self-regarding group."
Arifa Akbar; The Cult of Beauty; The Independent (London, UK); Mar 29, 2011.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:

There comes a point when a man must refuse to answer to his leader if he is also to answer to his own conscience. -Hartley Shawcross, barrister, politician, and prosecutor at the Nuremberg War Crimes tribunal (1902-2003)

We need your help

Help us continue to spread the magic of words to readers everywhere

Donate

Subscriber Services
Awards | Stats | Links | Privacy Policy
Contribute | Advertise