This week’s theme
Eponyms

This week’s words
fabian
stent
hymeneal
euhemerism
roland


This week’s comments
AWADmail 813

Next week’s theme
Words that turn into another when a letter is added or removed at the top

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A.Word.A.Day

PRONUNCIATION:

(RO-lund)

MEANING:

noun: Someone who is an equal match for another. Typically used in the expression “to give a Roland for an Oliver” meaning “to give as good as one gets” (tit for tat).

ETYMOLOGY:

After Roland, the legendary hero of the 11/12th century epic poem “Chanson de Roland” (Song of Roland). His tale was inspired by Charlemagne’s nephew and military leader. Oliver was friends with Roland and his equal. They fought each other but neither won. Earliest documented use: 1525. A related word is rounceval.

USAGE:

“My little lord, who was surrounded by savage women, poor thing, had the immense satisfaction of giving a Roland for an Oliver to an especially obnoxious young twit.”
Samara Al-Darraji; Eclipse; PublishAmerica; 2005.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY: