01-01-2024, 10:12 AM -
WORD OF THE DAY....
So, another new word bouncing around inside my otherwise almost empty head. I first found this one in a carefree, easy read. Sometimes known as a "cozy" murder mystery, I mix them in between other more serious or introspective books. This one was referring to a local storefront business in a small coastal town that survived on the tourist trade. Had not seen it before, nor have I seen it since.
stygian = adjective: gloomy and dark; dismal; infernal; hellish; dark and dismal as of the rivers Acheron and Styx in Hades.
A glance at the etymology reveals an historical perspective. [From Latin Stygius, from Greek Stugios, from Stux, Stug-, Styx.]; (Stugios, "relating to Styx"), from Στύξ (Stux, "Styx, chief river of underworld"). With a derivation from Latin and Ancient Greek, you can understand when the word is used to reference something as dark, brooding, or dismal like the underworld river Styx.
When used as an adjective to describe something in those terms, it is frequently capitalized because of its usage referring to the Styx (proper noun (name) requires capitalization)... example: Stygian vapors; Stygian pool
In the book I was reading it was not capitalized... i guess because it was using the definition (dark; gloomy) that did not refer to anything river-like. (OR... maybe the author just didn't realize..??)
Anyway --- Interesting word..!!
So, another new word bouncing around inside my otherwise almost empty head. I first found this one in a carefree, easy read. Sometimes known as a "cozy" murder mystery, I mix them in between other more serious or introspective books. This one was referring to a local storefront business in a small coastal town that survived on the tourist trade. Had not seen it before, nor have I seen it since.
stygian = adjective: gloomy and dark; dismal; infernal; hellish; dark and dismal as of the rivers Acheron and Styx in Hades.
A glance at the etymology reveals an historical perspective. [From Latin Stygius, from Greek Stugios, from Stux, Stug-, Styx.]; (Stugios, "relating to Styx"), from Στύξ (Stux, "Styx, chief river of underworld"). With a derivation from Latin and Ancient Greek, you can understand when the word is used to reference something as dark, brooding, or dismal like the underworld river Styx.
When used as an adjective to describe something in those terms, it is frequently capitalized because of its usage referring to the Styx (proper noun (name) requires capitalization)... example: Stygian vapors; Stygian pool
In the book I was reading it was not capitalized... i guess because it was using the definition (dark; gloomy) that did not refer to anything river-like. (OR... maybe the author just didn't realize..??)
Anyway --- Interesting word..!!
"A Reasoned Response From A Reasonable Mind"