Words

As a form of study break, I sometimes explore the Oxford English Dictionary On-Line for interesting words. I have delved into the great tome today and retreived these specimens, showcased here for your viewing pleasure.

momentaneousness: n. the nature of being momentaneous; instantaneousness, transitoriness EC's note: what a monster of a word!

molybdomancy: n. divination by observing the behaviour of molten lead EC's note: I can imagine some over-the-top MMO allowing you to dabble in molybdomancy, sending jets of molten lead at your opponents, and lots of gamer nerds scratching their heads, trying to figure out how to say this word. Except, come to think of it, MMOers have to wrap their tongues around all sorts of Tolkein-perverts anyway, so this'n would likely be taken in stride.

gnomometry: n. measurement or organization by gnome EC's note: a "gnome" here means a "short, pithy statement," mabe from gnosis, meaning knowledge. I have read that "gnome" meaning "short fairy spirit protecting natural resources" has a different etymology. Anyway, gnomometry was historically used to talk about how one should divide up a book: by subject, or by pithy statements.