Monday, November 28, 2011

ambit



ambit [ˈæmbɪt] n.

1.) A circuit, compass, or circumference, esp. a space surrounding a house, castle, town, etc.; the precincts, liberties, ‘verge.’
2.) The confines, bounds, limits of a district.
3.) fig. Extent, compass, sphere, of actions, words, thoughts, etc.

Etymology: adaptation of Latin ambit-us a going round, a compass; from amb- about + -itus going, from ī-re to go.

"—Stephen: Yeah, and surprisingly, there's a very, very narrow ambit of temperature within which sperm can live, so if it's too hot, they need to dangle down and get a lot of air through them to cool them down, and if it's very cold they need to— [sucks inward and brings his hands tightly together].
—Alan: Once they're out, they're alive for eighteen hours, so you should leave the telly on if you're going out or something" (QI, John Lloyd (creator), 2006).

(A Fishing Boat Brought Ashore Near Conway Castle, Philip Jacques de Loutherbourg, 1800)
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Hi all! Apologies for the long dearth of high diction, but I had to go back to London to defend my master's thesis. It was successful though so, barring a few administrative formalities, I'm now a Master of Philosophical Studies. And I will be insisting that you refer to me as "Master E" from now on. Anyway, good to be back in the blogosphere; I'll have to catch up on what you all have been up to. Thanks for reading!

16 comments:

Unknown said...

*spins around in armchair*

I had wondered to where you'd absconded Master E. Dinner's gone cold...

D4 said...

I say you switch your name to Master E. It sounds badass.

And welcome back!

DEZMOND said...

it has a very ominous sounds to it

Jodie-Ann Muckler said...

LOL I love how you use an example about sperm.
Or is that just because I'm a teenager and constantly think about sexual things and therefore when other people talk about them, it amuses me?
Idk.

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Congrats on a successful defence, Master E!

Simon black said...

Who knew, always great to learn. Thanks for sharing!

Bibi said...

Knew you could do it!!! Congrats, dear sir, now you've finally reached my level of intelligence.

... j/k, you've always been way above me, with or without that diploma. You should welcome me into your club instead of the other way around.

Also, welcome back! I missed you :)

Unknown said...

Here at MA our host Master E. MA, also displays his fine mastery of vocabulary.

themajessty said...

Get a PHD, honey. And THEN I'll call you whatever the heck you want.

Everyone has a master's degree these days.

MRanthrope said...

three cheers for MASTER E! haha. congrats again.

Crisalys said...

Master E... sounds like a villian, haha.

A Beer for the Shower said...

I applaud you, sir, and don't mind Lemons, she's just Asian. You no doctor? You FAILURE.

Also, a reference to sperm was much needed for a word like ambit. Much needed indeed. Welcome back!

Shutterbug said...

Congrats, Master E!

Shutterbug said...

LOL @ A Beer for the Shower. But not all Asians like doctors. They also like lawyers and business men! ;)

gman said...

I do hope your thesis is safe. They are fragile things and they require protection.

shari said...

Master E, yes, we may run in different circles... but I run in many, truth be told. I try not to limit myself. ;-)

Congrats on the successful defense of your thesis!

xo

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