maunder [ˈmɔndər] v. i. also mander
1.) To grumble, mutter or growl. Obs.
2.) To move or act in a dreamy, idle, or inconsequent manner. Construed with along, away.
3.) To talk in the dreamy and foolish manner characteristic of dotage or imbecility; to ramble or wander in one's talk (O.E.D. 2nd Edition).
Etymology: Of obscure origin; perhaps imitative: with senses 2 and 3 cf. dander (v.).
"First, in the old days, when I was sick to death
with the horror of my life,
when I lusted to be driven into exile,
you refused that favor—for all my prayers.
But then, when I'd had my fill of rage at last
and living on in the old ancestral house seemed sweet...
then you were all for cutting, casting me away—
these ties of blood you maunder on about
meant nothing to you then."
(Oedipus at Colonus by Sophocles, Robert Fagles (trans.), 1979)
(Oedipus at Colonus, Jean-Antoine-Théodore Giroust, 1788)
hortus conclusus [ˈhɔːtəs kənˈkluːsəs] n.
1.) An enclosed, inviolate garden; in spiritual and exegetical tradition, the symbol of the soul, the Church, or the virginity of Mary. In Art, a painting of the Madonna and Child in an enclosed garden. Frequently in transferred sense (Oxford English Dictionary Second Edition).
Etymology: Latin, = enclosed garden, in reference to Song of Solomon 4.12.
"The heart of man is hortus, it is a garden, a Paradise, where all that is wholesome, and all that is delightful grows, but it is hortus conclusus, a garden that we ourselves have walled in; it is fons, a fountain, where all knowledge springs, but fons signatus, a fountain that our corruption hath sealed up" (John Donne, "Sermons No. 13: Preached to the Earl of Carlisle, and his Company, at Sion, on Mark 16.16", ~1622).
(Virgin and Child with Saints and Donor, Gerard David, ~1507)
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Thanks to Bibi for bringing this one to my attention; I hadn't heard it before. I couldn't find a pronunciation, though. Can you record an mp3 and I'll post it for everyone? Thanks for reading!
cavil [ˈkævəl] v. i.
1.) To find fault unnecessarily; raise trivial objections.
cavil v. t.
1.) To quibble about; detect petty flaws in.
cavil n.
1.) A carping or trivial objection (American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language).
Etymology: French caviller, from Old French, from Latin cavillari, to jeer, from cavilla, a jeering.
"Inexplicable
Thy Justice seems; yet to say truth, too late,
I thus contest; then should have been refusd
Those terms whatever, when they were propos'd:
Thou didst accept them; wilt thou enjoy the good,
Then cavil the conditions?" (Paradise Lost, John Milton, 1667).
(The Temptation and Fall of Eve, William Blake, 1808)
