Welcome to Wondrous Words Wednesday – ready to learn something new? Visit Kathy at Bermudaonion for links to word nerdy words.
When I came home from my vacation, I was pleased to find my garden NOT overrun with weeds. However, something (deer, bunnies?) had eaten my green bean plants down to the stem. Every one.
Time to plant more. The seed envelope recommended sowing through June, but I figured I might as well use up all those smooth, white seeds, even though July 4th had passed. While planting, I noticed a peculiar word; the package was “hermetically sealed”.
hermetic \hər-‘mə-tik\ adj. relating to the mystical and alchemical writings and teachings of the first three centuries A.D. attributed to Hermes Trismegistus and the belief that Hermes invented a magic seal to keep vessels airtight; meanings:
- Airtight (hermetic seal)
- Impervious to external influence (e.g., sheltered by the hermetic private school setting)
- Recluse, solitary (hermetic life)
Word Nerd Workout
Can you use hermetic in a sentence? Better yet, have you learned any interesting words from gardening – besides all of those obscure Latin names for plants?
Thanks!
Julia
Ah, the true goal of alchemy — not turning lead to gold — but airtight food containers!
We’ve been duped all along. Perhaps that could be the plot for a new MG novel? 🙂