“It is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma; but perhaps there is a key.” — Winston Churchill
It’s unfair to use Churchill’s enigma quote out of context. In context, Churchill is speaking of Russia and his uncertainty about how Russia will act. As such, his words contain broader implications; many situations leave a person wondering how events will unfold and people will behave.
Regardless, enigma begins with “e,” making it an ideal choice for this installation of the alphabet adventure. Maybe the series should be called “Alphabet Adventure?” The posts possess a life of their own, after all, and could build toward other projects. (Perhaps an alphabet-themed coloring book?) Alphabet Adventure, capitalized, it shall be.
Eager Beaver
Noun. (1943) One who is extremely zealous in performing his assigned duties and in volunteering for more.
(No one could fault him for his commitment to the cause, but he sometimes irritated fellow compatriots by being such an eager beaver.)
Ebullience
Noun. (1749) The quality of lively or enthusiastic expression of thoughts or feelings; exuberance.
(Agnes’ ebullience about receiving the stuffed unicorn was so great that she cried, “It’s sooooo FLUFFY!”)
Edacious
Adjective. [from the Latin edac-, edax. From edere, to eat—more at EAT.] (c. 1798) Archaic: of or relating to eating. Voracious.
(No one could match Paul’s edacious appetite at the kolache festival.)
Effigy
Noun. [From the Middle French effigie. Also from the Latin effigies. From effingere, to form. From ex- + fingere, to shape—more at DOUGH.] (1539) An image or representation, especially of a person. Specifically: a crude figure representing a hated person—in effigy: publicly in the form of an effigy <the football coach was burned ~>.
(If not for the fire ban, some members of Congress could have been burned in effigy during the healthcare debate.)
Eidetic
Adjective. [From the Greek eidetikos, of a form. From the eidos form—more at WISE.] (c. 1923) Marked by or involving extraordinarily accurate and vivid recall, especially of visual images <an ~ memory>.
(No one wanted to play Trivial Pursuit with Greg because of his eidetic memory.)
Elephantine
Adjective. (1630) Having enormous size or strength: massive. Clumsy, ponderous. Of or relating to an elephant.
(After a massive growth spurt, Sheila found her usual athleticism to be elephantine.)
Ember Day
Noun. [From the Middle and Old English ymbrendoeg. From ymbrene, circuit or anniversary + doeg, day.] (before 1100s) A Wednesday, Friday, or Saturday following the first Sunday in Lent, Whitsunday, and set apart for fasting and prayer in Western churches.
(Besides observing the Lent season, Emily’s congregation honored the annual Ember Day with fasting and praying.)
Endure
Verb. [From the Middle English enduren. From the Middle French endurer. From the (assumed) Vulgar Latin indurare. From the Latin in– + durare, to harden or endure—more at DURING.] (1300s) Continue in the same state: last. To remain firm under suffering or misfortune without yielding. To undergo (as a hardship), especially without giving in: suffer. Tolerate or permit.
(His ability to endure unemployment without giving in to despair stood as a testament to his faith.)
Epochal
Adjective. (1685) Of or relating to an epoch. Uniquely or highly significant: momentous <his fights to advance democracy during his three ~ years in the assembly>. Also: unparalleled <the delegates have fallen for it out of their almost ~ dumbness>.
(Robert Jordan’s fantasy novels employ an epochal quality; the books’ prophecy comes to life every turn of the “wheel of time.”)
Esurient
Adjective. [From the Latin esurient-, esuriens. Property of esurire, to be hungry. Akin to the Latin edere, to eat.] (1672) Hungry or greedy.
(Mrs. Rollins, the Evans’ housekeeper, muttered about the esurient boy’s hollow leg as she prepared him a peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwich.)
Ex Libris
Noun. [From the New Latin, from the books. Used before the owner’s name on bookplates.] (1880). Bookplate.
(The gentleman sighed when he saw the beautiful ex libris meant to accompany his manuscript.)
What are your favorite “e” words? Share them below.
Missed the other letters in the Alphabet Adventure? Follow along using the links.
Image: U.S. Department of Agriculture (Creative Commons)
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