Chapter 9The Art of Losing

Words about Loss

SQUANDERVerbTo spend extravagantlyWasting

Do not squander youth; it will pass quickly away.

DISSIPATIONNounA literal scattering or dispersing A sense of scattering one’s energy

through immoderate pursuit of trivial pleasures.

The smell of burned marshmallows lingered in the air until the campfire was put out and the odor completely dissipated by the wind.

DISENFRANCHISEVerbTo lose the right to voteRoot work “frank” as in “free”

The threat of disenfranchisement means nothing to those who never exercise their hard-won right to vote.

FORFEITURENounA giving up of something in

one’s possession

The forfeiture of one of his estates was a grievous loss to the courts.

DENUDEVerb

To make bare

Although the lush summer foliage had been wonderful, the winter frost came and denuded the flowers which left a severe beauty all its own.

PRIVATIONNounBeing deprived of basic necessities

or comforts

The recruits at Ford Hard Knox lived in comparative privation the first weeks they were in boot camp.

DIVESTVerbGetting rid of

I’m trying to divest myself of surplus books, not add more.

RENOUNCEVerb to give up something

“And for this child, I renounce the Devil and all his works,” said the Godfather of the baby at the christening ceremony.

ELEGIACAdjective (form for elegy, a poem

lamenting a death)

Describes a feeling of sadness at many types of losses

Revisiting the site of her honeymoon forty years later gave Katrina an elegiac chill; the mountain town was little changed, but the marriage had long been over.

BEREAVEVerbTo leave desolate, usually by death

The announcement at the funeral services stated that the bereaved family would receive calls of condolence in their home any night of the following week.

Chapter 10What’s Cookin’?

Talking Food

CULINARYAdjectiveAnything relating to cooking or

the kitchen

Margaret decided to go to culinary school so that she could learn how to make exotic dishes.

GOURMETAdjective or nounAn expert of fine food and drink

A gourmet, James favor’s Asian-fusion cuisine, a blend of French culinary techniques and Japanese ingredients.

EPICUREANAdjectiveA discriminating taste in food and

wine

Harcourt is a man of epicurean tastes. He has an extensive wine cellar and a staff of chefs from all around the world.

GLUTTONY Noun

Excessive eating or drinking

Can be used figuratively to describe someone who overdoes it on anything

A glutton for punishment, Wilbur always forgot to water the garden, even though he knew this would infuriate his wife Blanche.

VORACIOUSAdjectiveExcessively hungryExcessively greedy or insatiably

hungry for things other than food

A voracious reader, Jody read as many as two books a day.

SAVORY

Adjective

Appetizing to taste or smell

The man savored the taste of the madeleine; the flavor of the soft cookie brought back a rush of childhood memories.

OMNIVOROUS Adjective

Eating both animal and vegetable foods

Taking in or devouring anything available

An omnivorous culture addict, Dad attended the theatre, opera or ballet at least five nights a week. When he was home, he read the newest books on the bestseller list.

GASTRONOMYNounThe art or science of good eatingAny particular, regional style of

cooking

The gastronomy in southern France features small, savory olives, rosemary-flavored breads, and wild game.

PALATABLE Adjective

Acceptable to taste or sufficiently favorable to be eaten-pleasing to the palate

“Potable” on the other hand, means to be drunk

“This beef is not palatable!” cried the temperamental chef. “It is neither tender nor tasty. In fact, it resembles cardboard.”

SUCCULENTAdjectiveJuicy, either literally or figuratively

The lavish dinner was highlighted by a succulent whole sea bass.