Word of the day: abrogate

The word of the day is abrogate:

1. to abolish by formal or official means; annul by an authoritative act; repeal
2. to put aside; put an end to.

1520s, from adj. abrogate (mid-15c.), from L. abrogatus, pp. of abrogare "to annul, repeal (a law)," from ab- "away" + rogare "propose a law, request" (see rogation).

(http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/abrogate)

"The Magna Carta probably means more to people in the United States than in England in many ways. The 1215 document was abrogated and never went into effect."

 - Laura Demanski, "Chartered philanthropy: As the historic document turns 800, David M. Rubenstein, JD '73, reflects on preserving a Magna Carta in the United States", Fall 2015 The University of Chicago Magazine (http://mag.uchicago.edu/law-policy-society/chartered-philanthropy)

Word of the day: iron gall ink

The word of the day is iron gall ink:

At its simplest, iron gall ink is made from four main ingredients:

• gall nuts (source of tannins),
• iron sulfate (source of iron),
• water (solvent),
• gum arabic (binder).

(http://travelingscriptorium.library.yale.edu/2013/03/21/iron-gall-ink/)

"Rubenstein's Magna Carta, written in iron gall ink on sheepskin parchment, is on long-term loan to the National Archives."

 - Laura Demanski, "Chartered philanthropy: As the historic document turns 800, David M. Rubenstein, JD '73, reflects on preserving a Magna Carta in the United States", Fall 2015 The University of Chicago Magazine (http://mag.uchicago.edu/law-policy-society/chartered-philanthropy)

Word of the day: linguascape

The word of the day is linguascape:

As far as I can tell, it means a landscape of languages: how languages vary over geography.

"Refugeeism may weaken the demographic strengths of some languages, while it is also doubtful that new, lasting linguistic diasporas will emerge that are comparable to those of imperial European languages today. The real impact of refugeeism will depend on whether or not the refugees, most of whom relocate to neighboring territories, will assimilate to population structures of their host countries, if they remain there permanently. This factor will determine whether the linguascape of Africa, for example, will change."

 - Salikoko Mufwene, "Future Tense: Languages", Fall 2015 The University of Chicago Magazine (http://mag.uchicago.edu/university-news/future-tense#languages)