The word Opusculum comes from Latin, where it serves as the diminutive form
of the noun opus, meaning "work." In English, opus can refer to any
literary or artistic work, though it often specifically refers to a musical
piece. Being a diminutive of opus, opusculum logically refers to a short or
minor work. Unlike its more famous relation, however, opusculum is most often
used for literary works. The Latin plural of opus is opera, which gave us (via
Italian) the word we know for a musical production consisting primarily of
vocal pieces performed with orchestral accompaniment.
Despot: A ruler
with absolute power and authority/one exercising power tyrannically: a person
exercising absolute power in a brutal or oppressive way. In the past, the word
was mainly used to identify some very specific rulers or religious officials,
and the title was an honorable one: it comes from a Greek word meaning
"lord" or "master" and was originally applied to deities.
That situation changed toward the end of the century, perhaps because of French
Revolutionists, who were said to have been "very liberal in conferring
this title," considered all sovereigns to be tyrannical. When democracy
became all the rage, despot came to be used most often for any ruler who
wielded absolute and often contemptuous and oppressive power.
The word head is from Old English heafod (top of the body).
Jell-O: The
word gelatin (a substance formed by boiling bones, skin, ligaments, etc.) is
from Latin gelare (to freeze). Ultimately from the Indo-European root gel-
(cold; to freeze), which also gave us jelly, chill, glacier, cold, and congeal.
Earliest documented use: 1935.
Parthian. Relating
to, or characteristic of ancient Parthia or its people./ Or having the effect
of a shot fired while in real or feigned retreat. The adjective Parthian, which often shows up
in the phrase "Parthian shot," has its roots in the military
strategies of the ancient Parthians. One of the fighting maneuvers of Parthian
horsemen was to discharge arrows while in real or feigned retreat. The maneuver
must have been memorable because "Parthian shot" continues to be used
for a "parting shot," or a cutting remark made by a person who is leaving,
many centuries after the dissolution of the Parthian empire.
Bone is from Old
English ban (bone)
