---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Wordsmith <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Sun, Dec 7, 2008 at 10:23 PM Subject: A.Word.A.Day--espalier To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
* Wordsmith.org* The Magic of Words *This week's theme* Words related to the shaping of trees *This week's words* espalier <http://wordsmith.org/words/espalier.html> *Today's word in* Visual Thesaurus <http://visualthesaurus.com/?w1=espalier> A Ginko Espalier [image: Ginko espalier] <http://wordsmith.org/words/images/espalier_large.jpg> (Image source: Chris Heiler <http://www.fountainheadgardens.com/>) ------------------------------ <http://wordsmith.org/board/> Discuss <http://wordsmith.org/board/> <http://wordsmith.org/awad/subscriber-form.cgi?request=feedback&username=gd17%2b%40andrew%2ecmu%2eedu> Feedback<http://wordsmith.org/awad/subscriber-form.cgi?request=feedback&username=gd17%2b%40andrew%2ecmu%2eedu> <http://wordsmith.org/awad/rss1.xml> RSS/XML<http://wordsmith.org/awad/rss1.xml> A.Word.A.Day with Anu Garg A few months back I featured this quotation from the journalist Hal Borland (1900-1978): "You can't be suspicious of a tree, or accuse a bird or a squirrel of subversion or challenge the ideology of a violet." Astute linguaphile Mark Germer wrote in response: "Recent work on information processing (even kin recognition) in plants suggests that there may be more going on there than we now understand; as for birds and mammals, it has long been appreciated that they are perfectly capable of deception and subversion. For my part, I don't find these things odd or disturbing, as it's the continuity of all life that intrigues me most. Humans are not alone in their baseness -- though a few may be alone in their desire to rise above it." Mark said it well. There's more to trees and plants than we think (see nature.com<http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v448/n7150/full/448145a.html>). So next time you pluck an apple from a tree or trim that hedge, be aware that it may not be as oblivious as you think. This week's words relate to what we do to the trees: chopping, trimming, twisting, bending, and stunting as we shape them. espalier PRONUNCIATION: (i-SPAL-yuhr, -yay) <http://wordsmith.org/words/espalier.mp3> MEANING: *noun:* A tree trained to grow flat against a wall. *verb tr.:* To train a tree in such a way. ETYMOLOGY: >From French espalier, from Italian spalliera (shoulder support), from spalla (shoulder), from Latin spatula (shoulder blade). NOTES: The word originally referred to the trellis or framework on which a tree was trained to grow in a plane. Typically fruit trees such as apple and pear are grown as espalier. The advantages of an espalier are that it can be grown in a small space, gets more sunlight, and provides easier access to the fruit. USAGE: "First, you get to see the Food Garden with all its first-class espaliered fruit trees trained into the shape of vases and goblets, as well as the classic Belgian fence." Steve Whysall; Tale of Two Gardens (University of B.C. Botanical Garden and the Nitobe Memorial Garden); Vancouver Sun (Canada); Aug 29, 2008. A THOUGHT FOR TODAY: What can be added to the happiness of a man who is in health, out of debt, and has a clear conscience? -Adam Smith, economist (1723-1790) *Sponsored by:* The Perfect Insult for Every Occasion <http://www.ladysnark.com/book.html> Word lovers on your list? This book is the perfect gift! delanceyplace.com: thinker's daily quote <http://delanceyplace.com/> A carefully selected non-fiction book excerpt free to your email each day. Don't Know What To Give? Give Thinking Putty<http://www.puttyworld.com/awad> Brand new holiday colors to rip, stretch, bounce and tear! How to sponsor?<http://wordsmith.org/awad/ad.html> Unsubscribe<http://wordsmith.org/awad/subscriber-form.cgi?request=unsub&username=gd17%2b%40andrew%2ecmu%2eedu>| Subscribe <http://wordsmith.org/awad/subscribe.html> | Update address<http://wordsmith.org/awad/subscriber-form.cgi?request=address-change&username=gd17%2b%40andrew%2ecmu%2eedu>| Gift subscription<http://wordsmith.org/awad/subscriber-form.cgi?request=gift&username=gd17%2b%40andrew%2ecmu%2eedu>| Contact Us<http://wordsmith.org/awad/subscriber-form.cgi?request=feedback&username=gd17%2b%40andrew%2ecmu%2eedu> (c) 2008 Wordsmith.org -- George T. Duncan Professor of Statistics, Emeritus Heinz College Carnegie Mellon University (505) 983-6895
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