Ben's Words of the Week

Word: imprimis /ɪm'pɹaɪmɪs/ 

Imprimis: I am a man who, form his youth upwards, has been filled with a profound conviction that the easiest way of life is the best. 

Definition: Adverb In the first place; first. Originally used to introduce the first of a number of items, as in an inventory or will; thence in more general use. Now unusual. (OED)

Etymology: From the Latin in primis, literally meaning 'among the first things', 'in the first place'. It assimilated into imprimis

I came across this word for the first time this week while reading Herman Melville's "Bartleby, the Scrivener". I had never come across this word before, and was curious about its definition, though I could discern its meaning from the context. "Imprimis" was used in the short story to introduce a short description of the narrator before the action of the tale was described, thus its definition could be inferred as "first" or "before the rest". 

Word: knacker /'nækəɹ/

I'm feeling so knackered right now; I just want to take a nap. 

Definition: Verb To kill; to castrate; usually in weakened sense, to exhaust, to wear out. (OED)

Etymology: Conversion from either noun forms of knacker, meaning either 'one who trades in worn out, useless, or diseased horses' or 'the testicles'

I remember this word from taking English 220 with Karen Britland last semester, who would use it, among her many Britishisms, to describe 'being tired' or 'worn out'. The word has a phonetic appeal to me, sounding very descriptive of the state of exhaustion. I've been trying to use it in my speech, but no one seems to understand it or thinks it is overwhelmingly British. 

Word: myriad [Brit.] /mɪɹɪəd/ [U.S.] /mɪɹiəd/ 

The myriad lights of the city glittered before me, drenched in rain and filled with promise. 

Definitions: Noun (OED)

1. a) Ten thousand; a set of ten thousand of anything; especially, a unit of ten thousand soldiers. b) Ten thousand of a particular monetary unit.
2. a) Plural: Countless numbers of people or things; legions, hosts, hordes of persons or things specified. b) Singular: A countless number of specified things.
3. a) Plural: Countless multitudes, hosts (with the objects intended inferred from the context) b) Singular: A countless multitude, a throng. c) by myriads: in uncoutably large numbers. d) in myriads: in countless numbers

Definitions: Adjective (OED)

1. a) Modifying a singular noun, usually one with collective or abstract meaning: having or consisting of countless elements, aspects, phases, etc; innumerable, uncountable. b) Modifying a plural noun: existing in huge numbers; countless, innumerable.

Etymology: From Latin myriades meaning 'multiples of ten thousand' or 'a countless number'. Borrowed into Old English from Latin.

I find myself using this word a lot in papers to describe 'a multitude'. While my use may be an underselling of the 'countlessness' of the adjective form, it nonetheless provides the intended effect of 'many'.