Definitions by Alarick

haven 

(noun. pron. hay-v'n) place of safety, place to repair to in a storm, natural harbour, port, coastal inlet, berth with channelled access

When the sea became threatening that night, we returned to the safe haven of St. Jean de Luz rather than riding it out.

haven by Alarick September 10, 2006

bungle 

(verb) to cock something up, to make a bad job of it, to complete a task incompetently.

The plumber bungled the cistern repair. Now it's raining through the ceiling.

bungle by Alarick September 6, 2006

earnest 

(adj.) from Old English: "rise to the attack", "readiness for battle" (mindset for same). Earlier associated with the will - "resolve", "eagerness", in less militarised times tending to "dignity", "solemnity", seriousness. Need not exclude humour.

John's earnest wish was to enable access to pure water for all.

earnest by Alarick September 3, 2006

distaffside 

on the female line of the family (from distaff + side); distaff = dizen-staff, stick to be wound with flax for weaving (this being the hunter-gatherer female function)
spearside

No, that was her great-uncle distaffside

distaffside by Alarick September 2, 2006

spearside

on the male line of the family (from spear + side);
the spear was the traditional and typical male instrument in hunter-gatherer societies.
distaffside

no dear, that was inherited from your great-aunt spearside

spearside by Alarick September 2, 2006

dodginess 

disreputability, tendency towards the dishonest, state of doubtful authentification

She (von Speyr) had a long series of visions into saints' lives (eternalised as the "Book of All Hallows") which reads like so many school reports and has a tendency towards theological dodginess.

dodginess by Alarick September 2, 2006