DOUR

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DOUR

Postby Dr. Goodword » Sat Jul 07, 2007 11:28 pm

• dour •

Pronunciation: dæ-wêr, dur • Hear it!

Part of Speech: Adjective

Meaning: 1. Serious, stern, forbidding. 2. Determined, obstinate.

Notes: Today's Good Word has two pronunciations that lead to some confusion. [dæwêr] is probably preferred now in the US, though [dur] is preferred in Britain. However, you pronounce the stem, adverb is dourly and the noun, dourness.

In Play: Today's word can describe a facial expression: "The dour look on the face of Bea Heine made it clear that she was displeased with our antics." It is also reflective of attitude: "Bea's dour resistance to any innovation in the office routine made her a prime candidate for promotion."

Word History: Exactly where today's word comes from is unclear. It probably came from Middle Irish dúr, a word related to Latin durus "hard". The root of this word appears in many words borrowed from Latin and French, such as durable, during, and endure. The PIE root underlying these words, deru-/dru "hard, firm" is also responsible for Russian derevo "tree, wood", as well as Greek dendron "tree", a word seen in our "red tree", the rhododendron. The Latin word druides "druids" is probably a Celtic reduction of this root + wid- "to see", originally referring to "strong seers", the caste of Druid priests. (Which reminds me of the never dour Susan Lister, a strong seer of Good Words who spotted and recommended this one as a candidate for our series.)
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gailr
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Re: DOUR

Postby gailr » Sun Jul 08, 2007 4:54 pm

"The dour look on the face of Bea Heine made it clear that she was displeased with our Dewar antics."

The PIE root underlying these words, deru-/dru "hard, firm" is also responsible for Russian derevo "tree, wood",
Another derivation is dryad: NOUN: Greek Mythology A divinity presiding over forests and trees; a wood nymph

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Postby sluggo » Wed Jul 11, 2007 11:56 am

I don't think I've heard this word since David McCallum (Ilya Kuryakin) described himself as "just a dour Scot".

Sometimes my memory scares me.
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skinem
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Postby skinem » Wed Jul 11, 2007 12:59 pm

I don't think I've heard this word since David McCallum (Ilya Kuryakin) described himself as "just a dour Scot".

Sometimes my memory scares me.
Well, I'll be a monkey's u.n.c.l.e.! Haven't seen that name in years...

(Sometimes your memory scares me, too! :D)

Perry
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Postby Perry » Wed Jul 11, 2007 2:34 pm

I don't think I've heard this word since David McCallum (Ilya Kuryakin) described himself as "just a dour Scot".

Sometimes my memory scares me.
Well, I'll be a monkey's u.n.c.l.e.! Haven't seen that name in years...

(Sometimes your memory scares me, too! :D)
The Monkees was a completely different show in the 60's. :roll: 8) :roll:
"Time is nature's way of keeping everything from happening all at once. Lately it hasn't been working."
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Bailey
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Postby Bailey » Wed Jul 11, 2007 4:06 pm

I don't think I've heard this word since David McCallum (Ilya Kuryakin) described himself as "just a dour Scot".

Sometimes my memory scares me.
Well, I'll be a monkey's u.n.c.l.e.! Haven't seen that name in years...

(Sometimes your memory scares me, too! :D)
The Monkees was a completely different show in the 60's. :roll: 8) :roll:
it scares me too. I'm a chimp's uncle.

mark monkey's-bro-in-law Bailey

Today is the first day of the rest of your life, Make the most of it...
kb









Stargzer
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Postby Stargzer » Thu Jul 12, 2007 1:15 am

I don't think I've heard this word since David McCallum (Ilya Kuryakin) described himself as "just a dour Scot".

Sometimes my memory scares me.
Well, I'll be a monkey's u.n.c.l.e.! Haven't seen that name in years...
(Sometimes your memory scares me, too! :D)
Well, then, you just haven't been watching NCISlately, which is why you've missed Dr. Donald "Ducky" Mallard ...
Regards//Larry

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