29 November 2004

Word for the Day

afflatus · &-'flA-t&s, a- · noun

1. a divine imparting of knowledge or power; inspiration
2. the dominant theme or sense of place derived from the way of life and/or philosophy of the inhabitants of a given locale (used in this sense by writer Jack Vance).

Etymology: Latin, act of blowing or breathing on, from afflare to blow on, from ad- + flare to blow, q.v.

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