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JadziaDax · 10-10-2003, 01:05 AM

The Word of the Day for October 10 is:

skirl • \SKURL\ • (verb) intransitive: of a bagpipe; to emit the high shrill tone of the chanter; also, to give forth music; transitive: to play (music) on the bagpipe

A little more information about today’s word:
Not every musical instrument is honored with its very own verb. But then, not every musical instrument emits a sound that quite matches that of a bagpipe. Depending on your ear, you might think bagpipes "give forth music," or you might be more apt to say they "shriek." If you are of the latter opinion, your thinking aligns with the earliest sense of "skirl"—"to shriek." Beginning around 1400, that early sense was used of screeching maids, winds, and the like. Scottish poet Robert Sempill first used it for bagpipes in the mid-1600s. The meaning of "skirl" has shifted over time, however, and these days you can use the verb without causing offense to bagpipers and bagpipe enthusiasts.

My sentence (using the transitive definition):
The bagpipes skirled, the bodhran drummed, the tartans swirled, and the Summer 2003 Highland Games were ushered in!

Based on Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 10th Edition.

Next sentence?

10-10-2003, 01:05 AM	#38 (permalink)
JadziaDax Loser Location: who the fuck cares?	Word of the day October 10 The Word of the Day for October 10 is: skirl • \SKURL\ • (verb) intransitive: of a bagpipe; to emit the high shrill tone of the chanter; also, to give forth music; transitive: to play (music) on the bagpipe A little more information about today’s word: Not every musical instrument is honored with its very own verb. But then, not every musical instrument emits a sound that quite matches that of a bagpipe. Depending on your ear, you might think bagpipes "give forth music," or you might be more apt to say they "shriek." If you are of the latter opinion, your thinking aligns with the earliest sense of "skirl"—"to shriek." Beginning around 1400, that early sense was used of screeching maids, winds, and the like. Scottish poet Robert Sempill first used it for bagpipes in the mid-1600s. The meaning of "skirl" has shifted over time, however, and these days you can use the verb without causing offense to bagpipers and bagpipe enthusiasts. My sentence (using the transitive definition): The bagpipes skirled, the bodhran drummed, the tartans swirled, and the Summer 2003 Highland Games were ushered in! Based on Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 10th Edition. Next sentence?