Wednesday, November 2, 2011

VIGIA

TileHead’s Word of the Day for 2 November 2011

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VIGIA  (n. pl. -S)

Definition(s):
  1. (n.) a warning on a navigational chart, indicating the possible location of dangerous rocks, shoals, or other obstacles

Useful information for game players:
  • Front hooks: (none)
  • Back hooks: -S
  • Anagrams: (none)
  • Longer extensions: (none)
  • Wraparounds: (none)
  • Other Spellings: (none)
  • Related Forms: (none)

Epilogue:
Old sea maps and charts used to be marked with a variety of symbols and notes, indicating the position of rocks, shoals, or other dangers.  When the exact location or existence of such an obstacle was doubtful, it might be marked with the word VIGIA or later with the abbreviations ED or PD (for “existence doubtful” or “position doubtful”).  The term VIGIA derives from Spanish or Portuguese vigia (“a lookout”) and ultimately from the Latin vigilare (“to keep watch, to stay awake”). 

The same root is also the source of VIGIL, VIGILANT, VIGILANTE, VIGILANCE, HYPERVIGILANT, and HYPERVIGILANCE, as well as the verb INVIGILATE (“to watch diligently; especially, to supervise students taking an exam“) and the related nouns INVIGILATOR and INVIGILATION.

This week’s theme: Words starting with the letter V

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