RILLE

TileHead’s Word of the Day for 27 February 2012

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

RILLE  (n. pl. -S)

Definition(s):

1. (n.) a channel or valley on the surface of the moon
2. (n.) a channel or valley on any planet or satellite

Useful information for game players:

• Front hooks: G-
• Back hooks: -D, -S, -T
• Anagrams: (none)
• Longer extensions: ESCADrille, ESPADrille, rilleTS, rilleTTES, QUADrille, ZOrille
• Wraparounds: BANDErilleRO/S, CHARGrilleD, DrilleD, DrilleR/S, ESCADrilleS, ESPADrilleS, FrilleD, FrilleR/S, GrilleD, GrilleS, GrilleR/S, GrilleRY, GrilleRIES, IMPErilleD, PErilleD, PRALLTrilleR/S, PREDrilleD, PrilleD, QUADrilleS, REDrilleD, SHrilleD, SHrilleR, SHrilleST, SUPERTHrilleR/S, TENDrilleD, THrilleD, THrilleR/S, TrilleD, TrilleR/S, UNDrilleD, ZOrilleS  
• Other Spellings: (none)
• Related Forms: (none)

Epilogue:
The German astronomer Johann Schröter made some significant contributions to our knowledge of the topography of the moon in the 18th century.  For this reason, a distinctive channel on the surface of the moon is still called a RILLE, from the German for “groove.”  Three kinds of RILLES are common on the moon, each featuring an interesting word in its own right:

• ARCUATE, curved like a bow
  (from the Latin arcus, “bow” — the same root behind common words such as ARC, ARCH, and ARCADE)
  
• GRABEN, straight and narrow
  (from the German for “ditch” or “trench”)
  
• SINUOUS, characterized by curves or bends
  (from the Latin sinus, “curve or bend” — the same root behind common words such as SINE, SINUS, and INSINUATE)

Theme:
This week’s theme is out of this world: words pertaining to the moon

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =