A WORD A DAY.

Southland Times, Issue 21728, 14 June 1932, Page 6

A WORD A DAY.

SEMINAR. This word, like “seminary” (accented on the first syllable, sem-i-na-ry), is derived from the Latin seminarium, “a nursery garden, seed garden”—from semen, “seed.” And when we think of a “seminary” as a place of higher education, and a “seminar” as a group of students under an instructor engaged in research along some special line, the derivation suggests developing and ripening thought. So well, in fact, does “seminary” embody the root meaning, the word is in recognized good use as “a seed bed,” and by extension, “the place or original stock whence anything is brought or produced.” “Seminar,” however, is restricted in its meaning, but we may expect to see it often in connection with summer schools and institutes, where various groups of specialists may take the opportunity of engaging in deep research in some particular subjects. Pronounced with only secondary stress on the first syllable and principal accent on. the last syllable, sem-i-nar’; c as in sent, i as in it, a as in art. Example: “At the economic institute a seminar on how to dispose of the wheat surplus was in session.” BUCKLER. For S.B. Bucklers were small shields, of varying shapes and sizes. They allowed the combatant more freedom of action than, did the heavy shield, and their principal use was in parrying blows. The word came to us from the Oiu French bucler, “buckler,” so named from the bocle (protuberant part or knoblike ornament) in the centre. Buck-ler is accented on the first syllable; sound u as in up, e as in maker. “As for God, his way is perfect the word of the Lord is tried: He is a buckler to all those that trust in Him.” (Psalms 18: 30) s

An unusual feature, interpreted as an indication that building prices have reached bedrock, was noted in connection with the tenders received for the alteration of the Queen street (Auckland) premises shortly to be occupied by the Farmers’ Trading Company, Ltd. Between the highest and lowest of a dozen tenders involving a sum of about £6OOO there was a difference of only about £BOO. .An almost mathematical precision divided the tenders, which progressed upward from the lowest in steps of less than £lOO.