Miscellaneous Entries.
sensitize; *sensitivize. Although H.W. Fowler championed the latter, the former is now standard in American and British English alike. *"Sensitivize," a rare word, is now rightly seen as eccentric. Language-Change Index — “sensitize”: Stage 5.
sensory; *sensatory; sensorial. “Sensory” = of or relating to sensation or the senses. *"Sensatory" is a needless variant. “Sensorial” = primarily responsive to sensations. Yet this word may also be a needless variant of “sensory.”
septet (= a group of seven) is the standard spelling. *"Septette" is a variant.
sepulcher; sepulchre; sepulture. The preferred spelling of the first term is “sepulcher” in American English, “-re” in British English. (Oddly, Webster’s 11th Collegiate gives priority to “sepulchre.”) The word means “burial place, tomb,” and is pronounced /SEP-uhl-kuhr/. “Sepulture,” sometimes a needless variant of “sepulcher,” justifies its separate form in the sense “burial.” These words are very formal, even literary. They should be used cautiously.
sequential; sequacious. “Sequential” = forming a sequence or consequence {a sequential narrative}. “Sequacious” = slavishly servile {she is surrounded by sequacious protégés}.
*Invariably inferior forms.
For information about the Language-Change Index click here.
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Quotation of the Day: “The composition of a short story is a constant juggling act, with the author trying always to give the effect of fully reported scenes while still keeping them as brief as possible.” R.V. Cassill, Writing Fiction 35 (1963).
