Srila Prabhupada used some English words which have unfortunately fallen out of fashion these days. In order to understand his books better, I collected a list of words I was unsure about, and looked up definitions on merriam-webster.com and dictionary.com, choosing the ones which best fit the context in which Prabhupada used the words.
abide
to bear patiently; to endure without yielding; to wait for; to accept without objection
abode
a place in which a person resides; residence; dwelling; habitation; home; an extended stay in a place; sojourn
advent
a coming into place, view, or being; arrival
apprehensive
uneasy or fearful about something that might happen; quick to learn or understand; perceptive; discerning
auspicious
promising success; propitious; opportune; favorable; favored by fortune; prosperous
beget
to procreate as the father
benediction
an utterance of good wishes; the advantage conferred by blessing; a mercy or benefit
bestow
to present as a gift; give; confer (usually followed by on or upon)
bona fide
made, done, presented, etc., in good faith; without deception or fraud; authentic; true
boon
benefit, favor; especially one that is given in answer to a request
by dint of
by force of; because of; "succeeded by dint of hard work"
celestial
of, relating to, or suggesting heaven or divinity (celestial beings); of or relating to the sky or visible heavens (the sun, moon, and stars are celestial bodies)
chastise
to discipline, especially by corporal punishment; to criticize severely
complexion
the hue or appearance of the skin and especially of the face
consort
a husband or wife; spouse, especially of a reigning monarch
conjugal
of or relating to the married state or to married persons and their relations
dazzling
brilliantly or showily bright, colorful, or impressive
denizen
an inhabitant; resident; a person who regularly frequents a place
devout
committed or devoted to religion or to religious duties or exercises; expressing piety or religious fervor; expressing devotion; devoted to a pursuit, belief, or mode of behavior
dissipate
to break up and drive off; to cause to spread thin or scatter and gradually vanish
effulgent
shining forth brilliantly; radiant
emanate
to flow out, issue, or proceed, as from a source or origin; come forth; originate
entourage
a group of attendants or associates, as of a person of rank or importance
enunciate
to utter or pronounce (words, sentences, etc.), especially in an articulate or a particular manner; to announce or proclaim;
exalted
raised or elevated, as in rank or character; of high station
feeble
physically weak, as from age or sickness; frail; weak intellectually or morally
godhead
the essential being of God; the Supreme Being
gracious
pleasantly kind, benevolent, and courteous; merciful or compassionate
impetus
a driving force; stimulation or encouragement resulting in increased activity
impious
not pious; lacking in reverence or proper respect (as for God or one's parents)
impudent
marked by contemptuous or cocky boldness or disregard of others
inundate
to flood; cover or overspread with water; to overwhelm
lament
to mourn aloud; to express sorrow, mourning, or regret for; to regret strongly
magnanimous
generous in forgiving an insult or injury; free from petty resentfulness or vindictiveness; proceeding from or revealing generosity or nobility of mind, character, etc.
mellow
a state, atmosphere, or mood of ease and gentle relaxation
menial
lowly and sometimes degrading (menial work); servile; submissive; pertaining to or suitable for domestic servants; humble
moiety
one of two equal parts; half; one of the portions into which something is divided
morose
marked by or expressive of gloom; sullenly ill-humored
multifarious
numerous and varied; greatly diverse or manifold
munificent
very liberal in giving or bestowing; characterized by great generosity
obeisance
a movement of the body made in token of respect or submission; acknowledgment of another's superiority or importance
opulent
wealthy, rich, or affluent; richly supplied; abundant or plentiful
palatable
agreeable to the palate or taste; agreeable or acceptable to the mind
paraphernalia
equipment, apparatus, or furnishing used in or necessary for a particular activity; personal belongings
pastime
something that amuses and serves to make time pass agreeably; recreation or sport
penance
an act of self-abasement, mortification, or devotion performed to show sorrow or repentance for sin
pervade
to become diffused throughout every part of
pious
marked by or showing reverence for deity and devotion to divine worship; sacred or devotional as distinct from the profane or secular (a pious opinion); showing loyal reverence for a person or thing; deserving commendation (a pious effort); having or showing appropriate respect or regard for parents or others
plenary
complete in every respect; fully attended or constituted by all entitled to be present
predominate
to be the stronger or leading element or force; to surpass others in authority or influence; to have or exert controlling power; to appear more noticeable or imposing than something else
primeval
of or relating to the first age or ages, especially of the world
profuse
pouring forth liberally; abundant; in great amount
propensity
a natural inclination or tendency
propound
to put forward or offer for consideration, acceptance, or adoption; set forth; propose
prostration
the act of assuming a prostrate position; abasement; complete physical or mental exhaustion
prowess
distinguished bravery; especially military valor and skill; extraordinary ability; a valiant or daring deed
rascal
a mean, unprincipled, or dishonest person; a mischievous person or animal
rebuke
to criticize sharply; to express sharp, stern disapproval of
replete
abundantly supplied or provided; filled (a speech replete with sentimentality); complete (a scholarly survey, replete in its notes and citations)
resplendent
shining brilliantly; gleaming
splendor
brilliant or gorgeous appearance, coloring, etc.; magnificence (the splendor of the palace); an instance or display of imposing pomp or grandeur (the splendor of the coronation); grandeur; glory; brilliant distinction (the splendor of ancient Greek architecture); great brightness; brilliant light or luster
stalwart
marked by outstanding strength and vigor of body, mind, or spirit; firm, steadfast, or uncompromising
sublime
elevated or lofty in thought, language, etc.; impressing the mind with a sense of grandeur or power; inspiring awe, veneration, etc.; supreme or outstanding
summum bonum
the supreme good from which all others are derived
sumptuous
extremely costly, rich, luxurious, or magnificent
surcharge
to fill or load to excess (the atmosphere was surcharged with war hysteria); to put an additional or excessive burden upon
transcendental
transcendent, surpassing, or superior; being beyond ordinary or common experience, thought, or belief; supernatural; abstract or metaphysical; idealistic, lofty, or extravagant
tumultuous
full of tumult or riotousness; marked by disturbance and uproar (a tumultuous celebration); raising a great clatter and commotion; disorderly or noisy (a tumultuous crowd of students)
unalloyed
not alloyed with other metals; pure (unalloyed zinc); unmixed; total; utter (unalloyed bliss)
upstart
a person who has risen suddenly from a humble position to wealth, power, or a position of consequence; a presumptuous and objectionable person who has so risen; parvenu
variegated
varied in appearance or color; marked with patches or spots of different colors; diversified; diverse
wretched
deeply afflicted, dejected, or distressed in body or mind; being or appearing mean, miserable, or contemptible
It was a revelation to me to learn that "plenary" means "complete in every respect"; it shows how "plenary expansion" relates to the "om purnam" mantra - that out of the complete comes a new complete, without any of them becoming incomplete. I had assumed that "plenary" means partial, incomplete.
ReplyDeleteThis is very nice! Thanks Satyavrataji.
ReplyDeleteThe word "impossible" shines with its absence!