thrall (n) 1. (a) a servant slave : bondman : also serf (b) a person in moral or mental servitude. 2. (a) the state of a thrall: slavery (b) a state of complete absorption.
"There is nothing in the world --in this world or any other--that would give her ladyship greater pain than to find herself in thrall to another magician."(p. 560)
inimical (adj) 1. being adverse often by reason of hostility or malevolence. 2. (a) having the disposition of an enemy: hostile (b) reflecting or indicating hostility; unfriendly. "Today Spitalfields is inhabited by the low and the poor and is much plagued with small boys, thieves and other persons inimicable to the peace of the citizens." (p. 580)
"Inimicable" wasn't in my dictionary, but I think it is intended here as a variation of the "unfriendly" meaning of inimical.
Words are from Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke. Definitions are from Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary.
Two lovely words there. I particularly like, and use, thrall. I didn't really have any idea about the derivation though, very interesting.
ReplyDeleteHi Mary! These are two good ones! Thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteI've heard inimical, but thrall is completely new to me. Thanks for playing along!
ReplyDeleteGreat words. I hope you're enjoying Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, I have a copy but I haven't read it.
ReplyDeleteI am enjoying this book, but it is LONG! I am trying to read long books this year (for the Tea & Books Challenge) but am finding it tougher than I expected.
DeleteNew follower here! hmmm I must say I like both those words. I would like to try to put them into use in my life!
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Have seen these words. Had no idea of the definitions.
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