Bill W

Superlative comes from Middle English superlatyf, from Old French superlatif, from Late Latin superlātīvus, from Latin superlātus (“carried above, over; extravagant, of hyperbole”), past participle of superfero (“carry over”), from super ("above") + fero ("bear, carry"). The earliest known use of the word superlative is in the Middle English period (1150—1500). OED's earliest evidence for superlative is from the 14th century, around 1400. In grammar, the term "superlative" refers to the highest degree of comparison for adjectives and adverbs, indicated by adding "-est" or using "most" or "least". Examples of "superlative" used in a sentence: "The view from the top of the mountain was superlative." "He delivered a superlative performance in the play." "The judges found it difficult to pick the person with the superlative performance in the talent show." "A superlative in English describes something that is at one extreme or the other." "Lord Chatham used words equally superlative." "He was beginning to doubt his superlative detecting skills when it dawned on him that she might be using a maiden name." "In other words, these wines may offer investment opportunities for wine collectors…or just a superlative wine to be enjoyed later if one has patience and fortitude." "Superlatives" without using the word "superlative" in the sentence: "My dog ran the fastest in the race." "She is the most intelligent person I know." "The coldest part of the winter is yet to come." "The oldest tree in the forest is over 500 years old." "This is the most interesting book I've read all year." "That was the most delicious meal I've had in ages." "This is the smallest box I've ever seen."

Impaired means to be in an imperfect or weakened state or condition: as diminished in function or ability : lacking full functional or structural integrity. You can be hearing impaired, visually impaired, or have impaired movement. It also means to be intoxicated. The word "impaired" originates from the Old French "empeirer," meaning "to make worse." This, in turn, comes from the Late Latin "pejorare," also meaning "to make worse," which is related to the Latin word "pejor," meaning "worse". Ultimately, the root traces back to the Latin word "pejor," meaning "worse," or potentially from "ped-yos-, referring to "foot" or "stumbling". The verb "impair" itself is recorded earlier, from the Middle English period (1150-1500), with the OED's earliest evidence from 1340. According to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), the earliest recorded use of the adjective "impaired" is in 1559, in a translation by Peter Morwyng. The term "hearing-impaired" was first used in the 1940s, specifically 1946. Examples of "impaired" used in a sentence: "In your former life you were an educator who taught math to language-impaired kids." "She faces charges of driving while impaired, careless driving, and speeding." "The children were so impaired that a third of them had to be home-schooled." "The impaired woman's 11-year-old daughter was with her in the car when the crash occurred." "The man's speech is slightly impaired due to a cleft palate." "The patient has impaired mobility after having a stroke."

Yes, if all trans people had this ability, it would stop a bunch of problems and save them from having a bunch of hassles. 😲

They weren't quite anatomically correct, since they kept their penises, but much of the body was correct. 🤪

Yes, we're all holding our breathe hoping that no one else questions what happened at the contest. 😜

There's no doubt that they took a chance by doing this, but they've definitely learned their lesson and won't repeat that error. They seemed to have come up with believable explanations, and they were huge hits with the fraternity they represented, so hopefully that will end any questions about what they did. And like you said, who would believe in shapeshifters in the first place. That's for TV shows like "Supernatural" and a whole range of movies.

Like they admitted, Danilo, the boys let their ego guide them, instead of their brains, and they realized their error when they got to the contest, but then it was too late to do anything different. I'm sure they're well aware of the danger they caused for themselves and won't repeat it in the near future. This chapter should also answer any questions about whether they, as a skinwalker, are capable of imitating a woman, and I'm glad you enjoyed this chapter.

Chapter 11 – A Close Call Now that the football game was behind us, we experienced sort of another close call, but this one didn’t involve Preston. Instead, it was a direct result of our hubris. It happened when we decided to go down to fraternity and sorority row to see if one of those organizations might be willing to take over the Christmas visit to the hospital after we graduated. At the same time, we were also trying to find out what they were planning to do to raise money for that

The word "dappled" likely originated from Scandinavian roots, specifically from Old Norse "depill" meaning "spot." According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the adjective "dappled" was first used in English around the year 1400, during the Middle English period (1150-1500). It appears in Mandeville's Travels. It entered Middle English as a word referring to markings on an apple or a gray horse with spots resembling apples. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the noun "dapple" probably came to English from the word dappled before 1586, in the writings of Sir Philip Sidney. Dapple as a noun meant a patch or spot of color or light. Dapple an adjective is also recorded as an adjective from the mid 1500s. OED's earliest evidence for the adjective form is from 1551, found in the writings of Thomas Wilson. The earliest known use of the verb "dapple" is in the early 1600s. OED's earliest evidence for the verb form is from 1600, in the writing of William Shakespeare. The verb "dapple" meant mark with spots or rounded patches. Examples of the word "dappled" used in a sentence: "Her hair had come loose from its braid and red marks dappled her chest." "In a few moments both were sleeping in the dappled shade." "Sometimes I carry a book out under the pear trees and sit in the dappled shade." "The path was dappled with sunlight." "The horse under him was dappled grey."

In other words, because the state punished a man for committing an act that hurt no one else, the state ruined his reputation and his life, which caused him to commit suicide at the age of 41 - just 16 days short of his 42nd birthday.

Alan Mathison Turing (23 June 1912 – 7 June 1954) was an English mathematician, logician, cryptanalyst, and philosopher who is often called the "father of the modern computer". While he didn't invent the computer, he mathematically proved that computation was possible with a limited set of operations. He also conceptualized a "universal machine" that could solve any mathematical problem in symbolic form, later known as a "universal Turing machine". He was convicted of "gross indecency" in 1952 for homosexual acts, which was illegal in the UK at the time. As an alternative to prison, he accepted chemical castration. He later died in 1954 from cyanide poisoning, ruled a suicide.

This tevexing is becoming very vexing.

The word "vexing" originates from the verb "vex," which has its roots in Latin. "Vexare" in Latin meant "to shake, jolt, or harass," and it is likely a frequentative form of "vehere," meaning "to carry" or "to convey". Through Old French ("vexer"), it entered Middle English as "vexen" in the late 14th century, initially meaning to upset or anger. The adjective "vexing" (meaning "causing annoyance or pain") emerged later, around the mid-16th century. The verb "vex" was first used in the English language during the Middle English period, specifically between 1150 and 1500. The earliest documented use in English is around 1410, in Higden's Polychronicon, according to the Oxford English Disctionary. The adjective "vexing" first appeared in the English language in the mid 1500s. Specifically, the Oxford English Dictionary cites its earliest use as around 1548, in the work "Godlye & Holesome Preseruatyue against Desperation". Examples of "vexing" used in a sentence: "The trials of underarm hair removal have been vexing women for decades." "The fact that she shows no terror as she sits before me is most vexing." "More vexing than the inexplicable medical miracle was the creature that did it." "I think I'll ask her this question that is vexing me so." "It was a problem that had been vexing her for quite some time." "Gabriel's soft cluck of disapproval filled the air around him as Rhyn sat in the corner, watching the most vexing woman in the world --his mate --sleep."

The word "distinction" originates from the Latin word "distinguere," meaning "to separate between, keep separate, mark off." This Latin root is the basis for the Old French "distinction" and eventually the Middle English "distinccioun". The noun "distinction" was first used in English in the Middle English period, specifically around 1225. The various meanings of "distinction". 1. a difference or contrast between similar things or people. "there is a sharp distinction between what is work and what is leisure" synonyms: difference, contrast, dissimilarity, variance, variation, separation the separation of things or people into different groups according to their attributes or characteristics. "these procedures were to be applied to all births, without distinction" 2. excellence that sets someone or something apart from others. "a novelist of distinction" synonyms: importance, significance, consequence, renown, fame, status a decoration or honor awarded to someone in recognition of outstanding achievement. "he gained the highest distinction awarded for excellence in photography" recognition of outstanding achievement, such as on an examination. "I made a distinction in Greek" Examples of "distinction" used in a sentence: "There are no obvious distinctions between the two designs." "She made a distinction between the words 'less' and 'fewer.'” "He was raised in a small town of no great distinction." "The distinction left her feeling torn." "Being educated in the United States has long been a mark of distinction for the elites of other nations." "The distinction of genders is not marked, except in proper names of men and women." "Nevertheless, the distinction between activity and pleasure is true." "Admiral Canevaro, who had gained distinction as commander of the international forces in Foreign affairs."

Reverberate comes Latin reverberatus, past participle of reverberare, from Latin reverberat- ‘struck again’, from the verb reverberare, from re- ‘back’ + verberare ‘to lash’ (from verbera (plural) ‘scourge’). Various meanings of "reverberate": 1. of a loud noise) be repeated several times as an echo. "her deep booming laugh reverberated around the room" 2. (of a place) appear to vibrate or be disturbed because of a loud noise. "the hall reverberated with gaiety and laughter" 3. Archaic: return or re-echo (a sound). "oft did the cliffs reverberate the sound" 4. have continuing and serious effects. "the statements by the professor reverberated through the capitol" According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the verb "reverberate" was first used in English in the 15th century, the Middle English period, specifically around the year 1487, in a translation by John Skelton. The adjective form "reverberate" first appeared in the late 1500s, with the OED citing Thomas Lodge's writing from 1589 as the earliest example. Examples of "reverberate" used in a sentence: "The effect of this decision was to reverberate as the design and technical resolution proceeded." "The drunk driver had no idea his foolish decision would reverberate and destroy the lives of five families." "The drunk driver had no idea his foolish decision would reverberate and destroy the lives of five families." "If the country continues to stockpile nuclear weapons, it will create fear that could reverberate and start a war." "I was afraid my father’s anger would reverberate to my mother and put her in a bad mood as well." "Even though harsh words appear to disappear instantly, they actually reverberate in the recipient’s mind and foster resentment." "In high school rumors tend to reverberate throughout the student body, regardless of their truthfulness." "Echoes of the victory continued to reverberate in more personal ways. However, in later years, he made his hollow, reverberating voice one of the most recognized of his era."

The word "smug" originated in the mid-1500s and likely comes from Low German "smuk," meaning "neat, trim, spruce." It's possibly related to Middle Low German "smücken," meaning "to adorn" or "to dress". The sense of smug as being self-satisfied or conceited developed later, possibly influenced by the idea of being well-groomed or neatly dressed. The word "smug" first appeared in the English language in the mid-16th century, around the 1550s. Initially, it meant "trim," "neat," or "well-groomed". The current meaning of "excessively pleased with oneself" developed later, around the early 18th century. According to the OED, smug first appeared as an adjective: 1551 in a translation by Ralph Robinson; as a verb: 1588 in the writing of Robert Greene, and the earliest known use of the noun "smug" is in the early 1600s, with OED's earliest evidence from around 1600-9. Examples of "smug" used in a sentence: "She deserved her promotion, but I wish she wasn't so smug about it." "There was a hint of smug self-satisfaction in her voice." "He's been unbearably smug since he gave up smoking." "He folded his hands over his chest and gave her a smug smile." "Fred leaned back, as smug as a raffle winner." "Sasha sat on top of the sarcophagus and looked around, smug in how safe he was sitting on top of the coffin." "Fred sorted his notes, a smug look on his face." "Victor's smug laugh stole Jackson's breath, So touching, these feelings you have for a werewolf."

Anton, I wasn't trying to say that it was legally binding or would stand up in court, only that Lonny was trying to assure Mac that neither he nor Clint would try on him over this issue. I'm not saying it was legally binding or the way the law would interpret it, only that Lonny was saying that he was ok if Mac wanted to agree with Clint's proposition.

The noun discrepancy is from Latin discrepantia, from discrepare ‘be discordant’ or 'to sound differently', from dis- ‘apart, away’ + crepare ‘to rattle, to creak’. The first known use of the word "discrepancy" in English dates back to the Middle English period, in the late 16th century, specifically in 1579 in the writing of T. Pritchard, according to the OED. Discrepancy means an "unexpected difference," especially in to amounts or two sets of facts or conditions, which suggests that something is wrong and has to be explained. Examples of "discrepancy" and "discrepancies" (plural) in a sentence: "There were discrepancies between their accounts of the accident." "Discrepancies in the firm's financial statements led to an investigation." "A federal investigation showed huge discrepancies between names on the list and the existence of valid social security numbers." "Very recently in a business of mine we noticed cash discrepancies, and conducted an unannounced check at the branch concerned." "The photographer has noticed an amusing discrepancy between his glorious appearance and its inglorious origins." "A federal investigation showed huge discrepancies between names on the list and the existence of valid social security numbers." "Very recently in a business of mine we noticed cash discrepancies, and conducted an unannounced check at the branch concerned." "It is one way of addressing the huge discrepancies you can get."

Damn, this is beginning to sound like a nursing home. 😜

I know how you feel, Lee. Besides my PCP, I have five specialist I see as well.

The word "metastasis" is derived from the Greek. It is a combination of two words: Meta (μετά): meaning "next to" or "after," and Stasis (στάσις): meaning "position" or "place." Therefore, metastasis literally translates to "a change in position" or "a movement to a new place." Metastasis comes from the Greek word methistanai "to change." The term "metastasis" entered the English language in the late 16th century. Initially, it was used as a rhetorical term referring to a "rapid transition from one point to another." According to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), the earliest known use of the noun "metastasis" in English is in 1577, specifically in the writing of H. Peacham. The medical use of "metastasis" to describe the spread of disease, particularly cancer, from one part of the body to another, dates back to the 1660s in English. By the early 20th century, the term "metastasis" had achieved its current meaning in the context of cancer dissemination. In British English, the verb "metastasize" is often spelled "metastasise." The "-ise" spelling is the preferred form in British English, while "-ize" is more common in American English. Both spellings are considered correct, but "-ise" is generally used in the UK according to the Online Etymology Dictionary and other British English sources. Examples of "metastasis" used in a sentence: *"The cancer had metastasized to the lungs, meaning it had spread from its original location to other parts of the body." *"The pathologist who evaluates cancer cells in biopsied tissue designates the cancer as being stage I, II, III, or IV, in terms of the degree of metastasis." *"Thirty-one patients had a sentinel lymph node positive for melanoma metastasis." *"The smallest detected metastasis was a micrometastasis with a diameter of 0.9 cm." *"Primary bone cancer is much less common than bone metastasis." *"It invades surrounding tissue and spreads to nearby or distant organs (metastasis)."

I don't think you're an outlier, drs, and like Lee mention, we also have to abide by the GA guidelines - this isn't Nifty.

Very true, and I hadn't thought this through carefully, but Devin could pretend to be Mac and introduce him to another kid he'd met. If Clint or Lonny as about Devin, they could just say he was doing something with or for his family.

Yes, and I thought I'd included that in my entry, but I must have accidentally deleted in when I was moving things around when I came up with new information. Thanks for pointing that out. Btw, that spelling was inspired by the Lain root word "in grosso".

Yes, Lonny is very open about sex and he's worried about Clint. Mac is also worried about Clint, as well as the law, and I'm well aware of GA's guideline, since I remember when Comicality had a problem with that. Many things to consider when trying to do what's best for Clint. Hmmm, I'm wondering how GA would react if I had Mac transition into a 13-year-old to help Clint out, but I imagine they'd still say it was an adult-minor contact, so no option there.