Today’s Word: rood (noun) Rood (ROOD) is an old word for crucifix. As used by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in his historical novel The White Company: “By the black rood of Waltham!” he roared. “If any knave among you lays a finger-end upon the edge of my gown, I will crush his skull like a filbert!”

Today’s Word: languid (adjective) Languid (LANG-gwid) means lacking in vigor or vitality. As used by Jonathan Swift: “As love without esteem is capricious and volatile, esteem without love is languid and cold.”

Today’s Word: meritorious (adjective) Something that is meritorious (mare-ih-TOR-ee-us) is deserving of honor or esteem. As used by St. Thomas Aquinas: “Not everything that is more difficult is more meritorious.”

Today’s Word: acolyte (noun) An acolyte (AK-uh-lite) is (1) one who attends or assists a leader, or (2) a follower. As used by the musician John Fahey: “From a social perspective, I am looking for friends, not acolytes.”