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sextet (seks-TET) noun
1. A group of six. 2. A group of six singers or musicians, or a piece of music composed for them. [Alteration of sestet, influenced by Latin sex, six.] "With the local hockey sextet locked in a Stanley Cup series it would be loyal to stop by and pick up a six-pack." Dick Kreck, Raise a Glass to Avs, The Denver Post, May 18, 2001. The word sextet has nothing to do with sex, unless of course, the six people in question engage in some questionable calisthenics. That's what the English language does--often leading us on only to make things limpid in the end. There we go again. Take the word friable, for instance. All evidence leads us to suggest this word could be used to refer to raw potato chips. But in truth, something friable is that which could be easily crumbled. Well, it could be used to refer to potato chips, after all. This week's AWAD visits these red-herring words, words with meanings that are not the first things that come to mind. -Anu ............................................................................ Nothing worse could happen to one than to be completely understood. -Carl Gustav Jung, psychiatrist (1875-1961) Send your comments about words to anu@wordsmith.org. To subscribe or unsubscribe A.Word.A.Day, send a message to wsmith@wordsmith.org with "Subject:" line as "subscribe <Your Name<" or "unsubscribe". Archives, FAQ, gift subscription form, and more at: http://wordsmith.org/awad/ Pronunciation: http://wordsmith.org/words/sextet.wav http://wordsmith.org/words/sextet.ram
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