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Want to get published? Here's your chance to get recognized. Click to learn more! Sponsored by Penguin Putnam Publishing. http://www.insidesessions.com/promos/promowriting.asp?rid=680 *************************************************************** The Word of the Day for December 28 is: undertaker \un-der-TAY-ker or (particularly in sense 2) UN-der-tay-ker \ (noun) 1 : one that undertakes : one that takes the risk and management of business : entrepreneur *2 : one whose business is to prepare the dead for burial Example sentence: "[He] recalled a family friend, an undertaker, who allowed him to roam free through his funeral home." (Mike Harden, _The Columbus Dispatch_, November 19, 2001). Did you know? You may wonder how the word "undertaker" made the transition from "one who undertakes" to "one who makes a living in the funeral business." The latter meaning descends from the use of the word to mean "one who takes on business responsibilities." In the 18th century, a funeral-undertaker was someone who undertook, or managed, a funeral business. There were many undertakers in those days, undertaking all sorts of businesses, but as time went on "undertaker" became specifically identified with the profession of burial. Today, "funeral director" is more commonly used, but "undertaker" still appears. *Indicates the sense illustrated in the example sentence. ---------------- Brought to you by Merriam-Webster, Inc. http://www.Merriam-Webster.com ---------------- *************************************************************** Resolve to introduce your family to the world of Word Central this coming year -- the language site for kids and parents. http://www.wordcentral.com *************************************************************** Subscribe or unsubscribe to Word of the Day via the Web at: http://www.Merriam-Webster.com/service/subinst.htm To join the list via e-mail, send a blank e-mail to: mw-wod-subscribe-request@listserv.webster.m-w.com To leave the list via e-mail, send a blank e-mail to: mw-wod-signoff-request@listserv.webster.m-w.com Questions about your subscription? Write to: mw-wod-request@listserv.webster.m-w.com Questions or comments about the Word of the Day? Write to: word@Merriam-Webster.com © 2001 by Merriam-Webster, Incorporated
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