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Monday 20 February 2012

Entry: agnate (adj.)


In context: "Their specular perspective, the reddening light on vast tan stone and the oncoming curtain of dusk, the further elongation of their monstrous agnate shadows: all was mesmerizing."

Definition: Difficult to really nail this one.   2. fig. Allied in kind, akin; partaking of the same nature.


Other: Above is the closest to a sensible usage of agnate as I can fine - the etymology highlights the more typical definition: 

Etymology:  < French agnat , < Latin agnāt-us (adgnāt-us , adnātus ) a relation by the father's side; prop. born to, added by birth, past participle of adgnā-sc-i , < ad to + gnā-sc-i to be born, < stem gen- to beget.


SNOOT score: 1

Page:91
 
Source: Oxford English Dictionary



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