Monday, March 6, 2017

xi, xiphoid, xylo-, xylophone, xylographer, xylotomous, xylophagous

     

     This concludes the x’s…a short, eclectic section, yet containing the favorite, romantic and evocative word: Xanadu.   Mysterious also as it symbolizes the unknown in algebra and the x-ray.  It is interesting that the function of the letter x is to make the z sound, even though the letter itself sounds like ‘eks.’  A self-less letter. 


xi: the 14th letter of the Greek alphabet; it is the letter “x” and pronounced “zeye”


xiphoid [Gr sword]  arrow shaped bone that is attached to the lower part of the sternum (breast bone)


xylo- [Greek, xylon wood]

     xylophone - originally made of wooden slats
     xylographer: a woodworker
     xylotomous: an insect capable of cutting wood
     xylophagous: living on or in wood

     One of the most moving pieces of music that I have heard was a xylophone performance from the music department at Lander University in Greenwood, South Carolina.  Exquisite in its sensitivity and beauty.  




     

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