Penultimate
pe·nul·ti·mate [peˈnəltəmit] adj. Last but one in a series of things; second last: "the penultimate chapter of the book."
Synonyms: next-to-last (more a phrase-as-word, but hey, whatever)
Etymology: 1670s, from penultima (n.) on model of proximate.
Well that's boring, let's look at Penultima: 1580s, from Latin penultima (syllaba), "the next to the last syllable of a word or verse," from fem. of Latin adjective penultimus "next-to-last," from paene "almost" + ultimus "final" (see ultimate).
There we go. My understanding of this word was not quite right until today.
24 comments:
Fun word to use to mess with people's heads, since around here I doubt many know what it means.
I dont think I will use this in everyday vocab :p ... Happy to connect. Do visit www.disha-doshi.blogspot.com I am following you via #AtoZChallenge
Had no idea what this meant.
It's a nice word and I, a Romanian, i know it and use it. I think English born people know it too, though using situations are not very frequent.
No ideal what it meant at all.
Yvonne.
I tried to use this in a blog post a while back and learned its meaning then. I had thought it was last, not next-to-last. I learned then that I had an incomplete understanding. Nice P word, though!
tm
The next to last of something? What if that something never ends- for example I can never say I've had my pe·nul·ti·mate ice cream cone. Or maybe I can, because eventually I'll die, but you get my point. LOL!
I always wonder why we have a word for second to last, but not third or fourth to last?
As I write this, I am the penultimate opinion to be published on this blog. But I'm sure there will be more!
I think I'll continue to say next to last so that everyone around me understands what I'm saying. Barbara
Life & Faith in Caneyhead
I've always been ambivalent about "penultimate" even though I sometimes use it.
I love learning the definitions of unusual words. The trouble is, I never remember the definition when I need to recall it!
Thanks for all your work in the A to Z Challenge!
MakingtheWriteConnections
So much easier than saying second to last, but I'll likely never remember it. :/
The Penultimate chapter of a book is where I want to be at.
I don't think I ever knew what this meant! I love learning new words!
Allison (Geek Banter)
I have a pretty good vocabulary, but geez, I had not a clue about either word.
Interesting concept for A to Z Challenge posts.
Denise at Organization and Inspiration for Fellow Writers, participant of A to Z Blogging Challenge
Denise Reashore on Facebook
Interesting concept for A to Z Challenge posts.
Denise at Organization and Inspiration for Fellow Writers, participant of A to Z Blogging Challenge
Denise Reashore on Facebook
Penultimate is one of my favorite words. I love getting the chance to use it.
The word penultimate always reminds me of the Proxime Accessit, the one who was ALMOST crowned dux!
Writer In Transit
I remember watching "Gary Unmarried" where his ex thought this word meant above ultimate. I would have made the same mistake. Penultimate just sounds like good thing.
Fun post! :-)
I thought it meant 'near the end' which I guess it does, but it is more specific than that. Always learning.
Knew the word, but not the origin- learned today!
I'm with Alex, this is a very mis-used word. Kinda like irregardless! Which I love to say to the Engineer to push his pedantic buttons...
Tina @ Life is Good
Co-host, April 2013 A-Z Challenge Blog
@TinaLifeisGood, #atozchallenge
Post a Comment