Vicarious
vi·car·i·ous [vīˈkerēəs] adj. Felt or undergone as if one were taking part in the experience or feelings of another.
Synonyms: substitute, surrogate, empathetic
Etymology: 1630s, from Latin vicarius "substitute, deputy" (adj. and n.), from vicis "turn, change, exchange, substitution," from PIE root *weik-, *weig- "to bend, wind" (cf. Sanskrit visti "changing, changeable;" Old English wician "to give way, yield," wice "wych elm;" Old Norse vikja "to bend, turn;" Swedish viker "willow twig, wand;" German wechsel "change"). Related: Vicariously.
I believe the root, which is even earlier, is Vicar: c.1300, from Old French vicaire, from Latin vicarius "substitute, deputy," noun use of adj. vicarius "substituting," from vicis "change, turn, office" (see vicarious). The original notion is of "earthly representative of God or Christ;" but also used in sense of "person acting as parish priest in place of a real parson" (early 14c.).
Words are so cool. We're nearing the end now. How is everyone faring?
21 comments:
Very interesting. I gotta love any word with am Old Norse or Swedish origin.
Another great word.
I think my family will be pleased to have my full (well most of it anyway) attention back next week.
Cool! I love the origins of words, makes me think about how they can be used in my work.
So far so good, but am glad the end is in sight.
A good word today. yes the end of the challenge is in sight, on the whole have enjoyed it as much have I did the previous three times.
Yvonne.
Never thought about the vicar connection, but it makes some amount of sense.
This is actually a word I tend to overuse in my writing.
Like living vicariously through our books...
I live vicariously through many bloggers. I hate travel so I get to enjoy theirs. I am not published, but I bask in their success. I don't cook right now (too busy!) but dining out on their recipes is almost as fulfilling. I love the word vicarious!
As for the challenge, winding down and looking forward to going back to my two or three posts a week for a while. It has sure been fun, though!
tm
Doing good. Thanks for asking.
Happy V Day, Matthew! You, sir, have an award to pick up over at The Squid.
I'm a strong believer in vicarious.
I think I live vicariously through porn stars.
I like to say I'm living vicariously. It makes me sound interesting. I think.
I'm doing well and preparing for May. Words are great.
I'm doing well this time around. Better than I thought I would. :) I left you an award on my blog, Matthew. Drop by when you have time!
Mel at Writings Musings and Other Such Nonsense
That's how I feel about the A to Z right now.
I do so love living vicariously through books when I myself can't find Narnia or Neverland.
I use this word a lot when I train on Vicarious Trauma. It is a cool and hefty word. As for how am I doing? I just reminded myself I have only four more letters to go! Can't believe. Just a tad tired and still smiling.
Wow, amazing how much a word can change over the years!
Shannon at The Warrior Muse
I had no idea "vicar" meant deputy or substitute. It makes sense as you describe it as the representative of God.
I love the word vicarious. Luckily, people love vicarious thrills otherwise books and movies wouldn't be so popular! :-)
Sometimes living vicariously is the best way to stay out of trouble. But then sometimes...
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