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March 1 & 2, 2003 fray The verb fray means to cause to become nervous or annoyed because of mental pressure. Fray also commonly refers to the coming apart of threads or fibres in a piece of cloth or rope, weakening it or spoiling its appearance. As a noun, fray refers to an exciting or challenging fight or competitive activity. North Korea fired a short-range missile into the Sea of Japan, shaking Asian financial markets and fraying nerves. His coat was frayed at the sleeves and a button was missing. Nerves were frayed on both sides as rumours that the court had reached its verdict began to circulate. Several other players entered the fray, but the officials quickly separated them. February 28, 2003 stern The adjective stern means to be strict, serious or severe. United States Secretary of State Colin Powell issued a stern warning to North Korea yesterday to abandon any plans it may have to produce nuclear weapons. The Prime Minister warned transport officials that stern measures would be taken if they failed to settle the strike at the port. He sat next to his former wife with a stern look on his face. In a stern presentation, Jones outlined how he had been tricked into investing in the failed company. February 27, 2003 gauntlet (GAUNT let) The noun gauntlet refers to a long, thick protective glove, but it is seldom used that way nowadays. Instead gauntlet is almost always used as part of an idiomatic phrase. To throw down the gauntlet means to make a challenge. To pick or take up the gauntlet means to accept a challenge. To run the gauntlet means to face a lot of criticism or to move with difficulty through a group of people. Sometimes gauntlet can also mean group, especially a group that seems threatening in some way. Chief UN weapons inspector Hans Blix has thrown down the gauntlet to Iraq with an order to start destroying banned missiles by March 1 to prove "good faith and willingness" to comply with UN disarmament demands. London has taken up the gauntlet thrown by New York in the world arena for the top spot in the Asian art market. Choking back tears, President Clinton ran the gauntlet of hugs, kisses and heartbreaking stories of horror from grateful Kosovo refugees during a visit to their tent city shelter. Tears streamed down his face as police fingerprinted and handcuffed him and led him past a gauntlet of reporters to jail. February 26, 2003 famine (FAE mun) The noun famine refers to a period of time when there is an extreme lack of food or, in some cases, a severe lack of something else. The looming famine in Ethiopia could be worse than that of 1984-5 in which more than one million people died. Years of famine have made North Korea dependent on outside food aid. In theory, the country should be able to feed itself, but bad weather and war may yet combine to create another famine. The first stage of famine in Ethiopia began with reports that peasants were selling farm animals which their barren fields could no longer support. Fears of an "oil famine" gripped governments after World War I. February 25, 2003 trigger In the newspaper, the word trigger is most commonly used as a verb meaning to cause to begin, especially something bad. As a noun, trigger can also refer to a cause or starting action, but trigger's most common meaning is that part of a gun that is pulled to cause it to fire. A massive blast ripped through an oil and gas facility off Staten Island in New York last night, triggering a major blaze that spread into one of the city's busiest waterways. The laws were passed to ensure that any future stock market crisis did not trigger a collapse in the banking system. The first step in managing stress in your life is to recognise the possible triggers. With a revolver, you just pull the trigger and there's a new bullet ready to fire. February 24, 2003 subvert (sub VERT) The verb subvert means to destroy something's power or influence. The noun form subversion means to attempt to weaken or destroy a political system. The adjective form is subversive. Three journalists' associations have joined forces against a government bill they say subverts media freedom. As the famous economist said, "the best way to subvert a nation is by debasing its currency." A cousin of Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi served a five year jail sentence for subversion. The harsh law was designed to protect the state from subversive elements. Click here to see our words in the news for the previous week. Return to our home page | Comments to Terry F. at terryfrd@ksc15.th.com | |© The Post Publishing Public Co., Ltd. All rights reserved 2003 | Last modified: March 3, 2003