Difference between revisions of "Coruscate - coruscating"
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| − | These related words are frequently mis-used. | + | These related words are frequently mis-used. '''Coruscating''' means 'sparkling'. When used literally, it denotes 'emitting flashes of light', as the Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, do - and as diamonds seem to do. Figuratively, it is used to mean 'very clever', 'able', 'vivid' - using the same sort of image as in 'brilliant' and, at its most basic, 'bright'. So to say that someone '''coruscates''', or that he has a '''coruscating''' wit, is a compliment. |
| − | The word however is often used to mean | + | The word however is often used to mean 'very hostile' or 'savage', as in "He launched into a '''coruscating''' attack on the man who mow held the job he had wanted." It has been suggested (by [[The Guardian Stylebook]], ''[[inter alia]]'') that this misuse is by writers who really mean '''excoriate''' (literally ~ to 'flay', or 'take the skin off'; figuratively, ~ to 'cause [mental] pain to', 'attack viciously'). This may be the verb you are looking for. |
| − | + | AWE speculates that the mis-use of the word coruscate may owe something to the adjective '''corrosive'''. This is derived from the verb to '''corrode''' 'to eat away by chemical action'. So, literally, '''corrosive''' means having that power - like an acid, or rust. Figuratively, it means 'destructive', as in "their corrosive mistrust soon ended the relationship." | |
| − | + | Don't fall into the trap of using '''coruscating''' as if it meant '''corrosive'''. That would be a [[malapropism]]. | |
[[category:Malapropisms]] | [[category:Malapropisms]] | ||
| + | [[Category:clarification of meanings]] | ||
Latest revision as of 13:38, 8 July 2020
These related words are frequently mis-used. Coruscating means 'sparkling'. When used literally, it denotes 'emitting flashes of light', as the Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, do - and as diamonds seem to do. Figuratively, it is used to mean 'very clever', 'able', 'vivid' - using the same sort of image as in 'brilliant' and, at its most basic, 'bright'. So to say that someone coruscates, or that he has a coruscating wit, is a compliment.
The word however is often used to mean 'very hostile' or 'savage', as in "He launched into a coruscating attack on the man who mow held the job he had wanted." It has been suggested (by The Guardian Stylebook, inter alia) that this misuse is by writers who really mean excoriate (literally ~ to 'flay', or 'take the skin off'; figuratively, ~ to 'cause [mental] pain to', 'attack viciously'). This may be the verb you are looking for.
AWE speculates that the mis-use of the word coruscate may owe something to the adjective corrosive. This is derived from the verb to corrode 'to eat away by chemical action'. So, literally, corrosive means having that power - like an acid, or rust. Figuratively, it means 'destructive', as in "their corrosive mistrust soon ended the relationship."
Don't fall into the trap of using coruscating as if it meant corrosive. That would be a malapropism.
