Dark Nexus

St. Martin's Day (Portugal)

On the Feast of São Martinho, people roast chestnuts, drink red Portuguese wine, and butcher a pig. There is a St. Martin’s Day Fair at Golegã, in Ribatejo, that features a famous horse show at which some of the country’s finest thoroughbreds are displayed. Another well-known St. Martin’s Day Fair is held at Penafiel, in Trás-os-Montes. The parades and celebrations that are held in towns and villages throughout Portugal on this day are usually more secular than Christian in flavor.

fingers crossed

An expression of hope that something one desires will come to pass or turn out to be true. A truncated version of the phrase “keep your fingers crossed.” Watch the video

Liquid Crystals

Liquid crystals are substances that flow like liquids but are composed of highly organized molecules similar to those in solid crystals. Their unusual and often manipulable optical properties have given rise to their widespread use in technology, such as in liquid crystal displays, or LCDs. Some liquid crystals change color depending on temperature or stress. Many common substances—such as cholesterol and solutions of soap—are liquid crystals. What virus exists in a liquid crystal state?

otiose

Definition: (adjective) Serving no useful purpose; having no excuse for being.
Synonyms: superfluous, wasted, pointless, senseless.
Usage: More than half of his acceptance speech was otiose nonsense, and the rest was just a rehash of his campaign promises.

Francis Bacon

The remedy is worse than the disease.

Martinsfest

Martin’s Festival in Germany honors both St. Martin of Tours and Martin Luther (1483-1546), the German theologian and leader of the Protestant Reformation. In Düsseldorf, a man dressed as St. Martin rides through the streets followed by hundreds of children. Many carry lanterns made from hollowed-out pumpkins. In Erfurt, where Martin Luther attended the university, there is a procession of children carrying lanterns. With their lanterns the children form the “Luther rose,” or the escutcheon of Martin Luther.

security

hostage – First referred to the state of someone handed over as a pledge or security (for the fulfillment of an undertaking). More…

policy – Meaning “insurance document,” it is from a French word meaning “certificate, contract,” from an earlier Latin word meaning “a receipt or security for money paid.” More…

impignorate, pignorate – To impignorate or pignorate means to put up as security or to pawn. More…

wage, wager – Wage once meant “pledge, security” and wager was defined as “solemn pledge” or “undertaking,” from French wagier, “to pledge.” More…

keep (up) (one's) end of the bargain

To do as was promised in an agreement or bargain; to carry through with what one agreed to do. Also worded as “keep one’s end of the bargain up.” Watch the video

Hijras

In South Asia, hijras are members of a transgender community of biological males who have assumed a female gender identity. Many live together in communities, and some are eunuchs. Activists have lobbied for recognition of the hijras under a third gender. Despite discrimination against them, hijras have historically fulfilled specific ceremonial roles in society, such as dancing at weddings. It is believed that if a hijra is not paid for such ritual services, what might happen? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

staunch

Definition: (adjective) Firm and dependable, especially in loyalty.

Synonyms: steadfast, unswerving.

Usage: John is a staunch supporter of free speech, but it nonetheless pains him when hate groups abuse the privilege.
Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary