Definition: the protective point or knob on the far end of an umbrella
Example Sentence:
He used his umbrella as a cane, and with every step planted its ferrule in the ground. Origin: Ferrule comes from the Latin viriola, meaning "small bracelet." This makes more sense when you consider that ferrule is also the term for the metal band at the end of a table leg (or similar object) that strengthens it or prevents it from splitting.
#3: Aglet
Definition: the tag covering the ends of a lace or point – e.g., the reinforcement at the end of a shoelace
Example Sentence: A missing aglet can make lacing one's shoes a challenge.
Origin: Aglet indirectly comes from the Latin acus, "needle" – as does the word acute.
#4: Punt
Definition: an indentation at the bottom of a molded glass bottle
Example Sentence: Pouring the champagne, she held the bottle with her thumb in its punt.
Note: Although it remains a matter of debate, explanations for the function of the punt include strengthening the bottle and also reducing its holding capacity.
#5: Lunule
Definition: a crescent-shaped body part or marking (such as the whitish mark at the base of a fingernail)
Example Sentence: He folded his hands together to give an impression of calm, but the ragged skin below his lunules told another story.
Origin: This mark got its name because of its shape: lunule comes from the Latin luna, meaning "moon."
#6: Tittle
Definition: the dot over i or j
Example Sentence: In a handwritten business note, it's best to avoid smiley-face tittles.
Origin: Tittle comes from the Latintitulus, which originally meant "title." Titulus came to refer to marks such as the abbreviated form of n written over a vowel (like the Spanish tilde, which indirectly got its name from titulus), and then to any mark above a letter.
#7: Glabella
Definition: the smooth prominence of the forehead between the eyebrows
Example Sentence: If you don't wish to look people in the eyes, you can make a similar impression by focusing on their glabellae.
Origin: Glabella derives from the Latin glaber, "bald" or "smooth."
#8: Muntin
Definition: a strip separating panes of glass in a window sash
Example Sentence: I thought the ball would smash a window, but fortunately it hit a muntin.
Origin: Named for the way it sticks up from the window, muntin comes from the French monter, "to rise."
#9: Lemniscate
Definition: the infinity symbol (or more precisely, "a figure-eight shaped curve whose equation in polar coordinates is ρ2=a2cos 2θ or ρ2=a2 sin 2θ")
Example Sentence: Not surprisingly, a certain brand of automobile uses a modified lemniscate in its logo.
Origin: Lemniscate comes from a Latin word that means "with hanging ribbons" – an origin that's reflected in the symbol's graceful shape.
#10: Fourchette
Definition: the strip or shaped piece used for the sides of the fingers of a glove
Example Sentence: A fine pair of gloves includes well-fitted fourchettes.
Origin: The French word fourchette (pronounced "foor-SHET") means "fork." It was applied to this item presumably because of the forking pattern of the fingers.
