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Discuss Email this Feedback RSS/XML Permalink A.Word.A.Day--chrestomathy chrestomathy (kres-TOM-uh-thee) noun 1. A volume of selected literary passages, usually by one author. 2. A selection of literary passages from a foreign language, especially one assembled for studying a language. [From Greek chrestomatheia, from chrestos (useful) + manthanein (to learn) These two parts of the word ultimately derive from Indo-European gher- (to like or want) which gave us yearn, charisma, greedy, exhort; and mendh- (to learn) that resulted in the terms mathematics and polymath.] An example: A Mencken Chrestomathy. "'Emerson In His Journals' is more than a mere chrestomathy from the diaries, journals and notebooks. It is indeed a superbly edited volume." Robert Taylor; Book Making; Boston Globe; May 16, 1982. This week's theme: Words about books X-Bonus Shadow owes its birth to light. -John Gay, poet and dramatist (1685-1732)

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