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Dec 9, 2008
This week's themeWords related to the shaping of trees This week's words espalier topiary pleach bonsai pollard 
National Museum, Bangkok
Photo: ItchyFingers
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with Anu Gargtopiary
PRONUNCIATION:
(TOE-pee-er-ee)
MEANING:
noun: The art of creating sculptures by clipping, trimming, and training
plants. Also, such a sculpture or garden.adjective: Of or related to a tree or garden shaped in such a way. ETYMOLOGY:
From Latin topiarius (ornamental gardener), from topia (ornamental gardening), from Greek topos (place).
USAGE:
"Without formal training -- just passion, energy, and discards from the
local nursery -- Pearl Fryar began sculpting his acreage into a dazzling
array of abstract topiary art, earning this sharecropper's son the local
'Yard of the Month' award. Nowadays, Pearl's hugely expanded, wildly
impressive topiary garden has become a major tourist attraction.
Inspired yet? Wait till you see the winning documentary "A Man Named
Pearl", which not only makes you want to get out there and play Edward
Scissorhands but can, at least for its 78 jazz-and-gospel infused minutes,
help replenish one's faith in humanity."Kevin Thomas; Movie Reviews; Los Angeles Times; Jul 25, 2008. "But Warriors players won't say why they've made a mutual pact to let their facial topiary run wild." It All Sounds a Bit Hairy; Sunday Star Times (New Zealand); Aug 31, 2008. See more usage examples of topiary in Vocabulary.com's dictionary. A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
Some people with great virtues are disagreeable, while others with great vices are delightful. -Francois, duc de La Rochefoucauld, moralist (1613-1680)
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