WORDS FOR THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW HAVE NAMES

#1: PHILTRUM Definition: philtrum : the vertical groove on the median line of the upper lip Example Sentence: His chiseled features even included a well-defined philtrum. Origin: In Greek, the primary meaning of philtrum is "love potion" which suggests that seductive powers were attributed to this facial feature. #2: FERRULE Definition: ferrule : 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: aglet : 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: punt : 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. The alternative name for the punt is kick. #5: LUNULE Definition: lunule : 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.
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Origin: This mark got its name because of its shape: lunule comes from the Latin luna, meaning "moon." #6: TITTLE Definition: tittle : 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 Latin titulus, 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: glabella : 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: muntin : 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: lemniscate : the infinity symbol (or more precisely, "a figure-eight shaped curve whose equation in polar coordinates is 2=a2 cos 2 or 2=a2 sin 2") 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: fourchette : 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.