Wellnigh is an old fashioned word meaning almost. It's most often used in the phrase 'wellnigh impossible'.It's wellnigh impossible to keep finding excuses to post pictures from my travels - but somehow I manage it!
Update - The concise Oxford dictionary gives this as one word, but other places list it as two, or even hyphenate it. All variants seem to have the same meaning. Nigh on its own means near.
18 comments:
But this is a word I have been know to use! Now wondering if that means my use of language is a tad old fashioned. (picture slightly alarmed expression)
I like that word for old-fashioned stories, though it still sounds appropriate for today!
No, feel free to post photos! Old castles and keeps are awesome.
I've just finished reading Phil Rickman's The Bones of Avalon and that is littered with old fashioned words. It took a bit of getting used to but by the end I was well versed :) My favourite word - betwixt :)
ha. I thought it was two words.
I think I may have said well nigh but never actually written it down. Auto check split the word into two?
It's interesting that wellnigh is invariably followed by "impossible". You wouldn't say an egg was wellnigh cooked, would you? It reminds me of the lovely West Country word "somewhen", meaning sometime, or soon. It's much in use hereabouts ( another nice word).
And it is wellnigh impossible for me not to use the word occasionally.
I didn't realise that wellnigh was one word. I thought it was two. But go on, Patsy, post as many holiday photos as you like. Then I can post more photos from my India holiday on my blog.
Just means you have a wide vocabulary, Susan - and don't just stick with the words everyone else uses.
I think it's still useful, Rosemary.
OK then, Alex - you've talked me into it.
It's a nice word, but not one I've ever used as far as I can remember.
Sometimes it is, Mac.
Well and nigh are both real words, Maggie. Nigh means near.
We might get away with 'it's wellnigh time for a glass of wine' Frances.
Good - words should be used, Oscar.
OK, Rosemary - it's a deal!
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