Some 16th-century Italian clergymen tried to ban coffee because they believed it to be “satanic.” However, Pope Clement VII loved coffee so much that he lifted the ban and had coffee baptized in 1600.
GAVELING
Verb
gaveling
present participle of gavel
Source: Wiktionary
GAVEL
Gav"el, n.
Definition: A gable. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.
Gav"el, n. Etym: [OF. gavelle, F. javelle, prob. dim. from L. capulus handle, fr. capere to lay hold of, seize; or cf. W. gafael hold, grasp. Cf. Heave.]
Definition: A small heap of grain, not tied up into a bundle. Wright.
Gav"el, n. Etym: [Etymol. uncertain.]
1. The mallet of the presiding officer in a legislative body, public assembly, court, masonic body, etc.
2. A mason's setting maul. Knight.
Gav"el, n. Etym: [OF. gavel, AS. gafol, prob. fr. gifan to give. See Give, and cf. Gabel tribute.] (Law)
Definition: Tribute; toll; custom. [Obs.] See Gabel. Cowell.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
Recent Word Finds
Word of the Day
4 June 2025
LEND
(verb) bestow a quality on; “Her presence lends a certain cachet to the company”; “The music added a lot to the play”; “She brings a special atmosphere to our meetings”; “This adds a light note to the program”
Coffee Trivia
