A Wondrous Word: Appanage

March13

I just finished reading The Warden by Anthony Trollope so I have a font of new words, especially relating to the church and its clergy. Some of them are just obscure, other now obsolete (the book was first published in 1855). But here’s one that’s still in the dictionary:
Wondrous Words Wednesday photo wondrouswordsWednesday_zps7ac69065.png
Appanage: an accompanying endowment

The patronage was a valuable appanage of the bishopric; and surely it would not be his duty to lessen the value of that preferment which had been bestowed on himself (.)
(pg 28) The Warden by Anthony Trollope

Wondrous Words Wednesday is a weekly meme where you can share new words that you’ve encountered or spotlight words you love. It’s hosted by Kathy at Bermuda Onion.

posted under Book stuff, Wondrous Words

14 Comments to

“A Wondrous Word: Appanage”

On March 13th, 2013 at 2:23 pm Julia Tomiak Says:
Thanks – I’ve never heard of this word. I wonder about its etymology… Is The Warden fiction or non-fiction?
On March 15th, 2013 at 12:29 pm Debbie Says:
The Warden is fiction, Julie; it’s the first in the Barsetshire series. It’s full of social satire of the day.
On March 13th, 2013 at 5:55 pm Louise Says:
It’s a new one for me too. I’ve never read any Trollope.
On March 15th, 2013 at 1:23 pm Debbie Says:
This is my first Trollope, Louise. I’ve heard that for any one who likes nineteenth-century literature, it’s a must-read.
On March 13th, 2013 at 7:55 pm Bonnie Says:
Fun word. I’m pretty sure it’s also used with reference to the money several European royal families receive. (At least, I’ve seen it with reference to the Swedish royal family.)

The Warden is such a wonderful book.
On March 15th, 2013 at 2:56 pm Debbie Says:
You’re right, Bonnie: the first dictionary definition is “money, land, etc. granted by a monarch for the support of his younger children”.
On March 13th, 2013 at 9:01 pm bermudaonion (Kathy) Says:
That’s a great word but I probably won’t have much chance to use it. No endowments around here.
On March 15th, 2013 at 3:02 pm Debbie Says:
None around here, either, Kathy!
On March 13th, 2013 at 9:34 pm MMargot Says:
Completely new word for me. Since endowments are so very useful, I can see why we’ve hung on to the word.
On March 19th, 2013 at 6:09 pm Debbie Says:
So right, Margot – thanks for dropping by.

P.S. I wish I could subscribe to your blog by email!
On March 13th, 2013 at 11:17 pm Vasilly Says:
This is a new-to-me word. Thanks for sharing!
On March 15th, 2013 at 3:19 pm Debbie Says:
Thanks for dropping by, Vasilly, 🙂
On March 14th, 2013 at 7:03 am Brona Says:
I must, I must, I must read some Trollope soon. I look forward to reading your review about The Warden too.
On March 15th, 2013 at 3:21 pm Debbie Says:
Brona, my review won’t be glowing but that’s because I’m just not into nineteenth century social satire. Many, many people love Trollope.