Wordsmith Wednesday

From Chesterton's Father Brown story: The Flying Stars.

I really think my imitation of Dicken's style was dexterous and literary.  (having or demonstrating skill in use - fr L. dexter, right)

She had a pretty face, with brave brown eyes; but her figure was beyond conjecture... (a prediction based on guesswork - fr. L. com, together, and jacere, to throw)

...looking up at the high garden wall above her, beheld it fantastically bestridden by a somewhat fantastic figure. (to straddle - fr. ME be-, over, and streidh to step)

He took no notice of the girl's adjuration, but leapt like  a grasshopper to the ground beside her.  (a solemn command or earnest entreaty - fr. L. jurare, to swear or take an oath)

...the process was completed and the company, including the saturnine Crook, presented to Sir Leopold Fischer.  (sluggish, morose, heavy and cold - fr. ML, saturnus, alchemist term for lead)

"I think," said Sir Leopold, with a supercilious smile, "that Ruby means a Socialist."  (characterized by pride or scorn - fr. L super, above and cilium, eyelid...references haughtily-raised eyebrows)  

The boisterous Canadian was lifting his loud voice in applause, and the astonished financier his (in some considerable deprecation), when a knock sounded at the double front doors.  (to plead against - fr. L, de, from/off, and precari, prayer...literally to ward off by prayer or pleading)

A harlequinade's the quickest thing we can do, for two reasons.  (that part of a play in which the demon and the clown play leading parts - fr. OFr, hellequin, demon)

He even essayed to put the paper donkey's tail to the coat-tails of Sir Leopold Fischer.  (to attempt - fr. LL exagium, a weighing or testing of)

The clown at the piano played the constabulary chorus in the Pirates of Penzance...  (having to do with the police force - originally meant a companion of the stables, fr. L. comes, companion and L. stabulum, stable)

An interlude ensued, during which the millionaire stared at the priest, and the priest at his breviary...  (a short book containing the Psalms, reading and prayers of the Divine Office - fr. L. brevis, short)