More about timbre

• First recorded between 1325–75.
• Middle English tymbre, from Middle French “clapperless bell, bell rung by a hammer.”
• Ultimately from Greek týmpanon, “timbrel, kettledrum, drum.”

EXAMPLES OF TIMBRE

• Her voice had a warm timbre that was comforting to hear.
• I admired the timbre of the actor’s voice, finding it captivating.

More about frabjous

• Coined by Lewis Carroll in the poem “Jabberwocky” from the novel Through the Looking-Glass (1871):

• Perhaps meant to suggest fabulous or joyous.

EXAMPLES OF FRABJOUS

• The children had a frabjous time at the amusement park.
• The frabjous celebration lasted well into the night.

More about hobnob

• First recorded in the 1700s. The sense of “socialize” was first used around the 1860s.
• From Old English habban, “to have” + nabbn, “not to have” and from the phrase hab or nab meaning “have or have not.”
• Rooted in the history of people toasting one another, taking turns to buy drinks, and essentially having a good time together, socializing.

EXAMPLES OF HOBNOB

• The author spent the evening hobnobbing with fellow writers.
• During the gala, I hobnobbed with influential business leaders.