Is it the re-anent, as in "she tried the re-anent, but it did not work" or "he went to the re-anent but found it empty"?
Could it be there an ent, as in the Morningside pronunciation of "over there, an ant hill once stood"?
Or is it therean ent, an entrainment company specialising is metamorphosing into animals?
It is, of course, none of these things. It is simply a wonderful Scots word, used largely in legal (and ecclesiastical) circles:
thereanent (ˈðɛərəˈnɛnt)
adv. Scottish in reference to; concerning
It is one in a long line of such words, which are in a sad and steady decline in usage. This blog is named in a subtle attempt to keep alive that particular line of Scots Presbyterianese, the use of which would make our language much more vibrant, as the following tale illustrates:
In order to execute its quinquennial attestation of terms, the Glossarial Assembly met in hunc effectum, pursuant to adjournment. Instanter, proceedings were sisted when it was brought to the attention of the Moderator that "anent" had, inter alia, been omitted from the sederunt, the Assembly thus failing to be quorate.
An ad hoc committee being formed pro re nata, precognition was sought from all interested parties. Some alleged "anent" had fallen into desuetude, others that it was merely an adherent and others that it had no locus standi in the Assembly. Still others overturedd that in making such enquiries, the committee was acting ultra vires.
Parties were cited to appear in their interest, and an edict duly served. The ad hoc committee presented a fama clamosa in which was revealed a deliberate plot to debar "anent", most certainly an act of contumacy. There compeared "anent" who petitioned to be readmitted to the sederunt.
It was counter-moved that this was superfluous, "anent" being engrained by consuetude into the lexicon. While this held prima facie, it did not satisfy production.
As per the deliverance proposed by the committee, it was moved, seconded and agreed that there be added to the sederunt ad vitam aut culpam, sine mora, "anent" and all terms thereanent.
In order to execute its quinquennial attestation of terms, the Glossarial Assembly met in hunc effectum, pursuant to adjournment. Instanter, proceedings were sisted when it was brought to the attention of the Moderator that "anent" had, inter alia, been omitted from the sederunt, the Assembly thus failing to be quorate.
An ad hoc committee being formed pro re nata, precognition was sought from all interested parties. Some alleged "anent" had fallen into desuetude, others that it was merely an adherent and others that it had no locus standi in the Assembly. Still others overturedd that in making such enquiries, the committee was acting ultra vires.
Parties were cited to appear in their interest, and an edict duly served. The ad hoc committee presented a fama clamosa in which was revealed a deliberate plot to debar "anent", most certainly an act of contumacy. There compeared "anent" who petitioned to be readmitted to the sederunt.
It was counter-moved that this was superfluous, "anent" being engrained by consuetude into the lexicon. While this held prima facie, it did not satisfy production.
As per the deliverance proposed by the committee, it was moved, seconded and agreed that there be added to the sederunt ad vitam aut culpam, sine mora, "anent" and all terms thereanent.
Anent may be dying a death but I note your use of 'pro re nata' which lives on in the prescribing world as 'prn' which is synonymous with 'as required'
ReplyDelete