Legal Writing

Word of the Day: Aura

By Daniel Scocco

Aura [ôr'?] is a noun, and it refers to an invisible, subtle breath or emanation, like the aroma of the flowers. It can also be used to indicate the atmosphere or intangible quality surrounding a thing or person. The plural can be written as auras or aurae.

Carlyle says Mr. Bush does not do fund-raising for the firm — he makes speeches to potential Carlyle investors while Carlyle executives make the actual pitch for cash. Still, even the aura of the presidency has not overcome a sluggish Japanese economy. (NY Times)

Most documentaries stick with interviews of living people. But since this one’s about New York’s Chelsea Hotel and its rock ‘n’ roll aura, it seems natural that the ghosts of Janis Joplin and Sid Vicious turn up. (USA Today)

Word of the Day: Aura

Full post as published by Daily Writing Tips on November 19, 2008 (boomark / email).