A Gentle Correction - Obturate

[Outpost75]

Necessary clarification for the "low information" casters:
This is not intended as criticism, but only as a gentle correction for the unknowing who might pick up the wrong word from having read it in news stand magazines, having been edited by persons who only got a "C" in English.


ob·du·rate ˈäbd(y)ərət/ adjective
stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion or course of action.

synonyms: stubborn, obstinate, intransigent, inflexible, unyielding, unbending, pigheaded, bullheaded, mulish, stiff-necked; headstrong, unshakable, intractable, unpersuadable, immovable, inexorable, uncompromising, iron-willed, adamant, firm, determined

"the brass were also obdurate in their opposition to having women in any combat positions"

obturate [ob-tuh-reyt, -tyuh-] verb (used with object), obturated, obturating.

1. Dental. to stop up; close. To mitigate bleeding from the jaw canal after a tooth extraction.

2. Ordnance. to close (a hole or cavity) so as to prevent a flow of gas through it, especially the escape of explosive gas from a gun tube during firing. When used as an object, "obturator," a gas sealing device placed between the booster or igniter pack and the main propelling charge in separate-loaded artillery.

[Nobade]

Thank you! It always bugs me when those words are used incorrectly. Now I don't have to write it up.

-Nobade

[Outpost75]

Thank you! It always bugs me when those words are used incorrectly. Now I don't have to write it up.
-Nobade

My pleasure, Sir. And I am quite certain that my tutor, the late Dr. Robert L. McCoy, Major, U.S. Army, Ordnance Corps, is smiling from Valhalla, having corrected me of the same error and having broken a swagger stick across my desk in doing so!

[Hamish]

Well said.

[725]

From the 19th century philosopher, Herbert Spencer: "How often misused words generate misleading thoughts."

[alamogunr]

Thus starts a journey for which there is no end. (At least on most internet forums)

[merlin101]

That's nice to know, but I've never had a chance to use either. BTW what's so bad about a C in English?

[Omega]

No need for flowery words, if I mean stubborn I'll say so. There are many an Executive Officer (XO) that used their vast knowledge of obscure words to try and make us think we were uneducated compared to them, only to have their message go unheeded by the masses due to the language. Don't get me wrong, there is a time and place for this kind of language, but in the military we are taught to speak at a level according to your audience, which unfortunately has been down to 4th grade level sometimes. I do lookup any words I come across that I can't get their meaning by the context of their use, but will not use them unless I have no other choice. I guess I am an obturator, err obdurator...hell pigheaded.

[Outpost75]

That's nice to know, but I've never had a chance to use either. BTW what's so bad about a C in English?

Nothing for the average working stiff, but for "goon wrighters" and their learned "editors," who produce the rags whose intent is to sell advertising, who are actually expected to make a living through their skillful use of the language, it is a tribute to the dumbing down of public school education that their overall impression is that "Yestiddy I cuddn't evin spel editer and todaay I are wun!" which I find less than satisfactory.

[9.3X62AL]

Nothing for the average working stiff, but for "goon wrighters" and their learned "editors," who produce the rags whose intent is to sell advertising, who are actually expected to make a living through their skillful use of the language, it is a tribute to the dumbing down of public school education that their overall impression is that "Yestiddy I cuddn't evin spel editer and todaay I are wun!" which I find less than satisfactory.

Roger that. If Common Core has the same effect on English composition that it has upon mathematic skills, not only will the coming generation be unable to balance a checkbook but also incapable of composing a cogent written thought.

[Chill Wills]

Nicely done. Gentle is always good.
I had to just get over the misuse of obturate as well as Creedmoor and smelt, smelting or smelter.

Spell check here does not know obturate. Least from where I sit.And gentle is good for me because, I am the last person who should ever get too bossy lest I soon fall on my face. Never fails

[Char-Gar]

Everybody is entitled to a few pet peeve word issues. My biggie, is the many folks who think the mounted troops are the Calvary. They don't seem to know the difference between Cavalry and Calvary. Being a religious type this can really get my goat.

[9.3X62AL]

Yes, sir. I always reserve the right to be wrong--here and elsewhere.

[alamogunr]

Nicely done. Gentle is always good.
I had to just get over the misuse of obturate as well as Creedmoor and smelt, smelting or smelter.

Spell check here does not know obturate. Least from where I sit.And gentle is good for me because, I am the last person who should ever get too bossy lest I soon fall on my face. Never fails

I have always assumed that spell check was a function of the computer being used. Anyway, whenever I get the red underline, I always have the option of adding a word that I know is correct to the dictionary. Chief among these words is "boolit". I believe "obturate"(I was about to be wrong. I just added it.) is another.

If I'm wrong and I just added "obturate" to the dictionary, you are all welcome to use the correct word. If I'm correct, it is only my computer that will recognize "obturate" and each of you will be required to add it to your dictionary.

[cajun shooter]

Now y'all know that is when that piece of lead swells and fills dat bbl. but them writers want us to be impressed with the words that make up those stories. Have fun!!

[Elkins45]

Roger that. If Common Core has the same effect on English composition that it has upon mathematic skills, not only will the coming generation be unable to balance a checkbook but also incapable of composing a cogent written thought.

Really? Do you have a lot of experience with the Common Core standards?

[mdi]

Thanks for that Outpost75. Every forum needs an English teacher/grammar specialist to keep us uneducated slobs on our toes...

[oso]

Thanks for that Outpost75. Ever forum needs an English teacher/grammar specialist to keep us uneducated slobs on our toes...

mdi, could you clarify your statement for me. Are you saying you feel yourself an "uneducated slob" because you read a post from someone who values accuracy and precision?

[merlin101]

I'm not shy, I'll admit I've learned a tremendous amount from this and other sites. I also have never claimed to have a high school diploma, so yeah I'm lagging behind. With that in mind I look around and am embarrassed by the stupidity of some (note I did not say ignorance)that have no desire to improve themselves. Spell check is a GREAT tool and my spelling has improved dramatically by just using it as a check and trying to 'beat' it. Now if only I learn sentence structure and how to cast a nice shiny boolit!

[ghh3rd]

Funny, you can't get away from reloading terminology...

"the brass were also obdurate in their opposition to having women in any combat positions"