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Date: Wed, 16 Aug 2000 17:06:00 -0700 (PDT)
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Subject: A.Word.A.Day--ylem
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ylem (I-lum) noun

   A form of matter hypothesized by proponents of the big bang theory
   to have existed before the formation of the chemical elements.

[Middle English, universal matter, from Old French ilem, from Medieval
Latin hylem, accusative of hyle, matter, from Greek hule.]

   "Alpher and Gamow focused on the point when the universe had cooled to a
   state consisting of radiation and matter, ylem, Greek for the primordial
   stuff of life."
   Joseph D'Agnese, The last Big Bang man left standing, Discover, Jul 1999.

This week's theme: words that make one say, I didn't know there was a word
for that.

.............................................................................
In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice; In practice,
there is. -Chuck Reid

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, "Language is a city to the building of which
every human being brought a stone." Invite your friends and family to join
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Pronunciation:
http://wordsmith.org/words/ylem.wav
http://wordsmith.org/words/ylem.ram