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Date: Mon, 16 Oct 2000 17:04:00 -0700 (PDT)
From: wsmith@wordsmith.org
To: linguaphile@wordsmith.org
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--debut
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debut (day-BYOO, DAY-byoo) noun

   1. A first public appearance on a stage, on television, etc.

   2. The first appearance of something, as a new product.

   3. The formal introduction and entrance of a young woman into society,
      as at an annual ball.

   4. The beginning of a profession, career, etc.

verb intr.

   1. To make a debut, as in society or in a performing art.

   2. To appear for the first time, as on the market.

verb tr.

   1. To perform for the first time before an audience.

   2. To place on the market for the first time; introduce.

adjective

   Of, pertaining to, or constituting a first appearance:

[French debut, from debuter, to give the first stroke in a game, begin : de-,
from, away (from Old French de-) + but, goal, target, from Old French butte.]

   "The suspense builds from the first pages of Mary Howard's debut novel--
   a book so sure-handed and graceful that you might forget it's a murder
   mystery."
   Nina Sonenberg, Discovering the Body (book review), The New York Times,
   Oct 8, 2000.

This week's theme: semordnilaps, or words that spell other words when 
reversed.

.............................................................................
Fame is a vapor; popularity an accident; the only earthly certainty is
oblivion. -Mark Twain, author and humorist (1835-1910)

Q: Some time ago you featured a quote about foo in AWAD. Could you resend it?
A: You may search the archives at http://wordsmith.org/awad/search.html
   or browse them at http://wordsmith.org/awad/archives.html All the
   words and quotes since the beginning of AWAD are available there.

Pronunciation:
http://wordsmith.org/words/debut.wav
http://wordsmith.org/words/debut.ram