I can’t find a definition for this word in print or pixel. It shows up in cecil’s response to the article about Tit-men
Context would tell me it means to explain, but I want to verify.
I suspect it is related to the word crepuscular:
crepuscular
Main Entry: cre·pus·cu·lar
Pronunciation: \kri-ˈpəs-kyə-lər\
Function: *adjective *
Date: 1668
1 : of, relating to, or resembling twilight : dim <*crepuscular * light>
2 : occurring or active during twilight <*crepuscular * insects> <*crepuscular * activity>
As Cecil’s usage is the only occurence on the entire internet, I suspect he has created a verb out of this adjective, meaning to bring out of twilight, or enlighten.
Show off.
From Cecil’s article about Thoreau
I assume it means to clarify or debunk, but when I google the word “decrepusculate”, all I get it his thread.
Anyone have a dictionary that contains this word? I’m curious as to its actual definition.
It’s not in my unabridged OED. This looks to me like a word Cecil created. Since “crepuscular” means “of or pertaining to twilight,” I speculate that “to decrepusculate” is a fancy way of saying “to enlighten.”
The OED doesn’t have it, either.
But most online dictionaries will tell you that “crepuscular” means “of, relating to, or resembling twilight”. So “decrepusculate” in a figurative sense means make clear or distinct or easily seen or something like that.
ETA: Oops, I see pinkfreud got in ahead of me.
“Croot” is also obscure.
Mods, thanks for moving this for me. I have no idea why I put it in the wrong forum.
It’s a crepuscular conundrum.
There were two threads on this subject, which I have merged.
bibliophage
moderator CCC
If Cecil says it’s a word, then by gum, it’s a word! 