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Friday August 28, 2009

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sylvan [SIL-vuhn]

adjective

1. Relating to or characteristic of wooded regions.
2. Living or located in the woods or forest.

• The artist conceived the inaugural work, Playmates for a Lonely Child, a 41-inch-square oil of Jackson in a sylvan storybook scene.
  Edna Gundersen, "Portraits of a king; Artist devoted years to Jackson's vision as the two bonded", USA Today, Aug 21, 2009
• A parade of golfers -- men, women, seniors, minorities and beginners -- told the county planning board at a contentious hearing July 16 that they favor the course for its unhurried atmosphere, sylvan setting and welcoming community.
  Miranda S Spivack, "Leggett Proposal Would Keep Links Open Another Year", The Washington Post, Jul 30, 2009
• In comparison the chipmunk is a demure, preoccupied, pretty little busybody who often watches you curiously, but never mocks you or pokes fun at you; while the gray squirrel has the manners of the best-bred wood-folk, and he goes his way without fuss or bluster, a picture of sylvan grace and buoyancy.
  John Burroughs (1837 - 1921) An American naturalist and essayist. The Wit of a Duck and Other Papers (1901)

Origin of the Word

Sylvan, approximately 1565, derives from Middle French sylvain, from Latin silvanus "pertaining to wood or forest", from silva: forest.