The inner working of Patricia's mind (AKA Blog) - Patricia Lynne, Independent Author

Friday Quick Fic - Paraphenalia

1/22/2015

Paraphenalia

objects that are used to do a particular activity : objects of a particular kind
the separate real or personal property of a married woman that she can dispose of by will and sometimes according to common law during her life
personal belongings
articles of equipment : furnishings
accessory items : appurtenances

[Medieval Latin, ultimately from Greek parapherna bride's property beyond her dowry, from para- + phernē dowry, from pherein to bear
First Known Use: 1651]

Clara laid the paraphernalia out on the table, checking each one over. Knives. Bottles of holy water. Wooden stakes–those she could never have too many. Silver crosses. A gun with silver bullets.

Her lips pressed into a hard line as she recalled the last conversation with her sister. Sandy said she was obsessed, that fiction was taking over her real life. But she knew what she had seen. There was no denying reality. If her sister wanted to believe otherwise, fine. Clara would ensure her sister could keep living that dream.

But someone had to stop the monsters.

6 Comments

Larry Kollar link

1/24/2015 12:02:23 am

I wasn't aware of the origins of "paraphenalia." Interesting that the original meaning is gone. I guess the word was too good to get rid of entirely.

Meanwhile, Clara is ready to rumble!

Patricia Lynne link

1/24/2015 08:41:27 am

I think the first definition is the only one that is really still in use today.

cleemckenzie

1/25/2015 11:14:16 pm

Thanks for the etymology. I didn't know dowry was connected with this word. Clara's paraphernalia is quite interesting.

1/26/2015 12:54:01 am

=D You learned something new, eh?

Rebekah Loper link

1/26/2015 12:15:37 am

I will continue the trend and go "oooh, the etymology is cool!"

Because it is. XD

I wasn't expecting Clara's paraphernalia to be those things, but I shouldn't be surprised with what you write! :)