The three words--ratiocinating, otiose, synecdoche--mentioned by reader...

The three words--ratiocinating, otiose, synecdoche--mentioned by reader Susan Groothuis (Letters, Dce. 29) should not have stumped anyone with access to a dictionary.

Please, don’t dumb down your Book Review section. We’ve dumbed down enough of our “educational” system as it is.

JOSEPH A. DOLAN

POMONA

For several prime synecdoches, see Eduardo Campos’ letter, above.--Ed.