Wednesday, December 31, 2008

"Ultimate"

The ultimate vacation spot probably doesn't exist. Cranky travelers will find something to complain about in any locale.

Official Definition

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

"Tacit"

Seeing me arrive at the writing group on time, my mother gave me a tacit look of approval.

Official Definition

Monday, December 29, 2008

"Sacrilege"

It was unintentional sacrilege when my mother accidentally blurted out the "f" word as we were returning home from a Christmas service at church 12 years ago.

Official Definition

Sunday, December 28, 2008

"Ramble"

I love to ramble: when driving near my home (weather permitting), I often take backroads to see where they go (and if my camera is with me, all the better); in social situations, once my initial shyness wears off, I can talk and talk about apparently random things. And I can do this as long as I have an audience--sometimes longer ;)

A twofer!

Official Definition

Saturday, December 27, 2008

"Qualify"

I'm still trying to think of a story that would qualify for this week's Sunday Scribblings post.

Official Definition

Friday, December 26, 2008

"Paltry"

Today's leftovers seem paltry in comparison to the feast we consumed last night.

Official Definition

Thursday, December 25, 2008

"Oblique"

When I received a navy blue hoodie for Christmas Eve, I couldn't resist making an oblique reference to my moment of shame at Lady Chadwick's soiree.

Official Definition

Merry Christmas to all who celebrate :)

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

"Narcissism"

After telling me that she is a lonely person, I realized that Lady Chadwick's narcissism is a coping mechanism for her.

Official Definition

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

"Macrobiotic"

I have no idea why Lady Chadwick decided to go on a macrobiotic diet the week of Christmas. Hopefully her hors d'oeuvres taste better than they look!

Official Definition

Monday, December 22, 2008

"Laggard"

I am generally something of a laggard on Monday mornings, but today I'm feeling quite energetic.

Official Definition

Sunday, December 21, 2008

"Kibbutz"

By working together on the kibbutz, the community became close-knit; however, tensions did arise from people living and working in such close proximity to one another. For instance, after hearing the news of the commotion at one Lady Chadwick's soiree, some of the workers found Princess Amelia's behavior to be reprehensible, while others hailed her as a revolutionary.

Official Definition

Saturday, December 20, 2008

"Jaded"

The epicurean in me overindulged last Christmas, leaving me feeling bloated and jaded. I think I'll try to go easy on the feasting this year!

Official Definition

Friday, December 19, 2008

"Iambic"

I find it a bit ironic that the word "iambic" is in three syllables; maybe it's just me...

Official Definition

Thursday, December 18, 2008

"Hackneyed"

Ah, the holidays are upon us. The one time of the year that we must endure our relatives' hackneyed jokes and stories with a smile on our faces.

Official Definition

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

"Gaffe"

I thought wearing a hoodie to Lady Chadwick's soiree was a gaffe, but not receiving an updated word of the day until early evening is just as bad!

Official Definition

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

"Fabricate"

"Did Gillian fabricate the story about her affair with Russ, or did it really happen?" Stacy asked Linda at the water cooler yesterday.

Official Definition

Monday, December 15, 2008

"Ecclesiastical"

The choir donned their ecclesiastical robes for a warm-up of their rendition of "Amazing Grace."

Official Definition

Sunday, December 14, 2008

"Dastard"

*I'm going to take some liberties and use a form of the word*

Alisa feels that the inventor of word verification committed a dastardly deed in creating it.

Official Definition

Saturday, December 13, 2008

"Cached"

While digging a garden, the new homeowners found some jewelry cached in the backyard.

Official Definition

Friday, December 12, 2008

"Beatific"

The well-wishers sent beatific greetings to Rhonda at her retirement party.

Official Definition

Thursday, December 11, 2008

"Ablaut"

The bell's ablaut pattern is: ring, rang, rung.

Official Definition

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

"Homologous"

Lady Chadwick and Princess Amelia may be homologous in social stature, but they differ in the way they carry themselves.

Official Definition

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

"Elocution"

Lady Chadwick's elocution was elegant and refined; Princess Amelia's was casual and laid-back.

Official Definition

Monday, December 8, 2008

"Sepulcher"

They say that the sepulchers of the ancient Egyptian pharaohs are bedecked in gold and jewels. This adds to the mystery and intrigue of Egypt.

Official Definition

Sunday, December 7, 2008

"Sequacious"

The nonconformist in me found wearing an overpriced gown to Lady Chadwick's soiree to be a sequacious act.

Official Definition

Saturday, December 6, 2008

"Sentinel"

My cat Peyser, is my sentinel until he hears a knocking at the door; at this point, he dashes underneath a chair to hide!

Official Definition

Friday, December 5, 2008

"Dissever"

I'm so glad that BJ found out my true identity. I was afraid that my removal from the soiree might dissever our friendship.

Official Definition

Thursday, December 4, 2008

"Curio"

My favorite curio is a clay bowl I made in 6th grade art class. I got a B+ on it, but I think it's pretty artsy, myself.

Official Definition

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

"Caitiff"

After my embarrassing presence at Lady Chadwick's soiree, the aristocrats have branded me a caitiff; I don't know if I'll ever find myself in their good graces again.

Official Definition

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

"Bulwark"

When I was a child, I once tried to build a snow fort; however, it proved useless as a bulwark.

Official Definition

Monday, December 1, 2008

"Valediction"

Saying my valedictions to BJ and Alisa, I allowed the guards to escort me out of Lady Chadwick's soiree.

Official Definition

Sunday, November 30, 2008

"Incursion"

I was just beginning to enjoy myself at Lady Chadwick's soiree when the guards' incursion spoiled my evening.

Official Definition

Saturday, November 29, 2008

"Balustrade"

I was able to catch a glimpse of Lady Chadwick just as she was preparing to descend the stairs and was poised with her left hand resting elegantly on the balustrade.

Official Definition

Friday, November 28, 2008

"Eminent"

Lady Chadwick is an eminent noblewoman. To be invited to her soiree was the chance of a lifetime. And that reprobate in me ruined it!

Official Definition

Thursday, November 27, 2008

"Cadence"

The steady cadence of my typing lulled my mother to sleep in the recliner.

Official Definition

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

"Emollient"

The lotion I put on my hands every night is a soothing emollient, but it can hardly protect my hands from the harshness of the winter winds.

Official Definition

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

"Reprobate"

Okay, I understand that my fashion sense at the soiree was terrible, but when some of the ladies resorted to calling me a reprobate, well, I thought that was a bit much.

Official Definition

Monday, November 24, 2008

"Guerdon"

The man was offended that his guerdon was not what he expected. Yes, he did help the police catch the criminal, but he didn't realize that the reward offer was voided to criminals who turned themselves in.

Official Definition

Sunday, November 23, 2008

"Escutcheon"

I need to buy a new escutcheon for my light switch. The cheap hardware store variety doesn't look good with my new remodeling.

Official Definition (Note: I used definition #2 for this sentence)

Saturday, November 22, 2008

"Nabob"

I really hate it that I got kicked out of the soiree. And here I was hoping to meet at least one nabob in the flesh. Oh well. Maybe next year I'll have BJ help me choose more appropriate attire for the occasion.

Official Definition

Friday, November 21, 2008

"Lucullan"

The soiree from which I was escorted out was truly a Lucullan affair.

Official Definition

Thursday, November 20, 2008

"Amatory"

The girls giggled with embarrassment and delight when they were caught casting amatory looks toward the new math teacher.

Official Definition

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

"Eminence Grise"

Chelle appeared to be the leader of the high school clique, but she was actually a puppet of the eminence grise, Gloria.

Official Definition

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

"Affectation"

The students displayed only an affectation for literature, in that when it came time for discussion, it was obvious that they cared more about socializing with one another than interpreting Milton.

Official Definition

Monday, November 17, 2008

"Adulterate"

When I was younger, my mom couldn't believe that I wanted to adulterate my mac & cheese with green food coloring. I tried to explain to her that it was St. Patrick's Day, but she wasn't having it!

Official Definition

Sunday, November 16, 2008

"Adduce"

My friend tried to adduce evidence of her innocence, but there was no doubt about it--the dent in the family's car occurred during the time she was driving it.

Official Definition

Saturday, November 15, 2008

"Frowzy"

I always dreaded opening up my high school gym bag at the end of the week to find my frowzy clothes in desperate need of a wash.

Official Definition

Friday, November 14, 2008

"Ensconced"

I had a hard time getting up this morning. I awoke to find myself ensconced in a warm fluffy blanket. I could have stayed like that all day.

Official Definition

Thursday, November 13, 2008

"Obsequies"

One of the saddest events I ever attended was the obsequies for a professor of mine who committed suicide.

Official Definition

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

"Soiree"

I didn't last long at the soiree. Someone noticed my hoodie and jeans, and I was escorted out before cocktail hour!

Official Definition

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

"Sidereal"

I'm glad we don't use sidereal days, because I don't feel that there are even enough minutes in the solar day!

Official Definition

Monday, November 10, 2008

"Intimation"

I heard some subtle intimations that today is Sunshine's birthday.

Official Definition

Sunday, November 9, 2008

"Horripilation"

With the sudden change in temperature, I have begun noticing the horripilation on my arms.

Official Definition

Saturday, November 8, 2008

"Resplendent"

Though the photos I took in the Midwest were pretty, I missed the resplendent colors of the American Southwest.

Official Definition

Friday, November 7, 2008

"Olfactory"

The spicy smell of pumpkin pie baking in the oven wafted through the house, permeating Sunshine's olfactory system. Fall was indeed here, and now she longed for some of that pie.

Official Definition

Thursday, November 6, 2008

"Mot Juste"

I spent hours looking for the mot juste to complete my poem. Then, it occurred to me that "mot juste" was the right word.

Official Definition

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

"Footless"

The allegations of her ineptitude were based on footless claims. The woman was actually remarkably qualified for her job.

Official Definition

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

"Epicure"

I have heard that B.J.'s husband is quite the epicure because his soups are delicious!

Official Definition

Monday, November 3, 2008

"Aquiline"

The principal's aquiline nose gave him the appearance of being stern. All of the children feared being sent to his office.

Official Definition

Sunday, November 2, 2008

"Addle"

All the frenzy of Halloween addled my brain this weekend. Hopefully I'll be back to "normal" on Monday!

Official Definition

Saturday, November 1, 2008

"Abate"

Folks in my neck of the woods are grateful to see the price of fuel abating. It's been a long time coming!

Official Definition

Friday, October 31, 2008

"Gloaming"

The vampires and princesses will start appearing tonight at gloaming, demanding candy of me. Of course, I will provide. Happy Halloween!

Official Definition

Thursday, October 30, 2008

"Hubris"

I would tell you how awesome I am, but I am afraid that my hubris would come back to haunt me. They do say that "Pride goes before a fall."

Official Definition

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

"Bivouac"

After his parents kicked him out of the house, Joe spent the chilly night at a makeshift bivouac by the river.

Official Definition

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

"Execrable"

My first painting was execrable, so I splashed and splattered other colors over it. By the time I was done, it looked modern and quite tolerable.

Official Definition

Monday, October 27, 2008

"Corroborate"

I thought I knew what this word meant, but dictionary.com's corroboration with my own definition validated my assumption.

Official Definition

Sunday, October 26, 2008

"Genuflect"

In an act of genuine penitence, a young man came forward to the altar and genuflected. The pastor bowed to pray with him for a while, and then the young man left his position of prayer to return to his pew.

Official Definition

Saturday, October 25, 2008

"Quandary"

I was in a quandary regarding a blog topic until I visited dictionary.com and looked at the word of the day. Then I knew what to write about!

Official Definition

Friday, October 24, 2008

"Limn"

Her painting of cottony cumulus clouds from the view of an airplane window limned the surreal scene to her daughter, who had not yet flown.

Official Definition

Welcome to Word of the Day!

Hey everybody, I have created a brand-new blog that revolves around dictionary.com's word of the day (hence the name). The plan is that I will use dictionary.com's word of the day in a short post (hopefully correctly). It should be a fun little vocabulary-building exercise!

Dictionary.com's Website