Word of the Day

"Quash"

2010-04-28T01:02:00.002-05:00

In one fell swoop, the instructor managed to quash all the hopes and dreams of her young and impressionable students. Too bad I was one of those students.

Official Definition

"Masticate"

2010-03-06T07:42:00.002-06:00

As he stood gnawing on the turkey leg, sauce dripping from his Mick Jagger lips, the man's masticating teeth were grinding against one another, to the utter horror and chagrin of all within a 100-yard radius.

Official Definition

"Didactic"

2010-03-04T19:23:00.001-06:00

I hope my didactic newspaper column helped reinforce the lesson I taught in rhetoric today.

Official Definition

"Temporize"

2010-03-02T16:38:00.002-06:00

Honestly, though I'm no fan of Valentine's Day, I do think it was kind of rude of the person who kept temporizing when my friend asked him to the dance, only to say at the last minute he didn't want to go.

Official Definition

"Arcanum"

2010-02-24T18:03:00.002-06:00

Racquelle marvelled at the arcana of the teenage years; she speculated that perhaps, that was the one subject that mere mortals would never be able to understand.

Official Definition

"Egregious"

2010-02-20T15:47:00.002-06:00

As soon as the words escaped her mouth, she realized she had committed an egregious error.

Official Definition

"Gastronome"

2010-02-19T18:32:00.002-06:00

Racquelle, the world-renowed gastronome, refuses to eat anything from McDonald's.

Official Definition

"Duplicity"

2010-02-18T18:40:00.000-06:00

Duplicity ruined the friendship of a high schooler and a girl who was an infamous gossip. Turns out the gossip forgot that her latest and juiciest story involved the sister of the other friend. Too bad she told that story to the friend...

Official Definition

"Hypnagogic"

2010-02-17T21:03:00.002-06:00

Sometimes I think I need to invest in some hypnagogic remedies to counter my frequent bouts of insomnia.

Official Definition

"Inexorable"

2010-02-16T23:00:00.002-06:00

The inexorable professor would make no exceptions to any of the rules in her syllabus.

Official Definition

"Vivify"

2010-02-15T17:15:00.002-06:00

Using descriptive images and effective metaphor can vivify almost any essay.

Official Definition

"Billet-doux"

2010-02-14T22:15:00.002-06:00

*Word of the Day is back by popular demand! Hopefully I can keep up with this thing and maybe fill in the huge gap I created by not posting for several months.*

The cynic found a billet-doux in her mailbox and promptly threw it in the recycle bin. Probably just as well for the unfortunate man who was trying to court her.

Official Definition

"Ineffable"

2009-07-12T20:24:00.002-05:00

After nights of insomnia, I fought a bout of ineffable fatigue.

Official Definition

"Gauche"

2009-07-11T20:29:00.000-05:00

Being with rude people at a restaurant makes me feel gauche and embarrassed. Of course, they aren't the least bit embarrassed.

Official Definition

"Bravura"

2009-07-10T09:58:00.001-05:00

Pierce played a great bravura at Andre and Scott's wedding. He's a very talented young man.

Official Definition

"Fervid"

2009-07-09T14:12:00.002-05:00

The roommates were fervid debaters who only got a good night's sleep when they went home for holidays and the occasional long weekend.

Official Definition

"Apogee"

2009-07-08T09:20:00.002-05:00

At the apogee of her career, Maureen was beautiful, well-loved, wealthy, and miserable.

Official Definition

"Shibboleth"

2009-07-07T10:29:00.000-05:00

On a field trip to Chicago, the country kids could always recognize the native Chicagoans by the particular shibboleth of that area that they displayed; likewise, the Chicago kids recognized the country bumpkins by the same trick.

Official Definition

"Verdant"

2009-07-06T10:44:00.001-05:00

The vacationers appreciated the verdant hills of Virginia. It was refreshing to them to sneak away from the crowded city streets they had grown so accustomed to.

Official Definition

"Affray"

2009-07-05T10:59:00.000-05:00

The preacher came by to break up a nasty affray between two elderly churchladies at the annual bake sale. It seems that friends Annabelle Jane and Lucy both reached for the pan of brownies at the same time. Pastor Smith broke up the quarrel by informing Lucy that "magic brownies" were not sold at church bake sales. Lucy then permitted Annabelle Jane to purchase them.

Official Definition

"Rampart"

2009-07-04T11:12:00.000-05:00

The children built forts and ramparts of snow in winter. When the snow melted, they made them of mud. When the mud dried out, they improvised with tables and chairs. When fall came, they picked a new game.

Official Definition

"Doughty"

2009-07-03T11:19:00.000-05:00

The doughty knight didn't impress the princess much; she was more into bad boys like Robin Hood.

Official Definition

"Vagary"

2009-07-02T13:39:00.002-05:00

They had a vagary to fly to Paris; they did it, and came back two weeks later broke and with terrible pictures of the Eiffel Tower. But at least they had a good time.

Official Definition

"Penury"

2009-07-01T11:02:00.001-05:00

Pampered elitists rarely understand the needs of those living in penury.

Official Definition

"Badinage"

2009-06-30T11:07:00.002-05:00

The witty badinage continued until the boy tired of his girlfriend's sarcastic remarks.

Official Definition

"Clandestine"

2009-06-29T11:28:00.000-05:00

The clandestine organization was brought to the surface when one of its members leaked information to the outside world. Then the little boys had to open up their clubhouse to their little sisters, 'cuz Mom said so.

Official Definition

"Orotund"

2009-06-28T11:32:00.000-05:00

The preacher's orotund speaking ability entranced those around him. Even when he wasn't in the pulpit.

Official Definition

"Quidnunc"

2009-06-27T11:44:00.000-05:00

The young girls at the water cooler were no match for the quidnunc Bob, who seemed to always know the latest scandals--mainly because he was always directly involved in them.

Official Definition

"Encomium"

2009-06-26T11:55:00.000-05:00

So often, when people try to give an encomium, the praise comes across sounding insincere.

Official Definition

"Sough"

2009-06-25T09:08:00.002-05:00

With a sough of yearning and sadness, the young woman watched her former love repeat his vows to another woman--and that's when I turned off the TV.

Official Definition

"Daedal"

2009-06-24T10:11:00.002-05:00

Not everyone appreciates the daedal pyramid at the Louvre.

Official Definition

"Pule"

2009-06-23T11:26:00.001-05:00

Hearing a kitten pule, my dad went on a search and rescue mission and brought her back, safe and sound.

Official Definition

"Copse"

2009-06-22T09:23:00.002-05:00

Frightened by the noise of nearby traffic, the rabbits dashed into the safety of a small copse of grasses and brush.

Official Definition

"Tutelary"

2009-06-21T09:29:00.002-05:00

Raised to believe that St. Christopher was the tutelary of travel, his namesake always brought his St. Christopher medal along with him on any trips he took, long or short.

Official Definition

"Ebullient"

2009-06-20T10:40:00.000-05:00

The evangelist's ebullient tent meeting revival brought in crowds of people from miles around.

Official Definition

"Nimiety"

2009-06-19T15:42:00.002-05:00

A poster child of nimiety, he always went further in debt to try to buy friendships with elaborate and exotic gifts.

Official Definition

"Prescience"

2009-06-18T15:46:00.003-05:00

Believing in the prescience of fortune-tellers, the young girl had an amateur read her cards; unfortunately for her, the amateur grabbed the wrong stack, and thus, the young girl got her playing cards read.

Official Definition

"Gravid"

2009-06-17T15:51:00.002-05:00

The gravid mother cat's belly dragged the ground when she walked.

Official Definition

"Salutary"

2009-06-16T10:33:00.002-05:00

During the summer months, she practices salutary diet and exercise habits; in the winter, she lets herself go, indulging in all sorts of pies, cookies, cocoas, and coffees.

Official Definition

"Effulgence"

2009-06-15T10:22:00.001-05:00

The effulgence of the carnival lights made the children dizzy with delight.

Official Definition

"Aver"

2009-06-14T10:32:00.002-05:00

The child will always aver that his opinion is right and his mother's is wrong.

Official Definition

"Prestidigitation"

2009-06-13T14:37:00.002-05:00

The children were awed by the magician's prestidigitation at the school carnival.

Official Definition

"Megrim"

2009-06-12T10:53:00.000-05:00

My friend finally decided to see the doctor when her megrim was so bad that she nearly passed out just walking to class.

Official Definition

"Redivivus"

2009-06-11T10:25:00.002-05:00

Sometimes I think dictionary.com likes to feature archaic words redivivus.

Official Definition

"Disport"

2009-06-10T16:34:00.001-05:00

The children miraculously found ways to disport themselves during the long days of summer vacation.

Official Definition

"Paragon"

2009-06-09T16:45:00.002-05:00

The model student was to be a paragon of excellence and an inspiration to the entire student body, but the pressure became too much and he dropped out of school.

Official Definition

"Tergiversation"

2009-06-08T10:08:00.002-05:00

His tergiversation on the capital punishment issue was a factor in his failing the persuasive argument assignment in composition class.

Official Definition

"Oneiric"

2009-06-07T11:20:00.002-05:00

Sometimes the oneiric world is pleasant, but oftentimes it is frightening.

Official Definition

"Mores"

2009-06-06T11:34:00.000-05:00

Nobody stopped to consider that the social club's mores were a little bizarre; it had become tradition to begin each meeting by throwing a glass of water on one's head, and the meetings degenerated from there.

Official Definition

"Abstemious"

2009-06-05T11:49:00.001-05:00

Though the wide array of desserts tempted her, she remained abstemious and only chose one low-fat fruit dish.

Official Definition

"Pother"

2009-06-04T11:41:00.003-05:00

Choosing a motto for the new English club created such a pother than the club's president adjourned the meeting to another time and inserted one of his own quotes into the newsletter's letterhead.

Official Definition

"Espy"

2009-06-03T13:14:00.002-05:00

Good thing I watched that episode of Monty Python; I am now able to espy a larch tree from quite a long way away.

Official Definition

"Hortatory"

2009-06-02T16:21:00.000-05:00

I recently finished reading about Elmer Gantry and his hortatory sermons.

Official Definition

"Cosset"

2009-06-01T17:16:00.000-05:00

His mother thought it best to cosset him all his life; the poor guy never did learn to be independent or think for himself.

Official Definition

"Venerate"

2009-05-31T05:29:00.001-05:00

Being an animal lover, Racquelle venerates all creatures, large and small.

Official Definition

"Taciturn"

2009-05-30T17:18:00.000-05:00

As a child, I was generally taciturn, keeping away from groups and conversations.

Official Definition

"Sybarite"

2009-05-29T10:53:00.002-05:00

Can a sybarite ever be truly happy? Or does this person always yearn for something beyond his or her reach?

Official Definition

"Avoirdupois"

2009-05-28T17:41:00.000-05:00

Perhaps a change of diet and getting more exercise will help me rid myself of excess avoirdupois this summer.

Official Definition

"Sagacious"

2009-05-27T13:09:00.002-05:00

The child, sagacious beyond her years, informed her older brother that his prejudice against women was juvenile. He took down the "no girls allowed" sign and agreed to share his treehouse with her after that.

Official Definition

"Pejorative"

2009-05-26T13:19:00.001-05:00

Every positive comment the motivational speaker gave seemed to have a pejorative effect on the pessimist.

Official Definition

"Fillip"

2009-05-25T15:36:00.000-05:00

Instead of pinching himself, he filliped his cheek to make sure he wasn't dreaming.

Official Definition

"Depredation"

2009-05-24T15:45:00.000-05:00

Being summertime, the teenagers attacked the mall with credit cards and intents of warehouse depredation.

Official Definition

"Equanimity"

2009-05-23T15:48:00.000-05:00

It was with surprising equanimity that the pious mother accepted the fact that her son was just not cut out for the ministry.

Official Definition

"Buss"

2009-05-22T09:09:00.000-05:00

Feigning affection, he gave her a quick buss on the cheek. His cold lips more than symbolized the lack of warmth in the kiss.

Official Definition

"Immure"

2009-05-21T11:13:00.002-05:00

With nothing less than their children's best interest in mind, and nothing but the worst possible tactics, the parents managed to immure their two daughters from reality and stunt their emotional growth.

Official Definition

"Satiety"

2009-05-20T11:00:00.002-05:00

While eating out with my grandma yesterday, I reluctantly ate dessert after the feeling of satiety had already kicked in.

Official Definition

"Fey"

2009-05-19T18:56:00.002-05:00

Some people like to read fantasy novels with lots of fey characters and magic. I, however, prefer that depressing old realist literature, myself.

Official Definition

"Pernicious"

2009-05-18T10:30:00.001-05:00

Her pernicious words cut him deep.

Official Definition

"Exigency"

2009-05-17T11:09:00.000-05:00

She had an aura of exigency about her in everything she did; from making toast to picking the kids up from school, Jane was always on the go.

Official Definition

"Stolid"

2009-05-16T11:03:00.002-05:00

Though he was hurting on the inside, the young man remained stolid to those around him.

Official Definition

"Querulous"

2009-05-15T11:33:00.002-05:00

...and so the querulous students were sent to eternal detention, and the teachers lived happily ever after. (if kindergarten teachers had their own fairy tales)

Official Definition

"Unctuous"

2009-05-14T11:37:00.000-05:00

The salesman's words were as unctuous as his greased hair.

Official Definition

"Abnegate"

2009-05-13T15:08:00.003-05:00

I still can't believe the student forum president abnegated his position after the school administration turned down the students' request for paved parking.

Official Definition

"Odium"

2009-05-12T10:33:00.001-05:00

My health-conscious grandmother has a real odium for sodium.

Official Definition

"Bombinate"

2009-05-11T11:50:00.002-05:00

If I hear a bee or wasp bombinating in my general vicinity, then I relocate.

Official Definition

"Munificent"

2009-05-10T11:47:00.000-05:00

Munificent parents are great, but they must warn their children that the world in general is not a typically generous place.

Official Definition

"Nostrum"

2009-05-09T11:34:00.001-05:00

I'm proud of Racquelle for not buying into each new fad and nostrum, though I must admit, she probably relies too much on medicine and not enough on prevention.

Official Definition

"Aliment"

2009-05-08T11:05:00.003-05:00

Racquelle's main aliment consists of McNuggets from McDonalds and tuna subs from Subway.

Official Definition

"Coruscate"

2009-05-07T09:59:00.002-05:00

The diamonds in the jeweler's shop coruscated with brilliance.

Official Definition

"Lugubrious"

2009-05-06T12:10:00.003-05:00

Racquelle and I have been lugubrious and inconsolable since Coca-Cola discontinued Surge.

Official Definition

"Quaff"

2009-05-05T10:44:00.001-05:00

Racquelle quaffed her sweet tea, then demanded more.

Official Definition

"Tyro"

2009-05-04T11:03:00.001-05:00

Training a tyro tends to be a tremendously trying and tiring task.

Official Definition

"Albatross"

2009-05-03T10:50:00.000-05:00

The first time I ever heard of an albatross was on an episode of Monty Python's Flying Circus.

Official Definition

"Senescent"

2009-05-02T10:39:00.000-05:00

I don't know why the library circulates these senescent books, but it's kind of neat to check out volumes older than my grandparents.

Official Definition

"Risible"

2009-05-01T11:09:00.002-05:00

Racquelle seemed to think my lack of coordination at the clothing store was risible last night.

Official Definition

"Mellifluous"

2009-04-30T07:33:00.003-05:00

In high school, I often listened to mellifluous music after school and work to help me relax before bedtime.

Official Definition

"Bumptious"

2009-04-29T11:55:00.001-05:00

The young man's coworkers were turned off by his bumptious actions and haughty claims.

Official Definition

"Eleemosynary"

2009-04-28T22:12:00.002-05:00

The lady hoped to donate unwanted possessions to various eleemosynary organizations.

Official Definition

"Ken"

2009-04-27T09:58:00.003-05:00

My sports ken is limited--I wasn't good at sports, and never cared to learn much about them in school.

Official Definition

"Somnolent"

2009-04-26T16:03:00.001-05:00

I was feeling rather somnolent after my long walk on Friday.

Official Definition

"Imbroglio"

2009-04-25T10:00:00.003-05:00

It took 15 years for the imbroglio between the former best friends to cool off, and the friendship never was the same afterwards.

Official Definition

"Gainsay"

2009-04-24T10:16:00.003-05:00

School administration just had to gainsay my idea of raising funds to pave the high school parking lot. Instead, any extra money went toward athletics. Go figure.

Official Definition

"Paladin"

2009-04-23T09:39:00.002-05:00

My friend, a paladin for Earth Day, strongly encouraged everyone to reduce, reuse, and recycle yesterday.

Official Definition

"Invidious"

2009-04-22T10:17:00.003-05:00

The invidious statements printed in the newspaper only furthered the cause of the group to whom the statements were directed.

Official Definition

"Peccadillo"

2009-04-21T11:40:00.002-05:00

I suppose that getting pulled over for a burnt-out license plate bulb was only a minor peccadillo; it was still humilating, though.

Official Definition

"Stormy Petrel"

2009-04-20T10:25:00.002-05:00

"I'd like to find the stormy petrel who started spreading rumors about me," Jasmine said to Jayden. Little did she know that Jayden was the culprit.

Official Definition

"Crepuscular"

2009-04-19T14:49:00.002-05:00

Sitting around the campfire, I was able to admire the beauty of the crepuscular countryside as night began to fall and the air picked up a chill.

Official Definition

"Quiddity"

2009-04-18T13:42:00.002-05:00

The quiddity of the beach trip is warm sunshine and crashing waves on the shore.

Official Definition

"Ephemeral"

2009-04-17T14:48:00.002-05:00

The girls found that going shopping only brought them ephemeral happiness.

Official Definition

"Etiolate"

2009-04-16T10:19:00.001-05:00

After losing his best friend in the war, the young soldier's morale began to etiolate to the point he could no longer remember why he volunteered in the first place.

Official Definition