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In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of “Word for the Day”. AfflatusNoun A strong creative impulse, especially as a result of divine inspiration. [Latin affltus, from past participle of afflre, to breathe on : ad-, ad- + flre, to blow; see bhl- in Indo-European roots.] Rules: Everyone must leave a post using the Word for the Day in a sentence. The sentence must, in some way, relate to the news of the day. The Review threads are linked for your edification. ;-) Practice makes...

In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day". chrestomathy \kres-TOM-uh-thee\ , nounA collection of selected literary passages. Example sentences:I had learned to read Sanscrit and to translate easy passages in the chrestomathy, and devoted myself with special zeal to the study of the Latin grammar and prosody.-- Georg Ebers, The Story of My Life from Childhood to Manhood This little chrestomathy preserves almost the only words of Atticus to have survived from antiquity.-- Peter White, Cicero in Letters Etymology: Chrestomathy literally...

In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of “Word for the Day”. CaptiousAdjective 1. Marked by a disposition to find and point out trivial faults: a captious scholar. 2. Intended to entrap or confuse, as in an argument: a captious question. captiously adv.; captiousness n.Middle English capcious, from Old French captieux, from Latin captisus, from capti, seizure, sophism, from captus, past participle of capere, to seize; see kap- in Indo-European roots. Rules: Everyone must leave a post using the Word for the Day in a...

Word For The Day, Tuesday, May 22, 2012 In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day". stroppy [strop-ee] -adj British Informal. bad-tempered or hostile; quick to take offense. [1950–55; perhaps (ob)strep(erous) + -y1 , though o is unexplained ]

Word For The Day, Monday, 5/21/12 ; In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day". scrofulous; adj. : of, relating to, or affected with scrofula 2a : having a diseased run-down appearance b : morally contaminated Etymology: 1605–15; scroful(a) + -ous Rules: Everyone must leave a post using the Word for the Day in a sentence. The sentence must, in some way, relate to the news of the day. The Review threads are linked for your edification. ;-) Practice makes perfect.....post on.......

In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of “Word for the Day”. PellucidAdjective 1. Admitting the passage of light; transparent or translucent. See Synonyms at clear. 2. Transparently clear in style or meaning: pellucid prose. pellucidity, pellucidness noun pellucidly adverb[Latin pellcidus, from pellcre, to shine through : per-, through; see per- + lcre, to shine; see leuk- in Indo-European roots.] Rules: Everyone must leave a post using the Word for the Day in a sentence. The sentence must, in some way, relate to the news...

In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day". omphalos \OM-fuh-luhs , noun1. The central point.2. The navel; umbilicus.3. Greek Antiquity. A stone in the temple of Apollo at Delphi, thought to mark the center of the earth. Example sentences:To that incurable romantic the Trenton hovel was omphalos, the hub of existence, the center of mass.-- Ellen Queen, Halfway House Yes; but if not of the earth, for earth's tenant Jerusalem was the omphalos of mortality.-- Thomas De Quincey, Suspiria de Profundies...

In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of “Word for the Day”. ArgotNoun A specialized vocabulary or set of idioms used by a particular group: thieves' argot. See Synonyms at dialect. Rules: Everyone must leave a post using the Word for the Day in a sentence. The sentence must, in some way, relate to the news of the day. The Review threads are linked for your edification. ;-) Practice makes perfect.....post on.... Review Threads: Review Thread One: Word For The Day, Thursday 11/14/02: Raffish (Be...

Word For The Day, Tuesday, 5/15/12 ; In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day". histrionic; adj.; noun; adv. 1. excessively dramatic, insincere, or artificial: histrionic gestures 2. rare dramatic — n 3. ( plural ) melodramatic displays of temperament 4. rare ( plural, functioning as singular ) dramatics [C17: from Late Latin histri�nicus of a player, from histri� actor] histrionical or histrionical — adj — n [C17: from Late Latin histri�nicus of a player, from histri� actor] histri'onically or histrionical —...

Word For The Monday, 5/14/12 ; In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day". ensorcellment; noun [verb is ensorcell] >to bewitch: The beauty of the moon ensorcelled them. Etymology: 1535–45; < Middle French ensorceler to bewitch, dissimilated variant of ensorcerer. See en-1 , sorcerer

In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of “Word for the Day”. CamarillaNoun A group of confidential, often scheming advisers; a cabal. [Spanish, diminutive of cámara, room, from Late Latin camera; see chamber.] Rules: Everyone must leave a post using the Word for the Day in a sentence. The sentence must, in some way, relate to the news of the day. The Review threads are linked for your edification. ;-) Practice makes perfect.....post on.... Review Threads: Review Thread One: Word For The Day, Thursday 11/14/02:...

In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day". obtest \ob-TEST\ , verb1. To supplicate earnestly; beseech.2. To invoke as witness.3. To protest.4. To make supplication; beseech. Example sentences:I constrain, adjure, obtest and strongly command you.-- Sir Walter Scott, Guy Mannering And whosoever she be, even with the form of words which to miserable wretches is granted most exaudible, I pray, and do with those prayers most heartily obtest, which are in the ears of the hearers of them most effectual, that...

In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of “Word for the Day”. CicatrixNoun A scar left by the formation of new connective tissue over a healing sore or wound. PL: cicatricesAdjective : Cicatricial or Cicatricose[Middle English cicatrice, from Latin cictrx, cictrc-.] Rules: Everyone must leave a post using the Word for the Day in a sentence. The sentence must, in some way, relate to the news of the day. The Review threads are linked for your edification. ;-) Practice makes perfect.....post on.... Review Threads: Review...

Word For The Day, Tuesday, May 8, 2012 In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day". sudorific [soo-duh-rif-ik] -adj 1. causing sweat; diaphoretic. 2. sudoriparous -n 3. a sudorific agent [1620–30; < Neo-Latin sūd�rificus, equivalent to Latin sūd�r-, stem of sūdor sweat ( see sudoriferous) + -i- -i- + -ficus -fic ]

Word For The Day, Monday, 5/7/12 ; In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day". untenable; adj. click the word for pronunciation 1. incapable of being defended, as an argument, thesis, etc.; indefensible. 2. not fit to be occupied, as an apartment, house, etc Example SentencesSuch a proposal would have been socially, politically and legally untenable given the standards of the day. US-sponsored bilateral negotiations have become a formula for sustaining an otherwise untenable status quo. Right now, refugees are in an...

In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of “Word for the Day”. bon vivantNoun A person with refined taste, especially one who enjoys superb food and drink. [French : bon, good + vivant, present participle of vivre, to live.] Rules: Everyone must leave a post using the Word for the Day in a sentence. The sentence must, in some way, relate to the news of the day. The Review threads are linked for your edification. ;-) Practice makes perfect.....post on.... Review Threads: Review Thread One:...

In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day". numen \NOO-min\, nounDivine power, especially one who inhabits a particular object. Example sentences:This “liquid” flowing up his arm and out of the other was numen, the divine substance, the sacred spirit that lives in a certain place in the body and sustains us all.-- Jonathan Carroll, White Apples He was now fairly confident that a shrine, unlike a temple, would contain no resident numen.-- Dave Duncan, Present Tense (Round Two of the Great...

In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of “Word for the Day”. AdustAdjective 1. Burned; scorched. 2. Archaic Browned by the sun; sunburned. 3. Archaic Melancholy in appearance or temperament; gloomy. [Middle English, from Latin adustus, past participle of adrere, to set fire to : ad-, ad- + rere, to burn.] Rules: Everyone must leave a post using the Word for the Day in a sentence. The sentence must, in some way, relate to the news of the day. The Review threads are linked for...

Word For The Day, Tuesday, May 1, 2012 In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day". ullage [uhl-ij] -n 1. the amount by which the contents fall short of filling a container, as a cask or bottle. 2. the quantity of wine, liquor, or the like, remaining in a container that has lost part of its contents by evaporation, leakage, or use. 3. Rocketry the volume of a loaded tank of liquid propellant in excess of the volume of the propellant; the...

Word For The Day, Monday, 4/30/12 ; In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day". Bemuse;transitive verb CLICK THE WORD FOR PRONUNCIATION : to make confused : puzzle, bewilder 2: to occupy the attention of : distract, absorb 3: to cause to have feelings of wry or tolerant amusement — be·mus·ed·ly \-ˈmyü-zəd-lē\ adverb — be·muse·ment \-ˈmyüz-mənt\ noun Etymology: "to make utterly confused," from be- + muse (cf. amuse), attested from 1735 but probably older, as Pope (1705) punned on it as "devoted...

In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of “Word for the Day”. Aperçu 1 : a brief survey or sketch : outline 2 : an immediate impression; especially : insight Origin of APERÇU French, from aperçu, past participle of apercevoir to perceive, from Old French aperceivre, from a- (from Latin ad-) + perceivre to perceive — more at perceive First Known Use: 1828 Rhymes with APERÇU avenue, babassu, baby blue, ballyhoo, barbecue, billet-doux, bird's-eye view, black-and-blue, buckaroo, bugaboo, callaloo, caribou, catech... [+]more Rules: Everyone must...

In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day". riposte or ripost (ri-POST) noun: 1. A quick, clever reply. 2. In fencing, a quick return thrust.verb tr.: To make a quick, clever reply.verb intr.: In fencing, to make a quick return thrust. Example sentence:"Asked about the situation, Rodriguez delivered a particularly pointed riposte that embodied his mature response to the entire situation." ---Sam Borden; Kansas State Sets Up Melting Pot; The New York Times; Mar 16, 2012. Etymology: From obsolete French risposte...

In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of “Word for the Day”. Susurrus, also Susurration Noun A soft, whispering or rustling sound; a murmur. Rules: Everyone must leave a post using the Word for the Day in a sentence. The sentence must, in some way, relate to the news of the day. The Review threads are linked for your edification. ;-) Practice makes perfect.....post on.... Review Threads: Review Thread One: Word For The Day, Thursday 11/14/02: Raffish (Be SURE to check out posts #92 and...

Word For The Day, Tuesday, April 24, 2012 In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day". beek [beek] -vt, vi 1. to bask or warm in the sunshine or before a fireplace, stove, or bonfire.2. (of wood) to season by exposure to heat. -n3. Obsolete the act of basking or warming by a fire. [1200–50; Middle English beken, akin to bake (perhaps < Germanic *b�kjan ) ]

Word For The Day, Monday, 4.23.12 In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day". Flyting; noun : a dispute or exchange of personal abuse in verse form Etymology: (Scots: "quarreling," or "contention"), poetic competition of the Scottish makaris (poets) of the 15th and 16th centuries, in which two highly skilled rivals engaged in a contest of verbal abuse, remarkable for its fierceness and extravagance. Although contestants attacked each other spiritedly, they actually had a professional respect for their rival's vocabulary of invective....

In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of “Word for the Day”. Cognomen(kg-nmn) n. pl. cog·no·mens or cog·nom·i·na (-nm-n) 1. a. A family name; a surname. b. The third and usually last name of a citizen of ancient Rome, as Caesar in Gaius Julius Caesar. 2. A name, especially a descriptive nickname or epithet acquired through usage over a period of time. Rules: Everyone must leave a post using the Word for the Day in a sentence. The sentence must, in some way, relate to...

In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day". pettifog \PET-ee-fog\, verb1. To bicker or quibble over trifles or unimportant matters.2. To carry on a petty, shifty, or unethical law business.3. To practice chicanery of any sort. . Example sentences:Marius, my boy, you are a baron, you are rich, don't pettifog, I beg of you.-- Victor Hugo, Les Misérables Naturally, the wonderful tubers Brillat-Savarin dug up and dished out lacked the penultimate refinements of washing and cooking, but it would've been gauche...

In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of “Word for the Day”. EldritchAdjective Strange or unearthly; eerie. [Perhaps Middle English *elriche : Old English el-, strange, other; see al-1 in Indo-European roots + Old English rce, realm; see reg- in Indo-European roots.] Rules: Everyone must leave a post using the Word for the Day in a sentence. The sentence must, in some way, relate to the news of the day. The Review threads are linked for your edification. ;-) Practice makes perfect.....post on.... Review Threads:...

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Word For The Day, Tuesday, April 17, 2012 In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day". gloze [glohz] -vt 1. to explain away; extenuate; gloss over (usually followed by over ). -vi2. Archaic to make glosses; comment. -n3. Archaic flattery or deceit 4. Obsolete a specious show [1250–1300; Middle English < Old French gloser < Medieval Latin gloss�re; see gloss2 ] glozingly, advunglozed, adj

Word For The Day, Monday, 4/16/12 ; In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day". picayune; adj. 1. of little value or account; small; trifling: a picayune amount. 2. petty, carping, or prejudiced: I didn't want to seem picayune by criticizing. noun 3. (formerly, in Louisiana, Florida, etc.) a coin equal to half a Spanish real. 4. any small coin, as a five-cent piece. 5. Informal . an insignificant person or thing. Etymology: 1780–90; < Provençal picaioun small copper coin (compare French...

In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of “Word for the Day”. GrameNoun 1. Anger; wrath; scorn. 2. Sorrow; grief; misery. Rules: Everyone must leave a post using the Word for the Day in a sentence. The sentence must, in some way, relate to the news of the day. The Review threads are linked for your edification. ;-) Practice makes perfect.....post on.... Review Threads: Review Thread One: Word For The Day, Thursday 11/14/02: Raffish (Be SURE to check out posts #92 and #111 on this...

In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day". macaronic \mak-uh-RON-ik\ , adjective1. Composed of a mixture of languages.2. Composed of or characterized by Latin words mixed with vernacular words or non-Latin words given Latin endings.3. Mixed; jumbled. noun1. Macaronics, macaronic language.2. A macaronic verse or other piece of writing. Example sentences:The tradition is even more significant in Folengo's Italian works and especially in his macaronic writings.-- Mikhail Bakhtin, Rabelais and His World The macaronic mode swivels between different languages. I believe...

In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of “Word for the Day”. CadgeVerb To beg or get by begging. Rules: Everyone must leave a post using the Word for the Day in a sentence. The sentence must, in some way, relate to the news of the day. The Review threads are linked for your edification. ;-) Practice makes perfect.....post on.... Review Threads: Review Thread One: Word For The Day, Thursday 11/14/02: Raffish (Be SURE to check out posts #92 and #111 on this thread!) Review...

Word For The Day, Tuesday, April 10, 2012 In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day". cumshaw [kuhm-shaw] -n a present; gratuity; tip. [1810–20; < dialectal Chinese (Xiamen) kam si�, equivalent to Chinese gân xiè grateful thanks ]

Word For The Day, Monday, 4/9/12 ; In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day". intransigent; adj. 1. refusing to agree or compromise; uncompromising; inflexible. noun 2. a person who refuses to agree or compromise, as in politics. Etymology: 1875–80; < Spanish intransigente, equivalent to in- in-3 + transigente (present participle of transigir to compromise) < Latin tr�nsigent- (stem of tr�nsigēns, present participle of tr�nsigere to come to an agreement); see transact Rules: Everyone must leave a post using the Word for...

In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of “Word for the Day”. TectonicsNoun (used with a singular verb) 1. The study of the earth's structural features.2. The art or science of construction, especially of large buildings. Rules: Everyone must leave a post using the Word for the Day in a sentence. The sentence must, in some way, relate to the news of the day. The Review threads are linked for your edification. ;-) Practice makes perfect.....post on.... Review Threads: Review Thread One: Word For The...

In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day". chelonian \ki-LOH-nee-uhn\, adjective1. Belonging or pertaining to the order Chelonia, comprising the turtles. noun1. A turtle. Example sentences:At the truly chelonian pace of somewhat under two miles per hour, the passengers and crew onboard would cover the twenty-seven hundred miles in just over two months.-- Caleb H. Johnson, The Mayflower and Her Passengers The study door crashed back and a seventy-year-old politician stood there, top hat firmly on his head, collar awry around...

In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of “Word for the Day”. ReifyTr. Verb To regard or treat (an abstraction) as if it had concrete or material existence. reification n. reifier n.reificatory adj Rules: Everyone must leave a post using the Word for the Day in a sentence. The sentence must, in some way, relate to the news of the day. The Review threads are linked for your edification. ;-) Practice makes perfect.....post on.... Review Threads: Review Thread One: Word For The Day, Thursday 11/14/02:...

Word For The Day, Tuesday, April 3, 2012 In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day". skosh [skohsh] -n a bit; a jot [< Japanese sukoshi a little (bit) ]

Word For The Day, Monday, 4/2/12 ; In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day". licit; adj. legal; lawful; legitimate; permissible. Etymology:1475–85; < Latin licitus permitted (past participle of licēre ); replacing earlier licite < Middle French; see -ite Rules: Everyone must leave a post using the Word for the Day in a sentence. The sentence must, in some way, relate to the news of the day. The Review threads are linked for your edification. ;-) Practice makes perfect.....post on....

In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of “Word for the Day”. Repine 1. To be discontented or low in spirits; complain or fret. 2. To yearn after something: Immigrants who repined for their homeland. Rules: Everyone must leave a post using the Word for the Day in a sentence. The sentence must, in some way, relate to the news of the day. The Review threads are linked for your edification. ;-) Practice makes perfect.....post on.... Review Threads: Review Thread One: Word For The Day,...

In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of “Word for the Day”. EidolonNounn. pl. eidolons or eidola (-l) 1. A phantom; an apparition. 2. An image of an ideal. Rules: Everyone must leave a post using the Word for the Day in a sentence. The sentence must, in some way, relate to the news of the day. The Review threads are linked for your edification. ;-) Practice makes perfect.....post on.... Review Threads: Review Thread One: Word For The Day, Thursday 11/14/02: Raffish (Be SURE to...

In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day". catechize \KAT-i-kahyz\, verb1. To question closely.2. To instruct orally by means of questions and answers, especially in Christian doctrine.3. To question with reference to belief. Example sentences:He sent her off when the dial made it five o'clock every fourth Sunday—for we had service only once a month, the parson having a church at Brampton, where he lived, and another as well, which made it the more wicked of us to play truant—but whether...

Word For The Day, Tuesday, March 27, 2012 In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day". wen [wen] -n 1. Pathology a benign encysted tumor of the skin, especially on the scalp, containing sebaceous matter; a sebaceous cyst. 2. British a large overcrowded city (esp London in the phrase "the great wen" ) [Old English wenn; related to Danish dialect van, væne, Dutch wenn ]

Word For The Day, Monday, 3/25/12 ; In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day". burgeon; verb 1. to grow or develop quickly; flourish: The town burgeoned into a city. He burgeoned into a fine actor. 2. to begin to grow, as a bud; put forth buds, shoots, etc., as a plant (often followed by out, forth ). Etymology: 1275–1325; (noun) Middle English burjon, burion; shoot, bud < Anglo-French burjun, burg ( e ) on; Old French burjon < Vulgar Latin *burri�ne...

In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of “Word for the Day”. Sui GenerisAdjective Being the only example of its kind; unique. [Latin su generis : su, of its own + generis, genitive of genus, kind.] Rules: Everyone must leave a post using the Word for the Day in a sentence. The sentence must, in some way, relate to the news of the day. The Review threads are linked for your edification. ;-) Practice makes perfect.....post on.... Review Threads: Review Thread One: Word For The...

In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day". brisance \bri-ZAHNS\ , nounThe shattering effect of a high explosive. Example sentences:The 'There' turned out to be crucial for the sense of brisance and closure and resolving issues of impotent rage and powerless fear that like accrued in Lenz all day being trapped in the northeastern portions of a squalid halfway house all day fearing for his life, Lenz felt.-- David Foster Wallace, Infinite Jest But this was sustained explosion, reaching now and...

In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of “Word for the Day”. DemulcentAdjective Serving to soothe or soften. Noun A soothing, usually mucilaginous or oily substance, such as glycerin or lanolin, used especially to relieve pain in inflamed or irritated mucous membrane [Latin dmulcns, dmulcent-, present participle of dmulcre, to soften : d-, de- + mulcre, to stroke.] Rules: Everyone must leave a post using the Word for the Day in a sentence. The sentence must, in some way, relate to the news of the...

Word For The Day, Tuesday, March 20, 2012 In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day". quincunx [kwing-kuhngks, kwin-] -n, pl -tus, -tus·es1. an arrangement of five objects, as trees, in a square or rectangle, one at each corner and one in the middle. 2. Botany an overlapping arrangement of five petals or leaves, in which two are interior, two are exterior, and one is partly interior and partly exterior. [1640–50; < Latin: five twelfths ( quinc-, variant of quīnque- quinque- +...