Free Republic

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”. CajoleVerb 1. To persuade by flattery, gentle pleading, or insincere language: "He knew how she cajoled him into getting things for her and then would not even let him kiss her" (Theodore Dreiser). 2. To elicit or obtain by flattery, gentle pleading, or insincere language: The athlete cajoled a signing bonus out of the team's owner. Rules: Everyone must leave a post using the Word for the Day in a sentence. The sentence...

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”. VilipendTr. Verb 1. To view or treat with contempt; despise. 2. To speak ill of; disparage. 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...

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". captious \KAP-shuss\ adjective 1. marked by an often ill-natured inclination to stress faults and raise objections2. calculated to confuse, entrap, or entangle in argument Example sentences:Befuddled by the captious question, the suspect broke down and confessed to the crime. "During the past 15 years Mr. Maxwell has established himself as one of the few sui generis voices in experimental theater, and like all truly original talents, he has been subject to varied and...

Word For The Day, Wednesday, February 25, 2015-- hormesis ; 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". hormesis [hor-me-sis]hear it pronounced noun a theoretical phenomenon of dose-response relationships in which something (as a heavy metal or ionizing radiation) that produces harmful biological effects at moderate to high doses may produce beneficial effects at low doses Origin: Hormesis (from Greek hórmēsis "rapid motion, eagerness," from ancient Greek hormáein "to set in motion, impel, urge on") is the term for generally favorable biological...

Word For The Day, Tuesday February 24, 2015 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". demassify [dee-mas-uh-fahy] -vt1.to cause (society or a social system) to become less uniform or centralized; diversify or decentralize: 2. to break (something standardized or homogeneous) into elements that appeal to individual tastes or special interests:[de- + mass + -ify]

Word For The Day, Monday, 2/23/15 ; 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". augur; noun 1. one of a group of ancient Roman officials charged with observing and interpreting omens for guidance in public affairs. 2. soothsayer; prophet. verb (used with object) 3. to divine or predict, as from omens; prognosticate. to serve as an omen or promise of; foreshadow; betoken: "Mounting sales augur a profitable year." verb (used without object) 5. to conjecture from signs or omens; predict. 6....

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”. LoutNoun An awkward and stupid person; an oaf. 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!)...

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". effulgent [ih-fuhl-juh nt, ih-foo l-] adjectiveShining forth brilliantly; radiant Example sentences:Warmest climes but nurse the cruellest fangs: the tiger of Bengal crouches in spiced groves of ceaseless verdure. Skies the most effulgent but basket the deadliest thunders: gorgeous Cuba knows tornadoes that never swept tame northern lands.--Herman Melville, Moby-Dick, 1851 I am your brother of light, and have floated with you in the effulgent valleys.--H. P. Lovecraft, "Beyond the Wall of Sleep," Pine...

Word For The Day, Wednesday, February 18, 2015-- akimbo ; 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". akimbo [uh-kim-boh]hear it pronounced adjective, adverb 1. with hand on hip and elbow bent outward: to stand with arms akimbo. Origin: 1375-1425; late Middle English in kenebowe < Old Norse *i keng boginn bent into a crook (i in, keng accusative of kengr hook, boginn past participle of bjūga to bend) Additional Word Origin and History: c.1400, in kenebowe, of unknown origin, perhaps from...

Word For The Day, Tuesday February 17, 2015 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". demimonde [dem-ee-mond; French duh-mee-mawnd] -n1.(especially during the last half of the 19th century) a class of women who have lost their standing in respectable society because of indiscreet behavior or sexual promiscuity. 2. a demimondaine. 3. prostitutes or courtesans in general. 4. a group whose activities are ethically or legally questionable: 5. a group characterized by lack of success or status:[1850-55; < French, equivalent to demi-...

Word For The Day, Monday, February 16, 2015-- sangfroid 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". noun 1. coolness of mind; calmness; composure: They committed the robbery with complete sang-froid. Origin Expand 1740-17501740-50; < French: literally, cold blood Synonyms Expand self-possession, poise, equanimity, self-control, nerve, courage, steadiness. • The sentence must, in some way, relate to the news of the day. 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”. TriskaidekaphobiaNoun An abnormal fear of the number 13. 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!)...

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". inimical \in-NIM-ih-kul\ adjective1. being adverse often by reason of hostility or malevolence2a. having the disposition of an enemy : hostile b. reflecting or indicating hostility : unfriendly Example sentences:The mayor's proposal received an inimical response from members of the town council. "Profiling and other means of applying stereotypes to certain types of persons on the basis of how they appear, as opposed to how they behave, is inimical to the very foundations of...

Word For The Day, Wednesday, February 11, 2015-- sybarite ; 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". sybarite [ sib-uh-rahyt]hear it pronounced noun 1. (usually lowercase) a person devoted to luxury and pleasure. 2. an inhabitant of Sybaris. Origin: C16: from Latin Sybarīta, from Greek Subaritēs inhabitant of Sybaris: "person devoted to pleasure," 1610s (implied in Sybaritical), literally "inhabitant of Sybaris," ancient Greek town in southern Italy, whose people were noted for their love of luxury. From Latin Sybarita, from Greek...

Word For The Day, Tuesday February 10, 2015 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". misremember [mis-ri-mem-ber] -vt, vi1. to remember incorrectly. 2. to fail to remember; forget. [1525-35; mis-1+ remember]

Word For The Day, Monday, February 9, 2015 – overweening 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". overweening; adjective 1. presumptuously conceited, overconfident, or proud: a brash, insolent, overweening fellow. 2. exaggerated, excessive, or arrogant: overweening prejudice; overweening pride.1300-50; Middle English overwening (e) (gerund); see overween, -ing2 Related forms Expand overweeningly, adverb overweeningness, noun • 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”. PhenomNoun -Slang A phenomenon, especially a remarkable or outstanding person. 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...

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". rallentando [rah-luh n-tahn-doh; Italian rahl-len-tahn-daw] adjectiveslackening; becoming slower (used as a musical direction). Example sentences:Sir Norman, a marked rallentando there please, a marked rallentando there. Professor Sevchik always insisted. It is consequent and logical as well as pleasing to the ear and that passage following should be taken like this.--Ralph Cusack, Cadenza, 1958 On the other hand, he would become quite depressed if he had to stop in the middle of a verse,...

Word For The Day, Wednesday, February 4, 2015-- polymath ; 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". polymath [pol-ee-math]hear it pronounced noun 1. a person of great learning in several fields of study Origin: 1615-25; < Greek polymathḗs learned, having learned much, equivalent to poly- poly- + -mathēs, adj. derivative of manthánein to learn Related forms polymathic, adjective polymathy (po-lim -a-thee) noun Rules: Everyone must leave a post using the Word for the Day in a sentence. The sentence must, in...

Word For The Day, Tuesday February 3, 2015 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". grok [grok] -vt1. to understand thoroughly and intuitively. -vi 2. to communicate sympathetically.[coined by Robert A. Heinlein in the science-fiction novel Stranger in a Strange Land (1961)]