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Word For The Day, Wednesday, October 16, 2013-- assize ; 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". assize [uh-sahyz]hear it pronounced noun 1. Usually, assizes. a trial session, civil or criminal, held periodically in specific locations in England, usually by a judge of a superior court. 2. an edict, ordinance, or enactment made at a session of a legislative assembly. 3. an inquest before members of a jury or assessors; a judicial inquiry. 4. an action, writ, or verdict of an...

Word For The Day, Wednesday, October 9, 2013-- autodidact ; 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". autodidact [aw-toh-dahy-dakt]hear it pronounced noun a person who has learned a subject without the benefit of a teacher or formal education; a self-taught person. Origin: 1525-35: from Greek autodidaktos self-taught, from autos self + didaskein to teach] Related forms autodi'dactic -adjective Rules: Everyone must leave a post using the Word for the Day in a sentence. The sentence must, in some way, relate to...

Word For The Day, Thursday, October 3, 2013-- gravamen ; 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". gravamen [gruh-vey-muhn]hear it pronounced noun 1. the part of an accusation that weighs most heavily against the accused; the substantial part of a charge or complaint. 2. a grievance. Origin: 1595–1605; < Late Latin: trouble, physical inconvenience, equivalent to Latin grav� ( re ) to load, weigh down (derivative of gravis heavy, burdened) + -men noun suffix Related forms gravamina, plural Rules: Everyone must...

Word For The Day, Wednesday, October 2, 2013-- meme ; 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". meme [meem]hear it pronounced noun an idea or element of social behavior passed on through generations in a culture, especially by imitation Origin: 1976; < Gk mīmeîsthai to imitate, copy; coined by R. Dawkins, Brit. biologist 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....

Word For The Day, Monday, September 30, 2013-- propitiate ; 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". propitiate [pruh-pish-ee-eyt]hear it pronounced verb, transitive (i.e., used with object) pro•pi•ti•at•ed, pro•pi•ti•at•ing. to make favorably inclined; appease; conciliate. Origin: 1635–45; < Latin propiti�tus, past participle of propiti�re to appease. See propitious, -ate Related forms pro•pi•ti•a•ble [pruh-pish-ee-uh-buhl] , adjective pro•pi•ti•at•ing•ly, adverb pro•pi•ti•a•tive, adjective pro•pi•ti•a•tor, noun non•pro•pi•ti•a•ble, adjective Rules: Everyone must leave a post using the Word for the Day in a sentence. The sentence must,...

Word For The Day, Wednesday, September 25, 2013-- oppugn ; 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". oppugn [uh-pyoon]hear it pronounced verb, transitive 1. To oppose, contradict, or call into question. 2. To fight against; to attack; to be in conflict with; to oppose; to resist. 3. Call into question; challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of. 4. Tending to awaken hostility; hostile; opposing; warring. ``Oppugnant forces.'' 5. To pronounce; to declare by judicial sentence. Origin: Middle English, from Latin oppugnare,...

Word For The Day, Monday, September 23, 2013-- braggadocio ; 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". braggadocio [brag-uh-doh-shee-oh]hear it pronounced noun 1. vain empty boasting 2. a person who boasts; braggart Origin: [16th Century: from Braggadocchio, name of a boastful character in Spenser's Faerie Queene; probably from braggart + Italian -occhio (augmentative suffix)] Related forms: braggadocios, plural noun Rules: Everyone must leave a post using the Word for the Day in a sentence. The sentence must, in some way, relate...

Word For The Day, Wednesday, September 4, 2013-- ensky ; 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". ensky [en-skahy]Accent on second syllable. verb, transitive verb (used with object),. to place in or as if in the heavens; exalt. Origin: 1595–1605; en-1 + sky Related forms en•skied or en•skyed, en•sky•ing 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.

Word For The Day, Wednesday, August 28, 2013-- oversight ; 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". oversight [oh-ver-sahyt]hear it pronouncednoun 1. an omission or error due to carelessness: My bank statement is full of oversights. 2. unintentional failure to notice or consider; lack of proper attention: Owing to my oversight, the letter was sent unsigned. 3. supervision; watchful care: a person responsible for the oversight of the organization. Although this is an everyday word, it is one which has essentially...

Word For The Day, Wednesday, August 21, 2013-- eupepsia ; 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". eupepsia [yoo-pep-shuh] or [yoo-pep -see-uh] Also eupepsy yoo-pep-see hear it pronounced good digestion (opposed to dyspepsia ). noun Origin: 1700–10; < Neo-Latin < Greek eupepsía good digestion, equivalent to eu- eu- + péps ( is ) digestion + -ia -ia Related forms eupeptic adjective Rules: Everyone must leave a post using the Word for the Day in a sentence. The sentence must, in some...

Word For The Day, Wednesday, August 14, 2013-- suzerain ; 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". suzerain [soo-zuh-rin, -reyn]hear it pronounced noun 1. a sovereign or a state exercising political control over a dependent state. 2. History/Historical . a feudal overlord. adjective 3. characteristic of or being a suzerain. Origin: ["sovereign, ruler," c.1470 (implied in suzerainty), from O.Fr. sus "up, above" (from V.L. susum, from L. sursum "upward, above," contraction of subversum, from sub "up from below") + vertere "a...

Word For The Day, Wednesday, August 7, 2013-- sans-culotte ; 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". sans-culotte [sanz-kyoo-lot, -koo-; French sahN-kY-lawt], noun[sanz-kyoo-lots, -koo-; French sahn-ky-lawt], plural nounhear it pronounced 1. during the French Revolution a. (originally) a revolutionary of the poorer class b. (later) any revolutionary, esp one having extreme republican sympathies 2. any revolutionary extremist Origin: [18th Century: from French, literally: without knee breeches, because the revolutionaries wore pantaloons or trousers rather than knee breeches] Related forms sans-cu'lottism- noun...

Word For The Day, Wednesday, July 31, 2013-- deputation ; 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". deputation [dep-yuh-tey-shuhn]hear it pronounced noun 1. the act of appointing a person or body of people to represent or act on behalf of others 2. a person or, more often, a body of people so appointed; delegation Origin: 1350–1400; Middle English deputacioun < Medieval Latin dēput�ti�n- (stem of dēput�ti� ), Late Latin: delegation, equivalent to dēput�t ( us ) (past participle of dēput�re; see...

Word For The Day, Wednesday, July 24, 2013-- macerate ; 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". macerate [mas-uh-reyt]hear it pronounced verb, mac•er•at•ed, mac•er•at•ing. verb (used with object) 1. to soften or separate into parts by steeping in a liquid. 2. to soften or decompose (food) by the action of a solvent. 3. to cause to grow thin. verb (used without object) 4. to undergo maceration. 5. to become thin or emaciated; waste away Origin: 1540–50; < Latin m�cer�tus (past participle...

Word For The Day, Wednesday, July 17, 2013-- pullulate ; 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". pullulate [puhl-yuh-leyt]hear it pronounced verb, intransitive 1. To put forth sprouts or buds; germinate. 2. To breed rapidly or abundantly. 3. To teem; swarm: a lagoon that pullulated with tropical fish. Origin: 1610–20; < Latin pullul�tus (past participle of pullul�re to sprout), derivative of pullulus a sprout, young animal, diminutive of pullus; see pullet Related forms pullulation; noun pullulative; adjective Rules: Everyone must leave...

Word For The Day, Wednesday, July 10, 2013-- quisling ; 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". quisling [kwiz-ling]hear it pronounced nouna person who betrays his or her own country by aiding an invading enemy, often serving later in a puppet government; fifth columnist. Origin: 1940; after Vidkun Quisling (1887–1945), pro-Nazi Norwegian leader 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....

Word For The Day, Wednesday, July 3, 2013-- aborning ; 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". aborning [uh-bawr-ning]hear it pronounced Adverb: while being born, developed, or realized (esp in the phrase die aborning) Origin: 1930–35; a + borning irregular for being born 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.

Word For The Day, Wednesday, June 26, 2013-- rodomontade ; 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". rodomontade [rod-uh-mon-teyd, -tahd]hear it pronounced noun 1. vainglorious boasting or bragging; pretentious, blustering talk. adjective 2. bragging. verb (used without object) 3. to boast; brag; talk big. Origin: 1605–15; < Middle French < Italian Rodomonte, the boastful king of Algiers in Orlando Innamorato and Orlando Furioso + Middle French -ade -ade Rules: Everyone must leave a post using the Word for the Day in...

Word For The Day, Wednesday, June 19, 2013-- mala fide ; 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". mala fide [mah-lah fee-de]hear it pronounced adj undertaken in bad faith, not genuine From Latin 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.

Word For The Day, Wednesday, June 12, 2013-- billingsgate ; 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". billingsgate [bil-ingz-geyt]hear it pronounced noun coarsely or vulgarly abusive language. Origin: 1645–55; orig. the kind of speech often heard at Billingsgate, a London fish market at the gate of the same name 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.

Word For The Day, Wednesday, June 5, 2013-- paranymph ; 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". paranymph [par-uh-nimf]hear it pronounced a bridesmaid or best man noun Origin: 1585–95; < Late Latin paranymphus < Greek paránymphos (masculine and feminine) groomsman, bridesmaid, literally, person beside the bride. 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.

Word For The Day, Wednesday, May 29, 2013-- philippic ; 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". philippic [fi-lip-ik]hear it pronounced noun a bitter or impassioned speech of denunciation; invective Origin: 1592, "bitter invective discourse," from M.Fr. philippique, from L. orationes Philippicæ, translation of Gk. Philippikoi logoi. The L. phrase was used of the speeches made by Cicero against Marc Antony in 44 and 43 B.C.E.; originally of speeches made in Athens by Demosthenes in 351-341 B.C.E. urging Greeks to unite...

Word For The Day, Wednesday, May 22, 2013-- fictioneer ; 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". fictioneer [fik-shuh-neer] noun a writer of fiction, especially a prolific one whose works are of mediocre quality. Origin: 1920–25; fiction + -eer Related forms fic•tion•eer•ing, noun 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.

Word For The Day, Wednesday, May 15, 2013-- poltroon ; 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". poltroon [pol-troon]hear it pronounced noun 1. an abject or contemptible coward Origin: [C16: from Old French poultron, from Old Italian poltrone lazy good-for-nothing, apparently from poltrīre to lie indolently in bed, from poltro bed] Related forms pol•troon•er•y, noun pol•troon•ish, adjective pol•troon•ish•ly, adverb Rules: Everyone must leave a post using the Word for the Day in a sentence. The sentence must, in some way, relate...

Word For The Day, Wednesday, May 8, 2013-- polyonymous ; 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". polyonymous [pol-ee-on-uh-muh s]hear it pronounced adjective having or known by several or many names. Origin: 1670–80; < Greek polyṓnymos, equivalent to poly- poly- + -�nymos -named, adj. derivative of ónyma, ónoma name; see -ous Related forms pol•y•on•y•my, noun 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...

Word For The Day, Wednesday, May 1, 2013-- hauteur ; 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". hauteur [hoh-tur]hear it pronounced noun haughty manner or spirit; arrogance. Origin: from French, from haut high; see haughty 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.

Word For The Day, Wednesday, March 13, 2013-- inchoate ; 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". inchoate [in-koh-it, -eyt or, esp. British, in-koh-eyt]hear it pronounced adjective 1. not yet completed or fully developed; rudimentary. 2. just begun; incipient. 3. not organized; lacking order: an inchoate mass of ideas on the subject. Origin: 1525–35; < Latin incho�tus, variant of incoh�tus past participle of incoh�re to begin, start work on, perhaps equivalent to in- -IN- 2 + coh ( um ) hollow...

Word For The Day, Wednesday, April 17, 2013-- sinuous ; 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". sinuous [sin-yoo-uh s]hear it pronounced adjective 1. having many curves, bends, or turns; winding: a sinuous path. 2. indirect; devious: sinuous questions. 3. characterized by a series of graceful curving motions: a sinuous dance. 4. Botany . sinuate, as a leaf. Origin: 1570–80; < Latin sinu�sussinus: a curve; bend. Related forms sin•u•ous•ly, adverb sin•u•ous•ness, noun sub•sin•u•ous, adjective un•sin•u•ous, adjective un•sin•u•ous•ly, adverb Rules: Everyone must...

Word For The Day, Wednesday, April 10, 2013-- dissolute ; 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". dissolute [dis-uh-loot]hear it pronounced adjective indifferent to moral restraints; given to immoral or improper conduct; licentious; dissipated. Origin: 1350–1400; Middle English (< Anglo-French ) < Latin dissolūtus (past participle of dissolvere to dissolve). Related forms dis•so•lute•ly, adverb dis•so•lute•ness, noun un•dis•so•lute, adjective Rules: Everyone must leave a post using the Word for the Day in a sentence. The sentence must, in some way, relate to...

Word For The Day, Wednesday, April 3, 2013-- equipoise ; 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". equipoise [ee-kwuh-poiz, ek-wuh-]hear it pronounced noun 1. an equal distribution of weight; even balance; equilibrium. 2. a counterpoise. verb (used with object) 3. to equal or offset in weight; balance. Origin: mid-17c., from merger of the phrase equal poise. 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...

Word For The Day, Wednesday, March 27, 2013-- tractable ; 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". tractable [trak-tuh-buh l]hear it pronounced adjective 1. easily managed or controlled; docile; yielding: a tractable child; a tractable disposition. 2. easily worked, shaped, or otherwise handled; malleable. Origin: 1495–1505; < Latin tract�bilis, equivalent to tract� ( re ) to handle, deal with (frequentative of trahere to draw) + -bilis -ble Related forms trac•ta•bil•i•ty, trac•ta•ble•ness, noun trac•ta•bly, adverb non•trac•ta•bil•i•ty, noun non•trac•ta•ble, adjective non•trac•ta•ble•ness, noun Rules:...

Word For The Day, Wednesday, March 20, 2013-- exogamy      ;   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".   exogamy [ek-sog-uh-mee]hear it pronounced   noun 1. marriage outside a specific tribe or similar social unit. Compare endogamy (marriage within a specific tribe or similar social unit). 2. Biology . the union of gametes of unrelated parents.   Origin: 1860–65; exo- + -gamy Related forms ex·og·a·mous [ek-sog-uh-muhs]  adjective ex·o·gam·ic  [ek-suh-gam-ik] adjective       Rules: Everyone must leave a post...

Word For The Day, Wednesday, March 13, 2013-- purview ; 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". purview [pur-vyoo]hear it pronounced noun 1. the range of operation, authority, control, concern, etc. 2. the range of vision, insight, or understanding. 3. Law. a. that which is provided or enacted in a statute, as distinguished from the preamble. b. the purpose or scope of a statute. 4. the full scope or compass of any document, statement, subject, book, etc. Origin: 1225–75; Middle English...

Word For The Day, Wednesday, March 6, 2013-- metonymy ; 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". metonymy [mi-ton-uh-mee]hear it pronounced noun a figure of speech that consists of the use of the name of one object or concept for that of another to which it is related, or of which it is a part, as “scepter” for “sovereignty,” or “the bottle” for “strong drink,” or “count heads (or noses)” for “count people.” Origin: 1540–50; < Late Latin met�nymia < Greek...

Word For The Day, Wednesday, February 27, 2013 --hysteresis ; 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". hysteresis [his-tuh-ree-sis] hear it pronounced noun 1. the lag in response exhibited by a body in reacting to changes in the forces, especially magnetic forces, affecting it. Compare magnetic hysteresis. 2. the phenomenon exhibited by a system, often a ferromagnetic or imperfectly elastic material, in which the reaction of the system to changes is dependent upon its past reactions to change. Origin: From the...

Word For The Day, Wednesday, February 13, 2013-- irrefrangible ; 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". irrefrangible [ir-i-FRAN-juh-buhl]hear it pronounced adjective 1. not to be broken or violated; inviolable: an irrefrangible rule of etiquette. 2. incapable of being refracted. Origin: This Baroque era word irrefrangible derives from a negation of the Latin root frangere meaning "to break," also the root of the word "fraction." Rules: Everyone must leave a post using the Word for the Day in a sentence. The...

Word For The Day, Wednesday, February 6, 2013-- omphalos ; 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-luh s] noun 1. (in the ancient world) a sacred conical object, especially a stone. The most famous omphalos at Delphi was assumed to mark the center of the earth 2. the central point 3. Literary: another word for navel Origin: "sacred stone," 1850, from Gk., lit. "navel," also "hub" (as the center point), from PIE *ombh-alo-, from base *nobh-/*ombh- "navel" (see navel)....

Word For The Day, Wednesday, January 30, 2013-- aeolian ; 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". aeolian [ee-oh-lee-uh n]hear it pronounced adjective 1. pertaining to Aeolus, (the ruler of the winds in Greek mythology), or to the winds in general. 2. ( usually lowercase ) of or caused by the wind; wind-blown. 3. poetic/literary: characterized by a sighing or moaning sound as if produced by the wind. Origin: 1595–1605; Aeoli ( us ) pertaining to Aeolus + -an Rules: Everyone...

Word For The Day, Wednesday, January 23, 2013-- primordial ; 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". primordial [prahy-mawr-dee-uh ]hear it pronounced adjective 1. constituting a beginning; giving origin to something derived or developed; original; elementary: primordial forms of life. 2. Embryology: first formed. 3. pertaining to or existing at or from the very beginning: primordial matter. Origin: [C14: from Late Latin prīm�rdi�lis original, from Latin prīmus first + �rdīrī to begin]Related forms: primordi'ality --noun pri'mordially --adverb Rules: Everyone must leave a...

Word For The Day, Wednesday, January 16, 2013-- intestate ; 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". intestate [in-tes-teyt, -tit]hear it pronounced adjective 1. (of a person) not having made a will: to die intestate. 2. (of things) not disposed of by will: Her property remains intestate. noun 3. a person who dies intestate. Origin: late 14c., from L. intestatus "having made no will," from in- "not" + testatus, pp. of testari "make a will, bear witness" (see testament). Related forms:...

Word For The Day, Wednesday, January 9, 2013-- modus vivendi ; 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". modus vivendi [moh-duh s vi-ven-dee -dahy]hear it pronounceda working arrangement between conflicting interests; practical compromise Noun Origin: 1875–80; < Latin modus vivendī mode of living Example Sentences: 1. “A government drawn from a minority of the population cannot attempt to exterminate the majority, so it must try to find a modus vivendi.” –David P. Goldman, “Insoluble Syria,” 1/3/13 2. “During the separation, my parents...

Word For The Day, Wednesday, January 2, 2013-- mansuetude ; 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". mansuetude [man-swi-tood]hear it pronounced noun mildness; gentleness Origin: [1350–1400; Middle English from Latin mansuētūd�, from mansuētus, past participle of mansuēscere to make tame by handling, from manus hand + suescēre to train] 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. Practice makes perfect.....post on.......

Word For The Day, Wednesday, 12-26-12 -- oneiric ; 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". oneiric hear it pronounced adjective of or pertaining to dreams. Etymology: 1855–60; < Greek óneir ( os ) dream + -ic

Word For The Day, Wednesday, 12-19-12 -- stratagem ; 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". stratagem hear it pronounced noun 1. a plan, scheme, or trick for surprising or deceiving an enemy. 2. any artifice, ruse, or trick devised or used to attain a goal or to gain an advantage over an adversary or competitor: business stratagems. Etymology: Origin: 1480–90; (< Middle French stratageme ) < Italian stratagemma war ruse < Latin stratēgēma < Greek stratḗgēma instance of generalship, derivative...

Word For The Day, Wednesday, 12-12-12 -- numerology ; 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". numerology [noo-muh-rol-uh-jee] hear it pronounced noun: the study of numbers, such as the figures in a birth date, and of their supposed influence on human affairs Etymology: Origin: 1911, "study of the occult meaning of numbers," a hybrid from L. numerus "number" + Gk. -logia, from logos "one who speaks (of a certain topic)." A correct formation would be arithmology, from Gk. arithmos "number." Related...

Word For The Day, Wednesday, December 5, 2012—bowdlerize ; 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". bowdlerize [bohd-luh-rahyz, boud-] hear it pronounced verb (used with object), bowd•ler•ized, bowd•ler•iz•ing to expurgate (a written work) by removing or modifying passages considered vulgar or objectionable. Origin: 1836, from Thomas Bowdler (1754-1825), English editor who in 1818 published a notorious expurgated Shakespeare, in which, according to his frontspiece, "nothing is added to the original text; but those words and expressions omitted which cannot with propriety...

 Word For The Day, Wednesday, November 28, 2012-- coprolalia    ;   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".   coprolalia [kop-ruh-ley-lee-uh] hear it pronounced   noun obsessive use of obscene or foul language Origin: 1886, from Fr. coprolalie, coined by de la Tourette, 1885, from copro- "dung, filth" + Gk. lalia lalia "talk, prattle, a speaking," from lalein "to speak, prattle," of echoic origin. The obsessive use of obscene language, either through mental illness or perversion. Related forms cop·ro·la·li·ac [kop-ruh-ley-lee-ak]...

Word For The Day, Wednesday, November 21, 2012--Boeotian      ;   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".   Boeotian [bee-oh-shuhn]hear it pronounced   adjective 1. of or pertaining to Boeotia or its inhabitants. 2. dull; obtuse; without cultural refinement.   noun 3. a native or inhabitant of Boeotia. 4. a dull, obtuse person; Philistine. Etymology: Origin: Boeotian 1590–1600; Boeoti(a) + -an "ignorant, dull," from Boeotia, district around Thebes in ancient Greece (said to have been so called for its...

Word For The Day, Wednesday, November 14, 2012-- alexithymia ; 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". alexithymia {ey-lek-suh-thahy-mee-uh} hear it pronounced noun: 1. Inability to describe emotions in a verbal manner. 2. (Psychiatry.) Difficulty in experiencing, expressing, and describing emotional responses. Etymology: Origin: The term alexithymia was coined by psychotherapist Peter Sifneos in 1973. The word comes from the Ancient Greek words λέξις (lexis, "diction", "word") and θυμός (thumos, "soul, as the seat of emotion, feeling, and thought") modified by...

Word For The Day, Wednesday, November 7, 2012-- dirge ; 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". dirge [durj]hear it pronounced noun 1. a funeral song or tune, or one expressing mourning in commemoration of the dead. 2. any composition resembling such a song or tune in character, as a poem of lament for the dead or solemn, mournful music: Tennyson's dirge for the Duke of Wellington. 3. a mournful sound resembling a dirge: The autumn wind sang the dirge of...