Category: Today’s Word

Today’s Word

fly-tip

verb tr., intr.: To dump waste illegally instead of taking it to an authorized disposal site.

jell

verb intr.: 1. To become clear, cohesive, or definite. 2. To become firm or gelatinous; to congeal. verb tr.: 1. To cause to become clear, …

alliterate

verb tr., intr.: To use words beginning with the same sound or letter, especially the same initial consonant sound.

hoarfrost

Definition: (noun) Frozen dew that forms a white coating on a surface. Synonyms: rime. Usage: In the morning, one will arise as fresh as a …

sloom

verb intr.: 1. To slumber. 2. To soften, decay, or waste. noun: A light sleep.

nictate

verb intr.: To wink or blink.

exegesis

noun: An explanation or interpretation, especially a critical interpretation of a text.

antitrust

Definition: (adjective) Of laws and regulations; designed to protect trade and commerce from unfair business practices. Synonyms: antimonopoly. Usage: Government antitrust laws prevented the technology …

juvenescent

adjective: Becoming youthful; young or youthful.

genuflection

noun: 1. The act of bending the knee. 2. Servile deference; groveling.

oodles

Definition: (noun) A large number or amount. Synonyms: dozens, gobs, heaps, lashings, loads, lots, rafts, scads, scores, slews, stacks, tons, wads, piles. Usage: Our local …

symbiosis

noun: A close, often mutually beneficial relationship between different species, groups, or people.

belly-up

Definition: (adjective) Financially ruined. Synonyms: bankrupt. Usage: The struggling grocery store was forced to lay off several employees to avoid going belly-up.

peerless

Definition: (adjective) Eminent beyond or above comparison. Synonyms: matchless, nonpareil, one and only, unrivaled, unmatched, one. Usage: You shall now learn how great is the …

lurcher

Definition: (noun) Someone waiting in concealment. Synonyms: lurker, skulker. Usage: Amanda caught a glimpse of a figure in the shadows of the alleyway and ran …

superincumbent

adjective: 1. Lying or resting on something else. 2. Weighty; oppressive.

pettifog

Definition: (verb) Argue over petty things. Synonyms: bicker, brabble, squabble, niggle, quibble. Usage: Mrs. Faraday watched in exasperation as her children pettifogged about who deserved …

arboreous

Definition: (adjective) Abounding in trees. Synonyms: woodsy. Usage: Oregon's arboreous landscape is both beautiful and serene.

miasmic

adjective: 1. Relating to noxious emissions, such as smoke and vapors. 2. Relating to an oppressive or unpleasant atmosphere.

cerebrate

Definition: (verb) Use or exercise the mind or one's power of reason in order to make inferences, decisions, or arrive at a solution or judgments. …

relucent

adjective: 1. Shining or reflecting light. 2. Radiant; luminous.

gristly

Definition: (adjective) Difficult to chew. Synonyms: cartilaginous, rubbery. Usage: After several minutes of trying to break down the gristly piece of steak, I gave up …

scaturient

adjective: 1. Overflowing. 2. Overly demonstrative; effusive.

enliven

Definition: (verb) To make lively or spirited. Synonyms: animate, invigorate. Usage: They found her a charming companion, and her dancing and laughter…did much to enliven …

daredevil

Definition: (noun) One who is recklessly bold. Synonyms: harum-scarum, madcap, swashbuckler, hothead, lunatic. Usage: My nephew, daredevil that he is, decided to go surfing during …

deprecatory

Definition: (adjective) Tending to diminish or disparage. Synonyms: belittling, slighting. Usage: He depresses me by his abject submission and deprecatory self-abasement when he fears he …

bantam

noun: 1. Any of various breeds of small chickens, often miniature versions of larger breeds. 2. A small but aggressive person. adjective: 1. Diminutive; miniature. …

gullet

Definition: (noun) The passage between the pharynx and the stomach. Synonyms: esophagus, gorge. Usage: The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass …

elusion

Definition: (noun) The act of avoiding capture (especially by cunning). Synonyms: slip. Usage: There was not much time, however, for thought or elusion, and she …

Laodiceanism

noun: Indifference or lukewarmness, especially in matters of religion or politics.

housebound

Definition: (adjective) Confined to one's home, as by illness. Synonyms: shut-in. Usage: My mom says that I am housebound for as long as I have …

Babylonian

noun: A place of great luxury and extravagance, usually accompanied with vice and corruption.

palmist

Definition: (noun) Fortuneteller who predicts your future by the lines on your palms. Synonyms: chiromancer. Usage: The palmist's dire predictions weighed heavily on Sally.

arcadia

noun: A region that is idyllic, pastoral: simple, peaceful.

braggadocio

Definition: (noun) Vain and empty boasting. Synonyms: rodomontade, bluster. Usage: Strutting about with great show and braggadocio, he strove to impress his followers.

fritter

Definition: (verb) Spend frivolously and unwisely. Synonyms: fool away, dissipate, shoot. Usage: Our English youth fritters away its time in idleness and pleasure-seeking.