Category: Today’s Word

Today’s Word

recant

Definition: (verb) Formally reject or disavow a formerly held belief, usually under pressure. Synonyms: abjure, forswear, retract, resile. Usage: The dissident refused to recant and …

dieresis

Definition: (noun) A mark ( ¨ ) placed over the second of two adjacent vowels to indicate that they are to be pronounced as separate …

telamon

Definition: (noun) A figure of a man used as a supporting pillar. Synonyms: atlas. Usage: The portico of the Hermitage Museum in Russia features ten …

dissenter

Definition: (noun) A person who dissents from some established policy. Synonyms: objector, dissident, protester, contestant. Usage: With the exception of one or two dissenters, the …

mishpocha

noun: An extended family or clan.

punctilious

Definition: (adjective) Strictly attentive to minute details of form in action or conduct. Synonyms: meticulous. Usage: The old prince, like all fathers indeed, was exceedingly …

discalced

Definition: (adjective) Barefoot or wearing sandals. Used of certain religious orders. Synonyms: unshod. Usage: When a procession of discalced friars passed through the doors, I …

schemozzle

noun: 1. A state of chaos or confusion. 2. A quarrel or commotion.

sinuous

Definition: (adjective) Characterized by many curves or turns; winding. Synonyms: wiggly, sinuate. Usage: We tried to trace the path of the sinuous stream, but it …

ridgepole

Definition: (noun) A horizontal beam at the ridge of a roof to which the rafters are attached. Synonyms: rooftree. Usage: I knew a girl in …

tempestuous

Definition: (adjective) As if showing violent anger. Synonyms: angry, furious, raging, wild. Usage: The raging sea and tempestuous winds indicated that a big storm was …

ostrobogulous

adjective: Unusual; bizarre; risqué or indecent.

tallith

Definition: (noun) A shawl with a ritually knotted fringe at each corner; worn by Jews at morning prayer. Synonyms: prayer shawl. Usage: He donned his …

nondescript

adjective: 1. Without distinctive qualities. 2. Not belonging to a particular class.

vibist

Definition: (noun) A musician who plays the vibraphone. Synonyms: vibraphonist. Usage: The singing group hired a vibist to spruce up one of the tracks on …

contumely

Definition: (noun) A rude expression intended to offend or hurt. Synonyms: insult, revilement, vilification, abuse. Usage: I can bear Dishonor, public insult, many shames, Shrill …

perficient

adjective: Accomplishing or achieving desired results; effective.

unctuous

Definition: (adjective) Characterized by affected, exaggerated, or insincere earnestness. Synonyms: oleaginous, buttery, fulsome, smarmy, oily. Usage: In <i>David Copperfield</i>, the unctuous Uriah Heep is notable …

culminant

adjective: Being at or reaching the highest point.

debunk

Definition: (verb) To expose or ridicule the falseness, sham, or exaggerated claims of. Synonyms: expose. Usage: When Rosa heard the ridiculous rumor being spread around …

swallowtail

Definition: (noun) A man's full-dress jacket with two long tapering tails at the back. Synonyms: morning coat. Usage: When he decided to wear a swallowtail …

commodious

Definition: (adjective) Spacious; roomy. Synonyms: roomy, large, ample, spacious, expansive, capacious. Usage: The accommodations were commodious, and we had plenty of room to store our …

presenteeism

noun: The practice of being present at work when it’s unnecessary or counterproductive.

hautboy

Definition: (noun) A slender double-reed instrument; a woodwind with a conical bore and a double-reed mouthpiece. Synonyms: oboe. Usage: What hautboys and Zamora bagpipes we …

trencherman

Definition: (noun) A hearty eater. Synonyms: glutton, gourmand. Usage: The waiter set the steak down in front of the smiling trencherman who had already polished …

endarken

verb tr.: To make dark, less clear, or gloomy.

guidepost

Definition: (noun) A rule or principle that provides guidance to appropriate behavior. Synonyms: rule of thumb, guideline. Usage: His guidepost in social situations was the …

forgettery

noun: 1. The capacity to forget easily. 2. A poor memory.

menage

Definition: (noun) A domestic establishment. Synonyms: household. Usage: What sort of a menage is it which pays double the market price for a governess but …

spelldown

Definition: (noun) A contest in which you are eliminated if you fail to spell a word correctly. Synonyms: spelling bee. Usage: Our school hosts a …

myopia

Definition: (noun) A visual defect in which distant objects appear blurred because their images are focused in front of the retina rather than on it; …

gourmand

Definition: (noun) A lover of good food. Synonyms: trencherman, glutton. Usage: Because he had a great appreciation for fine cuisine, the gourmand was asked to …

crusade

noun: A zealous effort for an idea or cause. verb intr.: To engage in a zealous effort.

dyspepsia

Definition: (noun) Disturbed digestion. Synonyms: indigestion, upset stomach. Usage: Certain foods trigger his dyspepsia, so he makes sure to avoid them at all costs. Discuss

exodus

noun: A large scale departure or emigration.

philistinism

Definition: (noun) A desire for wealth and material possessions with little interest in ethical or spiritual matters. Synonyms: materialism. Usage: His unabashed philistinism offended Susan, …