Category: Today’s Word

Today’s Word

superlunary

adjective: 1. Situated beyond the moon. 2. Celestial; exalted.

collocation

Definition: (noun) The act of positioning close together (or side by side). Synonyms: juxtaposition, apposition. Usage: Nina gained notoriety among interior designers for her brilliant …

sinewy

Definition: (adjective) (Of a person) possessing physical strength and weight; rugged and powerful. Synonyms: brawny, hefty, muscular. Usage: She saw the sinewy form leap to …

self-seeking

Definition: (noun) Taking advantage of opportunities without regard for the consequences for others. Synonyms: opportunism, self-interest, expedience. Usage: He had one devoted friend at least, …

neologism

Definition: (noun) A newly invented word or phrase. Synonyms: coinage. Usage: Neologisms are often coined when people begin using newly released technology. Discuss

prorogue

Definition: (verb) Hold back to a later time. Synonyms: postpone, put off, defer, set back, shelve, table, remit, hold over. Usage: My students begged me …

roadstead

noun: A partly sheltered stretch of water near the shore where ships can anchor. Also called roads.

squander

Definition: (verb) Spend thoughtlessly; throw away. Synonyms: waste, blow. Usage: Each man swore that for once he would be sensible and not squander his money. …

tradecraft

noun: The techniques and methods of espionage and clandestine operations.

betide

Definition: (verb) To happen or happen to. Synonyms: bechance, befall. Usage: Woe betide anyone who got in his way. Discuss

eudemonic

adjective: Relating to or conducive to happiness.

fishgig

Definition: (noun) An implement with a shaft and barbed point used for catching fish. Synonyms: lance, spear. Usage: I gently slid the salmon off my …

capsize

Definition: (verb) Overturn accidentally. Synonyms: turn turtle. Usage: Do not rock the boat or it will capsize! Discuss

crepitate

Definition: (verb) Make a crackling sound. Synonyms: crackle. Usage: My physical therapist jokes that I have bubble wrap in my knee, because it crepitates every …

skullduggery

Definition: (noun) Crafty deception or trickery or an instance of it. Synonyms: hanky panky, hocus-pocus, jiggery-pokery, slickness, trickery. Usage: No one trusted Glenn enough to …

contusion

Definition: (noun) An injury that doesn't break the skin but results in some discoloration. Synonyms: bruise. Usage: The purple and green contusion on my arm …

Godwin’s law

noun: The idea that as a debate progresses, it becomes inevitable that someone would compare another to Hitler or the Nazis.

postnatal

Definition: (adjective) Occurring immediately after birth. Synonyms: postpartum. Usage: Premature babies often spend the postnatal period in the neonatal intensive care unit, where they receive …

Zeno’s paradox

noun: 1. Any of various paradoxes proposed by Zeno, dealing with change and motion. 2. The appearance of getting closer and closer to a goal, …

lustrous

Definition: (adjective) Reflecting light. Synonyms: glistening, shiny, glossy. Usage: There arrived through the post a small card-board box addressed to me, which I found to …

befuddle

Definition: (verb) Be confusing or perplexing to; cause to be unable to think clearly. Synonyms: confound, confuse, discombobulate, fox, bedevil, throw. Usage: The question befuddled …

low-key

Definition: (adjective) Restrained in style or quality. Synonyms: subdued. Usage: After the wild party she had last year, Elena was looking forward to finally having …

ferocious

Definition: (adjective) Extremely aggressive or violent. Synonyms: fierce, furious, savage. Usage: There were rumors that Miller's guard dog was as feriocious as they come, but …

wrangler

noun: 1. A cowboy who takes care of horses. 2. A person who engages in debates, quarrels, or disputes. 3. A person who handles animals, …

charmer

Definition: (noun) Someone with an assured and ingratiating manner. Synonyms: smoothie, sweet talker. Usage: Joseph was such a charmer that he was able to convince …

warhorse

noun: 1. A horse used in war. Also known as a charger. 2. An experienced, dependable person, thing, etc., one who has gone through many …

thin-skinned

Definition: (adjective) Quick to take offense. Synonyms: huffy, touchy, feisty. Usage: My thin-skinned students often mistake my constructive criticism for personal attacks. Discuss

chivalry

noun: 1. The ideal qualifications of a knight: courtesy, honor, bravery, gallantry, etc. 2. The institution of knighthood, a group of knights, a gallant deed, …

flagitious

Definition: (adjective) Shockingly brutal or cruel. Synonyms: atrocious, monstrous, grievous. Usage: All faults or defects, from the slightest misconduct to the most flagitious crime, Pantocyclus …

horse race

noun: 1. The treating of a contest, especially an election, as if a sport, focusing on polls, perceptions, etc., instead of substantive issues, such as …

deface

Definition: (verb) Mar or spoil the appearance of. Synonyms: blemish, disfigure. Usage: The vandals defaced the statue by drawing a mustache on it. Discuss

hippodrome

noun: A stadium for horse races, chariot races, horse shows, etc. verb tr.: To manipulate or prearrange the outcome of a contest.

billow

Definition: (verb) Rise up as if in waves. Synonyms: wallow. Usage: Smoke from the burning building billowed up into the sky, obscuring the sun. Discuss

epigram

Definition: (noun) A witty, often paradoxical remark, concisely expressed. Synonyms: quip. Usage: These gentlemen were obliged to be civil in public, yet they cut at …

snivel

Definition: (verb) Cry or whine with snuffling. Synonyms: blubber. Usage: Put your handkerchief away—don't snivel before me. Discuss