viviparous
Definition: (adjective) <i>Zoology</i> Giving birth to living offspring that develop within the mother's body. Most mammals and some other animals are viviparous. Synonyms: live-bearing. Usage: …
Category: Today’s Word
Today’s Word
melanism
noun: An inherited overproduction of melanin leading to unusually dark coloration.
iteroparous
adjective: Reproducing multiple times in one’s lifetime.
serviette
Definition: (noun) A small piece of table linen that is used to wipe the mouth and to cover the lap in order to protect clothing. …
agnoiology
noun: The study of ignorance or the investigation of the unknowable.
swerve
Definition: (verb) Turn sharply; change direction abruptly. Synonyms: sheer, slue, trend, veer, curve, cut. Usage: The driver had to swerve to avoid hitting a deer …
pogonotomy
noun: The cutting of a beard; shaving.
empty-handed
Definition: (adjective) Having acquired or gained nothing. Synonyms: unrewarded. Usage: They returned from the negotiations empty-handed and frustrated. Discuss
malison
noun: A curse.
passel
Definition: (noun) (Often followed by "of") a large number or amount or extent. Synonyms: great deal, hatful, lot, peck, mickle, mint, quite a little, slew, …
cubbyhole
Definition: (noun) A small secluded room. Synonyms: snug. Usage: Back in her cubbyhole of an office, Nina sat down at her desk. Discuss
uncultivated
Definition: (adjective) (Of persons) lacking art or knowledge. Synonyms: uncultured, artless. Usage: Never had they witnessed such power of mastication, and such marvelous capacity of …
erst
adverb: Formerly: in the past.
tartar
Definition: (noun) An incrustation that forms on the teeth and gums. Synonyms: calculus, tophus. Usage: The dentist told me that I should brush and floss …
leal
adjective: Loyal; honest; true.
contrite
Definition: (adjective) Feeling or expressing pain or sorrow for sins or offenses. Synonyms: remorseful, rueful, ruthful. Usage: He was so contrite that he wrote me …
kerf
noun: 1. A cut, notch, slit, etc. made by a cutting tool. 2. The width of such a cut.
populate
Definition: (verb) Inhabit or live in; be an inhabitant of. Synonyms: inhabit, live, dwell. Usage: Millions of as yet undiscovered creatures populate the ocean depths. …
oik
noun: A person perceived as uncouth, unpleasant, and of lower social standing.
blister
Definition: (verb) Subject to harsh criticism. Synonyms: scald, whip. Usage: The Senator blistered the administration in his speech on Friday. Discuss
vuln
noun: Vulnerability: susceptibility to attack, injury, or temptation. verb tr.: To wound.
rascal
Definition: (noun) One who is playfully mischievous.. Synonyms: scamp, imp, rapscallion, scallywag. Usage: The young rascal, being expert at a variety of feints and dodges, …
dissension
Definition: (noun) Disagreement among those expected to cooperate. Synonyms: discord. Usage: The sparks of dissension soon kindled into a blaze; and the colonies, or rather, …
shortsighted
Definition: (adjective) Lacking foresight or scope. Synonyms: unforesightful, myopic, short. Usage: The shortsighted board members derided the plan, which would cost the company money at …
hone
noun: 1. A fine-grained stone or tool for sharpening blades. 2. A precision tool with a rotating abrasive tip, used to enlarge or smooth a …
buttonhole
Definition: (verb) Detain in conversation by or as if by holding on to the outer garments of; as for political or economic favors. Synonyms: lobby. …
shellack
noun: 1. A resin secreted by the lac insect and purified for use in varnishes, paints, inks, sealing waxes, phonograph records, etc. 2. A phonograph …
harebrained
Definition: (adjective) Very foolish. Synonyms: insane, mad. Usage: She devised a harebrained scheme to get her money back, but it ended up landing her in …
truckle
verb intr.: To act in a servile manner. verb tr.: To move or roll on small wheels. noun: 1. A low bed that slides under …
hanker
Definition: (verb) Desire strongly or persistently. Synonyms: long, yearn. Usage: There, my lady cousin; there stands the most undutiful child in the world; she hankers …
gyrate
Definition: (verb) Revolve quickly and repeatedly around one's own axis. Synonyms: spin, reel, whirl. Usage: The airplane gyrated about in the sky in a most …
eddy
noun: 1. A current moving contrary to the main current, especially in a circular motion, in a fluid such as air or water. 2. A …
transience
Definition: (noun) The attribute of being brief or fleeting. Synonyms: brevity, briefness. Usage: The superficiality and transience of the club scene is part of its …
egotist
Definition: (noun) A conceited and self-centered person. Synonyms: swellhead. Usage: Mr. Whittleworth is an insufferable egotist with delusions of omnipotence, but we tolerate him because …
glasshouse
Definition: (noun) A building with glass walls and roof; for the cultivation and exhibition of plants under controlled conditions. Synonyms: greenhouse, nursery. Usage: This kind …
Ozymandias
noun: 1. A megalomaniac tyrant, especially one whose arrogance is undone by time. 2. A symbol of the impermanence of power and pride.
Heliogabalus
noun: A wildly extravagant, foolish, and self-indulgent person.
copycat
Definition: (noun) One that closely imitates or mimics another. Synonyms: aper, emulator, imitator. Usage: Stop being such a copycat and get your own hobbies! Discuss
tantalus
noun: 1. Something temptingly close, yet out of reach. 2. A stand or case for liquor decanters, designed to display them while preventing access.
axiomatic
Definition: (adjective) Evident without proof or argument. Synonyms: self-evident, taken for granted. Usage: It is axiomatic that as people grow older they become less agile. …