Category: Today’s Word

Today’s Word

Herod

noun: A cruel and wicked tyrant.

comforter

Definition: (noun) A person who reduces the intensity (e.g., of fears) and calms and pacifies. Synonyms: allayer, reliever. Usage: She indeed veiled her grief and …

incumbency

Definition: (noun) The term during which some position is held. Synonyms: tenure, term of office. Usage: During his incumbency, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt instituted the …

irradiate

Definition: (verb) Expose to radiation. Synonyms: ray. Usage: The government regulators insist that we irradiate farm produce so as to destroy bacteria. Discuss

central casting

adjective: Stereotypical. noun: A company or department that provides actors for minor or background roles, often based on stereotypical appearances.

incertitude

Definition: (noun) The state of being unsure of something. Synonyms: doubtfulness, dubiousness, uncertainty. Usage: Here, too, he was disappointed; and then all was afloat, in …

bunny boiler

noun: A person who is dangerously obsessive and vengeful, especially when spurned.

entomb

Definition: (verb) Place in a grave or tomb. Synonyms: inhume, inter, lay to rest, bury. Usage: He was entombed here in this crypt alongside his …

big chill

noun: 1. An extremely cold spell. 2. A prolonged period of global cooling or glaciation. 3. A state of emotional letdown, disillusionment, or waning enthusiasm. …

pedagogue

Definition: (noun) Someone who educates young people. Synonyms: educator. Usage: My grandfather was a born pedagogue; it gave him great pleasure to impart information. Discuss

nonentity

Definition: (noun) A person of no influence. Synonyms: nobody, cipher. Usage: After losing the gubernatorial election, she was written off as a political nonentity. Discuss

Rambo

noun: A violently aggressive person, especially one who disregards rules or authority.

slicker

Definition: (noun) A macintosh made from cotton fabric treated with oil and pigment to make it waterproof. Synonyms: oilskin. Usage: It was pouring all day, …

nonchalance

Definition: (noun) The trait of remaining calm and seeming not to care; a casual lack of concern. Synonyms: unconcern, indifference. Usage: He looked about him …

disputable

Definition: (adjective) Open to argument or debate. Synonyms: arguable, debatable, moot. Usage: He certainly looked at her friend a great deal, but the expression of …

self-centered

Definition: (adjective) Engrossed in oneself and one's own affairs; selfish. Synonyms: egocentric, egoistic. Usage: She's too self-centered to take any interest in my troubles. Discuss

hoagie

Definition: (noun) A large sandwich made of a long crusty roll split lengthwise and filled with meats and cheese (and tomato and onion and lettuce …

interlink

Definition: (verb) To link together or join (one) with another. Synonyms: complect, interconnect. Usage: The policies, though distinct, are interlinked. Discuss

chef’s kiss

noun: 1. A gesture made by kissing one’s fingertip(s) and thumb and spreading them outward. 2. Something or someone considered excellent or perfect.

deplete

Definition: (verb) Use up (resources or materials). Synonyms: wipe out, eat up, exhaust, run through, consume. Usage: We must limit our use of substances that …

Aaron’s rod

noun: 1. A powerful force that overcomes others around it. 2. Any of various plants with tall, flowering stems, like goldenrod or mullein. 3. An …

tailing

Definition: (noun) The act of following someone secretly. Synonyms: shadowing. Usage: The constant tailing of my husband by private eyes has caused him to become …

subside

Definition: (verb) Wear off or die down. Synonyms: lessen. Usage: The doctor told me that the pain should subside during the night and that I …

frequency

Definition: (noun) The number of occurrences within a given time period. Synonyms: oftenness. Usage: The frequency of his seizures increased as he grew older. Discuss

hemorrhage

noun: 1. A severe or uncontrollable loss of blood. 2. A rapid and significant loss of assets. verb intr.: To bleed copiously. verb tr.: To …

veneration

Definition: (noun) A feeling of profound respect for someone or something. Synonyms: reverence, awe, fear. Usage: Cornelius bade farewell to De Ruyter, to the Ruart …

high-toned

Definition: (adjective) Pretentiously elegant. Synonyms: high-class. Usage: She felt awkward and out of place in the high-toned restaurant, with its elegant décor and elite clientele. …

anemia

noun: 1. A medical condition characterized by a deficiency of red blood cells or hemoglobin resulting in weakness, tiredness, shortness of breath, and paleness. 2. …

bequeath

Definition: (verb) Leave or give by will after one's death. Synonyms: will, leave. Usage: He bequeathed all his silver to his children. Discuss

bloody-minded

adjective: 1. Disposed to violence and bloodshed. 2. Stubborn; obstructive. (chiefly used in British English)

mensurable

Definition: (adjective) Capable of being measured. Synonyms: measurable. Usage: The mensurable increase in the cost of oil has had wide-reaching effects on the country's economy. …

saunter

Definition: (verb) Walk leisurely and with no apparent aim. Synonyms: stroll. Usage: The teacher watched his students saunter back into the school building after lunch, …

reaper

Definition: (noun) Someone who helps to gather the harvest. Synonyms: harvester. Usage: He was laying about him lustily with his sheath-knive, lopping the canes right …

judder

Definition: (verb) Shake or vibrate rapidly and intensively. Synonyms: shake. Usage: The old engine was juddering and smoking, so I took the car to the …

ruderal

adjective: Growing in waste places, disturbed land, or poor soil. noun: A plant that thrives in such conditions.

imperil

Definition: (verb) Pose a threat to; present a danger to. Synonyms: endanger, jeopardize, menace, threaten. Usage: You imperil the lives of other road users by …