Category: Today’s Word

Today’s Word

lycanthrope

Definition: (noun) A monster able to change appearance from human to wolf. Synonyms: werewolf, wolfman, loup-garou. Usage: She thought the novel about the lycanthrope would …

tangent

noun: 1. A line of thought or action that diverges from the main topic or course. 2. A line that touches a curve or a …

phellem

Definition: (noun) Outer tissue of bark; a protective layer of dead cells. Synonyms: cork. Usage: Joe carefully harvested the phellem from the tree, excited at …

squarely

adverb: 1. In a straightforward or frank manner. 2. Firmly. 3. Directly. 4. At right angles.

sternutation

Definition: (noun) A symptom consisting of the involuntary expulsion of air from the nose. Synonyms: sneeze, sneezing. Usage: John complained that every time he came …

triangulation

noun: 1. Determining the position of a point by measuring angles to it from two points a known distance apart. 2. Positioning between two extremes, …

appurtenance

Definition: (noun) Equipment, such as clothing, tools, or instruments, used for a specific purpose or task. Synonyms: paraphernalia, gear. Usage: He had half expected that …

elliptic

adjective: 1. Marked by extreme economy of expression in speech or writing. 2. Cryptic, ambiguous, or obscure. 3. Marked by ellipsis: the omission of one …

jurisprudence

Definition: (noun) The philosophy or science of law. Synonyms: legal philosophy, law. Usage: Because he hoped to one day run for office, he decided to …

invective

Definition: (noun) Denunciatory or abusive language. Synonyms: vituperation, vitriol. Usage: Bartle had become so excited and angry in the course of his invective that he …

baccarat

Definition: (noun) A card game in which the winner is the player who holds two or three cards totaling closest to nine. Synonyms: chemin de …

gustatory

adjective: Relating to the sense of taste.

annunciation

Definition: (noun) A formal public statement. Synonyms: proclamation, declaration, announcement. Usage: A long and dramatic drum-roll signaled that a royal annunciation was about to be …

amusia

noun: The inability to recognize, reproduce, or appreciate music.

arbor

Definition: (noun) A shady resting place in a garden or park, often made of rustic work or latticework on which plants, such as climbing shrubs …

amulet

Definition: (noun) An object worn, especially around the neck, as a charm against evil or injury. Synonyms: talisman. Usage: It was sorcery, magic of the …

macrosmatic

adjective: Having a well-developed sense of smell.

proprioception

noun: The awareness of location of parts of one’s body.

foundling

Definition: (noun) A deserted or abandoned child of unknown parentage. Synonyms: abandoned infant. Usage: No one knew why an envelope containing images of a mountainous …

prejudicious

Definition: (adjective) Causing harm or injury. Synonyms: damaging, detrimental, prejudicial. Usage: The reporter's coverage resulted in prejudicious publicity for the defendant. Discuss

buffoon

Definition: (noun) A person given to clowning and joking. Synonyms: merry andrew, clown, goof, goofball. Usage: At a country fair there was a buffoon who …

ninepin

Definition: (noun) A wooden pin used in the game of ninepins. Synonyms: skittle. Usage: He threw the ball so hard that it knocked the ninepin …

zoolatry

noun: 1. The worship of animals. 2. Extreme devotion to animals, for example, to one’s pets.

charwoman

Definition: (noun) A woman hired to do cleaning or similar work, usually in a large building. Synonyms: cleaning lady. Usage: The charwoman cleaned every bathroom …

arithmomania

noun: An obsessive preoccupation with numbers, calculations, and counting.

figurine

Definition: (noun) A small molded or sculptured figure; a statuette. Synonyms: statuette. Usage: She had all the delicate grace of that Tanagra figurine that you …

nickelodeon

Definition: (noun) A cabinet containing an automatic record player; records are played by inserting a coin. Synonyms: jukebox. Usage: When they arrived at the dance …

neophilia

noun: The love of what’s new or novel.

portent

Definition: (noun) An indication of something important or calamitous about to occur. Synonyms: omen, prognostication, presage, prodigy. Usage: The soldier looked to the sky for …

trawler

Definition: (noun) A fishing boat that uses a trawl net or dragnet to catch fish. Synonyms: dragger. Usage: The fisherman boarded the trawler at four …

panpipe

Definition: (noun) A primitive wind instrument consisting of several parallel pipes bound together. Synonyms: syrinx, pandean pipe. Usage: When his parents refused to buy him …

sublimate

verb tr.: 1. To divert basic or instinctual impulses to something more socially acceptable. 2. To refine or purify. verb tr., intr.: To directly transform …

surfactant

Definition: (noun) A chemical agent capable of reducing the surface tension of a liquid in which it is dissolved. Synonyms: wetting agent, surface-active agent, wetter. …

volatile

1. Fluctuating widely and unpredictably. 2. Evaporating easily. 3. Explosive. 4. Capable of flying.

platitude

Definition: (noun) A trite or banal remark or statement, especially one expressed as if it were original or significant. Synonyms: banality, cliche, commonplace, bromide. Usage: …

crucible

1. A vessel used for heating substances to a high temperature. 2. A trying experience. 3. A situation or place where forces interact to bring …

incantation

Definition: (noun) A ritual recitation of words or sounds believed to have a magical effect. Synonyms: conjuration. Usage: Hagar, the witch, chanted an awful incantation …