titrate
1. To carefully adjust something in measured increments to achieve a desired balance or effect. 2. To determine the concentration of a solution by gradually …
Category: Today’s Word
Today’s Word
patella
Definition: (noun) A flat triangular bone located at the front of the knee joint. Synonyms: kneecap, kneepan. Usage: Having learned his lesson, the rollerblader wore …
precipitate
verb tr.: 1. To make something, especially something undesirable, happen prematurely or suddenly. 2. To throw suddenly. 3. To cause (water vapor in the atmosphere) …
campanile
Definition: (noun) A bell tower, especially one near but not attached to a church or other public building. Synonyms: belfry. Usage: The architect intended the …
conflux
Definition: (noun) A flowing together. Synonyms: merging, confluence. Usage: There was a conflux of emotions and thoughts in him. Discuss
preclude
Definition: (verb) Keep from happening or arising; make impossible. Synonyms: foreclose, forestall, prevent, forbid. Usage: Modesty precludes me from accepting the honor. Discuss
totality
noun: 1. The condition or quality of being complete or whole. 2. An aggregate amount or sum. 3. The phase of an eclipse when an …
quaggy
Definition: (adjective) Resembling a marsh; soggy. Synonyms: boggy, marshy, miry, mucky, muddy, sloughy, swampy. Usage: The ground near the lake was wet and quaggy underfoot. …
umbrageous
adjective: 1. Inclined to take offense easily. 2. Cast in shadow; shaded. 3. Providing shade.
musette
Definition: (noun) A small French bagpipe operated with a bellows and having a soft sound. Synonyms: shepherd's pipe. Usage: The young man was adept at …
penumbra
noun: 1. A surrounding area or fringe, a zone of influence or activity that is less distinct or certain. 2. A partly shaded region between …
worriment
Definition: (noun) A difficulty that causes anxiety. Synonyms: troublesomeness, inconvenience. Usage: To him, everything was a worriment, and his anxiety increased every day. Discuss
occultation
noun: 1. The state of being hidden or blocked. 2. The passage of a celestial object in front of another, hiding it from view.
prosody
Definition: (noun) The study of the metrical structure of verse. Synonyms: metrics. Usage: He was a master of meter, and contributed certain modifications to the …
umbra
noun: 1. Shade; shadow. 2. The darkest inner part of a shadow, as during an eclipse.
sporty
Definition: (adjective) Marked by conspicuous display. Synonyms: flashy, gaudy, jazzy, showy. Usage: The Thompsons thought it inappropriate that their newly widowed neighbor wore such a …
wraith
Definition: (noun) Something shadowy and insubstantial. Synonyms: ghost, specter, spook, shade. Usage: He refused to venture near cemeteries, fearing he'd encounter wraiths, ghosts, and apparitions …
brachypterous
Definition: (adjective) Having very short or rudimentary wings, as certain insects. Synonyms: short-winged. Usage: Some brachypterous insects evade predators by jumping short distances. Discuss
manicure
noun: A cosmetic treatment of a person’s hands, especially the nails. verb tr., intr.: 1. To take care of the hands and fingernails. 2. To …
sepulcher
Definition: (noun) A chamber that is used as a grave. Synonyms: burial chamber. Usage: The archaeologists opened the sepulcher expecting to find ancient artifacts, but …
T-bone
verb tr.: To collide with the side of, especially referring to a vehicle. Also known as broadside. noun: 1. A collision of this kind. 2. …
rampart
Definition: (noun) A fortification consisting of an embankment, often with a parapet built on top. Synonyms: bulwark, wall. Usage: They stormed the ramparts of the …
gegg
verb tr., intr.: To play a hoax or practical joke. noun: A trick or practical joke.
fleecy
Definition: (adjective) Having soft nap produced by brushing. Synonyms: napped, brushed. Usage: Though the train was unbearably cold, she snuggled into the fleecy lining of …
kneecap
noun: A small, flat, triangular bone that covers the front of the knee. verb tr.: 1. To attack the knee as a way to cripple …
banneret
Definition: (noun) A knight honored for valor, entitled to display a square banner and to hold higher command. Synonyms: knight of the square flag. Usage: …
whelm
verb tr.: 1. To submerge. 2. To overcome; overwhelm. noun: An overwhelming or engulfing quantity of something.
roster
Definition: (noun) A list, especially of names. Synonyms: roll. Usage: The spy's mission was to compile a roster of officials amenable to bribery. Discuss
buskin
Definition: (noun) A foot and leg covering reaching halfway to the knee, resembling a laced half boot. Synonyms: half boot. Usage: He wore pale yellow …
spelunker
Definition: (noun) One who explores caves chiefly as a hobby; a caver. Synonyms: potholer, speleologist. Usage: The spelunkers were lost in the cave and worried …
beachhead
noun: 1. An area of the shore secured by an advancing military force from which to advance further inland. 2. A foothold opening the way …
excursive
Definition: (adjective) Of, given to, characterized by, or having the nature of digression. Synonyms: rambling, digressive, discursive. Usage: What started as a few excursive remarks …
facade
noun: 1. The front of a building or a side facing a street or a public space. 2. The front part of something. 3. A …
haggard
Definition: (adjective) Showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering. Synonyms: careworn, drawn, raddled, worn. Usage: His face was ghastly pale; his chin …
turbid
Definition: (adjective) Having sediment or foreign particles stirred up or suspended. Synonyms: murky, cloudy, muddy. Usage: It was now early spring, and the river was …
accede
verb intr.: 1. To agree to a request, proposal, or demand, especially at the insistence of someone. 2. To assume a high office, such as …
tucket
Definition: (noun) Short lively tune played on brass instruments. Synonyms: fanfare, flourish. Usage: Her arrival was greeted with a rousing tucket. Discuss
adage
noun: A general truth conveyed succinctly and often metaphorically.
disputant
Definition: (noun) One engaged in a dispute. Synonyms: eristic, controversialist. Usage: Other tribes of the new federation took sides with the original disputants or set …
significative
Definition: (adjective) Pointing out or revealing clearly. Synonyms: indicatory, revelatory, suggestive, indicative. Usage: Her frantic movements were significative of fear. Discuss