Category: Today’s Word

Today’s Word

homebody

Definition: (noun) One whose interests center on the home. Synonyms: stay-at-home. Usage: He was not merely a homebody, but a true agoraphobic who lived in …

insidious

Definition: (adjective) Working or spreading harmfully in a subtle or stealthy manner. Synonyms: pernicious, subtle. Usage: He appeared to be recovering, but the insidious disease …

petrous

Definition: (adjective) Of, relating to, or resembling rock, especially in hardness; stony. Synonyms: stonelike. Usage: The veterinarian removed several rounded, petrous objects from the animal's …

big fish

noun: An important person or entity.

ecesis

Definition: (noun) The successful establishment of a plant or animal species in a habitat. Synonyms: establishment. Usage: The ecologists were especially interested in ensuring the …

weasel

noun: 1. Any of various small slender carnivorous mammals of the genus Mustela. 2. A sneaky, cunning person. verb intr.: 1. To evade an obligation. …

propitiate

Definition: (verb) To conciliate (an offended power). Synonyms: appease. Usage: After his grave sin, he tried to propitiate the gods with a sacrifice. Discuss

testudinal

adjective: 1. Slow. 2. Arched. 3. Old.

sutler

Definition: (noun) A supplier of victuals or supplies to an army. Synonyms: provisioner, victualler. Usage: The sutler loaded his mule with provisions and followed the …

eager beaver

noun: One who is enthusiastic and hard-working, sometimes to the point of being overzealous.

nightstick

Definition: (noun) A short stout club used primarily by policemen. Synonyms: truncheon, billy, billy club, billystick, baton. Usage: The policeman ordered the loiterers to disperse, …

reptilian

adjective: 1. Contemptible. 2. Treacherous. 3. Like a reptile.

arc-boutant

Definition: (noun) A buttress that stands apart from the main structure and connected to it by an arch. Synonyms: flying buttress. Usage: The architect favors …

paling

Definition: (noun) A fence made of upright pickets. Synonyms: picket fence. Usage: Between it and Judge Driscoll's house there was only a grassy yard, with …

consign

Definition: (verb) To give over to the care of another; entrust. Synonyms: charge. Usage: She consigned her daughters to the care of their aunt and …

lavabo

Definition: (noun) A basin for washing the hands. Synonyms: handbasin, washbasin, washbowl. Usage: The priest washed his hands in the metal lavabo before saying Mass. …

nothingburger

noun: Someone or something that turns out to be inconsequential.

parhelion

Definition: (noun) A bright spot sometimes appearing on either side of the sun, often on a luminous ring or halo. Synonyms: sundog, mock sun. Usage: …

cold turkey

noun: 1. An abrupt and complete withdrawal, especially from an addiction. 2. A frank and direct expression of views. adjective: Abrupt and complete. adverb: Abruptly. …

sassaby

Definition: (noun) A large South African antelope; considered the swiftest hoofed mammal. Synonyms: Damaliscus lunatus, topi. Usage: Our jeep sped across the terrain, but we …

gravy train

noun: A situation offering a lot of money or benefits for little work.

granger

Definition: (noun) A person who operates a farm. Synonyms: sodbuster, farmer, husbandman. Usage: Their lands had been bought long ago, and the grangers moved to …

tzimmes

noun: 1. Fuss; confusion. 2. A stew of fruits and vegetables, and sometimes meat.

refractory

Definition: (adjective) Obstinately resistant to authority or control. Synonyms: fractious, recalcitrant. Usage: He still made a naughty or refractory lad stand with one arm stretched …

lariat

Definition: (noun) A long noosed rope used to catch animals. Synonyms: riata, lasso. Usage: He spent his days chasing after fleeing cattle, roping them with …

indigen

Definition: (noun) One that is native or indigenous to an area. Synonyms: aborigine, native. Usage: Because they had physical characteristics known to be conducive to …

yesterweek

noun: Last week. adverb: During last week.

tussock

Definition: (noun) A clump or tuft, as of growing grass. Synonyms: tuft. Usage: The chameleon hid in a colorful tussock of vegetation. Discuss

diegetic

adjective: Happening inside a story.

concomitant

Definition: (adjective) Occurring or existing concurrently; attendant. Synonyms: accompanying, consequent, ensuant, resultant, sequent, incidental. Usage: There is scarce any human good without its concomitant evil. …

ekphrasis

noun: A description of or commentary on a work of visual art.

pergola

Definition: (noun) An arbor or a passageway of columns supporting a roof of trelliswork on which climbing plants are trained to grow. Synonyms: arbor, bower. …

theophoric

adjective: Having or derived from the name of a god.

heightism

noun: Discrimination based on height, especially the unfair treatment of people who are short.

quixotic

Definition: (adjective) Caught up in the romance of noble deeds and the pursuit of unreachable goals; idealistic without regard to practicality. Synonyms: wild-eyed, romantic. Usage: …

aver

Definition: (verb) To assert formally as a fact. Synonyms: allege, say. Usage: For as my conscience does not accuse me, I aver that I am …

tumulus

Definition: (noun) A heap of earth placed over prehistoric tombs. Synonyms: burial mound, grave mound, barrow. Usage: The tumulus marked the spot where his ancestor …

Momus

noun: A carping critic.