Category: Today’s Word

Today’s Word

demeanor

Definition: (noun) The way a person behaves toward other people. Synonyms: deportment, conduct, behavior. Usage: She had a charming demeanor that endeared her to her …

tetragon

Definition: (noun) A four-sided polygon. Synonyms: quadrangle, quadrilateral. Usage: Long after the teacher had moved on from the geometry lesson, Alice found herself absentmindedly sketching …

thespian

noun: An actor. adjective: Relating to drama.

comedo

Definition: (noun) A plug of keratin and sebum within a hair follicle that is blackened at the surface. Synonyms: blackhead. Usage: On the morning of …

Don Quixote

noun: Someone who is unrealistic, naive, chivalrous, idealistic, etc. to an absurd degree.

polymorphism

Definition: (noun) Crystallization of a compound in at least two distinct forms. Synonyms: pleomorphism. Usage: Calcium carbonate possesses the characteristic of polymorphism, since it crystallizes …

Machiavellianism

noun: The use of unscrupulous means, cunning, and deceit in pursuit of power, especially in politics.

furbelow

Definition: (noun) A strip of pleated material used as a decoration or a trim. Synonyms: ruffle, flounce, frill. Usage: Those dresses are good, sensible, serviceable …

cicatrix

Definition: (noun) A scar left by the formation of new connective tissue over a healing sore or wound. Synonyms: scar. Usage: It was clear from …

inculcate

Definition: (verb) To teach (others) by frequent instruction or repetition. Synonyms: infuse, instill. Usage: All of virtue and chivalry and true manhood which his old …

prudish

adjective: Overly concerned with propriety or decorum, especially in matters of sex.

profuse

Definition: (adjective) Plentiful; copious. Synonyms: lush, riotous, luxuriant, exuberant. Usage: He wiped his forehead, which had broken out in profuse perspiration at the thought of …

vagrant

Definition: (noun) One who wanders from place to place without a permanent home or a means of livelihood. Synonyms: drifter, vagabond, floater. Usage: When things …

impute

Definition: (verb) Attribute or credit to. Synonyms: ascribe, attribute, assign. Usage: Keller, why does your article impute things to my father without the slightest foundation? …

prestigious

adjective: Honored, esteemed, or having high status.

periphrasis

Definition: (noun) A style that involves indirect ways of expressing things. Synonyms: ambage, circumlocution. Usage: Parents often engage in periphrasis when discussing adult matters in …

peccant

adjective: 1. Sinful. 2. Violating a rule.

exigent

Definition: (adjective) Requiring much effort or expense; demanding attention. Synonyms: crying, insistent, clamant, instant. Usage: The professor regarded literary questions as exigent and momentous. Discuss

sophistry

Definition: (noun) A plausible but misleading or fallacious argument. Synonyms: sophism, sophistication. Usage: Though they had all been taken in by the argument, they later …

sloven

Definition: (noun) One who is habitually careless in personal appearance or work. Synonyms: slob, pig. Usage: I could better eat with one who did not …

nocent

adjective: 1. Harmful. 2. Guilty.

abase

Definition: (verb) Cause to feel shame; hurt the pride of. Synonyms: chagrin, humiliate, humble, mortify. Usage: Today she overwhelmed me with shrill reproaches, and abased …

maculate

verb tr.: To stain, blemish, or pollute. adjective: Stained, spotted, or impure.

drachm

Definition: (noun) A unit of capacity or volume in the apothecary system equal to one eighth of a fluid ounce. Synonyms: fluidram. Usage: She measured …

mediate

adjective: 1. Involving an intervening agency; not direct or immediate. 2. Being in a middle position. verb tr., intr.: 1. To act as an intermediary …

runnel

Definition: (noun) A small stream; a brook. Synonyms: streamlet, rill, rivulet, run. Usage: He could tell from the impression carved into the landscape that the …

eptitude

noun: Skill or proficiency in a situation or a task.

revivalist

Definition: (noun) A preacher of the Christian gospel. Synonyms: evangelist, gospeller. Usage: The revivalist drew a crowd of devoted followers to his weekly prayer meetings. …

pestilence

Definition: (noun) A usually fatal epidemic disease, especially bubonic plague. Synonyms: plague. Usage: The place might have been desolated by a pestilence, so empty and …

gambol

Definition: (verb) To leap about playfully. Synonyms: frisk, frolic, lark, rollick, romp, cavort. Usage: Then he ran back to the shed pulling the playful young …

mugwump

Definition: (noun) A person who acts independently or remains neutral, especially in politics. Synonyms: fencesitter, independent. Usage: The public relations firm believed that the key …

nutant

adjective: Drooping; nodding.

spline

Definition: (noun) A wooden or metal strip. Synonyms: slat. Usage: Humidity and weathering had caused the spline on the edge of the door to detach. …

farrier

Definition: (noun) A person who shoes horses. Synonyms: horseshoer. Usage: The farrier took a look at the limping horse and declared that a badly fitted …

arid

Definition: (adjective) Lacking moisture, especially having insufficient rainfall to support trees or woody plants. Synonyms: waterless. Usage: Only a few succulents managed to survive in …

noodgy

adjective: Nagging, pestering, annoying, or complaining.