cellblock
Definition: (noun) A group of cells that make up a section or unit of a prison. Synonyms: ward. Usage: At the prison, one cellblock was …
Category: Today’s Word
Today’s Word
serenade
noun: 1. A love song sung directly to one’s love interest. 2. A composition for such a performance. verb tr.: To sing such a song.
gaunt
Definition: (adjective) Thin and bony; angular. Synonyms: cadaverous, haggard, pinched, skeletal, wasted. Usage: A gaunt Wolf was almost dead with hunger when he happened to …
angary
noun: The right of a warring nation to seize the property, for example, ships, of a neutral country, provided compensation is paid.
homochromatic
Definition: (adjective) Of or characterized by one color; (of light or other electromagnetic radiation) having only one wavelength. Synonyms: monochromatic. Usage: The room appeared dull …
morass
Definition: (noun) A soft wet area of low-lying land that sinks underfoot. Synonyms: quagmire, mire, quag. Usage: The path from the wood leads to a …
diachrony
noun: Change occurring over a period of time.
retrograde
Definition: (adjective) Tending towards an earlier worse condition; declining or deteriorating. Synonyms: deteriorating, backward, regressive, retrogressive. Usage: It would be a retrograde step to revert …
glabella
noun: The area between the eyebrows, just above the nose.
digression
Definition: (noun) A message that departs from the main subject. Synonyms: divagation, excursus, parenthesis, aside. Usage: The lecture on animal behavior was interesting until the …
fractal
noun: Something, such as a shape, curve, pattern, etc., where smaller parts have the same characteristics. adjective: Having the form or qualities of a fractal.
eulogy
Definition: (noun) A laudatory speech or written tribute, especially one praising someone who has died. Synonyms: encomium, paean, panegyric. Usage: Mournfully and low the man …
gowpen
noun: Two hands cupped together.
balladeer
Definition: (noun) A singer of popular ballads. Synonyms: crooner. Usage: The balladeer sang about the tragic fate of the star-crossed lovers. Discuss
gleek
noun: 1. A jest or trick. 2. A stream of saliva. verb tr., intr.: 1. To play a trick. 2. To discharge a stream of …
jurist
Definition: (noun) A public official authorized to decide questions brought before a court of justice. Synonyms: judge, magistrate, justice. Usage: A very humane jurist once …
omnipotent
Definition: (adjective) Having unlimited or universal power, authority, or force. Synonyms: all-powerful, almighty. Usage: Doug lived in the shadow of his seemingly omnipotent father. Discuss
neonate
Definition: (noun) A newborn infant, especially one less than four weeks old. Synonyms: newborn. Usage: The doctor examined the writhing neonate with great care but …
high-grade
adjective: Of high quality, amount, or degree. verb intr.: To steal, especially by taking high-quality parts from something.
frankincense
Definition: (noun) An aromatic gum resin obtained from various Arabian or East African trees; formerly valued for worship and for embalming and fumigation. Synonyms: gum …
sojourn
verb intr.: To stay in a place temporarily. noun: A temporary stay.
sunstone
Definition: (noun) A translucent quartz spangled with bits of mica or other minerals. Synonyms: aventurine. Usage: He loved the red gold of the sunstone, and …
wimple
noun: 1. A covering worn around the head and neck by women in medieval times and by some nuns. 2. A fold, wrinkle, or pleat. …
castellated
Definition: (adjective) Having turrets and battlements in the style of a castle. Synonyms: castled, crenellated, battlemented. Usage: He summoned to his presence a thousand hale …
rollercoaster
noun: Something marked by sudden and sharp shifts in circumstances. adjective: Marked by sudden, extreme changes. verb intr.: To go through extreme and abrupt changes.
apiarist
Definition: (noun) One who keeps bees, specifically one who cares for and raises bees for commercial or agricultural purposes. Synonyms: apiculturist, beekeeper. Usage: Profits from …
primary
adjective: First; main; most important; basic. noun: Something that is fundamental or first in sequence, rank, or importance. verb tr.: To field a candidate against …
bunsen
Definition: (noun) A gas burner used in laboratories; has an air valve to regulate the mixture of gas and air. Synonyms: etna. Usage: I accidentally …
brandish
Definition: (verb) To wave or flourish (a weapon, for example) menacingly. Synonyms: flourish, wave. Usage: The farmer, seeing before him this figure in full armor …
tidbit
Definition: (noun) A choice morsel, as of gossip or food. Synonyms: choice morsel, titbit. Usage: The book is chock-full of colorful tidbits about theater and …
squandermania
noun: The practice of spending money recklessly.
plainsong
Definition: (noun) A liturgical chant of the Roman Catholic Church. Synonyms: Gregorian chant, plainchant. Usage: The music professor explained that in the Western church four …
argentocracy
noun: 1. Rule by the wealthy. 2. Undue influence of money.
yardmaster
Definition: (noun) A railroad employer who is in charge of a railway yard. Synonyms: train dispatcher, trainmaster. Usage: Observing that the yardmaster had his back …
stultiloquy
noun: Foolish talk.
squalid
Definition: (adjective) Dirty and wretched, as from poverty or lack of care. Synonyms: flyblown, sordid. Usage: They lived like beasts in great squalid labor-ghettos, festering …
apanthropy
noun: A desire to be away from people; a love of solitude.
verruca
Definition: (noun) A firm abnormal elevated blemish on the skin; caused by a virus. Synonyms: wart. Usage: When he developed a verruca on the bottom …
neophobia
noun: The fear or dislike of the new.
docket
Definition: (noun) A list of things to be done. Synonyms: agenda, schedule. Usage: Since everyone wanted to discuss healthcare, we put it on the docket …