auxesis
noun: 1. An overstatement or hyperbole, especially when arranged in a sequence of increasing intensity. 2. Growth resulting from the increase in the size of …
Category: Today’s Word
Today’s Word
scapegrace
Definition: (noun) A scoundrel. Synonyms: rascal. Usage: Both Kuragin and Dolokhov were at that time notorious among the rakes and scapegraces of Petersburg. Discuss
helicon
Definition: (noun) A tuba that coils over the shoulder of the musician. Synonyms: bombardon. Usage: As the marching band strolled by, Karen could see that …
abidance
Definition: (noun) Adherence. Synonyms: compliance, conformity. Usage: In my parents' household, strict abidance by the rules was required, so naturally I rebelled. Discuss
betweenity
noun: The state of lying in the interval separating two conditions, qualities, extremes, etc.
chloasma
Definition: (noun) A patchy brown or dark brown skin discoloration that usually occurs on a woman's face and may result from hormonal changes, as in …
noctivagant
noun: One who wanders in the night. adjective: Wandering in the night.
deprecate
Definition: (verb) To belittle. Synonyms: depreciate. Usage: The teacher should not deprecate his student's efforts. Discuss
mononymous
adjective: Having or known by a name consisting of only one word.
vallecula
Definition: (noun) Any furrow or channel on a bodily structure or part. Synonyms: groove. Usage: The medical students studied the diagram depicting the vallecula between …
spindrift
noun: Spray of water, snow, sand, etc., blown by the wind.
palpitation
Definition: (noun) A trembling or shaking. Synonyms: shakiness, trembling, quiver, vibration. Usage: Cornelius put his hand on his heart, to repress as it were its …
nemophilist
noun: One who loves forests.
jongleur
Definition: (noun) A wandering minstrel, poet, or entertainer in medieval England and France. Synonyms: folk singer, minstrel, poet-singer, troubadour. Usage: The group of jongleurs was …
battlement
Definition: (noun) A notched parapet built on top of a wall, with alternating merlons and crenels for decoration or defense. Synonyms: crenelation, crenellation. Usage: I …
calamari
Definition: (noun) Squid prepared as food. Synonyms: squid. Usage: Lisa ordered calamari at the Italian restaurant. Discuss
encyclical
noun: An official letter. adjective: For wide circulation.
apologue
Definition: (noun) A moral fable, especially one having animals or inanimate objects as characters. Synonyms: allegory, parable, fable. Usage: The minister liked to incorporate apologues …
exorbitant
adjective: Greatly exceeding what’s considered reasonable, especially in cost or price.
prohibitionist
Definition: (noun) A reformer who opposes the use of intoxicating beverages. Synonyms: dry. Usage: She was a tireless prohibitionist who raided saloons and destroyed bottles …
zodiac
noun: 1. A circular diagram with 12 parts, each named after a constellation, used in astrology. 2. A circle, circuit, etc.
peignoir
Definition: (noun) A woman's loose-fitting dressing gown. Synonyms: neglige, wrapper, housecoat. Usage: The tears came so fast to Mrs. Pontellier's eyes that the damp sleeve …
rotiform
adjective: Wheel-shaped.
cerumen
Definition: (noun) A soft yellow wax secreted by glands in the ear canal. Synonyms: earwax. Usage: A buildup of cerumen was irritating Billy's ear, so …
trochilic
adjective: Relating to the wheel or the rotary motion.
immiscible
Definition: (adjective) That cannot undergo mixing or blending. Synonyms: unmixable. Usage: When two immiscible liquids, such as oil and water, are shaken together, an emulsion …
bluejacket
Definition: (noun) An enlisted person in the US or British Navy. Synonyms: sailor. Usage: The big steam pinnace went off to her ship to bring …
demigod
Definition: (noun) A person with great powers and abilities. Synonyms: superman, Ubermensch. Usage: The saints and demigods whom history worships we are constrained to accept …
Canaan
noun: A land of promise, abundance, and fulfillment.
ingrate
Definition: (noun) A person who shows no gratitude. Synonyms: thankless wretch, ungrateful person. Usage: This bird was a godsend to us, and I should be …
Elysium
noun: A place of perfect happiness.
smattering
Definition: (noun) A small, scattered amount or number. Synonyms: handful. Usage: Her skin had a healthy glow, and her nose was dotted with a smattering …
helotage
noun: A state of servitude or bondage.
preachment
Definition: (noun) A tiresome or unwelcome moral lecture or discourse; tedious sermonizing. Synonyms: homily. Usage: Don't torment me with your preachments now, unless you want …
canterbury
noun: A rack with open top and slatted partitions for magazines, sheet music, documents, etc.
excursionist
Definition: (noun) A tourist who is visiting sights of interest. Synonyms: rubberneck, sightseer, tripper. Usage: The city's economy depends on tourism, and an influx of …
Capuan
adjective: Luxurious.
glockenspiel
Definition: (noun) A percussion instrument with a series of metal bars tuned to the chromatic scale and played with two light hammers. Synonyms: orchestral bells. …
scrooge
Definition: (noun) A mean-spirited miserly person. Synonyms: niggard, skinflint, churl. Usage: The old scrooge was married to his money, and spending a penny was, to …
aide-memoire
Definition: (noun) A memorandum setting forth the major points of a proposed discussion or agreement, used especially in diplomatic communications. Synonyms: position paper. Usage: After …