Category: Today’s Word

Today’s Word

extricate

Definition: (verb) To remove or free from complication, hindrance, or difficulty. Synonyms: disencumber, disentangle. Usage: It will take quite a hefty sum to extricate me …

heteroclite

noun: 1. A person who is unconventional; a maverick. 2. A word that is irregularly formed. adjective: 1. Deviating from the ordinary rule; eccentric. 2. …

conflagration

Definition: (noun) A very intense and uncontrolled fire. Synonyms: inferno. Usage: All the stock was destroyed in a warehouse conflagration. Discuss

homophene

noun: A word or phrase that, when spoken, appears to be the same as a different word or phrase on a person’s lips, for example …

drudgery

Definition: (noun) Hard, menial, and monotonous work. Synonyms: donkeywork, plodding, grind. Usage: The novelty soon wore off, and though she thought she was prepared for …

ebullience

Definition: (noun) Zestful enthusiasm. Synonyms: exuberance. Usage: Once Sam's fever broke, his natural ebullience began to return, and he was soon begging to be allowed …

orison

Definition: (noun) Reverent petition to a deity. Synonyms: petition, prayer. Usage: Jehan go every evening to chapel, and sing there an anthem with verse and …

chipper

Definition: (adjective) Having a cheerful, lively, and self-confident air. Synonyms: debonair, jaunty. Usage: If I seem chipper today, it is because I found a $50 …

interpose

verb tr., intr.: 1. To place in between. 2. To intrude or to interrupt. noun: 1. The act of, or an instance of, putting something …

shipshape

Definition: (adjective) Of places; characterized by order and neatness; free from disorder. Synonyms: trim, well-kept. Usage: Toys were strewn everywhere in the playroom, but we …

traject

verb tr.: To transport or transmit. noun: Transport, transmission, or passage.

shinny

Definition: (verb) Climb awkwardly, as if by scrambling. Synonyms: skin, clamber, scramble, sputter, struggle. Usage: I had to shinny up the tree to rescue my …

reconnoiter

verb tr., intr.: To explore or scout an area for gathering information. noun: An act of reconnoitering.

fuss-budget

Definition: (noun) A person who fusses over trifles. Synonyms: fusspot, worrier, worrywart. Usage: Stop being such a fuss-budget, and just relax and have fun! Discuss

surfeit

noun: 1. Excess. 2. Overindulgence in eating or drinking. 3. Satiety or disgust caused by overindulgence. verb tr.: 1. To do or supply anything to …

gambit

Definition: (noun) A maneuver, stratagem, or ploy, especially one used at an initial stage. Synonyms: tactic, move, policy, scheme, strategy, trick, device, ploy. Usage: They …

transect

verb tr.: To cut across. noun: 1. A narrow section through a natural feature. 2. A path along which measurements or observations are made.

molder

Definition: (verb) To crumble to dust; disintegrate. Synonyms: rot, decompose. Usage: Far better that crows and ravens … should pick my flesh from my bones, …

somnambulate

Definition: (verb) To walk or perform another act while asleep or in a sleeplike condition. Synonyms: sleepwalk. Usage: We had to put special locks on …

lollygag

Definition: (verb) To waste time by puttering aimlessly; dawdle. Synonyms: footle, hang around, mill about, tarry, loiter, lounge, lurk, linger, loaf. Usage: I spent my …

gazunder

verb tr.: To reduce the amount of an offer after it has been accepted by the seller.

glower

Definition: (noun) A sullen or angry stare. Synonyms: glare. Usage: His frown deepened into a glower of resentment. Discuss

pot-valor

noun: Boldness or courage induced by the consumption of alcohol.

timorous

Definition: (adjective) Full of apprehensiveness; timid. Synonyms: trepid, fearful. Usage: The timorous child huddled alone in the corner while the rest of his classmates played …

grinagog

noun: One who is always grinning.

wamble

Definition: (verb) Move unsteadily or with a weaving or rolling motion. Synonyms: waggle. Usage: As John wambled into the kitchen for his morning coffee, his …

palpitate

Definition: (verb) Shake with fast, tremulous movements. Synonyms: quake, quiver. Usage: The encounter with the robber made me palpitate with fear, and hours passed before …

gazump

verb tr.: 1. To raise the price after accepting an offer from a buyer. 2. To offer a higher price to a seller on something …

gadget

Definition: (noun) A device or control that is very useful for a particular job. Synonyms: appliance, contraption, contrivance, gizmo, widget, convenience. Usage: David has this …

choler

Definition: (noun) An irritable petulant feeling. Synonyms: crossness, fretfulness, fussiness, peevishness. Usage: I felt quite amused at his unwarranted choler, and while he stumped indignantly …

pitiless

Definition: (adjective) Without mercy or pity. Synonyms: remorseless, ruthless. Usage: He looked into the pitiless eyes of his enemy and knew then that this would …

dead hand

noun: 1. The stifling influence of something, especially of the past on the present. 2. The perpetual ownership of property by institutions, such as churches.

renovate

Definition: (verb) Restore to a previous or better condition. Synonyms: restitute. Usage: This old farmhouse may look ramshackle now, but it will be the epitome …

ironfisted

adjective: 1. Ruthless; tyrannical. 2. Stingy; tight-fisted.

winded

Definition: (adjective) Out of breath, as from strenuous exercise. Synonyms: pursy, blown. Usage: After crossing the finish line, the winded runner fell to the ground …

backhanded

adjective: 1. Indirect or ambiguous, having double meaning; sarcastic or malicious. 2. Performed with the back of the hand facing forward.

well-founded

Definition: (adjective) Based on sound reasoning or evidence. Synonyms: tenable. Usage: In order to survive as an organization, we must be willing to accept well-founded …

repugnant

adjective: Distasteful; offensive; objectionable.