anergy
noun: 1. Lack of energy. 2. The lack of an immune response to a foreign substance.
Category: Today’s Word
Today’s Word
apocryphal
adjective: 1. Of dubious authorship or authenticity. 2. False; erroneous; fictitious.
odious
Definition: (adjective) Arousing or meriting strong dislike, aversion, or intense displeasure. Synonyms: abominable, detestable, execrable. Usage: Pray do not talk of that odious man. Discuss
postposition
noun: 1. The placing of something after another. 2. Something placed in this manner, especially a word or an element placed after another.
vitiate
Definition: (verb) To corrupt morally; debase. Synonyms: debauch, deprave, pervert. Usage: Ten minutes with these ruffians would vitiate the most honorable gentlemen. Discuss
eupnea
noun: Normal breathing.
wrongous
adjective: Unfair, lacking propriety, illegal, etc.
umbrage
Definition: (noun) A feeling of anger caused by being offended. Synonyms: offense. Usage: I had tried to phrase it politely, but he still took umbrage …
vendetta
Definition: (noun) A feud between two families or clans that arises out of a slaying and is perpetuated by retaliatory acts of revenge. Synonyms: blood …
vacuous
Definition: (adjective) Devoid of intelligence. Synonyms: asinine, fatuous, inane, mindless. Usage: The interviewer could tell by the candidate's vacuous comments that he was not qualified …
sabbath
noun: 1. A day of the week — usually a Fri, Sat, or Sun — observed as a day of rest. 2. A period of …
vitreous
Definition: (adjective) Of, relating to, resembling, or having the nature of glass. Synonyms: glassy. Usage: The lake was so calm it looked vitreous in the …
shekel
noun: 1. Money; wealth; cash. 2. A monetary unit of Israel.
wizened
Definition: (adjective) Lean and wrinkled by shrinkage as from age or illness. Synonyms: shrunken, withered, shriveled. Usage: The wizened face of the man of law …
tzedakah
noun: Charitable giving or charity, especially when seen as a moral obligation.
idiosyncrasy
Definition: (noun) A structural or behavioral characteristic peculiar to an individual or group. Synonyms: peculiarity. Usage: Of all her idiosyncrasies, I find her tendency to …
cherub
noun: A person, especially a child, with a sweet innocent appearance.
upshot
Definition: (noun) The final outcome. Synonyms: conclusion, result. Usage: The upshot of the disagreement was that they broke up the partnership. Discuss
mitzvah
noun: 1. A good deed. 2. A duty, obligation, or commandment.
stentorian
Definition: (adjective) Extremely loud. Synonyms: booming. Usage: He was woken by the stentorian voice of his teacher, demanding to know why he wasn't paying attention. …
penurious
Definition: (adjective) Unwilling to spend money; stingy. Synonyms: parsimonious. Usage: When solicited for a donation, the penurious man began to extend a nickel, but, thinking …
disciple
Definition: (noun) One who embraces and assists in spreading the teachings of another. Synonyms: adherent. Usage: An avowed disciple of Jonson and his classicism and …
ostrichism
noun: The act or policy of refusing to face reality or unpleasant facts.
encomium
Definition: (noun) A formal expression of praise; a tribute. Synonyms: eulogy, paean, panegyric. Usage: We stand humbled by his heroics, and cannot help feeling that …
henpeck
verb tr.: To criticize, nag, pester, etc. in a persistent manner.
enfeeble
Definition: (verb) To make weak; deprive of strength. Synonyms: debilitate, drain. Usage: Although his age enfeebled him, he could still walk long distances without tiring. …
lame duck
noun: 1. An elected official soon going to be out of office due to losing a re-election bid, not running again, or being ineligible to …
undulate
Definition: (verb) To cause to move in a smooth wavelike motion. Synonyms: roll. Usage: The singer undulated her hips to the rhythm of the song. …
gowk
noun: 1. A foolish person. 2. A cuckoo. verb tr.: To make a fool of or to stupefy. verb intr.: To stare foolishly.
denigrate
Definition: (verb) To disparage; belittle. Synonyms: derogate. Usage: He helped you a great deal on this project, so don't take all the credit and denigrate …
black swan
noun: 1. An unpredictable occurrence that has major consequences. 2. Something extremely rare.
sumptuous
Definition: (adjective) Of a size or splendor suggesting great expense; lavish. Synonyms: deluxe, opulent, princely, luxurious. Usage: The sumptuous homes of the wealthy were full …
favored
Definition: (adjective) Preferred above all others and treated with partiality. Synonyms: best-loved, pet, preferred, favorite. Usage: My sister is clearly the favored child—she has a …
ecumenical
Definition: (adjective) Of worldwide scope or applicability. Synonyms: universal. Usage: The movement against violence is intended to be an ecumenical one, applicable to all nations. …
pot-valiant
noun: A person displaying boldness or courage while drunk. adjective: Displaying bravado under the influence of alcohol.
skimpy
Definition: (adjective) Containing little excess. Synonyms: lean. Usage: When the car repairs maxed out my already skimpy budget, I knew my shopping days were over. …
blellum
noun: An idle, talkative person.
termagant
Definition: (noun) A quarrelsome, scolding woman. Synonyms: shrew. Usage: His aunt was such a termagant that he dreaded her annual visit. Discuss
hotspur
noun: A rash, hotheaded person. adjective: Having a rash, hotheaded temperament.
turpitude
Definition: (noun) A corrupt or depraved or degenerate act or practice. Synonyms: depravity. Usage: Seeing the various turpitudes of modern society shook her faith in …