materteral
adjective: Characteristic of, or in the manner of, an aunt.
Category: Today’s Word
Today’s Word
whorl
Definition: (noun) A form that coils or spirals; a curl or swirl. Synonyms: curlicue, gyre, ringlet, roll. Usage: He … made each individual line of …
augury
Definition: (noun) A sign of something coming; an omen. Synonyms: foretoken, preindication. Usage: Many analysts see the dire unemployment statistics as an augury of a …
broach
Definition: (verb) To bring up (a subject) for discussion or debate. Synonyms: initiate. Usage: I felt uncomfortable, but after two weeks of waiting for repayment, …
caducous
adjective: Tending to fall easily or before the usual time.
bereft
Definition: (adjective) Suffering the death of a loved one; bereaved. Synonyms: grief-stricken, grieving, mourning. Usage: Mourn not for those who have died, but for those …
balter
verb intr.: To dance clumsily or walk unsteadily. verb tr., intr: To clot, clog, or tangle.
bedaub
Definition: (verb) To smear all over with something thick, sticky, or dirty. Synonyms: besmear. Usage: The hunter bedaubed himself with mud as a form of …
haecceity
noun: The quality that makes something or someone what they are.
aplomb
Definition: (noun) Self-confident assurance; poise. Synonyms: assuredness, sang-froid, cool. Usage: The defense attorney smiled with an air of aplomb, knowing that his client's acquittal was …
oracy
noun: The ability to express oneself in speech.
apogee
Definition: (noun) The farthest or highest point; the apex. Synonyms: summit, height, peak, climax, pinnacle, zenith, acme. Usage: It took many years for the industry …
charientism
noun: An insult disguised as a jest or a compliment.
muster
Definition: (verb) Gather or bring together. Synonyms: rally, summon. Usage: Mustering all her strength, she pulled hard on the oars. Discuss
malady
Definition: (noun) A disease, a disorder, or an ailment. Synonyms: illness, sickness. Usage: He was stricken with a crippling malady. Discuss
pliant
Definition: (adjective) Easily bent or flexed; pliable. Synonyms: bendable. Usage: The connections of the several sections of the raft are slack and pliant, so that …
open sesame
noun: Something that is an easy and effective way to bring out a desired result, gain access, etc.
pallid
Definition: (adjective) Having an abnormally pale or wan complexion. Synonyms: pasty, colorless, ashen. Usage: In the gray of the morning the two students, pallid and …
Chicken Licken
noun: Someone who is a pessimist and alarmist, always warning others of impending calamities.
descry
Definition: (verb) To catch sight of (something difficult to discern). Synonyms: spot, spy. Usage: From the top of the hill I descried a solitary rider. …
Domdaniel
noun: A place of wickedness.
cogent
Definition: (adjective) Appealing to the intellect or powers of reasoning; convincing. Synonyms: weighty. Usage: Having put forth an indisputably cogent argument, Sally won the debate. …
Tom Thumb
noun: 1. A very short person. 2. An insignificant or unimportant person, especially one who lacks the power or ability in spite of high rank.
foible
Definition: (noun) A minor weakness or failing of character. Synonyms: fault, defect, imperfection. Usage: His father's foibles did not prevent his son from loving and …
breadcrumb
noun: 1. A small fragment of bread. 2. One in a series of markers placed as a navigational aid. 3. One of several hints or …
resolute
Definition: (adjective) Firm in purpose or belief; steadfast. Synonyms: determined, stalwart, staunch, persevering. Usage: I am resolute in my opposition to these proposals, so don't …
Panglossian
adjective: Blindly or unreasonably optimistic. noun: One who is optimistic regardless of the circumstances.
effete
Definition: (adjective) Weak, ineffectual, or decadent as a result of overrefinement. Synonyms: weak, feeble, ineffectual. Usage: So beautiful is she that I am always … …
recalcitrant
Definition: (adjective) Marked by stubborn resistance to and defiance of authority or guidance. Synonyms: refractory. Usage: Neither could he mobilize his army to go forth …
zealot
Definition: (noun) An immoderate, fanatical, or extremely zealous adherent to a cause, especially a religious one. Synonyms: drumbeater, partisan. Usage: Jane, who had dabbled in …
obelus
noun: 1. A sign (minus or division sign) used in ancient manuscripts to to indicate a spurious or doubtful word or passage. 2. A sign …
ostracize
Definition: (verb) Expel from a community or group. Synonyms: banish, blackball, cast out, shun, ban. Usage: I have been ostracized by my teammates ever since …
dithyramb
noun: 1. A piece of writing or speech in an inflated or wildly enthusiastic manner. 2. An impassioned Greek choral song, originally in honor of …
bewitch
Definition: (verb) Cast a spell over someone or something; put a hex on someone or something. Synonyms: hex, jinx, enchant. Usage: After reading <i>Harry Potter</i>, …
paremiography
noun: 1. The writing or collecting of proverbs. 2. A collection of proverbs.
mellifluous
Definition: (adjective) Pleasing to the ear. Synonyms: mellisonant, dulcet, sweet. Usage: Her mellifluous voice could make him agree to anything. Discuss
pilcrow
noun: A symbol (¶) used to indicate paragraph breaks.
roguery
Definition: (noun) Reckless or malicious behavior that causes discomfort or annoyance in others. Synonyms: mischief, devilment, rascality. Usage: Ms. Adams caught Tommy dipping Sally's pigtail …
chosisme
noun: A literary style which focuses on description of objects, not on interpretation, plot, characterization, etc.
pusillanimous
Definition: (adjective) Lacking courage; cowardly. Synonyms: spineless, craven. Usage: Why, you pusillanimous piece of dirt, you'd run with your tail between your legs if I …