Category: Today’s Word

Today’s Word

malaprop

verb intr.: To misuse a word by confusing it with a similar-sounding word, producing a humorous effect. For example, “pineapple of perfection” for “pinnacle of …

avocation

Definition: (noun) An activity taken up in addition to one's regular work or profession, usually for enjoyment. Synonyms: hobby, pursuit, sideline. Usage: Garth had failed …

pythagorize

verb intr.: To philosophize or speculate in the manner of Pythagoras or the Pythagoreans. verb tr.: To convert (a person or thing) into another.

behemoth

Definition: (noun) Someone or something that is abnormally large and powerful. Synonyms: colossus, goliath, monster, giant. Usage: Little Nick was surprisingly excited as the trainers …

harum-scarum

Definition: (adjective) Cheerfully irresponsible. Synonyms: devil-may-care, happy-go-lucky, slaphappy, freewheeling, carefree. Usage: I was a harum-scarum, reckless lad, and he had had an education, and was …

with-it

Definition: (adjective) In accord with the most fashionable ideas or style. Synonyms: cutting-edge, up-to-date. Usage: Angela takes her fashion cues from whatever the with-it boutiques …

space cadet

noun: 1. A trainee astronaut. 2. A person who behaves strangely or appears to be out of touch with reality.

actuate

Definition: (verb) To motivate or incite into action. Synonyms: incite, motivate, prompt, propel, move. Usage: She hoped he would not be actuated by any such …

lift-off

noun: 1. The action of being airborne, such as that of a rocket, aircraft, etc. 2. The launch of a project, an initiative, etc.

tweedy

Definition: (adjective) Of textiles; having a rough surface. Synonyms: homespun, nubby, slubbed. Usage: Instead of offering something soft and comfortable, the saleswoman handed me a …

rocket science

noun: 1. The science of rocket design, construction, and flight. 2. Something requiring advance knowledge and intelligence.

interrogatory

Definition: (noun) Formal systematic questioning. Synonyms: examination. Usage: The defendant refused to confess his guilt, despite the prosecutor's aggressive interrogatory. Discuss

light-year

noun: 1. A unit of length equal to the distance traveled by light in one year in vacuum, about 5.88 trillion miles or 9.46 trillion …

rough-cut

Definition: (adjective) Lacking refinement or cultivation or taste. Synonyms: uncouth, vulgar, coarse, common. Usage: My mechanic is a rough-cut man who makes little time for …

moon shot

noun: 1. A mission to the moon. 2. A highly ambitious, unlikely project with great potential impact. 3. In sports, an act of hitting or …

marketer

Definition: (noun) Someone who promotes or exchanges goods or services for money. Synonyms: seller, trafficker, vendor. Usage: George made his fortune as a cigar and …

roofless

Definition: (adjective) Physically or spiritually homeless or deprived of security. Synonyms: dispossessed. Usage: How matters were finally settled I do not know, but we found …

adorable

Definition: (adjective) Lovable especially in a childlike or naive way. Synonyms: endearing, lovely. Usage: She frowned at his facetiousness—a pretty, adorable frown that made him …

satyagraha

noun: The policy of passive nonviolent resistance as a protest against injustice.

ennoble

Definition: (verb) Give a title to someone; make someone a member of the nobility. Synonyms: gentle. Usage: It would be interesting to see how brave …

akratic

adjective: Characterized by weakness of will that results in acting contrary to one’s better judgment.

chopine

Definition: (noun) A woman's shoe with a very high thick sole. Synonyms: platform. Usage: In centuries past, some women wore chopines so large that they …

pareidolia

noun: The tendency to see a specific pattern or meaningful images in random stimulus.

subroutine

Definition: (noun) A set sequence of steps, part of larger computer program. Synonyms: procedure, function. Usage: Apparently, the program was crashing because there were careless …

bondieuserie

noun: A piece of banal religious art, devotional object, ornament, etc.

hail-fellow

Definition: (adjective) Heartily friendly and congenial. Synonyms: comradely. Usage: Everyone in the tour group was instantly enamored by the guide and his hail-fellow demeanor. Discuss

cordillera

noun: A chain of mountains or mountain ranges.

wonted

Definition: (adjective) Commonly used or practiced; usual. Synonyms: habitual, accustomed, customary. Usage: Professor Erlin lost his wonted calm: he beat the table with his fist, …

shirty

Definition: (adjective) <i>(British informal)</i> Ill-tempered or annoyed. Synonyms: snorty. Usage: He was a bit shirty with her when she arrived late. Discuss

transfigure

Definition: (verb) Change completely the nature or appearance of. Synonyms: metamorphose, transmogrify. Usage: To you, my friend, she would have appeared a hideous and ugly …

pedantic

adjective: Characterized by an excessive, narrow adherence to rules without practical judgment.

eye-popping

Definition: (adjective) Amazingly impressive; suggestive of the flashing of lightning. Synonyms: dazzling, fulgurant. Usage: The highlight of our New Year's celebration was easily the fireworks …

puerperal

adjective: Relating to childbirth or following childbirth.

delegacy

Definition: (noun) A group of representatives or delegates. Synonyms: deputation, mission, commission. Usage: The Finnish delegacy arrived on Estonian soil early this morning and was …

teknonymy

noun: The custom of naming a parent after their child.

puckish

Definition: (adjective) Naughtily or annoyingly playful. Synonyms: impish, mischievous, pixilated, prankish, arch, wicked. Usage: My puckish new roommate apparently thought it would be funny to …

filiation

noun: 1. The fact of being descended or derived from someone or something. 2. The act of determining such relationship. 3. Forming of a new …

hullabaloo

Definition: (noun) Disturbance usually in protest. Synonyms: turmoil, upheaval, agitation, excitement. Usage: In the morning Joan was roused by a great row and hullabaloo. Discuss

hypocoristic

adjective: Relating to pet names. noun: A pet name.

obstinacy

Definition: (noun) The trait of being difficult to handle or overcome. Synonyms: mulishness, stubbornness. Usage: If any tribe shall refuse to recognize the authority of …