Thanks to Dictionary.com, every Friday morning join Samantha Willans and Arthur Muhl for 'Word of the Week'. |
| Previous Words' of the Week |
| 08 Apr 11 |
bumptious |
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Pronounced BUMP-shuhs
An adjective meaning crudely, presumptuously, or loudly self-assertive. |
| 01 Apr 11 |
truckle |
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Pronounced TRUHK-uhl
As an intransitive verb it means to yield or bend obsequiously to the will of another; to act in a subservient manner.
As a noun it means a small wheel or roller; a caster.
|
| 18 Mar 11 |
termagant |
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pronounced TUR-muh-guhnt
A noun meaning:
1. a scolding, nagging, bad-tempered woman; a shrew. |
| 11 Mar 11 |
sockdolager |
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Pronounced sok-DOL-uh-jer
A noun meaning:
1. A decisive reply or argument.
2. Something unusually large, heavy, etc.
3. A heavy, finishing blow.
|
| 04 Mar 11 |
gimcrack |
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Pronounced JIM-krak
A noun meaning a showy but useless or worthless object.
|
| 25 Feb 11 |
vulpine |
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Pronounced VUHL-pahyn.
An adjective meaning cunning or crafty, of or resembling a fox. |
| 18 Feb 11 |
factotum |
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Pronounced fak-TOH-tuhm.
A noun meaning a person employed to do all kinds of work or business. |
| 11 Feb 11 |
daedal |
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Pronounced DEE-duhl
An adjective meaning:
1. Complex or ingenious in form or function; intricate.
2. Skillful; artistic; ingenious.
3. Rich; adorned with many things. |
| 04 Feb 11 |
ambisinister |
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Pronounced am-bi-SIN-uh-ster
An adjective meaning "clumsy or unskillful with both hands." |
| 28 Jan 11 |
klatsch |
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Pronounced klahch or klach.
A noun meaning "a casual gathering of people, especially for refreshments and informal conversation."
Eg: a sewing klatsch. |
| 21 Jan 11 |
concupiscible |
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Pronounced kon-KYOO-pi-suh-buhl
An adjective meaning worthy of being desired.
|
| 14 Jan 11 |
eleemosynary |
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Pronounced el-uh-MOS-uh-nair-ee.
An adjective meaning OF or FOR charity. The Salvation Army is 'an eleemosynary institution'. |
| 31 Dec 10 |
dithyrambic |
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Pronounced dith-uh-RAM-bik
An adjective meaning wildly enthusiastic, wildly irregular in form.
|
| 24 Dec 10 |
lagniappe |
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Pronounced LAN-yap
A noun meaning a small gift given with a purchase to a customer for good measure, a gratuity or tip or an unexpected or indirect benefit. |
| 17 Dec 10 |
prosopography |
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Pronounced pros-uh-POG-ruh-fee
A noun meaning a description of a person's appearance, career, personality, etc.
|
| 10 Dec 10 |
estivate |
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Pronounced ES-tuh-veyt
A verb meaning to spend the summer, as at a specific place or in a certain activity.
Or...
In zoology, to spend a hot, dry season in an inactive, dormant state, as certain reptiles, snails, insects, and small mammals. |
| 03 Dec 10 |
lilliputian |
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Pronounced lil-i-PYOO-shuhn
An adjective; describing word meaning extremely small; tiny; diminutive... or something trivial.
|
| 26 Nov 10 |
consanguineous |
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Pronounced kon-san(g)-GWIN-ee-us
An adjective meaning of the same blood; related by birth; descended from the same parent or ancestor.
|
| 19 Nov 10 |
kvetch |
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Pronounced KVECH
An intransitive verb meaning to complain habitually.
As a noun it means a complaint, a habitual complainer. |
| 12 Nov 10 |
moue |
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Pronounced MOO
A noun meaning a pouting grimace. |
