A.Word.A.Day Archives
from https://wordsmith.org/awad
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Date: Thu Dec 1 00:03:02 EST 1994
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--tantalus
X-Bonus: Man invented language to satisfy his deep need to complain. -Lily Tomlin
tan.ta.lus \'tant-*l-*s\ n [L, fr. Gk Tantalos] cap 1: a wealthy king and
son of Zeus punished in the lower world by being condemned to stand in
water up to the chin and beneath fruit-laden branches with water and fruit
receding at each attempt to drink or eat 2: a locked case or cellarette
with contents visible but not obtainable without a key
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Date: Fri Dec 2 00:03:03 EST 1994
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--bowdlerize
X-Bonus: I never said it was possible. I only said it was true. -Charles Richet, Nobel Laureate in Physiology
bowd.ler.ize \'bo-d-l*-.ri-z, 'bau.d-\ vt [Thomas Bowdler -1825 E editor] :
to expurgate (as a book) by omitting or modifying parts considered
indelicate
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Date: Sat Dec 3 00:04:23 EST 1994
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--spoonerism
X-Bonus: Attitudes are contagious. Is yours worth catching?
spoo.ner.ism \'spu:-n*-.riz-*m\ n [William A. Spooner -1930 E clergyman and
educator] : a transposition of usu. initial sounds of two or more words (as
in tons of soil for sons of toil) :
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Date: Sun Dec 4 00:03:03 EST 1994
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--plangent
X-Bonus: After silence, music comes closest to expressing the inexpressible.
plan.gent \-j*nt\ aj [L plangent-, plangens, prp. of plangere to strike,
lament] 1: having a loud reverberating sound 2: having an expressive esp.
plaintive quality - plan.gent.ly av
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Date: Mon Dec 5 00:03:03 EST 1994
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--connubial
X-Bonus: Mobius strip - see other side for instructions.
Cross references:
1. matrimonial
con.nu.bi.al \k*-'n(y)u:-be--*l\ \-.n(y)u:-be--'al-*t-e-\
\-'n(y)u:-be--*-le-\ aj [L conubialis, fr. conubium, connubium marriage,
fr. com-)X + nubere to marry - more at NUPTIAL : of or relating to marriage
or the marriage state : CONJUGAL - con.nu.bi.al.i.ty n
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Date: Tue Dec 6 00:03:06 EST 1994
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--mountebank
X-Bonus: By all means marry; if you get a good wife, you'll be happy. If you get a bad one, you'll become a philosopher. -Socrates
moun.te.bank \'mau.nt-i-.bank\ \-.ban-k(*-)re-\ n [It montimbanco, fr.
montare to mount (fr. - assumed - VL) + Xin in, on (fr. L) + banco, banca
bench - more at BANK 1: a person who sells quack medicines from a platform
2: a boastful unscrupulous pretender : CHARLATAN - mountebank vi
--
now for a few words that you may find handy while flaming. (-:
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Date: Wed Dec 7 00:03:04 EST 1994
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--psittaceous
X-Bonus: I have had a perfectly wonderful evening. But this wasn't it. -Groucho Marx
psit.ta.ceous \s*-'ta--sh*s, si-\ aj [L psittacus parrot] 1: PSITTACINE 2:
resembling a parrot {~ chatter}
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Date: Thu Dec 8 00:03:03 EST 1994
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--flagitious
X-Bonus: My life has a superb cast but I can't figure out the plot. -Ashleigh Brilliant, writer (1933- )
Cross references:
1. vicious
fla.gi.tious \fl*-'jish-*s\ aj [ME flagicious, fr. L flagitiosus, fr.
flagitium shameful thi]ng; akin to L flagrum whip : marked by outrageous or
scandalous crime or vice : VILLAINOUS - fla.gi.tious.ly av
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Date: Fri Dec 9 00:03:10 EST 1994
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--misology
X-Bonus: A lost ounce of gold may be found, a lost moment of time never.
mi.sol.o.gy \m*-'sa:l-*-je-\ n [Gk misologia, fr. mis- + -logia -logy] : a
hatred of argument, reasoning, or enlightenment
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Date: Sat Dec 10 00:03:05 EST 1994
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--scurrilous
X-Bonus: The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong. -Mahatma Gandhi
scur.ri.lous \'sk*r-*-l*s, 'sk*-r*-\ aj 1a: using or given to the language
of low buffoonery 1b: being vulgar and evil : LOW 2: containing low
obscenities or coarse abuse - scur.ri.lous.ly av
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Date: Sun Dec 11 00:03:02 EST 1994
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--panjandrum
X-Bonus: I never forget a face, but in your case I'll make an exception. -Marx
pan.jan.drum \pan-'jan-dr*m\ n [Grand Panjandrum, burlesque title of an
imaginary personage in some nons]ense lines by Samuel Foote : a powerful
personage or pretentious offical
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Date: Mon Dec 12 00:03:03 EST 1994
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--rive
X-Bonus: If you board the wrong train, it's no use running along the corridor in the other direction. -Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Cross references:
1. tear
rive \'ri-v\ \'ri-vd\ \'riv-*n\ \'ri--vin\ vb or rived; or riv.en; also
rived also riv.ing [ME riven, fr. ON ri-fa; akin to L ripa shore, Gk
ereip]ein to tear down, OE ra-w row 1a: to tear apart : REND 1b: SPLIT,
CLEAVE 2a: to divide into pieces : SHATTER 2b: FRACTURE : to become split :
CRACK
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Date: Tue Dec 13 00:03:03 EST 1994
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--festinate
X-Bonus: Patience is counting down without blasting off.
1. fes.ti.nate \'fes-t*-.na-t, -n*t\ aj [L festinatus, pp. of festinare to
hasten - more at BORZOI] : HASTY - fes.ti.nate.ly av
2. fes.ti.nate \-.na-t\ vb : HASTEN
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Date: Wed Dec 14 00:03:03 EST 1994
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--misprision
X-Bonus: Education's purpose is to replace an empty mind with an open one. -Malcolm S. Forbes
1. mis.pri.sion \mis-'prizh-*n\ n [ME, fr. MF mesprison error, wrongdoing,
fr. OF, fr. mespris, pp. o]f mesprendre to make a mistake, fr. mes- mis- +
prendre to take, fr. L prehendere to seize - more at PREHENSILE 1a: neglect
or wrong performance of official duty 1b: concealment of treason
MISUNDERSTANDING, MISTAKE
2. misprision n [misprize] : CONTEMPT, SCORN
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Date: Thu Dec 15 00:03:04 EST 1994
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--fissiparous
X-Bonus: Keep stress out of your life. Give it to others instead.
fis.sip.a.rous \fis-'ip-*-r*s\ aj [L fissus + E -parous] 1: producing new
biological units or individuals by fission 2: tending to break up into
parts : DIVISIVE - fis.sip.a.rous.ly av
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Date: Fri Dec 16 00:03:03 EST 1994
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--elide
X-Bonus: This statement is in no way to be construed as a disclaimer.
elide \i-'li-d\ vt [L elidere to strike out, fr. e- + laedere to injure by
strik]ing 1a: to suppress or alter by elision 1b: to strike out 2a: to
leave out of consideration 2b: CURTAIL, ABRIDGE
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Date: Sat Dec 17 00:03:18 EST 1994
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--usury
X-Bonus: Patience is counting down without blasting off.
usu.ry \'yu:zh-(*-)re-\ n [ME, fr. ML usuria, alter. of L usura, fr. usus,
pp. of ut]i to use archaic 1: INTEREST 2: the lending of money with an
interest charge for its use 3: an unconscionable or exorbitant rate or
amount of interest; specif : interest in excess of a legal rate charged to
a borrower for the use of money
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Date: Sun Dec 18 00:03:05 EST 1994
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--thaumaturge
X-Bonus: Resentment is one burden that is incompatible with your success. Always be the first to forgive; and forgive yourself first always. -Dan Zadra
thau.ma.turge \'tho.-m*-.t*rj\ n [F, fr. NL thaumaturgus, fr. Gk
thaumatourgos working miracles, fr.] thaumat-, thauma miracle + ergon to
work - more at THEATER, WORK : THAUMATURGIST
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Date: Mon Dec 19 00:03:03 EST 1994
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--copemate
X-Bonus: Lead me not into temptation. I can find it myself.
cope.mate or copes.mate \'ko-p-.ma-t\ \'ko-p-.sma-t\ n [3cope + mate] obs
1: ANTAGONIST obs 2: PARTNER, COMRADE
--
Now for a weekful of fence-sitters -- words with a set of opposite meanings.
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Date: Tue Dec 20 00:03:09 EST 1994
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--cleave
X-Bonus: Even if you're on the right track, you still get run over if you don't keep moving.
Cross references:
1. stick 2. tear
1. cleave \'kle-v\ \'kle-vd\ \'klo-v\ \'kla-v\ vi or cleaved or clove also
clave; also cleav.ing [ME clevien, fr. OE clifian] : ADHERE, CLING
2. cleave \'kle-vd\ \'kleft\ \'klo-v\ \'klo--v*n\ vb or cleaved also cleft
also clove; also cleaved; also cleft; also clo.ven also cleav.ing [ME
cleven, fr. OE cle-ofan; akin to ON klju-fa to spli]t, L glubere to peel,
Gk glyphein to carve 1: to divide by or as if by a cutting blow : SPLIT 2:
to separate into distinct parts and esp. into groups having divergent views
1: to split esp. along the grain 2: to penetrate or pass through something
by or as if by cutting
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Date: Wed Dec 21 00:03:05 EST 1994
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--ravel
X-Bonus: To live is so startling, it leave little time for anything else. -Emily Dickinson
1. rav.el or rav.el.ler \'rav-*l\ \'rav-(*-)lin\ \-(*-)l*r\ vb or rav.eled
or rav.elled; or rav.el.ing; or rav.el.ling [D rafelen, fr. rafel loose
thread; akin to OE r<a-e>fter] rafter 1a: to separate or undo the texture
of : UNRAVEL 1b: to undo the intricacies of : DISENTANGLE 2: ENTANGLE,
CONFUSE obs 1: to become entangled or confused 2: to become unwoven,
untwisted, or unwound : FRAY - rav.el.er n
2. ravel n : an act or result of raveling : as : something tangled :
something raveled out; specif : a loose thread
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Date: Thu Dec 22 00:03:03 EST 1994
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--impregnable
X-Bonus: STRESSED is just DESSERTS spelled backward.
1. im.preg.na.ble \im-'preg-n*-b*l\ \-ble-\ aj [ME imprenable, fr. MF, fr.
in- + prenable vulnerable to capt]ure, fr. prendre to take - more at PRIZE
: incapable of being taken by assault : UNCONQUERABLE; also : UNASSAILABLE
- im.preg.na.ble.ness n
2. impregnable aj : capable of being impregnated
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Date: Fri Dec 23 00:03:02 EST 1994
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--adumbrate
X-Bonus: Formula for success: Underpromise and overdeliver. -Tom Peters
ad.um.brate \'ad-*m-.bra-t, a-'d*m-\ \.ad-(.)*m-'bra--sh*n\
\a-'d*m-br*t-iv\ vt [L adumbratus, pp. of adumbrare, fr. ad- + umbra
shadow] - more at UMBRAGE 1: to foreshadow vaguely : INTIMATE 2a: to give a
sketchy representation or outline of 2b: to suggest or disclose partially
3: SHADE, OBSCURE - ad.um.bra.tion n
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Date: Sat Dec 24 00:03:03 EST 1994
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--fungible
X-Bonus: The human race has one really effective weapon, and that is laughter.
1. fun.gi.ble \'f*n-j*-b*l\ n : fungible goods - usu. used in pl.
2. fungible aj [NL fungibilis, fr. L fungi to perform - more at FUNCTION]
1: of such a kind or nature that one specimen or part may be used in place
of another specimen or equal part in the satisfaction of an obligation 2:
INTERCHANGEABLE
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Date: Sun Dec 25 00:03:03 EST 1994
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--effulgence
X-Bonus: May you live all the days of your life. -Jonathan Swift
Xmas-Bonus: I wish you all the joy that you can wish. -Shakespeare
Xplus-Bonus: Thy own wish wish I thee in every place. -Shakespeare
ef.ful.gence \i-'fu.l-j*n(t)s, e-, -'f*l-\ \-j*nt\ n [LL effulgentia, fr. L
effulgent-, effulgens, prp. of effu]lge-re to shine forth, fr. ex- +
fulge-re to shine : radiant splendor : BRILLIANCE - ef.ful.gent aj
--
Seasons Greetings and a Happy New Year to all who love the music and wonder
of words!
from the foggy shores of Lake Erie,
Anu
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Date: Mon Dec 26 00:03:05 EST 1994
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--prolepsis
X-Bonus: If it weren't for the last minute, nothing would ever get done.
pro.lep.sis \pro--'lep-s*s\ \-'lep-.se-z\ \-'lep-tik\ n or pro.lep.ses [Gk
prole-psis, fr. prolambanein to take beforehand, fr. pro-] pl before +
lambanein to take - more at LATCH : ANTICIPATION : as : the representation
or assumption of a future act or development as if presently existing or
accomplished : the application of an adjective to a noun in anticipation of
the result of the action of the verb (as in "while yon slow oxen turn the
furrowed plain") - pro.lep.tic aj
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Date: Tue Dec 27 12:38:19 EST 1994
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--redolent
X-Bonus: Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not. -Ralph Waldo Emerson
red.o.lent \-*nt\ aj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L redolent-, redolens, prp. of
redole-re]to emit a scent, fr. re- + ole-re to smell - more at ODOR 1:
exuding fragrance : AROMATIC 2a: full of a specified fragrance : SCENTED
2b: EVOCATIVE, REMINISCENT - red.o.lent.ly av
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Date: Wed Dec 28 09:03:32 EST 1994
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--labile
X-Bonus: A hammer sometimes misses its mark; a bouquet, never.
la.bile \'la--.bi-l, -b*l\ \la--'bil-*t-e-\ aj [F, fr. MF, prone to err,
fr. LL labilis, fr. L labi to slip - mo]re at SLEEP 1: characterized by a
ready capability for change : CHANGEABLE, ADAPTABLE 2: readily or
continually undergoing chemical, physical, or biological change or
breakdown : UNSTABLE {a ~ mineral} - la.bil.i.ty n
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Date: Thu Dec 29 00:03:37 EST 1994
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--comity
X-Bonus: If I had finished this sentence. -Douglas Hofstadter
com.i.ty \'ka:m-*t-e-\ n [L comitat-, comitas, fr. comis courteous, fr. OL
cosmisX, fr. com- + -smis (akin to Skt smayate he smiles) 1a: a courteous
code of behavior 1b: COMITY OF NATIONS 1c: the informal and voluntary
recognition by courts of one jurisdiction of the laws and judicial decision
of another 2: avoidance of proselytizing members of another religious
denomination
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Date: Fri Dec 30 00:03:36 EST 1994
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--bibulous
X-Bonus: Innovation is hard to schedule. -Dan Fylstra
bib.u.lous \'bib-y*-l*s\ aj [L bibulus, fr. bibere to drink] 1: highly
absorbent 2a: inclined to drink 2b: of or relating to drink or drinking -
bib.u.lous.ly av
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Date: Sat Dec 31 00:03:38 EST 1994
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--subreption
X-Bonus: Nothing ruins the truth like stretching it.
sub.rep.tion \(.)s*b-'rep-sh*n\ \.s*b-.rep-'tish-*s\ n [LL subreption-,
subreptio, fr. L, act of stealing, fr. subreptu]s, pp. of subripere,
surripere to take away secretly - more at SURREPTITIOUS : a deliberate
misrepresentation; also : an inference drawn from it - sub.rep.ti.tious aj