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GNATHON

PRONUNCIATION: (NAY-thee-on)

MEANING: noun: The lowest part of the chin.

ETYMOLOGY: From Latin, from Greek gnathos (jaw). Ultimately from the Indo-European root genu- (jawbone, chin), which also gave us chin, gnathic, prognathous, and Sanskrit hanu (jaw). Hanuman (literally, having a large jaw) is the name of a monkey god in the Hindu pantheon. Earliest documented use: 1888.
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NATHON - maker of famous Coney Island Hot Dogs

GNAT ION - what powers Lightning Bug flashes

GLATHON - what lispers put more when repairing their broken windows

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APPANAGE or APANAGE

PRONUNCIATION: (AP-uh-nij)

MEANING: noun:
1. An allowance given for the maintenance of a member of a royal family.
2. A perk associated with a job or a position.

ETYMOLOGY: From French apanage, from apaner (to endow), from Latin appanare, from ad- (toward) + panis (bread). Earliest documented use: 1602.
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APRANAGE - when a child starts cooking and needs to cover his clothing with something washable

APIANAGE - when Honeybees ruled the world

AMANAGE - mushroom poisoning with A. phylloides

APPANATE or APANATE - one before the mountains comprising the "backbone" of the Italian peninsula

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INTERLARD

PRONUNCIATION: (in-tuhr-LAHRD)

MEANING: verb tr.: To mix, insert, or intersperse, especially with something extraneous.

ETYMOLOGY: From French entrelarder (to interlard), from entre (inter-) + larder (to lard), from Latin laridum (bacon fat). Earliest documented use: 1533.

NOTES: Originally, to interlard was to mix layers of bacon or fat with other meat. Over time, the term began to be used metaphorically. For example, to interlard a speech with jokes.

INNERLARD - intra-abdominal fat, supposedly more atherogenic than subcutaneous fat

INTERBARD - folksingers' preferred means of communicating with each other

'INTERLAND - a Cockney's name for the often uncharted areas far away from a coastal district or a river's banks

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CAKE EATER

PRONUNCIATION: (KAYK ee-tuhr)

MEANING: noun:
1. A self-indulgent person who leads a life of ease and pleasure.
2. A ladies’ man.

ETYMOLOGY: From cake, from Old Norse kaka + eater, from eat, from Old English etan. Earliest documented use: 1791.

NOTES: If the poor peasants don’t have bread, “Let them eat cake.” The French queen Marie Antoinette (1755-1793) never said those words...
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CAKE, MATER ? - Mommy, may I have some more dessert, please?

CAFE EATER - someone who takes all his meals in a cantina, only it's in Paris rather than Madrid

CAKE? ENTER! - You say you're deiivering for Carvel? Come right in!

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GRUBSTAKE

PRONUNCIATION: (GRUHB-stayk)

MEANING: noun: 1. Funds supplied for launching an enterprise in return for a share of the profits.
2. Money or other assistance provided to sustain someone in difficult circumstances.
verb tr.: To supply with funds.

ETYMOLOGY: From grub (food) + stake (share). The term has origins in gold mining, where miners would get investors to fund their efforts in return for a cut of the profits. Earliest documented use: 1863.
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GRUBS TALE - a naked snail's biography

DRUB-STAKE - a stick smaller than a man's thumb, which in old English common law was OK for a man to beat his wife with, otensibly

GRUBSTARE - the look of horror at finding half a grub in the apple you just bit into

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APPLESAUCE

PRONUNCIATION: (AP-uhl-saws)

MEANING: noun: Nonsense; lies.

ETYMOLOGY: From applesauce, made from puréed apples, often sweetened and spiced. Earliest documented use: 1672, metaphorically from 1920s.
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APPLESAUCER - has a picture of a luscious apple on it; to put your cider cup on

APP: LE SAUTÉ - your iPhone can help you train for the long jump in next summer's Paris Olympics

APPLE'S AuCl - and it's made with a proprietary compound of Gold Chloride

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NEOPHOBIA

PRONUNCIATION: (nee-oh/uh-FOH-bee-uh)

MEANING: noun: The fear or dislike of the new.

ETYMOLOGY: From Greek neo- (new) + -phobia (fear). Earliest documented use: 1886.
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NETPHOBIA - afraid of computer online uses

NEMOPHOBIA - fear of clownfish

NEROPHOBIA - fear of rulers who are indifferent in time of crisis

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APPLESOURCE – orchard

AMPLESOURCE – cornucopia

APPLEFORCE – Newtonian gravity

APPLEHORSE – folk etymology for 'dappled horse'

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GRUBSTATE – oven temperature

GRUBTAKE – supermarket theft

GRABSTAKE – aid for pedestrians in icy conditions

GRUBSAKE – 'For Grubsake' – minced oath

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CAKE PETER – rock cake (British)

CAKE EATEN – now you can't have it

CAKE METER – surgical device for monitoring obesity

CAKE SWEETER – Qu'ils mangent de la brioche

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INTERLAND – area between the coast and the hinterland

INTERLAUD – inappropriate applause between movements of a symphony

INNERLARD – hidden body fat

INTROLAD – 'Chorus' in a Shakespeare play

INTELLARD – derogatory French word for an intellectual

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NEOPHOBIA

PRONUNCIATION: (nee-oh/uh-FOH-bee-uh)

MEANING: noun: The fear or dislike of the new.

ETYMOLOGY: From Greek neo- (new) + -phobia (fear). Earliest documented use: 1886.
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N-O-O!-PHOBIA - fear of refusal (in either direction!)

NEOPROBIA - getting investigated again

NEOPHOEBIA - discovering a new species of small bird

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Originally Posted by A C Bowden
INTERLAUD – inappropriate applause between movements of a symphony

smile smile

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APANTHROPY

PRONUNCIATION: (ap-AN-thruh-pee)

MEANING: noun: A desire to be away from people; a love of solitude.

ETYMOLOGY: From Greek apo- (away) + -anthropy (human). Earliest documented use: 1753.
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AMANTHROPY - love of microwave-using-kitchen-appliance manufacturers

IPANTHROPY - lover of Fran Allison, or at least of toothpaste

APART-HROPY - see APANTHROPY, above

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STULTILOQUY

PRONUNCIATION: (stuhl-TIL-uh-kwee)

MEANING: noun: Foolish talk.

ETYMOLOGY: From Latin stultus (foolish) + loqui (to speak). Earliest documented use: 1653.
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SKULTILOQUY - a Halloween story I just made up off the top of my head

STILTILOQUY - a monologue about ones' days in the circus

STUDTILOQUY - Memoirs of a Modern-Day Casanova

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ARGENTOCRACY

PRONUNCIATION: (ahr-juhn-TOK-ruh-see)

MEANING: noun:
1. Rule by the wealthy.
2. Undue influence of money.

ETYMOLOGY: From Latin argentum (silver) + Greek -cracy (rule). Earliest documented use: 1868. Some synonyms are chrysocracy (literally, gold rule) and plutocracy.
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AGENTOCRACY - rule by authorized represetatives who charge ten percent

ARDENTOCRACY - government by the fervently well-meaning

AR-TEN-TOCRACY - government by droids several generations more advanced

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SQUANDERMANIA

PRONUNCIATION: (skwon-duhr-MAY-nee-uh)

MEANING: noun: The practice of spending money recklessly.

ETYMOLOGY: From squander, of obscure origin + Greek -mania (desire). Earliest documented use: 1920.
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SQUANDER MARIA - to waste the Queen of Spades taking only twos and threes and fours

SQUADDERMANIA - unhealthy fixation on one's immediate buddies within the platoon

SQUARERMANIA - unhealthy concern for right angles (Yes, I know, I changed two letters, not one. It's got a QU, goddammit, cut me some slack arreddy!) wink

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PRIMARY

PRONUNCIATION: (PRY-mer-ee, -muh-ree)

MEANING: adjective: First; main; most important; basic.
noun: Something that is fundamental or first in sequence, rank, or importance.
verb tr.: To field a candidate against an incumbent of one’s own party.

ETYMOLOGY: From Latin primus (first). Earliest documented use: 1425; for verb: 1916.
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PRIMARRY - one's first plunge into the matrimonial pool

RIMARY - coated with a frosty film

PRIDARY - like the alpha-lion

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ROLLERCOASTER

PRONUNCIATION: (ROH-luhr-koh-stuhr)

MEANING: noun: Something marked by sudden and sharp shifts in circumstances.
adjective: Marked by sudden, extreme changes.
verb intr.: To go through extreme and abrupt changes.

ETYMOLOGY: After rollercoaster, a thrill ride that typically travels at a high speed along a path marked by sharp curves and steep inclines. Earliest documented use: 1883, for verb: 1931.
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TROLLERCOASTER - someone who deliberately inflames a chatboard and then sits back and watched the unfolding acrimony

ROLLER-CASTER - redundant name for the wheels on as piece of heavy furniture

ROLLER-CHASTER - more effective at avoiding temptation

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WIMPLE

PRONUNCIATION: (WIM-puhl)

MEANING: noun: 1. A covering worn around the head and neck by women in medieval times and by some nuns.
2. A fold, wrinkle, or pleat.
3. A curve, bend, or twist.
verb tr.: 1. To cover.
2. To cause something to bend or ripple.
verb intr.: 1. To form folds.
2. To meander or ripple.
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SWIMPLE - baby's first experience in the pool

WIPLE - a light dab or pat

WIMP ALE - 1.3% beer

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SOJOURN

PRONUNCIATION: (SO-juhrn or so-JUHRN, noun: SO-juhrn)

MEANING: verb intr.: To stay in a place temporarily.
noun: A temporary stay.

ETYMOLOGY: From Old French surjurner (to stay temporarily), from Latin subdiurnare (to spend the day), from sub (under) + diurnum (day). Earliest documented use: 1325, for verb: 1290.
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SLOJOURN - a boat trip to China

SO, YOURN - not mine...

SOTOURN - a sweet white wine for the orthographically challenged

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HIGH-GRADE

PRONUNCIATION: (hy-grayd)

MEANING: adjective: Of high quality, amount, or degree.
verb intr.: To steal, especially by taking high-quality parts from something.

ETYMOLOGY: From high, from Old English heah + grade, from French grade, from Latin gradus (degree). Earliest documented use: 1826, for verb: 1904.

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HIGH-TRADE - keeps its value well over the years

NIGH-GRADE - close to a hill

HIGH-GRACE - the Pope's blessing

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HIGH-GRUED (HG) – classification denoting the most horrific category of movie (banned in some US states)

HIGH-GREYED – highlighted in lustrous grey

HIGH-GRAD – postgraduate student in the humanities (snobbish term implying superiority over science students)

HIE-GRADE – express delivery option

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IMPLE – generic term for a blemish such as a pimple or dimple

WHIMPOLE – structure around which elves dance to make wishes come true

WHIMPOOL – similar idea to a whimpole, but with water and mermaids

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RAILERCOASTER – low-friction rail vehicle capable of travelling without power on downward gradients

ROLLERPOSTER – conveyor belt used in post offices

ROLLERCASTER (pronounced 'Rolkster') – former English town, destroyed in the Wars of the Roses

ROLLYCOSTER – variant of 'snollygoster'

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GLEEK

PRONUNCIATION: (gleek)

MEANING: noun: 1. A jest or trick.
2. A stream of saliva.
verb 1. To play a trick.
tr., intr.: 2. To discharge a stream of saliva, especially from under the tongue.

ETYMOLOGY: Of unknown origin. Earliest documented use: 1540.
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"G" LEAK - the seventh piece of confidential information to be revealed

G.L. WEEK - Seven days commemorating General Laws or Grand Larceny, depending on which side of the badge you are

AGLEEK - how the Best-Laid Plans of Mice and Men Gang Aft

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GAUPEN

PRONUNCIATION:
(GAU-puhn)

MEANING:
noun: Two hands cupped together.

ETYMOLOGY:
From Old Norse gaupn (cupped hands). Earliest documented use: 1325.
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GAUPIN - unique Personal Identification Number in Georgia

GAOPEN - where the General's chickens are kept until needed in the kitchen

GASPEN - strugglen for air at high altitude

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FRACTAL

PRONUNCIATION: (FRAK-tuhl)

MEANING: noun: Something, such as a shape, curve, pattern, etc., where smaller parts have the same characteristics.
adjective: Having the form or qualities of a fractal.

ETYMOLOGY: Coined by the mathematician Benoit Mandelbrot (1924-2010), from Latin fractus (broken), from frangere (to break). Earliest documented use: 1975.
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FACTAL - true dat

FRACTOL - organic alcohol, by-product of shale fracturing during oil extraction

'TRACTAL - brand name of that new Bug-Zapper company

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GLABELLA

PRONUNCIATION: (gluh-BEL-uh)

MEANING: noun: The area between the eyebrows, just above the nose.

ETYMOLOGY: From Latin glabellus (hairless), diminutive of glaber (smooth). Earliest documented use: 1823.
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GALA BELLA - Lovely party, isn't it?

G.L.A. BELLE - Homecoming Queen at Girls' Latin Academy ("Girls' Latin") in Boston, MA

"G"-LABEL, L.A. - a niche wine produced in southern California

FLABELLA - a small bone within a tendon behind the knee, analagous to the patella in front (actually, that's real - you can look it up here)

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DIACHRONY

PRONUNCIATION: (dy-AK-ruh-nee)

MEANING: noun: Change occurring over a period of time.

ETYMOLOGY: From Greek dia- (through) + chronos (time). Earliest documented use: 1939. Contrasted with synchrony.
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DIACHRONE - a singularity moment in a perpendicular time axis (if he can do it, so can I - just not as well)

DI-ATHRONY - after the Princess' fatal car accident, needless to say, she was removed from the line of succession

DI-ACH IRONY - dual acetylcholine molecules can have unexpected effects, he said wryly

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ANGARY or ANGARIA

PRONUNCIATION: (ANG-guh-ree, ang-GAR-ee-uh)

MEANING: noun: The right of a warring nation to seize the property, for example, ships, of a neutral country, provided compensation is paid.

ETYMOLOGY: From French angarie (imposition), from Latin angaria (forced service), from Greek angareia (impressment for public service), from Persian hamkara (herald). Earliest documented use: 1880.
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HANGARY - having an abundance of places to store and shelter aircraft

APGARY - the practice of predicting a child's adult destiny by considering its status at one minute and five minutes after birth

ANYGARY - it doesn't matter which industrial city in Indiana

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SERENADE

PRONUNCIATION: (ser-uh-NAYD)

MEANING: noun: 1. A love song sung directly to one’s love interest.
2. A composition for such a performance.
verb tr.: To sing such a song.

ETYMOLOGY: From French sérénade, from Italian serenata, from sereno (serene), from Latin serenus (calm). Earliest documented use: 1649.
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SERENA-DEO - tennis champions are godlike

SEVENADE - one week's time

SIRENADE - enhances ones alluring nature

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ZION or SION

PRONUNCIATION: (ZY-uhn or SY-uhn)

MEANING: noun:
1. Utopia.
2. Heaven.
3. The collective term for the Jewish people.
4. The religious and cultural practices and beliefs of Judaism.
5. A reference to the nation of Israel, especially in a historical or religious context.

ETYMOLOGY: From Old English Sion, from Latin Sion, from Greek Seion, from Hebrew Siyon. Historically, Zion refers to one of the hills on which Jerusalem was built thus holding significant religious and cultural importance in Judaism. Earliest documented use: c. 450 CE.
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ZOÖN - places in Germany where captive exotic animals are kept on display

SI-NON - a device for contacting the spirits of the departed to ask them questions, similar to a Ouija board

ZINON - an inert gas to rest your wine on (may be white wine or red, sweet or dry, lower or higher proof, depending on how the wine is prepared)

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ASSASSIN

PRONUNCIATION: (uh-SAS-in)

MEANING: noun: A person who kills someone important, especially for political or ideological reasons.

ETYMOLOGY: From French assassin, from Latin assassinus, from Arabic hashshashin (hashish user). The word arose from the myth that members of the Nizari sect killed under the influence of hashish. Earliest documented use: 1340.
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GASSASSIN - death by exposure to flatulence

ASSAYS IN - tests for purity are fashionable

ASS, ASSIGN - Dummy, make your designation already!

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APROSEXIA

PRONUNCIATION: (ap-ruh-SEK-see-uh)

MEANING: noun: The inability to concentrate.

ETYMOLOGY: From Latin aprosexia, from Dutch aprosexia, from Greek prosekhein (to turn one’s attention). Earliest documented use: 1889.
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APROLEXIA - being against the use of fancy words (cf. APROLIXIA - terseness)

APROSOXIA - a fan of neither the Boston nor Chicago American League baseball teams

APYROSEXIA - not your most provocative courtesan

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MONOSEMIOUS

PRONUNCIATION: (mon-uh-SEE-muhs)

MEANING: adjective: Having only one meaning.

ETYMOLOGY: From Greek mono- (one) + sema (sign). Earliest documented use: 1975.
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MONOSERIOUS - Infectious Mononucleosis is a nasty disease

MONO-STEMIOUS - the only thing he ever drinks is single-malt Scotch

MY NOSE MIOUS - when I blow my nose I sound like a French cat

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DOUBLE-BARRELED

PRONUNCIATION: (duhb-uhl BAR-uhld)

MEANING: adjective:
1. Having two barrels mounted side by side, as in a gun.
2. Having two parts, purposes, impacts, etc.

ETYMOLOGY: From double, from Old French duble/doble (double), from Latin duplus (twofold), from duo (two) + barrel, from Old French baril, from Latin barriclus (small cask). Earliest documented use: 1709.
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DOUBLE BAR RELIED - placed too much emphasis on the ][ cattle brand

DOUBLE-BAR REED - the oboe music just before the end of the work

DOUBLET BARRELED - wearing a close-fitting men's jacket made of wooden staves

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EXOLETE

PRONUNCIATION: (EK-suh-leet, ek-suh-LEET)

MEANING: adjective:
1. Obsolete.
2. Stale.
3. Faded.

ETYMOLOGY: From Latin exoletus , past participle of exolescere (to be obsolete), from ex- (out) + -olescere (to grow). Earliest documented use: 1611.
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EVOLETE - changing and developing

REXOLETE - regal, kinglike

EXPLETE - interject a taboo word

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PENTASYLLABIC

PRONUNCIATION: (pen-tuh-si-LAB-ik)

MEANING: adjective: Having five syllables.

ETYMOLOGY: From Greek penta- (five) + syllabic, from syllabe (syllable). Earliest documented use: 1771.
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PENNA.-SYLLABIC - its capital is Harrrisburg, and, as abbreviated, indeed it has five syllables.

KENT ASYLLABIC - It's a good thing Superman's secret identity is as a newspaper reporter and not a TV commentator, 'cause here he is with laryngitis and can't utter a sound (let alone a word)

"PEN!" TA SELL A BIC - new advertising campaign to sell ball-points

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BACK-FORM

PRONUNCIATION: (BAK-form)

MEANING: verb tr.: To make a word by dropping an apparent affix from a longer word.

ETYMOLOGY:Back-formation from back-formation.Earliest documented use: 1911.

NOTES: The word make has been with us from at least 1150. We later added the suffix
-er to make maker (from 1297). Had maker come first, and we made make from it by removing a part, that would be a back-formation.

To back-form is to coin a new word (usually a verb) by removing an actual or supposed affix from another word (usually a noun)...

The word back-form itself is back-formed from back-formation.
___________________________

BACH-FORM - fugal

LACK-FORM - why the skater earned only a 2 in a competitive routine

BANK-FORM - any of dozens of hoops to jump through in a financial transaction

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