Wordsmith.org: the magic of words

Wordsmith Talk

About Us | What's New | Search | Site Map | Contact Us  

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Page 53 of 101 1 2 51 52 53 54 55 100 101
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 10,746
Likes: 2
W
Carpal Tunnel
OP Offline
Carpal Tunnel
W
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 10,746
Likes: 2
HERJULES

PRONUNCIATION: (HUHR-kyuh-leez)

MEANING: noun: A man of extraordinary strength or size.

ETYMOLOGY: After Hercules, the son of Zeus and Alcmene in Greek mythology. Hercules performed many feats requiring extraordinary strength and effort, such as cleaning the Augean stables. He also slew the monster Hydra. Earliest documented use: 1567. Also see herculean.
___________________________

HERULES - Vive le Roi!

HERJULES - the royal diamonds and emeralds

HERCULESS - Dame Agatha without her renowned Belgian detective

HERCUES - Even after losing everything in a disastrous fire, the renowned actress never missed these

Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 10,746
Likes: 2
W
Carpal Tunnel
OP Offline
Carpal Tunnel
W
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 10,746
Likes: 2
TRAVEST

PRONUNCIATION: (TRA-vuhst)

MEANING: verb tr.: To mock or to parody.

ETYMOLOGY: From either French travestir or Italian travestire, from tra- (across), from Latin trans- + vestire (to dress). Earliest documented use: 1656.
__________________________________

TARAVEST - a waistcoat with the motto of Scarlett's plantation embroidered to the pocket

TERAVEST - what you'd have to do, and tlhen some, to buy half of the outstanding Apple stock

THAVEST - what you put on after you've put on thapants, thashirt, and thatie

Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 10,746
Likes: 2
W
Carpal Tunnel
OP Offline
Carpal Tunnel
W
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 10,746
Likes: 2
ANATHEMATIZE

PRONUNCIATION: (uh-NATH-uh-muh-tyz)

MEANING: verb tr.: To denounce, condemn, or curse.

ETYMOLOGY: From Middle French anathematiser, from Latin anathematizare (to ban, curse, or detest), from Greek anathematizein (to curse), from anathema (something devoted to evil). Earliest documented use: 1473.
___________________________

A.B.A.-THEMATIZE - to re-write a Scott Turow book so that it's really about Organized Law

ANTHEMATIZE - to make a song symbolize a country

ANATHEMA-TIKE - Dennis the Menace (apologies to Hank Ketcham)

Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 10,746
Likes: 2
W
Carpal Tunnel
OP Offline
Carpal Tunnel
W
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 10,746
Likes: 2
IMMISERATE

PRONUNCIATION: (i-MIZ-uh-rayt)

MEANING: verb tr.: To impoverish or to make miserable.

ETYMOLOGY: Back-formation from immiseration (impoverishment), loan translation of German Verelendung (impoverishment). The word is from in- (into) + miserable, from Latin miserari (to pity), from miser (pitiable, wretched). Earliest documented use: 1956.
_________________________

A.M. MISERATE - unhappiness in the morning

IMMIE RATE - what it costs to buy a marble

EMMI-BERATE - to scold for being too fixated on TV awards

Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 10,746
Likes: 2
W
Carpal Tunnel
OP Offline
Carpal Tunnel
W
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 10,746
Likes: 2
BETRUMP

PRONUNCIATION: (be-TRUHMP)

MEANING: verb tr.:
1. To deceive or cheat.
2. To elude.

ETYMOLOGY: From be- + French tromper (to deceive), which also gave us trumpery and trompe l’oeil. Earliest documented use: 1522.
_____________________________

BEST RUMP - a superlative cut of roast

BE TRAMP - play a role in a Charlie Chaplin movie (or a full-length Disney cartoon)

BET SUM (𝑝) - make a quiet wager

Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 10,746
Likes: 2
W
Carpal Tunnel
OP Offline
Carpal Tunnel
W
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 10,746
Likes: 2
MANUSCRIBE

PRONUNCIATION: (MAN-yuh-skryb)

MEANING: verb tr.:
1. To write by hand.
2. To autograph.

ETYMOLOGY: Back-formation from manuscript, from manus (hand) + scribere (to write). Ultimately from the Indo-European root skribh- (to cut, separate, or sift), which also gave us subscribe, scripture, scribble, describe, circumflex, and circumspect. Earliest documented use: 1649.
________________________________

MANY SCRIBE - just about everybody knows how to write

MANUS CRIME - transgressions committed by hand

MANU'S TRIBE - his extended family, friends and companions

Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 10,746
Likes: 2
W
Carpal Tunnel
OP Offline
Carpal Tunnel
W
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 10,746
Likes: 2
TYPOMANIA

PRONUNCIATION: (ty-puh-MAY-nee-uh)

MEANING: noun:
1. An obsession with typography.
2. An obsession with typology or symbolism.
3. An obsession with getting published.

ETYMOLOGY: From Greek typos (impression) + mania (excessive enthusiasm or craze). Earliest documented use: 1882.
____________________________________________

TYPHOMANIA - I see evidence of Salmonella infections everywhere

T.Y., ROMANIA - an expression of gratitude in Bucharest

TYPTOMANIA - a fascination with tulips, Tiny Tim, and ukuleles

Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 10,746
Likes: 2
W
Carpal Tunnel
OP Offline
Carpal Tunnel
W
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 10,746
Likes: 2
EPISTEMOLOGY

MEANING: noun: The study of knowledge, especially its nature, origin, limits, validity, etc.

ETYMOLOGY: From Greek episteme (knowledge) + -logy (study). Earliest documented use: 1847.
__________________________________

EPISTEMOLOGY - science of plant pests (aphids et al) that grow on the stems and leaves

EPICSTEMOLOGY - how sunflowers keep their blooms upright

EXISTEMOLOGY - whether or not there is a genre of rock music dealing with emotional themes

Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 10,746
Likes: 2
W
Carpal Tunnel
OP Offline
Carpal Tunnel
W
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 10,746
Likes: 2
YESTEREVE

PRONUNCIATION: (YES-tuh-reev)

MEANING: noun: Yesterday evening.
adverb: During yesterday evening.

ETYMOLOGY: From yester- (a time one period before the present one), from Old English giestran (previous day) + eve/even (evening). Earliest documented use: 1565. Another form of this word is yestreen.
_______________________________________

ESTEREVE - the night before Purim

YESSER, EVE - Adam accedes to his mate's requests, if sarcastically

GESTE RÈVE - dream of elegance and magnanimity

Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 10,746
Likes: 2
W
Carpal Tunnel
OP Offline
Carpal Tunnel
W
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 10,746
Likes: 2
MARCESCENCE

PRONUNCIATION: (mahr-SES-uhns)

MEANING: noun: The retention of dead leaves, etc., as opposed to shedding.

ETYMOLOGY: From Latin marcescere (to wither), from marcere (to wither). Earliest documented use: 1859.
_______________________________

MAR-CRESCENCE - sea level is rising

MARCH SCENE - warriors in serried ranks assembled

Page 53 of 101 1 2 51 52 53 54 55 100 101

Moderated by  Jackie 

Link Copied to Clipboard
Forum Statistics
Forums16
Topics13,913
Posts229,626
Members9,187
Most Online3,341
Dec 9th, 2011
Newest Members
Karin, JeffMackwood, artguitar, Jim_W, Rdbuffalo
9,187 Registered Users
Who's Online Now
0 members (), 198 guests, and 7 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Top Posters(30 Days)
Top Posters
wwh 13,858
Faldage 13,803
Jackie 11,613
wofahulicodoc 10,746
tsuwm 10,542
LukeJavan8 9,933
AnnaStrophic 6,511
Wordwind 6,296
of troy 5,400
Disclaimer: Wordsmith.org is not responsible for views expressed on this site. Use of this forum is at your own risk and liability - you agree to hold Wordsmith.org and its associates harmless as a condition of using it.

Home | Today's Word | Yesterday's Word | Subscribe | FAQ | Archives | Search | Feedback
Wordsmith Talk | Wordsmith Chat

© 1994-2024 Wordsmith

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5