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APOCALYPSE

PRONUNCIATION: (uh-POK-uh-lips)

MEANING: noun:
1. The destruction of the world.
2. Any widespread destruction or disaster.
3. A massive, decisive conflict.
4. A prophecy.

ETYMOLOGY: From Latin apocalypsis (revelation), from Greek apokalypsis (revelation), from apo- (un-) + kalyptein (to cover). Earliest documented use: 1384.
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CAPOCALYPSE - a catastrophic civil war within the Mafia

APICALYPSE - the peak of a closed ovoid curve; a portmanteau of apex + ellipse

AVOCALYPSE - the mouth of one who has just been rendered speechless

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EXODUS -

PRONUNCIATION: (EK-suh-duhs)

MEANING: noun: A large scale departure or emigration.

ETYMOLOGY: From Latin, from Greek exodos (the road out), from ex- (out) + hodos (way, road, journey), which also gave us odometer, electrode, diode, episode, method, and synod. Earliest documented use: 1000.
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EX-ONUS - former spouse is to blame

EX-MODUS - previous way of doing things

IXODUS - order of deer ticks, in scientific classification

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CRUSADE

PRONUNCIATION: (kroo-SAYD)

MEANING: noun: A zealous effort for an idea or cause.
verb intr.: To engage in a zealous effort.

ETYMOLOGY: A blend of Spanish cruzada + French croisade, both ultimately from Latin crux (cross). Earliest documented use: 1577.
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CRUSAIDE - someone to assist you in making sure your wine is truly a product of Burgundy

CRUISADE - relentless campaign to go on a week-long all-inclusive vacation on a boat

TRUSADE - a real sadist

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BENIGNANT

PRONUNCIATION: (bih/buh-NIG-nuhnt)

MEANING: adjective:
1. Kind and gracious.
2. Beneficial.
3. Not harmful.

ETYMOLOGY: Modeled after the word malignant. From benign, from Old French benigne, from Latin bene (well) + gignere (to beget). Earliest documented use: 1782.
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BENIGNANU - 1. My name is Mork; I come from the planet Ork and I mean you no harm; 2. I'm the Administrator of this website and I mean you no harm)

BENI-GNAT - an insect once thought to be a nuisance that turns out to be good for the environment

"BEN? I GO"-ANT - inclined to say "Mr Franklin? I'll get it"

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FORGETTERY

PRONUNCIATION: (fuhr-GET-uh-ree)

MEANING: noun: 1. The capacity to forget easily.
2. A poor memory.

ETYMOLOGY: Patterned after memory. From English forget, from Old English forgietan (to forget), from for- (away) + get (to grasp). Earliest documented use: 1860.
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FORGET TERRY - who's that old Steeler QB?

FORGEATERY - where to grab a bite at the Ironworks

FORE-GETTERY - staff who chase errant golf balls

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ENDARKEN

PRONUNCIATION: (en-DARK-uhn)

MEANING: verb tr.: To make dark, less clear, or gloomy.

ETYMOLOGY: From en- (to cause to) + dark, from Old English deorc (dark). Earliest documented use: 1569. Its counterpart, implying to bring light or clarity, is enlighten.
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END ARLEN - destroy the career of the composer of Over the Rainbow

ENDiRKEN - to equip with a short Scottish dagger

ENDEAR KEN - make Barbie's friend better-liked

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PENULTIMATUM

PRONUNCIATION: (puh-nuhl-tuh-MAY-tuhm)

MEANING: noun: A demand made before an ultimatum.

ETYMOLOGY: From Latin paene (almost) + ultimus (last). Earliest documented use: 1791.
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HENULTIMATUM - If my cage isn't bigger by tomorrow you're never going to see another egg...

PENULTIMATIUM - the next-to-the-last element on the periodic table

PENALTIMATUM - one more episode of unsportsmanlike conduct and you're outa the game!

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PRESENTEEISM

PRONUNCIATION: (prez-uhn-TEE-iz-uhm)

MEANING: noun: The practice of being present at work when it’s unnecessary or counterproductive.

ETYMOLOGY: Coined as a counterpart to absenteeism. From present, from Old French present, from Latin praesens, present participle of praeesse (to be present), from prae- (pre-) + esse (to be). Ultimately from the Indo-European root es- (to be), which also gave us is, yes, essence, and sin. Earliest documented use: 1931.
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PRESENTERISM - the Art of the EmCee

PREVENTEEISM - vaccinnation

PRESETTEEISM - High Society before sofas and divans and loveseats

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CULMINANT

PRONUNCIATION: (KUHL-muh-nuhnt)

MEANING: adjective: Being at or reaching the highest point.

ETYMOLOGY: From Latin culminare (to crown), from culmen (summit). Earliest documented use: 1605.
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CULMINANTE - what it costs to participate in the last hand of the session

CUE MINANT - Mr Minant is supposed to speak now; give him a nudge!

CULMIN-ART - the skill of writing satisfying endings

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PERFICIENT

PRONUNCIATION: (puhr-FISH-uhnt)

MEANING: adjective: Accomplishing or achieving desired results; effective.

ETYMOLOGY: From Latin perficere (to accomplish), from per- (thoroughly) + -ficere, a combining form of facere (to make or do). Earliest documented use: 1641.
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PER-FACIENT - through the face

PERDICIENT - perpetually lost

'S PERFECIENT - it doesn't have a flaw

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