antidisestablishmentarianism (n)
1. A political philosophy opposed to the separation of church and state, esp. opponents in 19th century England against separating the Anglican church from the state.
2. Referred to as an atypically long word for showing intellectual pretence.
Saturday, January 27, 2007
pedantic
pedantic (adj)
1. Like a pedant, overly concerned with formal rules and trivial points of learning.
2. Being showy of one’s knowledge, often in a boring manner.
3. Often used to describe a person who emphasizes his/her knowledge through the use of vocabulary; ostentatious in one’s learning.
4. Being finicky or picky with language.
1. Like a pedant, overly concerned with formal rules and trivial points of learning.
2. Being showy of one’s knowledge, often in a boring manner.
3. Often used to describe a person who emphasizes his/her knowledge through the use of vocabulary; ostentatious in one’s learning.
4. Being finicky or picky with language.
eschew
eschew (vt)
1. To avoid; to shun (usually applied to ideas or concepts and not to concrete objects).
1. To avoid; to shun (usually applied to ideas or concepts and not to concrete objects).
sanguine
sanguine (adj)
1. (color) Having the color of blood; red.
2. Characterized by abundance and active circulation of blood.
3. Warm; ardent.
4. Anticipating the best; not despondent; confident; full of hope.
5. (Obsolete): irresponsibly mirthful; indulgent in pleasure to the exclusion of important matters.
sanguine (n)
1. (colour) Blood color; red.
2. Anything of a blood-red color, as cloth.
3. Bloodstone.
4. Red crayon.
sanguine (vt)
1. To stain with blood; to impart the color of blood to; to ensanguine.
1. (color) Having the color of blood; red.
2. Characterized by abundance and active circulation of blood.
3. Warm; ardent.
4. Anticipating the best; not despondent; confident; full of hope.
5. (Obsolete): irresponsibly mirthful; indulgent in pleasure to the exclusion of important matters.
sanguine (n)
1. (colour) Blood color; red.
2. Anything of a blood-red color, as cloth.
3. Bloodstone.
4. Red crayon.
sanguine (vt)
1. To stain with blood; to impart the color of blood to; to ensanguine.
lilliputian
lilliputian (adj)
1. Very small, diminutive.
2. Trivial, petty.
lilliputian (n)
A very small person or being.
1. Very small, diminutive.
2. Trivial, petty.
lilliputian (n)
A very small person or being.
eleemosynary
eleemosynary (adj)
1. Relating to charity, alms, or almsgiving; intended for the distribution of charity.
2. Given in charity or alms; having the nature of alms; as, eleemosynary assistance.
3. Supported by charity; as, eleemosynary poor.
1. Relating to charity, alms, or almsgiving; intended for the distribution of charity.
2. Given in charity or alms; having the nature of alms; as, eleemosynary assistance.
3. Supported by charity; as, eleemosynary poor.
Verfremdungseffekt
Verfremdungseffekt (plural Verfremdungseffekte) (n)
1. Brecht's alienation effect, sometimes translated as the estrangement effect.
2. (theater) Distance between the audience and the performers.
1. Brecht's alienation effect, sometimes translated as the estrangement effect.
2. (theater) Distance between the audience and the performers.
apraxia
apraxia (n)
1. Total or partial loss of the ability to perform coordinated movements or manipulate objects in the absence of motor or sensory impairment; specifically, a disorder of motor planning.
1. Total or partial loss of the ability to perform coordinated movements or manipulate objects in the absence of motor or sensory impairment; specifically, a disorder of motor planning.
bellicose
bellicose (adj)
1. Warlike in nature; aggressive; hostile.
2. Showing or having the impulse to be combative.
1. Warlike in nature; aggressive; hostile.
2. Showing or having the impulse to be combative.
hypertrophy
hypertrophy (n)
1. (medicine) An increase in the size of an organ due to swelling of the individual cells.
2. (bodybuilding) Increase in muscle size through increased numbers of muscle fibers; a result of strict diet, weightlifting, and other exercise.
1. (medicine) An increase in the size of an organ due to swelling of the individual cells.
2. (bodybuilding) Increase in muscle size through increased numbers of muscle fibers; a result of strict diet, weightlifting, and other exercise.
coruscate
coruscate (vi)
1. To give off light; to reflect in flashes; to sparkle.
2. To exhibit brilliant technique or style.
1. To give off light; to reflect in flashes; to sparkle.
2. To exhibit brilliant technique or style.
excrescence
excrescence (n)
1. Something, usually abnormal, which grows out of something else.
2. A disfiguring or unwanted mark or adjunct
1. Something, usually abnormal, which grows out of something else.
2. A disfiguring or unwanted mark or adjunct
defenstrate
defenstrate (vi)
1. (computing) (slang) To stop using the Windows operating system.
defenestrate (vt)
1. To eject or throw (someone or something) from a window.
1. (computing) (slang) To stop using the Windows operating system.
defenestrate (vt)
1. To eject or throw (someone or something) from a window.
anaphora
anaphora (n)
1. The repetition of a phrase at the beginning of phrases, sentences, or verses, used for emphasis.
2. (linguistics) An expression that refers to another expression, especially a preceding one. An example is a pronoun that refers to its antecedent.
1. The repetition of a phrase at the beginning of phrases, sentences, or verses, used for emphasis.
2. (linguistics) An expression that refers to another expression, especially a preceding one. An example is a pronoun that refers to its antecedent.
anthropomorphic
anthropomorphic (adj)
1. (of inanimate objects, animals, or other non-human entities) Given human attributes.
1. (of inanimate objects, animals, or other non-human entities) Given human attributes.
catafalque
catafalque (n)
1. A platform used to display or convey a coffin during a funeral, often ornate.
1. A platform used to display or convey a coffin during a funeral, often ornate.
qualia
qualia (n)
1. Properties not defineable with numbers. A quality.
2. Properties, as redness, which are considered independent from things having the property.
3. Plural form of quale
1. Properties not defineable with numbers. A quality.
2. Properties, as redness, which are considered independent from things having the property.
3. Plural form of quale
heterophenomenology
heterophenomenology (n)
1. Phenomenology of the Other.
2. The method of studying the consciousness of other people.
1. Phenomenology of the Other.
2. The method of studying the consciousness of other people.
satyriasis
satyriasis (n)
1. Uncontrollable sexual desire, found in a man (contrast to nymphomania).
2. The quality of excessive sexual passion in a male.
1. Uncontrollable sexual desire, found in a man (contrast to nymphomania).
2. The quality of excessive sexual passion in a male.
boustrophedon
boustrophedon (adv)
1. Of writing, in a fashion such that the reading direction changes from right-to-left to left-to-right every line.
boustrophedon (adj)
1. Written from right-to-left and left-to-right on alternate lines.
2. (figurative) Changing direction, going back and forth.
1. Of writing, in a fashion such that the reading direction changes from right-to-left to left-to-right every line.
boustrophedon (adj)
1. Written from right-to-left and left-to-right on alternate lines.
2. (figurative) Changing direction, going back and forth.
keratinization
keratinization (n)
1. The process in which cells from beneath the skin are converted to hair and nails (made of keratin).
1. The process in which cells from beneath the skin are converted to hair and nails (made of keratin).
aboulia
aboulia (n)
1. Absence of will-power or decisiveness, especially as a symptom of mental illness.
1. Absence of will-power or decisiveness, especially as a symptom of mental illness.
peregrinate
peregrinate (vi)
1. To travel from place to place, or from one country to another, especially on foot; hence, to sojourn in foreign countries.
peregrinate (vt)
2. To travel through a specific place.
1. To travel from place to place, or from one country to another, especially on foot; hence, to sojourn in foreign countries.
peregrinate (vt)
2. To travel through a specific place.
diatribe
diatribe (n)
1. An abusive, bitter denunciation.
2. A speech or writing which bitterly denounces something.
1. An abusive, bitter denunciation.
2. A speech or writing which bitterly denounces something.
syzygy
syzygy (n)
1. (astronomy) A kind of unity, namely an alignment of three celestial bodies (for example, the Sun, Earth, and Moon) such that one body is directly between the other two, such as an eclipse.
2. (psychology) An archetypal pairing of contrasexual opposites, symbolizing the communication of the conscious and unconscious minds.
3. (mathematics) A relation between generators of a module.
4. (medicine) The fusion of some or all of the organs.
5. (zoology) The association of two protozoa end-to-end or laterally for the purpose of asexual exchange of genetic material.
6. (zoology) The pairing of chromosomes in meiosis.
1. (astronomy) A kind of unity, namely an alignment of three celestial bodies (for example, the Sun, Earth, and Moon) such that one body is directly between the other two, such as an eclipse.
2. (psychology) An archetypal pairing of contrasexual opposites, symbolizing the communication of the conscious and unconscious minds.
3. (mathematics) A relation between generators of a module.
4. (medicine) The fusion of some or all of the organs.
5. (zoology) The association of two protozoa end-to-end or laterally for the purpose of asexual exchange of genetic material.
6. (zoology) The pairing of chromosomes in meiosis.
indelible
indelible (adj)
1. Having the quality of being difficult to remove, wash away, blot out, or efface.
2. Incapable of being canceled, lost, or forgotten.
3. Incapable of being annulled.
1. Having the quality of being difficult to remove, wash away, blot out, or efface.
2. Incapable of being canceled, lost, or forgotten.
3. Incapable of being annulled.
epigenetics
epigenetics (n)
1. (genetics) The study of the processes involved in the genetic development of an organism, especially the activation and deactivation of genes.
2. (genetics) The study of heritable changes caused by the activation and deactivation of genes without any change in DNA sequence.
1. (genetics) The study of the processes involved in the genetic development of an organism, especially the activation and deactivation of genes.
2. (genetics) The study of heritable changes caused by the activation and deactivation of genes without any change in DNA sequence.
statism
statism (n)
1. A belief in the importance of the power of the state over an individual, used to describe more extreme views.
1. A belief in the importance of the power of the state over an individual, used to describe more extreme views.
concatenation
concatenation (n)
1. A series of links united; a series or order of things depending on each other, as if linked together; a chain, a succession.
1. A series of links united; a series or order of things depending on each other, as if linked together; a chain, a succession.
ekstasis
ekstasis (plural ekstases) (n)
1. (mysticism and philosophy) The state of being beside one's self or rapt out of one's self.
1. (mysticism and philosophy) The state of being beside one's self or rapt out of one's self.
alpenglow
alpenglow (n)
1. A rosy or reddish glow seen near sunset or sunrise on the summits of mountains, especially snow covered mountains.
1. A rosy or reddish glow seen near sunset or sunrise on the summits of mountains, especially snow covered mountains.
agon
agon (plural agonies) (n)
1. A struggle or contest; conflict; especially between the protagonist and antagonist in a literary work.
2. A test of will; a conflict.
3. A contest in ancient Greece, as in athletics or music, in which prizes were awarded.
1. A struggle or contest; conflict; especially between the protagonist and antagonist in a literary work.
2. A test of will; a conflict.
3. A contest in ancient Greece, as in athletics or music, in which prizes were awarded.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
foment
foment (vt)
1. To apply a poultice to; to bathe with a cloth or sponge.
2. To cherish and promote, to encourage; to instigate.
1. To apply a poultice to; to bathe with a cloth or sponge.
2. To cherish and promote, to encourage; to instigate.
onomatopoeia
onomatopoeia (n)
1. The property of a word of sounding like what it represents.
2. A word which has the property of onomatopoeia, such as "moo" or "hiss".
1. The property of a word of sounding like what it represents.
2. A word which has the property of onomatopoeia, such as "moo" or "hiss".
extirpate
extirpate (vt)
1. To pull up by the roots; uproot.
2. To destroy completely; to annihilate.
3. To surgically remove.
1. To pull up by the roots; uproot.
2. To destroy completely; to annihilate.
3. To surgically remove.
extemporize
extemporize (vi)
1. To make or create extempore.
2. (music) To compose extemporaneously or improvise.
extemporize (vt)
1. To do something, particularly to perform or speak, without prior planning or thought; to act in an impromptu manner; to improvise.
2. To do something in a makeshift way.
1. To make or create extempore.
2. (music) To compose extemporaneously or improvise.
extemporize (vt)
1. To do something, particularly to perform or speak, without prior planning or thought; to act in an impromptu manner; to improvise.
2. To do something in a makeshift way.
efface
efface (vt)
1. To erase (as anything impressed or inscribed upon a surface); to render illegible or indiscernible.
2. To cause to disappear as if by rubbbing out or striking out.
3. (reflexive) To make oneself inobtrusive as if due to modesty or diffidence.
Always the shy violet, Edna effaced herself in front of her sister, of whom she was in awe.
4. (medicine) Of the cervix during pregnancy, to thin and stretch in preparation for labor.
1. To erase (as anything impressed or inscribed upon a surface); to render illegible or indiscernible.
2. To cause to disappear as if by rubbbing out or striking out.
3. (reflexive) To make oneself inobtrusive as if due to modesty or diffidence.
Always the shy violet, Edna effaced herself in front of her sister, of whom she was in awe.
4. (medicine) Of the cervix during pregnancy, to thin and stretch in preparation for labor.
excoriate
excoriate (vt)
1. To wear off the skin of; to chafe or flay.
2. To strongly renounce or censure.
1. To wear off the skin of; to chafe or flay.
2. To strongly renounce or censure.
enounce
to enounce (vt)
1. To say or pronounce; to enunciate.
2. To declare or proclaim.
3. To state unequivocally.
1. To say or pronounce; to enunciate.
2. To declare or proclaim.
3. To state unequivocally.
infer
infer (vi)
1. To draw a conclusion (by reasoning).
infer (vt)
1. To conclude by reasoning or deduction, as from premises or evidence.
2. To surmise or reason from circumstance.
1. To draw a conclusion (by reasoning).
infer (vt)
1. To conclude by reasoning or deduction, as from premises or evidence.
2. To surmise or reason from circumstance.
circumambulate
circumambulate (vt)
1. To walk around something in a circle, especially for a ritual purpose.
1. To walk around something in a circle, especially for a ritual purpose.
ablation
ablation (n)
1. A carrying or taking away; removal.
2. (medicine) The surgical removal of a body part; amputation.
3. (geology) The erosion of a glacier.
4. (physics) The dissipation of the heat of re-entry of a spacecraft.
1. A carrying or taking away; removal.
2. (medicine) The surgical removal of a body part; amputation.
3. (geology) The erosion of a glacier.
4. (physics) The dissipation of the heat of re-entry of a spacecraft.
ablate
ablate (vi)
1. To undergo ablation.
ablate (vt)
To remove or decrease something by the process of ablation.
1. To undergo ablation.
ablate (vt)
To remove or decrease something by the process of ablation.
abjure
abjure (vi)
1. To renounce on oath.
abjure (vt)
1. To renounce upon oath; to forswear; to disavow.
2. To renounce or reject with solemnity; to recant; to abandon forever; to reject; repudiate.
1. To renounce on oath.
abjure (vt)
1. To renounce upon oath; to forswear; to disavow.
2. To renounce or reject with solemnity; to recant; to abandon forever; to reject; repudiate.
abberate
aberrate (vi)
To go astray; to diverge; to deviate (from).
abberate (vt)
1. To distort; to cause aberration of.
To go astray; to diverge; to deviate (from).
abberate (vt)
1. To distort; to cause aberration of.
abrogate
abrogate (adj)
1. (obsolete) Abrogated; abolished.
abrogate (vt)
1. To annul by an authoritative act; to abolish by the authority of the maker or his successor; to repeal; -- applied to the repeal of laws, decrees, ordinances, the abolition of customs, etc.
2. To put an end to; to do away with.
1. (obsolete) Abrogated; abolished.
abrogate (vt)
1. To annul by an authoritative act; to abolish by the authority of the maker or his successor; to repeal; -- applied to the repeal of laws, decrees, ordinances, the abolition of customs, etc.
2. To put an end to; to do away with.
maraud
maraud (vi)
1. To move about in roving fashion looking for plunder. (e.g. a marauding band).
maraud (vt)
2. To raid and pillage.
1. To move about in roving fashion looking for plunder. (e.g. a marauding band).
maraud (vt)
2. To raid and pillage.
mire
mire (n)
1. Deep mud; moist, spongy earth.
2. An undesireable situation, a predicament.
3. (obsolete) An ant.
mire (vt)
1. To weigh down.
1. Deep mud; moist, spongy earth.
2. An undesireable situation, a predicament.
3. (obsolete) An ant.
mire (vt)
1. To weigh down.
mung
mung (n)
1. A type of small bean.
2. A type of plant cultivated for its sprouts Vigna radiata or Phaseolus aureus.
mung (vt)
1. (computing) To make repeated changes to a file or data which individually may be reversible, yet which ultimately result in an unintentional irreversible destruction of large portions of the original data.
2. Hence to destroy.
1. A type of small bean.
2. A type of plant cultivated for its sprouts Vigna radiata or Phaseolus aureus.
mung (vt)
1. (computing) To make repeated changes to a file or data which individually may be reversible, yet which ultimately result in an unintentional irreversible destruction of large portions of the original data.
2. Hence to destroy.
mordant
mordant (adj)
1. Biting; caustic; sarcastic; keen; severe.
2. Serving to fix colors when dyeing.
mordant (n)
1. Any substance used to facilitate the fixing of a dye to a fibre; usually a metallic compound which reacts with the dye using chelation.
mordant (vt)
1. To subject to the action of, or imbue with, a mordant.
1. Biting; caustic; sarcastic; keen; severe.
2. Serving to fix colors when dyeing.
mordant (n)
1. Any substance used to facilitate the fixing of a dye to a fibre; usually a metallic compound which reacts with the dye using chelation.
mordant (vt)
1. To subject to the action of, or imbue with, a mordant.
macerate
macerate (vt)
1. To soften (something), or separate (something) into pieces, by immersion in a liquid.
2. To make lean; to cause to waste away.
3. To subdue the appetites of by poor and scanty diet; to mortify.
macerate (n)
1. A macerated substance.
1. To soften (something), or separate (something) into pieces, by immersion in a liquid.
2. To make lean; to cause to waste away.
3. To subdue the appetites of by poor and scanty diet; to mortify.
macerate (n)
1. A macerated substance.
affine
affine (adj)
1. (mathematics) Assigning finite values to finite quantities.
2. (mathematics) Describing a function expressible as f(x)=ax+b (which is not linear, but is similar).
2. Of or pertaining to a transformation that maps parallel lines to parallel lines and finite points to finite points.
affine (n)
1. (genealogy) A relative by marriage.
affine (vt)
1. To refine.
1. (mathematics) Assigning finite values to finite quantities.
2. (mathematics) Describing a function expressible as f(x)=ax+b (which is not linear, but is similar).
2. Of or pertaining to a transformation that maps parallel lines to parallel lines and finite points to finite points.
affine (n)
1. (genealogy) A relative by marriage.
affine (vt)
1. To refine.
holotype
holotype (n)
1. The single physical example (or illustration) of an organism, known to be used when the taxon was formally described.
1. The single physical example (or illustration) of an organism, known to be used when the taxon was formally described.
histrionics
histrionics (n)
1. Exaggerated, overemotional behaviour, especially when calculated to elicit a response; melodramatics.
1. Exaggerated, overemotional behaviour, especially when calculated to elicit a response; melodramatics.
dodecicosidodecahedron
dodecicosidodecahedron (n)
1. A uniform polyhedron with 44 faces, 120 edges, and 60 vertices.
1. A uniform polyhedron with 44 faces, 120 edges, and 60 vertices.
heuristic
heuristic (adj)
1. Pertaining to how something is discovered.
heuristic (n) (plural heuristics)
1. Any method found through discovery and observation.
2. A method known to produce incorrect or inexact results at times but likely to produce correct or sufficiently exact results when applied in commonly occurring conditions.
1. Pertaining to how something is discovered.
heuristic (n) (plural heuristics)
1. Any method found through discovery and observation.
2. A method known to produce incorrect or inexact results at times but likely to produce correct or sufficiently exact results when applied in commonly occurring conditions.
diacaustic
diacaustic (adj)
1. Relating to the caustic curves formed by the refraction of light.
diacaustic (n)
1. A refracting lens, which can be used to cauterise.
2. The curve or surface formed by the intersection of refracted light rays.
1. Relating to the caustic curves formed by the refraction of light.
diacaustic (n)
1. A refracting lens, which can be used to cauterise.
2. The curve or surface formed by the intersection of refracted light rays.
heirophant
heirophant (n)
1. A person whose role is to bring a religious congregation into the presence of that which is deemed holy.
1. A person whose role is to bring a religious congregation into the presence of that which is deemed holy.
dysphemism
dysphemism (n)
1. The use of a word or phrase to replace another and that is considered more offensive or more vulgar than the word or phrase it replaces.
2. A word or phrase that is used to replace another in this way.
1. The use of a word or phrase to replace another and that is considered more offensive or more vulgar than the word or phrase it replaces.
2. A word or phrase that is used to replace another in this way.
dodecahedron
dodecahedron (n)
1. (geometry) A polyhedron with twelve faces; the regular dodecahedron has regular pentagons as faces and is one of the Platonic solids.
1. (geometry) A polyhedron with twelve faces; the regular dodecahedron has regular pentagons as faces and is one of the Platonic solids.
docetism
docetism (n)
1. (Christianity) The belief (considered a heresy by some early Christians) that Jesus only appeared to have a physical body and was ultimately of celestial substance.
1. (Christianity) The belief (considered a heresy by some early Christians) that Jesus only appeared to have a physical body and was ultimately of celestial substance.
xenophobia
xenophobia (n)
1. Pathological fear of foreigners.
2. Pathological hatred for foreigners.
3. Pathological fear or hatred of the unknown.
1. Pathological fear of foreigners.
2. Pathological hatred for foreigners.
3. Pathological fear or hatred of the unknown.
dispulsion
dispulsion (n)
1. The act of dispelling (e.g. myths, rumors, magic), the state of being dispelled.
2. Negative propulsion, the act of reducing the effect of propulsion, the act of decelerating.
1. The act of dispelling (e.g. myths, rumors, magic), the state of being dispelled.
2. Negative propulsion, the act of reducing the effect of propulsion, the act of decelerating.
dirigisme
dirigisme (n)
1. Any economy in which the government exerts a strong directive influence; a centrally planned economy.
1. Any economy in which the government exerts a strong directive influence; a centrally planned economy.
discomfiture
discomfiture (n)
1. A feeling of frustration, disappointment, perplexity or embarrassment.
1. A feeling of frustration, disappointment, perplexity or embarrassment.
dioptric
dioptric (adj)
1. (obsolete) Pertaining to a diopter.
2. Acting as a medium for sight; making use of refraction (of lenses, etc.).
3. (obsolete) Capable of being seen through.
dioptric (n)
1. (in plural) The branch of optics concerned with refraction.
2. A dioptric telescope.
1. (obsolete) Pertaining to a diopter.
2. Acting as a medium for sight; making use of refraction (of lenses, etc.).
3. (obsolete) Capable of being seen through.
dioptric (n)
1. (in plural) The branch of optics concerned with refraction.
2. A dioptric telescope.
hebdomad
hebdomad (n)
1. A group of seven.
2. A period of a seven days, a week.
3. (Gnosticism) A group of seven superhuman beings.
1. A group of seven.
2. A period of a seven days, a week.
3. (Gnosticism) A group of seven superhuman beings.
diminution
diminution (n)
1. A lessening, decrease or reduction.
2. (music) The shortening of the notes of a melody or theme.
1. A lessening, decrease or reduction.
2. (music) The shortening of the notes of a melody or theme.
witenagemot
witenagemot (n)
2. (historic) The assembly of the Anglo-Saxon national council.
2. Any assembly, parliament or discursive gathering.
2. (historic) The assembly of the Anglo-Saxon national council.
2. Any assembly, parliament or discursive gathering.
diaclasis
diaclasis (n)
1. (medicine) Osteoclasis.
2. (geology) A network of cracks in limestone rock allowing the infiltration of water and causing sinkholes.
1. (medicine) Osteoclasis.
2. (geology) A network of cracks in limestone rock allowing the infiltration of water and causing sinkholes.
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
declination
declination (n)
1. At a given point, the angle between magnetic north and true north.
2. At a given point, the angle between the line connecting this point with the geographical center of the earth and the equatorial plane.
3. A refusal.
4. (archaic) Declension.
1. At a given point, the angle between magnetic north and true north.
2. At a given point, the angle between the line connecting this point with the geographical center of the earth and the equatorial plane.
3. A refusal.
4. (archaic) Declension.
deixis
deixis (n)
1. (linguistics) A reference within a sentence that relies on the context being known to interpret correctly.
1. (linguistics) A reference within a sentence that relies on the context being known to interpret correctly.
demesne
demesne (n)
1. A lord’s chief manor place, with that part of the lands belonging thereto which has not been granted out in tenancy; a house, and the land adjoining, kept for the proprietor’s own use.
1. A lord’s chief manor place, with that part of the lands belonging thereto which has not been granted out in tenancy; a house, and the land adjoining, kept for the proprietor’s own use.
charabanc
charabanc (n)
1. A horse-drawn, and then later, motorized omnibus with open sides, and often, no roof.
1. A horse-drawn, and then later, motorized omnibus with open sides, and often, no roof.
ceilidh
ceilidh (n)
1. An Irish or Scottish informal social gathering where traditional folk music is played, with dancing and story telling.
1. An Irish or Scottish informal social gathering where traditional folk music is played, with dancing and story telling.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
caesura
caesura (n)
1. A pause or interruption in a poem, music, building or other work of art.
2. In Classical prosody, using two words to divide a metrical foot.
1. A pause or interruption in a poem, music, building or other work of art.
2. In Classical prosody, using two words to divide a metrical foot.
berdache
berdache (n)
1. (Anthropology) Among North American Indians, a transvestite or transgendered person.
1. (Anthropology) Among North American Indians, a transvestite or transgendered person.
Baritsu
Bartitsu (n)
1. A form of martial arts based on jujitsu and also incorporating elements of boxing, savate, and stick fighting, popularized by E.W. Barton-Wright in late-Victorian London.
1. A form of martial arts based on jujitsu and also incorporating elements of boxing, savate, and stick fighting, popularized by E.W. Barton-Wright in late-Victorian London.
barbule
barbule (n)
1. Any of the secondary barbs that form a fringe of small projections on a feather.
1. Any of the secondary barbs that form a fringe of small projections on a feather.
ballotade
ballotade (n)
1. (dressage) A leap of a horse, as between two pillars, or on a straight line, so that when his four feet are in the air, he shows only the shoes of his hind feet, without jerking out.
1. (dressage) A leap of a horse, as between two pillars, or on a straight line, so that when his four feet are in the air, he shows only the shoes of his hind feet, without jerking out.
polaxe
poleaxe (n)
1. An ax having both a blade and a hammer face; used to slaughter cattle.
2. A long-handled battle-ax, being a combination of ax, hammer and pike.
poleaxe (vt)
1. To fell someone with, or as if with, a poleaxe.
1. An ax having both a blade and a hammer face; used to slaughter cattle.
2. A long-handled battle-ax, being a combination of ax, hammer and pike.
poleaxe (vt)
1. To fell someone with, or as if with, a poleaxe.
balustrade
balustrade (n)
1. A row of balusters topped by a rail, serving as an open parapet, as along the edge of a balcony, terrace, bridge, staircase, or the eaves of a building.
1. A row of balusters topped by a rail, serving as an open parapet, as along the edge of a balcony, terrace, bridge, staircase, or the eaves of a building.
insuperable
insuperable (adj)
1. Impossible to achieve or overcome or be negotiated.
2. Overwhelming or insurmountable.
1. Impossible to achieve or overcome or be negotiated.
2. Overwhelming or insurmountable.
warren
warren (n)
1. The system of burrows where rabbits live.
2. A mazelike place of dark alleys etc in which it's easy to lose oneself; especially one that may be overcrowded.
1. The system of burrows where rabbits live.
2. A mazelike place of dark alleys etc in which it's easy to lose oneself; especially one that may be overcrowded.
leet
leet (adj)
1. Of or related to leetspeak.
2. Possessing outstanding skill in a field; expert, masterful.
3. Having superior social rank over others; upper class, elite.
4. Awesome, typically to describe a feat of skill; cool, sweet.
leet (n)
1. (Scottish) A portion or list, especially a list of candidates for an office.
2. (British obsolete) a regular court in which the certain lords had jurisdiction over local disputes, or the physical area of this jurisdiction.
3. (zoology) The European pollock.
4. (Internet slang) Abbreviation of leetspeak.
leet (vt)
1. (obsolete) Imperfect of let (to allow).
1. Of or related to leetspeak.
2. Possessing outstanding skill in a field; expert, masterful.
3. Having superior social rank over others; upper class, elite.
4. Awesome, typically to describe a feat of skill; cool, sweet.
leet (n)
1. (Scottish) A portion or list, especially a list of candidates for an office.
2. (British obsolete) a regular court in which the certain lords had jurisdiction over local disputes, or the physical area of this jurisdiction.
3. (zoology) The European pollock.
4. (Internet slang) Abbreviation of leetspeak.
leet (vt)
1. (obsolete) Imperfect of let (to allow).
lavolta
lavolta (n)
1. An ancient dance of the Renaissance which incorporated many challenging twists and skips.
1. An ancient dance of the Renaissance which incorporated many challenging twists and skips.
laches
laches (n)
1. (law) legal doctrine that a person who waits too long to bring a claim alleging a wrong shall not be permitted to seek an equitable remedy.
1. (law) legal doctrine that a person who waits too long to bring a claim alleging a wrong shall not be permitted to seek an equitable remedy.
lapsarian
lapsarian (adj)
1. Of or pertaining to the fall of man from innocence, especially to the role of women in that fall.
lapsarian (n)
1. A person who believes in this doctrine.
1. Of or pertaining to the fall of man from innocence, especially to the role of women in that fall.
lapsarian (n)
1. A person who believes in this doctrine.
Apocalypticism
Apocalypticism (n)
1. A worldview based on the idea that important matters are hidden from view and they will soon be revealed in a major confrontation of earth-shaking magnitude, perhaps pitting good against evil, that will change the course of history.
1. A worldview based on the idea that important matters are hidden from view and they will soon be revealed in a major confrontation of earth-shaking magnitude, perhaps pitting good against evil, that will change the course of history.
sybarite
sybarite (n)
1. A native or inhabitant of Sybaris.
2. A person devoted to pleasure and luxury; a voluptuary
1. A native or inhabitant of Sybaris.
2. A person devoted to pleasure and luxury; a voluptuary
prognosticate
prognosticate (vt)
1. To predict or forecast, especially through the application of skill.
2. (transitive) To presage, betoken.
1. To predict or forecast, especially through the application of skill.
2. (transitive) To presage, betoken.
caprice
caprice (n)
1. An impulsive seemingly unmotivated notion or action.
2. An unpredictable or sudden condition, change, or series of changes.
3. A disposition to be impulsive.
4. An impulsive change of mind.
1. An impulsive seemingly unmotivated notion or action.
2. An unpredictable or sudden condition, change, or series of changes.
3. A disposition to be impulsive.
4. An impulsive change of mind.
celerity
celerity (n)
1. (in literary usage) Speed.
2. (oceanography) The speed of individual waves (as opposed to the speed of groups of waves).
1. (in literary usage) Speed.
2. (oceanography) The speed of individual waves (as opposed to the speed of groups of waves).
maunder
maunder (vi)
1. To speak in a disorganized or desultory manner; to babble or prattle.
2. To wander or walk aimlessly.
1. To speak in a disorganized or desultory manner; to babble or prattle.
2. To wander or walk aimlessly.
euphony
euphony (n)
1. a pronunciation of letters and syllables which is pleasing to the ear.
2. good phonetic quality of certain words.
1. a pronunciation of letters and syllables which is pleasing to the ear.
2. good phonetic quality of certain words.
austral
austral (adj)
1. Of, relating to, or coming from the south.
austral (n)
1. A form of currency in Argentina.
1. Of, relating to, or coming from the south.
austral (n)
1. A form of currency in Argentina.
internacine
internecine (adj)
1. Mutually destructive; most often applied to warfare.
2. Characterized by struggle within a group, usually applied to an ethnic or familial relationship.
1. Mutually destructive; most often applied to warfare.
2. Characterized by struggle within a group, usually applied to an ethnic or familial relationship.
iterative
iterative (adj)
iterative (not comparable)
1. Of a procedure that involves repetition of steps (iteration) to achieve the desired outcome.
2. (grammar) Expressive of an action that is repeated with frequency.
3. (computing): Using iteration; using a mechanism such as a loop.
iterative (not comparable)
1. Of a procedure that involves repetition of steps (iteration) to achieve the desired outcome.
2. (grammar) Expressive of an action that is repeated with frequency.
3. (computing): Using iteration; using a mechanism such as a loop.
iconoclast
iconoclast (n)
1. One who destroys religious images or icons, especially an opponent of the Orthodox Church in the 8th and 9th centuries, or a Puritan during the Reformation.
2. One who opposes orthodoxy and religion; one who adheres to the doctrine of iconoclasm.
3. One who attacks cherished beliefs.
1. One who destroys religious images or icons, especially an opponent of the Orthodox Church in the 8th and 9th centuries, or a Puritan during the Reformation.
2. One who opposes orthodoxy and religion; one who adheres to the doctrine of iconoclasm.
3. One who attacks cherished beliefs.
impugn
impugn (vt)
1. (obsolete) To assault, attack.
2. To verbally assault, especially to argue against an opinion, motive, or action; to question the truth or validity of.
1. (obsolete) To assault, attack.
2. To verbally assault, especially to argue against an opinion, motive, or action; to question the truth or validity of.
absquatulate
absquatulate (vi)
1. To leave quickly or in a hurry; to take oneself off; to decamp; to depart.
2. To cause to absquatulate.
3. To die.
4. To argue.
1. To leave quickly or in a hurry; to take oneself off; to decamp; to depart.
2. To cause to absquatulate.
3. To die.
4. To argue.
corsair
corsair (n)
1. A privateersman or pirate in the Mediterranean, especially along the Barbary coast
2. A pirate ship or privateer.
3. A nocturnal assassin bug of the genus Rasahus, found in the southern US.
4. The F4U Corsair, a fighter aircraft from World War II.
1. A privateersman or pirate in the Mediterranean, especially along the Barbary coast
2. A pirate ship or privateer.
3. A nocturnal assassin bug of the genus Rasahus, found in the southern US.
4. The F4U Corsair, a fighter aircraft from World War II.
Friday, January 19, 2007
prevaricate
prevaricate (vi)
1. To shift or turn from the direct course, or from truth; to evade the truth; to waffle or be (intentionally) ambiguous.
2. To speak with equivocation; to shuffle; to quibble.
3. To collude, as where an informer colludes with the defendant, and makes a sham prosecution.
1. To shift or turn from the direct course, or from truth; to evade the truth; to waffle or be (intentionally) ambiguous.
2. To speak with equivocation; to shuffle; to quibble.
3. To collude, as where an informer colludes with the defendant, and makes a sham prosecution.
mountebank
mountebank (n)
1. One who sells dubious medicines.
2. One who sells by deception; a con artist; a charlatan.
mountebank (vi)
1. To act as a mountebank.
1. One who sells dubious medicines.
2. One who sells by deception; a con artist; a charlatan.
mountebank (vi)
1. To act as a mountebank.
pontificate
pontificate (n)
1. The state or term of office of a pontiff or pontifex.
pontificate (vi)
1. To preside as a bishop, especially at mass.
2. To act like a pontiff; to be pompous, or express one's position as if it is absolutely correct.
3. To speak in a patronizing, supercilious or pompous manner, especially at length.
1. The state or term of office of a pontiff or pontifex.
pontificate (vi)
1. To preside as a bishop, especially at mass.
2. To act like a pontiff; to be pompous, or express one's position as if it is absolutely correct.
3. To speak in a patronizing, supercilious or pompous manner, especially at length.
verisimilitude
verisimilitude (n)
1. The property of seeming true, of resembling reality; resemblance to reality, realism.
2. A statement which merely appears to be true.
1. The property of seeming true, of resembling reality; resemblance to reality, realism.
2. A statement which merely appears to be true.
supinate
supinate (vt)
1. (anatomy): To twist the forearm so as to turn the palm of the hand towards the body or forwards, thereby contracting the biceps brachii.
2. (anatomy): To twist the foot so the weight is on the outer edge.
supinate (vi)
1. To become supinated.
1. (anatomy): To twist the forearm so as to turn the palm of the hand towards the body or forwards, thereby contracting the biceps brachii.
2. (anatomy): To twist the foot so the weight is on the outer edge.
supinate (vi)
1. To become supinated.
orthogonal
orthogonal (adj)
1. (geometry) Pertaining to right angles; perpendicular (to).
(mathematics)
2. Of two functions, linearly independent; having a zero inner product.
3. Of a square matrix that is the inverse of its transpose.
4. Of a linear transformation that preserves angles.
5. (statistics) Statistically independent, with reference to variates.
6. (software engineering) Able to be treated separately.
1. (geometry) Pertaining to right angles; perpendicular (to).
(mathematics)
2. Of two functions, linearly independent; having a zero inner product.
3. Of a square matrix that is the inverse of its transpose.
4. Of a linear transformation that preserves angles.
5. (statistics) Statistically independent, with reference to variates.
6. (software engineering) Able to be treated separately.
zeitgeist
zeitgeist (n)
1. The spirit of the age; the taste, outlook, and spirit characteristic of a period.
2. A phenomenon based on fate where something simultaneously happens everywhere at a certain time.
1. The spirit of the age; the taste, outlook, and spirit characteristic of a period.
2. A phenomenon based on fate where something simultaneously happens everywhere at a certain time.
doctrinaire
doctrinaire (adj)
1. Stubbornly holding on to an idea without concern for practicalities or reality.
1. Stubbornly holding on to an idea without concern for practicalities or reality.
pedagogue
pedagogue (n)
1. A teacher or instructor of children; one whose occupation is to teach the young.
2. A pedant; one who by teaching has become formal or pedantic in his or her ways; one who has the manner of a teacher.
3. (archaic) A slave who led the master's children to school, and had the charge of them generally.
1. A teacher or instructor of children; one whose occupation is to teach the young.
2. A pedant; one who by teaching has become formal or pedantic in his or her ways; one who has the manner of a teacher.
3. (archaic) A slave who led the master's children to school, and had the charge of them generally.
pedantic
pedantic (adj)
1. Like a pedant, overly concerned with formal rules and trivial points of learning.
2. Being showy of one’s knowledge, often in a boring manner.
3. Often used to describe a person who emphasizes his/her knowledge through the use of vocabulary; ostentatious in one’s learning.
4. Being finicky or picky with language.
1. Like a pedant, overly concerned with formal rules and trivial points of learning.
2. Being showy of one’s knowledge, often in a boring manner.
3. Often used to describe a person who emphasizes his/her knowledge through the use of vocabulary; ostentatious in one’s learning.
4. Being finicky or picky with language.
vade mecum
vade mecum (n)
1. A referential book such as a handbook or manual.
2. A useful object, constantly carried on one's person.
1. A referential book such as a handbook or manual.
2. A useful object, constantly carried on one's person.
synchophant
sycophant (n)
1. One who uses compliments to gain self-serving favor or advantage from another.
2. One who seeks to gain through the powerful and influential.
1. One who uses compliments to gain self-serving favor or advantage from another.
2. One who seeks to gain through the powerful and influential.
quaternary
quaternary (adj)
1. Of fourth rank or order.
2. Of a mathematical expression containing e.g. x^4.
1. Of fourth rank or order.
2. Of a mathematical expression containing e.g. x^4.
synecdoche
synecdoche (n)
1. A metaphor by which an inclusive term stands for something included, or vice versa; A metaphor in which a part is spoken of as the whole (hand for laborer) or vice-versa (the court for the judge).
1. A metaphor by which an inclusive term stands for something included, or vice versa; A metaphor in which a part is spoken of as the whole (hand for laborer) or vice-versa (the court for the judge).
hyperbole
hyperbole (n)
1. Extreme exaggeration or overstatement; especially as a literary or rhetorical device.
2. Deliberate exaggeration.
3. An instance or example of this technique.
4. (obsolete) A hyperbola.
1. Extreme exaggeration or overstatement; especially as a literary or rhetorical device.
2. Deliberate exaggeration.
3. An instance or example of this technique.
4. (obsolete) A hyperbola.
inchoate
inchoate (adj)
1. Recently started but not fully formed yet; just begun; only elementary or immature.
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1. Recently started but not fully formed yet; just begun; only elementary or immature.
Develop the listening, reading, speaking, and writing skills of the professional communicator. Click here to learn how.
kabuki
kabuki (n) (often capitalized)
1. A form of Japanese theatre in which elaborately costumed male performers use stylized movements, dances, and songs in order to enact tragedies and comedies.
1. A form of Japanese theatre in which elaborately costumed male performers use stylized movements, dances, and songs in order to enact tragedies and comedies.
jingoism
jingoism (n)
1. Excessive patriotism or aggressive nationalism esp. as regards foreign policy.
1. Excessive patriotism or aggressive nationalism esp. as regards foreign policy.
eponym
eponym (n)
1. A person whose name has become identified with a particular object or activity.
2. A word formed from a person’s name, e.g. stentorian after the Greek herald Stentor.
3. The hero of a book, film etc. having the character’s name as its title, e.g. Robinson Crusoe.
4. (healthcare) A condition, disease or disorder named after a particular clinician or patient, e.g. Alzheimer’s Disease, named after the neurologist Alois Alzheimer.
1. A person whose name has become identified with a particular object or activity.
2. A word formed from a person’s name, e.g. stentorian after the Greek herald Stentor.
3. The hero of a book, film etc. having the character’s name as its title, e.g. Robinson Crusoe.
4. (healthcare) A condition, disease or disorder named after a particular clinician or patient, e.g. Alzheimer’s Disease, named after the neurologist Alois Alzheimer.
flocculent
flocculent (adj)
1. Flocculated, resembling bits of wool, woolly.
2. Covered in a woolly substance; downy.
3. Flaky.
1. Flocculated, resembling bits of wool, woolly.
2. Covered in a woolly substance; downy.
3. Flaky.
brobdingnagian
brobdingnagian (n)
1. A creature from Brobdingnag (a country in Jonathan Swift's novel entitled Gulliver's Travels).
2. (figuratively) A giant.
brobdingnagian (adj)
1. Of or pertaining to Brobdingnag.
2. Enormous, huge, far larger than is customary for such a thing.
1. A creature from Brobdingnag (a country in Jonathan Swift's novel entitled Gulliver's Travels).
2. (figuratively) A giant.
brobdingnagian (adj)
1. Of or pertaining to Brobdingnag.
2. Enormous, huge, far larger than is customary for such a thing.
hermeneutics
hermeneutics (n)
1. The study or theory of the methodical interpretation of text, especially holy texts.
1. The study or theory of the methodical interpretation of text, especially holy texts.
Gordian knot
Gordian knot (n)
1. The legendary knot tied to a pole near the temple of Zeus in Gordium.
2. (by extension) Any intricate and complex problem.
1. The legendary knot tied to a pole near the temple of Zeus in Gordium.
2. (by extension) Any intricate and complex problem.
avolition
avolition (n)
1. Lack of initiative or goals; one of the negative symptoms of schizophrenia.
1. Lack of initiative or goals; one of the negative symptoms of schizophrenia.
kinesthesia
kinesthesia (n)
1. Sensation or perception of motion.
2. (physiology) The perception of the movement of one's own body, its limbs and muscles etc.
3. (performing arts) A spectator's perception of the motion of a performer, or, the effect of the motion of a scene on the spectator.
4. Proprioception or static position sense; the perception of the position and posture of the body; also, more broadly, including the motion of the body as well.
1. Sensation or perception of motion.
2. (physiology) The perception of the movement of one's own body, its limbs and muscles etc.
3. (performing arts) A spectator's perception of the motion of a performer, or, the effect of the motion of a scene on the spectator.
4. Proprioception or static position sense; the perception of the position and posture of the body; also, more broadly, including the motion of the body as well.
mellifluous
mellifluous (adj)
1. Flowing like honey.
2. Sweet and smooth; generally used of a person's voice, tone or writing style.
1. Flowing like honey.
2. Sweet and smooth; generally used of a person's voice, tone or writing style.
halcyon
halcyon (adj)
1. Pertaining to the halcyon or kingfisher.
2. Calm, undisturbed, peaceful, serene.
1. Pertaining to the halcyon or kingfisher.
2. Calm, undisturbed, peaceful, serene.
Thursday, January 18, 2007
crapulous
crapulous (adj)
1. Surcharged with liquor; alcoholism; sick from excessive indulgence in drinking or eating; drunk; given to excesses.
2. Characterized by excessive eating or drinking; debauched; intemperate.
3. Having a stomach upset by too much drinking.
1. Surcharged with liquor; alcoholism; sick from excessive indulgence in drinking or eating; drunk; given to excesses.
2. Characterized by excessive eating or drinking; debauched; intemperate.
3. Having a stomach upset by too much drinking.
rodomontade
rodomontade (adj)
1. Pretentiously boastful.
rotomontade (n)
1. Vain boasting; a rant; pretentious behaviour.
rotomontade (vi)
1. To boast, brag or bluster pretentiously.
KidSpeak 6-in-1 Languages
1. Pretentiously boastful.
rotomontade (n)
1. Vain boasting; a rant; pretentious behaviour.
rotomontade (vi)
1. To boast, brag or bluster pretentiously.
KidSpeak 6-in-1 Languages
winnow
winnow (vi)
1. To free or separate grain or the like from chaff or refuse matter, usually by means of wind.
2. To move about with a flapping motion, as of wings; to flutter.
3. To fan; set in motion by means of wind; specifically, to expose (grain) to a current of air in order to separate and drive off chaff, refuse particles, etc.
winnow (vt)
1. To blow upon; to toss about by blowing.
2. To separate, expel, or disperse by or as by fanning or blowing; to sift or weed out; to separate or distinguish, as one thing from another.
3. To set in motion or vibration; to beat as with a fan or wings.
4. To wave to and fro; to flutter; to flap.
5. To pursue or accomplish with a waving or flapping motion, as of wings.
6. Figuratively, to subject to a process analogous to the winnowing of grain; to separate into parts according to kind; to sift; to analyze or scrutinize carefully; to examine; to test.
1. To free or separate grain or the like from chaff or refuse matter, usually by means of wind.
2. To move about with a flapping motion, as of wings; to flutter.
3. To fan; set in motion by means of wind; specifically, to expose (grain) to a current of air in order to separate and drive off chaff, refuse particles, etc.
winnow (vt)
1. To blow upon; to toss about by blowing.
2. To separate, expel, or disperse by or as by fanning or blowing; to sift or weed out; to separate or distinguish, as one thing from another.
3. To set in motion or vibration; to beat as with a fan or wings.
4. To wave to and fro; to flutter; to flap.
5. To pursue or accomplish with a waving or flapping motion, as of wings.
6. Figuratively, to subject to a process analogous to the winnowing of grain; to separate into parts according to kind; to sift; to analyze or scrutinize carefully; to examine; to test.
Monday, January 1, 2007
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