31 May 2013
voracious
[vaw-rey-shuhs, voh-, vuh-]
adjective
1. craving or consuming large quantities of food: a voracious appetite.
2. exceedingly eager or avid: voracious readers; a voracious collector.
Origin:
1625–35; voraci(ty) + -ous
Related forms
vo·ra·cious·ly, adverb
vo·ra·cious·ness, noun
un·vo·ra·cious, adjective
un·vo·ra·cious·ly, adverb
un·vo·ra·cious·ness, noun
Can be confused: veracious, vociferous, voracious.
Synonyms
1. See ravenous. 2. rapacious, insatiable.
30 May 2013
vouchsafe
[vouch-seyf]
verb, vouch·safed, vouch·saf·ing.
verb (used with object)
1. to grant or give, as by favor, graciousness, or condescension: to vouchsafe a reply to a question.
2. to allow or permit, as by favor or graciousness: They vouchsafed his return to his own country.
verb (used without object)
3. to condescend; deign.
Origin:
1275–1325; Middle English phrase vouche sauf. See vouch, safe
Related forms
vouch·safe·ment, noun
un·vouch·safed, adjective
Synonyms
1. bestow, confer, accord.
29 May 2013
vice
[vahys]
noun
1. an immoral or evil habit or practice. Synonyms: fault, failing, foible, weakness. Antonyms: virtue.
2. immoral conduct; depraved or degrading behavior: a life of vice. Synonyms: depravity, sin, iniquity, wickedness, corruption. Antonyms: virtue, morality.
3. wantonness, degeneracy, licentiousness.
4. a particular form of depravity.
5. a fault, defect, or shortcoming: a minor vice in his literary style. Synonyms: flaw, blemish, imperfection, foible, weakness.
28 May 2013
vanguard
[van-gahrd]
noun
1. the foremost division or the front part of an army; advance guard; van.
2. the forefront in any movement, field, activity, or the like.
3. the leaders of any intellectual or political movement.
4. ( initial capital letter ) Rocketry. a U.S. three-stage, satellite-launching rocket, the first two stages powered by liquid-propellant engines and the third by a solid-propellant engine.
Origin:
1480–90; earlier van ( d ) gard ( e ) < Middle French avangarde, variant of avant-garde; see avaunt, guard
27 May 2013
vermin
[vur-min]
noun, plural ver·min.
1. noxious, objectionable, or disgusting animals collectively, especially those of small size that appear commonly and are difficult to control, as flies, lice, bedbugs, cockroaches, mice, and rats.
2. an objectionable or obnoxious person, or such persons collectively.
3. animals that prey upon game, as coyotes or weasels.
Origin:
1300–50; Middle English vermyne < Anglo-French, Middle French vermin, vermine < Vulgar Latin *verminum, *vermina, based on Latin vermin-; see verminate
26 May 2013
virulent
[vir-yuh-luhnt, vir-uh-]
adjective
1. actively poisonous; intensely noxious: a virulent insect bite.
2. Medicine/Medical . highly infective; malignant or deadly.
3. Bacteriology . causing clinical symptoms.
4. violently or spitefully hostile.
5. intensely bitter, spiteful, or malicious: a virulent attack.
25 May 2013
venal
[veen-l]
adjective
1. willing to sell one’s influence, especially in return for a bribe; open to bribery; mercenary: a venal judge.
2. able to be purchased, as by a bribe: venal acquittals.
3. associated with or characterized by bribery: a venal administration; venal agreements.
Origin:
1645–55; < Latin vēnālis, equivalent to vēn ( um ) (accusative) for sale (cf. vend) + -ālis -al1
Related forms
ve·nal·ly, adverb
non·ve·nal, adjective
non·ve·nal·ly, adverb
un·ve·nal, adjective
Can be confused: venal, venial.
Synonyms
1. bribable, corruptible. See corrupt.
Antonyms
1. incorruptible.
24 May 2013
vanquish
[vang-kwish, van-]
verb (used with object)
1. to conquer or subdue by superior force, as in battle.
2. to defeat in any contest or conflict; be victorious over: to vanquish one’s opponent in an argument.
3. to overcome or overpower: He vanquished all his fears.
Origin:
1300–50; Middle English vencuschen, venquisshen < Old French vencus past participle and venquis past tense of veintre < Latin vincere to overcome
Related forms
van·quish·a·ble, adjective
van·quish·er, noun
van·quish·ment, noun
un·van·quish·a·ble, adjective
un·van·quished, adjective
23 May 2013
vivify
[viv-uh-fahy]
verb (used with object), viv·i·fied, viv·i·fy·ing.
1. to give life to; animate; quicken.
2. to enliven; brighten; sharpen.
Origin:
1535–45; alteration (with -fy for -ficate ) of late Middle English vivificate < Latin vīvificātus (past participle of vīvificāre ). See vivi-, -ficate
Related forms
viv·i·fi·ca·tion, noun
viv·i·fi·er, noun
un·viv·i·fied, adjective
22 May 2013
vexation
[vek-sey-shuhn]
noun
1. the act of vexing.
2. the state of being vexed; irritation; annoyance: vexation at missing the bus.
3. something that vexes; a cause of annoyance; nuisance: Rush-hour traffic is a daily vexation.
Origin:
1350–1400; Middle English vexacioun < Latin vexātiōn- (stem of vexātiō ), equivalent to vexāt ( us ) (past participle of vexāre to vex; see -ate1 ) + -iōn- -ion
Related forms
self-vex·a·tion, noun
su·per·vex·a·tion, noun
21 May 2013
valorous
[val-er-uhs]
adjective
1. having valor (boldness or determination in facing great danger, especially in battle; heroic courage; bravery: a medal for valor); courageous; valiant; brave.
2. characterized by valor: valorous deeds.
Origin:
1470–80; < Medieval Latin valorōsus valiant. See valor, -ous
Related forms
val·or·ous·ly, adverb
val·or·ous·ness, noun
non·val·or·ous, adjective
non·val·or·ous·ly, adverb
non·val·or·ous·ness, noun
20 May 2013
vox populi
[voks pop-yuh-lahy]
noun
– the voice of the people; popular opinion.
Origin: < Latin vōx populī >
19 May 2013
veneer
[vuh-neer]
noun
1. a thin layer of wood or other material for facing or inlaying wood.
2. any of the thin layers of wood glued together to form plywood.
3. Building Trades. a facing of a certain material applied to a different one or to a type of construction not ordinarily associated with it, as a facing of brick applied to a frame house.
4. a superficially valuable or pleasing appearance: a cruel person with a veneer of kindliness.
verb (used with object)
5. to overlay or face (wood) with thin sheets of some material, as a fine wood, ivory, or tortoise shell.
6. to face or cover (an object) with any material that is more desirable as a surface material than the basic material of the object; revet.
7. to cement (layers of wood veneer) to form plywood.
8. to give a superficially valuable or pleasing appearance to.
18 May 2013
visage
[viz-ij]
noun
1. the face, usually with reference to shape, features, expression, etc.; countenance.
2. aspect; appearance.
Origin:
1250–1300; Middle English < Anglo-French, Old French, equivalent to vis face (< Latin vīsum sight, appearance ( Vulgar Latin: face), noun use of neuter past participle of vidēre to see) + -age -age
Related forms
vis·aged, adjective
Synonyms
1. physiognomy, image. See face.
17 May 2013
vicissitude
[vi-sis-i-tood, -tyood]
noun
1. a change or variation occurring in the course of something.
2. interchange or alternation, as of states or things.
3. vicissitudes, successive, alternating, or changing phases or conditions, as of life or fortune; ups and downs: They remained friends through the vicissitudes of 40 years.
4. regular change or succession of one state or thing to another.
5. change; mutation; mutability.
Origin:
1560–70; < Latin vicissitūdō, equivalent to viciss ( im ) in turn (perhaps by syncope < *vice-cessim; vice in the place of (see vice3 ) + cessim giving way, adv. derivative of cēdere to go, proceed) + -i- -i- -tūdō -tude
Related forms
vi·cis·si·tu·di·nous, adjective
16 May 2013
Voilà
[vwah-lah; French vwa-la]
interjection
– (used to express success or satisfaction). Voilà, my new winter outfit!
Also, voi·la.
Origin:
1825–35; < French, equivalent to voi see! (2nd person singular imperative of voir to see) + la there
Can be confused: viola, voilà.
15 May 2013
dramatis personae
[dram-uh-tis per-soh-nee, drah-muh-]
(noun)
1. (used with a pl. v.) the characters in a play
2. (used with a sing. v.) list of the characters preceding the text of a play
Example:
‘But on this most auspicious of nights … permit me then, in lieu of the more commonplace sobriquet … to suggest the character of this dramatis personae’.
– V, from V for Vendetta
synonyms: actors, actresses, artists, characters
14 May 2013
curmudgeon
[ker-muhj-uhn]
noun
– a bad-tempered, difficult, cantankerous person.
Origin:
1570–80; unexplained; perhaps cur- representing cur
Related forms
cur·mudg·eon·ly, adjective
Synonyms
grouch, crank, bear, sourpuss, crosspatch.
13 May 2013
attorn
[uh-turn]
verb (used without object)
1. to acknowledge the relation of a tenant to a new landlord.
verb (used with object)
2. to turn over to another; transfer.
Origin:
1425–75; late Middle English attournen < Anglo-French attourner, Old French atourner to turn over to. See at-, turn
Related forms
at·torn·ment, attorney, noun
13 May 2013
attorn
[uh-turn]
verb (used without object)
1. to acknowledge the relation of a tenant to a new landlord.
verb (used with object)
2. to turn over to another; transfer.
Origin:
1425–75; late Middle English attournen < Anglo-French attourner, Old French atourner to turn over to. See at-, turn
Related forms
at·torn·ment, attorney, noun
12 May 2013
cadre
[kad-ree, kah-drey]
noun
1. Military . the key group of officers and enlisted personnel necessary to establish and train a new military unit.
2. a group of trained or otherwise qualified personnel capable of forming, training, or leading an expanded organization, as a religious or political faction, or a skilled work force: They hoped to form a cadre of veteran party members.
3. (especially in Communist countries) a cell of trained and devoted workers.
4. a member of a cadre; a person qualified to serve in a cadre.
5. a framework, outline, or scheme.
Origin:
1905–10; < French: frame, border, bounds, cadre (metaphorically, the cadre being the framework into which temporary personnel are fit) < Italian quadro < Latin quadrum square; see quadri-
11 May 2013
splenetic
[spli-net-ik]
adjective Also, sple·net·i·cal.
1. of the spleen; splenic.
2. irritable; peevish; spiteful.
3. Obsolete . affected with, characterized by, or tending to produce melancholy.
noun
4. a splenetic person.
Origin:
1535–45; < Late Latin splēnēticus. See splen-, -etic
Related forms
sple·net·i·cal·ly, adverb
un·sple·net·ic, adjective
un·sple·net·i·cal·ly, adverb
Synonyms
2. vexatious, irascible, testy, fretful, touchy, petulant, choleric.
10 May 2013
per se
[pur sey, see, per]
adverb
– by, of, for, or in itself; intrinsically: This candidate is not a pacifist per se, but he is in favor of peaceful solutions when practicable. Synonyms: innately, inherently, indigenously, fundamentally.
Origin:
1565–75; < Latin per sē by itself, translation of Greek kath’ autó
9 May 2013
ad hoc
[ad hok; Latin ahd hohk]
adverb
1. for the special purpose or end presently under consideration: a committee formed ad hoc to deal with the issue.
adjective
2. concerned or dealing with a specific subject, purpose, or end: The ad hoc committee disbanded after making its final report.
Ad hoc can also mean makeshift solutions, shifting contexts to create new meanings, inadequate planning, or improvised events (Wikipedia).
Origin:
1550–60; < Latin ad hōc for this
8 May 2013
logomachy
[loh-gom-uh-kee]
noun
plural lo·gom·a·chies.
1. a dispute about or concerning words.
2. an argument or debate marked by the reckless or incorrect use of words; meaningless battle of words.
3. a game played with cards, each bearing one letter, with which words are formed.
Origin:
1560–70; < Greek logomachía. See logo-, -machy
Related forms
log·o·mach·ic [law-guh-mak-ik, log-uh-] Show IPA , log·o·mach·i·cal, adjective
lo·gom·a·chist, log·o·mach, noun
Example:
‘In totalitarian regimes they have virtually absolute control over the semantic description of society and individuals. In democratic societies, the result may be called logomachy, or the “war of words”. This is the natural semantic consequence of disputes over such ‘essentially contested concepts’ as democracy, freedom, justice, equality and so on’.
– Geoffrey Hughes, Words in Time: A Social History of the English Vocabulary. Blackwell, 1988
7 May 2013
contrail
[kon-treyl]
noun
– a visible condensation of water droplets or ice crystals from the atmosphere, occurring in the wake of an aircraft, rocket, or missile under certain conditions.
Also called condensation trail, exhaust trail, vapor trail.
Origin:
1940–45; con(densation) trail
6 May 2013
limber
[lim-ber]
adjective
1. characterized by ease in bending the body; supple; lithe.
2. bending readily; flexible; pliant.
verb (used without object)
3. to make oneself limber (usually followed by up ): to limber up before the game.
verb (used with object)
4. to make (something) limber (usually followed by up ): She tried to limber up her wits before the exam.
Origin:
1555–65; perhaps akin to limb
5 May 2013
elide
[ih-lahyd]
verb (used with object), e·lid·ed, e·lid·ing.
1. to omit (a vowel, consonant, or syllable) in pronunciation. For example, headlines will often elide words that would otherwise be necessary: ‘Bank made record profit’, which normally would read: ‘The bank made a record profit’.
2. to suppress; omit; ignore; pass over.
3. Law. to annul or quash.
Origin:
1585–95; < Latin ēlīdere to strike out, equivalent to ē- e-1 + -līdere, combining form of laedere to wound
Related forms
un·e·lid·ed, adjective
4 May 2013
aegis
[ee-jis]
noun
1. Classical Mythology . the shield or breastplate of Zeus or Athena, bearing at its center the head of the Gorgon.
2. protection; support: ‘under the imperial aegis’.
3. sponsorship; auspices: ‘a debate under the aegis of the League of Women Voters’.
Also, egis.
Origin:
1695–1705; < Latin < Greek aigís shield of Zeus or Athena, probably from aig- (stem of aíx goat) + -is noun suffix, from a type of shield made of goatskin
Synonyms
3. patronage.
3 May 2013
malapert
[mal-uh-purt]
adjective
1. saucy or impudent, for example ‘a malapert person’.
noun
2. a saucy or impudent person, for example ‘a malapert’.
[C15: from Old French: unskilful (see mal- , expert ); meaning in English influenced by apert frank, from Latin apertus open]
‘malapertly
— adverby
‘malapertness
— noun
2 May 2013
fanfaron
[FAN-fuh-ron]
noun
– A boaster or a braggart.
ETYMOLOGY:
From French fanfaron, from Spanish fanfarrón (braggart), perhaps from Arabic farfar (talkative), of expressive origin. The words fanfaronade and fanfare have the same origin. Earliest documented use: 1622.
USAGE:
“I yelled in his ear congratulations for not spending his egg money on fancy clothes and strutting about like a fanfaron.”
Moritz Thomsen; Living Poor: A Peace Corps Chronicle; University of Washington Press; 1990.
1 May 2013
mojo
[moh-joh]
noun, plural mo·jos, mo·joes.
1. the art or practice of casting magic spells; magic; voodoo.
2. an object, as an amulet or charm, that is believed to carry a magic spell.
3. magical power
Origin:
1925–30, Americanism; compare Gullah moco witchcraft, magic, probably akin to Fulani moco’o medicine man ( c represents voiced palatal stop)
Example:
1. Jim Morrison, former lead singer of the Doors, nicknamed himself ‘Mr Mojo Risin’, which was an anagram of his name.
2. Due to an imbalance in the Force, The Panda’s indomitable Mojo was attracting the most unwanted attention.
