April 2014 – WOTDs

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30 April 2014

artifice

[ahr-tuh-fis]

noun

1. a clever trick or stratagem; a cunning, crafty device or expedient; wile. The Trojan Horse was an artifice the Greeks used to get inside the city of Troy.
2. trickery; guile; craftiness.
3. cunning; ingenuity; inventiveness: a drawing-room comedy crafted with artifice and elegance.
4. a skillful or artful contrivance or expedient.

Origin:
1525–35; < Anglo-French < Latin artificium craftsmanship, art, craftiness, equivalent to arti-, combining form of ars art1 + -fic-, combining form of facere to do1 , make + -ium + -ium

Synonyms
1. subterfuge. See trick. 2. deception, deceit, art, duplicity. See cunning.

Anagram

fat icier
if it care
if I react

29 April 2014

retinue

[ret-n-oo, -yoo]

noun

– a body of retainers in attendance upon an important personage; suite. ‘The Foreign Minister travelled to Asia with a retinue of eager business executives in tow’.

Origin:
1325–75; Middle English retinue < Middle French, noun use of feminine past participle of retenir to retain

Related forms
ret·i·nued, adjective
un·ret·i·nued, adjective

Anagram

reunite

28 April 2014

contemn

[kuhn-tem]

verb (used with object)

– to treat or regard with disdain, scorn, or contempt. ‘He dismissed her with contemn’.

Origin:
1375–1425; late Middle English contempnen (< Middle French ) < Latin contemnere to despise, scorn, equivalent to con- con- + temnere to slight; see contempt

Related forms
con·temn·er [kuhn-tem-er, -tem-ner], con·tem·nor [kuhn-tem-ner], noun
con·tem·ni·ble [kuhn-tem-nuh-buhl], adjective
con·tem·ni·bly, adverb
con·temn·ing·ly, adverb
pre·con·temn, verb (used with object)

Can be confused: condemn, contemn.

Synonyms
scorn, disdain, despise

27 April 2014

disdain

[dis-deyn, dih-steyn]

verb (used with object)

1. to look upon or treat with contempt; despise; scorn. ‘She expressed disdain at the adulation the industry gives to beauty over talent’.
2. to think unworthy of notice, response, etc.; consider beneath oneself: to disdain replying to an insult.
noun
3. a feeling of contempt for anything regarded as unworthy; haughty contempt; scorn.

Origin:
1300–50; (v.) Middle English disdainen < Anglo-French de ( s ) deigner (see dis-1 , deign); (noun) Middle English disdeyn < Anglo-French desdai ( g ) n, derivative of the verb

Related forms
self-dis·dain, noun
un·dis·dain·ing, adjective

Synonyms
1. contemn, spurn. 3. haughtiness, arrogance. See contempt.

Antonyms
1. accept. 3. admiration.

Anagram

dad I sin
said din

26 April 2014

placid

[plas-id]

adjective

– pleasantly calm or peaceful; unruffled; tranquil; serenely quiet or undisturbed: placid waters.

Origin:
1620–30; < Latin placidus calm, quiet, akin to placēre to please (orig., to calm); see -id

Related forms
pla·cid·i·ty [pluh-sid-i-tee], plac·id·ness, noun
plac·id·ly, adverb
un·plac·id, adjective
un·plac·id·ly, adverb
un·plac·id·ness, noun

Synonyms
See peaceful.

Anagram

clad pi
cad lip

25 April 2014

catafalque

[kat-uh-fawk, -fawlk, -falk]

noun

1. a raised structure on which the body of a deceased person lies or is carried in state.
2. a hearse.

Catafalque parties, usually of four members of an armed guard, are mounted around coffins or memorials as a sign of respect, such as during Anzac Day commemorations.

Origin:
1635–45; < French < Italian catafalco < Late Latin *catafalicum scaffold, equivalent to cata- cata- + fal ( a ) wooden siege tower + -icum, neuter of -icus -ic

Anagram

A aqua cleft

24 April 2014

eschew

[es-choo]

verb (used with object)

– to abstain or keep away from; shun; avoid: to eschew evil.

Origin:
1300–50; Middle English eschewen < Old French eschiver, eschever < Germanic; compare Old High German sciuhen, German scheuchen, shy

Related forms
es·chew·al, noun
es·chew·er, noun
un·es·chewed, adjective

Synonyms
circumvent, boycott; forgo.

23 April 2014

Memento mori

Latin

– translates as: ‘remember that you will die’.

A memento mori is an artistic or symbolic reminder of the inevitability of death. It may include skull and skeleton imagery in art. Centuries ago, many homes would have a skull on display as a memento mori. In the Victorian era, it was common to display photos of dead loved ones. Modern tattoos often picture skulls or other death imagery which may, depending on the wearers beliefs, signify mortality.

One well known memento mori was the skull of the ill-fated Yorick, in Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Yorick, a court-jester known to Hamlet, had died. Hamlet comes upon Yorick’s skull in the graveyard. Hamlet, pondering death, holds up Yorick’s skull and forlornly declares, ‘Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio: a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy … ‘.

Anagram

mime omen rot
me moron item
memo nor time
I more moment

22 April 2014

gudgeon

[guhj-uhn]

noun

1. a small, European, freshwater fish, Gobio gobio, of the minnow family, having a threadlike barbel at each corner of the mouth, used as bait.
2. any of certain related fishes.
3. a person who is easily duped or cheated.
4. a bait or allurement.
verb (used with object)
5. to dupe or cheat.

Anagram

ego dung
undo egg

21 April 2014

epitome

[ih-pit-uh-mee]

noun

1. a person or thing that is typical of or possesses to a high degree the features of a whole class: He is the epitome of goodness.
2. a condensed account, especially of a literary work; abstract.

Origin:
1520–30; < Latin epitomē abridgment < Greek epitomḗ abridgment, surface incision. See epi-, -tome

Related forms
ep·i·tom·i·cal [ep-i-tom-i-kuhl] Show IPA , ep·i·tom·ic, adjective

Synonyms
1. embodiment, exemplification, model, typification, quintessence.

Anagram

pie tome

20 April 2014

prodigious

[pruh-dij-uhs]

adjective

1. extraordinary in size, amount, extent, degree, force, etc.: a prodigious research grant.
2. wonderful or marvelous: a prodigious feat.
3. abnormal; monstrous.
4. Obsolete , ominous.

Origin:
1545–55; < Latin prōdigiōsus marvelous. See prodigy, -ous

Related forms
pro·di·gious·ly, adverb
pro·di·gious·ness, noun
un·pro·di·gious, adjective
un·pro·di·gious·ly, adverb
un·pro·di·gious·ness, noun

Can be confused: prodigious, prestigious.

Synonyms
1. enormous, immense, huge, gigantic, tremendous. 2. amazing, stupendous, astounding, wondrous, miraculous.

Antonyms
1. tiny. 2. ordinary.

Anagram

odious grip
I rip us good
I is proud go

19 April 2014

maudlin

[mawd-lin]

adjective

1. tearfully or weakly emotional; foolishly sentimental: a maudlin story of a little orphan and her lost dog.
2. foolishly or mawkishly sentimental because of drunkenness.

Origin:
1500–10; special use of Maudlin, Middle English Maudelen ≪ Late Latin Magdalēnē < Greek Magdalēnḗ Mary Magdalene, portrayed in art as a weeping penitent

Related forms
maud·lin·ism, noun
maud·lin·ly, adverb
maud·lin·ness, noun
un·maud·lin, adjective
un·maud·lin·ly, adverb

Anagram

mud nail

18 April 2014

radical

[rad-i-kuhl]

adjective
1. of or going to the root or origin; fundamental: a radical difference.
2. thoroughgoing or extreme, especially as regards change from accepted or traditional forms: a radical change in the policy of a company.
3. favoring drastic political, economic, or social reforms: radical ideas; radical and anarchistic ideologues.
4. forming a basis or foundation.
5. existing inherently in a thing or person: radical defects of character.
6. Mathematics .
a. pertaining to or forming a root.
b. denoting or pertaining to the radical sign.
c. irrational ( def 5b ) .
7. Grammar . of or pertaining to a root.
8. Botany . of or arising from the root or the base of the stem.

Anagram

air clad

17 April 2014

abnegate

[ab-ni-geyt]

verb (used with object), ab·ne·gat·ed, ab·ne·gat·ing.

1. to refuse or deny oneself (some rights, conveniences, etc.); reject; renounce. Mother Teresa abnegated self to minister to those society had rejected‘.
2. to relinquish; give up. ‘I abnegate smoking‘.

Origin:
1650–60; < Latin abnegātus denied (past participle of abnegāre ). See ab-, negate

Related forms
ab·ne·ga·tion, noun
ab·ne·ga·tor, noun
un·ab·ne·gat·ed, adjective
un·ab·ne·gat·ing, adjective

Anagram

began eat
bean gate
a gnat bee

16 April 2014

umbra

[uhm-bruh]

noun, plural um·bras, um·brae [uhm-bree] Show IPA .

1. shade; shadow.
2. the invariable or characteristic accompaniment or companion of a person or thing.
3. Astronomy.
a. the complete or perfect shadow of an opaque body, as a planet, where the direct light from the source of illumination is completely cut off. ‘The blood moon was fully eclipsed by the Earth’s umbra’.
Compare penumbra (partial or incomplete shadow outside the complete shadow of an opaque body, as a planet).
b. the dark central portion of a sunspot. Compare penumbra (shadowy, indefinite or marginal area)
4. a phantom or shadowy apparition, as of someone or something not physically present; ghost; spectral image.

Origin:
1590–1600; < Latin: shade, shadow

Related forms
um·bral, adjective

Anagram

rumba

15 April 2014

iota

[ahy-oh-tuh]

noun

1. a very small quantity; jot; whit. ‘It didn’t make one iota of difference’.
2. the ninth letter of the greek alphabet (I, ι).
3. the vowel sound represented by this letter.

Origin:
1600–10; < Latin iōta < Greek iôta < Semitic; compare Hebrew yōdh yod

Synonyms
1. bit, particle, atom, grain, mite.

14 April 2014

gratuitous

[gruh-too-i-tuhs, -tyoo-]

adjective

1. given, done, bestowed, or obtained without charge or payment; free; voluntary.
2. being without apparent reason, cause, or justification: a gratuitous insult.
3. Law. given without receiving any return value.

Origin:
1650–60; < Latin grātuītus free, freely given, spontaneous, derivative of grātus thankful, received with thanks (for formation cf. fortuitous); see -ous

Related forms
gra·tu·i·tous·ly, adverb
gra·tu·i·tous·ness, noun
non·gra·tu·i·tous, adjective
non·gra·tu·i·tous·ly, adverb
non·gra·tu·i·tous·ness, noun

Can be confused: gracious, gratis, gratuitous.

Synonyms
2. unnecessary, superfluous, redundant; causeless, unreasonable, groundless, unprovoked, unjustified.

Anagram

guitars out
August trio
ragout suit
go tutu sari

13 April 2014

metanoia

[met-uh-noi-uh]

noun

1. a profound, usually spiritual, transformation; conversion. Example: ‘After years of persecuting Christians, Saul of Tarsus experienced a metanoia, becoming one of the most influential forces in Christendom where he is now better known as the Apostle Paul’.
2. a fundamental change of character. Example: ‘Her metanoia from flibbertigibbet to philosopher was astounding’.
3. the journey of changing one’s heart, mind or self. Example: ‘His metanoia to greater compassion and understanding commenced when he read the wistful and poignant words of the destitute victim’.
4. rhetorical term for self-correction in speech or writing. An example of metanoia in literature:
“One of the greatest myths in the world–and the phrase ‘greatest myths’ is just a fancy way of saying ‘big fat lies’–is that troublesome things get less and less troublesome if you do them more and more”. from (Lemony Snicket, Horseradish: Bitter Truths You Can’t Avoid. HarperCollins, 2007)

Origin:
1870–75; < Greek metánoia change of mind, repentance; see meta-, -noia

Anagram

amen iota
atone aim

12 April 2014

abrogate

[ab-ruh-geyt]

verb (used with object), ab·ro·gat·ed, ab·ro·gat·ing.

1. to abolish by formal or official means; annul by an authoritative act; repeal: to abrogate a law.
2. to put aside; put an end to.

Origin:
1520–30; < Latin abrogātus repealed (past participle of abrogāre ). See ab-, rogation, -ate1

Related forms
ab·ro·ga·ble [ab-ruh-guh-buhl] Show IPA , adjective
ab·ro·ga·tion, noun
ab·ro·ga·tive, adjective
ab·ro·ga·tor, noun
non·ab·ro·ga·ble, adjective

Can be confused: abdicate, abrogate, arrogate, derogate.

Synonyms
1. cancel, revoke, rescind, nullify, void, invalidate.

Antonyms
1. ratify, establish; preserve.

Anagram

bare toga
boat rage

11 April 2014

expatiate

[ik-spey-shee-eyt]

verb (used without object), ex·pa·ti·at·ed, ex·pa·ti·at·ing.

1. to enlarge in discourse or writing; be copious in description or discussion: to expatiate upon a theme.
2. Archaic. to move or wander about intellectually, imaginatively, etc., without restraint.

Origin:
1530–40; < Latin expatiātus past participle of ex ( s ) patiārī to wander, digress, equivalent to ex- ex-1 + spatiārī to walk about, derivative of spatium space; see -ate1

Related forms
ex·pa·ti·a·tion, noun
ex·pa·ti·a·tor, noun

Anagram

a pate exit
tie at apex

10 April 2014

haughty [haw-tee]

adjective, haugh·ti·er, haugh·ti·est.

1. disdainfully proud; snobbish; scornfully arrogant; supercilious: haughty aristocrats; a haughty salesclerk.

2. Archaic. lofty or noble; exalted.

Origin: 1520–30; obsolete haught (spelling variant of late Middle English haute < Middle French < Latin altus high, with h- < Germanic; compare Old High German hok high) + -y1 Related forms haugh·ti·ly, adverb haugh·ti·ness, noun o·ver·haugh·ti·ly, adverb o·ver·haugh·ti·ness, noun o·ver·haugh·ty, adjective

Synonyms 1. lordly, disdainful, contemptuous. See proud. Antonyms 1. humble, unpretentious, unassuming.

Anagram

hay thug hath guy

9 April 2014

pejorative

[pi-jawr-uh-tiv, -jor-, pej-uh-rey-, pee-juh-]

adjective

1. having a disparaging, derogatory, or belittling effect or force: the pejorative affix -ling in princeling.
noun
2. a pejorative form or word, as poetaster.

Example:

The pejorative overtones of the lecture made the students feel terrible.

Origin:
1880–85; < Latin pējōrāt ( us ) (see pejoration) + -ive

Related forms
pe·jo·ra·tive·ly, adverb
non·pe·jo·ra·tive, adjective
non·pe·jo·ra·tive·ly, adverb
un·pe·jo·ra·tive, adjective
un·pe·jo·ra·tive·ly, adverb

Synonyms
1. deprecatory.

Anagram

jeer a pivot
pot are jive
jot via peer

8 April 2014

flibbertigibbet 

[flib-er-tee-jib-it]

noun

1. a chattering or flighty, light-headed person. ‘She’s such a flibbertigibbet’.
2. Archaic. a gossip. ‘The office flibbertigibbets had a field day’.

Origin:
1425–75; late Middle English flepergebet, flipergebet; reduplicative compound of obscure origin

Anagram

Fibber Giblet Bit
Ebb Fibre Big Tilt

7 April 2014

coffle

[kaw-fuhl, kof-uhl]

noun

1. a line of animals, prisoners, or slaves chained and driven along together.  ‘Most reached their destinations in coffles … ‘, from The Fall of the House of Dixie: The Civil War and the Social Revolution that Transformed the South by Bruce Levine.
verb (used with object), cof·fled, cof·fling.
2. to chain in a coffle.

Origin: from Arabic qāfilah caravan

Anagram

of clef

6 April 2014

Morton’s Fork

(MOR-tuhns fork)

noun

– A situation involving choice between two equally undesirable outcomes.

ETYMOLOGY:

After John Morton (c. 1420-1500), archbishop of Canterbury, who was tax collector for the English King Henry VII. To him is attributed Morton’s fork, a neat argument for collecting taxes from everyone: those living in luxury obviously had money to spare and those living frugally must have accumulated savings to be able to pay.

USAGE:

“[Japan’s political elites] face a Morton’s fork between being ignored or being seen as a problem to which there is little solution.”
Michael Auslin; Japan Dissing; The Wall Street Journal (New York); Apr 22, 2010.

Anagram

No fork storm
of stork mom

5 April 2014

assiduous

[uh-sij-oo-uhs]

adjective

1. constant; unremitting: assiduous reading.
2. constant in application or effort; working diligently at a task; persevering; industrious; attentive: an assiduous student.

Origin:
1530–40; < Latin assiduus, equivalent to assid ( ēre ) to sit near, beside, dwell close to (see assess) + -uus deverbal adj. suffix; see -ous

Related forms
as·sid·u·ous·ly, adverb
as·sid·u·ous·ness, noun
un·as·sid·u·ous, adjective
un·as·sid·u·ous·ly, adverb
un·as·sid·u·ous·ness, noun

Synonyms
1. continuous, tireless, persistent. 2. studious, diligent, sedulous.

Antonyms
1, 2. inconstant, lazy.

Anagram

As Duos I Us

4 April 2014

saudade

Saudade (singular) or saudades (plural)
(in Galician, in European Portuguese [saw’dad] and [sawˈdadʒi] or [sawˈdadi] in Brazilian Portuguese)

– a feeling of nostalgic longing for something or someone that one was fond of and which is lost.
It often carries a fatalist tone and a repressed knowledge that the object of longing might really never return.

‘He was overcome with saudade’.

(Galician and Portuguese word)

Anagram

A sad due
as a dude

3 April 2014

nemesis

[nem-uh-sis]

noun, plural nem·e·ses [nem-uh-seez]

1. something that a person cannot conquer, achieve, etc.: The performance test proved to be my nemesis.
2. an opponent or rival whom a person cannot best or overcome.
3. (initial capital letter) Classical Mythology . the goddess of divine retribution.
4. an agent or act of retribution or punishment.

Origin:
< Latin < Greek némesis literally, a dealing out, verbid of némein to dispense (justice); see -sis

Synonyms
1. Waterloo. 4. downfall, undoing, ruin, Waterloo.

Anagram

seems in

2 April 2014

kudo

[koo-doh, kyoo-]

noun, plural ku·dos for 2.

1. honor; glory; acclaim: No greater kudo could have been bestowed.
2. a statement of praise or approval; accolade; compliment: one kudo after another. Kudos to the team.

Origin:
1925–30; back formation from kudos, construed as a plural

1 April 2014

langour

[lang-ger]

noun

1. lack of energy or vitality; sluggishness.
2. lack of spirit or interest; listlessness; stagnation.
3. physical weakness or faintness.
4. emotional softness or tenderness.

Example:

Ceiling fans spin slowly overhead in the tropical languor.

Perhaps he stood in order to avoid the temptation to languor on any decision.

Origin:
1250–1300; < Latin (see languish, -or1 ); replacing Middle English langour sickness, woe < Old French < Latin

Anagram

gaol run

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