July 2015 WOTDs

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31 July 2015

echelon

[esh-uh-lon]

noun
1. a level of command, authority, or rank:
After years of service, she is now in the upper echelon of city officials.
Synonyms: place, rank, hierarchy, authority, grade, office; row, tier, rung; social standing, position, class, standing.
2. a level of worthiness, achievement, or reputation:
studying hard to get into one of the top echelon colleges.
Synonyms: degree, position, tier.
3. Military. a formation of troops, ships, airplanes, etc., in which groups of soldiers or individual vehicles or craft are arranged in parallel lines, either with each line extending to the right of the one in front (right echelon) or with each line extending to the left of the one in front (left echelon) so that the whole presents the appearance of steps.
4. Military. one of the groups of a formation so arranged.
5. Archaic. any structure or group of structures arranged in a steplike form.
6. Also called echelon grating. Spectroscopy. a diffraction grating that is used in the resolution of fine structure lines and consists of a series of plates of equal thickness stacked in staircase fashion.
verb (used with object), verb (used without object)
7. to form in an echelon.

Origin of echelon
French, Old French
1790-1800; < French échelon, orig. rung of a ladder, Old French eschelon, equivalent to esch (i) ele ladder (< Latin scāla; see scale3) + -on noun suffix

Related forms
echelonment, noun

Word story

Echelon comes from the French échelon, a word whose literal meaning is “rung of a ladder.” Initially it was confined to military use, to refer to a step-like formation of troops.
Ironically, while echelon entered English in a military context, it was the first and second World Wars that extended the meaning to other, nonmilitary, sectors. During World War I, the term took on a more generalized sense of a “level” or “subdivision”; World War II broadened echelon’s usage to describe grades and ranks in professions outside the military.
At the same time, English speakers started using echelon to classify institutions or persons they held in high esteem by referring to them as part of the “upper” or “top” echelon. With this in mind, the phrase “social climber” conjures up the image of people who wish to ascend through the various ladder rungs of society until they reach the top.

Popular references

—Row echelon form: In linear algebra, a simplified form of a matrix in which each non-zero row has more leading zeros than the previous row.
—ECHELON: Code name of a global surveillance system developed by the United States National Security Agency (NSA). It operates by intercepting and processing international communications transmitted via communications satellites.
—Third Echelon: A fictional sub-group of the NSA created by Tom Clancy in his Splinter Cell book series.

Related Quotations

“Beyond [the city] were the suburban homes of laborers and low-echelon executives who had carved brass-knuckled niches for themselves in the medium-income bracket.“
—Irving E. Cox, Jr., The Cartels Jungle (1955)

“If a CEO wavers and shows signs of not being confident of which way he wants to go, it sends shudders from the top echelon all the way down the mountain.“
—D. A. Benton, How to think like a CEO (2000)

“[I]t is a monstrous leap from what [a master] can do to what the elite grandmasters (the Fischers and the Karpovs and the Kasparovs) can do, which is why even the top echelon of players often maintain a base of humility beneath their bluster.“
—Michael Weinreb, Game of Kings: A Year Among the Geeks, Oddballs, and Geniuses Who Make Up America’s. Top High School Chess Team (2007)

“By echelon we mean a formation in which the subdivisions are placed one behind another, extending beyond and unmasking one another either wholly or in part.“
—James Alfred Moss, Manual of Military Training (1914)

“[T]hey echeloned to the right around the hill, and the 1st Platoon fired into their flank for ten to fifteen minutes; however, they never slacked or broke formation.“
—William T. Bowers, The Line: Combat In Korea, January–February 1951, Volume 1 (2008)

Dictionary.com

Anagram

he clone

30 July 2015

racket (1)

[rak-it]

noun
1. a loud noise or clamor, especially of a disturbing or confusing kind; din; uproar:
The traffic made a terrible racket in the street below.
2. social excitement, gaiety, or dissipation.
3. an organized illegal activity, such as bootlegging or the extortion of money from legitimate business people by threat or violence.
4. a dishonest scheme, trick, business, activity, etc.:
the latest weight-reducing racket.
5. Usually, the rackets. organized illegal activities:
Some say that the revenue from legalized gambling supports the rackets.
6. Slang.
an occupation, livelihood, or business.
an easy or profitable source of livelihood.
verb (used without object)
7. to make a racket or noise.
8. to take part in social gaiety or dissipation.

Origin of racket 1
1555-1565; 1890-95 for def 6; metathetic variant of dial. rattick; see rattle1

Can be confused
racket, racquet.

Synonyms
1. tumult, disturbance, outcry. See noise.
Antonyms Expand
1, 2. tranquillity.
racket (2) or racquet (for defs 1, 2, 4)

[rak-it]

noun

1. a light bat having a netting of catgut or nylon stretched in a more or less oval frame and used for striking the ball in tennis, the shuttlecock in badminton, etc.
2. the short-handled paddle used to strike the ball in table tennis.
3. rackets, (used with a singular verb) racquet (def 1).
4. a snowshoe made in the form of a tennis racket.

Origin
1490-1500; < Middle French raquette, rachette, perhaps < Arabic rāḥet, variant of rāḥah palm of the hand

Related forms
racketlike, adjective

Dictionary.com

Examples from the Web for racket

Contemporary Examples

For all who do believe this, the very existence of Israel is a sort of fraud or a racket.
(No Drama Obama’s Israel Ambivalence, James Poulos, July 25, 2014)

The Texas financier Allen Stanford stands accused of a mere $7 billion racket.
(Why Smart People Are Dumb, Morley Safer, February 10, 2010)

They marched through the neighborhood, everybody running outside to see what the racket was all about.
(The Stacks: The Neville Brothers Stake Their Claim as Bards of the Bayou, John Ed Bradley, April 26, 2014)

Anagram

tacker

29 July 2015

baroque

[buh-rohk; French ba-rawk]

adjective

1. (often initial capital letter) of or relating to a style of architecture and art originating in Italy in the early 17th century and variously prevalent in Europe and the New World for a century and a half, characterized by free and sculptural use of the classical orders and ornament, by forms in elevation and plan suggesting movement, and by dramatic effect in which architecture, painting, sculpture, and the decorative arts often worked to combined effect.
2. (sometimes initial capital letter) of or relating to the musical period following the Renaissance, extending roughly from 1600 to 1750.
3. extravagantly ornate, florid, and convoluted in character or style:
the baroque prose of the novel’s more lurid passages.
4. irregular in shape:
baroque pearls.

noun
5. (often initial capital letter) the baroque style or period.
6. anything extravagantly ornamented, especially something so ornate as to be in bad taste.
7. an irregularly shaped pearl.

Origin of baroque

French, Portuguese, Spanish, Medieval Latin
1755-1765; < French < Portuguese barroco, barroca irregularly shaped pearl (of obscure origin; compare Spanish berrueco, barrueco granitic crag, irregular pearl, spherical nodule), probably conflated with Medieval Latin baroco invented word for a kind of obfuscating syllogism

Dictionary.com

Examples from the Web for baroque

Contemporary Examples

It was impossible to focus on the actress, as she was wearing a gown that was as grand—and busy—as a baroque tapestry.
(Rooney Mara, Michelle Williams, Kristen Wiig: 2012 Oscars’ Best, Worst, and Wilted, Robin Givhan
February 26, 2012)

Inside, the club is built like a baroque theater, with a dance floor in the center and rows of loggias up the walls.
(Russia’s Gold Digger Academy, Peter Pomerantsev, November 10, 2014)

The clavecinistes of the French baroque were especially keen on the idea.
(For the Birds! – and Art Lovers, Blake Gopnik, December 9, 2013)

Anagram

qua robe

28 July 2015

extant

[ek-stuh nt, ik-stant]

adjective
1. in existence; still existing; not destroyed or lost:
There are only three extant copies of the document.
2. Archaic. standing out; protruding.

Origin of extant

Latin

1535-1545; < Latin ex (s) tant- (stem of ex (s) tāns) standing out, present participle of exstāre, equivalent to ex- ex-1+ stāre to stand

Related forms
nonextant, adjective

Can be confused
extant, extent.

Dictionary.com

Examples from the Web for extant

Contemporary Examples

Alas, CBS Entertainment chairman Nina Tassler has already said that if extant is a hit like Dome, it will return next year.
(Surprise! Halle Berry’s Career Is ‘Extant’, Jason Lynch, July 8, 2014)

“Today,” Deptula said, “the Russians have an extant significant advantage in their surface to air capabilities”.
(The Pentagon Isn’t Ready for a New Cold War, Jacob Siegel, March 19, 2014.

The only extant copy online is at a Bashar fan site called presidentassad.net.
(Asma-al-Assad Comes Out in Support of Syria’s Brutal Regime, Josh Dzieza, February 7, 2012)

27 July 2015

incorrigible

[in-kawr-i-juh-buh l, -kor-]

adjective

1. not corrigible; bad beyond correction or reform:
incorrigible behavior; an incorrigible liar.
2. impervious to constraints or punishment; willful; unruly; uncontrollable:
an incorrigible child; incorrigible hair.
3. firmly fixed; not easily changed:
an incorrigible habit.
4. not easily swayed or influenced:
an incorrigible optimist.
noun
5. a person who is incorrigible.

Origin of incorrigible
Middle English, Latin
1300-1350; Middle English < Latin incorrigibilis. See in-3, corrigible

Related forms
incorrigibility, incorrigibleness, noun
incorrigibly, adverb

Dictionary.com

Examples from the Web for incorrigible

Contemporary Examples

And Anthony Hopkins as Noah’s hammy 969-year-old grandpa, Methuselah, who was apparently an incorrigible berry addict.
(‘Noah’ Review: An Ambitious, Flawed Biblical Tale That You Have to See, Andrew Romano, March 27, 2014)

Despite his nebbishy demeanor, the Senate majority leader is an incorrigible junkyard dog.
(Why Harry Reid’s Mormon Slur May Be Good for the Church, Michelle Cottle, September 25, 2012)

But there were also many times when either Palmer or Weaver could have written the other off as an incorrigible pain in the ass.
(Will the Real Jim Palmer Please Stand Up, Tom Boswell, September 26, 2014)

Anagram

crib religion
broiling rice
ironic gerbil

26 July 2015

achromatic

[ak-ruh-mat-ik, ey-kruh-]

adjective
1. Optics.
free from color.
able to emit, transmit, or receive light without separating it into colors.
2. Biology. (of a cell structure) difficult to stain.
3. Music. without accidentals or changes in key.

Origin of achromatic
1760-1770; a-6+ chromatic

Related forms
achromatically, adverb

Dictionary.com

Examples from the Web for achromatic

Historical Examples
achromatic lenses are used in all high-grade optical instruments such as telescopes and microscopes.
(Physics, Willis Eugene Tower)

If not, the substitution of an achromatic lens will be of no advantage.
(Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 8, Slice 4, Various)

The achromatic condenser itself should consist of at least two combinations of different powers and of wide angular apertures.
(Photography in the Studio and in the Field, Edward M. Estabrooke)

Anagram

archaic Tom
mac chariot
a trim coach

25 July 2015

acroamatic

Ac`ro`a`mat´ic

a. 1. Communicated orally; oral; – applied to the esoteric teachings of Aristotle, those intended for his genuine disciples, in distinction from his exoteric doctrines, which were adapted to outsiders or the public generally. Hence: Abstruse; profound.
(e.g. acroamatic teaching)

(Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, published 1913 by C. & G. Merriam Co.)

Anagram

Croatia cam
a cacti roam

24 July 2015

philanthropy

[fi-lan-thruh-pee]

noun, plural philanthropies.
1. altruistic concern for human welfare and advancement, usually manifested by donations of money, property, or work to needy persons, by endowment of institutions of learning and hospitals, and by generosity to other socially useful purposes.
2. the activity of donating to such persons or purposes in this way:
to devote one’s later years to philanthropy.
3. a particular act, form, or instance of this activity:
The art museum was their favorite philanthropy.
4. an organization devoted to helping needy persons or to other socially useful purposes.

Origin of philanthropy
Late Latin, Greek
1600-1610; earlier philanthropia < Late Latin < Greek philanthrōpía love for mankind. See phil-, anthropo-, -y3

Dictionary.com

Examples from the Web for philanthropy

Contemporary Examples

The crippled giants should also be extending their philanthropy to a street-eye level.
(How Bankers Screwed Up Their PR, Adam Hanft, February 6, 2009)

Philanthropy supports advocacy which effectively pressures the government to expand its work in the field of economic development.
(A Dangerous Position, Batya Kallus, Ron Gerlitz, November 22, 2012)

Or for Elijah Cummings of Maryland to thank George Soros for his philanthropy.
(Hedge Fund Managers Are the Heroes of this Crisis, Frank Partnoy, November 17, 2008)

Anagram

happily north

23 July 2015

cathect

[kuh-thekt, ka-]

verb (used with object), Psychoanalysis

1. to invest emotion or feeling in (an idea, object, or another person).

Origin of cathect Expand

1930-1935; back-formation from cathectic relating to cathexis
Dictionary.com

Example of usage

‘Mortimer divorced Jane Goodall’s mother, Vanne, in 1950, consigning Jane to the fate of so many children who cathect with the animal kingdom to compensate for missing parents’.
(Judith Lewis; Observing the Observer: Jane Goodall, The Woman Who Redefined Man; Los Angeles Times; Nov 19, 2006)
(wordsmith.org)

Anagram

act etch

22 July 2015

luthier

[loo-tee-er]

noun
1. a maker of stringed instruments, as violins.

Origin of luthier

1875-1880; < French, equivalent to luth lute1+ -ier -ier2

Dictionary.com

Examples from the Web for luthier Expand

Historical Examples

After much giving and taking they became the property of the luthier.
(The Violin, George Hart)

However, he set aside these thoughts, and introduced himself to the luthier as having some Cremona Violins for sale.
(The Violin, George Hart)

The countenance of the luthier brightened when he beheld this unexpected specimen of the Italian’s wares.
(The Violin, George Hart)

Word Origin and History for luthier

n.
‘lute-maker’ 1879, from French luthier, from luth (see lute ).

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper

Anagram

hurt lie
hit rule

21 July 2015

incognito

[in-kog-nee-toh, in-kog-ni-toh]

adjective
1. having one’s identity concealed, as under an assumed name, especially to avoid notice or formal attentions.
adverb
2. with the real identity concealed:
to travel incognito.
noun, plural incognitos for 3, 5.
3. a person who is incognito.
4. the state of being incognito.
5. the disguise or character assumed by an incognito.

Origin of incognito
Italian, Latin
1630-1640; < Italian < Latin incognitus unknown, equivalent to in- in-3+ cognitus, past participle of cognōscere to get to know; see cognition, know1

Synonyms
1. disguised, undisclosed, unidentified.

Dictionary.com

Examples from the Web for incognito

Contemporary Examples

Meanwhile, the free agent incognito recently sought help for “severe mental stress”.
(First Mega-Deal Is Done as the NFL’s Free Agent Scrap Begins, Ben Teitelbaum March 11, 2014)

Saa is now navigating a new life in America as an incognito boarding school student.
(Walking Dead’s Danai Gurira Vs. Boko Haram, Kristi York Wooten, November 29, 2014)

None of this makes what incognito and the Dolphins did any less reprehensible.
(Richie Incognito and the NFL’s Nasty Warrior Culture, Robert Silverman, February 14, 2014)

Anagram

icing onto

20 July 2015

avarice

[av-er-is]

noun
1. insatiable greed for riches; inordinate, miserly desire to gain and hoard wealth.

Origin of avarice
Middle English, Old French, Latin
1250-1300; Middle English < Old French < Latin avāritia, equivalent to avār (us) greedy + -itia -ice

Synonyms
cupidity.

Dictionary.com

Examples from the web for avarice

I am writing it,” she tells us, “and I spill it all out on my lap like very money, like riches, beyond the dreams of avarice.
(Must Reads Allen Barra, Lucy Scholes, Kevin Canfield, Jane Ciabattari October 2, 2011)

It was the age of unbridled excess, avarice, and machismo gone haywire.
(Punk Rock-Feminist Pioneer Kathleen Hanna on Her SXSW Doc and More Marlow Stern March 12, 2013)

TopsyBy Michael Daly A tragic tale of a circus elephant who fell victim to human competition and avarice.
(This Week’s Hot Reads: July 1, 2013 Nicholas Mancusi June 30, 2013)

Anagram

via care
cave air

19 July 2015

jabber

[jab-er]

verb (used with object), verb (used without object)
1. to talk or utter rapidly, indistinctly, incoherently, or nonsensically; chatter.
noun
2. rapid, indistinct, or nonsensical talk; gibberish.

Origin of jabber
1490-1500; apparently imitative; cf. gibber, gab1

Related forms
jabberer, noun
jabberingly, adverb

Dictionary.com

Examples from the Web for jabber

Contemporary Examples

The Gyllenhaal siblings are also a shoo-in, though I fear I would jibber and jabber —and possibly giggle—over Jake.
(My Fantasy Seder Guest List, Emily L. Hauser, March 24, 2013)

Historical Examples

The girl began to jabber, incoherently but Martha Foote passed on through the little hall to the door of the bedroom.
(Cheerful–By Request, Edna Ferber)

Are you goin’ to keep up your jabber when I’m speakin’ to the gentlemen?
(A First Family of Tasajara, Bret Harte)

Anagram

jar ebb

18 July 2015

panoply

[pan-uh-plee]

noun, plural panoplies.
1. a wide-ranging and impressive array or display:
the dazzling panoply of the maharaja’s procession; the panoply of European history.
2. a complete suit of armor.
3. a protective covering.
4. full ceremonial attire or paraphernalia; special dress and equipment.

Origin of panoply
Greek
1570-1580; < Greek panoplía full complement of arms and armor, equivalent to pan- pan- + ( h) ópl (a) arms, armor (cf. hoplite ) + -ia -ia

Related forms
panoplied, adjective
unpanoplied, adjective

Dictionary.com

Examples from the Web for panoply

Contemporary Examples

While a panoply of other circuses operated, these grew even larger.
(We’re All Carnies Now: Why We Can’t Quit the Circus, Anthony Paletta, November 26, 2014)

Just as at the weekend, a panoply of emergency personnel descended on the scene in October.
(Casey Kasem’s Family’s Top 40 Meltdown Moments, Tim Teeman, June 2, 2014)

“Destination,” meanwhile, presents a panoply of nightlife hotspots, serene beaches, and luscious vineyards.
(South African Style and Substance, Paul Laster, June 27, 2010)

Anagram

pony pal
apply on

17 July 2015

paean

[pee-uh n]

noun
1. any song of praise, joy, or triumph.
2. a hymn of invocation or thanksgiving to Apollo or some other ancient Greek deity.

Origin of paean
Greek
1535-1545; < Latin: religious or festive hymn, special use of Paean appellation of Apollo < Greek Paiā́n physician of the gods

Related forms
paeanism, noun

Can be confused
paean, paeon, peon.

Dictionary.com

Examples from the web for paean
If the point was to create a paean to mediocrity, then Linklater has made maybe the definitive work on the subject.
(Black ‘Boyhood’ Is Always Black First, Boy Later Teo Bugbee August 29, 2014)

He spoke movingly about his parents, got a rousing response to every paean to business success and American values.
(Mitt Romney Rocked His Speech—Inside the Republican Convention Bubble Lauren Ashburn August 31, 2012)

Shockingly, this paean to the good old days did not prevail.
(Immigration Ruling No Victory for AZ Gabriel J. Chin, Marc L. Miller June 25, 2012)

Anagram

a pane
an ape

16 July 2015

Pyrrhic victory

noun

1. a victory or goal achieved at too great a cost.

Compare Cadmean victory.

Origin of Pyrrhic victory

Greek

1880-1885; < Greek Pyrrikós; after a remark attributed by Plutarch to Pyrrhus, who declared, after a costly victory over the Romans, that another similar victory would ruin him

Dictionary.com

Examples from the web for Pyrrhic victory

But Howard Kurtz says it could prove a Pyrrhic victory that could threaten his second-term agenda.
(Obama Fiscal Cliff Victory Could Invite Years of Warfare With the GOP Howard Kurtz January 1, 2013)

That sounds like a setup for what is known as a Pyrrhic victory.
(Will Leno Be Funnier at 10? Kim Masters April 13, 2009)

Anagram

pry rich victory
rich crypt ivory

15 July 2015

gerrymander

[jer-i-man-der, ger-]

noun
1. U.S. Politics. the dividing of a state, county, etc., into election districts so as to give one political party a majority in many districts while concentrating the voting strength of the other party into as few districts as possible.
verb (used with object)
2. U.S. Politics. to subject (a state, county, etc.) to a gerrymander.

Origin of gerrymander
1812; after E. Gerry (governor of Massachusetts, whose party redistricted the state in 1812) + (sala)mander, from the fancied resemblance of the map of Essex County, Mass., to this animal, after the redistricting

Related forms
gerrymanderer, noun

Dictionary.com

Examples from the Web for gerrymander

Historical Examples
Consequently, every apportionment act involves more or less of the gerrymander.
(Proportional Representation Applied To Party Government, T. R. Ashworth and H. P. C. Ashworth)

It was from this incident that the word ” gerrymander,” so often heard in politics in these days, took its name.
(The Greater Republic, Charles Morris)

He illustrates a gerrymander which actually made one Democratic vote equal to five Republican votes.
(Proportional Representation Applied To Party Government, T. R. Ashworth and H. P. C. Ashworth)

Anagram

merry garden

14 July 2015

blarney

[blahr-nee]

noun

1. flattering or wheedling talk; cajolery.
2. deceptive or misleading talk; nonsense; hooey:
a lot of blarney about why he was broke.
verb (used with object), verb (used without object), blarneyed, blarneying.
3. to flatter or wheedle; use blarney:
He blarneys his boss with the most shameless compliments.

Origin of blarney

1760-1770; after the hamlet Blarney, in Ireland; see Blarney stone

Dictionary.com

Anagram

ban lyre
learn by

13 July 2015

cozenage

[kuhz-uh-nij]

noun

1. the practice of cozening.
2. the condition of being cozened.

Origin of cozenage

1555-1565; cozen + -age

Dictionary.com

12 July 2015

anfractuous

[an-frak-choo-uh s]

adjective

1. characterized by windings and turnings; sinuous; circuitous:
an anfractuous path.

Origin of anfractuous
1615-1625; back formation from anfractuosity

Dictionary.com

Anagram

fauna courts
A surf toucan
cut sauna for

11 July 2015

legerdemain

[lej-er-duh-meyn]

noun
1. sleight of hand.
2. trickery; deception.
3. any artful trick.

Origin of legerdemain
late Middle English
1400-1450; late Middle English legerdemeyn, lygarde de mayne < Middle French: literally, light of hand

Related forms
legerdemainist, noun

Example

The Opposition party twisted the government’s policy through legal legerdemain.

Dictionary.com

Anagram

realigned me
enameled rig

10 July 2015

alpenglow

[al-puh n-gloh]

noun
1. a reddish glow often seen on the summits of mountains just before sunrise or just after sunset.
Origin of alpenglow Expand

German
1870-1875; < German Alpenglühen, with glow replacing German glühen

Dictionary.com

Examples from the Web for alpenglow

Historical Examples

On August 23, 1869, the evening alpenglow was very fine, though it did not reach its maximum depth and splendour.
(Fragments of science, V. 1-2, John Tyndall)

“No; it is only what people call the alpenglow,” said Bracy softly, for the wondrous beauty of the scene impressed him.
(Fix Bay’nets, George Manville Fenn)

When those glossy domes swim into the alpenglow, wet after rain, you conceive how long and imperturbable are the purposes of God.
(The Land of Little Rain , Mary Austin)

Anagram

Nepal Glow
angel plow

9 July 2015

febrile

[fee-bruh l, feb-ruh l or, esp. British, fee-brahyl]

adjective

1. pertaining to or marked by fever; feverish.

Origin of febrile

Medieval Latin
1645-1655; < New Latin, Medieval Latin febrīlis. See fever, -ile

Related forms

febrility [fi-bril-i-tee], noun
nonfebrile, adjective
postfebrile, adjective
unfebrile, adjective

Dictionary.com

Examples from the web for febrile

– In the febrile atmosphere of Greece waiting for the onslaught everyone knows is coming, secret agents are proliferating.
(The Perfect Spy Thriller for Dads Michael Korda June 17, 2010)

Anagram

be rifle
if rebel
brie elf

8 June 2015

pep

[pep] Informal.

noun
1. lively spirits or energy; vigor; animation.
Verb phrases, past and past participle pepped up, present participle pepping up.
2. pep up, to make or become spirited, vigorous, or lively; animate:
We need something to pep up this party.

Origin of pep

1840-1850; short for pepper

Related forms
pepful, adjective

Dictionary.com

Examples from the web for pep

The pint-size prez gave the pep talk of the year, encouraging people everywhere to take risks and make the world a better place.
(Rob Ford, Kid President, What Did the Fox Say?, and More Viral Videos The Daily Beast Video December 28, 2013)

Even as Team Edwards stumbled irreversibly in the primaries, Baron was quick with a pep talk.
(The Mystery Man of the Edwards Affair Bryan Curtis May 19, 2009)

No pizza shop ever seemed more aptly named as he began a kind of pep talk.
(Bill De Blasio’s Retro Values Are Back in Fashion Michael Daly September 29, 2013)

7 July 2015

fawn (1)

[fawn]

noun
1. a young deer, especially an unweaned one.
2. a light yellowish-brown color.

adjective
3. light yellowish-brown.
verb (used without object)
4. (of a doe) to bring forth young.

Origin of fawn (1)
Middle English, Middle French, Latin
1225-12751225-75; Middle English fawn, foun < Middle French faon, foun, feon ≪ Vulgar Latin *fētōn-, stem of *fētō offspring, derivative of Latin fētus fetus
Related forms Expand
fawnlike, adjective
Can be confused Expand
faun, fawn.

fawn (2)

[fawn]

1. to seek notice or favor by servile demeanor:
The courtiers fawned over the king.
2. (of a dog) to behave affectionately.

Origin
before 1000; Middle English fawnen, Old English fagnian, variant of fægnian to rejoice, make glad, derivative of fægen happy; see fain
Related forms

fawner, noun
fawningly, adverb
fawningness, noun

Synonyms
1. toady, truckle, flatter, kowtow.

Dictionary.com

Examples from the web for fawn

Of course, this could be explained by the admittedly large percentage of the audience composed of fawning film students.
(James and the Giant Internet Company: Franco and AOL Get Kissy Faces Amy Zimmerman September 17, 2014)

Constantino Diaz-Duran on how the Golden Globe-nominated filmmaker dupes his fawning American fan base.
(Is Pedro Almodóvar a Fraud? Constantino Diaz-Duran January 13, 2010)

The fawning strangers ask questions like “What was it like…being shot at?”
(American Dreams: The Essential Book of 2012 Nathaniel Rich December 27, 201

6 July 2015

acquiesce

[ak-wee-es]

verb (used without object), acquiesced, acquiescing.

1. to assent tacitly; submit or comply silently or without protest; agree; consent:
to acquiesce halfheartedly in a business plan.

Origin of acquiesce

Latin

1610-1620; < Latin acquiēscere to find rest in, equivalent to ac- ac- + quiē- (see quiet2) + -sc- inchoative suffix + -ere infinitive suffix

Related forms
acquiescingly, adverb
nonacquiescing, adjective

Synonyms
accede, concur; capitulate.

Antonyms
contest, protest.

Dictionary.com

Examples from the web for acquiesce

Are five crotchety conservative men likely to decide to acquiesce to this change, or fight it?
(The Supreme Court’s Anti-Rainbow Warriors Michael Tomasky March 25, 2013)

So many wish to suppress this history, and it’s good to see Coulter refusing to acquiesce.
(Three Cheers for Ann Coulter David Frum February 1, 2012)

He was force of nature and a force for good that eventually, they had to acquiesce.
(We Need MLK’s Revolutionary Spirit Roland S. Martin January 19, 2014)

5 July 2015

missive

[mis-iv]

noun
1. a written message; letter.
adjective
2. sent or about to be sent, especially of a letter from an official source.

Origin of missive
late Middle English Medieval Latin
1400-1450; late Middle English (letter) missive < Medieval Latin (littera) missīva sent (letter), equivalent to Latin miss (us) (past participle of mittere to send) + -īva, feminine of -īvus -ive

Dictionary.com

Examples from the web for missive

The missive was received back in London by David Barrie, a senior diplomat, who appended his own note.
(British Officials Portrayed Reagan as a “Bozo” Nico Hines, Ben Jacobs April 29, 2014)

To blog from behind bars, Gioeli begins by writing a missive by hand.
(Meet the Mafia’s First Blogger, Tommy Gioeli Michael Daly March 29, 2012)

Still, after the missive, he admitted that he did not vote for the great Barack hope.
(Let the Awards Season Begin Rachel Syme January 6, 2009)

Anagram

miss vie

4 July 2015

coulrophobia

[kool-ruh-foh-bee-uh]

noun
1. an abnormal fear of clowns.

Origin of coulrophobia

Greek

1980-1985; coulro- (perhaps < Greek kolon limb; with sense of ‘stilt-walker’, hence ‘clown’) + -phobia

Related forms
coulrophobic, adjective, noun

Dictionary.com

Anagram

oh lop caribou

3 July 2015

goog

[goog, goo g]

noun, Australian
1. an egg.
Origin of goog Expand
1940-1945; origin uncertain

Dictionary.com

‘full as a goog’ (meaning drunk)

2 July 2015

legerity

[luh-jer-i-tee]

noun
1. physical or mental quickness; nimbleness; agility.

Origin of legerity
Middle French
1555-1565; < Middle French legerete, equivalent to leger (< Vulgar Latin *leviārius; see levity, -ary ) + -ete -ity

Synonyms
lightness, grace, alacrity, celerity.

Dictionary.com

Anagram

I try glee
legit rye

1 July 2015

viscid

[vis-id]

adjective
1. having a glutinous consistency; sticky; adhesive; viscous.
2. Botany. covered by a sticky substance.
Origin of viscid Expand

Late Latin
1625-1635; < Late Latin viscidus, equivalent to Latin visc (um) mistletoe, birdlime made from mistletoe + -idus -id4; see viscous

Related forms
viscidity, viscidness, noun
viscidly, adverb
nonviscid, adjective
nonviscidly, adverb
nonviscidness, noun

Dictionary.com

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