September 2013 WOTDs

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30 September 2013

limpid

[lim-pid]

adjective
1. clear, transparent, or pellucid, as water, crystal, or air: We could see to the very bottom of the limpid pond.
2. free from obscurity; lucid; clear: a limpid style; limpid prose.
3. completely calm; without distress or worry: a limpid, emotionless existence.
Origin:
1605–15; < Latin limpidus clear. See lymph, -id4

Related forms
lim·pid·i·ty, lim·pid·ness, noun
lim·pid·ly, adverb

29 September 2013

didactic

[dahy-dak-tik]
adjective

1. intended for instruction; instructive: didactic poetry.
2. inclined to teach or lecture others too much: a boring, didactic speaker.
3. teaching or intending to teach a moral lesson.
4. didactics, ( used with a singular verb ) the art or science of teaching.
Also, di·dac·ti·cal.

Origin:
1635–45; < Greek didaktikós apt at teaching, instructive, equivalent to didakt ( ós ) that may be taught + -ikos -ic

Related forms
di·dac·ti·cal·ly, adverb
di·dac·ti·cism, noun
non·di·dac·tic, adjective
non·di·dac·ti·cal·ly, adverb
un·di·dac·tic, adjective

Synonyms
2. pedantic, preachy, donnish, pedagogic.

28 September 2013

fulminate

[fuhl-muh-neyt]

verb, ful·mi·nat·ed, ful·mi·nat·ing, noun
verb (used without object)

1. to explode with a loud noise; detonate.
2. to issue denunciations or the like (usually followed by against ): The minister fulminated against legalized vice.
verb (used with object)
3. to cause to explode.
4. to issue or pronounce with vehement denunciation, condemnation, or the like.
noun
5. one of a group of unstable, explosive compounds derived from fulminic acid, especially the mercury salt of fulminic acid, which is a powerful detonating agent.
Origin:
1375–1425; late Middle English fulminaten < Latin fulminātus (past participle of fulmināre ) thundered, equivalent to fulmin- (stem of fulmen ) thunderbolt, lightning + -ātus -ate1

Related forms
ful·mi·na·tor, noun
ful·mi·na·to·ry [fuhl-muh-nuh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] Show IPA , adjective
non·ful·mi·nat·ing, adjective
un·ful·mi·nat·ed, adjective
un·ful·mi·nat·ing, adjective

27 September 2013

demagogue

[dem-uh-gog, -gawg]

noun, verb, dem·a·gogued, dem·a·gogu·ing.
noun

1. a person, especially an orator or political leader, who gains power and popularity by arousing the emotions, passions, and prejudices of the people.
2. (in ancient times) a leader of the people.
verb (used with object)
3. to treat or manipulate (a political issue) in the manner of a demagogue; obscure or distort with emotionalism, prejudice, etc.
verb (used without object)
4. to speak or act like a demagogue.
Also, dem·a·gog.

Origin:
1640–50; < Greek dēmagōgós a leader of the people, popular leader, equivalent to dêm ( os ) people + agōgós leading, guiding; see -agogue

26 September 2013

subjunctive

[suhb-juhngk-tiv]
Grammar
adjective

1. (in English and certain other languages) noting or pertaining to a mood or mode of the verb that may be used for subjective, doubtful, hypothetical, or grammatically subordinate statements or questions, as the mood of be in if this be treason. Compare imperative ( def 3 ) , indicative ( def 2 ) .
noun
2. the subjunctive mood or mode.
3. a verb in the subjunctive mood or form.
Origin:
1520–30; < Late Latin subjunctīvus, equivalent to subjunct ( us ) (past participle of subjungere to subjoin, equivalent to sub- sub- + jung ( ere ) to join + -tus past participle suffix) + -īvus -ive

Related forms
sub·junc·tive·ly, adverb

Usage note
The subjunctive mood of the verb, once used extensively in English, has largely disappeared today. The subjunctive survives, though by no means consistently, in sentences with conditional clauses contrary to fact and in subordinate clauses after verbs like wish: If the house were nearer to the road, we would hear more traffic noise. I wish I were in Florida.

25 September 2013

fandango

[fan-dang-goh]

noun, plural fan·dan·gos.

1. a lively Spanish or Spanish-American dance in triple time, performed by a man and woman playing castanets.
2. a piece of music for such a dance or one having its rhythm.
3. (especially in the southwest U.S.) a ball or dance.
Origin:
1740–50; < Spanish, of uncertain origin

24 September 2013

pari passu

[pah-ree pahs-soo; English pair-ahy pas-oo, pair-ee]
Latin.
1. with equal pace or progress; side by side.
2. without partiality; equably; fairly.

Example:

The estate was distributed in pari passu to each of the testator’s three children.

23 September 2013

obsequious

[uhb-see-kwee-uhs]

adjective

1. characterized by or showing servile complaisance or deference; fawning: an obsequious bow.
2. servilely compliant or deferential: obsequious servants.
3. obedient; dutiful.
Origin:
1375–1425; late Middle English < Latin obsequiōsus, equivalent to obsequi ( um ) compliance ( obsequ ( ī ) to comply with ( ob- ob- + sequī to follow) + -ium -ium) + -ōsus -ous

Related forms
ob·se·qui·ous·ly, adverb
ob·se·qui·ous·ness, noun
o·ver·ob·se·qui·ous, adjective
o·ver·ob·se·qui·ous·ly, adverb
o·ver·ob·se·qui·ous·ness, noun

Can be confused: obsequies, obsequious.

Synonyms
1. sycophantic, flattering. 2. cringing, submissive. See servile.

22 September 2013

pluviophile

[ploo-vee-oh-fahyl]

noun

– a person or thing who loves rain or thrives in rain.

Example

The song, ‘I’m only happy when it rains’, by Garbage must have been written by a pluviophile.
22 September 2013

pluviophile

[ploo-vee-oh-fahyl]

noun

– a person or thing who loves rain or thrives in rain.

Example

The song, ‘I’m only happy when it rains‘, by Garbage must have been written by a pluviophile.

21 September 2013

apogee

[ap-uh-jee]
noun

1. Astronomy . the point in the orbit of a heavenly body, especially the moon, or of a man-made satellite at which it is farthest from the earth. Compare perigee.
2. the highest or most distant point; climax. Example: ‘The British Empire reached its apogee in the early part of the Twentieth century, after which its power and influence declined’.

Origin:
1585–95; alteration (after French apogée ) of earlier apogaeum < Latin < Greek apógaion ( diástema ) off-earth (distance), neuter of apógaios (adj.), equivalent to apo- apo- + gáïos of the earth, derivative of gaîa, variant of gê the earth

Related forms
ap·o·ge·al, ap·o·ge·an, ap·o·ge·ic, adjective

20 September 2013

pluvial

[ploo-vee-uhl]

adjective
1. of or pertaining to rain, especially much rain; rainy.
2. Geology . occurring through the action of rain.
noun
3. Geology . a rainy period formerly regarded as coeval with a glacial age, but now recognized as episodic and, in the tropics, as characteristic of interglacial ages.
Origin:
1650–60; < Latin pluviālis, equivalent to pluvi ( a ) rain + -ālis -al1

Related forms
in·ter·plu·vi·al, adjective

19 September 2013

earworm

[eer-wurm]

Informal.

noun
1. a tune or part of a song that repeats in one’s mind.
verb (used with object)
2. to work (itself or its way) into a person’s mind: The Pepsi jingles have earwormed their way into my head.
Origin:
1980–85; loan translation of German Ohrwurm ‘catchy tune, earwig’

18 September 2013

theic

[thee-ik]

noun

– a person who drinks excessive amounts of tea.

17 September 2013

stymie

[stahy-mee]

noun, verb, sty·mied, sty·mie·ing.

noun
1. Golf. (on a putting green) an instance of a ball’s lying on a direct line between the cup and the ball of an opponent about to putt.
2. a situation or problem presenting such difficulties as to discourage or defeat any attempt to deal with or resolve it.
verb (used with object)
3. to hinder, block, or thwart.
Also, stymy, stimy.

Origin:
1855–60; origin uncertain

Synonyms
3. stump, mystify, frustrate, confound.

16 September 2013

overmorrow

Oh-vuh(ver)-mawr-oh

noun.

– The day after or following tomorrow.

[Obsolete.] –Bible (1551).

15 September 2013

manqué

[mahng-key; French mahn-key]
adjective
having failed, missed, or fallen short, especially because of circumstances or a defect of character; unsuccessful; unfulfilled or frustrated (usually used postpositively): a poet manqué who never produced a single book of verse.

Example:

And for the bombastic leader, we have the reformer manqué, blithely at work, planning and executing assassination, smiling all the while.

– Norman Pollack

Origin:
1770–80; < French, past participle of manquer to lack, be short of < Italian mancare, derivative of manco lacking, defective < Medieval Latin, Late Latin mancus ( Latin: feeble, literally, maimed, having a useless hand, probably derivative of manus hand)

14 September 2013

succour

[suhk-er]

noun

1. help; relief; aid; assistance.
2. a person or thing that gives help, relief, aid, etc.
verb (used with object)
3. to help or relieve.
Also, especially British, suc·cour.

Origin:
1250–1300; (v.) Middle English sucuren < Old French suc ( c ) urre, socorre < Latin succurrere to go beneath, run to help, equivalent to suc- suc- + currere to run (see current); (noun) Middle English soc ( o ) ur, back formation from sucurs (taken as plural) < Old French < Medieval Latin succursus, equivalent to Latin succur ( rere ) + -sus, var of -tus suffix of v. action

Related forms
suc·cor·a·ble, adjective
suc·cor·er, noun
non·suc·cor, noun
un·suc·cor·a·ble, adjective
un·suc·cored, adjective

Can be confused: succor, sucker.

Synonyms
1, 3. support. 3. See help.

13 September 2013

ablution

[uh-bloo-shuhn]

noun

1. a cleansing with water or other liquid, especially as a religious ritual.
2. the liquid thus used.
3. Usually, ablutions. a washing of the hands, body, etc.

Origin:
1350–1400; Middle English < Latin ablūtiōn- (stem of ablūtiō ), equivalent to ablūt ( us ), past participle of abluere (see abluent) + -iōn- -ion

Related forms
ab·lu·tion·ar·y, adjective

12 September 2013

simpatico

[sim-pah-ti-koh, -pat-i-]

adjective

– congenial or like-minded; likable: I find our new neighbor simpatico in every respect.

Origin:
1860–65; < Italian: literally, sympathetic, equivalent to simpat ( ia ) sympathy + -ico -ic. Compare Spanish simpático, French sympathique, German sympatisch

11 September 2013

internecine

[in-ter-nee-seen, -sahyn, -nes-een, -nes-ahyn]

adjective

1. of or pertaining to conflict or struggle within a group: an internecine feud among proxy holders.
2. mutually destructive.
3. characterized by great slaughter; deadly.
Also, in·ter·ne·cive [in-ter-nee-siv, -nes-iv]

Origin:
1655–65; < Latin internecīnus, internecīvus murderous, equivalent to internec ( āre ) to kill out, exterminate ( inter- inter- + necāre to kill) + -īnus -ine1 , -īvus -ive

10 September 2013

poultice

— n

1. Also called: cataplasm a local moist and often heated application for the skin consisting of substances such as kaolin, linseed, or mustard, used to improve the circulation, treat inflamed areas, etc. a soft, moist mass of cloth, bread, meal, herbs, etc., applied hot as a medicament to the body.
2. slang ( Austral ) a large sum of money, esp a debt

[C16: from earlier pultes, from Latin puls a thick porridge]

9 September 2013

credence

[kreed-ns]

noun

1. belief as to the truth of something: to give credence to a claim.
2. something giving a claim to belief or confidence: letter of credence.
3. Also called credence table, credenza. Ecclesiastical . a small side table, shelf, or niche for holding articles used in the Eucharist service.
4. Furniture. credenza ( def 1 ) .

Origin:
1300–50; Middle English < Middle French credence < Medieval Latin crēdentia. See credent, -ence

Related forms
non·cre·dence, noun

Synonyms
1. credit, faith, confidence.

8 September 2013

rout

[rout]

noun

1. a defeat attended with disorderly flight; dispersal of a defeated force in complete disorder: to put an army to rout; to put reason to rout.
2. any overwhelming defeat: a rout of the home team by the state champions.
3. a tumultuous or disorderly crowd of persons.
4. the rabble or mob.
5. Law. a disturbance of the public peace by three or more persons acting together in a manner that suggests an intention to riot although they do not actually carry out the intention.
6. a large, formal evening party or social gathering.
7. Archaic. a company or band of people.

7 September 2013

nuance

[noo-ahns, nyoo-, noo-ahns, nyoo-; French ny-ahns]

noun, plural nu·anc·es [noo-ahn-siz, nyoo-, noo-ahn-siz, nyoo-; French ny-ahns] Show IPA .
1. a subtle difference or distinction in expression, meaning, response, etc.
2. a very slight difference or variation in color or tone.
Origin:
1775–85; < French: shade, hue, equivalent to nu ( er ) to shade (literally, to cloud < Vulgar Latin *nūbāre, derivative of *nūba, for Latin nūbēs cloud) + -ance -ance

Related forms
nu·anced, adjective
un·nu·anced, adjective

Synonyms
1. subtlety, nicety, hint, refinement.

6 September 2013

quaff

[kwof, kwaf, kwawf]

verb (used without object)

1. to drink a beverage, especially an intoxicating one, copiously and with hearty enjoyment.
verb (used with object)
2. to drink (a beverage) copiously and heartily: We spent the whole evening quaffing ale.
noun
3. an act or instance of quaffing.
4. a beverage quaffed.

Origin:
1515–25; origin uncertain

Related forms
quaff·er, noun
out·quaff, verb (used with object)
un·quaffed, adjective

Synonyms
1. swallow, gulp, swig, guzzle.

5 September 2013

mercurial

[mer-kyoor-ee-uhl]

adjective

1. changeable; volatile; fickle; flighty; erratic: a mercurial nature.
2. animated; lively; sprightly; quick-witted.
3. pertaining to, containing, or caused by the metal mercury.
4. (initial capital letter) of or pertaining to the god Mercury.
5. (initial capital letter) of or pertaining to the planet Mercury.

4 September 2013

defenestrate

[dee-fen-uh-streyt]

verb (used with object), de·fen·es·trat·ed, de·fen·es·trat·ing.

– to throw (a person or thing) out of a window.

Example sentence:

I nearly defenestrated my computer.

3 September 2013

mendacious

[men-dey-shuhs]

adjective

1. telling lies, especially habitually; dishonest; lying; untruthful: a mendacious person.
2. false or untrue: a mendacious report.

Origin:
1610–20; < Latin mendāci- (see mendacity) + -ous

Related forms
men·da·cious·ly, adverb
men·da·cious·ness, noun
un·men·da·cious, adjective
un·men·da·cious·ly, adverb

Antonyms
1, 2. veracious.

2 September 2013

flagitious

[fluh-jish-uhs]

adjective

1. shamefully wicked, as persons, actions, or times.
2. heinous or flagrant, as a crime; infamous.

Origin:
1350–1400; Middle English flagicious < Latin flāgitiōsus, equivalent to flāgiti ( um ) shame, scandal + -ōsus -ous

Related forms
fla·gi·tious·ly, adverb
fla·gi·tious·ness, noun
non·fla·gi·tious, adjective
non·fla·gi·tious·ly, adverb
non·fla·gi·tious·ness, noun

Synonym: corrupt

1 September 2013

soiree

[swah-rey]

noun

– an evening party or social gathering, especially one held for a particular purpose: a musical soiree.
Also, soi·rée.

Origin:
1810–20; < French, equivalent to Old French soir evening (< Latin sērō late (adv.), orig. ablative of sērus ) + -ée < Latin -āta, feminine of -ātus -ate1 ; cf. journey

 

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