noun (also barque)
a sailing ship, typically with three masts, in which the foremast and mainmast are square-rigged and the mizzenmast is rigged fore-and-aft
• poetic/ literary a ship or boat
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Word 2339: Bark
noun (also barque)
a sailing ship, typically with three masts, in which the foremast and mainmast are square-rigged and the mizzenmast is rigged fore-and-aft
• poetic/ literary a ship or boat
Word 2337: Scilicet
adverb
that is to say; namely (introducing a word to be supplied or an explanation of an ambiguity)
that is to say; namely (introducing a word to be supplied or an explanation of an ambiguity)
Word 2336: Pons asinorum
noun
the point at which many learners fail, esp. a theory or formula that is difficult to grasp
the point at which many learners fail, esp. a theory or formula that is difficult to grasp
Word 2335: Terrine
noun
a meat, fish, or vegetable mixture that has been cooked or otherwise prepared in advance and allowed to cool or set in its container, typically served in slices
• a container used for such a dish, typically of an oblong shape and made of earthenware
Word 2334: Contralto
noun ( pl. -tos)
the lowest female singing voice
• a singer with such a voice
• a part written for such a voice
the lowest female singing voice
• a singer with such a voice
• a part written for such a voice
Word 2333: Matin
noun
a service of morning prayer in various churches, esp. the Anglican Church
• a service forming part of the traditional Divine Office of the Western Christian Church, originally said (or chanted) at or after midnight, but historically often held with lauds on the previous evening
• (also matin) poetic/literary the morning song of birds
a service of morning prayer in various churches, esp. the Anglican Church
• a service forming part of the traditional Divine Office of the Western Christian Church, originally said (or chanted) at or after midnight, but historically often held with lauds on the previous evening
• (also matin) poetic/literary the morning song of birds
Word 2332: A priori
adjective
relating to or denoting reasoning or knowledge that proceeds from theoretical deduction rather than from observation or experience
relating to or denoting reasoning or knowledge that proceeds from theoretical deduction rather than from observation or experience
Word 2331: Anaglyph
noun
1. Photography a stereoscopic photograph with the two images superimposed and printed in different colors, producing a stereo effect when the photograph is viewed through correspondingly colored filters
2. an object, such as a cameo, embossed or carved in low relief
Word 2330: Post-synch
verb [ trans.]
add a sound recording to (film or video footage) at a later time
add a sound recording to (film or video footage) at a later time
Word 2329: Usufruct
noun Roman Law
the right to enjoy the use and advantages of another's property short of the destruction or waste of its substance
the right to enjoy the use and advantages of another's property short of the destruction or waste of its substance
Word 2328: Tendril
noun
a slender threadlike appendage of a climbing plant, often growing in a spiral form, that stretches out and twines around any suitable support
• something resembling a plant tendril, esp. a slender curl or ringlet of hair
a slender threadlike appendage of a climbing plant, often growing in a spiral form, that stretches out and twines around any suitable support
• something resembling a plant tendril, esp. a slender curl or ringlet of hair
Word 2327: Mandoline
noun
a kitchen utensil consisting of a flat frame with adjustable cutting blades for slicing vegetables
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Word 2323: Bema
noun ( pl. -mas or -mata)
the altar part or sanctuary in ancient and Orthodox churches
• ( bima, bimah) Judaism the podium or platform in a synagogue from which the Torah and Prophets are read
Word 2322: Prexy
noun ( pl. prexies) informal
a president, esp. the president of a college or society
a president, esp. the president of a college or society
Word 2321: Laminal
adjective Phonetics
(of a consonant) formed with the blade of the tongue touching the alveolar ridge (e.g., n, s, t)
(of a consonant) formed with the blade of the tongue touching the alveolar ridge (e.g., n, s, t)
Word 2320: Muster roll
noun
an official list of officers and men in a military unit or ship's company
an official list of officers and men in a military unit or ship's company
Word 2319: Parterre
noun
1. a level space in a garden or yard occupied by an ornamental arrangement of flower beds
2. the part of the ground floor of an auditorium in the rear and on the sides, esp. the part beneath the balcony
Word 2316: Anagenesis
noun Biology
species formation without branching of the evolutionary line of descent
species formation without branching of the evolutionary line of descent
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Word 2315: Tumpline
noun
a sling for carrying a load on the back, with a strap that passes around the forehead
• a strap of this kind
Word 2314: Vermilion
noun
a brilliant red pigment made from mercury sulfide (cinnabar)
• a brilliant red color
a brilliant red pigment made from mercury sulfide (cinnabar)
• a brilliant red color
Word 2313: Palinode
noun
a poem in which the poet retracts a view or sentiment expressed in a former poem
a poem in which the poet retracts a view or sentiment expressed in a former poem
Word 2310: Miles gloriosus
noun ( pl. milites gloriosi)
(in literature) a boastful soldier as a stock figure
(in literature) a boastful soldier as a stock figure
Word 2308: Cenacle
noun
1. a group of people, such as a discussion group or literary clique
2. the room in which the Last Supper was held
1. a group of people, such as a discussion group or literary clique
2. the room in which the Last Supper was held
Word 2306: Makeweight
noun
something put on a scale to make up the required weight
• an extra person or thing needed to complete something; a filler
• an unimportant point added to make an argument seem stronger
something put on a scale to make up the required weight
• an extra person or thing needed to complete something; a filler
• an unimportant point added to make an argument seem stronger
Word 2305: Sacrament of reconciliation
noun
(chiefly in the Roman Catholic Church) the practice of private confession of sins to a priest and the receiving of absolution
(chiefly in the Roman Catholic Church) the practice of private confession of sins to a priest and the receiving of absolution
Word 2304: Tenderfoot
noun ( pl. -foots or -feet)
1. a newcomer or novice, esp. a person unaccustomed to the hardships of pioneer life
2. a Boy Scout of the lowest rank
1. a newcomer or novice, esp. a person unaccustomed to the hardships of pioneer life
2. a Boy Scout of the lowest rank
Word 2300: Draggle
verb [ trans.]
make (something) dirty or wet, typically by trailing it through mud or water
• [ intrans.] hang untidily
• [ intrans.] archaic trail behind others; lag behind
make (something) dirty or wet, typically by trailing it through mud or water
• [ intrans.] hang untidily
• [ intrans.] archaic trail behind others; lag behind
Word 2299: Modus vivendi
noun ( pl. modi vivendi) [usu. in sing. ]
an arrangement or agreement allowing conflicting parties to coexist peacefully, either indefinitely or until a final settlement is reached
• a way of living
an arrangement or agreement allowing conflicting parties to coexist peacefully, either indefinitely or until a final settlement is reached
• a way of living
Word 2298: Sippet
noun
a small piece of bread or toast, used to dip into soup or sauce or as a garnish
a small piece of bread or toast, used to dip into soup or sauce or as a garnish
Word 2296: Plongeur
noun
a person employed to wash dishes and carry out other menial tasks in a restaurant or hotel
a person employed to wash dishes and carry out other menial tasks in a restaurant or hotel
Word 2295: Épater
verb (in phrase épater les bourgeois)
shock people who are conventional or complacent
shock people who are conventional or complacent
Word 2292: Swabbie
noun ( pl. -bies) Nautical slang
a member of the navy, typically one who is of low rank
a member of the navy, typically one who is of low rank
Word 2291: Fauces
plural noun Anatomy
the arched opening at the back of the mouth leading to the pharynx
the arched opening at the back of the mouth leading to the pharynx
Word 2290: Groundling
noun
1. a spectator or reader of inferior taste, such as a member of a theater audience who traditionally stood in the pit beneath the stage
2. a person on the ground as opposed to one in a spacecraft or aircraft
3. a fish that lives at the bottom of lakes and streams, esp. a gudgeon or loach
4. a creeping or dwarf plant
1. a spectator or reader of inferior taste, such as a member of a theater audience who traditionally stood in the pit beneath the stage
2. a person on the ground as opposed to one in a spacecraft or aircraft
3. a fish that lives at the bottom of lakes and streams, esp. a gudgeon or loach
4. a creeping or dwarf plant
Word 2289: Berm
noun
a flat strip of land, raised bank, or terrace bordering a river or canal
• a path or grass strip beside a road
• an artificial ridge or embankment, e.g., as a defense against tanks
• a narrow space, esp. one between a ditch and the base of a parapet
Word 2288: Tubal ligation
noun
a surgical procedure for female sterilization that involves severing and tying the fallopian tubes
a surgical procedure for female sterilization that involves severing and tying the fallopian tubes
Word 2287: Xylophagous
adjective Zoology
(esp. of an insect larva or mollusk) feeding on or boring into wood
(esp. of an insect larva or mollusk) feeding on or boring into wood
Word 2286: Humectant
noun
a substance, esp. a skin lotion or a food additive, used to reduce the loss of moisture
a substance, esp. a skin lotion or a food additive, used to reduce the loss of moisture
Word 2285: Starburst
noun
a pattern of lines or rays radiating from a central object or source of light
• an explosion producing such an effect
• a camera lens attachment that produces a pattern of rays around the image of a source of light
• a period of intense activity in a galaxy involving the formation of stars
Word 2281: Hank
noun
1. a coil or skein of yarn, hair, rope, or other material
2. a measurement of the length per unit mass of cloth or yarn, which varies according to the type being measured. For example, a hank is equal to 840 yards for cotton yarn and 560 yards for worsted
3. Sailing a ring for securing a staysail to the stay
Word 2276: Sapphic
adjective
1. formal or humorous of or relating to lesbians or lesbianism
2. ( Sapphic) of or relating to Sappho or her poetry
1. formal or humorous of or relating to lesbians or lesbianism
2. ( Sapphic) of or relating to Sappho or her poetry
Word 2273: Socle
noun Architecture
a plain low block or plinth serving as a support for a column, urn, statue, etc., or as the foundation of a wall
Word 2272: Rick
noun
a stack of hay, corn, straw, or similar material, esp. one built into a regular shape and thatched
• a pile of firewood somewhat smaller than a cord
• a set of shelving for storing barrels
a stack of hay, corn, straw, or similar material, esp. one built into a regular shape and thatched
• a pile of firewood somewhat smaller than a cord
• a set of shelving for storing barrels
Word 2271: Saprophagous
adjective Biology
(of an organism) feeding on or obtaining nourishment from decaying organic matter
(of an organism) feeding on or obtaining nourishment from decaying organic matter
Word 2270: Fermata
noun Music
a pause of unspecified length on a note or rest
• a mark (𝄐) over a note or rest that is to be lengthened by an unspecified amount
a pause of unspecified length on a note or rest
• a mark (𝄐) over a note or rest that is to be lengthened by an unspecified amount
Word 2269: Taenia
noun ( pl. -niae or -nias)
1. Anatomy a flat ribbonlike structure in the body
• ( taeniae coli) the smooth longitudinal muscles of the colon
2. Architecture a fillet between a Doric architrave and frieze
3. (in ancient Greece) a band or ribbon worn around a person's head
Word 2267: Gorgon
noun Greek Mythology
each of three sisters, Stheno, Euryale, and Medusa, with snakes for hair, who had the power to turn anyone who looked at them to stone
• a fierce, frightening, or repulsive woman
each of three sisters, Stheno, Euryale, and Medusa, with snakes for hair, who had the power to turn anyone who looked at them to stone
• a fierce, frightening, or repulsive woman
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Word 2265: Pinking shears
plural noun
shears with a serrated blade, used to cut a zigzag edge in fabric to prevent it from fraying
Word 2263: A fortiori
adverb & adjective
used to express a conclusion for which there is stronger evidence than for a previously accepted one
used to express a conclusion for which there is stronger evidence than for a previously accepted one
Word 2261: Altocumulus
noun ( pl. -li)
cloud forming a layer of rounded masses with a level base, occurring at medium altitude, usually 6,500–23,000 feet (2–7 km)
cloud forming a layer of rounded masses with a level base, occurring at medium altitude, usually 6,500–23,000 feet (2–7 km)
Word 2260: Madarosis
noun Medicine
absence or loss of the eyelashes (and sometimes the eyebrows), either as a congenital condition or as a result of an infection
absence or loss of the eyelashes (and sometimes the eyebrows), either as a congenital condition or as a result of an infection
Word 2256: Velar
adjective
1. of or relating to a veil or velum
2. Phonetics (of a speech sound) pronounced with the back of the tongue near the soft palate, as in k and g in English
1. of or relating to a veil or velum
2. Phonetics (of a speech sound) pronounced with the back of the tongue near the soft palate, as in k and g in English
Monday, July 12, 2010
Word 2253: Nidus
noun ( pl. -di or -duses)
a place in which something is formed or deposited; a site of origin
• Medicine a place in which bacteria have multiplied or may multiply; a focus of infection
a place in which something is formed or deposited; a site of origin
• Medicine a place in which bacteria have multiplied or may multiply; a focus of infection
Word 2251: Palingenesis
noun
1. Biology the exact reproduction of ancestral characteristics in ontogenesis
2. rebirth or regeneration
1. Biology the exact reproduction of ancestral characteristics in ontogenesis
2. rebirth or regeneration
Word 2250: Chelicera
noun ( pl. -licerae) Zoology
either of a pair of appendages in front of the mouth in arachnids and some other arthropods, usually modified as pincerlike claws
Word 2248: Melena
noun Medicine
dark sticky feces containing partly digested blood
• the production of such feces, following internal bleeding or the swallowing of blood
dark sticky feces containing partly digested blood
• the production of such feces, following internal bleeding or the swallowing of blood
Word 2247: Synesthesia
noun Physiology & Psychology
the production of a sense impression relating to one sense or part of the body by stimulation of another sense or part of the body
• the poetic description of a sense impression in terms of another sense, as in “a loud perfume” or “an icy voice”
the production of a sense impression relating to one sense or part of the body by stimulation of another sense or part of the body
• the poetic description of a sense impression in terms of another sense, as in “a loud perfume” or “an icy voice”
Word 2246: Martlet
noun Heraldry
a bird like a swallow without feet, borne (typically with the wings closed) as a charge or a mark of cadency for a fourth son
Word 2245: Roman-fleuve
noun ( pl. romans-fleuves pronunc. same)
a novel featuring the leisurely description of the lives of closely related people
• a sequence of related, self-contained novels
a novel featuring the leisurely description of the lives of closely related people
• a sequence of related, self-contained novels
Word 2244: Pastille
noun
a small candy or lozenge
• a small pellet of aromatic paste burned as a perfume or deodorizer
a small candy or lozenge
• a small pellet of aromatic paste burned as a perfume or deodorizer
Word 2243: Chyle
noun Physiology
a milky fluid consisting of fat droplets and lymph. It drains from the lacteals of the small intestine into the lymphatic system during digestion
a milky fluid consisting of fat droplets and lymph. It drains from the lacteals of the small intestine into the lymphatic system during digestion
Word 2241: Trope
noun
a figurative or metaphorical use of a word or expression
• a conventional idea or phrase
a figurative or metaphorical use of a word or expression
• a conventional idea or phrase
Word 2240: Hoodoo
noun
1. voodoo; witchcraft
• a run of bad luck associated with a person or activity
• a person or thing that brings or causes bad luck
2. a column or pinnacle of weathered rock
1. voodoo; witchcraft
• a run of bad luck associated with a person or activity
• a person or thing that brings or causes bad luck
2. a column or pinnacle of weathered rock
Word 2238: Sett
noun
1. the lair or burrow of a badger
2. the particular pattern of stripes in a tartan
Word 2237: Hawse
noun
the part of a ship's bows through which the anchor cables pass
• the space between the head of an anchored vessel and the anchors
the part of a ship's bows through which the anchor cables pass
• the space between the head of an anchored vessel and the anchors
Word 2236: Peri
noun ( pl. peris)
(in Persian mythology) a mythical superhuman being, originally represented as evil but subsequently as a good or graceful genie or fairy
(in Persian mythology) a mythical superhuman being, originally represented as evil but subsequently as a good or graceful genie or fairy
Word 2235: Eth
noun
an Old English letter, ð or Ð, representing the dental fricatives |ð|and |θ|. It was superseded by the digraph th, but is now used as a phonetic symbol for the voiced dental fricative |ð|in the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) system
an Old English letter, ð or Ð, representing the dental fricatives |ð|and |θ|. It was superseded by the digraph th, but is now used as a phonetic symbol for the voiced dental fricative |ð|in the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) system
Word 2233: Völkisch
adjective
(of a person or ideology) populist or nationalist, and typically racist
(of a person or ideology) populist or nationalist, and typically racist
Word 2232: Caryatid
noun ( pl. caryatids or caryatides) Architecture
a stone carving of a draped female figure, used as a pillar to support the entablature of a Greek or Greek-style building
Word 2229: Brougham
noun historical
a horse-drawn carriage with a roof, four wheels, and an open driver's seat in front
• an automobile with an open driver's seat
Word 2228: Belladonna
noun
deadly nightshade
• a drug prepared from the leaves and root of this, containing atropine
deadly nightshade
• a drug prepared from the leaves and root of this, containing atropine
Word 2226: Paralanguage
noun
the nonlexical component of communication by speech, for example intonation, pitch and speed of speaking, hesitation noises, gesture, and facial expression
the nonlexical component of communication by speech, for example intonation, pitch and speed of speaking, hesitation noises, gesture, and facial expression
Word 2219: Metathorax
noun ( pl. -thoraxes or -thoraces) Entomology
the posterior segment of the thorax of an insect, bearing the hind wings
Word 2218: Shaitan
noun
(in Muslim countries) the Devil, Satan, or an evil spirit
• ( shaitan) an evilly disposed, vicious, or cunning person or animal
(in Muslim countries) the Devil, Satan, or an evil spirit
• ( shaitan) an evilly disposed, vicious, or cunning person or animal
Word 2215: Nidifugous
adjective
(of a young bird or other animal) hatched or born in an advanced state and able to feed itself almost immediately
(of a young bird or other animal) hatched or born in an advanced state and able to feed itself almost immediately
Word 2214: Lap joint
noun
a joint made with two pieces of metal, timber, etc., by halving the thickness of each member at the joint and fitting them together
Word 2212: Sirrah
noun archaic
used as a term of address for a man or boy, esp. one younger or of lower status than the speaker
used as a term of address for a man or boy, esp. one younger or of lower status than the speaker
Word 2211: Helot
noun
a member of a class of serfs in ancient Sparta, intermediate in status between slaves and citizens
• a serf or slave
a member of a class of serfs in ancient Sparta, intermediate in status between slaves and citizens
• a serf or slave
Word 2208: Lycée
noun ( pl. pronounced same)
a secondary school in France that is funded by the government
a secondary school in France that is funded by the government
Word 2207: Diachronic
adjective
concerned with the way in which something, esp. language, has developed and evolved through time
concerned with the way in which something, esp. language, has developed and evolved through time
Word 2206: Stent
noun Medicine
a tubular support placed temporarily inside a blood vessel, canal, or duct to aid healing or relieve an obstruction
• an impression or cast of a part or body cavity, used to maintain pressure so as to promote healing, esp. of a skin graft
Word 2203: Clozapine
noun Medicine
a sedative drug of the benzodiazepine group, used to treat schizophrenia
a sedative drug of the benzodiazepine group, used to treat schizophrenia
Word 2202: Torsade
noun
a decorative twisted braid, ribbon, or other strand used as trimming
• an artificial plait of hair
a decorative twisted braid, ribbon, or other strand used as trimming
• an artificial plait of hair
Word 2201: Yoni
noun ( pl. -nis) Hinduism
the vulva, esp. as a symbol of divine procreative energy conventionally represented by a circular stone
the vulva, esp. as a symbol of divine procreative energy conventionally represented by a circular stone
Word 2197: Trousseau
noun ( pl. -seaux pronunc. same, or -seaus)
the clothes, household linen, and other belongings collected by a bride for her marriage
Word 2196: Sprig
noun
a small stem bearing leaves or flowers, taken from a bush or plant
• a descendant or younger member of a family or social class
• a small molded decoration applied to a piece of pottery before firing
a small stem bearing leaves or flowers, taken from a bush or plant
• a descendant or younger member of a family or social class
• a small molded decoration applied to a piece of pottery before firing
Word 2194: Progeria
noun Medicine
a rare syndrome in children characterized by physical signs and symptoms suggestive of premature old age
a rare syndrome in children characterized by physical signs and symptoms suggestive of premature old age
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Word 2193: Glockenspiel
noun
a musical percussion instrument having a set of tuned metal pieces mounted in a frame and struck with small hammers
Word 2192: Entelechy
noun ( pl. -chies) Philosophy
the realization of potential
• the supposed vital principle that guides the development and functioning of an organism or other system or organization
• Philosophy the soul
the realization of potential
• the supposed vital principle that guides the development and functioning of an organism or other system or organization
• Philosophy the soul
Word 2191: Fallacy of composition
noun
the error of assuming that what is true of a member of a group is true for the group as a whole
the error of assuming that what is true of a member of a group is true for the group as a whole
Word 2189: Armature
noun
1. the rotating coil or coils of a dynamo or electric motor
• any moving part of an electrical machine in which a voltage is induced by a magnetic field
• a piece of iron or other object acting as a keeper for a magnet
2. a metal framework on which a sculpture is molded with clay or similar material
3. Biology the protective covering of an animal or plant
Word 2186: Modus tollens
noun
the rule of logic stating that if a conditional statement (“if p then q”) is accepted, and the consequent does not hold ( not-q), then the negation of the antecedent ( not-p) can be inferred
• an argument using this rule
the rule of logic stating that if a conditional statement (“if p then q”) is accepted, and the consequent does not hold ( not-q), then the negation of the antecedent ( not-p) can be inferred
• an argument using this rule
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Word 2180: Mambo
noun ( pl. -bos)
1. a Latin American dance similar in rhythm to the rumba
2. a voodoo priestess
1. a Latin American dance similar in rhythm to the rumba
2. a voodoo priestess
Word 2178: Hosanna
exclamation
(esp. in biblical, Judaic, and Christian use) used to express adoration, praise, or joy
(esp. in biblical, Judaic, and Christian use) used to express adoration, praise, or joy
Word 2177: Panpipes
plural noun
a musical instrument made from a row of short pipes of varying length fixed together and played by blowing across the top
Word 2176: Barracoon
noun historical
an enclosure in which black slaves were confined for a limited period
an enclosure in which black slaves were confined for a limited period
Word 2175: Klezmer
noun ( pl. klezmorim)
traditional eastern European Jewish music
• a musician who plays this kind of music
traditional eastern European Jewish music
• a musician who plays this kind of music
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