noun Psychology
the tendency of verbalization to impair the recall of visual memories, resulting in unreliable eyewitness accounts
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Word 896: 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 895: Teetotum
noun
a small spinning top spun with the fingers, esp. one with four sides lettered to determine whether the spinner has won or lost
Word 893: Diaphoresis
noun technical
sweating, esp. to an unusual degree as a symptom of disease or a side effect of a drug
sweating, esp. to an unusual degree as a symptom of disease or a side effect of a drug
Word 892: Intromission
noun
the action or process of inserting the penis into the vagina in sexual intercourse
the action or process of inserting the penis into the vagina in sexual intercourse
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Word 891: Mobcap
noun
a large soft hat covering all of the hair and typically having a decorative frill, worn indoors by women in the 18th and early 19th centuries
Word 889: Relict
noun
a thing that has survived from an earlier period or in a primitive form
• an animal or plant that has survived while others of its group have become extinct, e.g., the coelacanth
a thing that has survived from an earlier period or in a primitive form
• an animal or plant that has survived while others of its group have become extinct, e.g., the coelacanth
Word 887: Zoea
noun ( pl. zoeae or zoeas)
a larval form of certain crustaceans, such as the crab, having a spiny carapace and rudimentary limbs on the abdomen and thorax
Word 886: Lierne
noun [usu. as adj.] Architecture
(in vaulting) a short rib connecting the bosses and intersections of the principal ribs
(in vaulting) a short rib connecting the bosses and intersections of the principal ribs
Word 884: Odalisque
noun
a female slave or concubine in a harem, esp. one in the seraglio of the sultan of Turkey
a female slave or concubine in a harem, esp. one in the seraglio of the sultan of Turkey
Word 883: Echinus
noun ( pl. -ni)
1. Zoology a sea urchin
2. Architecture a rounded molding below an abacus on a Doric or Ionic capital
Word 878: Vole
noun
a small, typically burrowing, mouselike rodent with a rounded muzzle, found in both Eurasia and North America
Word 877: Trebuchet
noun
a machine used in medieval siege warfare for hurling large stones or other missiles
a machine used in medieval siege warfare for hurling large stones or other missiles
Word 875: Gesso
noun ( pl. -soes)
a hard compound of plaster of Paris or whiting in glue, used in sculpture or as a base for gilding or painting on wood
Word 874: Kale
noun
a hardy cabbage of a variety that produces erect stems with large leaves and no compact head
a hardy cabbage of a variety that produces erect stems with large leaves and no compact head
Word 871: Wall knot
noun
a knot made at the end of a rope by intertwining strands to prevent unraveling or act as a stopper
Word 867: Ulu
noun ( pl. ulus)
a short-handled knife with a broad crescent-shaped blade, used by Eskimo women
Word 863: Zorilla
noun
a black and white carnivorous mammal that resembles a skunk, inhabiting arid regions of southern Africa
Word 862: Terricolous
adjective Zoology
(of an animal such as an earthworm) living on the ground or in the soil
• Botany (of a plant, esp. a lichen) growing on soil or on the ground
(of an animal such as an earthworm) living on the ground or in the soil
• Botany (of a plant, esp. a lichen) growing on soil or on the ground
Word 861: Leachate
noun technical
water that has percolated through a solid and leached out some of the constituents
water that has percolated through a solid and leached out some of the constituents
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Word 860: Puggaree
noun
an Indian turban
• a thin muslin scarf tied around a sun helmet so as to hang down over the wearer's neck and shield it from the sun
Word 859: Nemo dat quod non habet
noun Law
the basic principle that a person who does not own property, esp. a thief, cannot confer it on another except with the true owner's authority
the basic principle that a person who does not own property, esp. a thief, cannot confer it on another except with the true owner's authority
Word 856: Mantelletta
noun ( pl. -tellettas or -tellette)
a sleeveless vestment reaching to the knees, worn by cardinals, bishops, and other high-ranking Roman Catholic ecclesiastics
Monday, December 28, 2009
Word 853: Ischemia
noun Medicine
an inadequate blood supply to an organ or part of the body, esp. the heart muscles
an inadequate blood supply to an organ or part of the body, esp. the heart muscles
Word 852: Stoa
noun
a classical portico or roofed colonnade
• ( the Stoa) the great hall in Athens in which the ancient Greek philosopher Zeno gave the founding lectures of the Stoic school of philosophy
Word 849: Paralipsis
noun Rhetoric
the device of giving emphasis by professing to say little or nothing about a subject
the device of giving emphasis by professing to say little or nothing about a subject
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Word 846: Shahada
noun
the Muslim profession of faith (“there is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah”)
the Muslim profession of faith (“there is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah”)
Word 844: Prior restraint
noun Law
judicial suppression of material that would be published or broadcast, on the grounds that it is libelous or harmful. In U.S. law, the first amendment severely limits the ability of the government to do this
judicial suppression of material that would be published or broadcast, on the grounds that it is libelous or harmful. In U.S. law, the first amendment severely limits the ability of the government to do this
Word 842: Amice
noun
a white linen cloth worn on the neck and shoulders, under the alb, by a priest celebrating the Eucharist
Word 840: Bung
verb [ trans.]
close with a stopper
• ( bung something up) block (something), typically by overfilling it
close with a stopper
• ( bung something up) block (something), typically by overfilling it
Word 839: Vin de pays
noun ( pl. vins de pays pronunc. same)
the third-highest French classification of wine, indicating that the wine meets certain standards including area of production, strength, and quality
• French wine produced locally
the third-highest French classification of wine, indicating that the wine meets certain standards including area of production, strength, and quality
• French wine produced locally
Word 838: Parting shot
noun
a final remark, typically a cutting one, made by someone at the moment of departure
a final remark, typically a cutting one, made by someone at the moment of departure
Word 837: Glacis
noun ( pl. same or -cises)
a gently sloping bank, in particular one that slopes down from a fort, exposing attackers to the defenders' missiles
a gently sloping bank, in particular one that slopes down from a fort, exposing attackers to the defenders' missiles
Word 836: Fid
noun Nautical
a thick peg, wedge, or supporting pin, in particular
• a square wooden or iron bar that takes the weight of a topmast stepped to a lower mast by being passed through holes in both masts
• a conical pin or spike used in splicing rope
Word 834: Wadi
noun ( pl. -dis or -dies)
(in certain Arabic-speaking countries) a valley, ravine, or channel that is dry except in the rainy season
(in certain Arabic-speaking countries) a valley, ravine, or channel that is dry except in the rainy season
Word 832: Famulus
noun ( pl. -li) historical
an assistant or servant, esp. one working for a magician or scholar
an assistant or servant, esp. one working for a magician or scholar
Word 831: Rogues' gallery
noun informal
a collection of photographs of known criminals, used by police to identify suspects
• a collection of people or creatures notable for a certain shared quality or characteristic, typically a disreputable one
a collection of photographs of known criminals, used by police to identify suspects
• a collection of people or creatures notable for a certain shared quality or characteristic, typically a disreputable one
Word 830: Urticaria
noun Medicine
a rash of round, red welts on the skin that itch intensely, sometimes with dangerous swelling, caused by an allergic reaction, typically to specific foods
a rash of round, red welts on the skin that itch intensely, sometimes with dangerous swelling, caused by an allergic reaction, typically to specific foods
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Word 828: Kit bag
noun
a rectangular canvas bag, used esp. for carrying a soldier's clothes and personal possessions
Word 825: Lictor
noun
(in ancient Rome) an officer attending the consul or other magistrate, bearing the fasces, and executing sentences on offenders
(in ancient Rome) an officer attending the consul or other magistrate, bearing the fasces, and executing sentences on offenders
Word 823: Garrote
verb [ trans.]
kill (someone) by strangulation, typically with an iron collar or a length of wire or cord
kill (someone) by strangulation, typically with an iron collar or a length of wire or cord
Word 822: Oriel
oun
a projection from the wall of a building, typically supported from the ground or by corbels
• (also oriel window) a window in such a structure
Word 820: Muleta
noun
a small red cape fixed to a stick, employed by a matador to guide the bull during a bullfight
a small red cape fixed to a stick, employed by a matador to guide the bull during a bullfight
Word 817: Homeotherm
noun Zoology
an organism that maintains its body temperature at a constant level, usually above that of the environment, by its metabolic activity
an organism that maintains its body temperature at a constant level, usually above that of the environment, by its metabolic activity
Word 816: Toilette
noun [in sing.]
the process of washing oneself, dressing, and attending to one's appearance
the process of washing oneself, dressing, and attending to one's appearance
Word 815: Periwig
noun
a highly styled wig worn formerly as a fashionable headdress by both women and men
Word 814: Babiche
noun
rawhide, typically formed into strips, as used by North American Indians for making fastenings, animal snares, snowshoes, etc.
rawhide, typically formed into strips, as used by North American Indians for making fastenings, animal snares, snowshoes, etc.
Word 813: Enfleurage
noun
the extraction of essential oils and perfumes from flowers using odorless animal or vegetable fats
the extraction of essential oils and perfumes from flowers using odorless animal or vegetable fats
Word 808: Ithyphallic
adjective
(esp. of a statue of a deity or other carved figure) having an erect penis
(esp. of a statue of a deity or other carved figure) having an erect penis
Word 806: Wittol
noun
a man who is aware and tolerant of his wife's infidelity; an acquiescent cuckold
a man who is aware and tolerant of his wife's infidelity; an acquiescent cuckold
Word 804: Raphe
noun ( pl. raphae pronunc. same) Anatomy & Biology
a groove, ridge, or seam in an organ or tissue, typically marking the line where two halves fused in the embryo, in particular
• the connecting ridge between the two halves of the medulla oblongata or the tegmentum of the midbrain
• Botany a longitudinal ridge on the side of certain ovules or seeds
• Botany a longitudinal groove in the valve of many diatoms
a groove, ridge, or seam in an organ or tissue, typically marking the line where two halves fused in the embryo, in particular
• the connecting ridge between the two halves of the medulla oblongata or the tegmentum of the midbrain
• Botany a longitudinal ridge on the side of certain ovules or seeds
• Botany a longitudinal groove in the valve of many diatoms
Word 803: Trommel
noun Mining
a rotating cylindrical sieve or screen used for washing and sorting pieces of ore or coal
Word 802: Versicle
noun (usu. versicles)
a short sentence said or sung by the minister in a church service, to which the congregation gives a response
a short sentence said or sung by the minister in a church service, to which the congregation gives a response
Word 800: Incidental music
noun
music used in a film or play as a background to create or enhance a particular atmosphere
music used in a film or play as a background to create or enhance a particular atmosphere
Word 799: Paraphilia
noun Psychiatry
a condition characterized by abnormal sexual desires, typically involving extreme or dangerous activities
a condition characterized by abnormal sexual desires, typically involving extreme or dangerous activities
Word 797: Guiro
noun ( pl. -ros)
a musical instrument with a serrated surface that gives a rasping sound when scraped with a stick, originally made from an elongated gourd and used in Latin American music
Word 796: Digraph
noun
a combination of two letters representing one sound, as in ph and ey
• Printing a character consisting of two joined letters; a ligature
a combination of two letters representing one sound, as in ph and ey
• Printing a character consisting of two joined letters; a ligature
Word 795: Eustasy
noun
a change of sea level throughout the world, caused typically by movements of parts of the earth's crust or melting of glaciers
a change of sea level throughout the world, caused typically by movements of parts of the earth's crust or melting of glaciers
Word 793: Hobnail
noun
a short heavy-headed nail used to reinforce the soles of boots
• a blunt projection, esp. in cut or molded glassware
• glass decorated with such projections
Word 791: Mens rea
noun Law
the intention or knowledge of wrongdoing that constitutes part of a crime, as opposed to the action or conduct of the accused
the intention or knowledge of wrongdoing that constitutes part of a crime, as opposed to the action or conduct of the accused
Word 790: Cyanosis
noun Medicine
a bluish discoloration of the skin resulting from poor circulation or inadequate oxygenation of the blood
a bluish discoloration of the skin resulting from poor circulation or inadequate oxygenation of the blood
Word 789: Haustellum
noun ( pl. haustella) Zoology
the sucking organ or proboscis of an insect or crustacean
the sucking organ or proboscis of an insect or crustacean
Word 788: Radula
(in a mollusk) a rasplike structure of tiny teeth used for scraping food particles off a surface and drawing them into the mouth
Word 787: Letters of administration
plural noun Law
authority to administer the estate of someone who has died without making a will
authority to administer the estate of someone who has died without making a will
Word 786: Enclitic
noun Linguistics
a word pronounced with so little emphasis that it is shortened and forms part of the preceding word, e.g., n't in can't
a word pronounced with so little emphasis that it is shortened and forms part of the preceding word, e.g., n't in can't
Word 785: Mortise
noun
a hole or recess cut into a part, designed to receive a corresponding projection (a tenon) on another part so as to join or lock the parts together
Word 781: Telson
noun Zoology
the last segment in the abdomen, or a terminal appendage to it, in crustaceans, chelicerates, and embryonic insects
Word 777: Astragal
noun
a convex molding or wooden strip across a surface or separating panels, typically semicircular in cross-section
• Architecture a small semicircular molding around the top or bottom of a column
• a wooden molding that covers the gap between a pair of doors or casement windows
• a glazing bar, typically one used in cabinet-making
Word 776: Varix
noun ( pl. varices)
1. Medicine a varicose vein
2. Zoology each of the ridges on the shell of a gastropod mollusk, marking a former position of the aperture
1. Medicine a varicose vein
2. Zoology each of the ridges on the shell of a gastropod mollusk, marking a former position of the aperture
Word 773: Lavabo
noun ( pl. -boes)
(in the Roman Catholic Church) a towel or basin used for the ritual washing of the celebrant's hands at the offertory of the Mass
• ritual washing of this type
• a washing trough in a monastery
Word 772: Waqf
noun ( pl. same)
an endowment made by a Muslim to a religious, educational, or charitable cause
an endowment made by a Muslim to a religious, educational, or charitable cause
Word 768: Houri
noun ( pl. -ris)
a beautiful young woman, esp. one of the virgin companions of the faithful in the Muslim Paradise
a beautiful young woman, esp. one of the virgin companions of the faithful in the Muslim Paradise
Word 767: Skijoring
noun
the action of being pulled over snow or ice on skis by a horse or dog or a motor vehicle, as a sport or recreation activity
the action of being pulled over snow or ice on skis by a horse or dog or a motor vehicle, as a sport or recreation activity
Word 766: Petasus
noun
a hat with a low crown and broad brim, worn in ancient Greece
• Greek Mythology a winged hat of such a type worn by the god Hermes
a hat with a low crown and broad brim, worn in ancient Greece
• Greek Mythology a winged hat of such a type worn by the god Hermes
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Word 765: Therianthropic
adjective
(esp. of a deity) combining the form of an animal with that of a man
Word 762: Comminuted
adjective technical
reduced to minute particles or fragments
• Medicine (of a fracture) producing multiple bone splinters
reduced to minute particles or fragments
• Medicine (of a fracture) producing multiple bone splinters
Word 760: Quince
noun
1. a hard, acid, pear-shaped fruit used in preserves or as flavoring
2. the shrub or small tree that bears this fruit, native to western Asia
Word 757: Jug band
noun
a group of jazz, blues, or folk musicians using simple or improvised instruments such as jugs and washboards
a group of jazz, blues, or folk musicians using simple or improvised instruments such as jugs and washboards
Word 756: Synastry
noun Astrology
comparison between the horoscopes of two or more people in order to determine their likely compatibility and relationship
comparison between the horoscopes of two or more people in order to determine their likely compatibility and relationship
Word 754: Umber
noun
1. a natural pigment resembling but darker than ocher, normally dark yellowish-brown in color ( raw umber) or dark brown when roasted ( burnt umber)
• the color of this pigment
2. a brownish-gray moth with coloring that resembles tree bark
Word 753: Yuppify
verb [ trans.] informal derogatory
make more affluent and upmarket in keeping with the taste and lifestyle of yuppies
make more affluent and upmarket in keeping with the taste and lifestyle of yuppies
Word 752: Lustrate
verb [ trans.]
purify by expiatory sacrifice, ceremonial washing, or some other ritual action
purify by expiatory sacrifice, ceremonial washing, or some other ritual action
Word 751: Introjection
noun Psychoanalysis
the unconscious adoption of the ideas or attitudes of others
the unconscious adoption of the ideas or attitudes of others
Word 750: Gemma
noun ( pl. gemmae) Biology
a small cellular body or bud that can separate to form a new organism
Word 748: Wold
noun [often in place names ] (usu. wolds)
(in Britain) a piece of high, open, uncultivated land or moor
(in Britain) a piece of high, open, uncultivated land or moor
Word 747: Bell's palsy
noun
paralysis of the facial nerve, causing muscular weakness in one side of the face
paralysis of the facial nerve, causing muscular weakness in one side of the face
Word 746: Rusk
noun
a light, dry biscuit or piece of rebaked bread, esp. one prepared for use as baby food
• rebaked bread used as extra filling, for example in sausages, and formerly as rations at sea
Word 745: Champerty
noun Law
an illegal agreement in which a person with no previous interest in a lawsuit finances it with a view to sharing the disputed property if the suit succeeds
an illegal agreement in which a person with no previous interest in a lawsuit finances it with a view to sharing the disputed property if the suit succeeds
Word 743: Anticline
noun Geology
a ridge-shaped fold of stratified rock in which the strata slope downward from the crest
a ridge-shaped fold of stratified rock in which the strata slope downward from the crest
Word 742: Syncopate
verb [ trans.]
1. [usu. as adj.] ( syncopated) displace the beats or accents in (music or a rhythm) so that strong beats become weak and vice versa
2. shorten (a word) by dropping sounds or letters in the middle, as in symbology for symbolology
1. [usu. as adj.] ( syncopated) displace the beats or accents in (music or a rhythm) so that strong beats become weak and vice versa
2. shorten (a word) by dropping sounds or letters in the middle, as in symbology for symbolology
Word 741: Ligate
verb [ trans.] (usu. be ligated) Surgery
tie up or otherwise close off (an artery or vessel)
tie up or otherwise close off (an artery or vessel)
Word 739: Feuilleton
noun
a part of a newspaper or magazine devoted to fiction, criticism, or light literature
• an article printed in such a part
a part of a newspaper or magazine devoted to fiction, criticism, or light literature
• an article printed in such a part
Word 736: Puttee
noun
a long strip of cloth wound spirally around the leg from ankle to knee for protection and support
• a leather legging
Word 735: Monody
noun ( pl. -dies)
1. an ode sung by a single actor in a Greek tragedy
2. a poem lamenting a person's death
1. an ode sung by a single actor in a Greek tragedy
2. a poem lamenting a person's death
Word 734: Terribilità
noun
awesomeness or emotional intensity of conception and execution in an artist or work of art, originally as a quality attributed to Michelangelo by his contemporaries
awesomeness or emotional intensity of conception and execution in an artist or work of art, originally as a quality attributed to Michelangelo by his contemporaries
Monday, December 21, 2009
Word 732: Burgoo
noun
a stew or thick soup, typically made for an outdoor meal
• an outdoor meal at which such food is served
• chiefly Nautical a thick porridge
Word 731: Griot
noun
a member of a class of traveling poets, musicians, and storytellers who maintain a tradition of oral history in parts of West Africa
a member of a class of traveling poets, musicians, and storytellers who maintain a tradition of oral history in parts of West Africa
Word 730: Kitchen-sink
adjective [ attrib.]
(in art forms) characterized by great realism in the depiction of drab or sordid subjects
(in art forms) characterized by great realism in the depiction of drab or sordid subjects
Word 729: Uroboros
noun
a circular symbol depicting a snake, or less commonly a dragon, swallowing its tail, as an emblem of wholeness or infinity
a circular symbol depicting a snake, or less commonly a dragon, swallowing its tail, as an emblem of wholeness or infinity
Word 728: Judder
verb [ intrans.]
(esp. of something mechanical) shake and vibrate rapidly and with force
(esp. of something mechanical) shake and vibrate rapidly and with force
Word 726: Apse
noun
a large semicircular or polygonal recess in a church, arched or with a domed roof, typically at the eastern end, and usually containing the altar
Word 724: Tusche
noun
a greasy black composition, in liquid form or to be mixed with liquids, used as ink for making lithographic drawings
a greasy black composition, in liquid form or to be mixed with liquids, used as ink for making lithographic drawings
Word 721: Claudication
noun Medicine
limping
• (also intermittent claudication) a condition in which cramping pain in the leg is induced by exercise, typically caused by obstruction of the arteries
limping
• (also intermittent claudication) a condition in which cramping pain in the leg is induced by exercise, typically caused by obstruction of the arteries
Word 720: En travesti
adverb & adjective
dressed as a member of the opposite sex, esp. for a theatrical role
dressed as a member of the opposite sex, esp. for a theatrical role
Word 719: Stoup
noun
a basin for holy water, esp. on the wall near the door of a Roman Catholic church for worshipers to dip their fingers in before crossing themselves
Word 718: Influence peddling
noun
the use of position or political influence on someone's behalf in exchange for money or favors
the use of position or political influence on someone's behalf in exchange for money or favors
Word 717: Window box
noun
a long narrow box in which flowers and other plants are grown, placed on an outside windowsill
a long narrow box in which flowers and other plants are grown, placed on an outside windowsill
Word 715: Nocturne
oun
1. Music a short composition of a romantic or dreamy character suggestive of night, typically for piano
2. Art a picture of a night scene
1. Music a short composition of a romantic or dreamy character suggestive of night, typically for piano
2. Art a picture of a night scene
Word 714: Runcible spoon
noun
a fork curved like a spoon, with three broad prongs, one of which has a sharpened outer edge for cutting
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