adjective technical
of or relating to the sea
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Word 1134: Fricandeau
noun ( pl. -deaux)
a slice of meat, esp. veal, cut from the leg
• a dish made from such meat, usually fried or stewed and served with a sauce
a slice of meat, esp. veal, cut from the leg
• a dish made from such meat, usually fried or stewed and served with a sauce
Word 1133: Inspirit
verb [ trans.] [usu. as adj.] ( inspiriting)
encourage and enliven (someone) : the inspiriting beauty of Gothic architecture
encourage and enliven (someone) : the inspiriting beauty of Gothic architecture
Word 1131: Rattan
noun
the thin pliable stems of a palm, used to make furniture
• a length of such a stem used as a walking stick
Word 1129: Statism
noun
a political system in which the state has substantial centralized control over social and economic affairs
a political system in which the state has substantial centralized control over social and economic affairs
Word 1127: Purlin
noun
a horizontal beam along the length of a roof, resting on a main rafter and supporting the common rafters or boards
Word 1125: Vinous
adjective
of, resembling, or associated with wine
• fond of or influenced by drinking wine
• of the reddish color of wine
of, resembling, or associated with wine
• fond of or influenced by drinking wine
• of the reddish color of wine
Friday, January 29, 2010
Word 1124: Purpura
noun Medicine
a rash of purple spots on the skin caused by internal bleeding from small blood vessels
a rash of purple spots on the skin caused by internal bleeding from small blood vessels
Word 1122: Carbuncle
noun
1. a severe abscess or multiple boil in the skin, typically infected with staphylococcus bacteria
2. a bright red gem, in particular a garnet cut en cabochon
1. a severe abscess or multiple boil in the skin, typically infected with staphylococcus bacteria
2. a bright red gem, in particular a garnet cut en cabochon
Word 1119: Panspermia
noun
the theory that life on the earth originated from microorganisms or chemical precursors of life present in outer space and able to initiate life on reaching a suitable environment
the theory that life on the earth originated from microorganisms or chemical precursors of life present in outer space and able to initiate life on reaching a suitable environment
Word 1118: Ricin
noun Chemistry
a highly toxic protein obtained from the pressed seeds of the castor-oil plant
a highly toxic protein obtained from the pressed seeds of the castor-oil plant
Word 1117: Ikebana
noun
the art of Japanese flower arrangement, with formal display according to strict rules
Word 1114: Tole
noun
painted, enameled, or lacquered tinplate used to make decorative domestic objects
painted, enameled, or lacquered tinplate used to make decorative domestic objects
Word 1113: Picot
noun [ often as adj.]
a small loop or series of small loops of twisted thread in lace or embroidery, typically decorating the border of a fabric
Word 1111: Hetaera
noun ( pl. -taeras or -taerae)
a courtesan or mistress, esp. one in ancient Greece akin to the modern geisha
a courtesan or mistress, esp. one in ancient Greece akin to the modern geisha
Word 1110: Syllepsis
noun ( pl. -ses)
a figure of speech in which a word is applied to two others in different senses (e.g., caught the train and a bad cold) or to two others of which it grammatically suits only one (e.g., neither they nor it is working)
a figure of speech in which a word is applied to two others in different senses (e.g., caught the train and a bad cold) or to two others of which it grammatically suits only one (e.g., neither they nor it is working)
Word 1109: Zibeline
noun
1. a thick soft fabric made of wool and other animal hair, such as mohair, with a flattened silky nap
2. the fur of the sable
1. a thick soft fabric made of wool and other animal hair, such as mohair, with a flattened silky nap
2. the fur of the sable
Word 1106: Skeg
noun
a tapering or projecting stern section of a vessel's keel, which protects the propeller and supports the rudder
• a fin underneath the rear of a surfboard
Word 1105: Encopresis
noun Medicine
involuntary defecation, esp. associated with emotional disturbance or psychiatric disorder
involuntary defecation, esp. associated with emotional disturbance or psychiatric disorder
Word 1104: Pathetic fallacy
noun
the attribution of human feelings and responses to inanimate things or animals, esp. in art and literature
the attribution of human feelings and responses to inanimate things or animals, esp. in art and literature
Word 1102: Baldric
noun
a belt for a sword or other piece of equipment, worn over one shoulder and reaching down to the opposite hip
Word 1099: Desorb
verb [ trans.] Chemistry
cause the release of (an adsorbed substance) from a surface
• [ intrans.] (of an adsorbed substance) become released
cause the release of (an adsorbed substance) from a surface
• [ intrans.] (of an adsorbed substance) become released
Word 1098: Moline
adjective [ postpositive] Heraldry
(of a cross) having each extremity broadened, split, and curved back
Word 1097: Sputum
noun
a mixture of saliva and mucus coughed up from the respiratory tract, typically as a result of infection or other disease and often examined microscopically to aid medical diagnosis
a mixture of saliva and mucus coughed up from the respiratory tract, typically as a result of infection or other disease and often examined microscopically to aid medical diagnosis
Word 1095: Abstract of title
noun Law
a summary giving details of the title deeds and documents that prove an owner's right to dispose of land, together with any encumbrances that relate to the property
a summary giving details of the title deeds and documents that prove an owner's right to dispose of land, together with any encumbrances that relate to the property
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Word 1094: Ragout
noun
a highly seasoned dish of meat cut into small pieces and stewed with vegetables
Word 1093: Haggis
noun ( pl. same)
a Scottish dish consisting of a sheep's or calf's offal mixed with suet, oatmeal, and seasoning and boiled in a bag, traditionally one made from the animal's stomach
a Scottish dish consisting of a sheep's or calf's offal mixed with suet, oatmeal, and seasoning and boiled in a bag, traditionally one made from the animal's stomach
Word 1092: Clickwrap
adjective
denoting a legal agreement for which acceptance is confirmed by clicking on a screen icon, such as for software use
denoting a legal agreement for which acceptance is confirmed by clicking on a screen icon, such as for software use
Word 1088: Sandhi
noun Phonetics
the process whereby the form of a word changes as a result of its position in an utterance (e.g., the change from a to an before a vowel)
the process whereby the form of a word changes as a result of its position in an utterance (e.g., the change from a to an before a vowel)
Word 1086: Seine
noun
a fishing net that hangs vertically in the water with floats at the top and weights at the bottom edge, the ends being drawn together to encircle the fish
Word 1085: Vinculum
noun ( pl. -la) Anatomy
a connecting band of tissue, such as that attaching a flexor tendon to the bone of a finger or toe
a connecting band of tissue, such as that attaching a flexor tendon to the bone of a finger or toe
Word 1083: Paralipsis
noun Rhetoric
the device of giving emphasis by professing to say little or nothing about a subject, as in not to mention their unpaid debts of several million
the device of giving emphasis by professing to say little or nothing about a subject, as in not to mention their unpaid debts of several million
Word 1081: Muumuu
noun
a woman's loose, brightly colored dress, esp. one traditionally worn in Hawaii
Word 1079: Anagenesis
noun Biology
species formation without branching of the evolutionary line of descent
species formation without branching of the evolutionary line of descent
Word 1077: Phoresy
noun Zoology
an association between two organisms in which one (e.g., a mite) travels on the body of another, without being a parasite
an association between two organisms in which one (e.g., a mite) travels on the body of another, without being a parasite
Word 1076: Spica
noun Medicine a bandage folded into a spiral arrangement resembling an ear of wheat or barley
Word 1072: Parvis
noun
an enclosed area in front of a cathedral or church, typically one that is surrounded with colonnades or porticoes
Word 1071: Res gestae
plural noun Law
the events, circumstances, remarks, etc., that relate to a particular case, esp. as constituting admissible evidence in a court of law
the events, circumstances, remarks, etc., that relate to a particular case, esp. as constituting admissible evidence in a court of law
Word 1070: Verruca
noun ( pl. -cae or -cas)
a contagious and usually painful wart on the sole of the foot; a plantar wart
• (in medical use) a wart of any kind
a contagious and usually painful wart on the sole of the foot; a plantar wart
• (in medical use) a wart of any kind
Word 1067: Mako
noun ( pl. -kos)
a large fast-moving oceanic shark with a deep blue back and white underparts
Word 1064: Rathe
adjective poetic/ literary
(of a person or their actions) prompt and eager
• (of flowers or fruit) blooming or ripening early in the year
(of a person or their actions) prompt and eager
• (of flowers or fruit) blooming or ripening early in the year
Word 1063: Haslet
noun
a cold meat preparation consisting of chopped or minced pork offal compressed into a loaf before being cooked
Word 1062: Capriccio
noun ( pl. -os)
a lively piece of music, typically one that is short and free in form
• a painting or other work of art representing a fantasy or a mixture of real and imaginary features
a lively piece of music, typically one that is short and free in form
• a painting or other work of art representing a fantasy or a mixture of real and imaginary features
Word 1058: Lamina
noun ( pl. -nae) technical
a thin layer, plate, or scale of sedimentary rock, organic tissue, or other material
a thin layer, plate, or scale of sedimentary rock, organic tissue, or other material
Word 1057: Velum
noun ( pl. vela)
a membrane or membranous structure, typically covering another structure or partly obscuring an opening, in particular
a membrane or membranous structure, typically covering another structure or partly obscuring an opening, in particular
Word 1056: Symphysis
noun ( pl. -ses)
1. the process of growing together
2. a place where two bones are closely joined, either forming an immovable joint (as between the pubic bones in the center of the pelvis) or completely fused (as at the midline of the lower jaw)
1. the process of growing together
2. a place where two bones are closely joined, either forming an immovable joint (as between the pubic bones in the center of the pelvis) or completely fused (as at the midline of the lower jaw)
Word 1055: Capote
noun historical
a long cloak or coat with a hood, typically part of an army or company uniform
Word 1054: Nipa
noun
a palm tree with creeping roots, characteristic of mangrove swamps in India and the Pacific islands
a palm tree with creeping roots, characteristic of mangrove swamps in India and the Pacific islands
Word 1053: Volvox
noun Biology
a green, single-celled aquatic organism that forms minute, free-swimming spherical colonies
a green, single-celled aquatic organism that forms minute, free-swimming spherical colonies
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Word 1050: Gallipot
noun
a small pot made from glazed earthenware or metal, used by pharmacists to hold medicines or ointments
a small pot made from glazed earthenware or metal, used by pharmacists to hold medicines or ointments
Word 1048: Swage
noun
1. a shaped tool or die for giving a desired form to metal by hammering or pressure
2. a groove, ridge, or other molding on an object
1. a shaped tool or die for giving a desired form to metal by hammering or pressure
2. a groove, ridge, or other molding on an object
Word 1047: Theca
noun ( pl. thecae)
a receptacle, sheath, or cell enclosing an organ, part, or structure, in particular
a receptacle, sheath, or cell enclosing an organ, part, or structure, in particular
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Word 1042: Teocalli
noun ( pl. -lis)
a temple of the Aztecs or other Mexican peoples, typically standing on a truncated pyramid
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Word 1039: Surimi
noun
fish (often pollock) that is minced and rinsed to make a gelatinous paste that is then flavored, reformed into flakes, sticks, or other shapes, and colored
fish (often pollock) that is minced and rinsed to make a gelatinous paste that is then flavored, reformed into flakes, sticks, or other shapes, and colored
Friday, January 22, 2010
Word 1038: Mezuzah
noun ( pl. mezuzahs)
a parchment inscribed with religious texts and attached in a case to the doorpost of a Jewish house as a sign of faith
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Word 1037: Psionic
adjective
relating to or denoting the practical use of psychic powers or paranormal phenomena
relating to or denoting the practical use of psychic powers or paranormal phenomena
Word 1036: Sortilege
noun
the practice of foretelling the future from a card or other item drawn at random from a collection
the practice of foretelling the future from a card or other item drawn at random from a collection
Word 1034: Guidon
noun
a pennant that narrows to a point or fork at the free end, esp. one used as the standard of a light cavalry regiment
Word 1032: Fango
noun [usu. as adj.]
mud from thermal springs in Italy, used in curative treatment at spas and health clubs
mud from thermal springs in Italy, used in curative treatment at spas and health clubs
Word 1030: Dossal
noun
an ornamental cloth hung behind an altar in a church or at the sides of a chancel
Word 1029: Vajra
noun
(in Buddhism and Hinduism) a thunderbolt or mystical weapon, esp. one wielded by the god Indra
(in Buddhism and Hinduism) a thunderbolt or mystical weapon, esp. one wielded by the god Indra
Monday, January 18, 2010
Word 1028: Ward heeler
noun derogatory
a person who assists in a political campaign by canvassing votes for a party and performing menial tasks for its leaders
a person who assists in a political campaign by canvassing votes for a party and performing menial tasks for its leaders
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Word 1026: Tabernacle
noun
1. (in biblical use) a fixed or movable habitation, typically of light construction
• a tent used as a sanctuary for the Ark of the Covenant by the Israelites during the Exodus and until the building of the Temple
2. a meeting place for worship used by some Protestants or Mormons
3. an ornamented receptacle or cabinet in which a pyx or ciborium containing the reserved sacrament may be placed in Catholic churches, usually on or above an altar
4. a partly open socket or double post on a sailboat's deck into which a mast is fixed, with a pivot near the top so that the mast can be lowered
Word 1025: Mikveh
noun ( pl. mikvehs)
a bath in which certain Jewish ritual purifications are performed
• the action of taking such a bath
a bath in which certain Jewish ritual purifications are performed
• the action of taking such a bath
Word 1024: Ciborium
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noun ( pl. -boria)
1. a receptacle shaped like a shrine or a cup with an arched cover, used in the Christian Church for the reservation of the Eucharist
2. a canopy over an altar in a church, standing on four pillars
Word 1023: Parergon
noun ( pl. -ga)
a piece of work that is supplementary to or a byproduct of a larger work
a piece of work that is supplementary to or a byproduct of a larger work
Monday, January 11, 2010
Word 1022: Charnel
noun historical
a building or vault in which corpses or bones are piled
• figurative a place associated with violent death
a building or vault in which corpses or bones are piled
• figurative a place associated with violent death
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Word 1020: Mihrab
noun
a niche in the wall of a mosque, at the point nearest to Mecca, toward which the congregation faces to pray
Word 1019: Lingam
noun Hinduism
a symbol of divine generative energy, esp. a phallus or phallic object worshiped as a symbol of Shiva
a symbol of divine generative energy, esp. a phallus or phallic object worshiped as a symbol of Shiva
Word 1018: Voir dire
noun Law
a preliminary examination of a witness or a juror by a judge or counsel
• an oath taken by such a witness
a preliminary examination of a witness or a juror by a judge or counsel
• an oath taken by such a witness
Word 1017: Infinite regress
noun Logic
a sequence of reasoning or justification that can never come to an end
a sequence of reasoning or justification that can never come to an end
Word 1015: Wetback
noun informal derogatory
a Mexican living in the U.S., esp. one who is an illegal immigrant
a Mexican living in the U.S., esp. one who is an illegal immigrant
Word 1013: Ritual abuse
noun
the alleged sexual abuse or murder of people, esp. children, supposedly committed as part of satanic rituals
the alleged sexual abuse or murder of people, esp. children, supposedly committed as part of satanic rituals
Word 1012: Quilling
noun
a piece of quilled lace or other fabric used as a trim
• a type of ornamental craftwork involving the shaping of paper, fabric, or glass into delicate pleats or folds
Word 1011: Letter missive
noun
a letter from a superior to a group or an individual conveying a command, recommendation, permission, or an invitation
• in the Anglican church, a letter from a monarch to a dean and chapter nominating a person to be elected bishop
a letter from a superior to a group or an individual conveying a command, recommendation, permission, or an invitation
• in the Anglican church, a letter from a monarch to a dean and chapter nominating a person to be elected bishop
Word 1010: Hyperemia
noun Medicine
an excess of blood in the vessels supplying an organ or other part of the body
an excess of blood in the vessels supplying an organ or other part of the body
Word 1009: Trench foot
noun
a painful condition of the feet caused by long immersion in cold water or mud and marked by blackening and death of surface tissue
a painful condition of the feet caused by long immersion in cold water or mud and marked by blackening and death of surface tissue
Word 1006: Elute
verb [ trans.] Chemistry
remove (an adsorbed substance) by washing with a solvent, esp. in chromatography
remove (an adsorbed substance) by washing with a solvent, esp. in chromatography
Word 1004: Castanets
plural noun
small concave pieces of wood, ivory, or plastic, joined in pairs by a cord and clicked together by the fingers as a rhythmic accompaniment to Spanish dancing
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Word 1002: Orphrey
noun ( pl. -phreys)
an ornamental stripe or border, esp. one on an ecclesiastical vestment such as a chasuble
an ornamental stripe or border, esp. one on an ecclesiastical vestment such as a chasuble
Word 1001: Maya
noun Hinduism
the supernatural power wielded by gods and demons to produce illusions
• Hinduism the power by which the universe becomes manifest
• Hinduism & Buddhism the illusion or appearance of the phenomenal world
the supernatural power wielded by gods and demons to produce illusions
• Hinduism the power by which the universe becomes manifest
• Hinduism & Buddhism the illusion or appearance of the phenomenal world
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Word 999: Skive
verb [ trans.] technical
pare (the edge of a piece of leather or other material) so as to reduce its thickness
pare (the edge of a piece of leather or other material) so as to reduce its thickness
Word 996: Ghat
noun
1. (in the Indian subcontinent) a flight of steps leading down to a river
2. (in the Indian subcontinent) a mountain pass
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Word 994: Canalize
verb [ trans. ]
convert (a river) into a navigable canal
• convey (something) through a duct or channel
• figurative give a direction or purpose to (something)
convert (a river) into a navigable canal
• convey (something) through a duct or channel
• figurative give a direction or purpose to (something)
Word 990: Laicize
verb [ trans.] formal
withdraw clerical character, control, or status from (someone or something); secularize
withdraw clerical character, control, or status from (someone or something); secularize
Word 989: Solemnize
verb [ trans.]
duly perform (a ceremony, esp. that of marriage)
• mark with a formal ceremony
duly perform (a ceremony, esp. that of marriage)
• mark with a formal ceremony
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Word 988: Liana
noun
a woody climbing plant that hangs from trees, esp. in tropical rain forests
• the free-hanging stem of such a plant
Word 987: Withy
noun ( pl. withies or withes)
a tough flexible branch of an osier or other willow, used for tying, binding, or basketry
a tough flexible branch of an osier or other willow, used for tying, binding, or basketry
Word 985: Dysgenic
adjective
exerting a detrimental effect on later generations through the inheritance of undesirable characteristics
exerting a detrimental effect on later generations through the inheritance of undesirable characteristics
Monday, January 4, 2010
Word 984: Girandole
noun
1. a branched support for candles or other lights, which either stands on a surface or projects from a wall
2. an earring or pendant with a large central stone surrounded by small ones
Word 983: Shim
noun
a washer or thin strip of material used to align parts, make them fit, or reduce wear
a washer or thin strip of material used to align parts, make them fit, or reduce wear
Word 981: Vérité
noun
a genre of film, television, and radio programs emphasizing realism and naturalism
a genre of film, television, and radio programs emphasizing realism and naturalism
Word 980: Frit
noun
the mixture of silica and fluxes that is fused at high temperature to make glass
• a similar calcined and pulverized mixture used to make soft-paste porcelain or ceramic glazes
Word 979: Aflatoxin
noun Chemistry
any of a class of toxic compounds that are produced by certain molds found in food, and can cause liver damage and cancer
any of a class of toxic compounds that are produced by certain molds found in food, and can cause liver damage and cancer
Word 977: Peplum
noun
a short flared, gathered, or pleated strip of fabric attached at the waist of a woman's jacket, dress, or blouse to create a hanging frill or flounce
Word 976: Shirr
verb [ trans.]
1. gather (an area of fabric or part of a garment) by means of drawn or elasticized threads in parallel rows
2. bake (an egg without its shell)
Word 975: Grabble
verb [ intrans.]
feel or search with the hands; grope about
• sprawl or tumble on all fours
feel or search with the hands; grope about
• sprawl or tumble on all fours
Word 974: Mycosis
noun ( pl. -ses)
a disease caused by infection with a fungus, such as ringworm or thrush
a disease caused by infection with a fungus, such as ringworm or thrush
Word 973: Hypermnesia
noun
unusual power or enhancement of memory, typically under abnormal conditions such as trauma, hypnosis, or narcosis
unusual power or enhancement of memory, typically under abnormal conditions such as trauma, hypnosis, or narcosis
Word 970: Moxa
noun
a downy substance obtained from the dried leaves of an Asian plant related to mugwort
a downy substance obtained from the dried leaves of an Asian plant related to mugwort
Word 967: Syneresis
noun ( pl. -ses)
1. the contraction of two vowels into a diphthong or single vowel
2. Chemistry the contraction of a gel accompanied by the separating out of liquid
1. the contraction of two vowels into a diphthong or single vowel
2. Chemistry the contraction of a gel accompanied by the separating out of liquid
Word 959: Diapir
noun Geology
a domed rock formation in which a core of rock has moved upward to pierce the overlying strata
Word 958: Kewpie
noun trademark
a type of doll characterized by a large head, big eyes, chubby cheeks, and a curl or topknot on top of its head
a type of doll characterized by a large head, big eyes, chubby cheeks, and a curl or topknot on top of its head
Word 957: Imprest
noun
a fund used by a business for small items of expenditure and restored to a fixed amount periodically
• an advance of money made to someone engaged in some business with the state, enabling them to carry out the business
• a sum of money advanced to a person for a particular purpose
a fund used by a business for small items of expenditure and restored to a fixed amount periodically
• an advance of money made to someone engaged in some business with the state, enabling them to carry out the business
• a sum of money advanced to a person for a particular purpose
Word 956: Fomites
plural noun Medicine
objects or materials that are likely to carry infection, such as clothes, utensils, and furniture
objects or materials that are likely to carry infection, such as clothes, utensils, and furniture
Word 955: Tenaculum
noun ( pl. -ula)
a surgical clamp with sharp hooks at the end, used to hold or pick up small pieces of tissue such as the ends of arteries
Word 954: Aphaeresis
noun Linguistics
the loss of a sound or sounds at the beginning of a word, e.g., in the derivation of adder from nadder
the loss of a sound or sounds at the beginning of a word, e.g., in the derivation of adder from nadder
Word 953: Lipogram
noun
a composition from which the writer systematically omits a certain letter or certain letters of the alphabet
a composition from which the writer systematically omits a certain letter or certain letters of the alphabet
Word 950: Fjord
noun
a long, narrow, deep inlet of the sea between high cliffs, as in Norway and Iceland, typically formed by submergence of a glaciated valley
Word 946: Limbus
noun ( pl. -bi) Anatomy
the border or margin of a structure, esp. the junction of the cornea and sclera in the eye
the border or margin of a structure, esp. the junction of the cornea and sclera in the eye
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Word 945: Superfetation
noun Medicine & Zoology
the occurrence of a second conception during pregnancy, giving rise to embryos of different ages in the uterus
• figurative the accretion of one thing on another
the occurrence of a second conception during pregnancy, giving rise to embryos of different ages in the uterus
• figurative the accretion of one thing on another
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