Thursday, April 29, 2010
Word 1945: Compère
noun
a person who introduces the performers or contestants in a variety show; host
a person who introduces the performers or contestants in a variety show; host
Word 1944: Sciamachy
noun
sham fighting for exercise or practice
• argument or conflict with an imaginary opponent
sham fighting for exercise or practice
• argument or conflict with an imaginary opponent
Word 1942: Torc
Word 1940: Pudeur
noun
a sense of shame or embarrassment, esp. with regard to matters of a sexual or personal nature
a sense of shame or embarrassment, esp. with regard to matters of a sexual or personal nature
Word 1939: Lordosis
noun Medicine
excessive inward curvature of the spine
• a posture assumed by some female mammals during mating, in which the back is arched downward
excessive inward curvature of the spine
• a posture assumed by some female mammals during mating, in which the back is arched downward
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Word 1936: Tithe
noun
one tenth of annual produce or earnings, formerly taken as a tax for the support of the church and clergy
• (in certain religious denominations) a tenth of an individual's income pledged to the church
• [ in sing.] a tenth of a specified thing
one tenth of annual produce or earnings, formerly taken as a tax for the support of the church and clergy
• (in certain religious denominations) a tenth of an individual's income pledged to the church
• [ in sing.] a tenth of a specified thing
Word 1934: Caboshed
Word 1931: Nekton
noun Zoology
aquatic animals that are able to swim and move independently of water currents
aquatic animals that are able to swim and move independently of water currents
Word 1930: Sgraffito
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Word 1929: Skein
noun
a length of thread or yarn, loosely coiled and knotted
• a tangled or complicated arrangement, state, or situation
• a flock of wild geese or swans in flight, typically in a V-shaped formation
a length of thread or yarn, loosely coiled and knotted
• a tangled or complicated arrangement, state, or situation
• a flock of wild geese or swans in flight, typically in a V-shaped formation
Word 1928: Floruit
verb
used in conjunction with a specified period or set of dates to indicate when a particular historical figure lived, worked, or was most active
used in conjunction with a specified period or set of dates to indicate when a particular historical figure lived, worked, or was most active
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Word 1927: Protasis
noun ( pl. -ses) Grammar
the clause expressing the condition in a conditional sentence (e.g., if you asked me in if you asked me I would agree)
the clause expressing the condition in a conditional sentence (e.g., if you asked me in if you asked me I would agree)
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Word 1926: Manège
Word 1923: Semasiology
noun
the branch of knowledge that deals with concepts and the terms that represent them
the branch of knowledge that deals with concepts and the terms that represent them
Word 1921: Dyad
noun technical
something that consists of two elements or parts
• Mathematics an operator that is a combination of two vectors
• Chemistry a divalent atom or radical
something that consists of two elements or parts
• Mathematics an operator that is a combination of two vectors
• Chemistry a divalent atom or radical
Word 1917: Laparoscopy
noun ( pl. -pies)
a surgical procedure in which a fiber-optic instrument is inserted through the abdominal wall to view the organs in the abdomen or to permit a surgical procedure
a surgical procedure in which a fiber-optic instrument is inserted through the abdominal wall to view the organs in the abdomen or to permit a surgical procedure
Word 1915: Anaphora
noun
1. Grammar the use of a word referring to or replacing a word used earlier in a sentence, to avoid repetition, such as do in I like it and so do they
2. Rhetoric the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses
1. Grammar the use of a word referring to or replacing a word used earlier in a sentence, to avoid repetition, such as do in I like it and so do they
2. Rhetoric the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses
Word 1912: Flump
verb [ intrans.]
fall or sit down heavily
• [ trans.] set or throw (something) down heavily
fall or sit down heavily
• [ trans.] set or throw (something) down heavily
Word 1909: Teledu
Word 1907: Azan
noun
the Muslim call to ritual prayer, typically made by a muezzin from the minaret of a mosque
the Muslim call to ritual prayer, typically made by a muezzin from the minaret of a mosque
Word 1906: Syllogism
noun
an instance of a form of reasoning in which a conclusion is drawn (whether validly or not) from two given or assumed propositions (premises), each of which shares a term with the conclusion, and shares a common or middle term not present in the conclusion (e.g., all dogs are animals; all animals have four legs; therefore all dogs have four legs)
• deductive reasoning as distinct from induction
an instance of a form of reasoning in which a conclusion is drawn (whether validly or not) from two given or assumed propositions (premises), each of which shares a term with the conclusion, and shares a common or middle term not present in the conclusion (e.g., all dogs are animals; all animals have four legs; therefore all dogs have four legs)
• deductive reasoning as distinct from induction
Word 1904: Margin call
noun Finance
a demand by a broker that an investor deposit further cash or securities to cover possible losses
a demand by a broker that an investor deposit further cash or securities to cover possible losses
Word 1900: Post hoc, ergo propter hoc
phrase
after this, therefore resulting from it: used to indicate that a causal relationship has erroneously been assumed from a merely sequential one
after this, therefore resulting from it: used to indicate that a causal relationship has erroneously been assumed from a merely sequential one
Word 1899: Spiccato
noun
a style of staccato playing on stringed instruments involving bouncing the bow on the strings
a style of staccato playing on stringed instruments involving bouncing the bow on the strings
Word 1898: Metathesis
noun ( pl. -ses)
1. Grammar the transposition of sounds or letters in a word
2. (also metathesis reaction) Chemistry a reaction in which two compounds exchange ions, typically with precipitation of an insoluble product
1. Grammar the transposition of sounds or letters in a word
2. (also metathesis reaction) Chemistry a reaction in which two compounds exchange ions, typically with precipitation of an insoluble product
Word 1896: Godet
Word 1893: Aplasia
noun Medicine
the failure of an organ or tissue to develop or to function normally
the failure of an organ or tissue to develop or to function normally
Word 1892: Jess
Word 1889: Sessile
adjective Biology
(of an organism, e.g., a barnacle) fixed in one place; immobile
• (of a plant or animal structure) attached directly by its base without a stalk or peduncle
(of an organism, e.g., a barnacle) fixed in one place; immobile
• (of a plant or animal structure) attached directly by its base without a stalk or peduncle
Word 1886: Gonzo
adjective informal
of or associated with journalistic writing of an exaggerated, subjective, and fictionalized style
• bizarre or crazy
of or associated with journalistic writing of an exaggerated, subjective, and fictionalized style
• bizarre or crazy
Word 1883: Aphesis
noun Linguistics
the loss of an unstressed vowel at the beginning of a word (e.g., of a from around to form round)
the loss of an unstressed vowel at the beginning of a word (e.g., of a from around to form round)
Word 1881: Sump
noun
a pit or hollow in which liquid collects, in particular
• the base of an internal combustion engine, which serves as a reservoir of oil for the lubrication system
• a depression in the floor of a mine or basement in which water collects
• a cesspool
a pit or hollow in which liquid collects, in particular
• the base of an internal combustion engine, which serves as a reservoir of oil for the lubrication system
• a depression in the floor of a mine or basement in which water collects
• a cesspool
Word 1880: Limen
noun ( pl. limens or limina) Psychology
a threshold below which a stimulus is not perceived or is not distinguished from another
a threshold below which a stimulus is not perceived or is not distinguished from another
Word 1874: Tacet
verb [ intrans.] Music
(as a direction) indicating that a voice or instrument is silent
(as a direction) indicating that a voice or instrument is silent
Word 1873: Fibrin
noun Biochemistry
an insoluble protein formed from fibrinogen during the clotting of blood. It forms a fibrous mesh that impedes the flow of blood
an insoluble protein formed from fibrinogen during the clotting of blood. It forms a fibrous mesh that impedes the flow of blood
Word 1872: Spiv
noun informal
a man, typically characterized by flashy dress, who makes a living by disreputable dealings
a man, typically characterized by flashy dress, who makes a living by disreputable dealings
Word 1870: Petechia
noun ( pl. -chiae) Medicine
a small red or purple spot caused by bleeding into the skin
a small red or purple spot caused by bleeding into the skin
Word 1869: Muzzy
adjective
1. unable to think clearly; confused
• not thought out clearly; vague
2. (of a person's eyes or a visual image) blurred
• (of a sound) indistinct
1. unable to think clearly; confused
• not thought out clearly; vague
2. (of a person's eyes or a visual image) blurred
• (of a sound) indistinct
Word 1868: Fob
verb [ trans.] (fob someone off)
deceitfully attempt to satisfy someone by making excuses or giving them something inferior
• (fob something off on) give (someone) something inferior to or different from what they want
deceitfully attempt to satisfy someone by making excuses or giving them something inferior
• (fob something off on) give (someone) something inferior to or different from what they want
Word 1866: Tant pis
exclamation
so much the worse; the situation is regrettable but now beyond retrieval
so much the worse; the situation is regrettable but now beyond retrieval
Word 1865: Epicritic
adjective Physiology
relating to or denoting those sensory nerve fibers of the skin that are capable of fine discrimination of touch or temperature stimuli
relating to or denoting those sensory nerve fibers of the skin that are capable of fine discrimination of touch or temperature stimuli
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Word 1862: Epizootic
adjective
of, relating to, or denoting a disease that is temporarily prevalent and widespread in an animal population
of, relating to, or denoting a disease that is temporarily prevalent and widespread in an animal population
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Word 1860: Syncope
noun Linguistics
the omission of sounds or letters from within a word, e.g., when probably is pronounced |ˈpräblē|
the omission of sounds or letters from within a word, e.g., when probably is pronounced |ˈpräblē|
Word 1854: Synod
noun
1. an assembly of the clergy and sometimes also the laity in a diocese or other division of a particular church
2. a Presbyterian ecclesiastical court above the presbyteries and subject to the General Assembly
1. an assembly of the clergy and sometimes also the laity in a diocese or other division of a particular church
2. a Presbyterian ecclesiastical court above the presbyteries and subject to the General Assembly
Word 1849: Protopathic
adjective Physiology
relating to or denoting those sensory nerve fibers of the skin that are capable of discriminating only among such relatively coarse stimuli as heat, cold, and pain
relating to or denoting those sensory nerve fibers of the skin that are capable of discriminating only among such relatively coarse stimuli as heat, cold, and pain
Word 1848: Transude
verb [ trans.]
discharge (a fluid) gradually through pores in a membrane, esp. within the body
• [ intrans. ] (of a fluid) be discharged in such a way
discharge (a fluid) gradually through pores in a membrane, esp. within the body
• [ intrans. ] (of a fluid) be discharged in such a way
Word 1845: Vedette
noun
1. historical a mounted sentry positioned beyond an army's outposts to observe the movements of the enemy
2. a leading star of stage, screen, or television
1. historical a mounted sentry positioned beyond an army's outposts to observe the movements of the enemy
2. a leading star of stage, screen, or television
Word 1843: Apocope
noun Linguistics
the loss of a sound or sounds at the end of a word, e.g., in the derivation of curio from curiosity
the loss of a sound or sounds at the end of a word, e.g., in the derivation of curio from curiosity
Word 1838: Pemmican
Word 1836: Hypallage
noun Rhetoric
a transposition of the natural relations of two elements in a proposition, for example in the sentence “Melissa shook her doubtful curls”
a transposition of the natural relations of two elements in a proposition, for example in the sentence “Melissa shook her doubtful curls”
Word 1835: Ritenuto
adverb & adjective Music
(esp. as a direction) with an immediate reduction of tempo
(esp. as a direction) with an immediate reduction of tempo
Word 1834: Lucine
Word 1830: Optative
adjective
relating to or denoting a mood of verbs in Greek and other languages, expressing a wish, equivalent to English expressions if only
relating to or denoting a mood of verbs in Greek and other languages, expressing a wish, equivalent to English expressions if only
Word 1822: Festschrift
noun ( pl. -schriften or -schrifts)
a collection of writings published in honor of a scholar
a collection of writings published in honor of a scholar
Word 1819: Ruction
noun informal
a disturbance or quarrel
• ( ructions) unpleasant reactions to or complaints about something
a disturbance or quarrel
• ( ructions) unpleasant reactions to or complaints about something
Word 1818: Loess
noun Geology
a loosely compacted yellowish-gray deposit of windblown sediment of which extensive deposits occur, e.g., in eastern China and the American Midwest
a loosely compacted yellowish-gray deposit of windblown sediment of which extensive deposits occur, e.g., in eastern China and the American Midwest
Word 1817: Faience
Word 1816: Heparin
noun Biochemistry
a compound occurring in the liver and other tissues that inhibits blood coagulation. A sulfur-containing polysaccharide, it is used as an anticoagulant in the treatment of thrombosis
a compound occurring in the liver and other tissues that inhibits blood coagulation. A sulfur-containing polysaccharide, it is used as an anticoagulant in the treatment of thrombosis
Word 1815: Pawky
adjective ( pawkier, pawkiest) chiefly Brit.
having or showing a sly sense of humor
• shrewd
having or showing a sly sense of humor
• shrewd
Word 1813: Auk
Word 1811: Parlando
adverb & adjective Music
(with reference to singing) expressive or declamatory in the manner of speech
(with reference to singing) expressive or declamatory in the manner of speech
Word 1810: Guano
noun ( pl. -nos)
the excrement of seabirds, occurring in thick deposits notably on the islands off Peru and Chile, and used as fertilizer
• an artificial fertilizer resembling natural guano, esp. one made from fish
the excrement of seabirds, occurring in thick deposits notably on the islands off Peru and Chile, and used as fertilizer
• an artificial fertilizer resembling natural guano, esp. one made from fish
Word 1809: Morel
Word 1808: Fink
verb [ intrans.]
1. ( fink on) inform on to the authorities
2. ( fink out) fail to do something promised or expected because of a lack of courage or commitment
• cease to function
1. ( fink on) inform on to the authorities
2. ( fink out) fail to do something promised or expected because of a lack of courage or commitment
• cease to function
Word 1806: Sight unseen
adverb
without the opportunity to look at the object in question beforehand
• without being seen
without the opportunity to look at the object in question beforehand
• without being seen
Word 1803: Vitta
noun ( pl. vittae)
1. Botany an oil tube in the fruit of some plants
2. Zoology a band or stripe of color
1. Botany an oil tube in the fruit of some plants
2. Zoology a band or stripe of color
Word 1801: Entresol
noun
a low story between the first floor and the second floor of a building; a mezzanine floor
a low story between the first floor and the second floor of a building; a mezzanine floor
Word 1798: Sharia
noun
Islamic canonical law based on the teachings of the Koran and the traditions of the Prophet (Hadith and Sunna), prescribing both religious and secular duties and sometimes retributive penalties for lawbreaking. It has generally been supplemented by legislation adapted to the conditions of the day, though the manner in which it should be applied in modern states is a subject of dispute between Islamic fundamentalists and modernists
Islamic canonical law based on the teachings of the Koran and the traditions of the Prophet (Hadith and Sunna), prescribing both religious and secular duties and sometimes retributive penalties for lawbreaking. It has generally been supplemented by legislation adapted to the conditions of the day, though the manner in which it should be applied in modern states is a subject of dispute between Islamic fundamentalists and modernists
Word 1797: Telangiectasia
noun Medicine
a condition characterized by dilation of the capillaries, which causes them to appear as small red or purple clusters, often spidery in appearance, on the skin or the surface of an organ
a condition characterized by dilation of the capillaries, which causes them to appear as small red or purple clusters, often spidery in appearance, on the skin or the surface of an organ
Word 1796: Patera
Word 1795: Bateau
noun ( pl. -teaux)
a light flat-bottomed riverboat used in eastern and central North America
a light flat-bottomed riverboat used in eastern and central North America
Word 1794: Zebu
noun
an ox of a humped breed originally domesticated in India that is tolerant of heat and drought and is now kept widely in tropical and warm-temperate countries
an ox of a humped breed originally domesticated in India that is tolerant of heat and drought and is now kept widely in tropical and warm-temperate countries
Word 1793: Avulsion
noun Medicine
the action of pulling or tearing away
• Law the sudden separation of land from one property and its attachment to another, esp. by flooding or a change in the course of a river
the action of pulling or tearing away
• Law the sudden separation of land from one property and its attachment to another, esp. by flooding or a change in the course of a river
Word 1792: Tegmen
noun ( pl. -mina) Biology
a covering structure or roof of an organ, in particular
• Entomology a sclerotized forewing serving to cover the hind wing in grasshoppers and related insects
• Botany the delicate inner protective layer of a seed
• (also tegmen tympani) Anatomy a plate of thin bone forming the roof of the middle ear, a part of the temporal bone
a covering structure or roof of an organ, in particular
• Entomology a sclerotized forewing serving to cover the hind wing in grasshoppers and related insects
• Botany the delicate inner protective layer of a seed
• (also tegmen tympani) Anatomy a plate of thin bone forming the roof of the middle ear, a part of the temporal bone
Word 1791: Koto
Word 1789: Syngeneic
adjective Medicine & Biology
(of organisms or cells) genetically similar or identical and hence immunologically compatible, esp. so closely related that transplantation does not provoke an immune response
(of organisms or cells) genetically similar or identical and hence immunologically compatible, esp. so closely related that transplantation does not provoke an immune response
Word 1788: Enzootic
adjective
of, relating to, or denoting a disease that regularly affects animals in a particular district or at a particular season
of, relating to, or denoting a disease that regularly affects animals in a particular district or at a particular season
Word 1786: Listeria
noun
a type of bacterium that infects humans and other warm-blooded animals through contaminated food
• informal food poisoning or other disease caused by infection with listeria; listeriosis
a type of bacterium that infects humans and other warm-blooded animals through contaminated food
• informal food poisoning or other disease caused by infection with listeria; listeriosis
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Word 1785: Stoma
noun ( pl. stomas or stomata) Botany
any of the minute pores in the epidermis of the leaf or stem of a plant, forming a slit of variable width that allows movement of gases in and out of the intercellular spaces
• Zoology a small mouthlike opening in some lower animals
• Medicine an artificial opening made into a hollow organ, esp. one on the surface of the body leading to the gut or trachea
any of the minute pores in the epidermis of the leaf or stem of a plant, forming a slit of variable width that allows movement of gases in and out of the intercellular spaces
• Zoology a small mouthlike opening in some lower animals
• Medicine an artificial opening made into a hollow organ, esp. one on the surface of the body leading to the gut or trachea
Word 1784: Koan
noun
a paradoxical anecdote or riddle, used in Zen Buddhism to demonstrate the inadequacy of logical reasoning and to provoke enlightenment
a paradoxical anecdote or riddle, used in Zen Buddhism to demonstrate the inadequacy of logical reasoning and to provoke enlightenment
Word 1783: Sistrum
Word 1780: Thigmotaxis
noun Biology
the motion or orientation of an organism in response to a touch stimulus
the motion or orientation of an organism in response to a touch stimulus
Word 1779: Aril
Word 1778: Papilloma
noun ( pl. -mas or -mata) Medicine
a small wartlike growth on the skin or on a mucous membrane, derived from the epidermis and usually benign
a small wartlike growth on the skin or on a mucous membrane, derived from the epidermis and usually benign
Word 1777: Ecdysis
noun Zoology
the process of shedding the old skin (in reptiles) or casting off the outer cuticle (in insects and other arthropods)
the process of shedding the old skin (in reptiles) or casting off the outer cuticle (in insects and other arthropods)
Word 1776: Lamella
noun ( pl. -mellae)
a thin layer, membrane, scale, or platelike tissue or part, esp. in bone tissue
• Botany a membranous fold in a chloroplast
a thin layer, membrane, scale, or platelike tissue or part, esp. in bone tissue
• Botany a membranous fold in a chloroplast
Word 1775: Saltire
Word 1771: Holm
Word 1765: Subulate
adjective Botany & Zoology
(of a part) slender and tapering to a point; awl-shaped
(of a part) slender and tapering to a point; awl-shaped
Word 1764: Hebephrenia
noun
a form of chronic schizophrenia involving disordered thought, inappropriate emotions, hallucinations, and bizarre behavior
a form of chronic schizophrenia involving disordered thought, inappropriate emotions, hallucinations, and bizarre behavior
Word 1763: Outfall
noun
the place where a river, drain, or sewer empties into the sea, a river, or a lake
the place where a river, drain, or sewer empties into the sea, a river, or a lake
Word 1761: Phatic
adjective
denoting or relating to language used for general purposes of social interaction, rather than to convey information or ask questions
denoting or relating to language used for general purposes of social interaction, rather than to convey information or ask questions
Word 1758: Nous
noun
1. Philosophy the mind or intellect
2. informal common sense; practical intelligence
1. Philosophy the mind or intellect
2. informal common sense; practical intelligence
Word 1756: Parataxis
noun Grammar
the placing of clauses or phrases one after another, without words to indicate coordination or subordination, as in Tell me, how are you?
the placing of clauses or phrases one after another, without words to indicate coordination or subordination, as in Tell me, how are you?
Word 1754: Indumentum
noun ( pl. -ta) Botany & Zoology
a covering of hairs (or feathers) on an animal or plant
a covering of hairs (or feathers) on an animal or plant
Word 1753: Ria
noun Geography
a long narrow inlet formed by the partial submergence of a river valley
a long narrow inlet formed by the partial submergence of a river valley
Word 1751: Conation
noun Philosophy & Psychology
the mental faculty of purpose, desire, or will to perform an action; volition
the mental faculty of purpose, desire, or will to perform an action; volition
Word 1749: Jib
Word 1748: Tamoxifen
noun Medicine
a synthetic estrogen antagonist used to treat breast cancer and infertility in women
a synthetic estrogen antagonist used to treat breast cancer and infertility in women
Word 1747: Murrey
noun
a deep purple-red cloth
• the deep purple-red color of a mulberry
• Heraldry sanguine
a deep purple-red cloth
• the deep purple-red color of a mulberry
• Heraldry sanguine
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Word 1741: Anaptyxis
noun Linguistics
the insertion of a vowel between two consonants in pronunciation, as in filim for film
the insertion of a vowel between two consonants in pronunciation, as in filim for film
Word 1740: Scraggly
adjective ( -glier, -gliest)
(of a person or animal) thin and bony
• ragged, thin, or untidy in form or appearance
• (of a plant, tree, or shrubbery) sparsely foliated or having thin, uneven growth
(of a person or animal) thin and bony
• ragged, thin, or untidy in form or appearance
• (of a plant, tree, or shrubbery) sparsely foliated or having thin, uneven growth
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