/ word of the day:
“the dictionary is a poem about everything”—Steven Wright
-
/dec 11
12.31.2011
epitomize verb. Embody the essential characteristics of or be a typical example of. Synonymns: typify.
12.30.2011
inextirpable adjective. Difficult or impossible to eradicate or destroy. Synonymns: inexterminable.
12.29.2011
pertinacious adjective. Stubbornly unyielding. Synonymns: dogged, dour, tenacious, persistent.
12.28.2011
sidestep verb. Avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues). Synonymns: evade, hedge, skirt, parry, fudge, circumvent, dodge, elude, duck, put off.
12.27.2011
transversal adjective. Extending or lying across; in a crosswise direction; at right angles to the long axis. Synonymns: cross, thwartwise.
12.26.2011
nickel-and-dime adjective. Of minor importance. Synonymns: small-time.
12.25.2011
solitudinarian noun. One leading a solitary or secluded life. Synonymns: recluse, troglodyte, hermit.
12.24.2011
clothier noun. A merchant who sells men's clothing. Synonymns: haberdasher.
12.23.2011
roughage noun. Coarse, indigestible plant food low in nutrients; its bulk stimulates intestinal peristalsis. Synonymns: fiber.
12.22.2011
unfrequented adjective. Devoid of creatures. Synonymns: lonely, solitary.
12.21.2011
insomniac adjective. Experiencing or accompanied by sleeplessness. Synonymns: sleepless, watchful.
12.20.2011
sacristy noun. A room in a church where sacred vessels and vestments are kept or meetings are held. Synonymns: vestry.
12.19.2011
has-been noun. Someone who is no longer popular. Synonymns: back-number.
12.18.2011
contravene verb. To act or be counter to; violate. Synonymns: infringe, run afoul, conflict.
12.17.2011
tyrannical adjective. Marked by unjust severity or arbitrary behavior. Synonymns: oppressive.
12.16.2011
kowtow verb. Try to gain favor by cringing or flattering. Synonymns: bootlick, toady, truckle, fawn, suck up.
12.15.2011
diggings noun. Temporary living quarters. Synonymns: domiciliation, lodgings, pad.
12.14.2011
enchantress noun. A woman who is considered to be dangerously seductive. Synonymns: femme fatale, temptress, Delilah, siren.
12.13.2011
tongue-in-cheek adjective. Cleverly amusing in tone. Synonymns: bantering, facetious.
12.12.2011
splenic adjective. Of or relating to the spleen. Synonymns: lienal.
12.11.2011
demean verb. Reduce in worth or character, usually verbally. Synonymns: degrade, disgrace, put down.
12.10.2011
connive verb. in an underhand manner. Synonymns: scheme, intrigue.
12.09.2011
rebutter noun. A debater who refutes or disproves by offering contrary evidence or argument. Synonymns: confuter.
12.08.2011
round-shouldered adjective. Denoting a faulty posture characterized by drooping shoulders and a slight forward bending of the back. Synonymns: hunched, stooped, crooked.
12.07.2011
papilloma noun. A benign epithelial tumor forming a rounded mass. Synonymns: villoma.
12.06.2011
quadrilateral noun. A four-sided polygon. Synonymns: tetragon.
12.05.2011
derisive adjective. Abusing vocally; expressing contempt or ridicule. Synonymns: gibelike, jeering, mocking, taunting.
12.04.2011
pent-up adjective. Characterized by or showing the suppression of impulses or emotions. Synonymns: repressed.
12.03.2011
dissemble verb. Hide under a false appearance. Synonymns: cloak, mask.
12.02.2011
layperson noun. Someone who is not a clergyman or a professional person. Synonymns: secular.
12.01.2011
parlous adjective. Fraught with danger. Synonymns: perilous, touch-and-go, precarious.