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In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day". inflammable • \in-FLAM-uh-bul\ • adjective 1: flammable 2: easily inflamed, excited, or angered : irascible * * Indicates the sense illustrated in the example sentence Example sentence: The messenger trembled as he stuttered out the news of the army's defeat to the highly inflammable king. Did you know? "Combustible" and "incombustible" are opposites but "flammable" and "inflammable" are synonyms. Why? The "in-" of "incombustible" is a common prefix meaning "not," but the "in-"...

Word For The Day, Tuesday, September 1, 2009 In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day". shambolic [sh�m-b�l'ĭk] -adj Chiefly British slang Disorderly or chaotic [Probably from alteration of shambles]-adv shambolically

Word For The Day, Monday,8/31/09 In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day". insipience;noun lack of wisdom; foolishness. Etymology: 1375–1425; late ME < L insipientia foolishness, equiv. to insipient- s. of insipiēns foolish (in- in- 3 + -sipient-, comb. form of sapient- sapient ) + -ia; see -ence Rules: Everyone must leave a post using the Word for the Day in a sentence. The sentence must, in some way, relate to the news of the day. The Review threads are linked for...

As guardians of the English language, usually garrulous tongued UK residents are finding themselves at a loss for words. Many of their favourite phrases have been banned. Dozens of taxpayer-funded organizations in the UK are drawing black lines through dozens of common words and phrases they’ve decided are offensive. You won’t find any "gentleman’s agreements" being made in the halls of the National Gallery in London. Such bonds are now "unwritten agreements." No place is safe from being suspect – even the "master bedroom" is a problem for uber-sensitive officials at Newcastle University. But on this side of the Atlantic,...

In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of “Word for the Day”. Mordant Adjective 1. a. Bitingly sarcastic: mordant satire. b. Incisive and trenchant: an inquisitor's mordant questioning. 2. Bitingly painful. 3. Serving to fix colors in dyeing. Mordancy - noun Mordantly - adverbmordanted, mordanting, mordants - transitive verb Rules: Everyone must leave a post using the Word for the Day in a sentence. The sentence must, in some way, relate to the news of the day. The Review threads are linked for your edification....

In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day".empyreal • \em-pye-REE-ul\ • adjective 1 : of or relating to the firmament : celestial 2 : sublime Example sentence: Night after night, the comet shone brightly against the empyreal tapestry of the sky. Etymology: "Empyreal" can be traced back to the Greek word for "fiery," "empyros," which was formed from the prefix "em-" ("in," "within," or "inside") and "-pyros," from "pyr," the Greek word for "fire." When "empyreal" entered the English language --...

In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day". dead hand • \DED-HAND\ • noun 1: an inalienable possession of property by a church or corporation 2: the oppressive influence of the past * * Indicates the sense illustrated in the example sentence Example sentence: "If newspapers wish to survive," said Edward, "then editors need to wrest free from the dead hand of print journalism and embrace the more dynamic capabilities of the Web." Did you know? Does "dead hand" make you...

Word For The Day, Tuesday, August 25, 2009 In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day". atrabilious [at-ruh-BIL-yuhs] -adj 1. Melancholic; gloomy. 2. Irritable; ill-natured; peevish [Atrabilious is from Latin atra bilis, "black" (atra) "bile" (bilis). It is a translation of Greek melankholia, from melas, melan-, "black" + khole, "bile." According to ancient and medieval physiology, an excess of black bile in the system was supposed to cause melancholy.]

Word For The Day, Monday, 8/24/09 In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day". assiduity; noun 1. constant or close application or effort; diligence; industry. 2. assiduities, devoted or solicitous attentions. Etymology: 1. constant or close application or effort; diligence; industry. 2. assiduities, devoted or solicitous attentions. Rules: Everyone must leave a post using the Word for the Day in a sentence. The sentence must, in some way, relate to the news of the day. The Review threads are linked for your...

In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of “Word for the Day”. LubriciousAdjective 1. Having a slippery or smooth quality. 2. Shifty or tricky. 3. a. Lewd; wanton.b. Sexually stimulating; salacious. Rules: Everyone must leave a post using the Word for the Day in a sentence. The sentence must, in some way, relate to the news of the day. The Review threads are linked for your edification. ;-) Practice makes perfect.....post on.... Review Threads: Review Thread One: Word For The Day, Thursday 11/14/02: Raffish (Be...

In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day".stolid \STOL-id\, adjective Having or revealing little emotion or sensibility; not easily excited. Example sentences: Normally stolid, she occasionally joined in the frequent applause and smiled along with the laughter at the high-spirited session.-- Seth Mydans, "Indonesia Leader Imposes a Decree to Fight Removal", New York Times, July 23, 2001 The inherent irrationality of markets was first demonstrated in the 17th century, when the normally stolid Dutch population was seized by a tulip craze...

In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day". inordinate • \in-OR-dun-ut\ • adjective exceeding reasonable limits; immoderate Example sentence: Mary complained that she had to spend an inordinate amount of time cleaning up after her two sloppy roommates. Did you know? At one time if something was "inordinate," it did not conform to the expected or desired order of things. That sense, synonymous with "disorderly" or "unregulated," is now archaic, but it offers a hint at the origins of "inordinate." The...

Word For The Day, Tuesday, August 18, 2009 In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day". rigmarole or rigamarole [rig-muh-rohl or rig-uh-muh-rohl] -n 1. an elaborate or complicated procedure 2. confused, incoherent, foolish, or meaningless talk [Alteration of obsolete ragman roll, catalog, from Middle English ragmane rolle, scroll used in Ragman, a game of chance : perhaps from Anglo-Norman Ragemon le bon, Ragemon the Good, title of a set of verses about a character of this name + Middle English rolle, list...

Word For The Day, Monday, 8/17/09/b> In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day". ratiocinative;adj Of, relating to, marked by, or skilled in methodical and logical reasoning. See Synonyms at logical. Etymology: 1520–30; < L rati�cin�ti�n- (s. of rati�cin�ti�), equiv. to rati�cin�t(us) (see ratiocinate ) + -i�n- -ion Rules: Everyone must leave a post using the Word for the Day in a sentence. The sentence must, in some way, relate to the news of the day. The Review threads are linked for...

In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of “Word for the Day”. TumescentAdjective 1. Somewhat tumid. 2. Becoming swollen; swelling. Rules: Everyone must leave a post using the Word for the Day in a sentence. The sentence must, in some way, relate to the news of the day. The Review threads are linked for your edification. ;-) Practice makes perfect.....post on.... Review Threads: Review Thread One: Word For The Day, Thursday 11/14/02: Raffish (Be SURE to check out posts #92 and #111 on this thread!)...

In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day".desultory \DES-uhl-tor-ee\, adjective 1. Jumping or passing from one thing or subject to another without order or rational connection; disconnected; aimless.2. By the way; as a digression; not connected with the subject.3. Coming disconnectedly or occurring haphazardly; random.4. Disappointing in performance or progress. Example sentences: The shadows on the perfect lawn were straight and angular; they were the shadows of an old man sitting in a deep wicker-chair near the low table on which...

In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day". florilegium • \flor-uh-LEE-jee-um\ • noun a volume of writings; anthology. Example sentence: This florilegium of British poetry up to 1760 includes the classics that we have all come to love along with a few relatively unknown gems that are sure to delight and inspire. Did you know? Editors who compile florilegia (to use the plural form of today's word) can be thought of as gathering a bouquet of sweet literary blossoms. English speakers...

Word For The Day, Tuesday, August 11, 2009 In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day". invigilate [in-vij-uh-leyt] -vi 1. to keep watch 2. British to keep watch over students at an examination [1545–55; < L invigil�tus (ptp. of invigil�re to keep watch, stay up late), equiv. to in- in- 2 + vigil�- (s. of vigil�re to watch; see vigil ) + -tus ptp. suffix ]

Word For The Day, Monday, 8/10/09 In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day". prevenient;adj Coming before; preceding. Expectant; anticipatory. Etymology: Latin praeveniēns, praevenient-, present participle of praevenīre, to precede : prae-, pre- + venīre, to come; see gw�- in Indo-European roots.] pre·ven'ient·ly adv Rules: Everyone must leave a post using the Word for the Day in a sentence. The sentence must, in some way, relate to the news of the day. The Review threads are linked for your edification. ;-) Practice...

In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of “Word for the Day”. AphorismNoun 1. A tersely phrased statement of a truth or opinion; an adage. See Synonyms at saying. 2. A brief statement of a principle. Rules: Everyone must leave a post using the Word for the Day in a sentence. The sentence must, in some way, relate to the news of the day. The Review threads are linked for your edification. ;-) Practice makes perfect.....post on.... Review Threads: Review Thread One: Word For The...

In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day".hebetude \HEB-uh-tood-; -tyood\, nounMental dullness or sluggishness. Example sentences: William Hazlitt considered Wordsworth's success an accident of history. "Had he lived in any other period ... he would never have been heard of. As it is, he has some difficulty to contend with the hebetude of his intellect." -- Cristina Nehring, "The Gang: Coleridge, The Hutchinsons & The Wordsworths In 1802." (Review), American Scholar, June 22, 2001 Earlier on, when we merely democratized fame,...

In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day". philoprogenitive • \fill-uh-proh-JEN-uh-tiv\ • adjective 1: tending to produce offspring; prolific * 2: of, relating to, or characterized by love of offspring *Indicates the sense illustrated in the example sentence. Example sentence: "As the multitudes born in the philoprogenitive years following World War II leave the labor force after 2010, the retired population will mushroom." (A.F. Ehrbar, Fortune, August 1980) Did you know? "Philoprogenitive" (a combination of "phil-," meaning "loving" or "having an...

Word For The Day, Tuesday, July 28, 2009 In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day". slattern [slat-ern] -n 1. a slovenly, untidy woman or girl. 2. a slut; harlot. -adj, adv slatternly [1639, "a rude, ill-bred woman," probably related to Low Ger. Slattje, Du. slodder, dialectal Sw. slata "slut" (in the older, non-sexual sense). Cf. dial. Eng. verb slatter "to spill or splash awkwardly, to waste," used of women or girls considered untidy or slovenly.]

Word For The Day, Monday, 8/3/09 In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day". lachyrmose; adj. 1. suggestive of or tending to cause tears; mournful. 2. given to shedding tears readily; tearful. Etymology: 1661, "tear-like," from L. lacrimosus "tearful, sorrowful," from lacrima "tear," a dialect-altered borrowing of Gk. dakryma "tear," from dakryein "to shed tears," from dakry "tear," from PIE *dakru-/*draku- (see tear (n.)). Meaning "given to tears, tearful" is first attested 1727; meaning "of a mournful character" is from 1822. The...

3 Of 4 Words Misspelled On Road SignA road sign that was put up near Wausau, Wis., has every word misspelled -- except for one.

In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of “Word for the Day”. MonitionNoun 1. A warning or an intimation of something imminent, especially of impending danger. 2. Cautionary advice or counsel; an admonition. 3. A formal order from a bishop or an ecclesiastical court to refrain from a specified offense. 4. A summons or citation in civil or admiralty law. Rules: Everyone must leave a post using the Word for the Day in a sentence. The sentence must, in some way, relate to the news...

Word For The Day, Thursday, 7/30/09 In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day". ubiquitous; adj. Being or seeming to be everywhere at the same time; omnipresent: "plodded through the shadows fruitlessly like an ubiquitous spook" (Joseph Heller). u·biq'ui·tous·ly adv., u·biq'ui·tous·ness n. Etymology: Origin: 1830–40; ubiquit(y) + -ous Rules: Everyone must leave a post using the Word for the Day in a sentence. The sentence must, in some way, relate to the news of the day. The Review threads are linked for...

In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day". con amore • \kahn-uh-MOR-ee\ • adverb 1: with love, devotion, or zest * 2: in a tender manner -- used as a direction in music *Indicates the sense illustrated in the example sentence. Example sentence: I'm not usually one to cry at weddings, but I found myself dabbing my eyes with a tissue as bride and groom recited their vows, con amore. (Get over it girly-man!) Did you know? Elephants, rhinoceroses, hippopotamuses --...

Word For The Day, Tuesday, July 28, 2009 In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day". scrimshank [skrim-shangk] -vi to avoid one's obligations or share of work; shirk. -n scrimshanker

Word For The Day, Monday, 7/27/09 In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day". pastiche; noun 1. a literary, musical, or artistic piece consisting wholly or chiefly of motifs or techniques borrowed from one or more sources. 2. an incongruous combination of materials, forms, motifs, etc., taken from different sources; hodgepodge. Etymology: 1700–10; < F < It pasticcio pasticcio Rules: Everyone must leave a post using the Word for the Day in a sentence. The sentence must, in some way, relate to...

An economics professor at a local college made a statement that he had never failed a single student before, but had once failed an entire class. That class had insisted that Obama’s socialism worked and that if enacted, no one would be poor and no one would be rich. It would be a great equalizer. The professor then said, “OK, we will have an experiment in this class on Obama’s plan.” The Professor decided that all grades would be averaged together and everyone would receive the same grade. No one would fail, but no one would receive an A either....

In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of “Word for the Day”. IgnominyNoun 1. Great personal dishonor or humiliation. 2. Shameful or disgraceful action, conduct, or character. n. pl. ig·no·min·ies Rules: Everyone must leave a post using the Word for the Day in a sentence. The sentence must, in some way, relate to the news of the day. The Review threads are linked for your edification. ;-) Practice makes perfect.....post on.... Review Threads: Review Thread One: Word For The Day, Thursday 11/14/02: Raffish (Be SURE...

In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day".protean \PRO-tee-un; pro-TEE-un\, adjective1. Displaying considerable variety or diversity.2. Readily assuming different shapes or forms. Example sentences: The [Broadway] musical was ceaselessly protean in these years, usually conventional but always developing convention, twisting it, replacing it.-- Ethan Mordden, Coming Up Roses Roosevelt's performance in the civil rights meeting illustrated one of the central operating principles of his protean executive style, a style that transformed the presidency, and the nation: a willingness to delay decisions,...

Word For The Day, Thursday, 7/23/09 In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day". hubris; noun Overbearing pride or presumption; arrogance: "There is no safety in unlimited technological hubris" (McGeorge Bundy). Etymology: 1884, from Gk. hybris "wanton violence, insolence, outrage," originally "presumption toward the gods," of unknown origin.in Classical Athenian usage, the intentional use of violence to humiliate or degrade. The most famous example was the case of Meidias, who punched the orator Demosthenes in the face when the latter was dressed...

In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day". pachydermatous • \pack-ih-DER-muh-tuss\ • adjective 1: of or relating to the pachyderms 2a: thick, thickened * 2b: callous, insensitive *Indicates the sense illustrated in the example sentence. Example sentence: With 18 eventful years in office behind him, the senator has developed a pachydermatous layer of self-protection that the latest media attacks cannot penetrate. Did you know? Elephants, rhinoceroses, hippopotamuses -- it was a French zoologist named Georges Cuvier who in the late 1700s...

John Adams Said :Ideology = an organized collection of seductive hopes and wishes ,a systematic way of going wrong with confidence.

Word For The Day, Tuesday, July 21, 2009 In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day". leitmotif [lahyt-moh-teef] -n 1. A melodic passage or phrase, especially in Wagnerian opera, associated with a specific character, situation, or element. 2. A dominant and recurring theme, as in a novel. [German Leitmotiv : leiten, to lead (from Middle High German, from Old High German leitan; see leit- in Indo-European roots) + Motiv, motif (from French motif; see motif).]

Word For The Day, Monday, 7/20/09 In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day". bumptious;adj offensively self-assertive: a bumptious young upstart. Related forms: bump⋅tious⋅ly, adverb bump⋅tious⋅ness, noun Etymology: 1795–1805; bump + (frac)tious Rules: Everyone must leave a post using the Word for the Day in a sentence. The sentence must, in some way, relate to the news of the day. The Review threads are linked for your edification. ;-) Practice makes perfect.....post on....

In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of “Word for the Day”. ApolausticAdjective 1. Devoted to enjoyment. Rules: Everyone must leave a post using the Word for the Day in a sentence. The sentence must, in some way, relate to the news of the day. The Review threads are linked for your edification. ;-) Practice makes perfect.....post on.... Review Threads: Review Thread One: Word For The Day, Thursday 11/14/02: Raffish (Be SURE to check out posts #92 and #111 on this thread!) Review Thread Two:...

In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day".phantasmagoria \fan-taz-muh-GOR-ee-uh\, noun1. A shifting series or succession of things seen or imagined, as in a dream.2. Any constantly changing scene Example sentences:. . .all combined to form a picture, like the illusory semblance of a phantasmagoria, almost leaving me in doubt whether that on which I looked were indeed reality, or the mere creation of a distempered brain.-- Julia Pardoe, quoted in "Here's the Rub," by David Streitfeld, Washington Post, July 6, 1997...

In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day". fractious • \FRAK-shus\ • adjective 1: tending to be troublesome; unruly * 2: quarrelsome, irritable *Indicates the sense illustrated in the example sentence. Example sentence: The class was fractious and uncontrollable when Mr. Douglas first took over as teacher, but he now has the students disciplined, focused, and ready to learn. Did you know? The Latin verb "frangere" ("to break or shatter") has many modern English relations. Dishes that are "fragile" can break...

Word For The Day, Tuesday, July 14, 2009 In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day". mooncalf [moon-kaf, -kahf] -n 1. a congenitally grossly deformed and mentally defective person. 2. a foolish person. 3. a person who spends time idly daydreaming.

Word For The Day, Monday, <7/13/09/b> In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day". coruscate; verb 1 : to give off or reflect light in bright beams or flashes : sparkle 2 : to be brilliant or showy in technique or style Etymology: Latin coruscatus, past participle of coruscare to flash Date: 1705 Rules: Everyone must leave a post using the Word for the Day in a sentence. The sentence must, in some way, relate to the news of the day. The...

In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of “Word for the Day”. BetiseNoun a stupid mistake Rules: Everyone must leave a post using the Word for the Day in a sentence. The sentence must, in some way, relate to the news of the day. The Review threads are linked for your edification. ;-) Practice makes perfect.....post on.... Review Threads: Review Thread One: Word For The Day, Thursday 11/14/02: Raffish (Be SURE to check out posts #92 and #111 on this thread!) Review Thread Two: Word...

In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day".shibboleth \SHIB-uh-lith; -leth\, noun1. A peculiarity of pronunciation, behavior, mode of dress, etc., that distinguishes a particular group of persons.2. A slogan; a catchword.3. A common saying or belief with little current meaning or truth. Example sentences:Accustomed to the veneer of noise, to the shibboleths of promotion, public relations, and market research, society is suspicious of those who value silence.-- John Lahr The fish oil shibboleth is only the latest to be overturned in...

In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day". lamster • \LAM-ster\ • noun a fugitive especially from the law Example sentence: "The vast majority of identity-changers become scurrying lamsters, spinning an endless wheel of lies and deception…." (Christopher Loudon, The Financial Post [Toronto, Canada], September 23, 1995) Did you know? Lamsters as a class are probably as old as the law from which they flee, but the term "lamster" didn't sneak into our language until the early 1900s, less than ten...

Word For The Day, Tuesday, July 7, 2009 In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day". chrestomathy [kres-tom-uh-thee] -n a collection of selected literary passages, often by one author and esp. from a foreign language. [Greek khrēstomatheia : khrēstos, useful (from khrēsthai, to use; see gher-2 in Indo-European roots) + -matheia, body of learning (from manthanein, math-, to learn; see mendh- in Indo-European roots).]

Word For The Day, Monday, 7/6/09 In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day". frisson;noun a sudden, passing sensation of excitement; a shudder of emotion; thrill: The movie offers the viewer the occasional frisson of seeing a character in mortal danger Etymology: 1770–80; < F: shiver, shudder, OF friçons (pl.) < LL fricti�nem, acc. of fricti� shiver (taken as deriv. of frīgēre to be cold), L: massage, friction Rules: Everyone must leave a post using the Word for the Day in a...

In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of “Word for the Day”. SwardNoun1. Land covered with grassy turf. 2. A lawn or meadow. Rules: Everyone must leave a post using the Word for the Day in a sentence. The sentence must, in some way, relate to the news of the day. The Review threads are linked for your edification. ;-) Practice makes perfect.....post on.... Review Threads: Review Thread One: Word For The Day, Thursday 11/14/02: Raffish (Be SURE to check out posts #92 and #111...

In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day".vagary \VAY-guh-ree; vuh-GER-ee\, nounAn extravagant, erratic, or unpredictable notion, action, or occurrence. Example sentences:Her words are a dreadful reminder that much of life's consequences are resultant of vagary and caprice, dictated by the tragedy of the ill-considered action, the irrevocable misstep, the irrevocable moment in which a terrible wrong can seem the only right.-- Rosemary Mahoney, "Acts of Mercy?", New York Times, September 13, 1998 Weather is one of the vagaries of blue-water racing,...