May 31, 2006: equable \EK-wuh-buhl; EE-kwuh-\, adjective:
1. Equal and uniform; not varying.
2. Not easily disturbed; not variable or changing — said of the feelings, temper, etc.
May 30, 2006: pleonasm \PLEE-uh-naz-uhm\, noun:
1. The use of more words than are necessary to express an idea; as, “I saw it with my own eyes.”
2. An instance or example of pleonasm.
3. A superfluous word or expression.
May 29, 2006: forfend \for-FEND\, transitive verb:
1. a. (Archaic) To prohibit; to forbid. b. To ward off; to prevent; to avert.
2. To defend; to protect; to preserve.
May 28, 2006: cerebration \ser-uh-BRAY-shuhn\, noun:
The act or product of thinking; the use of the power of reason; mental activity; thought.
May 27, 2006: malcontent \mal-kuhn-TENT; MAL-kuhn-tent\, noun:
1. One who is discontented or dissatisfied.
2. A discontented subject of a government; one who opposes an established order.
May 26, 2006: junta \HUN-tuh, JUHN-tuh\, noun:
1. A governmental council or committee, especially one that rules after a revolution.
2. A closely knit group united for a common purpose and usually meeting secretly; also called a junto.
May 25, 2006: variegated \VAIR-ee-uh-gay-tid\, adjective:
1. Having marks or patches of different colors; as, “variegated leaves or flowers.”
2. Varied; distinguished or characterized by variety; diversified.
May 24, 2006: torpid \TOR-pid\, adjective:
1. Having lost motion or the power of exertion and feeling; numb; benumbed.
2. Dormant; hibernating or estivating.
3. Dull; sluggish; apathetic.
May 23, 2006: protean \PRO-tee-un; pro-TEE-un\, adjective:
1. Displaying considerable variety or diversity.
2. Readily assuming different shapes or forms.
May 22, 2006: bombinate \BOM-buh-nayt\, intransitive verb:
To buzz; to hum; to drone.
May 21, 2006: incontrovertible \in-kon-truh-VUR-tuh-buhl\, adjective:
Too clear or certain to admit of dispute; indisputable; unquestionable.
May 20, 2006: cognoscente \kon-yuh-SHEN-tee; kog-nuh-; -SEN-\, noun;
plural cognoscenti \-tee\:
A person with special knowledge of a subject; a connoisseur.
May 19, 2006: spurious \SPYUR-ee-uhs\, adjective:
1. Not proceeding from the true or claimed source; not genuine; false.
2. Of illegitimate birth.
May 18, 2006: arrant \AR-unt\, adjective:
Thoroughgoing; downright; out-and-out; confirmed; extreme; notorious.
May 17, 2006: palimpsest \PAL-imp-sest\, noun:
1. A manuscript, usually of papyrus or parchment, on which more than one text has been written with the earlier writing incompletely erased and still visible.
2. An object or place whose older layers or aspects are apparent beneath its surface.
May 16, 2006: fulsome \FUL-sum\, adjective:
1. Offensive to the taste or sensibilities.
2. Insincere or excessively lavish; especially, offensive from excess of praise.
May 15, 2006: multifarious \muhl-tuh-FAIR-ee-uhs\, adjective:
Having great diversity or variety; of various kinds; diversified.
May 14, 2006: cupidity \kyoo-PID-uh-tee\, noun:
Eager or excessive desire, especially for wealth; greed; avarice.
May 13, 2006: appurtenance \uh-PUR-tn-un(t)s\, noun:
1. An adjunct; an accessory; something added to another, more important thing.
2. [Plural]. Accessory objects; gear; apparatus.
3. [Law]. An incidental right attached to a principal property right for purposes such as passage of title, conveyance, or inheritance.
May 12, 2006: virtu \vuhr-TOO; vir-\, noun:
1. love of or taste for fine objects of art.
2. Productions of art (especially fine antiques).
3. Artistic quality.
May 11, 2006: derogate \DER-uh-gayt\, intransitive verb:
1. To deviate from what is expected.
2. To take away; to detract; — usually with ‘from’.
May 10, 2006: turgid \TUR-jid\, adjective:
1. Swollen, bloated, puffed up; as, “a turgid limb.”
2. Swelling in style or language; bombastic, pompous; as, “a turgid style of speaking.”
May 9, 2006: otiose \OH-shee-ohs; OH-tee-\, adjective:
1. Ineffective; futile.
2. Being at leisure; lazy; indolent; idle.
3. Of no use.
May 8, 2006: aspersion \uh-SPUR-zhuhn; -shuhn\, noun:
1. A damaging or derogatory remark; slander.
2. The act of defaming or slandering.
3. A sprinkling with water, especially in religious ceremonies.
May 7, 2006: pablum \PAB-luhm\, noun:
Something (as writing or speech) that is trite, insipid, or simplistic.
May 6, 2006:rapine \RAP-in\, noun:
The act of plundering; the seizing and carrying away of another’s property by force.
May 5, 2006: execrable \EK-sih-kruh-buhl\, adjective:
1. Deserving to be execrated; detestable; abominable.
2. Extremely bad; of very poor quality; very inferior.
May 4, 2006: wag \WAG\, noun:
A humorous person; a wit; a joker.
May 3, 2006: temerity \tuh-MER-uh-tee\, noun:
Unreasonable or foolhardy contempt of danger; rashness.
May 2, 2006: daedal \DEE-duhl\, adjective:
1. Complex or ingenious in form or function; intricate.
2. Skillful; artistic; ingenious.
3. Rich; adorned with many things.
May 1, 2006: luminary \LOO-muh-nair-ee\, noun:
1. Any body that gives light, especially one of the heavenly bodies.
2. A person of eminence or brilliant achievement.
April 1-30th, click here (more…)