Thanks to Dictionary.com, every Friday morning join Samantha Willans and Arthur Muhl for 'Word of the Week'. |
| Previous Words' of the Week |
| 23 Jul 10 |
hegira |
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Pronounced he-JAY-ruh
A noun meaning a journey to a more desirable place. |
| 16 Jul 10 |
brannigan |
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Pronounced BRAN-i-guhn.
A noun meaning a squabble; a brawl. |
| 09 Jul 10 |
rataplan |
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Pronounced rat-uh-PLAN.
A noun meaning a tattoo, as of a drum, the hooves of a galloping horse, or machine-gun fire. |
| 02 Jul 10 |
rococo |
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Pronounced roh-kuh-KOH.
An adjective meaning ornate or florid in speech, writing, or general style. |
| 25 Jun 10 |
quixotic |
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Pronounced kwik-sot-ik.
An adjective meaning extravagantly chivalrous or romantic; visionary, impractical, or impracticable, impulsive and often rashly unpredictable. |
| 18 Jun 10 |
oscitant |
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Pronounced OS-i-tuhnt
An adjective meaning yawning, as with drowsiness; gaping, drowsy or inattentive, dull, lazy, or negligent. |
| 11 Jun 10 |
ruth |
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A noun meaning to have compassion or pity for another. Also to have sorrow or misery about one's own misdeeds or flaws.
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| 04 Jun 10 |
threnody |
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Pronounced THREN-uh-dee.
A noun meaning; a poem, speech, or song of lamentation, especially for the dead; dirge; funeral song.
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| 28 May 10 |
baksheesh |
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As a noun it means; a present or tip, or a bribe paid to expedite service.
As a verb it means; to give a tip.
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| 21 May 10 |
afterclap |
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A noun meaning an unexpected, often unpleasant sequel to a matter that had been considered closed. |
| 14 May 10 |
mugwump |
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A noun meaning a person who is unable to make up his or her mind on an issue, esp. in politics; a person who is neutral on a controversial issue. |
| 07 May 10 |
sesquipedalianism |
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Pronounced ses-kwi-pe-DAY-LE-AN-iz-uhm. An adjective meaning given to using long words, or containing many syllables.
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| 30 Apr 10 |
scapegrace |
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Pronounced SKAYP-grayss. A noun meaning a reckless, unprincipled person, one who is wild and reckless, a rascal, a scoundrel.
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| 23 Apr 10 |
popinjay |
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Pronounced POP-in-jay
A noun meaning a vain and talkative person |
| 16 Apr 10 |
hugger-mugger |
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Pronounced HUH-guhr-muh-guhr
A noun meaning a disorderly jumble; muddle; confusion.
Also means secrecy; concealment. |
| 09 Apr 10 |
grok |
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A verb meaning "to understand, especially in a profound and intimate way." It's a slang word. |
| 26 Mar 10 |
lucre |
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Pronounced LOO-kuhr.
A noun meaning monetary gain, profit, riches, money -- often in a bad sense. |
| 12 Mar 10 |
mulct |
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Pronounced MULKT
A noun that means, a fine or penalty.
It's also a transitive verb which means, to punish for an offense or misdemeanor by imposing a fine or demanding a forfeiture, or to obtain by fraud or deception. |
| 05 Mar 10 |
temporize |
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Pronounced TEM-puh-rize.
A transitive verb meaning to be indecisive or evasive in order to gain time or delay action. It also means to yield to prevailing opinion or circumstances. |
| 26 Feb 10 |
arcanum |
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Pronounced ar-KAY-nuhm
A noun meaning a secret or a mystery.
Also specialized or mysterious knowledge, language, or information that is not accessible to the average person (generally used in the plural - ancana). |