Word Power

[TW]

March 14, 2009


esoteric \es-uh-TER-ik\, adjective:
1. understood by or meant for only the select few who have special knowledge or interest; recondite
2. belonging to the select few
3. private; secret; confidential
4. (of a philosophical doctrine or the like) intended to be revealed only to the initiates of a group


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[TW]

March 15, 2009


scintilla \sin-TIL-uh\, noun:
A tiny or scarcely detectable amount; the slightest particle; a trace; a spark.


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[TW]

March 16,2009


cormorant \KOR-mur-unt; -muh-rant\, noun:
1. Any species of Phalacrocorax, a genus of sea birds having a sac under the beak; the shag. Cormorants devour fish voraciously, and have become the emblem of gluttony. They are generally black, and hence are called sea ravens, and coalgeese.
2. A gluttonous, greedy, or rapacious person.

[TW]

March 17, 2009


libation \ly-BAY-shun\, noun:
1. The act of pouring a liquid (usually wine) either on the ground or on a victim in sacrifice to some deity; also, the wine or liquid thus poured out.
2. A beverage, especially an alcoholic beverage.
3. An act or instance of drinking.


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[TW]

March 18, 2009


elucidate \ih-LOO-si-dayt\, transitive verb:
To make clear or manifest; to render more intelligible; to illustrate; as, an example will elucidate the subject.


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[TW]

March 19, 2009


florid \FLOR-id\, adjective:
1. Flushed with red; of a lively reddish color.
2. Excessively ornate; flowery; as, "a florid style; florid eloquence."


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[TW]

March 20, 2009


diatribe \DAHY-uh-trahyb\, noun:
a bitter verbal attack or speech


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[TW]

March 21, 2009


veracity \vuh-RAS-i-tee\, noun:
1. truthfulness
2. truth


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[TW]

March 22, 2009


pithy \PITH-ee\, adjective:
concise and to the point; full of meaning and force


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[TW]

March 23, 2009


spoonerism \SPOO-nuh-riz-uhm\, noun:
The transposition of usually initial sounds in a pair of words.

Some examples:

We all know what it is to have a half-warmed fish ["half-formed wish"] inside us.

A well-boiled icicle ["well-oiled bicycle"].


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[TW]

March 24, 2009


thaumaturgy \THAW-muh-tuhr-jee\, noun:
The performance of miracles or magic.


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[TW]

March 25, 2009


tumult \TOO-mult; TYOO-mult\, noun:
1. The commotion or agitation of a crowd, usually accompanied with great noise, uproar, and confusion of voices; hurly-burly; noisy confusion.
2. Violent commotion or agitation, with confusion of sounds; as, "the tumult of the elements."
3. Irregular or confused motion; agitation; high excitement; as, "the tumult of the spirits or passions."
--tumultuous, adjective

[TW]

March 26, 2009


propinquity \pruh-PING-kwih-tee\, noun:
1. Nearness in place; proximity.
2. Nearness in time.
3. Nearness of relation; kinship.


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[TW]

March 27, 2009


feckless \FEK-lis\, adjective:
1. Ineffective; having no real worth or purpose.
2. Worthless; irresponsible; generally incompetent and ineffectual.


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[TW]

March 28, 2009


velleity \veh-LEE-uh-tee; vuh-\, noun:
1. The lowest degree of desire; imperfect or incomplete volition.
2. A slight wish or inclination.