Word Power

[TW]

May 24, 2008

ruminate \ROO-muh-nayt\, intransitive verb:
1. To chew the cud; to chew again what has been slightly chewed and swallowed."Cattle free to ruminate." --Wordsworth.
2. To think again and again; to muse; to meditate; to ponder; to reflect.

transitive verb:
1. To chew over again.
2. To meditate or ponder over; to muse on.

[TW]

May 25, 2008


listless \LIST-lis\, adjective:
Having no desire or inclination; indifferent; heedless; spiritless.

[TW]

May 26, 2008


vehement \VEE-uh-muhnt\, adjective:
1. Characterized by intensity of emotions or convictions, or forcefulness of expression.
2. Characterized by or acting with great force or energy; strong.

[TW]

May 27, 2008


ribald \RIB-uhld; RY-bawld\, adjective:
1. Characterized by or given to vulgar humor; coarse.

noun:
1. A ribald person; a lewd fellow.

[TW]

May 28, 2008


forgo \for-GO\, transitive verb;
Inflected forms: forwent, forgone, forgoing, forgoes:
To abstain from; to do without.

[TW]

May 29, 2008


schadenfreude \SHOD-n-froy-duh\, noun:
A malicious satisfaction obtained from the misfortunes of others.

[TW]

May 30,2008


grandee \gran-DEE\, noun:
1. A man of elevated rank or station.
2. In Spain or Portugal, a nobleman of the first rank.

[TW]

May 31, 2008



patina \PAT-n-uh; puh-TEEN-uh\, noun:
1. The color or incrustation which age gives to works of art; especially, the green rust which covers ancient bronzes, coins, and medals.
2. The sheen on any surface, produced by age and use.
3. An appearance or aura produced by habit, practice, or use.
4. A superficial layer or exterior.

[TW]

June 1, 2008


harridan \HAIR-uh-din\, noun:
A worn-out strumpet; a vixenish woman; a hag.

[TW]

June 2, 2008


countermand \KOWN-tuhr-mand; kown-tuhr-MAND\, transitive verb:
1. To revoke (a former command); to cancel or rescind by giving an order contrary to one previously given.
2. To recall or order back by a contrary order.

noun:
1. A contrary order.
2. Revocation of a former order or command.

[TW]

June 3, 2008


bagatelle \bag-uh-TEL\, noun:
1. A trifle; a thing of little or no importance.
2. A short, light musical or literary piece.
3. A game played with a cue and balls on an oblong table having cups or arches at one end.

[TW]

June 4, 2008


lachrymose \LAK-ruh-mohs\, adjective:
1. Generating or shedding tears; given to shedding tears; suffused with tears; tearful.
2. Causing or tending to cause tears.

[TW]

June 5,2008

tremulous \TREM-yuh-luhs\, adjective:
1. Shaking; shivering; quivering; as, a tremulous motion of the hand or the lips; the tremulous leaf of the poplar.
2. Affected with fear or timidity; trembling.

[TW]

June 6, 2008


repletion \rih-PLEE-shun\, noun:
1. The condition of being completely filled or supplied.
2. Excessive fullness, as from overeating.

[TW]

June 7, 2008


potentate \POH-tuhn-tayt\, noun:
One who possesses great power or sway; a ruler, sovereign, or monarch.