Word Power

[TW]

June 8, 2008


minatory \MIN-uh-tor-ee\, adjective:
Threatening; menacing.

[TW]

June 9, 2008


raconteur \rack-on-TUR\, noun:
One who excels in telling stories and anecdotes.

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June 10, 2008


surfeit \SUR-fit\, noun:
1. An excessive amount or supply.
2. Overindulgence, as in food or drink.
3. Disgust caused by overindulgence or excess.

transitive verb:
1. To feed or supply to excess.

[TW]

June 11, 2008


patrician \puh-TRISH-un\, noun:
1. A member of one of the original citizen families of ancient Rome.
2. A person of high birth; a nobleman.
3. A person of refined upbringing, manners, and taste.

adjective:
1. Of or pertaining to the patrician families of ancient Rome.
2. Of, pertaining to, or appropriate to, a person of high birth; noble; not plebeian.
3. Befitting or characteristic of refined upbringing, manners, and taste.

[TW]

June 12, 2008


hyperbole \hy-PUHR-buh-lee\, noun:
Extravagant exaggeration.

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June 13, 2008


apprise \uh-PRYZ\, transitive verb:
To give notice to; to inform; -- often followed by of; as, we will apprise the general of an intended attack; he apprised the commander of what he had done.

[TW]

June 14, 2008


prink \PRINGK\, transitive verb:
1. To dress up; to deck for show.

intransitive verb:
1. To dress or arrange oneself for show; to primp.

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June 15, 2008


claque \KLACK\, noun:
1. A group hired to applaud at a performance.
2. A group of fawning admirers.

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June 16, 2008


dilatory \DIL-uh-tor-ee\, adjective:
1. Tending to put off what ought to be done at once; given to procrastination.
2. Marked by procrastination or delay; intended to cause delay; -- said of actions or measures.

[TW]

June 17, 2008


verdure \VUR-jur\, noun:
Green; greenness; freshness of vegetation; as, the verdure of the meadows in June.

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June 18, 2008


cogent \KOH-juhnt\, adjective:
Having the power to compel conviction; appealing to the mind or to reason; convincing.

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June 19, 2008


defenestrate \dee-FEN-uh-strayt\, transitive verb:
To throw out of a window.

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20 June 2008


renascent \rih-NAS-uhnt\, adjective:
Springing or rising again into being; showing renewed vigor.

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21 June 2008


choler \KOLL-ur; KOLE-ur\, noun:
Irritation of the passions; anger; wrath.

[TW]

June 22, 2008


malediction \mal-uh-DIK-shun\, noun:
A curse or execration.