Word Power

[TW]

July 7, 2008


gustatory \GUS-tuh-tor-ee\, adjective:
Of or pertaining to the sense of taste.

[TW]

July 8, 2008


troglodyte \TROG-luh-dyt\, noun:
1. A member of a primitive people that lived in caves, dens, or holes; a cave dweller.
2. One who is regarded as reclusive, reactionary, out of date, or brutish.

[TW]

July 9, 2008


emolument \ih-MOL-yuh-muhnt\, noun:
The wages or perquisites arising from office, employment, or labor; gain; compensation.

[TW]

July 10, 2008


contemn \kuhn-TEM\, transitive verb:
To regard or treat with disdain or contempt; to scorn; to despise.

[TW]

July 11, 2008


propound \pruh-POWND\, transitive verb:
To offer for consideration; to put forward; to propose.

[TW]

July 12, 2008


puerile \PYOO-uhr-uhl; PYOOR-uhl\, adjective:
Displaying or suggesting a lack of maturity; juvenile; childish.

[TW]

July 13, 2008


antediluvian \an-tih-duh-LOO-vee-uhn\, adjective:
1. Of or relating to the period before the Biblical flood.
2. Antiquated; from or belonging to a much earlier time.

noun:
1. One who lived before the Biblical flood.
2. A very old (or old-fashioned) person.

[TW]

July 14, 2008


cupidity \kyoo-PID-uh-tee\, noun:
Eager or excessive desire, especially for wealth; greed; avarice.

[TW]

July 15, 2008


fiduciary \fih-DOO-shee-air-ee\, adjective:
1. Relating to the holding of something in trust for another.

noun:
1. Someone who stands in a special relation of trust, confidence, or responsibility in certain obligations to others; a trustee.

[TW]

July 16, 2008


mephitic \muh-FIT-ik\, adjective:
1. Offensive to the smell; as, mephitic odors.
2. Poisonous; noxious.

[TW]

July 17, 2008


anodyne \AN-uh-dyn\, adjective:
1. Serving to relieve pain; soothing.
2. Not likely to offend; bland; innocuous.

noun:
1. A medicine that relieves pain.
2. Anything that calms, comforts, or soothes disturbed feelings.

[TW]

July 18, 2008


tatterdemalion \tat-uhr-dih-MAYL-yuhn; -MAY-lee-uhn\, noun:
1. A person dressed in tattered or ragged clothing; a ragamuffin.

adjective:
1. Tattered; ragged.

[TW]

July 19, 2008


malinger \muh-LING-guhr\, intransitive verb:
To feign or exaggerate illness or inability in order to avoid duty or work.

[TW]

July 20, 2008


insensate \in-SEN-sayt; -sit\, adjective:
1. Lacking sensation or awareness; inanimate.
2. Lacking human feeling or sensitivity; brutal; cruel.
3. Lacking sense; stupid; foolish.

[TW]

July 21, 2008


supernumerary \soo-puhr-NOO-muh-rair-ee; -NYOO-\, adjective:
1. Exceeding the stated, standard, or prescribed number.
2. Exceeding what is necessary or desired; superfluous.

noun:
1. A supernumerary person or thing.
2. An actor without a speaking part, as a walk-on or an extra in a crowd scene.