Word Power

[TW]

July 22, 2008


gamine \gam-EEN; GAM-een\, noun:
1. A girl who wanders about the streets; an urchin.
2. A playfully mischievous girl or young woman.

[TW]

July 23, 2008


vituperation \vy-too-puh-RAY-shuhn, -tyoo-\, noun:
1. The act or an instance of speaking abusively to or about.
2. Sustained and severely abusive language.

[TW]

July 24, 2008


melange \may-LAHNZH\, noun:
A mixture; a medley.

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July 25, 2008


sempiternal \sem-pih-TUR-nuhl\, adjective:
Of never ending duration; having beginning but no end; everlasting; endless.

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July 26, 2008


diadem \DY-uh-dem\, noun:
1. A crown.
2. An ornamental headband worn (as by Eastern monarchs) as a badge of royalty.
3. Regal power; sovereignty; empire; -- considered as symbolized by the crown.

transitive verb:
1. To adorn with a diadem; to crown.

[TW]

July 27, 2008


extol \ik-STOHL\, transitive verb:
To praise highly; to glorify; to exalt.

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July 28, 2008


quondam \KWAHN-duhm; KWAHN-dam\, adjective:
Having been formerly; former; sometime.

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July 29, 2008


pusillanimous \pyoo-suh-LAN-uh-muhs\, adjective:
Lacking in courage and resolution; contemptibly fearful; cowardly.

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July 30, 2008


sesquipedalian \ses-kwuh-puh-DAYL-yuhn\, adjective:
1. Given to or characterized by the use of long words.
2. Long and ponderous; having many syllables.

noun:
1. A long word.

[TW]

July 31, 2008


egress \EE-gress\, noun:
1. The act of going out or leaving, or the right or freedom to leave; departure.
2. A means of going out or leaving; an exit; an outlet.

\ee-GRESS\, intransitive verb:
1. To go out; to depart; to leave.

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August 1, 2008


panoply \PAN-uh-plee\, noun:
1. A splendid or impressive array.
2. Ceremonial attire.
3. A full suit of armor; a complete defense or covering.

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August 2, 2008


sapient \SAY-pee-uhnt\, adjective:
Wise; sage; discerning.

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August 3, 2008

brummagem \BRUHM-uh-juhm\, adjective:
Cheap and showy, tawdry; also, spurious, counterfeit.

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August 4, 2008


obeisance \oh-BEE-suhn(t)s; oh-BAY-suhn(t)s\, noun:
1. An expression of deference or respect, such as a bow or curtsy.
2. Deference, homage.

[TW]

August 5, 2008


vituperate \vy-TOO-puh-rate, -TYOO-, vi-\, verb:
To find fault with; to scold; to overwhelm with wordy abuse; to censure severely or abusively; to rate.