Word Power

[TW]

November 17, 2008


adulterate \uh-DUHL-tuh-rayt\, verb:
1. to add an inferior, impure, or improper substance to; lower the quality or purity of a food or other substance without greatly altering the appearance; corrupt

adjective:
1. debased by adulteration; adulterated

[TW]

November 18, 2008


affectation \af-ek-TAY-shuhn\, noun:
1. an artificial way of talking or behaving put on to impress others; pretense
2. an unnatural action, expression, or trait that indicates artificiality

[TW]

November 19, 2008


eminence grise \ay-mee-nahn(t)s-GREEZ\, noun:
a person who wields power or exerts influence behind the scenes

[TW]

November 20, 2008


amatory \AM-uh-tor-ee; -tohr-\, adjective:
of love; expressing love, especially sexual

[TW]

November 21, 2008


Lucullan \loo-KUHL-uhn\, adjective:
rich; magnificent and luxurious

[TW]

November 22, 2008


nabob \NAY-bob\, noun:
1. a native ruler in India in the Mogul empire; by extension, a person from India who made a fortune there
2. a very wealthy and prominent person; mogul

[TW]

November 23, 2008


escutcheon \ih-SKUHCH-uhn\, noun:
1. a shield decorated with a coat of arms
2. the protective metal plate around a keyhole and lock, drawer handle or pull, light switch, etc.
3. the panel on a ship's stern bearing her name

[TW]

November 24, 2008

guerdon \GUR-duhn\, noun:
1. a reward

verb:
1. to reward, pay back

[TW]

November 25, 2008


reprobate \REP-ruh-bayt\, noun, adjective:
1. a very wicked, unprincipled person; scoundrel

adjective:
1. very wicked; unprincipled

verb:
1. to disapprove; condemn, censure

noun:
1. a person predestined to damnation, rejected by God

adjective:
1. rejected by God; damned

verb:
1. to reject from salvation; predestine to eternal punishment

[TW]

November 26, 2008


emollient \ih-MOL-yuhnt\, adjective:
1. softening or soothing

noun:
1. something that softens or soothes

[TW]

November 27, 2008


cadence \KAYD-'n(t)s\, noun:
1. the measure or beat of music, dancing, or a regularly repeated movement
2. a rising and falling sound; modulation; also, the falling inflection of the voice, as at the end of a sentence
3. a series of chords bringing part of a piece of music to an end

[TW]

November 28, 2008


eminent \EM-uh-nuhnt\, adjective:
1. high in station, rank, or repute; prominent, distinguished
2. conspicuous; noteworthy
3. high; lofty
4. standing out above other things; prominent

[TW]

November 29, 2008


balustrade \BAL-uh-strayd; bal-uh-STRAYD\, noun:
a railing at the side of a staircase or balcony to prevent people from falling

[TW]

November 30, 2008


incursion \in-KUR-zhuhn; -shuhn\, noun:
1. a sudden attack; invasion, raid
2. a running or flowing in

[TW]

December 1, 2008


valediction \val-uh-DIK-shuhn\, noun:
the action of bidding farewell; a farewell