Word Power

[TW]

February 27, 2009


hidebound \HAHYD-bound\, adjective:
narrow-minded and stubborn

[TW]

February 28, 2009


pedant \PED-nt\, noun:
a person who makes a show of detailed knowledge, esp. relying on books; also, a narrow-minded teacher or scholar

[TW]

March 1, 2009


lampoon \lam-POON\, noun, verb:
1. a composition that imitates or misrepresents someone's style, usually in a humorous way
2. a light, good-humored satire

verb:
1. ridicule with satire

[TW]

March 2, 2009


sanguine \SANG-gwin\, adjective, noun;
Also used as a noun, red iron-oxide crayon used in making drawings:
1. cheerfully optimistic, hopeful, or confident
2. reddish; ruddy
3. (in old physiology) having blood as the predominating humor and consequently being ruddy-faced, cheerful, etc.
4. blood-red; red
5. Heraldry. a reddish-purple tincture.

adjective:
1. a red iron-oxide crayon used in making drawings

[TW]

March 3, 2009


acute \uh-KYOOT\, adjective:
1. acting keenly on the senses; sharp
2. quick in discernment; drawing fine distinctions
3. of an angle, less than 90 degrees
4. happening quickly, briefly, and severely

[TW]

March 4, 2009


temerity \tuh-MER-uh-tee\, noun:
Unreasonable or foolhardy contempt of danger; rashness.

[TW]

March 5, 2009


parry \PAR-ee\, verb, noun:
1. to ward off; turn aside (as a thrust or weapon)

noun:
1. the act of warding off

[TW]

March 6, 2009


martial \MAHR-shuhl\, adjective:
suitable or used for war; warlike

[TW]

March 7, 2009


bilk \bilk\, verb, noun:
1. to defraud; cheat
2. to frustrate
3. to escape from; elude

noun:
1. a trick; fraud; deceit.
2. a cheat, swindler

[TW]

March 8, 2009


equine \EE-kwahyn, EK-wahyn\, adjective:
of, pertaining to, or resembling a horse: a bold, equine face.


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[TW]

March 9, 2009


incisive \in-SAHY-siv\, adjective:
1. penetrating; cutting; biting; trenchant
2. remarkably clear and direct; sharp; keen; acute
3. adapted for cutting or piercing
4. of or pertaining to the incisors


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[TW]

March 10, 2009


pedestrian \puh-DES-tree-uhn\, noun, adjective:
1. a person who gets about on foot; walker

adjective:
1. going on foot; walking
2. without imagination; dull


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[TW]

March 11, 2009


ululate \UL-yuh-layt; YOOL-\, intransitive verb:
To howl, as a dog or a wolf; to wail; as, ululating jackals.


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[TW]

March 12, 2009


tetchy \TECH-ee\, adjective:
Peevish; testy; irritable.

[TW]

March 13, 2009


inanition \in-uh-NISH-uhn\, noun:
1. The condition or quality of being empty.
2. Exhaustion, as from lack of nourishment.
3. Lack of vitality or spirit.


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