Word Power

[TW]

July 13, 2009


sartorial \sar-TOR-ee-uhl\ , adjective:

1. Of or relating to a tailor or to tailoring.
2. Of or relating to clothing, or style or manner of dress.
3. [Anatomy] Of or relating to the sartorius muscle.


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[TW]

July 14, 2009


louche \LOOSH\ , adjective:

Of questionable taste or morality; disreputable or indecent; dubious; shady.


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[TW]

July 15, 2009

bestow /bɪˈstoʊ/[bi-stoh] –verb (used with object)
1. to present as a gift; give; confer (usually fol. by on or upon): The trophy was bestowed upon the winner.
2. to put to some use; apply: Time spent in study is time well bestowed.
3. Archaic.
a. to provide quarters for; house; lodge.
b. to put; stow; deposit; store.

Origin:
1275–1325; ME bestowen. See be-, stow1

Related forms:
be⋅stow⋅al, be⋅stow⋅ment, noun

Synonyms:
1. grant, vouchsafe, award, accord.


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[TW]

July 16, 2009

dulcet [duhl-sit] –adjective
1. pleasant to the ear; melodious: the dulcet tones of the cello.
2. pleasant or agreeable to the eye or the feelings; soothing.
3. Archaic. sweet to the taste or smell.

–noun
4. an organ stop resembling the dulciana but an octave higher.

Origin:
1350–1400; obs. dulce (< L, neut. of dulcis sweet) + -et; r. ME doucet < MF; see douce

Related forms:
dulcetly, adverb
dulcetness, noun

Synonyms:
1. musical, tuneful, mellifluous, sweet-sounding.


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[TW]

July 17,2009


leitmotif \LYT-moh-teef\ , noun:

1. In music drama, a marked melodic phrase or short passage which always accompanies the reappearance of a certain person, situation, abstract idea, or allusion in the course of the play; a sort of musical label.

2. A dominant and recurring theme.


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[TW]

July 18, 2009


adumbrate \AD-uhm-brayt; uh-DUHM-\ , transitive verb:

1. To produce a faint image or resemblance of; to outline or sketch.
2. To prefigure indistinctly; foreshadow.
3. To suggest, indicate, or disclose partially.
4. To cast a shadow over; to shade; to obscure.


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[TW]

July 19, 2009


imbue \im-BYOO\ , transitive verb:

1. To tinge or dye deeply; to cause to absorb thoroughly; as, "clothes thoroughly imbued with black."
2. To instill profoundly; to cause to become impressed or penetrated.



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[TW]

July 20, 2009


pastiche \pas-TEESH; pahs-\ , noun:

1. A work of art that imitates the style of some previous work.
2. A musical, literary, or artistic composition consisting of selections from various works.
3. A hodgepodge; an incongruous combination of different styles and ingredients.


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[TW]

July 21, 2009


sedulous \SEJ-uh-luhs\ , adjective:

1. Diligent in application or pursuit; steadily industrious.
2. Characterized by or accomplished with care and perseverance.


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[TW]

July 22, 2009


glabrous \GLAY-bruhs\ , adjective:

1. Smooth; having a surface without hairs, projections, or any unevenness.


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[TW]

July 23, 2009


protean \PRO-tee-un; pro-TEE-un\ , adjective:

1. Displaying considerable variety or diversity.
2. Readily assuming different shapes or forms.


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[TW]

July 24, 2009


skulk \SKUHLK\ , intransitive verb:

1. To hide, or get out of the way, in a sneaking manner; to lurk.
2. To move about in a stealthy way.
3. To avoid responsibilities and duties.

noun:
1. One who skulks.
2. A group of foxes.


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[TW]

July 25,2009


peripatetic \pair-uh-puh-TET-ik\ , adjective:

1. Of or pertaining to walking about or traveling from place to place; itinerant.
2. Of or pertaining to the philosophy taught by Aristotle (who gave his instructions while walking in the Lyceum at Athens), or to his followers.

noun:

1. One who walks about; a pedestrian; an itinerant.
2. A follower of Aristotle; an Aristotelian.


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[TW]

July 26,2009


ineluctable \in-ih-LUCK-tuh-buhl\ , adjective:

1. Impossible to avoid or evade; inevitable.


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[TW]

July 27, 2009

caveat \KAY-vee-at; KAV-ee-; KAH-vee-aht\ , noun:

1. (Law) A notice given by an interested party to some officer not to do a certain act until the opposition has a hearing.
2. A warning or caution; also, a cautionary qualification or explanation to prevent misunderstanding.


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