Word of the Day 8.14.08

cudg·el (kjl)

n.

A short heavy stick; a club.

tr.v. cudg·eled or cudg·elled, cudg·el·ing or cudg·el·ling, cudg·els

To beat or strike with or as if with a cudgel.

[Middle English `cuggel`, from Old English `cycgel`.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2003. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

Posted on August 11, 2008 by admin

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Word of the Day 8.10.08

lan·guor (lnggr, lngr)

n.

1. Lack of physical or mental energy; listlessness. See Synonyms at lethargy.

2. A dreamy, lazy mood or quality: “It was hot, yet with a sweet languor about it” Theodore Dreiser.

3. Oppressive quiet or stillness.

[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin, from `langure`, to be languid; see languish.]

languor·ous adj.

languor·ous·ly adv.

languor·ous·ness n.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2003. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms

Adj.

1. languorous – lacking spirit or liveliness; “a lackadaisical attempt”; “a languid mood”; “a languid wave of the hand”; “a hot languorous afternoon”

lackadaisical, languid, dreamy

lethargic, unenrgetic – deficient in alertness or activity; “bullfrogs became lethargic with the first cold nights”

Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2008 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.

Posted on August 10, 2008 by admin

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Word of the Day 8.8.08

sed·u·lous (sj-ls)

adj.

Persevering and constant in effort or application; assiduous. See Synonyms at busy.

[From Latin `sdulus`, from `sdul`, zealously : `s`, without; see `s(w)e-` in Indo-European roots + `dol`, ablative of `dolus`, trickery (probably from Greek `dolos`, cunning; see `del-`² in Indo-European roots).]

sedu·lous·ly adv.

sedu·lous·ness, se·duli·ty (s-dl-t, -dy-) n.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2003. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

sedulous

Adjective

diligent or painstaking: a sedulous concern with the achievements of western thought [Latin sedulus]

sedulously adv

Collins Essential English Dictionary 2nd Edition 2006 © HarperCollins Publishers 2004, 2006

Posted on August 8, 2008 by admin

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Word of the Day 8.7.08

ar·ro·gate (r-gt)

tr.v. ar·ro·gat·ed, ar·ro·gat·ing, ar·ro·gates

1. To take or claim for oneself without right; appropriate: Presidents who have arrogated the power of Congress to declare war. See Synonyms at appropriate.

2. To ascribe on behalf of another in an unwarranted manner.

[Latin `arrogre, arrogt-` : `ad-`, ad- + `rogre`, to ask; see `reg-` in Indo-European roots.]

arro·gation n.

arro·gative adj.

arro·gator n.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2003. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

arrogate

Verb

[-gating, -gated] to claim or seize without justification [Latin arrogare]

arrogation n

Collins Essential English Dictionary 2nd Edition 2006 © HarperCollins Publishers 2004, 2006

Posted on August 7, 2008 by admin

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Word of the Day 8.6.08

xer·o·phyte (zîr-ft)

n.

A plant adapted to living in a dry arid habitat; a desert plant.

xero·phytic (-ftk) adj.

xero·phyti·cal·ly adv.

xero·phytism (-ftz-m, -f-tz-) n.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2003. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

Posted on August 6, 2008 by admin

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Word of the Day 8.5.08

pa·ter·nos·ter (ptr-nstr, pä-, ptr-)

n.

1. often Paternoster The Lord’s Prayer.

2. One of the large beads on a rosary on which the Lord’s Prayer is said.

3. A sequence of words spoken as a prayer or a magic formula.

4. A weighted fishing line having several jointed attachments for hooks connected by beadlike swivels.

5. An elevator constructed of a series of doorless compartments hung on chains that move slowly and continuously, allowing passengers to step on and off at will.

[Middle English, from Old English, from Late Latin : Latin `pater`, father; see pater + Latin `noster`, our; see `nes-`² in Indo-European roots.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2003. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

Posted on August 5, 2008 by admin

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Word of the Day 8.4.08

bru·mal (brml)

adj.

Of, relating to, or occurring in winter.

[Latin `brmlis`, from `brma`, winter, from `brevima (dis)`, the shortest (day) or winter solstice, archaic superlative of `brevis`, short*; see `mregh-u-` in Indo-European roots.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2003. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

Posted on August 4, 2008 by admin

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Word of the Day 8.3.08

ar·ba·lest also ar·ba·list (ärb-lst)

n.

A medieval missile launcher designed on the principle of the crossbow.

[Middle English `arblast`, from Old English, from Old French `arbaleste`, from Late Latin `arcuballista` : Latin `arcus`, bow + Latin `ballista`, ballista; see ballista.]

arba·lester (-lstr) n.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2003. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

arbalist, arbalest

a crossbowman. Also arcubalist.

-Ologies & -Isms. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.

ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms

Noun

1. arbalest – an engine that provided medieval artillery used during sieges; a heavy war engine for hurling large stones and other missiles

arbalist, ballista, bricole, mangonel, onager, trebuchet, trebucket, catapult

engine – an instrument or machine that is used in warfare, such as a battering ram, catapult, artillery piece, etc.; “medieval engines of war”

Posted on August 3, 2008 by admin

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Word of the Day 8.2.08

can·tan·ker·ous (kn-tngkr-s)

adj.

1. Ill-tempered and quarrelsome; disagreeable: disliked her cantankerous landlord.

2. Difficult to handle: “had to use liquid helium, which is supercold, costly and cantankerous” Boston Globe.

[Perhaps from Middle English `contek`, dissension (influenced by such words as `rancorous`, and `cankerous`), from Anglo-Norman `contec`, possibly from Latin `contctus`, past participle of `contingere`, to touch; see contact.]

can·tanker·ous·ly adv.

can·tanker·ous·ness n.

cantankerous

Adjective

quarrelsome or bad-tempered [origin unknown]

Posted on August 2, 2008 by admin

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Word of the Day 8.1.08

po·ten·tate (ptn-tt)

n.

1. One who has the power and position to rule over others; a monarch.

2. One who dominates or leads a group or an endeavor: industrial potentates.

[Middle English `potentat`, from Old French, from Late Latin `potenttus`, from Latin, power, from `potns`, present participle of `posse`, to be able; see potent.]

potentate

Noun

a ruler or monarch [Latin potens powerful]

ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms

Noun

1. potentate – a ruler who is unconstrained by law

dictator

ruler, swayer – a person who rules or commands; “swayer of the universe”

shogun – a hereditary military dictator of Japan; the shoguns ruled Japan until the revolution of 1867-68

strongman – a powerful political figure who rules by the exercise of force or violence; “he is determined to bring down the Iraqi strongman”

autocrat, despot, tyrant – a cruel and oppressive dictator

Posted on August 1, 2008 by admin

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cockcrow
Definition:	The first light of day.
Synonyms:	aurora, break of day, dawn, daybreak, dayspring, first light, sunrise, sunup, morning

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cudg·el play_w2("C0794300") (kjl)

n.

A short heavy stick; a club.

tr.v. cudg·eled or cudg·elled, cudg·el·ing or cudg·el·ling, cudg·els

To beat or strike with or as if with a cudgel.

[Middle English cuggel, from Old English cycgel.]

hm()

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2003. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

lan·guor play_w2("L0042200") (lnggr, lngr)

n.

1. Lack of physical or mental energy; listlessness. See Synonyms at lethargy.

2. A dreamy, lazy mood or quality: “It was hot, yet with a sweet languor about it” Theodore Dreiser.

3. Oppressive quiet or stillness.

[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin, from langure, to be languid; see languish.]

languor·ous adj.

languor·ous·ly adv.

languor·ous·ness n.

hm()

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2003. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms

Adj.

1.

languorous – lacking spirit or liveliness; “a lackadaisical attempt”; “a languid mood”; “a languid wave of the hand”; “a hot languorous afternoon”

lackadaisical, languid, dreamy

lethargic, unenrgetic – deficient in alertness or activity; “bullfrogs became lethargic with the first cold nights”

Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2008 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.

sed·u·lous play_w2("S0213100") (sj-ls)

adj.

Persevering and constant in effort or application; assiduous. See Synonyms at busy.

[From Latin sdulus, from sdul, zealously : s, without; see s(w)e- in Indo-European roots + dol, ablative of dolus, trickery (probably from Greek dolos, cunning; see del-2 in Indo-European roots).]

sedu·lous·ly adv.

sedu·lous·ness, se·duli·ty (s-dl-t, -dy-) n.

hm()

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2003. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

sedulous

Adjective

diligent or painstaking: a sedulous concern with the achievements of western thought [Latin sedulus]

sedulously adv

hc_dict()

Collins Essential English Dictionary 2nd Edition 2006 © HarperCollins Publishers 2004, 2006

ar·ro·gate play_w2("A0438300") (r-gt)

tr.v. ar·ro·gat·ed, ar·ro·gat·ing, ar·ro·gates

1. To take or claim for oneself without right; appropriate: Presidents who have arrogated the power of Congress to declare war. See Synonyms at appropriate.

2. To ascribe on behalf of another in an unwarranted manner.

[Latin arrogre, arrogt- : ad-, ad- + rogre, to ask; see reg- in Indo-European roots.]

arro·gation n.

arro·gative adj.

arro·gator n.

hm()

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2003. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

arrogate

Verb

[-gating, -gated] to claim or seize without justification [Latin arrogare]

arrogation n

hc_dict()

Collins Essential English Dictionary 2nd Edition 2006 © HarperCollins Publishers 2004, 2006

xer·o·phyte play_w2("X0005600") (zîr-ft)

n.

A plant adapted to living in a dry arid habitat; a desert plant.

xero·phytic (-ftk) adj.

xero·phyti·cal·ly adv.

xero·phytism (-ftz-m, -f-tz-) n.

hm()

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2003. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

pa·ter·nos·ter play_w2("P0110000") (ptr-nstr, pä-, ptr-)

n.

1. often Paternoster The Lord’s Prayer.

2. One of the large beads on a rosary on which the Lord’s Prayer is said.

3. A sequence of words spoken as a prayer or a magic formula.

4. A weighted fishing line having several jointed attachments for hooks connected by beadlike swivels.

5. An elevator constructed of a series of doorless compartments hung on chains that move slowly and continuously, allowing passengers to step on and off at will.

[Middle English, from Old English, from Late Latin : Latin pater, father; see pater + Latin noster, our; see nes-2 in Indo-European roots.]

hm()

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2003. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

bru·mal play_w2("B0513700") (brml)

adj.

Of, relating to, or occurring in winter.

[Latin brmlis, from brma, winter, from *brevima (dis), the shortest (day) or winter solstice, archaic superlative of brevis, short; see mregh-u- in Indo-European roots.]

hm()

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2003. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

cudg·el (kjl)

[Middle English `cuggel`, from Old English `cycgel`.]

lan·guor (lnggr, lngr)

[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin, from `langure`, to be languid; see languish.]

sed·u·lous (sj-ls)

[From Latin `sdulus`, from `sdul`, zealously : `s`, without; see `s(w)e-` in Indo-European roots + `dol`, ablative of `dolus`, trickery (probably from Greek `dolos`, cunning; see `del-`² in Indo-European roots).]

ar·ro·gate (r-gt)

[Latin `arrogre, arrogt-` : `ad-`, ad- + `rogre`, to ask; see `reg-` in Indo-European roots.]

xer·o·phyte (zîr-ft)

pa·ter·nos·ter (ptr-nstr, pä-, ptr-)

[Middle English, from Old English, from Late Latin : Latin `pater`, father; see pater + Latin `noster`, our; see `nes-`² in Indo-European roots.]

bru·mal (brml)

[Latin `brmlis`, from `brma`, winter, from `brevima (dis)`, the shortest (day) or winter solstice, archaic superlative of `brevis`, short*; see `mregh-u-` in Indo-European roots.]

ar·ba·lest also ar·ba·list (ärb-lst)

[Middle English `arblast`, from Old English, from Old French `arbaleste`, from Late Latin `arcuballista` : Latin `arcus`, bow + Latin `ballista`, ballista; see ballista.]

See also: Arrows

can·tan·ker·ous (kn-tngkr-s)

[Perhaps from Middle English `contek`, dissension (influenced by such words as `rancorous`, and `cankerous`), from Anglo-Norman `contec`, possibly from Latin `contctus`, past participle of `contingere`, to touch; see contact.]

po·ten·tate (ptn-tt)

[Middle English `potentat`, from Old French, from Late Latin `potenttus`, from Latin, power, from `potns`, present participle of `posse`, to be able; see potent.]