Word of the Day 5.11.09

alpenstock

al·pen·stock (lpn-stk)

n.

A long staff with an iron point, used by mountain climbers.

[German : `Alpen`, Alps + `Stock`, staff (from Middle High German `stoc`, from Old High German).]

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.

Noun 1. alpenstock – a stout staff with a metal point; used by mountain climbers

staff – a strong rod or stick with a specialized utilitarian purpose; “he walked with the help of a wooden staff”

tip, peak, point – a V shape; “the cannibal’s teeth were filed to sharp points”

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

Posted on May 11, 2009 by admin

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Word of the Day 5.10.09

obeisance

o·bei·sance (-bsns, -b-)

n.

1. A gesture or movement of the body, such as a curtsy, that expresses deference or homage.

2. An attitude of deference or homage.

[Middle English `obeisaunce`, from Old French `obeissance`, from `obeissant`, present participle of `obeir`, to obey; see obey.]

o·beisant adj.

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.

Noun 1. obeisance – bending the head or body or knee as a sign of reverence or submission or shame or greeting

bowing, bow

reverence – an act showing respect (especially a bow or curtsy)

motion, gesture – the use of movements (especially of the hands) to communicate familiar or prearranged signals

genuflection, genuflexion – the act of bending the knees in worship or reverence

kotow, kowtow – a former Chinese custom of touching the ground with the forehead as a sign of respect or submission

scrape, scraping – a deep bow with the foot drawn backwards (indicating excessive humility); “all that bowing and scraping did not impress him”

salaam – a deep bow; a Muslim form of salutation

2. obeisance – the act of obeying; dutiful or submissive behavior with respect to another person

obedience

submission, compliance – the act of submitting; usually surrendering power to another

truckling – the act of obeying meanly (especially obeying in a humble manner or for unworthy reasons)

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

Posted on May 10, 2009 by admin

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Word of the Day 5.09.09

acrimonious

ac·ri·mo·ni·ous (kr-mn-s)

adj.

Bitter and sharp in language or tone; rancorous: an acrimonious debate between the two candidates.

acri·moni·ous·ly adv.

acri·moni·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.

Adj. 1. acrimonious – marked by strong resentment or cynicism; “an acrimonious dispute”; “bitter about the divorce”

bitter

resentful – full of or marked by resentment or indignant ill will; “resentful at the way he was treated”; “a sullen resentful attitude”

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

Posted on May 9, 2009 by admin

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Word of the Day 5.8.09

perspicacious

per·spi·ca·cious (pûrsp-kshs)

adj.

Having or showing penetrating mental discernment; clear-sighted. See Synonyms at shrewd.

[From Latin `perspicx, perspicc-`, from `perspicere`, to look through; see perspective.]

perspi·cacious·ly adv.

perspi·cacious·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.

Adj. 1. perspicacious – acutely insightful and wise; “much too perspicacious to be taken in by such a spurious argument”; “observant and thoughtful, he was given to asking sagacious questions”; “a source of valuable insights and sapient advice to educators”

sagacious, sapient

wise – having or prompted by wisdom or discernment; “a wise leader”; “a wise and perceptive comment”

2. perspicacious – mentally acute or penetratingly discerning; “too clear-eyed not to see what problems would follow”; “chaos could be prevented only by clear-sighted leadership”; “much too perspicacious to be taken in by so spurious an argument”

clear-eyed, clear-sighted

discerning – having or revealing keen insight and good judgment; “a discerning critic”; “a discerning reader”

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

Posted on May 8, 2009 by admin

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Word of the Day 5.7.09

certitude

cer·ti·tude (sûrt-td, -tyd)

n.

1. The state of being certain; complete assurance; confidence.

2. Sureness of occurrence or result; inevitability.

3. Something that is assured or unfailing: “eager to swap the hazards of American freedom for the gray certitudes of Soviet life” Time. See Synonyms at certainty.

[Middle English, from Late Latin `certitd`, from Latin `certus`, certain; see certain.]

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.

Noun 1. certitude – total certainty or greater certainty than circumstances warrant

cocksureness, overconfidence

certainty – the state of being certain; “his certainty reassured the others”

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

Posted on May 7, 2009 by admin

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Word of the Day 5.6.09

pragmatic

prag·mat·ic (prg-mtk)

adj.

1. Dealing or concerned with facts or actual occurrences; practical.

2. Philosophy Of or relating to pragmatism.

3. Relating to or being the study of cause and effect in historical or political events with emphasis on the practical lessons to be learned from them.

4. Archaic

a. Active; busy.

b. Active in an officious or meddlesome way.

c. Dogmatic; dictatorial.

n.

1. A pragmatic sanction.

2. Archaic A meddler; a busybody.

[Latin `prgmaticus`, skilled in business, from Greek `prgmatikos`, from `prgma, prgmat-`, deed, from `prssein, prg-`, to do.]

prag·mati·cal adj.

prag·mati·cal·ly adv.

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.

Noun 1. pragmatic – an imperial decree that becomes part of the fundamental law of the land

pragmatic sanction

imperial decree – a decree issued by a sovereign ruler

Adj. 1. pragmatic – concerned with practical matters; “a matter-of-fact (or pragmatic) approach to the problem”; “a matter-of-fact account of the trip”

matter-of-fact, pragmatical

practical – concerned with actual use or practice; “he is a very practical person”; “the idea had no practical application”; “a practical knowledge of Japanese”; “woodworking is a practical art”

2. pragmatic – of or concerning the theory of pragmatism

pragmatical

3. pragmatic – guided by practical experience and observation rather than theory; “a hardheaded appraisal of our position”; “a hard-nosed labor leader”; “completely practical in his approach to business”; “not ideology but pragmatic politics”

hard-nosed, hardheaded, practical

realistic – aware or expressing awareness of things as they really are; “a realistic description”; “a realistic view of the possibilities”; “a realistic appraisal of our chances”; “the actors tried to create a realistic portrayal of the Africans”

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

Posted on May 6, 2009 by admin

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Word of the Day 5.5.09

exoteric

ex·o·ter·ic (ks-trk)

adj.

1. Not confined to an inner circle of disciples or initiates.

2. Comprehensible to or suited to the public; popular.

3. Of or relating to the outside; external.

[Latin `extericus`, external, from Greek `exterikos`, from `exter`, comparative of `ex`, outside; see exo-.]

exo·teri·cal·ly adv.

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.

Adj. 1. exoteric – suitable for the general public; “writings of an exoteric nature”

public – not private; open to or concerning the people as a whole; “the public good”; “public libraries”; “public funds”; “public parks”; “a public scandal”; “public gardens”; “performers and members of royal families are public figures”

esoteric – confined to and understandable by only an enlightened inner circle; “a compilation of esoteric philosophical theories”

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

Posted on May 5, 2009 by admin

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Word of the Day 5.4.09

emolument

e·mol·u·ment (-mly-mnt)

n.

Payment for an office or employment; compensation.

[Middle English, from Latin `molumentum`, gain, originally a miller's fee for grinding grain, from `molere`, to grind out : `-, ex-`, ex- + `molere`, to grind; see `mel-` in Indo-European roots.]

Noun 1. emolument – compensation received by virtue of holding an office or having employment (usually in the form of wages or fees); “a clause in the U.S. constitution prevents sitting legislators from receiving emoluments from their own votes”

compensation – something (such as money) given or received as payment or reparation (as for a service or loss or injury)

Posted on May 4, 2009 by admin

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Word of the Day 5.3.09

pecuniary

pe·cu·ni·ar·y (p-kyn-r)

adj.

1. Of or relating to money: a pecuniary loss; pecuniary motives.

2. Requiring payment of money: a pecuniary offense.

[Latin `pecnirius`, from `pecnia`, property, wealth; see `peku-` in Indo-European roots.]

Adj. 1. pecuniary – relating to or involving money; “monetary rewards”; “he received thanks but no pecuniary compensation for his services”

monetary

Posted on May 3, 2009 by admin

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Word of the Day 5.2.09

discomfit

dis·com·fit (ds-kmft)

tr.v. dis·com·fit·ed, dis·com·fit·ing, dis·com·fits

1. To make uneasy or perplexed; disconcert. See Synonyms at embarrass.

2. To thwart the plans of; frustrate.

3. Archaic To defeat in battle; vanquish.

n.

Discomfiture.

[Middle English `discomfiten`, from Old French `desconfit`, past participle of `desconfire, descumfire`, to defeat : `des-`, dis- + `confire`, to make (from Latin `cnficere`, to prepare; see comfit).]

Usage Note: It is true that discomfit originally meant “to defeat, frustrate” and that its newer use meaning “to embarrass, disconcert” probably arose in part through confusion with discomfort. But the newer sense is now the most common use of the verb in all varieties of writing and should be considered entirely standard.

Verb 1. discomfit – cause to lose one’s composure

discompose, untune, upset, disconcert

arouse, elicit, evoke, provoke, enkindle, kindle, fire, raise – call forth (emotions, feelings, and responses); “arouse pity”; “raise a smile”; “evoke sympathy”

faze, unnerve, unsettle, enervate – disturb the composure of

dissolve – cause to lose control emotionally; “The news dissolved her into tears”

bemuse, discombobulate, bewilder, throw – cause to be confused emotionally

abash, embarrass – cause to be embarrassed; cause to feel self-conscious

anguish, pain, hurt – cause emotional anguish or make miserable; “It pains me to see my children not being taught well in school”

afflict – cause great unhappiness for; distress; “she was afflicted by the death of her parents”

Posted on May 2, 2009 by admin

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Noun	1.	obeisance – bending the head or body or knee as a sign of reverence or submission or shame or greeting bowing, bow reverence – an act showing respect (especially a bow or curtsy) motion, gesture – the use of movements (especially of the hands) to communicate familiar or prearranged signals genuflection, genuflexion – the act of bending the knees in worship or reverence kotow, kowtow – a former Chinese custom of touching the ground with the forehead as a sign of respect or submission scrape, scraping – a deep bow with the foot drawn backwards (indicating excessive humility); “all that bowing and scraping did not impress him” salaam – a deep bow; a Muslim form of salutation
	2.	obeisance – the act of obeying; dutiful or submissive behavior with respect to another person obedience submission, compliance – the act of submitting; usually surrendering power to another truckling – the act of obeying meanly (especially obeying in a humble manner or for unworthy reasons)

Adj.	1.	perspicacious – acutely insightful and wise; “much too perspicacious to be taken in by such a spurious argument”; “observant and thoughtful, he was given to asking sagacious questions”; “a source of valuable insights and sapient advice to educators” sagacious, sapient wise – having or prompted by wisdom or discernment; “a wise leader”; “a wise and perceptive comment”
	2.	perspicacious – mentally acute or penetratingly discerning; “too clear-eyed not to see what problems would follow”; “chaos could be prevented only by clear-sighted leadership”; “much too perspicacious to be taken in by so spurious an argument” clear-eyed, clear-sighted discerning – having or revealing keen insight and good judgment; “a discerning critic”; “a discerning reader”

Noun	1.	pragmatic – an imperial decree that becomes part of the fundamental law of the land pragmatic sanction imperial decree – a decree issued by a sovereign ruler
Adj.	1.	pragmatic – concerned with practical matters; “a matter-of-fact (or pragmatic) approach to the problem”; “a matter-of-fact account of the trip” matter-of-fact, pragmatical practical – concerned with actual use or practice; “he is a very practical person”; “the idea had no practical application”; “a practical knowledge of Japanese”; “woodworking is a practical art”
	2.	pragmatic – of or concerning the theory of pragmatism pragmatical
	3.	pragmatic – guided by practical experience and observation rather than theory; “a hardheaded appraisal of our position”; “a hard-nosed labor leader”; “completely practical in his approach to business”; “not ideology but pragmatic politics” hard-nosed, hardheaded, practical realistic – aware or expressing awareness of things as they really are; “a realistic description”; “a realistic view of the possibilities”; “a realistic appraisal of our chances”; “the actors tried to create a realistic portrayal of the Africans”

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

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al·pen·stock  (lpn-stk)

n.

A long staff with an iron point, used by mountain climbers.

[German : Alpen, Alps + Stock, staff (from Middle High German stoc, from Old High German).]

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.

Noun 1. alpenstock – a stout staff with a metal point; used by mountain climbers staff – a strong rod or stick with a specialized utilitarian purpose; “he walked with the help of a wooden staff” tip, peak, point – a V shape; “the cannibal’s teeth were filed to sharp points”

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

o·bei·sance  (-bsns, -b-)

n.

1. A gesture or movement of the body, such as a curtsy, that expresses deference or homage.

2. An attitude of deference or homage.

[Middle English obeisaunce, from Old French obeissance, from obeissant, present participle of obeir, to obey; see obey.]

o·beisant adj.

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.

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

ac·ri·mo·ni·ous  (kr-mn-s)

adj.

Bitter and sharp in language or tone; rancorous: an acrimonious debate between the two candidates.

acri·moni·ous·ly adv.

acri·moni·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.

Adj. 1. acrimonious – marked by strong resentment or cynicism; “an acrimonious dispute”; “bitter about the divorce” bitter resentful – full of or marked by resentment or indignant ill will; “resentful at the way he was treated”; “a sullen resentful attitude”

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

per·spi·ca·cious  (pûrsp-kshs)

adj.

Having or showing penetrating mental discernment; clear-sighted. See Synonyms at shrewd.

[From Latin perspicx, perspicc-, from perspicere, to look through; see perspective.]

perspi·cacious·ly adv.

perspi·cacious·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.

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

cer·ti·tude  (sûrt-td, -tyd)

n.

1. The state of being certain; complete assurance; confidence.

2. Sureness of occurrence or result; inevitability.

3. Something that is assured or unfailing: “eager to swap the hazards of American freedom for the gray certitudes of Soviet life” Time. See Synonyms at certainty.

[Middle English, from Late Latin certitd, from Latin certus, certain; see certain.]

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.

Noun 1. certitude – total certainty or greater certainty than circumstances warrant cocksureness, overconfidence certainty – the state of being certain; “his certainty reassured the others”

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

prag·mat·ic  (prg-mtk)

adj.

1. Dealing or concerned with facts or actual occurrences; practical.

2. Philosophy Of or relating to pragmatism.

3. Relating to or being the study of cause and effect in historical or political events with emphasis on the practical lessons to be learned from them.

4. Archaic

a. Active; busy.

b. Active in an officious or meddlesome way.

c. Dogmatic; dictatorial.

n.

1. A pragmatic sanction.

2. Archaic A meddler; a busybody.

[Latin prgmaticus, skilled in business, from Greek prgmatikos, from prgma, prgmat-, deed, from prssein, prg-, to do.]

prag·mati·cal adj.

prag·mati·cal·ly adv.

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.

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

ex·o·ter·ic  (ks-trk)

adj.

1. Not confined to an inner circle of disciples or initiates.

2. Comprehensible to or suited to the public; popular.

3. Of or relating to the outside; external.

[Latin extericus, external, from Greek exterikos, from exter, comparative of ex, outside; see exo-.]

exo·teri·cal·ly adv.

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.

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

al·pen·stock (lpn-stk)

[German : `Alpen`, Alps + `Stock`, staff (from Middle High German `stoc`, from Old High German).]

Noun 1. alpenstock – a stout staff with a metal point; used by mountain climbers

staff – a strong rod or stick with a specialized utilitarian purpose; “he walked with the help of a wooden staff”

tip, peak, point – a V shape; “the cannibal’s teeth were filed to sharp points”

o·bei·sance (-bsns, -b-)

[Middle English `obeisaunce`, from Old French `obeissance`, from `obeissant`, present participle of `obeir`, to obey; see obey.]

ac·ri·mo·ni·ous (kr-mn-s)

Adj. 1. acrimonious – marked by strong resentment or cynicism; “an acrimonious dispute”; “bitter about the divorce”

bitter

resentful – full of or marked by resentment or indignant ill will; “resentful at the way he was treated”; “a sullen resentful attitude”

per·spi·ca·cious (pûrsp-kshs)

[From Latin `perspicx, perspicc-`, from `perspicere`, to look through; see perspective.]

cer·ti·tude (sûrt-td, -tyd)

[Middle English, from Late Latin `certitd`, from Latin `certus`, certain; see certain.]

Noun 1. certitude – total certainty or greater certainty than circumstances warrant

cocksureness, overconfidence

certainty – the state of being certain; “his certainty reassured the others”

prag·mat·ic (prg-mtk)

[Latin `prgmaticus`, skilled in business, from Greek `prgmatikos`, from `prgma, prgmat-`, deed, from `prssein, prg-`, to do.]

ex·o·ter·ic (ks-trk)

[Latin `extericus`, external, from Greek `exterikos`, from `exter`, comparative of `ex`, outside; see exo-.]

e·mol·u·ment (-mly-mnt)

[Middle English, from Latin `molumentum`, gain, originally a miller's fee for grinding grain, from `molere`, to grind out : `-, ex-`, ex- + `molere`, to grind; see `mel-` in Indo-European roots.]

pe·cu·ni·ar·y (p-kyn-r)