Word of the Day 1.6.09

gable

ga·ble (gbl)

n.

1.

a. The generally triangular section of wall at the end of a pitched roof, occupying the space between the two slopes of the roof.

b. The whole end wall of a building or wing having a pitched roof.

2. A triangular, usually ornamental architectural section, as one above an arched door or window.


[Middle English gable, gavel, from Norman French gable (perhaps of Celtic origin) and from Old Norse gafl; see ghebh-el- in Indo-European roots.]


gabled 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. gable - the vertical triangular wall between the sloping ends of gable roof

bell gable - an extension of a gable that serves as a bell cote
corbie gable - (architecture) a gable having corbie-steps or corbel steps
pediment - a triangular gable between a horizontal entablature and a sloping roof
wall - an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure; “the south wall had a small window”; “the walls were covered with pictures”
2. Gable - United States film actor (1901-1960)

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

Posted on January 6, 2009 by admin

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Word of the Day 1.5.09

polyglot

pol·y·glot (pl-glt)

adj.

Speaking, writing, written in, or composed of several languages.

n.

1. A person having a speaking, reading, or writing knowledge of several languages.

2. A book, especially a Bible, containing several versions of the same text in different languages.

3. A mixture or confusion of languages.


[French polyglotte, from Greek poluglttos : polu-, poly- + gltta, tongue, language.]


poly·glotism, poly·glottism 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.

Noun 1. polyglot - a person who speaks more than one language

individual, mortal, person, somebody, someone, soul - a human being; “there was too much for one person to do”
bilingual, bilingualist - a person who speaks two languages fluently
transcriber, translator - a person who translates written messages from one language to another
Adj. 1. polyglot - having a command of or composed in many languages; “a polyglot traveler”; “a polyglot Bible contains versions in different languages”

multilingual - using or knowing more than one language; “a multilingual translator”; “a multilingual nation”

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

Posted on January 5, 2009 by admin

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Word of the Day 1.4.09

reticent

ret·i·cent (rt-snt)

adj.

1. Inclined to keep one’s thoughts, feelings, and personal affairs to oneself. See Synonyms at silent.

2. Restrained or reserved in style.

3. Reluctant; unwilling.


[Latin reticns, reticent-, present participle of reticre, to keep silent : re-, re- + tacre, to be silent.]


reti·cent·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. reticent - temperamentally disinclined to talk

taciturn - habitually reserved and uncommunicative
2. reticent - cool and formal in manner

undemonstrative - not given to open expression of emotion
3. reticent - reluctant to draw attention to yourself

unassertive - inclined to timidity or lack of self-confidence; “a shy unassertive person”

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

Posted on January 4, 2009 by admin

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Word of the Day 1.3.09

Canted

cant 1 (knt)

n.

1. Angular deviation from a vertical or horizontal plane or surface; an inclination or slope.

2. A slanted or oblique surface.

3.

a. A thrust or motion that tilts something.

b. The tilt caused by such a thrust or motion.

4. An outer corner, as of a building.

v. cant·ed, cant·ing, cants

v.tr.

1. To set at an oblique angle; tilt.

2. To give a slanting edge to; bevel.

3. To change the direction of suddenly.

v.intr.

1. To lean to one side; slant.

2. To take an oblique direction or course; swing around, as a ship.


[Middle English, side, from Old North French, from Vulgar Latin *cantus, corner, from Latin canthus, rim of wheel, tire, of Celtic origin.]

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. canted - departing or being caused to depart from the true vertical or horizontal; “the leaning tower of Pisa”; “the headstones were tilted”

inclined - at an angle to the horizontal or vertical position; “an inclined plane”

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

Posted on January 3, 2009 by admin

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Word of the Day 1.2.09

untrammeled

un·tram·meled (n-trmld)

adj.

Not limited or restricted; unrestrained.

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.

untrammeled - not confined or limited; “the gift of a fresh eye and an untrammeled curiosity”- Russell Lord; “the untrammeled rush that the snows had shown in the first spring sun”- Farley Mowat

unlimited, limitless - having no limits in range or scope; “to start with a theory of unlimited freedom is to end up with unlimited despotism”- Philip Rahv; “the limitless reaches of outer space”

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

Posted on January 2, 2009 by admin

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Word of the Day 1.1.09

staccato

stac·ca·to (st-kät)

adj.

1. Music Cut short crisply; detached: staccato octaves.

2. Marked by or composed of abrupt, disconnected parts or sounds: staccato applause.

n. pl. stac·ca·tos or stac·ca·ti (-t)

A staccato manner or sound.


[Italian, past participle of staccare, to detach, short for distaccare, from obsolete French destacher, from Old French destachier; see detach.]


stac·cato 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. staccato - (music) marked by or composed of disconnected parts or sounds; cut short crisply; “staccato applause”; “a staccato command”; “staccato notes”

music - an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner
legato, smooth - (music) without breaks between notes; smooth and connected; “a legato passage”
Adv. 1. staccato - separating the notes; in music; “play this staccato, please”

legato - connecting the notes; in music; “play this legato, please”

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

Posted on January 1, 2009 by admin

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Word of the Day 12.31.08

furtive

fur·tive (fûrtv)

adj.

1. Characterized by stealth; surreptitious.

2. Expressive of hidden motives or purposes; shifty. See Synonyms at secret.


[French furtif, from Old French, from Latin frtvus, from frtum, theft, from fr, thief; see bher-1 in Indo-European roots.]


furtive·ly adv.

furtive·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. furtive - marked by quiet and caution and secrecy; taking pains to avoid being observed; “a furtive manner”; “a sneak attack”; “stealthy footsteps”; “a surreptitious glance at his watch”

concealed - hidden on any grounds for any motive; “a concealed weapon”; “a concealed compartment in his briefcase”
2. furtive - secret and sly or sordid; “backstairs gossip”; “his low backstairs cunning”- A.L.Guerard; “backstairs intimacies”; “furtive behavior”

covert - secret or hidden; not openly practiced or engaged in or shown or avowed; “covert actions by the CIA”; “covert funding for the rebels”

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

Posted on December 31, 2008 by admin

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Word of the Day 12.30.08

impudent

im·pu·dent (mpy-dnt)

adj.

1. Characterized by offensive boldness; insolent or impertinent. See Synonyms at shameless.

2. Obsolete Immodest.


[Middle English, from Latin impudns, impudent- : in-, not; see in-1 + pudns, present participle of pudre, to be ashamed.]


impu·dent·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. impudent - marked by casual disrespect; “a flip answer to serious question”; “the student was kept in for impudent behavior”

disrespectful - exhibiting lack of respect; rude and discourteous; “remarks disrespectful of the law”; “disrespectful in the presence of his parents”; “disrespectful toward his teacher”
2. impudent - improperly forward or bold; “don’t be fresh with me”; “impertinent of a child to lecture a grownup”; “an impudent boy given to insulting strangers”; “Don’t get wise with me!”

forward - used of temperament or behavior; lacking restraint or modesty; “a forward child badly in need of discipline”

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

Posted on December 30, 2008 by admin

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Word of the Day 12.29.08

mollify

mol·li·fy (ml-f)

tr.v. mol·li·fied, mol·li·fy·ing, mol·li·fies

1. To calm in temper or feeling; soothe. See Synonyms at pacify.

2. To lessen in intensity; temper.

3. To reduce the rigidity of; soften.


[Middle English mollifien, from Old French mollifier, from Late Latin mollificre : Latin mollis, soft; see mel-1 in Indo-European roots + -ficre, -fy.]


molli·fia·ble adj.

molli·fi·cation (-f-kshn) n.

molli·fier n.

molli·fying·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.

Verb 1. mollify - cause to be more favorably inclined; gain the good will of; “She managed to mollify the angry customer”

calm, still, tranquilize, tranquillise, tranquillize, calm down, quiet, quieten, lull - make calm or still; “quiet the dragons of worry and fear”
2. mollify - make more temperate, acceptable, or suitable by adding something else; moderate; “she tempered her criticism”

weaken - lessen the strength of; “The fever weakened his body”
3. mollify - make less rigid or softer

soften - make soft or softer; “This liquid will soften your laundry”

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

Posted on December 29, 2008 by admin

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Word of the Day 12.28.08

elucidate

e·lu·ci·date (-ls-dt)

v. e·lu·ci·dat·ed, e·lu·ci·dat·ing, e·lu·ci·dates

v.tr.

To make clear or plain, especially by explanation; clarify.

v.intr.

To give an explanation that serves to clarify. See Synonyms at explain.


[Late Latin lcidre, lcidt- : Latin -, ex-, intensive pref.; see ex- + Latin lcidus, bright (from lcre, to shine; see leuk- in Indo-European roots).]


e·luci·dation n.

e·luci·dative adj.

e·luci·dator 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.

Verb 1. elucidate - make clear and (more) comprehensible; “clarify the mystery surrounding her death”

demystify - make less mysterious or remove the mystery from; “let’s demystify the event by explaining what it is all about”
crystalise, crystalize, crystallise, shed light on, sort out, crystallize, elucidate, illuminate, enlighten, straighten out, clear up, clear - make free from confusion or ambiguity; make clear; “Could you clarify these remarks?”; “Clear up the question of who is at fault”
explain, explicate - make plain and comprehensible; “He explained the laws of physics to his students”
elaborate, expatiate, expound, lucubrate, dilate, flesh out, exposit, enlarge, expand - add details, as to an account or idea; clarify the meaning of and discourse in a learned way, usually in writing; “She elaborated on the main ideas in her dissertation”
disambiguate - state unambiguously or remove ambiguities from; “Can you disambiguate this statement?”
2. elucidate - make free from confusion or ambiguity; make clear; “Could you clarify these remarks?”; “Clear up the question of who is at fault”

clarify, clear up, elucidate - make clear and (more) comprehensible; “clarify the mystery surrounding her death”

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

Posted on December 28, 2008 by admin

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