Word of the Day Archive
2004
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- neoteric: recent in origin; new. (Thursday January 01)
- surly: ill-humored; sullen and gruff. (Friday January 02)
- vivify: to endue with life; to enliven. (Saturday January 03)
- sycophant: one who attempts to win favor by flattering influential people. (Sunday January 04)
- abrogate: to annul; to do away with. (Monday January 05)
- penury: extreme poverty; also, insufficiency. (Tuesday January 06)
- variegated: having marks or patches of different colors; also, varied. (Wednesday January 07)
- clamber: to climb with difficulty, or on all fours. (Thursday January 08)
- asperity: roughness of surface, sound, or manner. (Friday January 09)
- effete: infertile; also, worn out; also, decadent, effeminate. (Saturday January 10)
- venerate: to regard or treat with reverence; revere. (Sunday January 11)
- gustatory: pertaining to the sense of taste. (Monday January 12)
- tergiversation: evasion; also, desertion of a cause, party, etc. (Tuesday January 13)
- obstreperous: noisily and stubbornly defiant; also, boisterous. (Wednesday January 14)
- serendipity: the faculty or phenomenon of making fortunate accidental discoveries. (Thursday January 15)
- yen: a desire or craving. (Friday January 16)
- timorous: full of apprehensiveness; fearful. (Saturday January 17)
- irenic: promoting peace. (Sunday January 18)
- bilious: of or pertaining to bile; also, ill-tempered. (Monday January 19)
- galvanic: pertaining to a direct current of electricity; also, having the effect of an electric shock. (Tuesday January 20)
- pantheon: the collective gods of a people; also, a group of highly esteemed persons. (Wednesday January 21)
- slaver: to slobber; to drool. (Thursday January 22)
- unguent: an ointment. (Friday January 23)
- abeyance: suspension; temporary cessation. (Saturday January 24)
- concinnity: elegance -- used chiefly of literary style. (Sunday January 25)
- peripatetic: walking about or traveling from place to place. (Monday January 26)
- frangible: capable of being broken; easily broken. (Tuesday January 27)
- hebetude: mental dullness or sluggishness. (Wednesday January 28)
- soi-disant: self-styled; so-called. (Thursday January 29)
- opprobrium: reproach mingled with contempt. (Friday January 30)
- quandary: a state of difficulty or perplexity. (Saturday January 31)
- surreptitious: done, made, or gotten by stealth; also, marked by stealth. (Sunday February 01)
- quixotic: foolishly impractical; also, capricious, impulsive. (Monday February 02)
- languor: lack of energy or vitality. (Tuesday February 03)
- pulchritude: beauty. (Wednesday February 04)
- censure: to criticize severely; also, an expression of disapproval. (Thursday February 05)
- hector: to bully or harass. (Friday February 06)
- miasma: a thick vaporous atmosphere, often noxious. (Saturday February 07)
- rapport: relation characterized by sympathetic understanding. (Sunday February 08)
- forcible: effected by force used against resistance; also, powerful. (Monday February 09)
- bombinate: to buzz, hum, or drone. (Tuesday February 10)
- insuperable: incapable of being passed over, surmounted, or overcome. (Wednesday February 11)
- latitudinarian: having or expressing broad and tolerant views. (Thursday February 12)
- hinterland: backcountry. (Friday February 13)
- buss: a kiss; to kiss. (Saturday February 14)
- discrete: constituting a separate thing; also, consisting of distinct or unconnected parts. (Sunday February 15)
- plaintive: expressive of sorrow or melancholy. (Monday February 16)
- tractable: docile; manageable, governable. (Tuesday February 17)
- quietus: final acquittance, as from debt; also, rest; death. (Wednesday February 18)
- inscrutable: difficult to fathom or understand. (Thursday February 19)
- avatar: an incarnation. (Friday February 20)
- expiate: to make amends for; to atone for. (Saturday February 21)
- gauche: lacking social polish; tactless. (Sunday February 22)
- lambaste: to scold sharply; also, to beat. (Monday February 23)
- recrudescent: breaking out again. (Tuesday February 24)
- flibbertigibbet: a silly, flighty, or excessively talkative person. (Wednesday February 25)
- malapropism: the usually unintentionally humorous misuse of a word. (Thursday February 26)
- raffish: gaudily vulgar or cheap; also, characterized by a carefree or fun-loving unconventionality. (Friday February 27)
- vet: to subject to thorough appraisal; to evaluate. (Saturday February 28)
- pleonasm: the use of more words than are necessary to express an idea. (Sunday February 29)
- tenet: any opinion, principle, or doctrine held to be true. (Monday March 01)
- qua: in the capacity or character of; as. (Tuesday March 02)
- invective: insulting or abusive language. (Wednesday March 03)
- bowdlerize: to remove or modify the parts considered offensive. (Thursday March 04)
- fait accompli: an accomplished and presumably irreversible deed or fact. (Friday March 05)
- pettifogger: a petty, unscrupulous lawyer; also, who quibbles over trivia. (Saturday March 06)
- vagary: an extravagant, erratic, or unpredictable notion, action, or occurrence. (Sunday March 07)
- idyll: a poem or prose work depicting rural or pastoral life; also, a carefree episode or experience. (Monday March 08)
- truckle: to act in a subservient manner. (Tuesday March 09)
- patrician: a nobleman; also, a person of refined upbringing, manners, and taste. (Wednesday March 10)
- apocryphal: of doubtful authority or authenticity. (Thursday March 11)
- efficacious: producing, or capable of producing, a desired effect. (Friday March 12)
- deign: to condescend. (Saturday March 13)
- sanctum: a place where one is free from intrusion. (Sunday March 14)
- malinger: to feign illness or inability. (Monday March 15)
- redound: to have a consequence or effect. (Tuesday March 16)
- perfidy: faithlessness; treachery. (Wednesday March 17)
- doughty: valiant; brave. (Thursday March 18)
- anathema: a curse; a person or thing cursed, or intensely disliked. (Friday March 19)
- salad days: a time of youthful inexperience, innocence, or indiscretion. (Saturday March 20)
- connubial: of or pertaining to marriage. (Sunday March 21)
- repletion: the condition of being completely or excessively full. (Monday March 22)
- woebegone: woeful; also, run-down. (Tuesday March 23)
- perorate: to conclude or sum up a long discourse; also, to speak at length. (Wednesday March 24)
- gambol: to dance and skip about in play. (Thursday March 25)
- mephitic: offensive to the smell; also, noxious. (Friday March 26)
- inimical: unfriendly; unfavorable. (Saturday March 27)
- ken: perception, view; especially, reach of sight or knowledge. (Sunday March 28)
- proscribe: to forbid; to prohibit. (Monday March 29)
- grandiloquent: expressed in a lofty style; pompous; bombastic. (Tuesday March 30)
- approbation: formal or official approval; also, praise. (Wednesday March 31)
- puckish: whimsical; mischievous; impish. (Thursday April 01)
- coterminous: of equal extent or duration. (Friday April 02)
- mountebank: a quack; also, a charlatan. (Saturday April 03)
- tirade: a long angry speech. (Sunday April 04)
- palaver: idle talk; also, to talk idly. (Monday April 05)
- vertiginous: causing dizziness; also, giddy; dizzy. (Tuesday April 06)
- remonstrate: to present and urge reasons in opposition. (Wednesday April 07)
- bailiwick: a person's specific area of knowledge, authority, interest, skill, or work. (Thursday April 08)
- impregnable: able to resist attack. (Friday April 09)
- renege: to go back on a promise or commitment. (Saturday April 10)
- apprise: to give notice to; to inform. (Sunday April 11)
- improvident: lacking foresight; negligent; thoughtless. (Monday April 12)
- carom: to strike and rebound; also, a glancing off. (Tuesday April 13)
- myrmidon: a loyal follower. (Wednesday April 14)
- privation: the state of being deprived of something. (Thursday April 15)
- ossify: to harden or to become bone. (Friday April 16)
- troglodyte: someone who dwells in a cave. (Saturday April 17)
- wan: pale; also, lacking vitality or intensity. (Sunday April 18)
- peremptory: precluding or putting an end to all debate or action. (Monday April 19)
- harbinger: a precursor; one that presages what is to come. (Tuesday April 20)
- small beer: weak beer; also, matters of little importance. (Wednesday April 21)
- commodious: comfortably spacious; roomy. (Thursday April 22)
- scapegrace: one who is wild and reckless. (Friday April 23)
- nascent: beginning to exist. (Saturday April 24)
- gravid: pregnant. (Sunday April 25)
- lucubration: laborious work, study, thought, etc., esp. at night. (Monday April 26)
- supine: lying on the back; also, indolent; listless. (Tuesday April 27)
- heterodox: holding unorthodox opinions. (Wednesday April 28)
- predilection: an established preference. (Thursday April 29)
- verisimilitude: the quality of seeming to be true. (Friday April 30)
- commensurate: equal in measure or extent; also, proportionate. (Saturday May 01)
- urbane: polished and smooth in manner. (Sunday May 02)
- abstruse: difficult to comprehend. (Monday May 03)
- militate: to have force or influence. (Tuesday May 04)
- embonpoint: plumpness of person. (Wednesday May 05)
- preternatural: beyond of different from what is natural; inexplicable; extraordinary; abnormal. (Thursday May 06)
- hardscrabble: barren, marginal; also, marked by poverty. (Friday May 07)
- ignoramus: an ignorant person; a dunce. (Saturday May 08)
- apologia: a formal defense or justification. (Sunday May 09)
- sentient: capable of perceiving by the senses. (Monday May 10)
- conflagration: a large and destructive fire. (Tuesday May 11)
- bromide: a commonplace or conventional saying. (Wednesday May 12)
- suasion: the act of persuading. (Thursday May 13)
- roue: a man devoted to a life of sensual pleasure. (Friday May 14)
- hullabaloo: a confused noise; uproar. (Saturday May 15)
- neologism: a new word or expression; the use or creation of new words or expressions. (Sunday May 16)
- redoubtable: formidable; also, illustrious; eminent. (Monday May 17)
- accede: to agree or assent; also, to become a party. (Tuesday May 18)
- doyen: the senior member of a body or group. (Wednesday May 19)
- abecedarian: pertaining to the alphabet; also, rudimentary; also, a beginner. (Thursday May 20)
- crabwise: sideways; also, in a cautiously indirect manner. (Friday May 21)
- glabrous: without hairs or projections; smooth. (Saturday May 22)
- tarradiddle: a fib; also, pretentious nonsense. (Sunday May 23)
- irrupt: to burst in forcibly or suddenly. (Monday May 24)
- agrestic: pertaining to fields or the country. (Tuesday May 25)
- cap-a-pie: from head to foot. (Wednesday May 26)
- fetor: a strong, offensive smell. (Thursday May 27)
- olla podrida: a kind of seasoned stew; also, a mixture, a hodgepodge. (Friday May 28)
- pernicious: deadly; destructive; exceedingly harmful. (Saturday May 29)
- aegis: a shield; protection. (Sunday May 30)
- politic: political; also, shrewdly tactful. (Monday May 31)
- starveling: one who is starving or being starved; also, poor in quality. (Tuesday June 01)
- autochthonous: indigenous; native. (Wednesday June 02)
- palliate: to make an offense seem less serious; also, to relieve or lessen without curing. (Thursday June 03)
- vade mecum: a book or other thing that one regularly carries about. (Friday June 04)
- comely: pleasing to the sight. (Saturday June 05)
- dictum: an authoritative statement. (Sunday June 06)
- mendicant: a beggar. (Monday June 07)
- enjoin: to direct or impose with authority; also, to forbid. (Tuesday June 08)
- braggadocio: empty boasting. (Wednesday June 09)
- homily: a sermon or lecture; also, an inspirational saying or a platitude. (Thursday June 10)
- recumbent: reclining; lying down. (Friday June 11)
- sonorous: yielding sound; impressive in sound. (Saturday June 12)
- bedizen: to dress or adorn in gaudy manner. (Sunday June 13)
- equanimity: calmness; composure. (Monday June 14)
- primogeniture: the state of being the firstborn; also, an exclusive right of inheritance that belongs to the eldest son. (Tuesday June 15)
- ancillary: subordinate, subsidiary; auxiliary. (Wednesday June 16)
- Potemkin village: a false front or facade. (Thursday June 17)
- favonian: pertaining to the west wind; soft; mild; gentle. (Friday June 18)
- trenchant: forceful and vigorous; also, caustic; also, clear-cut. (Saturday June 19)
- yeasty: frothy; foamy; spumy, like yeast. (Sunday June 20)
- deipnosophist: one skilled in table talk. (Monday June 21)
- jeremiad: a doleful story; also, a dolorous or angry tirade.. (Tuesday June 22)
- delectation: great pleasure; delight. (Wednesday June 23)
- pin money: money for incidental expenses; also, a trivial sum. (Thursday June 24)
- ab ovo: from the beginning. (Friday June 25)
- woolgathering: indulgence in idle daydreaming. (Saturday June 26)
- peccant: sinning. (Sunday June 27)
- nolens volens: whether unwilling or willing. (Monday June 28)
- quisling: a collaborator; a traitor. (Tuesday June 29)
- misprize: to despise; also, to undervalue. (Wednesday June 30)
- tete-a-tete: a private conversation. (Thursday July 01)
- agon: struggle; conflict. (Friday July 02)
- collegial: characterized by or having authority vested equally among colleagues. (Saturday July 03)
- ludic: playful. (Sunday July 04)
- refractory: stubbornly disobedient. (Monday July 05)
- congeries: a collection; an aggregation. (Tuesday July 06)
- errant: wandering; deviating from an appointed course, or from a direct path; roving. (Wednesday July 07)
- teetotaler: one pledged to abstinence from alcoholic drinks. (Thursday July 08)
- flummery: mumbo jumbo; nonsense. (Friday July 09)
- overweening: overbearing; also, excessive. (Saturday July 10)
- acrimony: bitter, harsh, or biting sharpness. (Sunday July 11)
- remunerate: to pay an equivalent to for any service, loss, or expense. (Monday July 12)
- supernal: being on high; celestial. (Tuesday July 13)
- libation: the act of pouring a liquid as a sacrifice; also, a beverage. (Wednesday July 14)
- acuity: acuteness of perception or vision. (Thursday July 15)
- salient: noticeable; also, projecting; also, leaping. (Friday July 16)
- pandemic: affecting a whole people or a number of countries. (Saturday July 17)
- entreat: to ask for or request earnestly. (Sunday July 18)
- ineffectual: without effect; weak; useless. (Monday July 19)
- hypnagogic: inducing sleep; of or pertaining to drowsiness. (Tuesday July 20)
- draconian: excessively harsh; severe. (Wednesday July 21)
- eructation: the act of belching; a belch. (Thursday July 22)
- treacly: overly sweet or sentimental. (Friday July 23)
- sciolism: superficial knowledge. (Saturday July 24)
- beau ideal: a perfect or an idealized type or model. (Sunday July 25)
- incarnadine: pink or red; also, to redden. (Monday July 26)
- roborant: restoring strength or vigor; also, a restorative. (Tuesday July 27)
- aerie: a nest or dwelling built in a lofty place. (Wednesday July 28)
- ensorcell: to enchant; to bewitch. (Thursday July 29)
- lapidary: of or pertaining to stone cutting; also, terse or refined in expression. (Friday July 30)
- megrim: a migraine; also, a fancy or whim; in the plural, low spirits. (Saturday July 31)
- apotheosis: a model of excellence or perfection of a kind. (Sunday August 01)
- fructuous: fruitful; productive. (Monday August 02)
- providential: resulting from divine providence; also, peculiarly fortunate or appropriate. (Tuesday August 03)
- conflate: to bring together; to meld. (Wednesday August 04)
- bloviate: to speak or write in a pompous manner. (Thursday August 05)
- sui generis: unique. (Friday August 06)
- nonpareil: having no equal. (Saturday August 07)
- efface: to cause to disappear by rubbing out, striking out, etc. (Sunday August 08)
- gamine: an urchin; also, a mischievous girl or young woman. (Monday August 09)
- senescent: growing old. (Tuesday August 10)
- arcanum: a secret; a mystery. (Wednesday August 11)
- flaneur: one who strolls about aimlessly; a lounger; a loafer. (Thursday August 12)
- presentiment: a premonition. (Friday August 13)
- countervail: to counteract; also, to offset. (Saturday August 14)
- abominate: to detest intensely. (Sunday August 15)
- pervicacious: stubborn; obstinate. (Monday August 16)
- foofaraw: excessive or flashy ornamentation; also, a fuss over a trivial matter. (Tuesday August 17)
- Cockaigne: an imaginary land of ease and luxury. (Wednesday August 18)
- imprimatur: approval or sanction. (Thursday August 19)
- punctilio: a fine point of exactness in conduct, ceremony, or procedure. (Friday August 20)
- verbose: wordy. (Saturday August 21)
- excrescence: something growing out from something else; also, a disfiguring or unwanted part. (Sunday August 22)
- amicable: characterized by friendliness and good will. (Monday August 23)
- fungible: interchangeable. (Tuesday August 24)
- nimbus: a dark gray rain cloud; also, a halo, an aura. (Wednesday August 25)
- eddy: a current running contrary to a main current or in a circular direction. (Thursday August 26)
- Methuselah: an extremely old man. (Friday August 27)
- bon vivant: a person with refined and sociable tastes. (Saturday August 28)
- copse: a thicket of small trees or bushes; a small wood. (Sunday August 29)
- contrite: feeling or expressing grief and regret for sins or offenses. (Monday August 30)
- sere: dry; withered. (Tuesday August 31)
- dolorous: marked by, causing, or expressing grief or sorrow. (Wednesday September 01)
- plenipotentiary: invested with full power. (Thursday September 02)
- myriad: consisting of a very great but indefinite number; also, a very great many. (Friday September 03)
- bricolage: construction or something constructed by using whatever materials happen to be available. (Saturday September 04)
- malodorous: having a bad odor. (Sunday September 05)
- pied-a-terre: a temporary or second place of lodging. (Monday September 06)
- epicene: having the characteristics of both the male and the female. (Tuesday September 07)
- skulduggery: devious, dishonest, or unscrupulous behavior or activity. (Wednesday September 08)
- adage: an old saying. (Thursday September 09)
- wizened: shriveled; withered. (Friday September 10)
- indefatigable: untiring. (Saturday September 11)
- disport: to frolic; to amuse (oneself). (Sunday September 12)
- appellation: a name, title, or designation. (Monday September 13)
- longueur: a tedious passage in a work of literature or performance art. (Tuesday September 14)
- rivulet: a small stream or brook. (Wednesday September 15)
- chimera: a mental fabrication. (Thursday September 16)
- avoirdupois: weight; heaviness. (Friday September 17)
- machination: a crafty scheme intended to accomplish some usually evil end. (Saturday September 18)
- calumny: malicious misrepresentation; slander. (Sunday September 19)
- fatidic: of, relating to, or characterized by prophecy. (Monday September 20)
- tatterdemalion: a person dressed in tattered clothing. (Tuesday September 21)
- confabulation: familiar talk. (Wednesday September 22)
- inkhorn: affectedly or ostentatiously learned. (Thursday September 23)
- quash: to annul; also, to crush; to subdue. (Friday September 24)
- wiseacre: a smart aleck. (Saturday September 25)
- cacophony: harsh or discordant sound. (Sunday September 26)
- excursus: a digression. (Monday September 27)
- credulous: inclined to believe too readily. (Tuesday September 28)
- harangue: a speech addressed to a public assembly; also, a noisy or pompous speech. (Wednesday September 29)
- ignoble: not noble. (Thursday September 30)
- enunciate: to utter articulately; also, to state or set forth precisely or systematically. (Friday October 01)
- acclimate: to accustom or become accustomed to a new climate, environment, or situation. (Saturday October 02)
- cudgel: a short heavy stick. (Sunday October 03)
- abulia: loss or impairment of the ability to act or to make decisions. (Monday October 04)
- didactic: conveying instruction; teaching some moral lesson. (Tuesday October 05)
- rapprochement: the establishment or state of cordial relations. (Wednesday October 06)
- tremulous: shaking, quivering; also, affected with fear. (Thursday October 07)
- histrionic: theatrical. (Friday October 08)
- cohort: a group; also, a companion or associate. (Saturday October 09)
- egress: the act of going out or leaving; exit. (Sunday October 10)
- indigence: extreme poverty. (Monday October 11)
- effusive: excessively demonstrative. (Tuesday October 12)
- obeisance: an expression of deference. (Wednesday October 13)
- affray: a tumultuous assault or quarrel; a brawl. (Thursday October 14)
- prima facie: at first view. (Friday October 15)
- undulant: resembling waves in form, motion, or occurrence. (Saturday October 16)
- convivial: relating to feasting, drinking, and good company; festive. (Sunday October 17)
- maunder: to talk or wander aimlessly. (Monday October 18)
- corpulent: very fat; obese. (Tuesday October 19)
- popinjay: a vain and talkative person. (Wednesday October 20)
- vatic: of or characteristic of a prophet or prophecy. (Thursday October 21)
- fecund: fruitful; prolific; also, marked by intellectual productivity. (Friday October 22)
- caterwaul: to make a harsh cry or screech. (Saturday October 23)
- acerbic: sharp, biting, or acid in temper, expression, or tone. (Sunday October 24)
- heterogeneous: consisting of dissimilar elements. (Monday October 25)
- rodomontade: pretentious, bragging speech. (Tuesday October 26)
- hoary: tedious from familiarity; stale. (Wednesday October 27)
- foundling: a deserted or abandoned child. (Thursday October 28)
- cavort: to bound or prance about. (Friday October 29)
- inexorable: unyielding; relentless. (Saturday October 30)
- diablerie: sorcery; also, mischievous conduct. (Sunday October 31)
- debouch: to emerge; to issue. (Monday November 01)
- jejune: lacking in nutritional value; also, immature; also, dull. (Tuesday November 02)
- redolent: having or exuding fragrance; also, evocative, reminiscent. (Wednesday November 03)
- imprecation: a curse. (Thursday November 04)
- obsequious: servilely attentive; fawning. (Friday November 05)
- effrontery: shameless boldness; insolence. (Saturday November 06)
- arriviste: an upstart. (Sunday November 07)
- fallible: liable to make a mistake. (Monday November 08)
- gadabout: one who roams about in search of amusement or social activity. (Tuesday November 09)
- ribald: characterized by, or given to, vulgar humor. (Wednesday November 10)
- turbid: muddy; not clear; also, confused; disordered. (Thursday November 11)
- propitiate: to appease; to conciliate. (Friday November 12)
- discomfit: to disconcert; also, to thwart. (Saturday November 13)
- intrepid: fearless; bold. (Sunday November 14)
- chortle: to utter, or express with, a snorting, exultant laugh or chuckle. (Monday November 15)
- louche: of questionable taste or morality. (Tuesday November 16)
- supplant: to take the place of. (Wednesday November 17)
- clerisy: the intelligentsia. (Thursday November 18)
- denouement: the final resolution of the main complication of a literary or dramatic work. (Friday November 19)
- prink: to primp. (Saturday November 20)
- sagacious: having or showing keen discernment. (Sunday November 21)
- disquisition: a formal discourse on a subject. (Monday November 22)
- panjandrum: an important or self-important official. (Tuesday November 23)
- tattoo: a rapid, rhythmic drumming or rapping. (Wednesday November 24)
- cormorant: a gluttonous or greedy person. (Thursday November 25)
- pastiche: a hodgepodge; a potpourri. (Friday November 26)
- egregious: outrageously bad. (Saturday November 27)
- cajole: to coax. (Sunday November 28)
- Promethean: of or pertaining to Prometheus; also, boldly original. (Monday November 29)
- contretemps: something inopportune or embarrassing. (Tuesday November 30)
- ne plus ultra: the acme; also, the most profound degree. (Wednesday December 01)
- empyrean: the highest heaven; the heavens; the sky. (Thursday December 02)
- malversation: misconduct in public office. (Friday December 03)
- cadre: a core or nucleus of trained or otherwise qualified personnel around which an organization is formed. (Saturday December 04)
- exhort: to urge strongly. (Sunday December 05)
- genuflect: to bend the knee, as in worship; also, to grovel. (Monday December 06)
- demur: to object; also, to delay. (Tuesday December 07)
- perfervid: ardent; impassioned. (Wednesday December 08)
- solecism: a breach of good manners or etiquette. (Thursday December 09)
- extemporaneous: composed, performed, or uttered on the spur of the moment. (Friday December 10)
- forgo: to do without. (Saturday December 11)
- raiment: clothing in general; garments. (Sunday December 12)
- aborning: (while) being produced or born. (Monday December 13)
- dulcet: melodious. (Tuesday December 14)
- hoi polloi: the common people; the masses. (Wednesday December 15)
- recherche: exotic; rare; also, affected, pretentious. (Thursday December 16)
- permeate: to spread or diffuse through. (Friday December 17)
- germane: appropriate or fitting; relevant. (Saturday December 18)
- disconsolate: hopelessly sad; also, saddening; cheerless. (Sunday December 19)
- languid: lacking vigor or force. (Monday December 20)
- etiolate: to blanch or bleach; to make sickly. (Tuesday December 21)
- moil: to labor; to toil; to drudge. (Wednesday December 22)
- exegesis: critical explanation or analysis, especially of a text. (Thursday December 23)
- cornucopia: the horn of plenty; also, an abundance. (Friday December 24)
- benison: blessing; an utterance of good wishes. (Saturday December 25)
- punctilious: precise; exact in the smallest particulars. (Sunday December 26)
- brackish: somewhat salty; also, distasteful. (Monday December 27)
- raillery: good-humored banter or teasing repartee. (Tuesday December 28)
- sedition: incitement of rebellion against lawful authority. (Wednesday December 29)
- riposte: a quick and effective reply by word or act. (Thursday December 30)
- tintinnabulation: a tinkling sound, as of a bell or bells. (Friday December 31)
