Word of the Day Archive
2005
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- transmute: to change from one nature, form, substance, or state into another. (Saturday January 01)
- galumph: to move in a clumsy manner or with a heavy tread. (Sunday January 02)
- rejoinder: an answer to a reply. (Monday January 03)
- distrait: divided or withdrawn in attention, especially because of anxiety. (Tuesday January 04)
- vituperation: abusive language. (Wednesday January 05)
- lubricious: lewd; also, slippery or smooth. (Thursday January 06)
- oblation: an offering. (Friday January 07)
- putsch: an attempt to overthrow a government. (Saturday January 08)
- impervious: impenetrable; also, not capable of being affected. (Sunday January 09)
- cosmopolite: a cosmopolitan person. (Monday January 10)
- quagmire: a predicament. (Tuesday January 11)
- eldritch: unearthly; weird; eerie. (Wednesday January 12)
- indurate: to make hard; to harden. (Thursday January 13)
- slake: to satisfy or quench; also, to cause to lessen. (Friday January 14)
- profuse: plentiful; copious. (Saturday January 15)
- hubris: overbearing pride or presumption. (Sunday January 16)
- apogee: the highest point. (Monday January 17)
- voluble: characterized by a ready flow of speech. (Tuesday January 18)
- bibulous: of, pertaining to, marked by, or given to the consumption of alcohol. (Wednesday January 19)
- perfunctory: done routinely. (Thursday January 20)
- omnipresent: present in all places at the same time. (Friday January 21)
- forlorn: sad and lonely because deserted, abandoned, or lost. (Saturday January 22)
- evince: to show in a clear manner. (Sunday January 23)
- seriatim: in a series; one after another. (Monday January 24)
- coruscate: to emit vivid flashes of light; sparkle; scintillate; gleam. (Tuesday January 25)
- turpitude: baseness; depravity. (Wednesday January 26)
- moiety: a half; a small part. (Thursday January 27)
- bete noire: something or someone particularly detested or avoided. (Friday January 28)
- stasis: a state of balance, equilibrium, or stagnation. (Saturday January 29)
- extirpate: to eradicate; to destroy. (Sunday January 30)
- perdurable: very durable; long lasting. (Monday January 31)
- circumambient: surrounding; encompassing. (Tuesday February 01)
- ukase: an edict. (Wednesday February 02)
- discursive: digressive; rambling; also, marked by analytical reasoning. (Thursday February 03)
- pukka: genuine, authentic, or good; proper. (Friday February 04)
- kvetch: to complain habitually. (Saturday February 05)
- brio: vigor; vivacity. (Sunday February 06)
- importunate: troublesomely urgent. (Monday February 07)
- dishabille: the state of being carelessly or partially dressed. (Tuesday February 08)
- purblind: having greatly reduced vision. (Wednesday February 09)
- asseverate: to affirm or declare positively or earnestly. (Thursday February 10)
- celerity: quickness; swiftness. (Friday February 11)
- nefarious: wicked in the extreme. (Saturday February 12)
- agitprop: propaganda. (Sunday February 13)
- inamorata: a woman whom one is in love with. (Monday February 14)
- diffident: bashful or unassertive. (Tuesday February 15)
- polymath: a person of great or varied learning. (Wednesday February 16)
- fiduciary: relating to the holding of something in trust for another. (Thursday February 17)
- perspicacity: clearness of understanding. (Friday February 18)
- legerdemain: sleight of hand. (Saturday February 19)
- cavalcade: a procession. (Sunday February 20)
- faineant: doing nothing; idle; also, a do-nothing. (Monday February 21)
- perforce: by necessity. (Tuesday February 22)
- mellifluous: flowing sweetly or smoothly. (Wednesday February 23)
- eschew: to shun; to avoid. (Thursday February 24)
- blackguard: a scoundrel. (Friday February 25)
- mulct: to defraud. (Saturday February 26)
- paean: a song or other expression of praise or joy. (Sunday February 27)
- incipient: beginning to exist or appear. (Monday February 28)
- salubrious: healthful. (Tuesday March 01)
- fiat: an arbitrary or authoritative command or order. (Wednesday March 02)
- gelid: extremely cold; icy. (Thursday March 03)
- billet: to provide or obtain lodging. (Friday March 04)
- incongruous: lacking in harmony. (Saturday March 05)
- nepotism: favoritism shown to members of one's family. (Sunday March 06)
- fey: possessing or displaying a strange and otherworldly aspect or quality. (Monday March 07)
- ambuscade: an ambush; also, to ambush. (Tuesday March 08)
- gourmand: one who enjoys good food in great quantities. (Wednesday March 09)
- lachrymose: given to causing tears. (Thursday March 10)
- coquetry: flirtation. (Friday March 11)
- potboiler: a usually inferior literary or artistic work, produced quickly for the purpose of making money. (Saturday March 12)
- parse: to analyze. (Sunday March 13)
- nimiety: excess. (Monday March 14)
- quotidian: occurring daily; also, ordinary. (Tuesday March 15)
- fugacious: lasting but a short time. (Wednesday March 16)
- cabal: a group that seeks power usually through intrigue. (Thursday March 17)
- pecuniary: relating to money. (Friday March 18)
- postprandial: happening or done after a meal. (Saturday March 19)
- spoonerism: the transposition of usually initial sounds in a pair of words. (Sunday March 20)
- furbelow: something showy or superfluous. (Monday March 21)
- stygian: dark and gloomy; also, infernal. (Tuesday March 22)
- lumpen: those individuals cut off from their normal socioeconomic class. (Wednesday March 23)
- copacetic: very satisfactory. (Thursday March 24)
- pestiferous: bearing or bringing disease, moral harm, or annoyance. (Friday March 25)
- luculent: clear; easily understood. (Saturday March 26)
- sapid: having flavor, especially a strong pleasant flavor. (Sunday March 27)
- contemn: to scorn; to despise. (Monday March 28)
- aliment: nutriment or sustenance. (Tuesday March 29)
- temporize: to be indecisive or evasive in order to gain time; also, to go with the times. (Wednesday March 30)
- magniloquent: lofty or grandiose in speech or expression. (Thursday March 31)
- jape: a trick or practical joke. (Friday April 01)
- biddable: easily led or commanded; obedient. (Saturday April 02)
- cloy: to weary or become distasteful through excess. (Sunday April 03)
- amanuensis: one employed to take dictation or to copy manuscripts. (Monday April 04)
- shibboleth: a word, pronunciation, saying, belief, practice, etc., that distinguishes one group from another. (Tuesday April 05)
- complement: something that fills up or completes. (Wednesday April 06)
- maudlin: excessively sentimental. (Thursday April 07)
- Panglossian: excessively or naively optimistic. (Friday April 08)
- supervene: to take place or occur as something additional, extraneous, or unexpected. (Saturday April 09)
- hagiography: biography of saints; also, idealizing or idolizing biography. (Sunday April 10)
- malapropos: unseasonable or unseasonably; inappropriate or inappropriately. (Monday April 11)
- redoubt: a stronghold. (Tuesday April 12)
- detritus: debris. (Wednesday April 13)
- obloquy: ill repute. (Thursday April 14)
- extant: still existing. (Friday April 15)
- arbitrage: the nearly simultaneous purchase and sale of an asset in order to profit from price discrepancies. (Saturday April 16)
- panegyric: an expression of formal or elaborate praise. (Sunday April 17)
- masticate: to chew. (Monday April 18)
- fettle: a state or condition of fitness, order, or mind. (Tuesday April 19)
- cavalcade: a procession. (Wednesday April 20)
- enervate: to weaken. (Thursday April 21)
- atavism: reversion to a remote ancestral type or to an earlier form. (Friday April 22)
- rara avis: a rare or unique person or thing. (Saturday April 23)
- euphonious: pleasing or sweet in sound. (Sunday April 24)
- scintilla: a tiny amount; a spark. (Monday April 25)
- matutinal: relating to or occurring in the morning. (Tuesday April 26)
- detritus: debris. (Wednesday April 27)
- pusillanimous: cowardly. (Thursday April 28)
- extol: to praise. (Friday April 29)
- intransigent: uncompromising. (Saturday April 30)
- palindrome: a word, verse, phrase, or sentence that reads the same backward or forward. (Sunday May 01)
- supplicate: to make a humble and earnest petition. (Monday May 02)
- labile: open to change; apt or likely to change. (Tuesday May 03)
- traduce: to vilify. (Wednesday May 04)
- claque: a group of fawning admirers. (Thursday May 05)
- frisson: a brief moment of intense excitement. (Friday May 06)
- extempore: without premeditation or preparation. (Saturday May 07)
- cosset: to treat with excessive indulgence; to pamper. (Sunday May 08)
- aver: to assert as true. (Monday May 09)
- wayworn: wearied by traveling. (Tuesday May 10)
- ameliorate: to make or grow better. (Wednesday May 11)
- concomitant: accompanying; attending. (Thursday May 12)
- triskaidekaphobia: fear of the number 13. (Friday May 13)
- indolent: lazy; inactive. (Saturday May 14)
- lenity: the state or quality of being lenient. (Sunday May 15)
- camarilla: a group of secret and often scheming advisers. (Monday May 16)
- ablution: the washing of the body or some part of it. (Tuesday May 17)
- untoward: not favorable or fortunate; also, improper. (Wednesday May 18)
- menagerie: a collection of wild or unusual animals; also, a diverse group. (Thursday May 19)
- presage: an omen; also, to predict. (Friday May 20)
- abnegate: refuse or deny oneself; also, to give up (rights, claims, etc.). (Saturday May 21)
- faction: a usually contentious group or party; also, internal dissension. (Sunday May 22)
- pallor: unusual or extreme paleness. (Monday May 23)
- suffuse: spread through or over; to flush. (Tuesday May 24)
- artifice: an artful trick, stratagem or device; also, cleverness, skill. (Wednesday May 25)
- saturnine: sluggish in temperament; gloomy; taciturn. (Thursday May 26)
- lionize: to treat or regard as an object great interest or importance. (Friday May 27)
- finical: finicky. (Saturday May 28)
- pliant: easily bent or flexed; also, easily influenced; compliant. (Sunday May 29)
- dissemble: to hide under a false appearance; also, to assume a false appearance. (Monday May 30)
- recreant: cowardly; also, unfaithful or disloyal. (Tuesday May 31)
- fetter: a restraint; also, to impose restraints on. (Wednesday June 01)
- tumid: swollen; bulging; also, bombastic. (Thursday June 02)
- agglomeration: a cluster or mass. (Friday June 03)
- odium: intense hatred or dislike. (Saturday June 04)
- unfledged: not fully developed; immature. (Sunday June 05)
- countenance: appearance or expression of the face; also, to tolerate or encourage. (Monday June 06)
- betimes: early; also, on occasion. (Tuesday June 07)
- glutinous: gluey; sticky. (Wednesday June 08)
- durance: imprisonment. (Thursday June 09)
- ingenuous: demonstrating childlike simplicity; also, open; frank. (Friday June 10)
- manumit: to free from slavery or servitude. (Saturday June 11)
- hermitage: a secluded residence; a retreat. (Sunday June 12)
- blandishment: flattering speech or action. (Monday June 13)
- peradventure: chance, uncertainty, or doubt. (Tuesday June 14)
- antiquarian: one who collects, studies, or deals in antiquities. (Wednesday June 15)
- naif: a naive or inexperienced person. (Thursday June 16)
- altercation: a heated, noisy, or angry dispute. (Friday June 17)
- quorum: such a number of the officers or members of any body as is legally competent to transact business. (Saturday June 18)
- gravitas: high seriousness. (Sunday June 19)
- exigent: requiring immediate aid or action; also, demanding. (Monday June 20)
- irascible: easily provoked to anger. (Tuesday June 21)
- ineluctable: impossible to avoid or evade. (Wednesday June 22)
- voluble: characterized by a ready flow of speech. (Thursday June 23)
- commination: a denunciation. (Friday June 24)
- philomath: a lover of learning; a scholar. (Saturday June 25)
- amative: pertaining to or disposed to love. (Sunday June 26)
- callow: immature. (Monday June 27)
- woebegone: woeful; also, run-down. (Tuesday June 28)
- lineament: a distinguishing or characteristic feature. (Wednesday June 29)
- abscond: to depart secretly. (Thursday June 30)
- garrulous: talkative; also, wordy. (Friday July 01)
- acumen: quickness or keenness of perception or discernment. (Saturday July 02)
- sentient: capable of perceiving by the senses. (Sunday July 03)
- varicolored: having a variety of colors. (Monday July 04)
- nostrum: a questionable remedy. (Tuesday July 05)
- rictus: a gaping grin or grimace. (Wednesday July 06)
- ameliorate: to make or grow better. (Thursday July 07)
- somnolent: drowsy; also, tending to cause sleepiness. (Friday July 08)
- mien: demeanor; also, aspect; appearance. (Saturday July 09)
- potable: drinkable; also, a beverage, especially an alcoholic one. (Sunday July 10)
- temerarious: reckless; rash. (Monday July 11)
- introspection: the act or process of self-examination; reflection. (Tuesday July 12)
- malfeasance: wrongdoing, misconduct, or misbehavior. (Wednesday July 13)
- fealty: fidelity; allegiance; faithfulness. (Thursday July 14)
- atelier: a workshop; a studio. (Friday July 15)
- apparition: a ghost; also, an unexpected appearance. (Saturday July 16)
- propinquity: nearness. (Sunday July 17)
- ersatz: being a substitute or imitation. (Monday July 18)
- flummox: to confuse; to perplex. (Tuesday July 19)
- iota: a very small quantity or degree. (Wednesday July 20)
- ennui: a feeling of weariness and dissatisfaction arising from lack of interest. (Thursday July 21)
- assuage: to soften; to ease, or lessen. (Friday July 22)
- regale: to entertain with something that delights. (Saturday July 23)
- eke: to gain or supplement with great effort or difficulty. (Sunday July 24)
- badinage: light, playful talk. (Monday July 25)
- indelible: incapable of being removed or erased. (Tuesday July 26)
- volte-face: an about-face. (Wednesday July 27)
- kismet: destiny; fate. (Thursday July 28)
- refulgent: brilliant; resplendent. (Friday July 29)
- caesura: a break or pause in a line of verse; also, any break or pause. (Saturday July 30)
- wastrel: a person who wastes; a loafer. (Sunday July 31)
- circumlocution: the use of many words to express an idea that might be expressed by few. (Monday August 01)
- Zeitgeist: the spirit of the time. (Tuesday August 02)
- affable: easy to speak to; also, gracious. (Wednesday August 03)
- parsimonious: frugal to excess. (Thursday August 04)
- beholden: obliged; indebted. (Friday August 05)
- waylay: to ambush or accost. (Saturday August 06)
- castigate: to punish or criticize severely. (Sunday August 07)
- somniferous: causing or inducing sleep. (Monday August 08)
- captious: disposed to find fault or raise objections. (Tuesday August 09)
- sojourn: to dwell for a time; also, a temporary stay. (Wednesday August 10)
- nugatory: insignificant; also, ineffectual. (Thursday August 11)
- ubiquitous: being everywhere. (Friday August 12)
- tryst: an appointment (as between lovers) to meet. (Saturday August 13)
- pari passu: at an equal pace or rate. (Sunday August 14)
- enmity: hatred; ill will. (Monday August 15)
- numinous: spiritual. (Tuesday August 16)
- dilatory: given to, or marked by, procrastination or delay. (Wednesday August 17)
- parley: a conference or discussion; also, to confer. (Thursday August 18)
- ephemeral: lasting a very short time. (Friday August 19)
- truculent: fierce; savage; ferocious. (Saturday August 20)
- vicissitude: a change in condition or fortune. (Sunday August 21)
- schadenfreude: a malicious satisfaction in the misfortunes of others. (Monday August 22)
- tyro: a novice. (Tuesday August 23)
- expatiate: to speak or write at length. (Wednesday August 24)
- peccadillo: a slight offense; a petty fault. (Thursday August 25)
- bagatelle: a trifle; also, a short, light literary or musical piece. (Friday August 26)
- descant: a discourse; also, to discourse. (Saturday August 27)
- canorous: melodious; musical. (Sunday August 28)
- unctuous: marked by a false or smug earnestness or agreeableness. (Monday August 29)
- evanescent: fleeting. (Tuesday August 30)
- venial: capable of being forgiven; excusable. (Wednesday August 31)
- capacious: able to contain much. (Thursday September 01)
- trammel: something that impedes activity, progress, or freedom; also, to hamper. (Friday September 02)
- busker: a street musician or performer. (Saturday September 03)
- sybarite: a person devoted to luxury and pleasure. (Sunday September 04)
- deride: to laugh at with contempt. (Monday September 05)
- cavil: to raise trivial objections; also, a trivial objection. (Tuesday September 06)
- farrago: an assortment; a medley. (Wednesday September 07)
- demagogue: a leader who obtains power by means of appeals to the emotions and prejudices of the populace. (Thursday September 08)
- quaff: to drink heartily. (Friday September 09)
- hirsute: covered with hair or bristles. (Saturday September 10)
- tenebrous: dark; gloomy. (Sunday September 11)
- ostentation: excessive or pretentious display. (Monday September 12)
- officious: meddlesome. (Tuesday September 13)
- afflatus: a divine inspiration. (Wednesday September 14)
- quorum: such a number of the officers or members of any body as is legally competent to transact business. (Thursday September 15)
- hauteur: haughtiness; arrogance. (Friday September 16)
- xenophobia: fear or hatred of what is strange or foreign. (Saturday September 17)
- bacchanalia: a revel. (Sunday September 18)
- immure: to imprison. (Monday September 19)
- deliquesce: to melt away or become liquid. (Tuesday September 20)
- capitulate: to surrender under agreed conditions. (Wednesday September 21)
- adventitious: added extrinsically; not essentially inherent. (Thursday September 22)
- modicum: a small or token amount. (Friday September 23)
- fetid: stinking. (Saturday September 24)
- gimcrack: a showy but useless or worthless object. (Sunday September 25)
- banal: commonplace; trivial. (Monday September 26)
- halcyon: peaceful; undisturbed; happy. (Tuesday September 27)
- adamant: not susceptible to persuasion; unyielding. (Wednesday September 28)
- jocund: light-hearted; mirthful. (Thursday September 29)
- segue: to proceed without interruption. (Friday September 30)
- puerile: juvenile; childish. (Saturday October 01)
- nadir: the lowest point. (Sunday October 02)
- effulgence: the state of being bright and radiant. (Monday October 03)
- inchoate: partly but not fully in existence or operation. (Tuesday October 04)
- beneficence: the practice of doing good. (Wednesday October 05)
- sempiternal: everlasting; eternal. (Thursday October 06)
- onus: burden; also, blame; stigma. (Friday October 07)
- abstemious: temperate; abstinent; refraining from indulgence. (Saturday October 08)
- cant: to talk hypocritically. (Sunday October 09)
- laconic: using or marked by the use of a minimum of words. (Monday October 10)
- palpable: plain; distinct; obvious. (Tuesday October 11)
- gewgaw: a trinket; a bauble. (Wednesday October 12)
- conurbation: an aggregation or continuous network of urban communities. (Thursday October 13)
- sinecure: an office or position that involves little work or responsibility. (Friday October 14)
- abjure: to renounce, reject, or shun. (Saturday October 15)
- lackadaisical: lacking spirit or liveliness. (Sunday October 16)
- aberrant: abnormal. (Monday October 17)
- votary: one devoted to some pursuit, worship, study, or way of life. (Tuesday October 18)
- pelf: money; riches. (Wednesday October 19)
- tocsin: a warning. (Thursday October 20)
- lexicon: a dictionary; also, the vocabulary of a person, group, etc. (Friday October 21)
- umbrage: offense; resentment. (Saturday October 22)
- orotund: full in sound; also, bombastic. (Sunday October 23)
- loquacious: very talkative. (Monday October 24)
- bruit: To report; to noise abroad. (Tuesday October 25)
- virago: an ill-tempered, overbearing woman; also, a woman of great strength and courage. (Wednesday October 26)
- mawkish: sickly or excessively sentimental. (Thursday October 27)
- malediction: a curse. (Friday October 28)
- susurrus: a whispering or rustling sound. (Saturday October 29)
- neophyte: a novice. (Sunday October 30)
- immolate: to kill or destroy, often by fire. (Monday October 31)
- alpenglow: a reddish glow seen near sunset or sunrise on the summits of mountains. (Tuesday November 01)
- subfusc: dark or dull in color. (Wednesday November 02)
- mores: customs; habits; ways. (Thursday November 03)
- dapple: a small contrasting blotch; also, to mark with spots. (Friday November 04)
- winsome: light-hearted. (Saturday November 05)
- verdure: greenness. (Sunday November 06)
- propitious: presenting favorable circumstances. (Monday November 07)
- nosegay: a bouquet. (Tuesday November 08)
- oneiric: pertaining to or suggestive of dreams. (Wednesday November 09)
- laudable: praiseworthy; commendable. (Thursday November 10)
- puissant: powerful. (Friday November 11)
- diadem: a crown. (Saturday November 12)
- ebullient: high-spirited. (Sunday November 13)
- aplomb: confidence; coolness. (Monday November 14)
- kobold: a kind of domestic spirit in German mythology. (Tuesday November 15)
- prestidigitation: performance of or skill in performing magic or conjuring tricks with the hands; sleight of hand. (Wednesday November 16)
- rubicund: inclining to redness; ruddy. (Thursday November 17)
- lambent: playing on the surface; flickering. (Friday November 18)
- anodyne: serving to relieve pain. (Saturday November 19)
- ingenue: a naive girl or young woman, or an actress representing such a person. (Sunday November 20)
- subterfuge: a deceptive device or stratagem. (Monday November 21)
- maelstrom: a large, powerful whirlpool; also, a violent, disordered, or turbulent state of affairs. (Tuesday November 22)
- crepuscular: pertaining to twilight. (Wednesday November 23)
- repast: a meal. (Thursday November 24)
- soporific: causing sleep; also, something that causes sleep. (Friday November 25)
- bivouac: a usually temporary encampment; also, to encamp. (Saturday November 26)
- quidnunc: a gossip; a busybody. (Sunday November 27)
- lassitude: lack of vitality or energy. (Monday November 28)
- billet-doux: a love letter. (Tuesday November 29)
- wheedle: to entice by flattery. (Wednesday November 30)
- alfresco: outdoors; outdoor. (Thursday December 01)
- redivivus: living again; revived; restored. (Friday December 02)
- chagrin: acute vexation or embarrassment. (Saturday December 03)
- gaucherie: a socially awkward or tactless act; also, lack of tact. (Sunday December 04)
- panache: dash or flamboyance in manner or style. (Monday December 05)
- logorrhea: excessive talkativeness. (Tuesday December 06)
- assiduous: constant in application or attention. (Wednesday December 07)
- sylvan: pertaining to woods or forests. (Thursday December 08)
- voluptuary: a person devoted to luxury and the gratification of sensual appetites. (Friday December 09)
- inure: to make used to; also, to take or have effect. (Saturday December 10)
- auspicious: favorable; also, prosperous; fortunate. (Sunday December 11)
- tmesis: in grammar and rhetoric, the separation of the parts of a compound word. (Monday December 12)
- carapace: a shell; a protective covering. (Tuesday December 13)
- paladin: a champion of a cause. (Wednesday December 14)
- hale: free from disease and weakening conditions; healthy. (Thursday December 15)
- sacrosanct: sacred; inviolable. (Friday December 16)
- melange: a mixture. (Saturday December 17)
- vainglory: excessive pride or vain display. (Sunday December 18)
- sub rosa: secretly; privately; confidentially. (Monday December 19)
- digerati: persons knowledgeable about computers. (Tuesday December 20)
- confrere: a colleague, comrade, or intimate associate. (Wednesday December 21)
- querulous: habitually complaining; also, expressing complaint. (Thursday December 22)
- vociferous: clamorous; noisy. (Friday December 23)
- firmament: the sky; the heavens. (Saturday December 24)
- jollification: merrymaking; revelry. (Sunday December 25)
- benefaction: the act of conferring a benefit; also, a benefit conferred. (Monday December 26)
- apposite: of striking appropriateness and relevance. (Tuesday December 27)
- cynosure: a center of attention. (Wednesday December 28)
- quiddity: the essence or nature of a thing. (Thursday December 29)
- perquisite: a benefit in addition to a salary. (Friday December 30)
- Hogmanay: a gift given on New Year's Eve. (Saturday December 31)
