Word of the Day Archive
2008

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1. Zeitgeist: the spirit of the time. (Tuesday January 01)
2. faineant: doing nothing; idle; also, a do-nothing. (Wednesday January 02)
3. arcanum: a secret; a mystery. (Thursday January 03)
4. obdurate: hardened in feelings or in wrongdoing; unyielding. (Friday January 04)
5. lacuna: a blank space; a missing part. (Saturday January 05)
6. friable: easily crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder. (Sunday January 06)
7. scrabble: to scrape or scratch with the hands or feet. (Monday January 07)
8. mimetic: imitative. (Tuesday January 08)
9. pertinacious: holding obstinately to a belief, purpose or design; also, stubbornly persistent. (Wednesday January 09)
10. remonstrate: to present and urge reasons in opposition. (Thursday January 10)
11. imprimatur: approval or sanction. (Friday January 11)
12. raillery: good-humored banter or teasing repartee. (Saturday January 12)
13. supplicate: to make a humble and earnest petition. (Sunday January 13)
14. primogeniture: the state of being the firstborn; also, an exclusive right of inheritance that belongs to the eldest son. (Monday January 14)
15. inculcate: to teach and impress by frequent repetition or instruction. (Tuesday January 15)
16. nonagenarian: someone whose age is in the nineties. (Wednesday January 16)
17. upbraid: to scold or criticize harshly. (Thursday January 17)
18. stoic: indifferent to or unaffected by pleasure or pain; also, one who is stoic. (Friday January 18)
19. quietus: final acquittance, as from debt; also, rest; death. (Saturday January 19)
20. adventitious: added extrinsically; not essentially inherent. (Sunday January 20)
21. callow: immature. (Monday January 21)
22. permeate: to spread or diffuse through. (Tuesday January 22)
23. effusive: excessively demonstrative. (Wednesday January 23)
24. nolens volens: whether unwilling or willing. (Thursday January 24)
25. disheveled: in loose disorder; disarranged. (Friday January 25)
26. caterwaul: to make a harsh cry or screech. (Saturday January 26)
27. indelible: incapable of being removed or erased. (Sunday January 27)
28. neophyte: a novice. (Monday January 28)
29. sylvan: pertaining to woods or forests. (Tuesday January 29)
30. canorous: melodious; musical. (Wednesday January 30)
31. irascible: easily provoked to anger. (Thursday January 31)
32. mien: demeanor; also, aspect; appearance. (Friday February 01)
33. subterfuge: a deceptive device or stratagem. (Saturday February 02)
34. perquisite: a benefit in addition to a salary. (Sunday February 03)
35. magniloquent: lofty or grandiose in speech or expression. (Monday February 04)
36. ineffectual: without effect; weak; useless. (Tuesday February 05)
37. lubricious: lewd; also, slippery or smooth. (Wednesday February 06)
38. extempore: without premeditation or preparation. (Thursday February 07)
39. aberrant: abnormal. (Friday February 08)
40. menagerie: a collection of wild or unusual animals; also, a diverse group. (Saturday February 09)
41. raiment: clothing in general; garments. (Sunday February 10)
42. ersatz: being a substitute or imitation. (Monday February 11)
43. copacetic: very satisfactory. (Tuesday February 12)
44. perdurable: very durable; long lasting. (Wednesday February 13)
45. amative: pertaining to or disposed to love. (Thursday February 14)
46. ennui: a feeling of weariness and dissatisfaction arising from lack of interest. (Friday February 15)
47. virago: an ill-tempered, overbearing woman; also, a woman of great strength and courage. (Saturday February 16)
48. pestiferous: bearing or bringing disease, moral harm, or annoyance. (Sunday February 17)
49. sine qua non: an indispensable thing. (Monday February 18)
50. abominate: to detest intensely. (Tuesday February 19)
51. factitious: artificial; not authentic or genuine. (Wednesday February 20)
52. relegate: to assign or remove, usually to an inferior position. (Thursday February 21)
53. dissolute: loose in morals and conduct. (Friday February 22)
54. nettlesome: causing irritation, vexation, or distress. (Saturday February 23)
55. irrupt: to burst in forcibly or suddenly. (Sunday February 24)
56. lissom: supple; nimble. (Monday February 25)
57. aplomb: confidence; coolness. (Tuesday February 26)
58. temerarious: reckless; rash. (Wednesday February 27)
59. fallible: liable to make a mistake. (Thursday February 28)
60. supererogatory: going beyond what is required or expected; also, superfluous, unnecessary. (Friday February 29)
61. amanuensis: one employed to take dictation or to copy manuscripts. (Saturday March 01)
62. garrulous: talkative; also, wordy. (Sunday March 02)
63. recherche: exotic; rare; also, affected, pretentious. (Monday March 03)
64. probity: complete and confirmed integrity. (Tuesday March 04)
65. busker: a street musician or performer. (Wednesday March 05)
66. rara avis: a rare or unique person or thing. (Thursday March 06)
67. cabal: a group that seeks power usually through intrigue. (Friday March 07)
68. kismet: destiny; fate. (Saturday March 08)
69. gewgaw: a trinket; a bauble. (Sunday March 09)
70. inchoate: partly but not fully in existence or operation. (Monday March 10)
71. assuage: to soften; to ease, or lessen. (Tuesday March 11)
72. diffident: bashful or unassertive. (Wednesday March 12)
73. rodomontade: pretentious, bragging speech. (Thursday March 13)
74. bedizen: to dress or adorn in gaudy manner. (Friday March 14)
75. sojourn: to dwell for a time; also, a temporary stay. (Saturday March 15)
76. chagrin: acute vexation or embarrassment. (Sunday March 16)
77. indolent: lazy; inactive. (Monday March 17)
78. nefarious: wicked in the extreme. (Tuesday March 18)
79. transmute: to change from one nature, form, substance, or state into another. (Wednesday March 19)
80. acerbic: sharp, biting, or acid in temper, expression, or tone. (Thursday March 20)
81. myriad: consisting of a very great but indefinite number; also, a very great many. (Friday March 21)
82. remunerate: to pay an equivalent to for any service, loss, or expense. (Saturday March 22)
83. anathema: a curse; a person or thing cursed, or intensely disliked. (Sunday March 23)
84. plethora: excess. (Monday March 24)
85. repine: to feel or express discontent. (Tuesday March 25)
86. misnomer: a misnaming. (Wednesday March 26)
87. acrid: sharp and harsh; bitter. (Thursday March 27)
88. hullabaloo: a confused noise; uproar. (Friday March 28)
89. excrescence: something growing out from something else; also, a disfiguring or unwanted part. (Saturday March 29)
90. obsequious: servilely attentive; fawning. (Sunday March 30)
91. xenophobia: fear or hatred of what is strange or foreign. (Monday March 31)
92. jollification: merrymaking; revelry. (Tuesday April 01)
93. deus ex machina: an agent who appears unexpectedly to solve an apparently insoluble difficulty. (Wednesday April 02)
94. bellwether: a leader or leading indicator. (Thursday April 03)
95. ostentation: excessive or pretentious display. (Friday April 04)
96. camarilla: a group of secret and often scheming advisers. (Saturday April 05)
97. importunate: troublesomely urgent. (Sunday April 06)
98. woebegone: woeful; also, run-down. (Monday April 07)
99. voluble: characterized by a ready flow of speech. (Tuesday April 08)
100. afflatus: a divine inspiration. (Wednesday April 09)
101. pugnacious: combative; quarrelsome. (Thursday April 10)
102. caesura: a break or pause in a line of verse; also, any break or pause. (Friday April 11)
103. salubrious: healthful. (Saturday April 12)
104. abulia: loss or impairment of the ability to act or to make decisions. (Sunday April 13)
105. pin money: money for incidental expenses; also, a trivial sum. (Monday April 14)
106. miasma: a thick vaporous atmosphere, often noxious. (Tuesday April 15)
107. objurgate: to scold or rebuke sharply. (Wednesday April 16)
108. roister: to revel; to carouse. (Thursday April 17)
109. inveigle: to persuade or obtain by ingenuity or flattery. (Friday April 18)
110. portent: a sign or omen. (Saturday April 19)
111. lambaste: to scold sharply; also, to beat. (Sunday April 20)
112. chimera: a mental fabrication. (Monday April 21)
113. lionize: to treat or regard as an object great interest or importance. (Tuesday April 22)
114. ubiquitous: being everywhere. (Wednesday April 23)
115. winsome: light-hearted. (Thursday April 24)
116. epigone: an inferior imitator. (Friday April 25)
117. confluence: a flowing or coming together. (Saturday April 26)
118. posit: to postulate; also, to suggest. (Sunday April 27)
119. maelstrom: a large, powerful whirlpool; also, a violent, disordered, or turbulent state of affairs. (Monday April 28)
120. gimcrack: a showy but useless or worthless object. (Tuesday April 29)
121. lenity: the state or quality of being lenient. (Wednesday April 30)
122. cloy: to weary or become distasteful through excess. (Thursday May 01)
123. halcyon: peaceful; undisturbed; happy. (Friday May 02)
124. sub rosa: secretly; privately; confidentially. (Saturday May 03)
125. disparate: fundamentally different; also, composed of dissimilar elements. (Sunday May 04)
126. fustian: pompous or pretentious language. (Monday May 05)
127. amalgam: an alloy of mercury with other metals; also, a mixture. (Tuesday May 06)
128. contrite: feeling or expressing grief and regret for sins or offenses. (Wednesday May 07)
129. moiety: a half; a small part. (Thursday May 08)
130. sentient: capable of perceiving by the senses. (Friday May 09)
131. parsimonious: frugal to excess. (Saturday May 10)
132. acumen: quickness or keenness of perception or discernment. (Sunday May 11)
133. cavil: to raise trivial objections; also, a trivial objection. (Monday May 12)
134. umbrage: offense; resentment. (Tuesday May 13)
135. fetter: a restraint; also, to impose restraints on. (Wednesday May 14)
136. paean: a song or other expression of praise or joy. (Thursday May 15)
137. subfusc: dark or dull in color. (Friday May 16)
138. latitudinarian: having or expressing broad and tolerant views. (Saturday May 17)
139. tirade: a long angry speech. (Sunday May 18)
140. obtrude: to thrust out; also, to impose on others. (Monday May 19)
141. Potemkin village: a false front or facade. (Tuesday May 20)
142. boulevardier: a man-about-town. (Wednesday May 21)
143. cadge: to beg; to sponge. (Thursday May 22)
144. aright: rightly; correctly. (Friday May 23)
145. ruminate: to chew the cud; also, to ponder; to reflect. (Saturday May 24)
146. listless: having no desire or inclination. (Sunday May 25)
147. vehement: marked by intensity of emotions or convictions. (Monday May 26)
148. ribald: characterized by, or given to, vulgar humor. (Tuesday May 27)
149. forgo: to do without. (Wednesday May 28)
150. schadenfreude: a malicious satisfaction in the misfortunes of others. (Thursday May 29)
151. grandee: a man of elevated rank or station; a nobleman. (Friday May 30)
152. patina: a superficial layer. (Saturday May 31)
153. harridan: a scolding, vicious woman. (Sunday June 01)
154. countermand: to revoke (a former command) or recall by a contrary order. (Monday June 02)
155. bagatelle: a trifle; also, a short, light literary or musical piece. (Tuesday June 03)
156. lachrymose: given to causing tears. (Wednesday June 04)
157. tremulous: shaking, quivering; also, affected with fear. (Thursday June 05)
158. repletion: the condition of being completely or excessively full. (Friday June 06)
159. potentate: one who possesses great power or sway. (Saturday June 07)
160. minatory: threatening; menacing. (Sunday June 08)
161. raconteur: one who excels in telling stories and anecdotes. (Monday June 09)
162. surfeit: excess; an excessive amount. (Tuesday June 10)
163. patrician: a nobleman; also, a person of refined upbringing, manners, and taste. (Wednesday June 11)
164. hyperbole: extravagant exaggeration. (Thursday June 12)
165. apprise: to give notice to; to inform. (Friday June 13)
166. prink: to primp. (Saturday June 14)
167. claque: a group of fawning admirers. (Sunday June 15)
168. dilatory: given to, or marked by, procrastination or delay. (Monday June 16)
169. verdure: greenness. (Tuesday June 17)
170. cogent: appealing to the mind or to reason; convincing. (Wednesday June 18)
171. defenestrate: to throw out of a window. (Thursday June 19)
172. renascent: rising again into being; showing renewed vigor. (Friday June 20)
173. choler: anger. (Saturday June 21)
174. malediction: a curse. (Sunday June 22)
175. capacious: able to contain much. (Monday June 23)
176. glutinous: gluey; sticky. (Tuesday June 24)
177. forlorn: sad and lonely because deserted, abandoned, or lost. (Wednesday June 25)
178. Cockaigne: an imaginary land of ease and luxury. (Thursday June 26)
179. harbinger: a precursor; one that presages what is to come. (Friday June 27)
180. mazy: resembling a maze; intricate or confusing. (Saturday June 28)
181. interpolate: to insert between; also, to alter or corrupt by insertion. (Sunday June 29)
182. indigent: extremely poor. (Monday June 30)
183. condign: deserved; adequate. (Tuesday July 01)
184. laconic: using or marked by the use of a minimum of words. (Wednesday July 02)
185. tutelage: guardianship; protection; also, instruction. (Thursday July 03)
186. dapple: a small contrasting blotch; also, to mark with spots. (Friday July 04)
187. meticulous: extremely careful about details. (Saturday July 05)
188. palaver: idle talk; also, to talk idly. (Sunday July 06)
189. gustatory: pertaining to the sense of taste. (Monday July 07)
190. troglodyte: someone who dwells in a cave. (Tuesday July 08)
191. emolument: the wages or perquisites arising from office, employment, or labor. (Wednesday July 09)
192. contemn: to scorn; to despise. (Thursday July 10)
193. propound: to put forward for consideration. (Friday July 11)
194. puerile: juvenile; childish. (Saturday July 12)
195. antediluvian: extremely old. (Sunday July 13)
196. cupidity: eager or excessive desire, especially for wealth. (Monday July 14)
197. fiduciary: relating to the holding of something in trust for another. (Tuesday July 15)
198. mephitic: offensive to the smell; also, noxious. (Wednesday July 16)
199. anodyne: serving to relieve pain. (Thursday July 17)
200. tatterdemalion: a person dressed in tattered clothing. (Friday July 18)
201. malinger: to feign illness or inability. (Saturday July 19)
202. insensate: lacking sensation or awareness. (Sunday July 20)
203. supernumerary: exceeding a necessary or usual number. (Monday July 21)
204. gamine: an urchin; also, a mischievous girl or young woman. (Tuesday July 22)
205. vituperation: abusive language. (Wednesday July 23)
206. melange: a mixture. (Thursday July 24)
207. sempiternal: everlasting; eternal. (Friday July 25)
208. diadem: a crown. (Saturday July 26)
209. extol: to praise. (Sunday July 27)
210. quondam: former; sometime. (Monday July 28)
211. pusillanimous: cowardly. (Tuesday July 29)
212. sesquipedalian: (of words) long; having many syllables. (Wednesday July 30)
213. egress: the act of going out or leaving; exit. (Thursday July 31)
214. panoply: a splendid or impressive array. (Friday August 01)
215. sapient: wise; sage; discerning. (Saturday August 02)
216. brummagem: cheap and showy; also, spurious. (Sunday August 03)
217. obeisance: an expression of deference. (Monday August 04)
218. vituperate: to overwhelm with wordy abuse. (Tuesday August 05)
219. spoony: foolishly or sentimentally in love. (Wednesday August 06)
220. asperity: roughness of surface, sound, or manner. (Thursday August 07)
221. vexillology: the study of flags. (Friday August 08)
222. tittle-tattle: idle, trifling talk. (Saturday August 09)
223. exalt: to praise, glorify, or honor. (Sunday August 10)
224. provenance: origin; source. (Monday August 11)
225. enervate: to weaken. (Tuesday August 12)
226. chichi: affectedly trendy. (Wednesday August 13)
227. lackadaisical: lacking spirit or liveliness. (Thursday August 14)
228. blackguard: a scoundrel. (Friday August 15)
229. supernumerary: exceeding a necessary or usual number. (Saturday August 16)
230. philter: a potion, charm, or drug supposed to cause the person taking it to fall in love. (Sunday August 17)
231. knell: the stoke of a bell tolled at a funeral. (Monday August 18)
232. aestival: of or belonging to the summer. (Tuesday August 19)
233. bruit: To report; to noise abroad. (Wednesday August 20)
234. juju: an object superstitiously believed to embody magical powers. (Thursday August 21)
235. Hobson's choice: a choice without an alternative. (Friday August 22)
236. foment: to nurse to life or activity; to incite. (Saturday August 23)
237. comity: a state of mutual harmony, friendship, and respect. (Sunday August 24)
238. berate: to scold severely or angrily. (Monday August 25)
239. peregrination: a traveling from place to place. (Tuesday August 26)
240. naif: a naive or inexperienced person. (Wednesday August 27)
241. chthonic: dwelling in or under the earth; also, pertaining to the underworld. (Thursday August 28)
242. redress: to set right. (Friday August 29)
243. fop: a man who is vain about his dress and appearance. (Saturday August 30)
244. gubernatorial: of or pertaining to a governor. (Sunday August 31)
245. admonition: gentle or friendly reproof; friendly warning. (Monday September 01)
246. comestible: suitable to be eaten. (Tuesday September 02)
247. glower: to stare angrily or with a scowl. (Wednesday September 03)
248. immolate: to kill or destroy, often by fire. (Thursday September 04)
249. bevy: a group; an assembly. (Friday September 05)
250. laudable: praiseworthy; commendable. (Saturday September 06)
251. plaintive: expressive of sorrow or melancholy. (Sunday September 07)
252. cosmopolite: a cosmopolitan person. (Monday September 08)
253. regale: to entertain with something that delights. (Tuesday September 09)
254. torrid: drying or scorching with heat; burning; parching. (Wednesday September 10)
255. evanescent: fleeting. (Thursday September 11)
256. hoary: tedious from familiarity; stale. (Friday September 12)
257. auspicious: favorable; also, prosperous; fortunate. (Saturday September 13)
258. kitsch: art in pretentious bad taste. (Sunday September 14)
259. suffuse: spread through or over; to flush. (Monday September 15)
260. disconcert: to disturb the composure of. (Tuesday September 16)
261. vociferous: clamorous; noisy. (Wednesday September 17)
262. tintinnabulation: a tinkling sound, as of a bell or bells. (Thursday September 18)
263. misprize: to despise; also, to undervalue. (Friday September 19)
264. proponent: an advocate. (Saturday September 20)
265. beneficence: the practice of doing good. (Sunday September 21)
266. undulate: to move in waves. (Monday September 22)
267. scion: a descendant; an heir. (Tuesday September 23)
268. numismatics: the collection and study of coins. (Wednesday September 24)
269. edify: to instruct and improve. (Thursday September 25)
270. melee: a confused conflict. (Friday September 26)
271. capitulate: to surrender under agreed conditions. (Saturday September 27)
272. panache: dash or flamboyance in manner or style. (Sunday September 28)
273. verbiage: an overabundance of words. (Monday September 29)
274. fettle: a state or condition of fitness, order, or mind. (Tuesday September 30)
275. slugabed: one who stays in bed until a late hour. (Wednesday October 01)
276. donnybrook: a brawl or dispute. (Thursday October 02)
277. littoral: pertaining to the shore of a lake, sea, or ocean. (Friday October 03)
278. volte-face: an about-face. (Saturday October 04)
279. rubicund: inclining to redness; ruddy. (Sunday October 05)
280. officious: meddlesome. (Monday October 06)
281. implacable: incapable of being pacified. (Tuesday October 07)
282. circumlocution: the use of many words to express an idea that might be expressed by few. (Wednesday October 08)
283. aficionado: an enthusiastic admirer; a fan. (Thursday October 09)
284. legerdemain: sleight of hand. (Friday October 10)
285. plaudit: enthusiastic approval. (Saturday October 11)
286. euphonious: pleasing or sweet in sound. (Sunday October 12)
287. sobriquet: a nickname. (Monday October 13)
288. otiose: ineffective; also, being at leisure; also, of no use. (Tuesday October 14)
289. waylay: to ambush or accost. (Wednesday October 15)
290. misprize: to despise; also, to undervalue. (Thursday October 16)
291. expeditious: characterized by speed and efficiency. (Friday October 17)
292. alfresco: outdoors; outdoor. (Saturday October 18)
293. bailiwick: a person's specific area of knowledge, authority, interest, skill, or work. (Sunday October 19)
294. malfeasance: wrongdoing, misconduct, or misbehavior. (Monday October 20)
295. synecdoche: figure of speech (Tuesday October 21)
296. synecdoche: figure of speech (Wednesday October 22)
297. plenary: full; complete. (Thursday October 23)
298. limn: to draw or paint; also, to describe. (Friday October 24)
299. quandary: a state of difficulty or perplexity. (Saturday October 25)
300. genuflect: to bend the knee, as in worship; also, to grovel. (Sunday October 26)
301. corroborate: to strengthen or make more certain with other evidence. (Monday October 27)
302. execrable: detestable; extremely bad. (Tuesday October 28)
303. bivouac: a usually temporary encampment; also, to encamp. (Wednesday October 29)
304. hubris: overbearing pride or presumption. (Thursday October 30)
305. gloaming: twilight; dusk. (Friday October 31)
306. abate: become less in amount (Saturday November 01)
307. addle: mix up or confuse (Sunday November 02)
308. aquiline: curved like eagle's beak (Monday November 03)
309. epicure: devotee to food, drink (Tuesday November 04)
310. footless: lacking substance (Wednesday November 05)
311. mot juste: appropriate expression (Thursday November 06)
312. olfactory: pertaining to smell (Friday November 07)
313. resplendent: having brilliant color, beauty (Saturday November 08)
314. horripilation: goose bumps (Sunday November 09)
315. intimation: indirect suggestion (Monday November 10)
316. sidereal: pertaining to stars, constellations (Tuesday November 11)
317. soiree: nighttime party (Wednesday November 12)
318. obsequies: funeral rites (Thursday November 13)
319. ensconced: fixed firmly (Friday November 14)
320. frowzy: habitually unkempt (Saturday November 15)
321. adduce: produce evidence for (Sunday November 16)
322. adulterate: to make impure (Monday November 17)
323. affectation: exaggerated display; pretense (Tuesday November 18)
324. eminence grise: powerful person (Wednesday November 19)
325. amatory: expressing love (Thursday November 20)
326. Lucullan: profusely extravagant (Friday November 21)
327. nabob: wealthy person (Saturday November 22)
328. escutcheon: a shield or decorative covering (Sunday November 23)
329. guerdon: reward or payment (Monday November 24)
330. reprobate: someone without scruples (Tuesday November 25)
331. emollient: cream or something which softens (Wednesday November 26)
332. cadence: recurrent rhythm (Thursday November 27)
333. eminent: above others in quality, position (Friday November 28)
334. balustrade: staircase railing (Saturday November 29)
335. incursion: entering another's domain (Sunday November 30)
336. valediction: a farewell speech (Monday December 01)
337. bulwark: a protective structure (Tuesday December 02)
338. caitiff: a cowardly and mean person (Wednesday December 03)
339. curio: something unusual that is collected (Thursday December 04)
340. dissever: to separate into parts (Friday December 05)
341. sentinel: a person who watches out (Saturday December 06)
342. sequacious: having a sequence; following (Sunday December 07)
343. sepulcher: a grave chamber (Monday December 08)
344. elocution: an expert manner of speaking (Tuesday December 09)
345. homologous: corresponding in characteristics (Wednesday December 10)
346. ablaut: vowel change (Thursday December 11)
347. beatific: giving joy (Friday December 12)
348. cached: hidden, stored (Saturday December 13)
349. dastard: malicious coward (Sunday December 14)
350. ecclesiastical: churchly (Monday December 15)
351. fabricate: make up (Tuesday December 16)
352. gaffe: tactless act (Wednesday December 17)
353. hackneyed: repeated too often (Thursday December 18)
354. iambic: having two syllables (Friday December 19)
355. jaded: exhausted (Saturday December 20)
356. kibbutz: collective farm (Sunday December 21)
357. laggard: wasting time (Monday December 22)
358. macrobiotic: promoting longevity (Tuesday December 23)
359. narcissism: self-love (Wednesday December 24)
360. oblique: diagonally arranged (Thursday December 25)
361. paltry: contemptibly small (Friday December 26)
362. qualify: prove capable or fit (Saturday December 27)
363. ramble: move aimlessly (Sunday December 28)
364. sacrilege: blasphemous behavior (Monday December 29)
365. tacit: necessarily indicated (Tuesday December 30)
366. ultimate: furthest or highest (Wednesday December 31)