Numen (noun) is defined by the OED as a “divinity, god; a local or presiding power or spirit.” It is pronounced as “noo-men” “I feel like this house has a strong numen – and not necessarily a good one!” Continue reading Daily Tidbit: Numen
Definitions for albatross al·ba·tross ˈalbəˌtrôs/ a seemingly inescapable moral or emotional burden, as of guilt or responsibility. something burdensome that impedes action or progress. The word albatross is sometimes used as a metaphor to mean a psychological burden that feels like a curse. It is also an allusion to Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s poem The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, written in 1798. In the poem, an albatross starts to follow a ship — being followed by … Continue reading Daily Tidbit: albatross (metaphor)
reductive (adj.) Pronunciation: [re-duhk-tiv] Meaning: presented in an overly simple or crude way Synonyms: crude, coarse, declining, simplified Examples: The way she presented the quantum entanglement theory was a bit reductive; it was way too simplified and lacking detail. “Umm… It feels reductive. Look it up.” – Madonna re: Lady Gaga’s song “Born This Way” Continue reading Daily Tidbit: Definition of Reductive
The literal definition of the Latin term media res is “in the midst of things.” When it comes to literary works, media res refers to the common trope of starting stories after important events have already happened. A great example is the Odyssey. The Odyssey begins after the main character, Odysseus, fights in a war and kills a wild sea monster, is kidnapped by a nymph, and witnesses his comrades turn into … Continue reading Daily Tidbit: Breaking Down “media res”
Want to know what the longest English language word is? Hint: it’s not supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. Currently, the longest word in our dictionary is pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanokoniosis. Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanokoniosis, created by Everett M. Smith in 1935, is a lung disease caused by inhalation of very fine sand and ash dust. Continue reading Daily Tidbit: Longest Word
abject (adj.) Pronounciation: AB-jekt Meaning: 1. In a low state or condition. 2. Showing hopelessness or resignation. Cast down in spirit. 3. Offered in an ingratiating spirit. Without pride or dignity. Synonyms: spiritless, servile, wretched, degrading, pitiful, base, miserable Example: The orphaned puppy gave an abject whimper as he struggled to find some remnant of warmth on the cold cement ground. Tears and snot streamed down his mother’s face as … Continue reading Daily Word: abject
prosody (n.) Pronounciation: pra-suh-dee Meaning: 1. the patterns of rhythm and sound in poetry and language, especially spoken. 2. The systematic study of metrical structure in linguistics, poetry, and music. Synonyms: inflection, versification, metrics, poetic rhythm. Explanation: Prosody is characterized at the phonetic level by vocal pitch, loudness, and rhythm. Analyzing prosody in speech can help uncover the speaker’s emotional state, attitude, and speech community. For more information on prosody and … Continue reading Daily Word: prosody
portmanteau (n.) Pronounciation: port-man-toe Meaning: 1. A large trunk or suitcase that opens into two equal halves. Any bag (usually leather) used to carry clothes while traveling. 2. Consisting of or combining two or more separate parts or qualities, such as a word that combines the sounds and meanings of two words to create a new word. Synonyms: 1. bag, luggage. 2. compound word, blend Example (literary): … Continue reading Daily Word: portmanteau
zeugma (n.) Pronounciation: zoog-muh Meaning: a literary term for using one word, often a verb or adjective, to modify or govern two or more words such that it applies to each word in a different sense, or does not make grammatical or logical sense with all the words. Synonyms: None. Syllepsis is similar, but not a synonym. Do you have an example? I saw Niagara Falls … Continue reading Daily Word: zeugma
bamboozle (v.) Pronounciation: bam-boo-zul Meaning: to deceive or confuse by underhanded or unexpected methods. Synonyms: dupe, hoodwink, cheat, perplex, trick, fool Can you use it in a sentence? “In Catch Me If You Can (2002), Leonardo DiCaprio plays a hugely successful scammer who had bamboozled people of billions of dollars before he was even 19 years old.” Continue reading Daily Word: bamboozle
panoply (n.) pronounciation: pan-oh-plee A panoply is a complete or impressive collection of things. Sample sentence: My mouth began to water as the baker laid a panoply of fresh steaming pastries before me. Continue reading Daily Word
Superfluous: Pronunciation: /so͞oˈpərfləwəs/ adjective Definition: more than is wanted or is sufficient Her writing counselor helped to clear her paper of all superfluous sentences and unnecessary details. Continue reading Daily Word: Superfluous
Sojourn: Pronunciation: /ˈsōjərn/ Noun Definition: a temporary stay This summer my family and I had a three week sojourn in the Rocky Mountains for our annual camping trip. Continue reading Daily Word: Sojourn
Sardonic: Pronunciation: /särˈdänik/ Adjective Definition: bitterly sarcastic His sardonic comment made me feel so uncomfortable that I didn’t speak for the rest of the dinner party. Continue reading Daily Word: Sardonic
Pejorative: Pronunciation: /pəˈjôrətiv, ˈpejəˌrātiv/ adjective Definition: disparaging, belittling My father’s pejorative tone demonstrated how disapproving he was of my poor decisions. Continue reading Daily Word: Pejorative
Pedantic: Pronunciation: /pəˈdantik/ adjective Definition: characterized by a narrow, often ostentatious concern for book learning and formal rules The professor’s pedantic answers to the simple questions made the beginners feel more intimidated. Continue reading Daily Word: Pedantic
Facetious Pronunciation: /fəˈsēSHəs/ Adjective Definition: treating serious issues with deliberately inappropriate humor; flippant The facetious journalist commented on the country’s overreaching budget by discussing the vast national debt. Continue reading Daily Word: Facetious
Erudite Pronunciation: /ˈer(y)əˌdīt/ Adjective Definition: having or showing great knowledge or learning She was intimidated by the room full of erudite people at the medical research conference. Continue reading Daily Word: Erudite
Equivocate Pronunciation: /iˈkwivəˌkāt/ verb Definition: use ambiguous language so as to conceal the truth or avoid committing oneself The applicant was equivocating during the interview when he was asked why he had left his last job. Continue reading Daily Word: Equivocate
Fish out of water: Someone who is out of his or her normal environment or range of activities. A person who feels uncomfortable when doing something they are not used to doing or when trying something new. Continue reading American Cultural Literacy: Fish Out of Water
