Words I Had To Look Up

another where i just needed to host an image

2011-04-11T17:51:00.000-07:00

2011-04-06T09:25:00.000-07:00

Just needed somewhere to host the image.

Internecine

2007-07-17T09:20:00.000-07:00

in·ter·ne·cine /ˌɪntərˈnisin, -saɪn, -ˈnɛsin, -ˈnɛsaɪn/ [in-ter-nee-seen, -sahyn, -nes-een, -nes-ahyn]
1. of or pertaining to conflict or struggle within a group: an internecine feud among proxy holders.
2. mutually destructive.
3. characterized by great slaughter; deadly.

Zaftig

2007-07-13T11:32:00.000-07:00

zaftig
"alluringly plump, curvaceous, buxom," 1937, from Yiddish zaftik, lit. "juicy," from zaft "juice," from M.H.G. saft "juice"

Chattel

2007-07-13T11:30:00.000-07:00

chat·tel /ˈtʃætl/
–noun
1. Law. a movable article of personal property.
2. any article of tangible property other than land, buildings, and other things annexed to land.
3. a slave.

Carbuncle

2007-07-13T05:48:00.001-07:00

A carbuncle is an abscess larger than a boil, usually with one or more openings draining pus onto the skin. It is usually caused by bacterial infection.

Raree-show

2007-03-15T06:54:00.001-07:00

raree-show - an exhibition of pictures or objects viewed through a small hole or magnifying glass

Ablution

2007-03-13T11:38:00.000-07:00

ab·lu·tion /əˈbluʃən/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[uh-bloo-shuhn] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun
1. a cleansing with water or other liquid, esp. as a religious ritual.
2. the liquid thus used.
3. a washing of the hands, body, etc.
[Origin: 1350–1400; ME < L ablūtiōn- (s. of ablūtiō), equiv. to ablūt(us), ptp. of abluere (see abluent) + -iōn- -ion]

Scullion

2007-03-09T11:20:00.001-08:00

scul·lion (sklyn)
n.
A servant employed to do menial tasks in a kitchen.
[Middle English sculyon, probably from Old French escouvillon, dishcloth, diminutive of escouve, broom, from Latin scpa, branches, broom.]

Biddable

2007-03-09T07:49:00.001-08:00

biddable \BID-uh-buhl\, adjective:
1. Easily led or commanded; obedient.
2. Capable of being bid.

Tabbard

2007-03-08T10:46:00.000-08:00

tab·ard (tāb'ərd) Pronunciation Key
n.

1. A short, heavy cape of coarse cloth formerly worn outdoors.
2.
---A. A tunic or capelike garment worn by a knight over his armor and emblazoned with his coat of arms.
---B. A similar garment worn by a herald and bearing his lord's coat of arms.
3. An embroidered pennant attached to a trumpet.

[Middle English, from Old French tabart or Old Spanish tabardo.]

Poniard

2007-03-08T10:45:00.000-08:00

pon·iard (pŏn'yərd) Pronunciation Key
n. A dagger typically having a slender square or triangular blade.

tr.v. pon·iard·ed, pon·iard·ing, pon·iards
To stab with such a dagger.

[French poignard, from poing, fist, from Old French, from Latin pugnus; see peuk- in Indo-European roots.]

Coppice

2007-03-08T10:43:00.000-08:00

cop·pice (kŏp'ĭs) Pronunciation Key
n. A thicket or grove of small trees or shrubs, especially one maintained by periodic cutting or pruning to encourage suckering, as in the cultivation of cinnamon trees for their bark.

[Old French copeiz; see copse.]

Acolyte

2007-03-07T11:15:00.000-08:00

ac·o·lyte /ˈækəˌlaɪt/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[ak-uh-lahyt] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun
1. an altar attendant in public worship; altar boy.
2. Roman Catholic Church.
a. a member of the highest-ranking of the four minor orders.
b. the order itself. Compare exorcist (def. 2), lector (def. 2), ostiary (def. 1).
3. any attendant, assistant, or follower.
[Origin: 1275–1325; ME acolite < ML acolytus < Gk akólouthos follower, attendant, equiv. to a- prefix denoting association + -kolouthos, var. of kéleuthos road, journey]

Obeisance

2007-03-07T11:14:00.000-08:00

o·bei·sance /oʊˈbeɪsəns, oʊˈbi-/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[oh-bey-suhns, oh-bee-] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun
1. a movement of the body expressing deep respect or deferential courtesy, as before a superior; a bow, curtsy, or other similar gesture.
2. deference or homage: The nobles gave obeisance to the new king.
[Origin: 1325–75; ME obeisaunce < MF obeissance, deriv. of OF obeissant, prp. of obeir to obey; see -ance]

Abstemious

2007-03-07T11:13:00.000-08:00

ab·ste·mi·ous /æbˈstimiəs/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[ab-stee-mee-uhs] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–adjective
1. sparing or moderate in eating and drinking; temperate in diet.
2. characterized by abstinence: an abstemious life.
3. sparing: an abstemious diet.
[Origin: 1615–25; < L abstémius, equiv. to abs- abs- + tém- (base of témétum intoxicating drink) + -ius -ious]

—Related forms
ab·ste·mi·ous·ly, adverb
ab·ste·mi·ous·ness, noun

—Synonyms ascetic, abstinent, temperate, nonindulgent.

Ascetic

2007-03-07T11:12:00.000-08:00

as·cet·ic /əˈsɛtɪk/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[uh-set-ik] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun
1. a person who dedicates his or her life to a pursuit of contemplative ideals and practices extreme self-denial or self-mortification for religious reasons.
2. a person who leads an austerely simple life, esp. one who abstains from the normal pleasures of life or denies himself or herself material satisfaction.
3. (in the early Christian church) a monk; hermit.
–adjective Also, as·cet·i·cal.
4. pertaining to asceticism.
5. rigorously abstinent; austere: an ascetic existence.
6. exceedingly strict or severe in religious exercises or self-mortification.
[Origin: 1640–50; < Gk askétikós subject to rigorous exercise, hardworking, equiv. to aské- (see askesis) + -tikos -tic]

—Related forms
as·cet·i·cal·ly, adverb

—Synonyms 3. anchorite, recluse; cenobite. 5. strict, frugal, plain. 6. fanatic.
—Antonyms 5. self-indulgent.

Actinic

2007-01-29T05:01:00.000-08:00

ac·tin·ic
Pronunciation: ak-'tin-ik
Function: adjective
: of, relating to, resulting from, or exhibiting chemical changes produced by radiant energy especially in the visible and ultraviolet parts of the spectrum

"The night air flashed actinic blue, like sheet lightning, as Lan engaged another Myrddraal,..." - Robert Jordan, The Dragon Reborn

Perfervid

2006-10-17T06:20:00.000-07:00

\puhr-FUR-vid\, adjective:
Ardent; impassioned; marked by exaggerated or overwrought emotion.

Obstreperous

2006-09-05T06:22:00.000-07:00

ob·strep·er·ous (ŏb-strĕp'ər-əs, əb-) pronunciation
adj.
1. Noisily and stubbornly defiant.
2. Aggressively boisterous.
[From Latin obstreperus, noisy, from obstrepere, to make a noise against : ob-, against; see ob– + strepere, to make a noise (of imitative origin).]

scofflaw

2006-07-05T11:13:00.000-07:00

Function: noun
: a contemptuous law violator

myoclonus

2006-04-06T17:28:00.000-07:00

Pronunciation: (mi-ok'lo-nus, mi-o-klo'nus)
One or a series of shock-like contractions of a group of muscles, of variable regularity, synchrony, and symmetry, generally due to a central nervous system lesion. Etymology: myo- + G. [klonos,] tumult

Hyperreflexia

2006-04-06T17:09:00.000-07:00

Main Entry: hy·per·re·flex·ia
Pronunciation: -rE-'flek-sE-&
Function: noun
: overactivity of physiological reflexes

Myoclonus

2006-04-06T17:08:00.000-07:00

Main Entry: my·oc·lo·nus
Pronunciation: "mI-'ä-kl&-n&s
Function: noun
Etymology: New Latin
: irregular involuntary contraction of a muscle usually resulting from functional disorder of controlling motoneurons; also : a condition characterized by myoclonus

Syncretism

2006-03-16T09:55:00.000-08:00

Main Entry: syn·cre·tism
Pronunciation: 'si[ng]-kr&-"ti-z&m, 'sin-
Function: noun
Etymology: New Latin syncretismus, from Greek synkrEtismos federation of Cretan cities, from syn- + KrEt-, KrEs Cretan
1 : the combination of different forms of belief or practice
2 : the fusion of two or more orig. different inflectional forms
- syn·cre·tist /-tist/ noun or adjective
- syn·cre·tis·tic /"si[ng]-kr&-'tis-tik, "sin-/ adjective

Telic

2006-03-16T09:13:00.000-08:00

Main Entry: te·lic
Pronunciation: 'te-lik, 'tE-
Function: adjective
Etymology: Greek telikos, from telos end -- more at TELOS
: tending toward an end
- te·li·cal·ly /-li-k(&-)lE/ adverb

Necropolis

2006-03-14T12:45:00.000-08:00

Main Entry: ne·crop·o·lis
Pronunciation: n&-'krä-p&-l&s, ne-
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural -lis·es or ne·crop·o·les /-"lEz/; or ne·crop·o·leis /-"lAs/; or ne·crop·o·li /-"lI, -"lE/
Etymology: Late Latin, city of the dead, from Greek nekropolis, from nekr- + -polis -polis
: CEMETERY; especially : a large elaborate cemetery of an ancient city

Cabala

2006-03-14T11:21:00.000-08:00

Main Entry: ca·ba·la
Variant(s): or cab·ba·la or cab·ba·lah /k&-'bä-l&, 'ka-b&-l&/
Function: noun
Usage: often capitalized
Etymology: Medieval Latin cabbala
1 : a medieval and modern system of Jewish theosophy, mysticism, and thaumaturgy marked by belief in creation through emanation and a cipher method of interpreting Scripture
2 a : a traditional, esoteric, occult, or secret matter b : esoteric doctrine or mysterious art

Rosicrucian

2006-03-14T11:10:00.000-08:00

Main Entry: Ro·si·cru·cian
Pronunciation: "rO-z&-'krü-sh&n, "rä-
Function: noun
Etymology: Christian Rosenkreutz (New Latin Rosae Crucis) reputed 15th century founder of the movement
1 : an adherent of a 17th and 18th century movement devoted to esoteric wisdom with emphasis on psychic and spiritual enlightenment
2 : a member of one of several organizations held to be descended from the Rosicrucians

Mandala

2006-03-14T11:09:00.000-08:00

man·da·la
Pronunciation: 'm&n-d&-l&
Function: noun
Etymology: Sanskrit mandala circle
1 : a Hindu or Buddhist graphic symbol of the universe; specifically : a circle enclosing a square with a deity on each side
2 : a graphic and often symbolic pattern usually in the form of a circle divided into four separate sections or bearing a multiple projection of an image

Contretemps

2006-03-10T08:10:00.000-08:00

Pronunciation: 'kän-tr&-"tän, kOn-tr&-tän
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural con·tre·temps /-(")tän(z)/
Etymology: French, from contre- counter- + temps time, from Latin tempus
: an inopportune or embarrassing occurrence or situation

Parochial

2006-03-10T07:54:00.000-08:00

Pronunciation: p&-'rO-kE-&l
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English parochiall, from Middle French parochial, from Late Latin parochialis, from parochia parish -- more at PARISH
1 : of or relating to a church parish
2 : of or relating to a parish as a unit of local government
3 : confined or restricted as if within the borders of a parish : limited in range or scope (as to a narrow area or region) :

Inculcate

2006-03-10T07:51:00.000-08:00

Pronunciation: in-'k&l-"kAt, 'in-(")
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form(s): -cat·ed; -cat·ing
Etymology: Latin inculcatus, past participle of inculcare, literally, to tread on, from in- + calcare to trample, from calc-, calx heel
: to teach and impress by frequent repetitions or admonitions
synonym see IMPLANT

Martinet

2006-03-10T06:42:00.000-08:00

Pronunciation: "mär-t&n-'et
Function: noun
Etymology: Jean Martinet, 17th century French army officer
1 : a strict disciplinarian
2 : a person who stresses a rigid adherence to the details of forms and methods

Note: I'm starting to hate this author

Manse

2006-03-10T06:41:00.000-08:00

Pronunciation: 'man(t)s
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English manss, from Medieval Latin mansa, mansus, mansum, from Latin mansus lodging, from manEre
1 archaic : the dwelling of a householder
2 : the residence of a clergyman; especially : the house of a Presbyterian clergyman
3 : a large imposing residence

Guignol

2006-03-10T06:37:00.000-08:00

Part of Speech: noun
Definition: an entertainment with sensational or horrifying dramatic intent; also called Grand Guignol
Etymology: French `punch'; Grand Guignol `Great Punch' was Paris theater

Mezuzah

2006-03-09T07:21:00.000-08:00

Variant(s): or me·zu·za /m&-'zu-z&/
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural -zahs or -zas or me·zu·zot /-'zu-"zOt/
Etymology: Hebrew mezuzAh doorpost
: a small parchment scroll inscribed with Deut 6:4-9 and 11:13-21 and the name Shaddai and placed in a case fixed to the doorpost by some Jewish families as a sign and reminder of their faith

Postprandial

2006-03-09T06:42:00.000-08:00

Pronunciation: pOs(t)-'pran-dE-&l
Function: adjective
: occurring after a meal

Note: this author is really starting to irritate me with his grandious words. Post-meal, sheesh.

Perambulate

2006-03-09T06:38:00.000-08:00

Pronunciation: p&-'ram-by&-"lAt
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): -lat·ed; -lat·ing
Etymology: Latin perambulatus, past participle of perambulare, from per- through + ambulare to walk
transitive senses
1 : to travel over or through especially on foot : TRAVERSE
2 : to make an official inspection of (a boundary) on foot
intransitive senses : STROLL
- per·am·bu·la·tion /-"ram-by&-'lA-sh&n/ noun
- per·am·bu·la·to·ry /-'ram-by&-l&-"tOr-E, -"tor-/ adjective

Note: article should have used wandering rather than perambulations.

Sobriquet

2006-03-09T06:28:00.000-08:00

Pronunciation: 'sO-bri-"kA, -"ket, "sO-bri-'
Function: noun
Etymology: French
: a descriptive name or epithet : NICKNAME

Note: A classic example of when the more common word should have been used.

Renfield Syndrome

2006-03-08T06:38:00.000-08:00

Renfield syndrome, also known as clinical vampirism, is a mental disease somewhat recognised by doctors in modern times as the obsession to drink blood. The term was first coined by Dr. Richard Noll and is named after Dracula's insect-eating assistant, Renfield, in the novel by Bram Stoker.

People who suffer from this condition are primarily male. The craving for blood arises from the idea that it conveys supernatural powers. According to Noll, the condition starts with a key event in childhood which causes the experience of blood injury or the ingestion of blood to be exciting. After puberty, the excitement is experienced as sexual arousal. Noll explains that Renfield Syndrome begins with autovampirism and then progresses to the consumption of the blood of other creatures.

The term has been very controversial, since very little cases of the syndrome have been identified and therefore many psychologists agree that the Renfield syndrome is most likely a form of paranoid schizophrenia.

The best known cases of Renfield Syndrome are by Richard Trenton Chase and Neville Heath.

Imprimatur

2006-03-07T05:20:00.000-08:00

im·pri·ma·tur
Pronunciation: "im-pr&-'mä-"tur, im-'pri-m&-"tur, -"tyur
Function: noun
Etymology: New Latin, let it be printed, from imprimere to print, from Latin, to imprint, impress -- more at IMPRESS
1 a : a license to print or publish especially by Roman Catholic episcopal authority b : approval of a publication under circumstances of official censorship
2 a : SANCTION, APPROVAL b : IMPRINT c : a mark of approval or distinction

(Doh, a repeat from Feb 2005)

Taciturn

2006-03-06T05:54:00.000-08:00

tac·i·turn
Pronunciation: 'ta-s&-"t&rn
Function: adjective
Etymology: French or Latin; French taciturne, from Latin taciturnus, from tacitus
: temperamentally disinclined to talk
synonym see SILENT

Clout

2006-03-02T09:25:00.000-08:00

Pronunciation: 'klaut
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English clut; akin to Middle High German klOz lump, Russian gluda
1 dialect chiefly British : a piece of cloth or leather : RAG
2 : a blow especially with the hand; also : a hard hit in baseball
3 : a white cloth on a stake or frame used as a target in archery
4 : PULL, INFLUENCE

Scupper

2006-03-02T09:20:00.000-08:00

Function: transitive verb
Etymology: origin unknown
British : to defeat or put an end to : DO IN

Junket

2006-02-02T10:20:00.000-08:00

Pronunciation: 'j&[ng]-k&t
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English ioncate, ultimately from (assumed) Vulgar Latin juncata, from Latin juncus rush
1 : a dessert of sweetened flavored milk set with rennet
2 a : a festive social affair b : TRIP, JOURNEY; especially : a trip made by an official at public expense

Nystagmus

2006-02-01T16:02:00.000-08:00

nys·tag·mus
Pronunciation: nis-'tag-m&s
Function: noun
Etymology: New Latin, from Greek nystagmos drowsiness, from nystazein to doze; probably akin to Lithuanian snusti to doze
: a rapid involuntary oscillation of the eyeballs (as from dizziness)
- nys·tag·mic /-mik/ adjective

Apache

2006-01-25T07:25:00.000-08:00

Name given to the Native Americans who call themselves the Ndee, also sometimes used of the Diné (The Navajo). The word “Apache” means “enemies”, and was given to them by the Zuni, a Pueblo group. It was adopted by Western settlers as the actual name of the Ndee, although it is a slur.

(I was actually reading through historical racial slurs, and technically didn't have to look this up. But it's good info.)

Mise-en-scène

2006-01-25T06:22:00.000-08:00

Pronunciation: "mE-"zän-'sen, -'sAn
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural mise-en-scènes /-'sen(z), -'sAn(z)/
Etymology: French mise en scène
1 a : the arrangement of actors and scenery on a stage for a theatrical production b : stage setting
2 a : the physical setting of an action : CONTEXT b : ENVIRONMENT, MILIEU
synonym see BACKGROUND

Twee

2006-01-25T05:03:00.000-08:00

Pronunciation: 'twE
Function: adjective
Etymology: baby-talk alteration of sweet
chiefly British : affectedly or excessively dainty, delicate, cute, or quaint [such a theme might sound twee or corny -- Times Literary Supplement]

Source: Momo's "new" blog, reading the first entry

Bon Vivant

2005-11-15T19:49:00.000-08:00

\bon-vee-VONT\, noun:
A person with refined and sociable tastes, especially one who enjoys fine food and drink.

Malfeasance

2005-10-17T07:21:00.000-07:00

mal·fea·sance
Pronunciation: "mal-'fE-z&n(t)s
Function: noun
Etymology: mal- + obsolete feasance doing, execution
: wrongdoing or misconduct especially by a public official

Wilding

2005-10-17T07:16:00.000-07:00

Pronunciation: 'wIl-di[ng]
Function: noun
Etymology: 1wild + 2-ing
1 a : a plant growing uncultivated in the wild either as a native or an escape; especially : a wild apple or crab apple b : the fruit of a wilding
2 : a wild animal

That didn't fit the usage in the book I was reading.

wilding
Function: adjective
: not domesticated or cultivated : WILD

Neither did that.

Definitions of wilding on the Web:

* court photographer of London, England, whose portraits of Queen Elizabeth II, have been the bases of designs.
www.adminware.ca/esg/esg-glossary-w.htm

* a wild uncultivated plant (especially a wild apple or crabapple tree)
* an outrageous rampage usually involving sexual attacks by men on women
wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn

* Wardriving is an activity consisting of driving around with a Wi-Fi-equipped computer, such as a laptop or a PDA, in one's vehicle, detecting Wi-Fi wireless networks. It is also known (as of 2002) as "WiLDing" (Wireless Lan Driving), originating in the U.S. with the Bay Area Wireless Users Group (BAWUG). It is similar to using a scanner for radio. Many wardrivers will use GPS devices to measure the location of the network find and log it on a website. ...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WiLDing

Ah, that did it.

Stiction

2005-08-15T06:30:00.000-07:00

stic·tion
Pronunciation: 'stik-sh&n
Function: noun
Etymology: static + friction
: the force required to cause one body in contact with another to begin to move

Trochoid

2005-08-15T06:19:00.000-07:00

tro·choid
Pronunciation: 'trO-"koid, 'trä-"koid
Function: noun
Etymology: Greek trochoeidEs like a wheel, from trochos wheel
: the curve generated by a point on the radius of a circle or the radius extended as the circle rolls on a fixed straight line.

Apocryphal

2005-07-29T23:03:00.000-07:00

apoc·ry·phal
Pronunciation: -f&l
Function: adjective
1 : of doubtful authenticity : SPURIOUS
2 often capitalized : of or resembling the Apocrypha
synonym see FICTITIOUS

(and actually, this was while I was looking up Cuauhtemoc, but that's a name, not a word.)

Prevaricate

2005-07-26T05:32:00.000-07:00

pre·var·i·cate
Pronunciation: pri-'var-&-"kAt
Function: intransitive verb
Inflected Form(s): -cat·ed; -cat·ing
Etymology: Latin praevaricatus, past participle of praevaricari to act in collusion, literally, to straddle, from prae- + varicare to straddle, from varus bowlegged
: to deviate from the truth : EQUIVOCATE

Virago

2005-07-06T08:16:00.000-07:00

vi·ra·go
Pronunciation: v&-'rä-(")gO, -'rA-; 'vir-&-"gO
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural -goes or -gos
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin viragin-, virago, from vir man -- more at VIRILE
1 : a loud overbearing woman : TERMAGANT
2 : a woman of great stature, strength, and courage

(This is the name of a Suzuki motorcycle. Alison wanted me to look up the meaning, as she thought it had negative connotations. Pretty funny really. It's a Harley type Americana bike.)

Garrulous

2005-07-06T08:15:00.000-07:00

gar·ru·lous
Pronunciation: 'gar-&-l&s also 'gar-y&-
Function: adjective
Etymology: Latin garrulus, from garrire to chatter -- more at CARE
1 : given to prosy, rambling, or tedious loquacity : pointlessly or annoyingly talkative
2 : WORDY

Propitiate

2005-06-28T11:25:00.000-07:00

pro·pi·ti·ate
Pronunciation: prO-'pi-shE-"At
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form(s): -at·ed; -at·ing
Etymology: Latin propitiatus, past participle of propitiare, from propitius propitious
: to gain or regain the favor or goodwill of : APPEASE, CONCILIATE

Splenetic

2005-06-27T11:33:00.000-07:00

sple·net·ic
Pronunciation: spli-'ne-tik, archaic 'sple-n&-(")tik
Function: adjective
Etymology: Late Latin spleneticus, from Latin splen spleen
1 archaic : given to melancholy
2 : marked by bad temper, malevolence, or spite

(In a post where someone was ranting about Tom Cruise of all things.)

Lugubrious

2005-06-22T12:55:00.000-07:00

lu·gu·bri·ous
Pronunciation: lu-'gü-brE-&s also -'gyü-
Function: adjective
Etymology: Latin lugubris, from lugEre to mourn; akin to Greek lygros mournful
1 : MOURNFUL; especially : exaggeratedly or affectedly mournful [dark, dramatic and lugubrious brooding -- V. S. Pritchett]
2 : DISMAL [a lugubrious landscape]

Efficacy

2005-05-27T07:23:00.000-07:00

ef·fi·ca·cy
Pronunciation: 'e-fi-k&-sE
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural -cies
: the power to produce an effect

"According to the study, Lexapro doesn't have difference in efficacy between 10mg and 20mg."

Meshuga

2005-05-27T05:13:00.000-07:00

me·shuga
Variant(s): or me·shug·ge also me·shug·ah or me·shug·gah /m&-'shu-g&/
Function: adjective
Etymology: Yiddish meshuge, from Hebrew meshuggA'
: CRAZY, FOOLISH

A publicist speaking of Tom Cruise's recent craziness, "I hate to be cynical but, past a certain age, you don't get that in love. I mean, jumping on couches? It seems like he's off his rocker. There's something meshuga here."

Elegiac

2005-05-18T05:02:00.000-07:00

ele·gi·ac
Pronunciation: "e-l&-'jI-&k, -"ak also i-'lE-jE-"ak
Variant(s): also el·e·gi·a·cal /"e-l&-'jI-&-k&l/
Function: adjective
Etymology: Late Latin elegiacus, from Greek elegeiakos, from elegeion
1 a : of, relating to, or consisting of two dactylic hexameter lines the second of which lacks the arsis in the third and sixth feet b (1) : written in or consisting of elegiac couplets (2) : noted for having written poetry in such couplets c : of or relating to the period in Greece about the seventh century B.C. when poetry written in such couplets flourished
2 : of, relating to, or comprising elegy or an elegy; especially : expressing sorrow often for something now past (an elegiac lament for departed youth)

Annular

2005-05-11T07:40:00.000-07:00

an·nu·lar
Pronunciation: 'an-y&-l&r
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle French or Medieval Latin; Middle French annulaire, from Medieval Latin anularis, from Latin anulus
: of, relating to, or forming a ring

Annular Space
A ring-shaped space located betweeen two circular objects. For example, the space between the outside of a pipe liner and the inside of a pipe.

CMOM

2005-05-11T07:38:00.000-07:00

Capacity assurance, Management, Operation and Maintenance. A program developed by collection system agencies to ensure adequate capacity and also proper management and operation and maintenance of the collection system to prevent SSOs.

Appurtenance

2005-05-11T07:36:00.000-07:00

ap·pur·te·nance
Pronunciation: &-'p&rt-n&n(t)s, -'p&r-t&n-&n(t)s
Function: noun
1 : an incidental right (as a right-of-way) attached to a principal property right and passing in possession with it
2 : a subordinate part or adjunct
3 plural : accessory objects : APPARATUS

Hypnopompic

2005-03-22T12:06:00.000-08:00

hyp·no·pom·pic
Pronunciation: "hip-n&-'päm-pik
Function: adjective
Etymology: hypn- + Greek pompE act of sending -- more at POMP
: associated with the semiconsciousness preceding waking

Tenet

2005-03-01T04:59:00.000-08:00

te·net
Pronunciation: 'te-n&t also 'tE-n&t
Function: noun
Etymology: Latin, he holds, from tenEre to hold
: a principle, belief, or doctrine generally held to be true; especially : one held in common by members of an organization, movement, or profession

Graphology

2005-02-14T11:06:00.000-08:00

gra·phol·o·gy
Function: noun
Etymology: French graphologie, from grapho- + -logie -logy
: the study of handwriting especially for the purpose of character analysis

Oeuvre

2005-02-02T12:35:00.000-08:00

(Source: Foo Fighters All My Life review at Amazon)
oeu·vre
Pronunciation: [oe]vr&
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural oeuvres /same/
Etymology: French [oe]uvre, literally, work, from Latin opera -- more at OPERA
: a substantial body of work constituting the lifework of a writer, an artist, or a composer

Imprimatur

2005-02-01T06:11:00.000-08:00

Florid

2005-01-20T07:01:00.000-08:00

flor·id
Pronunciation: 'flor-&d, 'flär-
Function: adjective
Etymology: Latin floridus blooming, flowery, from florEre
1 a obsolete : covered with flowers b : very flowery in style : ORNATE [florid prose] [florid declamations]; also : having a florid style [a florid writer] c : elaborately decorated [a florid interior]
2 a : tinged with red : RUDDY [a florid complexion] b : marked by emotional or sexual fervor [a florid secret life] [a florid sensibility]
3 archaic : HEALTHY
4 : fully developed : manifesting a complete and typical clinical syndrome [the florid stage of a disease]

Singlet

2005-01-20T06:04:00.000-08:00

sin·glet
Pronunciation: 'si[ng]-gl&t
Function: noun
1 [from its having only one thickness of cloth] chiefly British : an athletic jersey : UNDERSHIRT
2 : an atom or molecule that has no net electronic magnetic moment; also : an excited state of an atom or molecule that is a singlet

(I'm assuming the guy in the story was wearing an undershirt, but really, also probably had billions of non-charged particles on him too.)

Anticholinergic

2005-01-11T11:32:00.000-08:00

an·ti·cho·lin·er·gic
Pronunciation: -"kO-l&-'n&r-jik
Function: adjective
: opposing or blocking the physiologic action of acetylcholine
- anticholinergic noun

Acetylcholine
ace·tyl·cho·line
Pronunciation: &-"se-t&l-'kO-"lEn, -"sE-; 'a-s&-"tEl-
Function: noun
Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary
: a neurotransmitter C7H17NO3 released at autonomic synapses and neuromuscular junctions and formed enzymatically in the tissues from choline

choline
cho·line
Pronunciation: 'kO-"lEn
Function: noun
Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary
: a base C5H15NO2 that occurs as a component of phospholipids especially in animals, is a precursor of acetylcholine, and is essential to liver function

Somnolence

2005-01-10T12:34:00.000-08:00

som·no·lence
Pronunciation: 'säm-n&-l&n(t)s
Function: noun
: the quality or state of being drowsy : SLEEPINESS

De Rigueur

2005-01-10T11:13:00.000-08:00

de ri·gueur
Pronunciation: d&-(")rE-'g&r
Function: adjective
Etymology: French
: prescribed or required by fashion, etiquette, or custom : PROPER

Defenstration

2005-01-07T08:05:00.000-08:00

de·fen·es·tra·tion
Pronunciation: (")dE-"fe-n&-'strA-sh&n
Function: noun
Etymology: de- + Latin fenestra window
: a throwing of a person or thing out of a window

(used in, of all things, a video game review)

Slapper

2005-01-04T09:22:00.000-08:00

Slapper is British slang for a sexually easy woman, or tart; a prstitute, slut.
(note: obvioulsy an Aussie slang too.)

Singletree

2005-01-04T08:17:00.000-08:00

sin·gle·tree
Pronunciation: 'si[ng]-g&l-(")trE
Function: noun
: WHIFFLETREE

Whiffletree
whif·fle·tree
Pronunciation: 'hwi-f&l-(")trE, 'wi-
Function: noun
Etymology: alteration of whippletree
: the pivoted swinging bar to which the traces of a harness are fastened and by which a vehicle or implement is drawn

Punctilio

2004-12-29T08:05:00.000-08:00

punc·til·io
Pronunciation: "p&[ng]k-'ti-lE-"O
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural -i·os
Etymology: Italian & Spanish; Italian puntiglio point of honor, scruple, from Spanish puntillo, from diminutive of punto point, from Latin punctum
1 : a minute detail of conduct in a ceremony or in observance of a code
2 : careful observance of forms (as in social conduct)

Didactic

2004-12-27T07:36:00.000-08:00

di·dac·tic
Pronunciation: dI-'dak-tik, d&-
Function: adjective
Etymology: Greek didaktikos, from didaskein to teach
1 a : designed or intended to teach b : intended to convey instruction and information as well as pleasure and entertainment
2 : making moral observations

Conurbation

2004-12-21T11:30:00.000-08:00

con·ur·ba·tion
Pronunciation: "kä-(")n&r-'bA-sh&n
Function: noun
Etymology: com- + Latin urb-, urbs city
: an aggregation or continuous network of urban communities

Foment

2004-12-20T11:31:00.000-08:00

fo·ment
Pronunciation: 'fO-"ment, fO-'
Function: transitive verb
Etymology: Middle English fomenten to apply a warm substance to, from Late Latin fomentare, from Latin fomentum compress, from fovEre to heat, soothe; akin to Lithuanian degti to burn, Sanskrit dahati it burns
: to promote the growth or development of : ROUSE, INCITE

Etiology

2004-12-20T11:29:00.000-08:00

eti·ol·o·gy
Pronunciation: "E-tE-'ä-l&-jE
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural -gies
Etymology: Medieval Latin aetiologia statement of causes, from Greek aitiologia, from aitia cause
1 : CAUSE, ORIGIN; specifically : all of the causes of a disease or abnormal condition
2 : a branch of knowledge concerned with causes; specifically : a branch of medical science concerned with the causes and origins of diseases

(I can't believe the article I was reading didn't just use the word "origin".)

Mollify

2004-12-17T12:16:00.000-08:00

mol·li·fy
Pronunciation: 'mä-l&-"fI
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): -fied; -fy·ing
Etymology: Middle English mollifien, from Middle French mollifier, from Late Latin mollificare, from Latin mollis soft; akin to Greek amaldynein to soften, Sanskrit mrdu soft, and probably to Greek malakos soft, amblys dull, Old English meltan to melt
transitive senses
1 : to soothe in temper or disposition : APPEASE
2 : to reduce the rigidity of : SOFTEN
3 : to reduce in intensity : ASSUAGE, TEMPER
intransitive senses, archaic : SOFTEN, RELENT

Menagerie

2004-12-17T09:25:00.000-08:00

me·nag·er·ie
Pronunciation: m&-'naj-rE, -'na-j&- also -'nazh-rE, -'na-zh&-
Function: noun
Etymology: French ménagerie, from Middle French, management of a household or farm, from menage
1 a : a place where animals are kept and trained especially for exhibition b : a collection of wild or foreign animals kept especially for exhibition
2 : a varied mixture (a wonderful menagerie of royal hangers-on -- V. S. Pritchett)

Fusillade

2004-12-17T09:14:00.000-08:00

fu·sil·lade
Pronunciation: 'fyü-s&-"läd, -"lAd, "fyü-s&-', -z&-
Function: noun
Etymology: French, from fusiller to shoot, from fusil
1 a : a number of shots fired simultaneously or in rapid succession b : something that gives the effect of a fusillade (a fusillade of rocks and bottles)
2 : a spirited outburst especially of criticism

Snag

2004-12-17T06:08:00.000-08:00

Australian Slang: A sausage or hot dog.

Haply

2004-12-16T06:24:00.000-08:00

hap·ly
Pronunciation: 'ha-plE
Function: adverb
: by chance, luck, or accident

Dustman

2004-12-15T12:10:00.000-08:00

dust·man
Pronunciation: 'd&s(t)-m&n
Function: noun
British : a collector of trash or garbage

Sanctimony

2004-12-15T06:32:00.000-08:00

sanc·ti·mo·ny
Pronunciation: 'sa[ng](k)-t&-"mO-nE
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural -nies
Etymology: Middle French sanctimonie, from Latin sanctimonia, from sanctus
1 obsolete : HOLINESS
2 : affected or hypocritical holiness

Maven

2004-12-14T05:18:00.000-08:00

ma·ven
Variant(s): or ma·vin /'mA-v&n/
Function: noun
Etymology: Yiddish meyvn, from Late Hebrew mEbhIn
: one who is experienced or knowledgeable : EXPERT; also : FREAK

Sui Generis

2004-12-13T12:52:00.000-08:00

sui ge·ner·is
Pronunciation: "sÃ¼-"I-'je-n&-r&s; "sÃ¼-E-'je-, -'ge-
Function: adjective
Etymology: Latin, of its own kind
: constituting a class alone : UNIQUE, PECULIAR

BOLO

2004-12-13T12:25:00.000-08:00

Police term: Be On the Look Out.

Mincemeat

2004-12-09T12:39:00.000-08:00

mince·meat
Pronunciation: 'min(t)s-"mEt
Function: noun
1 : minced meat
2 : a finely chopped mixture (as of raisins, apples, and spices) sometimes with meat that is often used as pie filling
3 : a state of destruction or annihilation -- used in the phrase make mincemeat of

(Ingredients of def 2 was what I was looking for)

Piquant

2004-12-09T11:53:00.000-08:00

pi·quant
Pronunciation: 'pE-k&nt, -"känt; 'pi-kw&nt
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle French, from present participle of piquer
1 : agreeably stimulating to the palate; especially : SPICY
2 : engagingly provocative; also : having a lively arch charm

Alienist

2004-12-09T08:49:00.000-08:00

alien·ist
Pronunciation: -nist
Function: noun
Etymology: French aliéniste, from aliéné insane, from Latin alienatus, past participle of alienare to estrange, from alienus
: PSYCHIATRIST

Giaconda

2004-12-09T07:47:00.000-08:00

La Giaconda = The Mona Lisa.

(What Blogger's spell check suggests for Gizmodo.)