Word of the Day Archive for May 2010

disquisition - elaborate analytical essay on a subject
defalcate - to misuse money entrusted to one's care
dotage - feebleness of mind, particularly in old age
insensate - without feeling and consciousness
fecund - prolific; fruitful
taciturn - habitually silent; not apt to talk
oneiric - relating to or suggestive of dreams
malfeasance - wrongful conduct by a public official
talisman - an object with magical power; lucky charm
lapidate - to stone to death
esurient - hungry; greedy
benison - blessing; benediction
vituperation - abusive or venomous language
nescience - want of knowledge; ignorance
thaumaturgy - the performance of miracles or magic
supererogatory - going beyond what is expected
crepuscular - of or pertaining to twilight; dim
syncretic - uniting different belief systems
verboten - forbidden; prohibited
deprecate - to disapprove of strongly; belittle
entreat - ask for or request earnestly; to plead
bumptious - offensively self-assertive
galumph - to move in a clumsy manner
suffuse - to fill or cover, as with something fluid
avatar - an incarnation
ellipsis - omission of one or more words
nocuous - noxious; hurtful
philomath - a lover of learning; a scholar
cosmopolite - a citizen of the world
quidnunc - a gossip
ennui - boredom; tedium