Word of the Day Archive for June 2010

flummox - to confuse; to bewilder
cerebration - the process of using your mind; thought
rictus - a gaping grimace
emblazon - display pompously; to decorate
lenity - the state or quality of being lenient
doula - a woman who assists women during labor
supine - lying face upward; indolent; listless
sedition - conduct inciting resistance to lawful authority
equipoise - equilibrium; counterbalance
doppelganger - a spiritual or ghostly double
enervate - to render impotent; to weaken
pukka - authentic; genuine
raffish - gaudily vulgar or cheap
stertorous - deep snoring; hoarsely breathing
paean - a joyous hymn of praise
subfusc - dark and dull; dingy
autochthonous - aboriginal; indigenous; native
ersatz - a substitute or imitation
jocund - cheerful; mirthful
atelier - a workshop; a studio
venerate - to regard with deep respect or reverence
dalliance - dawdling; procrastination
frowzy - habitually dirty and untidy
alpenglow - a reddish glow seen near sunset or sunrise
subterfuge - a deceptive device or stratagem
sub rosa - secretly; covertly; privately; confidentially
plaudit - a round of applause
biddable - obedient; docile
incommunicado - without the means or right to communicate
exegete - one who provides critical explanation or analysis