Category Archives: adaptation/adjustment

Word of the Day – February 1, 2020

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vituperative

[vīˈt(y)o͞opəˌrādiv, vəˈt(y)o͞op(ə)rədiv]

ADJECTIVE
  1. bitter and abusive.
    “the criticism soon turned into a vituperative attack”
    synonyms:

Word of the Day, December 29, 2018

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whimsical

(wĭm′zĭ-kəl, hwĭm′-)

adj.

1. Characterized by, arising from, or subject to whimsy: a whimsical decision.
2. Playful or fanciful, especially in a humorous way: “The episodic book is memorable for its … whimsical animal dialogue” (Peter D. Sieruta).
[From whimsy.]
whim′si·cal·ly adv.

Word of the Day August 11, 2018

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pshaw

interj.

Used to indicate impatience, irritation, disapproval, or disbelief.
CITE: American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Word of the Day August 4, 2018

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pontificate

vb (intr)

1. to speak or behave in a pompous or dogmatic manner. Also (less commonly): pontify
2. (Roman Catholic Church) to serve or officiate as a pontiff, esp in celebrating a Pontifical Mass
n

(Roman Catholic Church) the office or term of office of a pontiff, now usually the pope

Word of the Day July 28, 2018

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widdershins

(wĭd′ər-shĭnz′) or with·er·shins (wĭth′-)

adv.

In a contrary or counterclockwise direction: “The coracle whirled round, clockwise, then widdershins” (Anthony Bailey).
[Middle Low German weddersinnes, from Middle High German widersinnes : wider, back (from Old High German widar; see wi- in Indo-European roots) + sinnes, in the direction of (from sin, direction, from Old High German; see sent- in Indo-European roots).]
CITE: American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.