Showing posts with label vocabulary. Show all posts
Showing posts with label vocabulary. Show all posts

Monday, March 5, 2012

Word of the Week: Duende

The word of the week for March 5th through the 11th is...

Duende
n.

Definition: The power to attract through magnetism or charm

Example: The presidential candidate's political positions were off-putting but his duende earned him many votes.










Now Playing: "All the Pretty Girls Go to The City" by Spoon

Monday, February 27, 2012

Word of the Week: Ebullience

The word of the week for February 27th through March 4th is...

Ebullience
n.

Definition:
Overflowing with enthusiasm, enjoyment, exuberance or approval.

Example:
The Oscar winner's ebullience was evident in her acceptance speech.











Now Playing: "Fool In The Rain" by Led Zeppelin

Monday, February 6, 2012

Word of the Week: Aphorism

The word of the week for February 6th through the 12th is...

Aphorism
n.

Definition:
1. A concise statement of a principle.
2. An original thought, written or spoken in a brief, memorable form.

Example:
Twitter is an excellent platform to express a personal aphorism.












Now Playing: "If You Leave Me Now" by Chicago

Monday, January 23, 2012

Word of the Week: Taciturn

The word of the week for Janary 23rd through the 29th is...

TACITURN
\TASS-uh-tern\
adj.

Definition:
1. tempermentally disinclined to talk
2. habitually untalkative; silent

Example:
Her blind date was with an awkwardly taciturn man.











Now Playing: "Read My Mind" by The Killers

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Word of the Week: Mordant

The word of the week for January 9th through the 15th is...

MORDANT
adj.

Definition:
1. Biting in thought, manner, or style
2. Having a sharp sense of humor
3. Critical or sarcastic

Example:
The critic's mordant review was scattered with backhanded compliments and trivial observations.









Now Playing: "Counting Blue Cars" by Dishwalla

Monday, January 2, 2012

Word of the Week: Raillery

The word of the week for January 2nd the 8th is...

Raillery
n.

Definition: good-natured ridicule

Example:
The young boy was constantly dealing with raillery from his older brothers.











Now Playing: "Stay" by Lisa Loeb
*Just being honest ;)

Monday, December 26, 2011

Word of the Week: DENOUEMENT

The word of the week for December 26th through January 1st is...

DENOUEMENT
n.

Definition:
1. The final resolution or clarification of a literary plot.

2. The outcome of a complex sequence of events; the end result.

Example:
a. For many, the denouement of 2011 will be celebrated.
b. In the novel's denouement, a surprising plot twist takes place.









Now Playing: "Season's Trees" by Danger Mouse (ft. Norah Jones)

Monday, December 19, 2011

Word of the Week: ZENITH

The word of the week for December 19th through the 25th is...

ZENITH
n.

Definition:
1. The point on the celestial sphere that is directly above the observer.
2. The upper region of the sky.
3. The highest point above the observer's horizon attained by a celestial body.
4. The point of culmination; the peak.

Example:
The comedienne really hit her zenith with the release of her latest comedy CD.








Now Playing: "Runaround Sue" by Dion and the Belmonts
*One of my all time favorite songs!

Monday, December 12, 2011

Word of the Week: Perfidious

The word of the week for December 12th through the 18th is...

PERFIDIOUS
adj.

Definition:
1. Unfaithful, unreliable, treacherous
2. Tending to betray

Example:
After extensive marriage counseling, she came to the conclusion that her husband's perfidious behavior was irreconcilable.











Now Playing: "There Goes My Baby" by The Drifters

Monday, December 5, 2011

Word of the Week: EPHEMERAL

The word of the week for December 5th through the 11th is...

EPHEMERAL
adj.

Definition:
1. Lasting a very short time
2. Lasting only one day

Example:
Many stores host ephemeral sales on Black Friday.











Now Playing: "Right Back Where We Started From" by Maxine Nightingale

Monday, November 28, 2011

Word of the Week: SPLENETIC

The word of the week for November 28th through December 4th is...

SPLENETIC
adj.

Definition: Marked by bad temper, malevolence, or spite.

Example: His seasonal affective disorder caused him to act in a splenetic manner towards his family and friends.











Now Playing: "Big Jet Plane" by Lady of the Sunshine

Monday, November 21, 2011

Word of the Week: SYMBIOSIS

The word of the week for November 21st through the 27th is...

SYMBIOSIS
n.

Definition:
1. A relationship of mutual benefit or dependence
2. In Biology- a close, prolonged association between two or more different organisms of different species that may, but does not necessarily, benefit each member

Example:
The family cat lives in symbiosis with their pet dog.








Now Playing: "Get On Up" by James Brown

Monday, November 14, 2011

Word of the Week: LACHRYMOSE

The word of the week for November 14th through the 20th is...

LACHRYMOSE
adj.

Definition:
1. Given to tears or weeping
2. Tending to cause tears; mournful

Example:
The lachrymose songs performed at the memorial were overwhelming for many funeral attendees.







Now Playing: "Mind Games" by Leagues

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Word of the Week: ADROIT

The word of the week for November 7th through the 13th is...

ADROIT
adj.

Definition:
Having or showing skill, cleverness or resourcefulness in handling situations

Example:
The volunteer firefighters were adroit at putting out the blaze.






Now Playing: "Surgeon" by St. Vincent

Monday, October 31, 2011

Word of the Week: RUCTION

The word of the week for October 31st through November 6th is...

RUCTION
n.

Definition:
1. Noisy fight
2. Disturbance or uproar

Example:
The ruction inside the bar prompted the bouncers to toss the men out.







Now Playing: "Science of Fear" by The Temper Trap

Monday, October 17, 2011

Word of the Week: COCKAIGNE

The word of the week for October 17th through the 23rd is...

COCKAIGNE
n.

Pronunciation: kah-KAYNE

Definition: An imaginary land of great luxury, ease and idleness.

Example: I'd like to retire at 35 and retreat to some sort of utopian Cockaigne.








Now Playing: "The Ghost Inside" by Broken Bells

Monday, October 10, 2011

Word of the Week: WIDDERSHINS

The word of the week for October 10th through the 16th is...

WIDDERSHINS
adv.

Definition:
1. In a left-handed or wrong direction
2. Counterclockwise
3. Contrary

Example:
During daylight savings time, in the fall, we set the clocks back in a widdershins motion.





Now Playing: "Take Care" by Beach House

Monday, September 26, 2011

Word of the Week: PREPRANDIAL

The word of the week for September 26th through October 2nd is...

PREPRANDIAL
adj.

Definition: Relating to or suitable for the time just before dinner

Example: The wedding reception's preprandial cocktail hour was a hit with the guests.










Now Playing: "Little Lies" by Fleetwood Mac

Monday, September 19, 2011

Word of the Week: MUNIFICENT

The word of the week for September 19th - 25th is...

MUNIFICENT 
adj.

Definition:
1. Very liberal in giving; bountiful
2. Showing great generosity
3. Charitable, philanthropic

Example:
The Great Gatsby was a very munificent host, providing his party guests with the most ornate and lavish entertainment.









Now Playing: "Mrs. Right" by Mindless Behavior

Monday, September 5, 2011

Word of the Week: PERFUNCTORY

The word of the week for September 5 - 11th is...

PERFUNCTORY
adj.

Definition:
1. Done routinely and without little care
2. Acting with indifference
3. Without attention to detail
4. Lacking interest or enthusiasm; mechanical, dull

Example:
By the end of their world tour, the band was delivering perfunctory performances to the sold out crowds.

Origin: Latin

First Use: 1593









Now Playing: "Lorelai" by Fleet Foxes

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Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
I'm living life in beautiful Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I hold a journalism degree from West Virginia University. I have worked in television news, fashion marketing, PR, and cosmetic sales. My love for writing and sharing with the world my various passions is strong. One of my many ambitions is to be published and continue creating in the fields of digital and print media, literature and film. In my free time, I enjoy listening to music, going to concerts, reading, following Pittsburgh sports and traveling as often as possible. Some of my favorite things include beauty, style, architecture, books, tarot and astrology, thrifting and my shih-tzu, Ireland. I’m engaged to the love of my lifetimes and we look forward to starting our next chapter together. If you have any questions or comments, I would love to hear from you!