#46 - Learn one word a day

Watch out now! I am 18 words smarter than I was before I started this list. So I decided to share my new found words with you all. Now, don't get all excited and think I did something so silly as to open the dictionary and pick a random word to lose. As fun as that sounds, I opted to get word of the day emails. That's right, I let someone else go through the dictionary and pick a random word ha! I enjoy getting the emails though and I have begun to look forward to them each day.

I also decided to compile them into a list and just post the list at the end of every month.

January is a short list because I started this list on the 14th and not on the 1st. So here you go, my list of new words - enjoy!

1. newel
PRONUNCIATION:
(NOO-uhl, NYOO-)
MEANING:
noun: 1. A center column that supports the steps of a spiral staircase. 2. A post supporting the handrail of a staircase.

2. neuston
PRONUNCIATION:
(NOO-ston, NYOO-)
MEANING:
noun: The aggregate of minute aquatic organisms that inhabit the surface of a body of water.

3. nubilous
PRONUNCIATION:
(NOO-buh-luhs, NYOO-)
MEANING:
adjective: 1. Cloudy, misty, or foggy. 2. Vague or obscure.

4. cohere
PRONUNCIATION:
(ko-HEER)
MEANING:
verb intr.: To be united; to work or hold together.

5. syncretic
PRONUNCIATION:
(sin-KREH-tik)
MEANING:
adjective: Combining different forms of belief or practice.

6. endemic
PRONUNCIATION:
(en-DEM-ik)
MEANING:
adjective:
1. Natural to a particular people or place; always present in a particular area.
2. Confined to a geographic region.

7. abrogate
PRONUNCIATION:
(AB-ruh-gayt)
MEANING:
verb tr. To put aside or treat as nonexistent, especially by an authoritative act.

8. sui generis
PRONUNCIATION:
(soo-ee JEN-uhr-is)
MEANING:
adjective: Of its own kind; unique.

9. ex libris
PRONUNCIATION:
(eks LEE-bris, LI-)
MEANING:
1. From the library of (a phrase inscribed in a book followed by the name of the book owner).
2. A bookplate.

10. in medias res
PRONUNCIATION:
(in MAY-dee-uhs rays, in MEE-dee-uhs REEZ, in MAY-dee-as RAYS)
MEANING:
adverb: In the middle of things.

11. dramatis personae
PRONUNCIATION:
(DRAM-uh-tis puhr-SO-nee)
MEANING:
noun:
1. The characters in a play or story.
2. The people involved in an event.

12. lares and penates
PRONUNCIATION:
(LAR-eez and puh-NAY-teez)
MEANING:
noun:
1. Household gods: the benevolent gods in an ancient Roman household.
2. Household goods: a family's treasured possessions.

13. ex parte
PRONUNCIATION:
(eks PAHR-tee)
MEANING:
adverb: Involving one side only.

14. nugatory
PRONUNCIATION:
(NOO-guh-tor-ee, NYOO-)
MEANING:
adjective: 1. Of little value; trifling. 2. Having no force; ineffective.

15. pneuma
PRONUNCIATION:
(NOO-muh, NYOO-)
MEANING:
noun: Spirit, soul.

16. ecumenical
PRONUNCIATION:
(ek-yoo-MEN-i-kuhl, ee-kyoo-)
MEANING:
adjective:
1. Having a mix of diverse elements.
2. Universal; general.
3. Pertaining to the whole Christian church; concerned with promoting unity among churches or religions.

17. etesian
PRONUNCIATION:
(i-TEE-zhuhn)
MEANING:
adjective: Occurring annually.

18. span-new
PRONUNCIATION:
(span-noo, -nyoo)
MEANING:
adjective: Brand-new.