Monday, April 6, 2009

#46 - Learn one new word each day

and here is March...

March – 31 list days and 31 words

1. lampoon
PRONUNCIATION:
(lam-POON)
MEANING:
noun : a composition that imitates or misrepresents someone's style, usually in a humorous way
verb: ridicule with satire

2. bon ton
PRONUNCIATION:
(bon ton)
MEANING:
noun:
1. Good form or style.
2. Something regarded as fashionably right.
3. High society.

3. moue
PRONUNCIATION:
(moo)
MEANING:
noun: Pout; grimace.

4. au fait
PRONUNCIATION:
(o FAY)
MEANING:
adjective: Being well-informed or skillful in something.

5. clou
PRONUNCIATION:
(kloo)
MEANING:
noun: A major point of interest, or a central idea.

6. pied-a-terre
PRONUNCIATION:
(pee-ay-duh-TARE)
plural pieds-a-terre (pee-ay-duh-TARE)
MEANING:
noun: A place of lodging for temporary or secondary use.


7. bilk
PRONUNCIATION:
(bilk)
MEANING:
verb: 1. to defraud; cheat
2. to frustrate
3. to escape from; elude
noun: 1. a trick; fraud; deceit.
2. a cheat, swindler

8. equine
PRONUNCIATION:
(EE-kwahyn, EK-wahyn)
MEANING:
adjective: of, pertaining to, or resembling a horse: a bold, equine face

9. infundibuliform
PRONUNCIATION:
(in-fuhn-DIB-yuh-luh-form)
MEANING:
adjective: Funnel-shaped.

10. subintelligitur
PRONUNCIATION:
(sub-in-tuh-LIJ-it-uhr)
MEANING:
noun: Something that is not stated but understood.

11. lepidopterology
PRONUNCIATION:
(lep-i-dop-tuh-ROL-uh-jee)
MEANING:
noun: The study of butterflies and moths.

12. mathematicaster
PRONUNCIATION:
(math-uh-mat-KAS-tuhr)
MEANING:
noun: A minor or incompetent mathematician.

13. dermatoglyphics
PRONUNCIATION:
(duhr-mat-uh-GLIF-iks, -muh-tuh-)
MEANING:
noun:
1. The ridge patterns of skin on the inner surface of the hands and feet.
2. The scientific study of these skin patterns.

14. esoteric
PRONUNCIATION:
(es-uh-TER-ik)
MEANING:
adjective:
1. understood by or meant for only the select few who have special knowledge or interest; recondite
2. belonging to the select few
3. private; secret; confidential
4. (of a philosophical doctrine or the like) intended to be revealed only to the initiates of a group

15. scintilla
PRONUNCIATION:
(sin-TIL-uh)
MEANING:
noun: A tiny or scarcely detectable amount; the slightest particle; a trace; a spark.

16. quodlibet
PRONUNCIATION:
(KWOD-li-bet)
MEANING:
noun:
1. A subtle argument, especially on a theological or philosophical issue.
2. A musical medley: a whimsical combination of popular tunes.

17. epistolary
PRONUNCIATION:
(i-PIS-tuh-ler-ee)
MEANING:
adjective:
1. Of or relating to letters.
2. Composed of letters (as a literary work).

18. schwerpunkt
PRONUNCIATION:
(SHVEHR-pungkt)
MEANING:
noun: The point of focus; an area of concentrated effort, especially in a military operation.

19. gramineous
PRONUNCIATION:
(gruh-MIN-ee-uhs)
MEANING:
adjective: Of or relating to grass.

20. overslaugh
PRONUNCIATION:
(O-vuhr-slaw)
MEANING:
verb tr.:
1. To pass over someone in favor of another, as in a promotion.
2. To bar or to hinder.

21. veracity
PRONUNCIATION:
(vuh-RAS-i-tee)
MEANING:
noun:
1. truthfulness
2. truth

22. pithy
PRONUNCIATION:
(PITH-ee)
MEANING:
adjective: concise and to the point; full of meaning and force

23. diptych
PRONUNCIATION:
(DIP-tik)
MEANING:
noun: A work of art on two hinged panels, such as a painting or carving.

24. snake eyes
PRONUNCIATION:
(snayk aaiz)
MEANING:
noun: A throw of two ones with a pair of dice. Since this is the lowest possible score, by extension the term is also used to refer to bad luck.

25. portmanteau
PRONUNCIATION:
(port-MAN-to, -TOH, PORT-)
MEANING:
noun:
1. A word coined by blending two or more words.
2. A case opening in two parts, used for carrying clothes while traveling.

26. zwieback
PRONUNCIATION:
(ZWY-bak, ZWEE-, SWY- SWEE-)
MEANING:
noun: A crispy, sweetened bread made by slicing a loaf and baking it a second time. Also known as a rusk.

27. dicephalous
PRONUNCIATION:
(dai-SEF-uh-luhs)
MEANING:
adjective: Having two heads.

28. velleity
PRONUNCIATION:
(veh-LEE-uh-tee; vuh-)
MEANING:
noun:
1. The lowest degree of desire; imperfect or incomplete volition.
2. A slight wish or inclination.

29. osculation
PRONUNCIATION:
(os-kyuh-LAY-shuhn)
MEANING:
noun: The act of kissing; also: a kiss.

30. diaphanous
PRONUNCIATION:
(dy-AF-uh-nuhs)
MEANING:
adjective:
1. Transparent, light, or delicate.
2. Vague or hazy.

31. lucubrate
PRONUNCIATION:
(LOO-kyoo-brayt)
MEANING:
verb intr.: To work (such as study, write, discourse) laboriously or learnedly.

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