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| 01/02/08 | faineant /fay-nay-AWN/ adjective: doing nothing or given to doing nothing; idle; lazy |
| 01/03/08 | arcanum /ar-KAY-nuhm/ noun: a secret; a mystery |
| 01/04/08 | googol /GOO-goll/ noun: the figure 1 followed by 100 zeros |
| 01/07/08 | mare's nest /mairz nest/ noun: a confused mess |
| 01/08/08 | cliometrics /klye-uh-MET-riks/ noun: the application of methods developed in other fields (such as economics, statistics, and data processing) to the study of history |
| 01/09/08 | sheep's eyes /sheepz eyez/ noun: shy amorous glances |
| 01/10/08 | donkey's years /DONG-keez yeerz/ noun: a very long time |
| 01/11/08 | mouthfeel /MOWTH-feel/ noun: the sensation created by food or drink in the mouth |
| 01/14/08 | dingle /DING-guhl/ noun: a deep narrow wooded valley; dell |
| 01/15/08 | neoteric /nee-uh-TAIR-ik/ adjective: recent in origin; modern |
| 01/16/08 | nonagenarian /non-uh-juh-NAIR-ee-uhn/ noun: a ninety year old person; someone whose age is in the nineties |
| 01/17/08 | scorbutic /skor-BYOO-tik/ adjective: pertaining to or afflicted with scurvy |
| 01/18/08 | kerfuffle /kuhr-FUHF-uhl/ noun: a commotion |
| 01/21/08 | anosmia /uh-NAHZ-mee-uh/ noun: the lack of a sense of smell |
| 01/22/08 | gelid /JEL-id/ adjective: extremely cold; icy |
| 01/23/08 | fletcher /FLETCH-er/ noun: a maker of arrows |
| 01/24/08 | frugivorous /fru-JIH-ver-uhs/ adjective: feeding on fruit |
| 01/25/08 | foozle /FOO-zul/ to manage or play awkwardly; bungle |
| 01/28/08 | indelible /in-DEL-uh-buhl/ adjective: that cannot be removed, erased, or washed away |
| 01/29/08 | lucent /LOO-suhnt/ adjective: luminous; shining; translucent; clear |
| 01/30/08 | canorous /kuh-NOR-us/ adjective: richly melodious; pleasant sounding; musical |
| 01/31/08 | jehu /JEE-hyoo/ noun: a driver or a coach or cab |
| 02/01/08 | heelies /HEEL-eez/ noun: sneakers with ball bearings under the heels so you can glide on them like rollerskates |
| 02/04/08 | somniloquy /sahm-NIL-uh-kwee/ noun: the act or habit of talking while asleep |
| 02/05/08 | diurnation /dy-uhr-NAY-shuhn/ noun: the habit of sleeping or being dormant during the day |
| 02/06/08 | soporose /SOP-uh-ros/ adjective: sleepy; in an unusually deep sleep |
| 02/07/08 | hypnopompic /hip-no-POM-pik/ adjective: pertaining to the semiconscious state before waking |
| 02/08/08 | extempore /ik-STEM-puh-ree/ adverb: without premeditation or preparation; on the spur of the moment |
| 02/11/08 | lychnobite /LIK-nuh-byt/ noun: one who works at night and sleeps during the day |
| 02/12/08 | nosology /no-SOL-uh-jee/ noun: the branch of medical science that deals with classification of diseases |
| 02/13/08 | sitzmark /SITS-mark/ noun: a depression left in the snow by a skier falling backward |
| 02/14/08 | amative /AM-uh-tiv/ adjective: pertaining to or disposed to love; full of love; amorous |
| 02/15/08 | ennui /ahn-WEE/ noun: a feeling of weariness and dissatisfaction arising from lack of interest; boredom |
| 02/18/08 | pestiferous /pes-TIF-uh-ruhs/ adjective: bothersome; troublesome; annoying |
| 02/19/08 | abominate /uh-BOM-uh-nayt/ verb: to hate in the highest degree; to detest intensely; to loathe; to abhor |
| 02/20/08 | factitious /fak-TISH-uhs/ adjective: produced artificially, in distinction from what is produced by nature |
| 02/21/08 | weald /weeld/ noun: a woodland |
| 02/22/08 | logy /LOH-ghee/ adjective: marked by sluggishness and lack of vitality; groggy |
| 02/25/08 | lisson /LISS-uhm/ adjective: limber; supple; flexible |
| 02/26/08 | benefic /buh-NEFF-ik/ adjective: of, having, or exerting a favorable influence |
| 02/27/08 | Job's comforter /johbz KUM-fuhr-tuhr/ noun: a person who tries to console or help someone who not only fails but ends up making the person feel worse |
| 02/28/08 | raddled /RAD-uld/ adjective: broken-down; worn |
| 02/29/08 | rejoinder /rih-JOYN-duhr/ noun: an answer to a reply |
| 03/03/08 | prepone /pree-PON/ verb: to reschedule an event to an earlier time |
| 03/04/08 | probity /PRO-buh-tee/ noun: complete and confirmed integrity; uprightness |
| 03/05/08 | busker /BUS-kur/ noun: a person who entertains (as by playing music) in public places |
| 03/06/08 | pleiad /PLEE-ad/ noun: a group of usually seven illustrious or brilliant persons or things |
| 03/07/08 | rara avis /RAIR-uh AY-vis/ noun: a rare or unique person or thing |
| 03/10/08 | acritochromacy /uh-KRIT-o-kro-muh-see/ noun: color blindness |
| 03/11/08 | hibernaculum /hy-ber-NAK-yuh-lum/ noun: a shelter occupied during the winter by a dormant animal |
| 03/12/08 | tinctumutation /tinkt-myoo-TAY-shuhn/ noun: change of color |
| 03/13/08 | brobdingnagian /brob-ding-NAG-ee-uhn/ adjective: of gigantic size |
| 03/14/08 | tintinnabulate /tin-ti-NAB-yuh-layt/ verb: to ring; to tinkle |
| 03/17/08 | crwth /KROOTH/ noun: an ancient celtic stringed instrument that is plucked or bowed |
| 03/18/08 | sternutation /stur-nyuh-TAY-shuhn/ noun: the act of sneezing or a sneeze |
| 03/19/08 | transmute /trans-MYOOT/ verb: to change from one nature, form, substance, or state into another; to transform |
| 03/20/08 | compunctious /kum-PUNK-shus/ adjective: arising from remorse or regret |
| 03/21/08 | karuna /KUH-roo-na/ noun: loving compassion |
| 03/24/08 | antediluvian /an-tih-dih-LOO-vee-un/ adjective: of or relating to the period before the flood described in the Bible |
| 03/25/08 | repine /rih-PINE/ verb: to feel or express discontent; to long for something |
| 03/26/08 | sericeous /suh-RISH-us/ adjective: covered with fine silky hair |
| 03/27/08 | netiquette /NET-ih-kut/ noun: etiquette governing communication on the internet |
| 03/28/08 | schlump /shlump/ noun: a dull or slovenly person |
| 03/31/08 | xenophobia /ZEN-uh-FOE-bee-uh/ noun: fear of strangers, people from other countries, or of anything that is strange or foreign |
| 04/01/08 | jollification /jol-ih-fuh-KAY-shuhn/ noun: merrymaking; festivity; revelry |
| 04/02/08 | coalesce /koh-uh-LESS/ verb: to grow together |
| 04/03/08 | omphalos /AHM-fuh-lahss/ noun: a central point; a hub or focal point |
| 04/04/08 | gild the lily /GILD thuh LILL-ee/ verb: to add unnecessary ornamentation to something beautiful in its own right |
| 04/07/08 | ebullient /i-BUL-yuhnt/ adjective: bubbling with enthusiasm or excitement |
| 04/08/08 | spinous /SPY-nuss/ adjective: covered or armed with spines; difficult or unpleasant to handle or meet; thorny |
| 04/09/08 | afflatus /uh-FLAY-tuhs/ noun: a divine imparting of knowledge; inspiration |
| 04/10/08 | pavid /PAV-id/ adjective: timid; fearful |
| 04/11/08 | alley-oop /al-ee-OOP/ noun: a basketball play in which a leaping player catches a pass above the basket and immediately dunks the ball |
| 04/14/08 | deglutition /dee-gloo-TISH-un/ noun: the act or process of swallowing |
| 04/15/08 | paucity /PAW-suh-tee/ noun: smallness of number; fewness |
| 04/16/08 | setiform /SEE-tuh-form/ adjective: bristle-shaped or having bristles |
| 04/17/08 | noctilucent /nok-tuh-LOO-suhnt/ adjective: shining at night |
| 04/18/08 | geoponic /jee-uh-PON-ik/ adjective: of or relating to agriculture |
| 04/21/08 | lambaste /lam-BAYST/ verb: to give a thrashing to; to beat severely |
| 04/22/08 | lionize /LY-uh-nyz/ verb: to treat or regard as an object of great interest or importance |
| 04/23/08 | truculent /TRUCK-yuh-lunt/ adjective: feeling or displaying ferocity; cruel, savage |
| 04/24/08 | inanition /in-uh-NISH-un/ noun: the absence or loss of social, moral, or intellectual vitality or vigor |
| 04/25/08 | winsome /WIN-suhm/ adjective: cheerful; merry; gay; light-hearted |
| 04/28/08 | spall /spal/ verb: to break into small pieces; to splinter |
| 04/29/08 | gimcrack /JIM-krak/ noun: a showy but useless or worthless object |
| 04/30/08 | lenity /LEN-uh-tee/ noun: the state or quality of being lenient; mildness; gentleness of treatment; leniency |
| 05/01/08 | salad days /SAL-ud DAYZ/ noun plural: time of youthful inexperience or indiscretion |
| 05/02/08 | argus /AHR-guhs/ noun: an alert and observant person; a watchful guardian |
| 05/05/08 | modicum /MAH-dih-kum/ noun: a small portion; a limited quantity |
| 05/06/08 | amalgam /uh-MAL-guhm/ noun: an alloy of mercury with another metal or metals; used especially (with silver) as a dental filling |
| 05/07/08 | pantagruelian /pan-tuh-groo-EL-ee-uhn/ adjective: enormous; displaying extravagant humor |
| 05/08/08 | moiety /MOY-uh-tee/ noun: one of two equal parts; a half |
| 05/09/08 | sentient /SEN-shee-uhnt/ adjective: capable of perceiving by the senses; conscious; experiencing sensation or feeling |
| 05/12/08 | chockablock /CHAH-kuh-blahk/ adjective: brought close together; very full |
| 05/13/08 | dundrearies /dun-DREER-eez/ noun: long flowing sideburns |
| 05/14/08 | foursquare /FOR-SKWAIR/ adjective: marked by boldness and conviction; forthright |
| 05/15/08 | paean /PEE-uhn/ noun: a joyous song of praise, triumph, or thanksgiving |
| 05/16/08 | subfusc /sub-FUHSK/ adjective: dark or dull in color; drab, dusky |
| 05/19/08 | cicerone /sis-uh-RO-nee/ noun: a tour guide |
| 05/20/08 | hierophant /HYE-uh-ruh-fant/ noun: a person who explains; commentator; a person who defends or maintains a cause or proposal; advocate |
| 05/21/08 | opine /oh-PYNE/ verb: to state as an opinion |
| 05/22/08 | ramshackle /RAM-shak-ul/ adjective: appearing ready to collapse; rickety |
| 05/23/08 | cadge /KAJ/ verb: to beg or obtain by begging |
| 05/26/08 | lucullan /loo-KUHL-uhn/ adjective: lavish, luxurious |
| 05/27/08 | garboil /GAHR-boil/ noun: confusion; turmoil |
| 05/28/08 | ubiquitous /yoo-BIK-wih-tis/ adjective: being everywhere simultaneously |
| 05/29/08 | approbation /ap-ruh-BAY-shun/ noun: commendation, praise |
| 05/30/08 | grandee /gran-DEE/ noun: a man of elevated rank or station |
| 06/02/08 | dishabille /dis-uh-BEEL/ noun: the state of being carelessly dressed; casual or lounging attire; an intentionally careless or casual manner |
| 06/03/08 | mumpsimus /MUMP-suh-muhs/ noun: adherence to or persistence in an erroneous use of language, memorization, practice, belief, etc., out of habit or obstinacy |
| 06/04/08 | lachrymose /LAK-ruh-mohs/ adjective: generating or shedding tears; given to shedding tears; tearful |
| 06/05/08 | gelid /JELL-id/ adjective: extremely cold; icy |
| 06/06/08 | tremulous /TREM-yuh-luhs/ adjective: shaking; shivering; quivering |
| 06/09/08 | raconteur /rack-on-TUR/ noun: one who excels in telling stories and anecdotes |
| 06/10/08 | surfeit /SUR-fit/ noun: an excessive amount or supply; overindulgence, as in food or drink |
| 06/11/08 | bird-dog /BURD-dog/ verb: to watch closely; to seek out; follow; detect |
| 06/12/08 | flibbertigibbet /FLIB-uhr-tee-jib-it/ noun: someone who is regarded as flighty, scatterbrained, and talkative |
| 06/13/08 | impuissant /im-PWISS-unt/ adjective: weak, powerless |
| 06/16/08 | dilatory /DIL-uh-tor-ee/ adjective: tending to put off what ought to be done at once; given to procrastination |
| 06/17/08 | mansuetude /MAN-swih-tood/ noun: the quality or state of being gentle; meekness, tameness |
| 06/18/08 | verdure /VUR-jur/ noun: green; greenness; freshness of vegetation |
| 06/19/08 | lilotes /LYE-tuh-teez/ noun: understatement in which an affirmative is expressed by the negative of the contrary |
| 06/20/08 | renascent /rih-NAS-uhnt/ adjective: springing or rising again into being; showing renewed vigor |
| 06/23/08 | defenestrate /dee-FEN-uh-strayt/ verb: to throw out of a window |
| 06/24/08 | minatory /MIN-uh-tor-ee/ adjective: threatening; menacing |
| 06/25/08 | umpteen /UMP-teen/ very many; indefinitely numerous |
| 06/26/08 | brummagem /BRUM-uh-juhm/ adjective: cheap and showy |
| 06/27/08 | repletion /rih-PLEE-shun/ noun: the condition of being completely filled or supplied |
| 06/30/08 | sentient /SEN-shee-unt/ adjective: responsive to or conscious of sense impressions |
| 07/01/08 | trichotillomania /trick-uh-till-uh-MAY-nee-uh/ noun: an abnormal desire to pull out one's hair |
| 07/02/08 | laconic /luh-KON-ik/ adjective: using or marked by the use of a minimum of words |
| 07/03/08 | peregrine /PAIR-uh-grin/ adjective: having a tendency to wander |
| 07/04/08 | weasel word /WEE-zul WURD/ noun: a word used in order to mislead a person or to avoid a straight answer |
