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Purloin : (per-LOYN) a verb meaning to take something that belongs to someone else—that is, to steal it. Although more formal sounding than "steal," it is sometimes …
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4/25/24
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Taut : (TOT ) an adjective meaning stretched or pulled tight; not slack . "The taut rope tethered the boat to the dock."
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4/18/24
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Occlude : (UH-klood ) a verb meaning to hide or obscure from prominence or view. "The moon will occlude the sun completely during a total solar eclipse."
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4/11/24
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Ethereal : ( ih-THEER-ee-ul ) an adjective meaning extremely delicate and light in a way that seems too perfect for this world. Or a substance resembling heaven. "Dawn's early light casts …
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4/4/24
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Genuflect : (JEN-yuh-flekt) a verb meaning to kneel, or nearly kneel, on one knee and then rise again in worship or as an act of respect. In figurative use, "genuflect" means humbly obedient or …
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3/28/24
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Querulous : (KWAIR-yuh-lus) an adjective meaning constantly or habitually complaining, synonymous with fretful or whining when describing something, such as a person's tone of voice. "She shows …
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3/21/24
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Ulterior : (ul-TEER-ee-er) an adjective that means things (usually motives, objectives, reasons, agendas, etc.) that are kept hidden in order to achieve a particular result. "Rory found it hard …
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3/14/24
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Connive : (kuh-NYVE) a verb meaning to conspire to do something considered immoral, illegal, or harmful "Roger suspected that his coworkers were conniving to get him fired when in reality …
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3/7/24
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Opprobrium : (uh-PROH-bree-um) a noun meaning harsh criticism or disapproval of a person or thing, especially by a large number of people. "The new curbside waste contract in Clay …
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2/29/24
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Buttress: (BUTT-russ) a noun meaning a structure built against a wall in order to support or strengthen it. More broadly, buttress may refer to anything that supports or strengthens.
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2/22/24
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Maladroit: (uh-KWIZ-uh-tiv) an adjective meaning "incompetent" or "very awkward." It is usually used in formal speech and writing and often describes people who lack skill in handling situations.
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2/15/24
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Acquisitive: (uh-KWIZ-uh-tiv) an adjective meaning excessively interested in acquiring money or material things. “The acquisitive gambler bet thousands of dollars for the coin toss to be ‘heads’ on Super Bowl Sunday.” more
2/8/24
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Vivacious: (vuh-VAY-shus) an adjective meaning someone or something is happy and lively in an appealing way.
“Our vivacious host’s bubbly humor and welcoming spirit quickly set everyone at ease.” more
2/1/24
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Unfettered: (un-FET-erd) an adjective meaning not controlled or restricted. It is a synonym of both free and unrestrained. “The biographer was given unfettered access to the family's collection of personal correspondence.” more
1/25/24
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Oneiric: (oh-NYE-rik) an adjective meaning "of or relating to dreams."
“The paintings, filled with fantastical imagery conjured by the artist's imagination, have a compellingly oneiric quality.”
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1/18/24
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Ominous: (AH-muh-nus) an adjective giving the impression that something bad or unpleasant is going to happen; threatening; inauspicious
“Our fears about the picnic being cancelled were heightened by the sight of dark, ominous clouds appearing over the horizon.” more
1/11/24
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Incipient: (in-SIP-ee-unt) an adjective used to describe things that are beginning to come into being or which are to become apparent.
“The study clearly needs to be extended because the …
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1/4/24
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Chapfallen: (CHAP-faw-lun) an adjective that means having one's lower jaw hanging due to extreme exhaustion or dejection, i.e., “Why the long face?”
“Gina was chapfallen when she learned that her best friend's visit would have to be postponed.” more
12/28/23
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Overweening: (oh-ver-WEE-ning) an adjective that means showing excessive confidence or pride.
“I didn’t believe a word of the politician’s overweening speech.”
Word …
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12/21/23
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Aphyllous: (ey-FIL-əs) an adjective in botany that means having no leaves or bearing no foliage. “The aphyllous trees wrapped in bright holiday lights brought cheer to the street.” more
12/14/23
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