Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 1, 2008 is: nomenclature • \NOH-mun-klay-cher\  • noun 1 : name, designation 2 : the act or process or an instance of naming 3 a : a system or set of terms or symbols especially in a particular science, discipline, or art b : an international system of standardized New Latin names used in biology for kinds and groups of kinds of animals and plants Ex...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 31, 2008 is: nadir • \NAY-deer\  • noun 1 : the point of the celestial sphere that is directly opposite the zenith and vertically downward from the observer 2 : the lowest point Examples: Ironically, the high point of the novel occurs when the protagonist reaches her nadir, for only then does she arouse our empathy and emotional involvement. Did you kno...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 30, 2008 is: exasperate • \ig-ZAS-puh-rayt\  • verb 1 : to excite the anger of : enrage 2 : to cause irritation or annoyance to Examples: Our former neighbors' habit of throwing loud parties that lasted late into the night thoroughly exasperated us. Did you know? "Exasperate" hangs with a rough crowd. It derives from "exasperatus," the past participle o...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 29, 2008 is: bumptious • \BUMP-shus\  • adjective : presumptuously, obtusely, and often noisily self-assertive : obtrusive Examples: "I wish the DJs on this station weren't so bumptious," said Andrea. "I'd prefer to just listen to the music." Did you know? Etymologists believe that "bumptious" was probably coined, perhaps playfully, from the noun "bump"...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 28, 2008 is: refractory • \rih-FRAK-tuh-ree\  • adjective 1 : resisting control or authority : stubborn, unmanageable 2 a : resistant to treatment or cure b : unresponsive to stimulus c : immune, insusceptible 3 : difficult to fuse, corrode, or draw out; especially : capable of enduring high temperature Examples: Refractory students may be disciplined,...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 27, 2008 is: pejorative • \pih-JOR-uh-tiv\  • adjective : having negative connotations; especially : tending to disparage or belittle : depreciatory Examples: The team's star player has come under fire for making pejorative remarks about women during a magazine interview. Did you know? "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all." Moms h...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 26, 2008 is: sophistry • \SAH-fuh-stree\  • noun 1 : subtly deceptive reasoning or argumentation 2 : an argument apparently correct in form but actually invalid; especially : such an argument used to deceive Examples: The senatorial candidate argued that his opponent was using sophistry in an effort to distort his plan for education reform. Did you know...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 25, 2008 is: dilapidate • \dih-LAP-uh-dayt\  • verb 1 : to bring into a condition of decay or partial ruin 2 : to become decayed or partially ruined Examples: Although years of abandonment had dilapidated the old warehouse, Stuart still thought it could be salvaged and remade into an apartment building. Did you know? Something that is dilapidated may no...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 24, 2008 is: aggregate • \AG-rih-gut\  • noun 1 : a mass or body of units or parts somewhat loosely associated with one another 2 : the whole sum or amount : sum total Examples: "The aggregate of incriminating details unmistakably points towards a conviction," said the prosecuting attorney. Did you know? We added "aggregate" to our flock of Latin borrow...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 23, 2008 is: callow • \KAL-oh\  • adjective : lacking adult sophistication : immature Examples: "Back when I was a callow college student," said Emma, "I paid little attention to the advice given to me by my professors." Did you know? You might not expect a relationship between "callow" and baldness, but that connection does in fact exist. "Callow" come...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 22, 2008 is: idée fixe • \ee-day-FEEKS\  • noun : an idea that dominates one's mind especially for a prolonged period : obsession Examples: The fear that he was going to be fired became such an idée fixe for Toby that he could think of nothing else. Did you know? According to The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, the term "idée fixe" was coin...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 21, 2008 is: trepidation • \trep-uh-DAY-shun\  • noun : timorous uncertain agitation : apprehension Examples: As she boarded the plane for her first flight, Corrine felt a mixture of trepidation and excitement. Did you know? If you've ever trembled with fright, you know something of both the sensation and etymology of "trepidation." The word "trepidatio...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 20, 2008 is: rapporteur • \ra-por-TER\  • noun : a person who gives reports (as at a meeting of a learned society) Examples: The rapporteur compiled the available evidence into a report and presented it to the full committee. Did you know? "Rapporteur" was adopted into English in the early 16th century and is a descendant of the Middle French verb "rapp...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 19, 2008 is: beleaguer • \bih-LEE-gur\  • verb 1 : besiege 2 : trouble, harass Examples: The new programming chief was hired to revamp the schedule for the network, which was consistently beleaguered by low ratings. Did you know? English speakers created "beleaguer" from the Dutch word "belegeren" in the 16th century. "[Military men] will not vouchsafe...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 18, 2008 is: metronome • \MET-ruh-nohm\  • noun : an instrument designed to mark exact time by a regularly repeated tick Examples: After practicing the drums with a metronome, Lars had a better feel for tempo and kept time better. Did you know? The patent for the metronome was entered in 1816: "John Malzl [sic], of Poland-street, Middlesex, Machinist; f...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 17, 2008 is: spavined • \SPAV-ind\  • adjective 1 : affected with spavin 2 : old and decrepit : over-the-hill Examples: There is no point in expecting the spavined Arts Council to do more than sponsor the same stale events and shopworn fund-raisers. Did you know? "His horse [is] . . . troubled with the lampas, infected with the fashions, full of windgal...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 16, 2008 is: farce • \FAHRSS\  • noun 1 : a light dramatic composition marked by broadly satirical comedy and improbable plot 2 : the broad humor characteristic of farce or pretense 3 a : ridiculous or empty show b : mockery Examples: "No wonder we're late -- the management of traffic in this city is a farce!" Lyle complained. Did you know? When "farce"...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 15, 2008 is: innocuous • \ih-NAH-kyuh-wus\  • adjective 1 : producing no injury : harmless 2 : not likely to give offense or to arouse strong feelings or hostility : inoffensive, insipid Examples: Bella was surprised when her seemingly innocuous remark enraged her classmates. Did you know? "Innocuous" has harmful roots -- it comes to us from the Latin a...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 14, 2008 is: redoubt • \rih-DOUT\  • noun 1 a : a small usually temporary enclosed defensive work b : a defended position : protective barrier 2 : a secure retreat : stronghold Examples: From his redoubt on the ninth floor, the fugitive could see the line of police cars that had surrounded the building. Did you know? Based on its spelling, you might thi...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 13, 2008 is: bevy • \BEV-ee\  • noun 1 : a large group or collection 2 : a group of animals and especially quail Examples: The band's latest album offers up a bevy of new songs, as well as some remixes of old favorites. Did you know? What do you call a group of crows? Or swine? Or leopards? Well-educated members of the medieval gentry seem to have been...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 12, 2008 is: homily • \HAH-muh-lee\  • noun 1 : a usually short sermon 2 : a lecture or discourse on or of a moral theme 3 : an inspirational catchphrase; also : platitude Examples: "I don't mind eating tofu burgers," said Darnell, "as long as I don't have to hear a homily on the virtues of vegetarianism." Did you know? Gather around for the history of...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 11, 2008 is: anathema • \uh-NATH-uh-muh\  • noun 1 a : one that is cursed by ecclesiastical authority b : someone or something intensely disliked or loathed 2 a : a ban or curse solemnly pronounced by ecclesiastical authority and accompanied by excommunication b : a vigorous denunciation : curse Examples: Maryam's radical political views are anathema to...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 10, 2008 is: Grub Street • \GRUB-STREET\  • noun : the world or category of needy literary hacks Examples: Writer Paul Theroux once characterized the world of literary quarterlies and poetry magazines as "that respectable little cul-de-sac off Grub Street." Did you know? The original Grub Street was an address in London (it was renamed Milton Street in...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 9, 2008 is: omniscient • \ahm-NISH-unt\  • adjective 1 : having infinite awareness, understanding, and insight 2 : possessed of universal or complete knowledge Examples: While many students expect their professors to be omniscient, Anton was glad that Dr. Hawkins was honest about the things she did not know. Did you know? One who is "omniscient" literal...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 8, 2008 is: mau-mau • \MOW-mow (the "ow" is as in "cow")\  • verb 1 : to intimidate (as an official) by hostile confrontation or threats 2 : to engage in mau-mauing someone Examples: "Going downtown to mau-mau the bureaucrats got to be the routine practice in San Francisco." (Tom Wolfe, Radical Chic & Mau-mauing the Flak Catchers) Did you know? The Mau...