Word of the Day Archive/January 2004
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neoteric:
recent in origin; new.
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surly:
ill-humored; sullen and gruff.
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vivify:
to endue with life; to enliven.
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sycophant:
one who seeks favor by flattery; a toady.
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abrogate:
to annul; to do away with.
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penury:
extreme poverty; also, insufficiency.
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variegated:
having marks or patches of different colors; also, varied.
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clamber:
to climb with difficulty, or on all fours.
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asperity:
roughness of surface, sound, or manner.
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effete:
infertile; also, worn out; also, decadent, effeminate.
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venerate:
to treat with deep respect.
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gustatory:
pertaining to the sense of taste.
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tergiversation:
evasion; also, desertion of a cause, party, etc.
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obstreperous:
noisily and stubbornly defiant; also, boisterous.
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serendipity:
the faculty or phenomenon of making fortunate accidental discoveries.
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yen:
a strong desire or inclination.
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timorous:
full of apprehensiveness; fearful.
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irenic:
promoting peace.
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bilious:
of or pertaining to bile; also, ill-tempered.
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galvanic:
pertaining to a direct current of electricity; also, having the
effect of an electric shock.
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pantheon:
the collective gods of a people; also, a group of highly esteemed
persons.
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slaver:
to slobber; to drool.
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abeyance:
suspension; temporary cessation.
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concinnity:
elegance -- used chiefly of literary style.
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peripatetic:
walking about or traveling from place to place.
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frangible:
capable of being broken; easily broken.
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hebetude:
mental dullness or sluggishness.
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soi-disant:
self-styled; so-called.
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opprobrium:
reproach mingled with contempt.
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quandary:
a state of difficulty or perplexity.