Word of the Day Wednesday: atavism

at·a·vism noun \ˈa-tə-ˌvi-zəm\

Definition of ATAVISM

1

a :  recurrence in an organism of a trait or character typical of an ancestral form and usually due to genetic recombination

b :  recurrence of or reversion to a past style, manner, outlook, approach, or activity <architectural atavism>

2

:  one that manifests atavism :  throwback

— at·a·vis·tic adjective

— at·a·vis·ti·cal·ly adverb

Origin of ATAVISM

French atavisme, from Latin atavus ancestor, from at- (probably akin to atta daddy) + avus grandfather

First Known Use: 1833

Definition source: http://www.merriam-webster.com

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Word of the Day Wednesday: pugnacious

pug·na·cious adjective \ˌpəg-ˈnā-shəs\: showing a readiness or desire to fight or argue

Full Definition of PUGNACIOUS

:  having a quarrelsome or combative nature :  truculent

— pug·na·cious·ly adverb

— pug·na·cious·ness noun

— pug·nac·i·ty noun

Origin of PUGNACIOUS

Latin pugnac-, pugnax, from pugnare to fight

First Known Use: 1642

Related to PUGNACIOUS

Synonyms

aggressive, agonistic, argumentative, assaultive, bellicose, brawly, chippy, combative, confrontational, contentious, discordant, disputatious, feisty, gladiatorial, militant, belligerent, quarrelsome, scrappy, truculent, warlike

Antonyms

nonaggressive, nonbelligerent, pacific, peaceable, peaceful, unbelligerent, uncombative, uncontentious

Definition source: http://www.merriam-webster.com

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Word of the Day Wednesday: bellicose

bel·li·cose adjective \ˈbe-li-ˌkōs\: having or showing a tendency to argue or fight

 Full Definition of BELLICOSE

:  favoring or inclined to start quarrels or wars

— bel·li·cos·i·ty noun

Examples of BELLICOSE

1. <bellicose hockey players who always seem to spend more time fighting than playing>
2. Never in peacetime, perhaps, have the statements of our government officials been more relentlessly bellicose. Yet their actions have been comparatively cautious. —New Yorker, 24 June 1985

Origin of BELLICOSE

Middle English, from Latin bellicosus, from bellicus of war, from bellum war

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to BELLICOSE

Synonyms

aggressive, agonistic, argumentative, assaultive, belligerent, brawly, chippy, combative, confrontational, contentious, discordant, disputatious, feisty, gladiatorial, militant, pugnacious, quarrelsome, scrappy, truculent, warlike

Antonyms

nonaggressive, nonbelligerent, pacific, peaceable, peaceful, unbelligerent, uncombative, uncontentious

Definition source: http://www.merriam-webster.com

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Word of the Day Wednesday: impetuous

im·pet·u·ous

adjective \im-ˈpech-wəs; –ˈpe-chə-, -chü-əs\

: acting or done quickly and without thought : controlled by emotion rather than thought

1:  marked by impulsive vehemence or passion <an impetuous temperament>

2:  marked by force and violence of movement or action <an impetuous wind>

— im·pet·u·ous·ly adverb

— im·pet·u·ous·ness noun

Definition source: http://www.merriam-webster.com

The Word of the Day started with this post.

 

Word of the Day Wednesday: egregious

egre·gious adjective \i-ˈgrē-jəs\: very bad and easily noticed.

1 archaic :  distinguished

2:  conspicuous; especially :  conspicuously bad :  flagrant <egregious errors> <egregious padding of the evidence>

— egre·gious·ly adverb

— egre·gious·ness noun

 

Synonyms

blatant, conspicuous, flagrant, glaring, gross, obvious, patent, pronounced, rank, striking

Definition source: http://www.merriam-webster.com

 

Word of the Day Wednesday: felicitous

fe·lic·i·tous adjective \fi-ˈli-sə-təs\: very well suited for some purpose or situation.

1:  very well suited or expressed :  apt <a felicitous remark>

2:  pleasant, delightful <felicitous weather>

— fe·lic·i·tous·ly adverb

— fe·lic·i·tous·ness noun

Synonyms

agreeable, blessed (also blest), congenial, darling, delectable, delicious, delightful, delightsome, dreamy, dulcet, enjoyable, pleasant, good, grateful, gratifying, heavenly, jolly, luscious, nice, palatable, pleasing, pleasurable, pretty, satisfying, savory (also savoury), sweet, tasty, welcome

Antonyms

disagreeable, pleasureless, unpalatable, unpleasant, unwelcome

Definition source: http://www.merriam-webster.com

The Word of the Day started with this post.

 

Word of the Day Wednesday: mephistopheles

It’s been a while since I’ve published the Word of the Day. It started with my daughter as explained in this post. We took a little break from the Word of the Day during the summer. I only taught her a handful of new words during that time.

When she told me she had to come up with a nickname at school using the first letter of her name and she settled on the Capricious Catfish (lol), I knew I had to resurrect the Word of the Day again. She chose the word because she likes it, not because it describes her. Seriously, she has one mood: happy.

I’ve decided to limit the post to Wednesdays. Today’s word appears in the lyrics from this past Musical Monday (OneRepublic’s Love Runs Out) and another from several months ago (Wrapped Around Your Finger by The Police).

Meph·is·toph·e·les noun \ˌme-fə-ˈstä-fə-ˌlēz\

:  a chief devil in the Faust legend.

Definition source: http://www.merriam-webster.com

 

Conversations with My Kids: The Word Funeral

The following is a conversation I had with my daughter upon picking her up from school:

MJ: How was your day, baby doll?

CJ: There was a funeral at school.

MJ: W-what?

CJ [smiling slyly]: A word funeral. [giggles]

MJ: A word funeral? Tell me about it.

CJ: Well, it was the fourth graders, and they were having a funeral for words that were used too much. They had to use better words in their place.

I didn’t recall my son doing this in 4th grade. I was intrigued.

MJ: What words did they bury?

CJ: Words like “big” and “fun” and “awesome.”

MJ: Really? And what words would you use instead?

CJ: Um, enormous and fabulous and…sublime.

She smiled because we both knew sublime was one she learned from the word of the day. She remembered! I’m so proud of her. I guess I should resurrect the word of the day posts.

As I was searching for an image to attach to this post, I came across this YouTube video for a Dead Words Funeral. Other schools are eulogizing overused words too. The video is adorable. Watch it if you have time.

Word of the Day: espy

es·py transitive verb \is-ˈpī\

: to see or notice (someone or something)

es·piedes·py·ing

Full Definition of ESPY

:  to catch sight of <among the several horses … she espied the white mustang — Zane Grey>

Examples of ESPY

1. eye I espied the squirrel making another raid on the bird feeder>

Origin of ESPY

Middle English espien, from Anglo-French espier — more at spy

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to ESPY

Synonyms

behold, catch, descry, discern, distinguish, see, eye, look (at), note, notice, observe, perceive, regard, remark, sight, spot, spy, view, witness

Related Words

identify, make out, pick out, pick up; attend (to), consider, heed, mark, mind; study, watch; examine, inspect, scan, scrutinize, survey; glance (at), glimpse, peer (at)

Near Antonyms

disregard, ignore, neglect, overpass, pass over; miss, overlook

Definition source: http://www.merriam-webster.com

The Word of the Day started with this post.

Word of the Day: luxe

luxe adjective \ˈlu̇ks, ˈləks, ˈlüks\

Definition of LUXE

:  luxurious, sumptuous

— luxe noun

Examples of LUXE

1. <we stayed only in luxe accommodations on the trip through the Loire Valley>

Origin of LUXE

French, from Latin luxus — more at luxury

First Known Use: 1888

Related to LUXE

Synonyms

Babylonian, deluxe, lavish, Lucullan (also Lucullian), luxurious, luxuriant, luxury, opulent, palace, palatial, plush, plushy, silken, sumptuous

Antonyms

ascetic (also ascetical), austere, humble, no-frills, spartan

Related Words

costly, dear, expensive, precious, premium, rich; extravagant, grandiose, ostentatious, pretentious, showy; august, awesome, awful, baronial, beautiful, gorgeous, grand, heroic (also heroical), imposing, impressive, kingly, magnificent, majestic, monumental, noble, proud, regal, royal, splendid, stately; comfortable, cozy, homelike, homey (also homy), snug

Near Antonyms

economical, frugal, meager (or meagre), spare, stingy, thrifty

Definition source: http://www.merriam-webster.com

The Word of the Day started with this post.