These are the 478 words that David Foster Wallace circled in his working dictionary, according to this Slate article. The definitions are courtesy of Yahoo! Reference (which uses the American Heritage dictionary).



ABLATIVE ABSOLUTE

NOUN:
In Latin grammar, an adverbial phrase syntactically independent from the rest of the sentence and containing a noun or pronoun plus an adjunct, usually a participle or adjective, with both elements in the ablative case.


ABLAUT

NOUN:
A vowel change, characteristic of Indo-European languages, that accompanies a change in grammatical function; for example, i, a, u in sing, sang, sung. Also called gradation.
ETYMOLOGY:
German : ab, off (from Middle High German ab, abe, from Old High German aba; see apo- in Indo-European roots) + Laut, sound (from Middle High German lt, from Old High German hlt; see kleu- in Indo-European roots)

ABULIA

NOUN:
Loss or impairment of the ability to make decisions or act independently.
ETYMOLOGY:
New Latin, from Greek abouli, indecision : a-, without ; see a-1 + boul, will; see gwel- in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
a·bulic  (-lk) (Adjective)

ACEPHALOUS

ADJECTIVE:
  1. Biology Headless or lacking a clearly defined head: acephalous worms.
  2. Having no leader.
ETYMOLOGY:
From Medieval Latin acephalus, from Greek akephalos : a-, without ; see a-1 + kephal, head ; see -cephalous

ACTH

NOUN:
A hormone produced by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland that stimulates the secretion of cortisone and other hormones by the adrenal cortex. Also called adrenocorticotropin, corticotropin.
ETYMOLOGY:
a(dreno)c(ortico)t(ropic) h(ormone)

ADIT

NOUN:
An almost horizontal entrance to a mine.
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin aditus, access, from past participle of adre, to approach : ad-, ad- + re, to go; see ei- in Indo-European roots

ADUMBRATE

TRANSITIVE VERB:
ad·um·brat·ed, ad·um·brat·ing, ad·um·brates
  1. To give a sketchy outline of.
  2. To prefigure indistinctly; foreshadow.
  3. To disclose partially or guardedly.
  4. To overshadow; shadow or obscure.
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin adumbrre, adumbrt-, to represent in outline : ad-, ad- + umbra, shadow

OTHER FORMS:
adum·bration(Noun), ad·umbra·tive  (-dmbr-tv) (Adjective), ad·umbra·tive·ly(Adverb)

AGRAPHA

pl.n.
The sayings of Jesus not written in the canonical Gospels but known from other ancient sources.
ETYMOLOGY:
Greek, from neuter pl. of agraphos, unwritten : a-, not ; see a-1 + graphein, to write; see gerbh- in Indo-European roots

AILANTHUS

NOUN:
Any of several deciduous Asian trees of the genus Ailanthus, especially the tree-of-heaven.
ETYMOLOGY:
New Latin Ailanthus, genus name, alteration (influenced by Greek anthos, flower), of Ambonese ai lanto, tree of heaven ai, tree + lanto, heaven

ALEATORY

ADJECTIVE:
  1. Dependent on chance, luck, or an uncertain outcome: an aleatory contract between an oil prospector and a landowner.
  2. Of or characterized by gambling: aleatory contests.
  3. also a·le·a·to·ric  (l--tôrk, -tr-)  Music Using or consisting of sounds to be chosen by the performer or left to chance; indeterminate: An object placed inside the piano added an aleatory element to the piece.
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin letrius, from letor, gambler, from lea, game of chance, die

ALFRESCO

ADVERB:
In the fresh air; outdoors: dining alfresco.
ADJECTIVE:
Taking place outdoors; outdoor: an alfresco conference.
ETYMOLOGY:
Italian al fresco, in the fresh (air) : al, in the ( a, to, in from Latin ad; see ad- + il, the from Latin ille; see al-1 in Indo-European roots) + fresco, fresh

ALGOLAGNIA

NOUN:
Sexual gratification derived from inflicting or experiencing pain.
ETYMOLOGY:
New Latin : algo- + Greek lagneia, lust (from lagnos, lustful; see slg- in Indo-European roots)

OTHER FORMS:
algo·lagnic(Adjective), algo·lagnist(Noun)

ALPESTRINE

ADJECTIVE:
Growing at high altitudes; alpine or subalpine.
ETYMOLOGY:
From Medieval Latin alpestris, from Latin Alps the Alps

AMENT

NOUN:
A person with severely deficient intellectual capacity.
ETYMOLOGY:
From Latin mns, ment-, insane : -, ab-, out of ; see ab-1 + mns, mind; see men-1 in Indo-European roots

ANECDOTAGE

NOUN:
Anecdotes considered as a group.


ANDROSTERONE

NOUN:
A steroid hormone excreted in urine that reinforces masculine characteristics.
ETYMOLOGY:
andro- + ster(ol) + -one

ANEMONE FISH

NOUN:
A small, brightly colored marine fish of the genus Amphiprion, found near sea anemones. Also called clown anemone, clown fish.


ANNEAL

VERB:
an·nealed, an·neal·ing, an·neals
VERB:
tr.
  1. To subject (glass or metal) to a process of heating and slow cooling in order to toughen and reduce brittleness.
  2. To strengthen or harden.
VERB:
intr.
To become strengthened or hardened: "the time she needed for opinion to anneal around her policy" (Alexander M. Haig, Jr.).
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English anelen, from Old English onlan, to set fire to : on, on ; see on + lan, to kindle

ANTIPHON

NOUN:
  1. A devotional composition sung responsively as part of a liturgy.
    1. A short liturgical text chanted or sung responsively preceding or following a psalm, psalm verse, or canticle.
    2. Such a text formerly used as a response but now rendered independently.
  3. A response; a reply: "It would be truer . . . to see [conservation] as an antiphon to the modernization of the 1950s and 1960s" (Raphael Samuel).
ETYMOLOGY:
Late Latin antiphna, sung responses ; see anthem

ANTIPODE

NOUN:
A direct or diametrical opposite: "We just sit and listen to the fullness of the quiet, as an antipode to focused busyness" (Kathryn A. Knox).
ETYMOLOGY:
Back-formation from antipodes

APATHETIC

ADJECTIVE:
  1. Feeling or showing a lack of interest or concern; indifferent.
  2. Feeling or showing little or no emotion; unresponsive.
ETYMOLOGY:
From apathy, on the model of pathetic

OTHER FORMS:
apa·theti·cal·ly(Adverb)

APERCU

NOUN:
pl. a·per·çus  (-sü) 
  1. A discerning perception; an insight: "Her schmoozy but magisterial aperçus inspired widespread emulation among the young" (Roy Blount, Jr.).
  2. A short outline or summary; a synopsis.
ETYMOLOGY:
French, from past participle of apercevoir, to perceive : a-, to (from Latin ad-; see ad-) + percevoir, to perceive (from Old French perceivre; see perceive)

APHAGIA

NOUN:
Loss of the ability to swallow.


APHOTIC

ADJECTIVE:
  1. Having no light.
  2. Of or relating to the region of a body of water that is not reached by sunlight and in which photosynthesis is unable to occur.


APOCARPOUS

ADJECTIVE:
Having carpels that are free from one another. Used of a single flower with two or more separate pistils, as in roses.


OTHER FORMS:
apo·carpy  (p-kärp) (Noun)

APPOGGIATURA

NOUN:
Music
An embellishing note, usually one step above or below the note it precedes and indicated by a small note or special sign.
ETYMOLOGY:
Italian, from appoggiato, past participle of appoggiare, to lean on, from Vulgar Latin *appodire : Latin ad-, ad- + Latin podium, support (from Greek podion, base, from pous, pod-, foot; see ped- in Indo-European roots)

AQUAVIT

NOUN:
A strong clear Scandinavian liquor distilled from potato or grain mash and flavored with caraway seed.
ETYMOLOGY:
Swedish, Danish,, and Norwegian akvavit from Medieval Latin aqua vtae, highly distilled spirits : Latin aqua, water ; see aqua + Latin vtae, genitive of vta, life ; see vital

ARC-BOUTANT

NOUN:
pl. arcs-bou·tants  (ärb-tä) 
See flying buttress.
ETYMOLOGY:
French : arc, arch (from Old French; see arc) + boutant, present participle of bouter, to thrust (from Old French; see butt1)

ARCHIMEDEAN SCREW

NOUN:
An ancient apparatus for raising water, consisting of either a spiral tube around an inclined axis or an inclined tube containing a tight-fitting, broad-threaded screw. Also called Archimedes' screw.
ETYMOLOGY:
After Archimedes

ARCHINE

NOUN:
A unit of length formerly used in Russia and Turkey, equal to about 71 centimeters (28 inches).
ETYMOLOGY:
Russian arshin, from Tatar arshyn, an ell; akin to Turkish arin, from Middle Persian ren, cubit, from Old Persian aran-, ell; see el- in Indo-European roots

ARCUATE

ADJECTIVE:
Having the form of a bow; curved.
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin arcutus, past participle of arcure, to bend like a bow, from arcus, bow

OTHER FORMS:
arcu·ate·ly(Adverb)

ARGON

NOUN:
Symbol Ar
A colorless, odorless, inert gaseous element constituting approximately one percent of Earth's atmosphere, from which it is commercially obtained by fractionation for use in electric light bulbs, fluorescent tubes, and radio vacuum tubes and as an inert gas shield in arc welding. Atomic number 18; atomic weight 39.948; melting point -189.3°C; boiling point -185.9°C. See Table at element.
ETYMOLOGY:
From Greek rgon, neuter of rgos, idle, inert : a-, without ; see a-1 + ergon, work; see werg- in Indo-European roots

ARMAMENTARIUM

NOUN:
pl. ar·ma·men·tar·i·ums or ar·ma·men·tar·i·a  (--) 
  1. The complete equipment of a physician or medical institution, including books, supplies, and instruments.
  2. The complete range of materials available or used for a task.
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin armmentrium, arsenal, from armmenta, tools ; see armament

ARRIèRE-BAN

NOUN:
  1. A medieval royal proclamation by which vassals were summoned to military service.
  2. The vassals summoned.
ETYMOLOGY:
French, from Old French ariere-ban, alteration (influenced by arere, behind), of herban; see koro- in Indo-European roots

ARRIS

NOUN:
pl. arris or ar·ris·es
The sharp edge or ridge formed by two surfaces meeting at an angle, as in a molding.
ETYMOLOGY:
Alteration of Old French areste, fishbone, spine ; see arête

ASCITES

NOUN:
pl. ascites
An abnormal accumulation of serous fluid in the abdominal cavity.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English aschites, from Late Latin ascts, from Greek askts, from askos, belly, wineskin

OTHER FORMS:
as·citic  (-stk) (Adjective)

ASCO-

pref.
Ascus: ascospore.
ETYMOLOGY:
New Latin, from Greek askos, bag, wineskin

ASPHERIC

ADJECTIVE:
Varying slightly from sphericity and having only slight aberration, as a lens.


ASTROLABE

NOUN:
A medieval instrument, now replaced by the sextant, that was once used to determine the altitude of the sun or other celestial bodies.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English astrelabie, from Old French astrelabe, from Medieval Latin astrolabium, from Greek astrolabon, planisphere : astro-, astro- + lambanein, lab-, to take

ATHABASCA/ATHABASKA


ATONY

NOUN:
  1. Lack of normal muscle tone.
  2. Lack of accent or stress.
ETYMOLOGY:
Late Latin atonia, from Greek atoni, from atonos, slack : a-, without ; see a-1 + tonos, stretching, tone ; see tone

AUSCULTATE


AUTOLYSIS

NOUN:
The destruction of tissues or cells of an organism by the action of substances, such as enzymes, that are produced within the organism. Also called self-digestion.


OTHER FORMS:
auto·lytic  (ôt-ltk) (Adjective)

AZYGOUS

ADJECTIVE:
Occurring singly; not one of a pair, as a vein or muscle.


BAL

abbr.
British anti-lewisite.


BANDEROLE/BANDEROL

NOUN:
  1. A narrow forked flag or streamer attached to a staff or lance or flown from a ship's masthead.
  2. A representation of a ribbon or scroll bearing an inscription.
ETYMOLOGY:
French, from Italian banderuola, diminutive of bandiera, banner, from Vulgar Latin *bandria ; see banner

BANQUETTE

NOUN:
  1. A platform lining a trench or parapet wall on which soldiers may stand when firing.
  2. also ban·kit  (bngkt)  Southern Louisiana & East Texas A raised sidewalk: "The flower of loafers . . . was found stretched on the banquette on Tuesday night" (New Orleans Daily Picayune). See Regional Note at beignet.
  3. A long upholstered bench placed against or built into a wall.
  4. A ledge or shelf, as on a buffet.
ETYMOLOGY:
French, from Provençal banqueta, diminutive of banca, bench, of Germanic origin

BATHYSCAPH

NOUN:
A free-diving deep-sea vessel consisting of a large flotation hull with a crewed observation capsule attached to its underside, usually capable of reaching full ocean depths.
ETYMOLOGY:
bathy- + Greek skaphos, boat

BENTHOS

NOUN:
  1. The collection of organisms living on or in sea or lake bottoms.
  2. The bottom of a sea or lake.
ETYMOLOGY:
Greek

OTHER FORMS:
benthic  (-thk)  or ben·thonic  (bn-thnk) (Adjective)

BESPOKE

VERB:
Past tense and a past participle of bespeak.
ADJECTIVE:
  1. Custom-made. Said especially of clothes.
  2. Making or selling custom-made clothes: a bespoke tailor.


BIALY

NOUN:
pl. bia·lys
A flat, round baked roll topped with onion flakes.
ETYMOLOGY:
After Bialystok

BIBULOUS

ADJECTIVE:
  1. Given to or marked by the consumption of alcoholic drink: a bibulous fellow; a bibulous evening.
  2. Very absorbent, as paper or soil.
ETYMOLOGY:
From Latin bibulus, from bibere, to drink; see p(i)- in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
bibu·lous·ly(Adverb), bibu·lous·ness(Noun)

BISQUE

NOUN:
    1. A rich, creamy soup made from meat, fish, or shellfish.
    2. A thick cream soup made of puréed vegetables.
  2. Ice cream mixed with crushed macaroons or nuts.
ETYMOLOGY:
Perhaps from French dialectal, sour soup, from Biscaye Bay of Biscay

BREGMA

NOUN:
pl. breg·ma·ta  (-m-t) 
The junction of the sagittal and coronal sutures at the top of the skull.
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin, top of the head, from Greek

OTHER FORMS:
breg·matic  (-mtk) (Adjective)

CACHEXIA

NOUN:
Weight loss, wasting of muscle, loss of appetite, and general debility that can occur during a chronic disease.
ETYMOLOGY:
Late Latin, from Greek kakhexi : kako-, caco- + hexis, condition (from ekhein, to have; see segh- in Indo-European roots)

CACHINNATE

intr.v.
cach·in·nat·ed, cach·in·nat·ing, cach·in·nates
To laugh hard, loudly, or convulsively; guffaw.
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin cachinnre, cachinnt-, of imitative origin

OTHER FORMS:
cachin·nation(Noun), cachin·nator(Noun)

CAIRNGORM

NOUN:
See smoky quartz.
ETYMOLOGY:
After the Cairngorm (Mountains)

CAISSON

NOUN:
  1. A watertight structure within which construction work is carried on under water.
  2. See camel.
  3. A large box open at the top and one side, designed to fit against the side of a ship and used to repair damaged hulls under water.
  4. A floating structure used to close off the entrance to a dock or canal lock.
    1. A horse-drawn vehicle, usually two-wheeled, used to carry artillery ammunition and coffins at military funerals.
    2. A large box used to hold ammunition.
ETYMOLOGY:
French, from Old French, large box, alteration (influenced by caisse, chest), of casson from Italian cassone, augmentative of cassa, box, from Latin capsa

CALENTURE

NOUN:
A tropical fever once believed to be caused by the heat.
ETYMOLOGY:
Spanish calentura, from calentar, to heat, from Latin calns, calent- present participle of calre, to be warm; see kel-1 in Indo-European roots

CAPARISON

NOUN:
  1. An ornamental covering for a horse or for its saddle or harness; trappings.
  2. Richly ornamented clothing; finery.
TRANSITIVE VERB:
ca·par·i·soned, ca·par·i·son·ing, ca·par·i·sons
  1. To outfit (a horse) with an ornamental covering.
  2. To dress (another) in rich clothing.
ETYMOLOGY:
Obsolete French caparasson, from Old Spanish caparazón, from Medieval Latin cappa, cloak ; see cape1

CARBINOL

NOUN:
  1. See methanol.
  2. An alcohol derived from methanol.


CARPOPHAGOUS

ADJECTIVE:
Feeding on fruit; fruit-eating.


CARTOUCHE/CARTOUCH

NOUN:
  1. A structure or figure, often in the shape of an oval shield or oblong scroll, used as an architectural or graphic ornament or to bear a design or inscription.
  2. An oval or oblong figure in ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics that encloses characters expressing the names or epithets of royal or divine personages.
  3. A heavy paper cartridge case.
ETYMOLOGY:
French, from Italian cartoccio, paper cornet, from carta, card, paper ; see carton

CASSIS

NOUN:
  1. A Eurasian currant (Ribes nigrum) bearing black berries.
  2. A cordial made from the berries of this plant.
ETYMOLOGY:
French, from Latin cassia, a kind of plant ; see cassia

CATACHRESIS

NOUN:
pl. cat·a·chre·ses  (-sz) 
  1. The misapplication of a word or phrase, as the use of blatant to mean "flagrant."
  2. The use of a strained figure of speech, such as a mixed metaphor.
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin catachrsis, improper use of a word, from Greek katakhrsis, excessive use, from katakhrsthai, to misuse : kata-, completely ; see cata- + khrsthai, to use; see gher-2 in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
cata·chrestic  (-krstk)  or cata·chresti·cal  (-t-kl) (Adjective), cata·chresti·cal·ly(Adverb)

CASTELLATED

ADJECTIVE:
  1. Furnished with turrets and battlements in the style of a castle.
  2. Having a castle.
ETYMOLOGY:
Medieval Latin castelltus, past participle of castellre, to fortify as a castle, from Latin castellum, fort ; see castle

OTHER FORMS:
castel·lation(Noun)

CATARRHINE

ADJECTIVE:
Of or being a group of primates including the Old World monkeys, apes, and humans, characterized by nostrils that are close together and directed frontward or downward.
NOUN:
A catarrhine primate, such as a gorilla.


CATASTASIS

NOUN:
pl. ca·tas·ta·ses  (-sz) 
  1. The intensified part of the action directly preceding the catastrophe in classical tragedy.
  2. The climax of a drama.
ETYMOLOGY:
Greek katastasis, settled state, from kathistanai, to come into a certain state : kat-, kata-, cata- + histanai, to set; see st- in Indo-European roots

CECUM

NOUN:
pl. ce·ca  (-k) 
  1. A saclike cavity with only one opening.
  2. Anatomy The large blind pouch forming the beginning of the large intestine. Also called blind gut.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English, from Latin (intestnum) caecum, blind (intestine), neuter of caecus, blind

OTHER FORMS:
cecal(Adjective), cecal·ly(Adverb)

CETE

NOUN:
A company of badgers. See Synonyms at flock1.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English, possibly from Medieval Latin cetus, assembly, from Latin coetus, a coming together, variant of coitus ; see coitus

CHALCEDONY

NOUN:
pl. chal·ced·o·nies
A translucent to transparent milky or grayish quartz with distinctive microscopic crystals arranged in slender fibers in parallel bands.
ETYMOLOGY:
Late Latin chalcdonius, from Greek khalkdn, a mystical stone (Revelation 21:19), perhaps from Khalkdn Chalcedon

OTHER FORMS:
chalce·donic  (kls-dnk) (Adjective)

CHATELAIN

NOUN:
The master of a castle; a castellan.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English chatelein, from Old French chastelain, from Latin castellnus, from castellum, castle ; see castle

CHATOYANT

ADJECTIVE:
Having a changeable luster.
NOUN:
A chatoyant stone or gemstone, such as the cat's-eye.
ETYMOLOGY:
French, present participle of chatoyer, to shimmer like cats' eyes, from chat, cat, from Vulgar Latin *cattus, perhaps of African origin

OTHER FORMS:
cha·toyan·cy(Noun)

CHTHONIC

ADJECTIVE:
Greek Mythology
Of or relating to the underworld.
ETYMOLOGY:
From Greek khthonios, of the earth, from khthn, earth; see dhghem- in Indo-European roots

CITRONELLA

NOUN:
  1. A tropical Asian grass (Cymbopogon nardus) having bluish-green, lemon-scented leaves and an essential oil.
  2. A pale yellow to brownish aromatic oil obtained from this plant, used chiefly in perfumery and also in some insect repellents and commercial flavorings.
ETYMOLOGY:
New Latin, from French citronnelle, lemon oil, diminutive of citron, citron ; see citron

CLASTIC

ADJECTIVE:
  1. Separable into parts or having removable sections: a clastic anatomical model.
  2. Geology Made up of fragments of preexisting rock; fragmental.
ETYMOLOGY:
From Greek klastos, broken ; see clast

OTHER FORMS:
clastic(Noun)

CLAVATE

ADJECTIVE:
Biology
Having one end thickened; club-shaped: clavate antennae.
ETYMOLOGY:
From Latin clva, club

OTHER FORMS:
clavately(Adverb)

CLIMBING IRONS

NOUN:
See crampon.


CLINOMETER


CLINQUANT

ADJECTIVE:
Glittering with gold or tinsel.
NOUN:
Imitation gold leaf; tinsel; glitter.
ETYMOLOGY:
French, glistening, tinkling, present participle of obsolete clinquer, to clink, perhaps from Middle Dutch klinken ; see clink1

COBNUT

NOUN:
  1. The large edible nut of a cultivated variety of hazel.
  2. The plant bearing this fruit.


COIR

NOUN:
The fiber obtained from the husk of a coconut, used chiefly in making rope and matting.
ETYMOLOGY:
Malayalam kayar, cord, from kayaru, to be twisted

COLLECTIVE BARGAINING

NOUN:
Negotiation between organized workers and their employer or employers to determine wages, hours, rules, and working conditions.


CONCHOIDAL

ADJECTIVE:
Of, relating to, or being a surface characterized by smooth, shell-like convexities and concavities, as on fractured obsidian.
ETYMOLOGY:
From Greek konkhoeids, mussellike : konkho-, concho- + -oeids, -oid

OTHER FORMS:
con·choidal·ly(Adverb)

CONDONATION

NOUN:
The act of condoning, especially the implied forgiveness of an offense by ignoring it.


CONFLUENCE

NOUN:
    1. A flowing together of two or more streams.
    2. The point of juncture of such streams.
    3. The combined stream formed by this juncture.
  2. A gathering, flowing, or meeting together at one juncture or point: "A confluence of negative events conspired to bring down bond prices" (Michael Gonzalez).


CONTREDANSE

NOUN:
  1. A folk dance performed in two lines with the partners facing each other.
  2. The music for a contredanse.
ETYMOLOGY:
French, alteration (influenced by French contre-, opposite, and from Latin contr-, contra-), of English country-dance

CORPORATION

NOUN:
  1. A body that is granted a charter recognizing it as a separate legal entity having its own rights, privileges, and liabilities distinct from those of its members.
  2. Such a body created for purposes of government. Also called body corporate.
  3. A group of people combined into or acting as one body.
  4. Informal A protruding abdominal region; a potbelly.


CORVéE

NOUN:
  1. Labor exacted by a local authority for little or no pay or instead of taxes and used especially in the maintenance of roads.
  2. A day of unpaid work required of a vassal by a feudal lord.
ETYMOLOGY:
French corvée, and Middle English corve both from Old French corovee, from Medieval Latin (opera) corrogta, (work) requested, neuter pl. of Latin corrogtus, past participle of corrogre, to summon together : com-, com- + rogre, to ask; see reg- in Indo-European roots

CORVINE

ADJECTIVE:
Of, resembling, or characteristic of crows.
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin corvnus, from corvus, raven

CORYPHAEUS

NOUN:
pl. cor·y·phae·i  (-f) 
  1. The leader of a Greek chorus.
  2. A leader or spokesperson.
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin, leader, from Greek koruphaios, from koruph, head; see ker-1 in Indo-European roots

COUVAD

NOUN:
A practice in certain cultures in which the husband of a woman in labor takes to his bed as though he were bearing the child.
ETYMOLOGY:
French, from Old French, from couver, to incubate, hatch, from Latin cubre, to lie down on

COXCOMB

NOUN:
  1. A conceited dandy; a fop.
  2. Obsolete A jester's cap; a cockscomb.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English cokkes comb, crest of a cock : cokkes, genitive of cok, cock ; see cock1 + comb, crest ; see comb

OTHER FORMS:
cox·combi·cal  (-km-kl) (Adjective)

CUNCTATION

NOUN:
Procrastination; delay.
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin cnctti, cncttin-, from cncttus, past participle of cnctr, to delay; see konk- in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
cunctative  (kngkttv, -t-tv) (Adjective), cunctator(Noun)

CURETTAGE

NOUN:
The removal of tissue or growths from a body cavity, such as the uterus, by scraping with a curette. Also called curettement.


DEADEYE


DEBOUCH

VERB:
de·bouched, de·bouch·ing, de·bouch·es
VERB:
intr.
  1. To march from a narrow or confined area into the open.
  2. To emerge; issue: "His companions still lay in the bed of the ravine, through which the smaller stream debouched" (James Fenimore Cooper).
VERB:
tr.
To cause to emerge or issue.
ETYMOLOGY:
French déboucher : dé-, out of (from Old French des-; see de-) + bouche, mouth (from Latin bucca, cheek, mouth)

DECALCOMANIA

NOUN:
  1. The process of transferring pictures or designs printed on specially prepared paper to materials such as glass or metal.
  2. A decal.
ETYMOLOGY:
French décalcomanie, from dcalquer, to transfer a tracing ( de-, off, from from Latin d-; see de- + calquer, to trace; see calque) + manie, craze (from its popularity in the 19th century) (from Late Latin mania, madness; see mania)

DECREPITATE

VERB:
de·crep·i·tat·ed, de·crep·i·tat·ing, de·crep·i·tates
VERB:
tr.
To roast or calcine (crystals or salts) until they emit a crackling sound or until crackling stops.
VERB:
intr.
To make a crackling sound when roasted.
ETYMOLOGY:
New Latin dcrepitre, dcrepitt- : Latin d-, de- + Latin crepitre, to crackle, frequentative of crepre, to burst, crack

OTHER FORMS:
de·crepi·tation(Noun)

DEFORCE

TRANSITIVE VERB:
Law de·forced, de·forc·ing, de·forc·es
To withhold (something) by force from the rightful owner.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English deforcen, from Anglo-Norman deforcer, from Old French desforcier : des-, de- + forcier, to force (from Vulgar Latin *fortire, from Latin fortis, strong; see bhergh-2 in Indo-European roots)

OTHER FORMS:
de·forcement(Noun)

DELECTATION

NOUN:
  1. Delight.
  2. Enjoyment; pleasure.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English delectacioun, from Old French, from Latin dlectti, dlecttin-, from dlectus, past participle of dlectre, to please ; see delight

DELFT

NOUN:
  1. A style of glazed earthenware, usually blue and white.
  2. Pottery made in this style.
ETYMOLOGY:
After Delft ( where it was first made)

DEMOTIC

ADJECTIVE:
  1. Of or relating to the common people; popular: demotic speech; demotic entertainments.
  2. Of, relating to, or written in the simplified form of ancient Egyptian hieratic writing.
  3. Demotic Of or relating to a form of modern Greek based on colloquial use.
NOUN:
Demotic Greek.
ETYMOLOGY:
Greek dmotikos, from dmots, a commoner, from dmos, people; see d- in Indo-European roots

DEMULCENT

ADJECTIVE:
Serving to soothe or soften.
NOUN:
A soothing, usually mucilaginous or oily substance, such as glycerin or lanolin, used especially to relieve pain in inflamed or irritated mucous membranes.
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin dmulcns, dmulcent- present participle of dmulcre, to soften : d-, de- + mulcre, to stroke

DERACINATE

TRANSITIVE VERB:
de·rac·i·nat·ed, de·rac·i·nat·ing, de·rac·i·nates
  1. To pull out by the roots; uproot.
  2. To displace from one's native or accustomed environment.
ETYMOLOGY:
From French déraciner, from Old French desraciner : des-, de- + racine, root (from Late Latin rdcna, from Latin rdx, rdc-; see wrd- in Indo-European roots)

OTHER FORMS:
de·raci·nation(Noun)

DESCANT

NOUN:
  1. also dis·cant  (ds-)  Music
    1. An ornamental melody or counterpoint sung or played above a theme.
    2. The highest part sung in part music.
  2. A discussion or discourse on a theme.
intr.v.
des·cant·ed, des·cant·ing, des·cants (dsknt, d-sknt)
  1. To comment at length; discourse: "He used to descant critically on the dishes which had been at table" (James Boswell).
  2. also dis·cant  (dsknt, d-sknt)  Music
    1. To sing or play a descant.
    2. To sing melodiously.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English, from Anglo-Norman descaunt, from Medieval Latin discantus, a refrain : Latin dis-, dis- + Latin cantus, song from past participle of canere, to sing; see kan- in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
descanter(Noun)

DESIDERATE

TRANSITIVE VERB:
de·sid·er·at·ed, de·sid·er·at·ing, de·sid·er·ates
To wish to have or see happen.
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin dsderre, dsdert-, to desire ; see desire

OTHER FORMS:
de·sider·ation(Noun)

DESINENCE

NOUN:
A grammatical ending; an inflection.
ETYMOLOGY:
French désinence, from Medieval Latin dsinentia, from Latin dsinns, dsinent- present participle of dsinere, to come to an end : d-, off ; see de- + sinere, to leave

OTHER FORMS:
desi·nential  (-nnshl) (Adjective)

DESUETUDE

NOUN:
A state of disuse or inactivity.
ETYMOLOGY:
French désuétude, from Latin dsutd, from dsutus, past participle of dsuscere, to put out of use : d-, de- + suscere, to become accustomed; see s(w)e- in Indo-European roots

DIADEM

NOUN:
  1. A crown worn as a sign of royalty.
  2. Royal power or dignity.
TRANSITIVE VERB:
di·a·demed, di·a·dem·ing, di·a·dems
To adorn with or as if with a diadem.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English diademe, from Old French, from Latin diadma, from Greek, band, from diadein, to bind around : dia-, dia- + dein, d-, to bind

DICAST

NOUN:
One of the 6,000 citizens chosen each year in ancient Athens to sit in the law courts, with functions resembling those of a judge and juror.
ETYMOLOGY:
Greek dikasts, judge, from dikazein, to judge, from dik, right, custom; see deik- in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
di·castic(Adjective)

DIGITATE

ADJECTIVE:
  1. Having digits or fingerlike projections.
  2. Botany Having distinct parts arising from a common point or center; palmate.


OTHER FORMS:
digi·tately(Adverb)

DIHEDRAL

ADJECTIVE:
Mathematics
  1. Formed by or having two plane faces; two-sided.
  2. Relating to, having, or forming a dihedral angle.
NOUN:
  1. Mathematics
    1. A dihedral angle.
    2. A dihedral group.
  2. Aeronautics The upward or downward inclination of an aircraft wing from true horizontal.


DIOPTER


DIOPTOMETER

NOUN:
An instrument used for measuring ocular refraction.
ETYMOLOGY:
di(a)- + opt(ic) + -meter

OTHER FORMS:
diop·tome·try(Noun)

DIOPTRIC

ADJECTIVE:
  1. Of or relating to dioptrics.
  2. Relating to optical refraction; refractive.
ETYMOLOGY:
From Greek dioptrikos, of a diopter, from dioptr, diopter ; see diopter

DIOPTRICS

NOUN:
(used with a sing. verb)
The study of the refraction of light.


DISSIMULATE

VERB:
dis·sim·u·lat·ed, dis·sim·u·lat·ing, dis·sim·u·lates
VERB:
tr.
To disguise (one's intentions, for example) under a feigned appearance. See Synonyms at disguise.
VERB:
intr.
To conceal one's true feelings or intentions.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English dissimulaten, from Latin dissimulre, dissimult- : dis-, dis- + simulre, to simulate ; see simulate

OTHER FORMS:
dis·simu·lation(Noun), dis·simu·lative(Adjective), dis·simu·lator(Noun)

DISTICHOUS

ADJECTIVE:
Botany
Arranged in two vertical rows on opposite sides of an axis: distichous leaves.
ETYMOLOGY:
From Latin distichus, having two rows, from Greek distikhos ; see distich

OTHER FORMS:
disti·chous·ly(Adverb)

DIVARICATE

intr.v.
di·var·i·cat·ed, di·var·i·cat·ing, di·var·i·cates
To diverge at a wide angle; spread apart.
ADJECTIVE:
(d-vr-kt, -kt, d-)
  1. Biology Branching or spreading widely from a point or axis, as branches or on an insect's wings; diverging.
  2. Relating to a separation of two bones normally adjacent or attached but not located in a joint; distatic.
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin dvricre, dvrict- : d, dis-, dis- + vricre, to straddle (from vrus, bent)

OTHER FORMS:
di·vari·cately(Adverb)

DOMINO

NOUN:
pl. dom·i·noes or dom·i·nos
    1. A small rectangular wood or plastic block, the face of which is divided into halves, each half being blank or marked by dots resembling those on dice.
    2. dominoes or dominos(used with a sing. or pl. verb) A game played with a set of these small blocks, generally 28 in number.
  2. A country expected to react politically to events as predicted by the domino theory: "The dominos did indeed fall in Indochina" (Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.).
ETYMOLOGY:
French, probably from domino, mask, perhaps because of the resemblance between the eyeholes and the spots on some of the tiles ; see domino2

DOUBLE-TONGUE

intr.v.
dou·ble-·tongued, dou·ble-·tongu·ing, dou·ble-·tongues
To play a rapidly repeated series of notes on a wind instrument by placing the tongue alternately between the positions for t and k.


DURBAR

NOUN:
  1. A state reception formerly given by Indian princes for a British sovereign or one given for an Indian prince by his subjects.
  2. The court of an Indian prince.
ETYMOLOGY:
Urdu darbr, audience hall, court, from Persian : dar, indoors (from Middle Persian, door, from Old Persian duvara-); see dhwer- in Indo-European roots + br, audience hall (from East Iranian *dwra-, courtyard; see dhwer- in Indo-European roots)

EDEMA

NOUN:
pl. e·de·mas or e·de·ma·ta  (-m-t) 
  1. Pathology An excessive accumulation of serous fluid in tissue spaces or a body cavity.
  2. Botany Extended swelling in plant organs caused primarily by an excessive accumulation of water.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English ydema, from Greek oidma, a swelling, from oidein, to swell

OTHER FORMS:
e·dema·tous  (-dm-ts) (Adjective)

EJECTA

pl.n.
Ejected matter, as that from an erupting volcano.
ETYMOLOGY:
New Latin iecta, from neuter pl. of Latin iectus, past participle of icere, to throw out ; see eject

ELAINE

NOUN:
  1. In Arthurian legend, a woman who died of unrequited love of Lancelot.
  2. In Arthurian legend, the mother of Galahad by Lancelot.


ELAN

NOUN:
  1. Enthusiastic vigor and liveliness.
  2. Distinctive style or flair.
ETYMOLOGY:
French, from Old French eslan, rush, from eslancer, to hurl : es-, out (from Latin ex-; see ex-) + lancer, to throw (from Late Latin lancere, to throw a lance, from Latin lancea, lance)

EMULOUS

ADJECTIVE:
  1. Eager or ambitious to equal or surpass another.
  2. Characterized or prompted by a spirit of rivalry.
  3. Obsolete Covetous of power or honor; envious.
ETYMOLOGY:
From Latin aemulus; see aim- in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
emu·lous·ly(Adverb), emu·lous·ness(Noun)

ENTREPôT

NOUN:
  1. A place where goods are stored or deposited and from which they are distributed.
  2. A trading or market center.
ETYMOLOGY:
French, from entreposer, to store : entre, in, among (from Latin inter-; see inter-) + poser, to place (from Old French; see pose1)

ENUCLEATE

TRANSITIVE VERB:
e·nu·cle·at·ed, e·nu·cle·at·ing, e·nu·cle·ates
  1. Medicine To remove (a tumor or eye, for example) whole from an enveloping cover or sac.
  2. Biology To remove the nucleus of.
  3. Archaic To explain; elucidate.
ADJECTIVE:
Biology (-t, -t)
Lacking a nucleus.
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin nuclere, nuclet-, to take out the kernel : -, ex-, ex- + nucleus, kernel ; see nucleus

OTHER FORMS:
e·nucle·ation(Noun), e·nucle·ator(Noun)

EPARCHY

NOUN:
pl. ep·ar·chies
A diocese of an Eastern Orthodox Church.
ETYMOLOGY:
Greek eparkhi, provincial government, from eparkhein, to rule over : ep-, epi-, epi- + arkhein, to rule

EPOPEE

NOUN:
  1. Epic poetry, especially as a literary genre.
  2. An epic poem.
ETYMOLOGY:
French épopée, from Greek epopoii : epos, song, word; see wekw- in Indo-European roots + poiein, to make; see kwei-2 in Indo-European roots

ERUCT

tr. & intr.v.
e·ruct·ed, e·ruct·ing, e·ructs
To belch.
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin rctre : -, ex-, ex- + rctre, to belch; see reug- in Indo-European roots

ERUCTATION

NOUN:
The act or an instance of belching.


OTHER FORMS:
e·ructa·tive  (-rkt-tv) (Adjective)

ESKER

NOUN:
A long, narrow ridge of coarse gravel deposited by a stream flowing in or under a decaying glacial ice sheet. Also called os3.
ETYMOLOGY:
Irish Gaelic eiscir, from Old Irish escir

ESPADRILLE

NOUN:
A shoe usually having a fabric upper part and a sole made of a flexible material, such as rope or rubber.
ETYMOLOGY:
French, from Provençal espardilho, diminutive of espart, esparto, from Latin spartum ; see esparto

ESPALIER

NOUN:
  1. A tree or shrub that is trained to grow in a flat plane against a wall, often in a symmetrical pattern.
  2. A trellis or other framework on which an espalier is grown.
TRANSITIVE VERB:
es·pal·iered, es·pal·ier·ing, es·pal·iers
  1. To train as or on an espalier.
  2. To provide with an espalier.
ETYMOLOGY:
French, from Italian spalliera, shoulder support, from spalla, shoulder, from Late Latin spatula, shoulder blade, from Latin ; see spatula

ESURIENT

ADJECTIVE:
Hungry; greedy.
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin surins, surient- present participle of surre desiderative of edere, to eat; see ed- in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
e·suri·ence  (-ns)  or e·suri·en·cy  (-n-s) (Noun), e·suri·ent·ly(Adverb)

ETIOLATE

VERB:
e·ti·o·lat·ed, e·ti·o·lat·ing, e·ti·o·lates
VERB:
tr.
  1. Botany To cause (a plant) to develop without chlorophyll by preventing exposure to sunlight.
    1. To cause to appear pale and sickly: a face that was etiolated from years in prison.
    2. To make weak by stunting the growth or development of.
VERB:
intr.
Botany
To become blanched or whitened, as when grown without sunlight.
ETYMOLOGY:
French étioler, from Norman French étieuler, to grow into haulm, from éteule, stalk, from Old French esteule, from Vulgar Latin *stupula, from Latin stipula

OTHER FORMS:
eti·o·lation(Noun)

EUHEMERISM

NOUN:
A theory attributing the origin of the gods to the deification of historical heroes.
ETYMOLOGY:
After Euhemerus , fourth-century b.c. Greek philosopher

OTHER FORMS:
eu·hemer·ist(Noun), eu·hemer·istic(Adjective), eu·hemer·isti·cal·ly(Adverb)

EXERGUE

NOUN:
A space on the reverse of a coin or medal, usually below the central design and often giving the date and place of engraving.
ETYMOLOGY:
French : Greek ex-, ex- + Greek ergon, work; see werg- in Indo-European roots

FACIAL INDEX

NOUN:
The ratio of facial length to facial width multiplied by 100.


FASTIGIATE

ADJECTIVE:
Botany
Having erect and almost parallel branches tapering toward the top, as in the Lombardy poplar.
ETYMOLOGY:
Medieval Latin fastgitus, high, from Latin fastgium, apex, height

OTHER FORMS:
fas·tigi·ate·ly(Adverb)

FAUCES

pl.n.
(used with a sing. or pl. verb)
The passage from the back of the mouth to the pharynx, bounded by the soft palate, the base of the tongue, and the palatine arches.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English, from Latin faucs

OTHER FORMS:
faucal  (-kl)  or faucial  (-shl) (Adjective)

FECULENT

ADJECTIVE:
Full of foul or impure matter; fecal.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English, from Latin faeculentus, heavy with sediment, from faex, faec-, dregs

OTHER FORMS:
fecu·lence(Noun)

FIBROIN

NOUN:
An insoluble white protein that is the essential component of raw silk and spider-web filaments.


FICTILE

ADJECTIVE:
    1. Capable of being molded; plastic.
    2. Formed of a moldable substance, such as clay or earth.
  2. Of or relating to earthenware or pottery.
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin fictilis, made of clay, from fictus, past participle of fingere, to mold; see dheigh- in Indo-European roots

FIDUCIARY

ADJECTIVE:
    1. Of or relating to a holding of something in trust for another: a fiduciary heir; a fiduciary contract.
    2. Of or being a trustee or trusteeship.
    3. Held in trust.
  2. Of or consisting of fiat money.
  3. Of, relating to, or being a system of marking in the field of view of an optical instrument that is used as a reference point or measuring scale.
NOUN:
pl. fi·du·ci·ar·ies
One, such as an agent of a principal or a company director, that stands in a special relation of trust, confidence, or responsibility in certain obligations to others.
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin fdcirius, from fdcia, trust ; see fiducial

FISC

NOUN:
The treasury of a kingdom or state.
ETYMOLOGY:
French, from Latin fiscus, money basket, treasury

FLAGITIOUS

ADJECTIVE:
  1. Characterized by extremely brutal or cruel crimes; vicious.
  2. Infamous; scandalous: "That remorseless government persisted in its flagitious project" (Robert Southey).
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English flagicious, wicked, from Latin flgitisus, from flgitium, shameful act, protest, from flgitre, to importune, to demand vehemently

OTHER FORMS:
fla·gitious·ly(Adverb), fla·gitious·ness(Noun)

FLENSE

TRANSITIVE VERB:
flensed, flens·ing, flens·es
To strip the blubber or skin from (a whale, for example).
ETYMOLOGY:
Norwegian

OTHER FORMS:
flenser(Noun)

FLITCH

NOUN:
  1. A salted and cured side of bacon.
  2. A longitudinal cut from the trunk of a tree.
  3. One of several planks secured together to form a single beam.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English flicche, from Old English flicce

FLUVIAL

ADJECTIVE:
  1. Of, relating to, or inhabiting a river or stream.
  2. Produced by the action of a river or stream.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English, from Latin fluvilis, from fluvius, river, from fluere, to flow; see bhleu- in Indo-European roots

FOAMFLOWER

NOUN:
A woodland plant (Tiarella cordifolia) of eastern North America, having a narrow cluster of small white flowers. Also called false miterwort.


FOLIUM

NOUN:
pl. fo·li·a  (-l-) 
  1. Geology A thin, leaflike layer or stratum occurring especially in metamorphic rock.
  2. Mathematics A plane cubic curve having a single loop, a node, and two ends asymptotic to the same line.
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin, leaf; see bhel-3 in Indo-European roots

FORENSIC

ADJECTIVE:
  1. Relating to, used in, or appropriate for courts of law or for public discussion or argumentation.
  2. Of, relating to, or used in debate or argument; rhetorical.
  3. Relating to the use of science or technology in the investigation and establishment of facts or evidence in a court of law: a forensic laboratory.
ETYMOLOGY:
From Latin fornsis, public, of a forum, from forum, forum; see dhwer- in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
fo·rensi·cal·ly(Adverb)

FORNICATION


FOSSORIAL

ADJECTIVE:
Zoology
Adapted for or used in burrowing or digging: the fossorial forefeet of a mole.
ETYMOLOGY:
From Late Latin fossrius, from Latin fossus, past participle of fodere, to dig

FRAKTUR

NOUN:
A style of black letter formerly used in German manuscripts and printing.
ETYMOLOGY:
German, from Latin frctra, a breaking (from the curlicues that appear to break up the word) ; see fracture

FRAXINELLA

NOUN:
See gas plant.
ETYMOLOGY:
New Latin, diminutive of Latin fraxinus, ash tree; see bherg- in Indo-European roots

FULGURANT

ADJECTIVE:
Flashing like lightning; dazzlingly bright.
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin fulgurns, fulgurant- present participle of fulgurre, to lighten ; see fulgurate

GALLIMAUFRY

NOUN:
pl. gal·li·mau·fries
A jumble; a hodgepodge.
ETYMOLOGY:
French galimafrée, from Old French galimafree, sauce, ragout : probably galer, to make merry ; see gallant + mafrer, to gorge oneself (from Middle Dutch moffelen, to open one's mouth wide, of imitative origin)

GALLINACEOUS

ADJECTIVE:
  1. Of, belonging to, or characteristic of the order Galliformes, which includes the common domestic fowl as well as the pheasants, turkeys, and grouse.
  2. Relating to or resembling the domestic fowl.
ETYMOLOGY:
From Latin gallnceus, of poultry, from gallna, hen, feminine of gallus, cock; see gal- in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
galli·nacean(Noun)

GARNITURE

NOUN:
Something that garnishes; an embellishment.
ETYMOLOGY:
French, from Old French, from garnir, to garnish ; see garnish

GAVAGE

NOUN:
Introduction of nutritive material into the stomach by means of a tube.
ETYMOLOGY:
French, from gaver, to force down the throat, ultimately from Old French gave, throat, from Vulgar Latin *gaba

GERENT

NOUN:
One that rules or manages.
ETYMOLOGY:
From Latin gerns, gerent- present participle of gerere, to manage

GIRASOL

NOUN:
  1. also gir·o·sol See fire opal.
  2. also gir·a·sole See Jerusalem artichoke.
ETYMOLOGY:
Italian girasole, sunflower, opal : girare, to turn ; see girandole + sole, sun (from Latin sl; see swel- in Indo-European roots)

GLANS PENIS

NOUN:
The bulbous head or tip of the penis.
ETYMOLOGY:
New Latin glns pnis : Latin glns, glans + Latin pnis, genitive of pnis, penis

GLENGARRY

NOUN:
pl. Glen·gar·ries
A woolen cap that is creased lengthwise and often has short ribbons at the back.
ETYMOLOGY:
After Glengarry, a valley of central Scotland

GLYCINE

NOUN:
  1. A sweet-tasting crystalline nonessential amino acid, C2H5NO2, that is the principal amino acid occurring in sugar cane. The simplest amino acid found in protein, it is derived from the alkaline hydrolysis of gelatin and used in biochemical research and medicine.
  2. Variant of glycin.
ETYMOLOGY:
glyc(o)- + -ine2

GNOSIS

NOUN:
Intuitive apprehension of spiritual truths, an esoteric form of knowledge sought by the Gnostics.
ETYMOLOGY:
Greek gnsis, knowledge, from gignskein, to know; see gn- in Indo-European roots

GNOSTIC

ADJECTIVE:
  1. gnostic Of, relating to, or possessing intellectual or spiritual knowledge.
  2. Of or relating to Gnosticism.
NOUN:
A believer in Gnosticism.
ETYMOLOGY:
Late Latin Gnsticus, a Gnostic, from Late Greek Gnstikos, from Greek gnstikos, concerning knowledge, from gnsis, knowledge ; see gnosis

GNOSTICISM

NOUN:
The doctrines of certain pre-Christian pagan, Jewish, and early Christian sects that valued the revealed knowledge of God and of the origin and end of the human race as a means to attain redemption for the spiritual element in humans and that distinguished the Demiurge from the unknowable Divine Being.


GRAMINIVOROUS

ADJECTIVE:
Feeding on grasses.
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin grmen, grmin-, grass + -vorous

GRAVID

ADJECTIVE:
Carrying developing young or eggs: a gravid uterus; a gravid female.
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin gravidus, from gravis, heavy; see gwer-1 in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
gra·vidi·ty  (gr-vd-t)  or gravid·ness(Noun), gravid·ly(Adverb)

GUTTATE

ADJECTIVE:
  1. Having or resembling drops.
  2. Spotted as if by drops.
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin gutttus, speckled, from gutta, drop

HAGIARCHY

NOUN:
pl. hag·i·ar·chies
Government by people considered to be holy, such as priests or saints. Also called hagiocracy.


HAIK

NOUN:
A large piece of cotton, silk, or wool cloth worn as an outer garment in Morocco.
ETYMOLOGY:
Moroccan Arabic 'ik, from Arabic, weaver, active participle of ka, to weave; see wk in Semitic roots

HAVELOCK

NOUN:
A cloth covering for a cap, having a flap to cover and protect the back of the neck.
ETYMOLOGY:
After Sir Henry Havelock (1795-1857), British soldier

HELIOGABALUS


HEMATURIA

NOUN:
The presence of blood in the urine.


OTHER FORMS:
hema·turic(Adjective)

HETERODOX

ADJECTIVE:
  1. Not in agreement with accepted beliefs, especially in church doctrine or dogma.
  2. Holding unorthodox opinions.
ETYMOLOGY:
Greek heterodoxos : hetero-, hetero- + doxa, opinion (from dokein, to think; see dek- in Indo-European roots)

HETEROGENEOUS

ADJECTIVE:
  1. also het·er·og·e·nous  (ht-rj-ns)  Consisting of dissimilar elements or parts; not homogeneous. See Synonyms at miscellaneous.
  2. Completely different; incongruous.
ETYMOLOGY:
From Medieval Latin heterogeneus, from Greek heterogens : hetero-, hetero- + genos, kind, race; see gen- in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
heter·o·gene·ous·ly(Adverb), heter·o·gene·ous·ness(Noun)

HETEROPLASTY

NOUN:
pl. het·er·o·plas·ties
The surgical grafting of tissue obtained from one individual or species to another.


OTHER FORMS:
heter·o·plastic(Adjective)

HORRIPILATION

NOUN:
The bristling of the body hair, as from fear or cold; goose bumps.
ETYMOLOGY:
Late Latin horripilti, horripiltin-, from Latin horripiltus, past participle of horripilre, to bristle with hairs : horrre, to tremble + pilre, to grow hair (from pilus, hair)

OTHER FORMS:
hor·ripi·late(Verb)

HYPEROPIA

NOUN:
An abnormal condition of the eye in which vision is better for distant objects than for near objects. It results from the eyeball being too short from front to back, causing images to be focused behind the retina. Also called farsightedness, hypermetropia.


OTHER FORMS:
hyper·ope  (hp-rp) (Noun), hyper·opic  (-pk, -pk) (Adjective)

HYPERPLASIA

NOUN:
An abnormal increase in the number of cells in an organ or a tissue with consequent enlargement.


OTHER FORMS:
hyper·plastic  (-plstk) (Adjective)

HYPNAGOGIC

ADJECTIVE:
  1. Inducing sleep; soporific.
  2. Of, relating to, or occurring in the state of intermediate consciousness preceding sleep: hypnagogic hallucinations.
ETYMOLOGY:
French hypnagogique : Greek hupnos, sleep ; see hypno- + Greek aggos, leading (from agein, to lead; see ag- in Indo-European roots)

HYPOCAUST

NOUN:
A space under the floor of an ancient Roman building where heat from a furnace was accumulated to heat a room or a bath.
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin hypocaustum, from Greek hupokauston, from hupokaiein, to light a fire beneath : hupo-, hypo- + kaiein, to burn

HYPOCORISM

NOUN:
  1. A name of endearment; a pet name.
  2. The use of such names.
ETYMOLOGY:
Late Latin hypocorisma, from Greek hupokorisma, from hupokorizesthai, to call by endearing names : hypo-, beneath, secretly ; see hypo- + korizesthai, to caress (from koros, boy, and or kor, girl; see ker-2 in Indo-European roots )

OTHER FORMS:
hypo·co·ristic  (hp-k-rstk) (Adjective)(Noun), hypo·co·risti·cal·ly(Adverb)

ILLATION

NOUN:
  1. The act of inferring or drawing conclusions.
  2. A conclusion drawn; a deduction. Also called illative.
ETYMOLOGY:
Late Latin illti, illtin-, from Latin illtus, past participle of nferre, to carry in, infer : in-, in ; see in-2 + ltus, brought; see tel- in Indo-European roots

IMBRICATE

ADJECTIVE:
Having regularly arranged, overlapping edges, as roof tiles or fish scales.
VERB:
im·bri·cat·ed, im·bri·cat·ing, im·bri·cates
VERB:
tr.
To overlap in a regular pattern.
VERB:
intr.
To be arranged with regular overlapping edges.
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin imbrictus, covered with roof tiles, from imbrex, imbric-, roof tile, from imber, imbr-, rain

OTHER FORMS:
imbri·cation(Noun)

IMPERFORATE

ADJECTIVE:
  1. Having no opening; not perforated.
  2. Not separated by rows of perforations: imperforate sheets of stamps.
  3. Medicine Lacking a normal opening: an imperforate anus.
NOUN:
An imperforate stamp.


INANITION

NOUN:
  1. Exhaustion, as from lack of nourishment or vitality.
  2. The condition or quality of being empty.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English inanisioun, emptiness, from Old French inanicion, exhaustion from hunger, from Late Latin innti, inntin-, emptiness, from inntus, past participle of innre, to make empty, from Latin innis, empty

INDENE

NOUN:
A colorless organic liquid, C9H8, obtained from coal tar and used in preparing synthetic resins.
ETYMOLOGY:
ind(ole) + -ene

INDURATE

VERB:
in·du·rat·ed, in·du·rat·ing, in·du·rates
VERB:
tr.
  1. To make hard; harden: soil that had been indurated by extremes of climate.
  2. To inure, as to hardship or ridicule.
  3. To make callous or obdurate: "It is the curse of revolutionary calamities to indurate the heart" (Helen Maria Williams).
VERB:
intr.
  1. To grow hard; harden.
  2. To become firmly fixed or established.
ADJECTIVE:
(nd-rt, -dy-)
Hardened; obstinate; unfeeling.
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin indrre, indrt- : in-, intensive pref. ; see in-2 + drus, hard; see deru- in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
indu·rative(Adjective)

INEXTIRPABLE

ADJECTIVE:
Difficult or impossible to eradicate or destroy.


INTERNECINE

ADJECTIVE:
  1. Of or relating to struggle within a nation, organization, or group.
  2. Mutually destructive; ruinous or fatal to both sides.
  3. Characterized by bloodshed or carnage.
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin internecnus, destructive, variant of internecvus, from internecre, to slaughter : inter-, intensive pref. ; see inter- + nex, nec-, death; see nek-1 in Indo-European roots

WORD HISTORY:
When is a mistake not a mistake? In language at least, the answer to this question is "When everyone adopts it," and on rare occasions, "When it's in the dictionary." The word internecine presents a case in point. Today, it usually has the meaning "relating to internal struggle," but in its first recorded use in English, in 1663, it meant "fought to the death." How it got from one sense to another is an interesting story in the history of English. The Latin source of the word, spelled both internecnus and internecvus, meant "fought to the death, murderous." It is a derivative of the verb necre, "to kill." The prefix inter- was here used not in the usual sense "between, mutual" but rather as an intensifier meaning "all the way, to the death." This piece of knowledge was unknown to Samuel Johnson, however, when he was working on his great dictionary in the 18th century. He included internecine in his dictionary but misunderstood the prefix and defined the word as "endeavoring mutual destruction." Johnson was not taken to task for this error. On the contrary, his dictionary was so popular and considered so authoritative that this error became widely adopted as correct usage. The error was further compounded when internecine acquired the sense "relating to internal struggle." This story thus illustrates how dictionaries are often viewed as providing norms and how the ultimate arbiter in language, even for the dictionary itself, is popular usage.

INTINCTION

NOUN:
Ecclesiastical
The administration of the Eucharist by dipping the host into the wine and thus offering both simultaneously to the communicant.
ETYMOLOGY:
Late Latin intincti, intinctin-, a dipping in, from Latin intinctus, past participle of intingere, to dip in : in-, in ; see in-2 + tingere, to moisten

INTUSSUSCEPT

TRANSITIVE VERB:
in·tus·sus·cept·ed, in·tus·sus·cept·ing, in·tus·sus·cepts
To take within, as in telescoping one part of the intestine into another; invaginate.
ETYMOLOGY:
Probably back-formation from intussusception

OTHER FORMS:
intus·sus·ceptive(Adjective)

INVIDIOUS

ADJECTIVE:
  1. Tending to rouse ill will, animosity, or resentment: invidious accusations.
  2. Containing or implying a slight; discriminatory: invidious distinctions.
  3. Envious.
ETYMOLOGY:
From Latin invidisus, envious, hostile, from invidia, envy ; see envy

OTHER FORMS:
in·vidi·ous·ly(Adverb), in·vidi·ous·ness(Noun)

KAKEMONO

NOUN:
pl. ka·ke·mo·nos
A vertical Japanese scroll painting.
ETYMOLOGY:
Japanese : kakeru, to hang + mono, object

KALA-AZAR


KARABINER

NOUN:
Variant of carabiner.


KOHL

NOUN:
A cosmetic preparation, such as powdered antimony sulfide, used especially in the Middle East to darken the rims of the eyelids.
ETYMOLOGY:
Arabic kul, powder of antimony, kohl; see kl in Semitic roots

LACINIATE

ADJECTIVE:
  1. Having a fringe; fringed.
  2. Shaped or formed like a fringe, as a ligament.
  3. Slashed into narrow pointed lobes: a laciniate leaf.
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin lacinia, fringe, hem + -ate1

OTHER FORMS:
la·cini·ation(Noun)

LAMIA

NOUN:
pl. la·mi·as or la·mi·ae  (-m-) 
  1. also Lamia Greek Mythology A monster represented as a serpent with the head and breasts of a woman that ate children and sucked the blood from men.
  2. A female vampire.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English, from Latin, from Greek

LANDAU

NOUN:
  1. A four-wheeled carriage with front and back passenger seats that face each other and a roof in two sections that can be lowered or detached.
  2. A style of automobile with a similar roof.
ETYMOLOGY:
After Landau, a city of southwest Germany

LEGATEE

NOUN:
The inheritor of a legacy.
ETYMOLOGY:
From legate, to bequeath, from Latin lgre, lgt- ; see legacy

LEPTOSOME

NOUN:
A person with a slender, thin, or frail body.


OTHER FORMS:
lepto·so·matic  (-s-mtk) (Adjective)

LITOTES

NOUN:
pl. litotes
A figure of speech consisting of an understatement in which an affirmative is expressed by negating its opposite, as in This is no small problem.
ETYMOLOGY:
Greek ltots, from ltos, plain; see lei- in Indo-European roots

LOGICAL POSITIVISM

NOUN:
A philosophy asserting the primacy of observation in assessing the truth of statements of fact and holding that metaphysical and subjective arguments not based on observable data are meaningless. Also called logical empiricism.


LONGERON

NOUN:
A major structural member of an aircraft fuselage, running from front to rear.
ETYMOLOGY:
French, from Old French, beam, from long, long, from Latin longus; see del-1 in Indo-European roots

LORDOSIS

NOUN:
pl. lor·do·ses  (-sz) 
An abnormal forward curvature of the spine in the lumbar region.
ETYMOLOGY:
Greek lordsis, from lordos, bent backward

OTHER FORMS:
lor·dotic  (-dtk) (Adjective)

LUCUBRATE

intr.v.
lu·cu·brat·ed, lu·cu·brat·ing, lu·cu·brates
To write in a scholarly fashion; produce scholarship.
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin lcubrre, lcubrt-, to work at night by lamplight; see leuk- in Indo-European roots

LUGUBRIOUS

ADJECTIVE:
Mournful, dismal, or gloomy, especially to an exaggerated or ludicrous degree.
ETYMOLOGY:
From Latin lgubris, from lgre, to mourn

OTHER FORMS:
lu·gubri·ous·ly(Adverb), lu·gubri·ous·ness(Noun)

LUXATE

TRANSITIVE VERB:
lux·at·ed, lux·at·ing, lux·ates
To put out of joint; dislocate.
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin luxre, luxt-, from luxus, dislocated

OTHER FORMS:
lux·ation(Noun)

MACARONIC

ADJECTIVE:
  1. Of or containing a mixture of vernacular words with Latin words or with vernacular words given Latinate endings: macaronic verse.
  2. Of or involving a mixture of two or more languages.
ETYMOLOGY:
New Latin macaronicus, from Italian maccheronea, macaronic verse, after Maccharonea, title of a work containing such verse by Tifi Odasi, 15th-century Italian author, from maccherone, maccaroni, course food

OTHER FORMS:
maca·ronic(Noun)

MAGE

NOUN:
A magician or sorcerer.
ETYMOLOGY:
From Middle English mages, magicians, variant of magi ; see magus

MAHABHARATA

NOUN:
A Sanskrit epic principally concerning the dynastic struggle and civil war between the Pandavas and the Kauravas in the kingdom of Kurukshetra about the 9th century b.c., and containing the text of the Bhagavad-Gita, numerous subplots, and interpolations on theology, morals, and statecraft.
ETYMOLOGY:
Sanskrit Mahbhratam, great (telling) of the Bharatas : mah-, great; see meg- in Indo-European roots + Bhratam, of the Bharatas, descendants of the legendary Indian king Bharata

MAIEUTIC

ADJECTIVE:
Of or relating to the aspect of the Socratic method that induces a respondent to formulate latent concepts through a dialectic or logical sequence of questions.
ETYMOLOGY:
Greek maieutikos, from maieuesthai, to act as midwife, from maia, midwife, nurse; see m-2 in Indo-European roots

MAMMILLATE


MANSUETUDE

NOUN:
Gentleness of manner; mildness.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English, from Old French, from Latin mnsutd, from mnsutus, past participle of mnsuscere, to tame : manus, hand; see man-2 in Indo-European roots + suscere, to accustom; see s(w)e- in Indo-European roots

MANTIC

ADJECTIVE:
Of, relating to, or having the power of divination; prophetic.
ETYMOLOGY:
Greek mantikos, from mantis, seer; see men-1 in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
mantic·al·ly(Adverb)

MANTUA

NOUN:
A woman's garment of the 17th and 18th centuries consisting of a bodice and full skirt cut from a single length of fabric, with the skirt designed to part in front to reveal a contrasting underskirt.
ETYMOLOGY:
Alteration (influenced by Mantua), of manteau

MANUMIT

TRANSITIVE VERB:
man·u·mit·ted, man·u·mit·ting, man·u·mits
To free from slavery or bondage; emancipate.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English manumitten, from Old French manumitter, from Latin manmittere : man, ablative of manus, hand; see man-2 in Indo-European roots + mittere, to send from

OTHER FORMS:
manu·mission  (-mshn) (Noun), manu·mitter(Noun)

MARCESCENT

ADJECTIVE:
Withering but not falling off, as a blossom that persists on a twig after flowering.
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin marcscns, marcscent- past participle of marcscere inchoative of marcre, to wither

MARE CLAUSUM

NOUN:
A navigable body of water, such as a sea, that is under the jurisdiction of one nation and closed to all others.
ETYMOLOGY:
New Latin : Latin mare, sea + Latin clausum, closed

MASSIF

NOUN:
  1. A large mountain mass or compact group of connected mountains forming an independent portion of a range.
  2. A large section or block of the earth's crust that is more rigid than the surrounding rock and has been moved or displaced as a unit.
ETYMOLOGY:
French, massive, massif, from Old French ; see massive

MAVOURNEEN

NOUN:
Irish
My darling.
ETYMOLOGY:
Irish Gaelic mo mhuirnín : mo, my (from Old Irish; see me-1 in Indo-European roots) + muirnín, darling, diminutive of muirn, delight (from Old Irish, tumult, revels)

MAZURKA

NOUN:
  1. A Polish dance resembling the polka, frequently adopted as a ballet form.
  2. A piece of music for such a dance, written in 3/4 or 3/8 time with the second beat heavily accented.
ETYMOLOGY:
Russian, possibly from Polish (taczy) mazurka, (to dance) the mazurka, accusative of mazurek, dance of the Mazovians, from diminutive of Mazur, person from Mazovia, a historical region of eastern Poland

MEATUS

NOUN:
pl. me·a·tus·es or meatus
A body opening or passage, such as the opening of the ear or the urethral canal.
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin metus, passage, from past participle of mere, to pass; see mei-1 in Indo-European roots

MENINX

NOUN:
pl. me·nin·ges  (m-nnjz) 
A membrane, especially one of the three membranes enclosing the brain and spinal cord in vertebrates.
ETYMOLOGY:
Greek mninx

MERCER

NOUN:
Chiefly British
A dealer in textiles, especially silks.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English, from Old French mercier, trader, from merz, merchandise, from Latin merx, merc-, merchandise

MERETRICIOUS

ADJECTIVE:
    1. Attracting attention in a vulgar manner: meretricious ornamentation. See Synonyms at gaudy1.
    2. Plausible but false or insincere; specious: a meretricious argument.
  2. Of or relating to prostitutes or prostitution: meretricious relationships.
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin meretrcius, of prostitutes, from meretrx, meretrc-, prostitute, from merre, to earn money; see (s)mer-2 in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
mere·tricious·ly(Adverb), mere·tricious·ness(Noun)

MERISTEM

NOUN:
The undifferentiated plant tissue from which new cells are formed, as that at the tip of a stem or root.
ETYMOLOGY:
Greek meristos, divided (from merizein, to divide, from meris, division; see (s)mer-2 in Indo-European roots) + -em (as in xylem, and phloem )

OTHER FORMS:
meri·ste·matic  (-st-mtk) (Adjective), meri·ste·mati·cal·ly(Adverb)

MESOMORPH

NOUN:
An individual with a robust, muscular body build caused by the predominance of structures developed from the embryonic mesodermal layer.
ETYMOLOGY:
meso(derm) + -morph

METACENTER

NOUN:
The intersection of vertical lines through the center of buoyancy of a floating body when it is at equilibrium and when it is floating at an angle. The location of the metacenter is an indication of the stability of a floating body.


METAGENESIS

NOUN:
See alternation of generations.


OTHER FORMS:
meta·ge·netic  (-j-ntk) (Adjective)

MISERICORD

NOUN:
    1. Relaxation of monastic rules, as a dispensation from fasting.
    2. The room in a monastery used by monks who have been granted such a dispensation.
  2. A bracket attached to the underside of a hinged seat in a church stall against which a standing person may lean. Also called miserere.
  3. A narrow dagger used in medieval times to deliver the death stroke to a seriously wounded knight.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English, pity, from Old French, from Latin misericordia, from misericors, misericord-, merciful : miserr, to feel pity ; see miserere + cor, cord-, heart; see kerd- in Indo-European roots

WORD HISTORY:
A dagger, a support for someone who is standing, and a special monastic apartment share the same name because, oddly enough, they are all examples of mercy. The word misericord goes back to Latin misericordia, "mercy," derived from misericors, "merciful," which is in turn derived from miserr, "to pity," and cor, "heart." In Medieval Latin the word misericordia denoted various merciful things, and these senses were borrowed into English. Misericordia referred to an apartment in a monastery where certain relaxations of the monastic rule were allowed, especially those involving food and drink. The word also designated a projection on the underside of a hinged seat in a choir stall against which a standing person could lean, no doubt a merciful thing during long services. Finally, misericordia was used for a dagger with which the death stroke was administered to a seriously wounded knight.

MISOGAMY

NOUN:
Hatred of marriage.


OTHER FORMS:
miso·gamic  (ms-gmk) (Adjective), mi·soga·mist(Noun)

MISOLOGY

NOUN:
Hatred of reason, argument, or enlightenment.


OTHER FORMS:
mi·solo·gist(Noun)

MISONEISM

NOUN:
Hatred or fear of change or innovation.
ETYMOLOGY:
Italian misoneismo : Greek mso-, miso- + Greek neos, new; see newo- in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
miso·neist(Noun)

MITZVAH

NOUN:
pl. mitz·voth  (-vt, -vs)  or mitz·vahs
    1. A commandment of the Jewish law.
    2. The fulfillment of such a commandment.
  2. A worthy deed.
ETYMOLOGY:
Hebrew miwâ, from iwwâ, to command; see wy1 in Semitic roots

MOIRé

ADJECTIVE:
Having a wavy or rippled surface pattern. Used of fabric.
NOUN:
  1. Fabric, such as silk or rayon, finished so as to have a wavy or rippled surface pattern.
  2. A similar pattern produced on cloth by engraved rollers.
ETYMOLOGY:
French, from past participle of moirer, to water, from mouaire, moire, moiré fabric, probably alteration of English mohair

MOKE

NOUN:
Slang
  1. A dull or boring person.
  2. Chiefly British A donkey.
  3. Australian An old, broken-down horse.
ETYMOLOGY:
Origin unknown

MOLYBDENUM

NOUN:
Symbol Mo
A hard, silvery-white metallic element used to toughen alloy steels and soften tungsten alloy. An essential trace element in plant nutrition, it is used in fertilizers, dyes, enamels, and reagents. Atomic number 42; atomic weight 95.94; melting point 2,617°C; boiling point 4,612°C; specific gravity 10.22 (at 20°C); valence 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. See Table at element.
ETYMOLOGY:
New Latin, from earlier molybdena, lead ore, from Latin molybdaena, galena, from Greek molubdaina, from molubdos, lead

MONEL METAL


MONITORY

ADJECTIVE:
Conveying an admonition or a warning: a monitory glance.
NOUN:
pl. mon·i·to·ries
A letter of admonition, such as one from a bishop or an ecclesiastical court.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English monitorie, letter of admonition, admonitory, from Medieval Latin monitria, admonition, from feminine of Latin monitrius, monitory, from monitor, monitor ; see monitor

MONODY

NOUN:
pl. mon·o·dies
  1. An ode for one voice or actor, as in Greek drama.
  2. A poem in which the poet or speaker mourns another's death.
  3. Music
    1. A style of composition dominated by a single melodic line.
    2. A style of composition having a single melodic line; monophony.
    3. A composition in either of these styles.
ETYMOLOGY:
Late Latin mondia, from Greek monidi : mono-, mono- + aoid, id, song; see wed-2 in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
mo·nodic  (m-ndk)  or mo·nodi·cal  (--kl) (Adjective), mo·nodi·cal·ly(Adverb), mono·dist  (mn-dst) (Noun)

MONOPLEGIA

NOUN:
Complete paralysis of a single limb, muscle, or muscle group.


OTHER FORMS:
mono·plegic  (-pljk) (Adjective)

MORGANATIC

ADJECTIVE:
Of or being a legal marriage between a person of royal or noble birth and a partner of lower rank, in which it is agreed that no titles or estates of the royal or noble partner are to be shared by the partner of inferior rank nor by any of the offspring of the marriage.
ETYMOLOGY:
New Latin morganticus, from Medieval Latin (mtrimnium ad) morganticam, (marriage for the) morning-gift, of Germanic origin

OTHER FORMS:
morga·nati·cal·ly(Adverb)

MOTILE

ADJECTIVE:
  1. Biology Moving or having the power to move spontaneously: motile spores.
  2. Psychology Of or relating to mental imagery that arises primarily from sensations of bodily movement and position rather than from visual or auditory sensations.
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin mtus, motion (from past participle of movre, to move; see motion) + -ile1

OTHER FORMS:
mo·tili·ty  (m-tl-t) (Noun)

MUCRONATE

ADJECTIVE:
Of or having a mucro; ending abruptly in a sharp point: mucronate feathers; a mucronate leaf.


OTHER FORMS:
mucro·nation(Noun)

MULTIPARA

NOUN:
pl. mul·tip·a·ras, also mul·tip·a·rae  (-r) 
A woman who has given birth two or more times.


MURES


NACELLE

NOUN:
A separate streamlined enclosure on an aircraft for sheltering the crew or cargo or housing an engine.
ETYMOLOGY:
French, dinghy, gondola, from Old French nacele, small boat, from Late Latin nvicella, diminutive of Latin nvis, ship; see nu- in Indo-European roots

NAPPE

NOUN:
  1. A sheet of water flowing over a dam or similar structure.
  2. Geology A large sheetlike body of rock that has been moved far from its original position.
  3. Mathematics Either of the two parts into which a cone is divided by the vertex.
ETYMOLOGY:
French, tablecloth, nappe, from Old French, tablecloth, from Latin mappa, napkin ; see map

NARGHILE

NOUN:
See hookah.
ETYMOLOGY:
French narghilé, obsolete variant of narguilé, from Persian nrgleh, from nrgl, coconut (from which the receptacle was made), from Sanskrit nrikela, nlikera

NEKTON

NOUN:
The collection of marine and freshwater organisms that can swim freely and are generally independent of currents, ranging in size from microscopic organisms to whales.
ETYMOLOGY:
Greek nkton, neuter of nktos, swimming, from nkhein, to swim; see sn- in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
nek·tonic  (-tnk) (Adjective)

NEROLI

NOUN:
An essential oil distilled from orange flowers and used in perfumery.
ETYMOLOGY:
French néroli, from Italian neroli, after Anna Maria de la Trémoille, 17th-century princess of Nerola

NéVé

NOUN:
  1. The upper part of a glacier where the snow turns into ice.
    1. A snow field at the head of a glacier.
    2. The granular snow typically found in such a field.
ETYMOLOGY:
French, from French dialectal névi, from Vulgar Latin *nivtum, from neuter of Latin nivtus, cooled by snow, from nix, niv-, snow; see sneigwh- in Indo-European roots

NEVUS

NOUN:
pl. ne·vi  (-v) 
A congenital growth or mark on the skin, such as a mole or birthmark.
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin naevus

OTHER FORMS:
nevoid  (-void) (Adjective)

NICTITATING MEMBRANE

NOUN:
A transparent inner eyelid in birds, reptiles, and some mammals that closes to protect and moisten the eye. Also called third eyelid.


NIDDERING

NOUN:
Archaic
A cowardly person; a wretch.
ETYMOLOGY:
Misreading of Middle English nithing, from Old English nthing, from Old Norse ndhingr, from ndh, scorn

NIGROSINE

NOUN:
Any of a class of dyes, varying from blue to black, used in the manufacture of inks and for dyeing wood and textiles.
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin niger, nigr-, black; see nekw-t- in Indo-European roots + -os(e)2 + -ine2

OBSEQUY

NOUN:
pl. ob·se·quies
A funeral rite or ceremony. Often used in the plural.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English obsequi, from Old French obseque, from Medieval Latin obsequiae, alteration (influenced by Latin exsequiae, funeral rites), of Latin obsequia, pl. of obsequium, compliance, dutiful service ; see obsequious

OCARINA

NOUN:
A small terra-cotta or plastic wind instrument with finger holes, a mouthpiece, and an elongated ovoid shape.
ETYMOLOGY:
Italian, from dialectal ucarenna, diminutive of Italian oca, goose (from the fact that its mouthpiece is shaped like a goose's beak), from Vulgar Latin *auca, from *avica, from Latin avis, bird; see awi- in Indo-European roots

OFFICINAL

ADJECTIVE:
  1. Readily available in pharmacies; not requiring special preparation.
  2. Recognized by a pharmacopoeia: an officinal herb.
NOUN:
An officinal drug.
ETYMOLOGY:
French, from Medieval Latin officnlis, of a storeroom or workshop, from Latin officna, workshop, alteration of opificna, from opifex, opific-, workman : opus, work; see op- in Indo-European roots + facere, to do; see dh- in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
of·fici·nal·ly(Adverb)

OMASUM

NOUN:
pl. o·ma·sa  (-s) 
The third division of the stomach of a ruminant animal, located between the abomasum and the reticulum. Also called manyplies.
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin omsum, bullock's tripe, probably of Celtic origin

OMBUDSMAN

NOUN:
  1. A man who investigates complaints and mediates fair settlements, especially between aggrieved parties such as consumers or students and an institution or organization.
  2. A government official, especially in Scandinavian countries, who investigates citizens' complaints against the government or its functionaries.
ETYMOLOGY:
Swedish, from Old Norse umbodhsmadhr, deputy, plenipotentiary : umbodh, commission ( um, about; see ambhi in Indo-European roots + bodh, command; see bheudh- in Indo-European roots) + madhr, man; see man-1 in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
ombudsman·ship(Noun)

WORD HISTORY:
The word ombudsman has one familiar element, man, but it is difficult to think of what ombuds could mean. Ombudsman is from Swedish, a Germanic language in the same family as English, and man in Swedish corresponds to our word man. Ombud means "commissioner, agent," coming from Old Norse umbodh, "charge, commission, administration by a delegacy," umbodh being made up of um, "regarding," and bodh, "command." In Old Norse an umbodhsmadhr was a "trusty manager, commissary." In Swedish an ombudsman was a deputy who looked after the interests and legal affairs of a group such as a trade union or business. In 1809 the office of riksdagens justitieombudsman was created to act as an agent of justice, that is, to see after the interests of justice in affairs between the government and its citizens. This office of ombudsman and the word ombudsman have been adopted elsewhere, as in individual states in the United States. The term has also been expanded in sense to include people who perform the same function for business corporations or newspapers.

OMMATOPHORE

NOUN:
A movable stalk ending with an eye, as found in certain snails.
ETYMOLOGY:
Greek omma, ommat-, eye; see okw- in Indo-European roots + -phore

OTHER FORMS:
omma·topho·rous  (m-tfr-s) (Adjective)

ONYX

NOUN:
A chalcedony that occurs in bands of different colors and is used as a gemstone, especially in cameos and intaglios.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English onix, from Old French, from Latin onyx, from Greek onux, nail, onyx; see nogh- in Indo-European roots

OPALESCENCE

ADJECTIVE:
Exhibiting a milky iridescence like that of an opal.


OTHER FORMS:
opal·escence(Noun)

OPHIDIAN

ADJECTIVE:
Of, relating to, or resembling snakes.
NOUN:
A member of the suborder Ophidia or Serpentes; a snake.
ETYMOLOGY:
From New Latin Ophidia, suborder name, from Greek ophis, snake

ORNITHOSIS

NOUN:
Psittacosis, especially as contracted by humans from birds.


OROLOGY

NOUN:
The study of mountains.


OTHER FORMS:
oro·logi·cal  (ôr-lj-kl, r-) (Adjective), oro·logi·cal·ly(Adverb), o·rolo·gist(Noun)

ORPINE

NOUN:
Any of several succulent plants of the genus Sedum, especially the Eurasian species S. telephium, having clusters of reddish-purple flowers. Also called live-forever.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English orpin, from Old French, from orpiment, orpiment ; see orpiment

ORRERY

NOUN:
pl. or·re·ries
A mechanical model of the solar system.
ETYMOLOGY:
After Charles Boyle, Fourth Earl of Orrery (1676-1731), for whom one was made

ORT

NOUN:
  1. A small scrap or leaving of food after a meal is completed. Often used in the plural.
  2. A scrap; a bit.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English orte, food left by animals, probably from Middle Dutch : oor, out; see ud- in Indo-European roots + eten, to eat; see ed- in Indo-European roots

ORTHOCHROMATIC

ADJECTIVE:
Photography
  1. Of, relating to, or accurately reproducing the colors of the subject.
  2. Sensitive to all colors except red: orthochromatic film.


OTHER FORMS:
ortho·chroma·tism  (-krm-tzm) (Noun)

ORTHOEPY

NOUN:
    1. The study of the pronunciation of words.
    2. The study of the relationship between the pronunciation of words and their orthography.
  2. The customary pronunciation of words.
ETYMOLOGY:
Greek orthoepeia, correctness of diction : ortho-, ortho- + epos, epe-, word; see wekw- in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
ortho·epic  (-pk)  or ortho·epi·cal  (-p-kl) (Adjective)

ORTHOGONAL

ADJECTIVE:
  1. Relating to or composed of right angles.
  2. Mathematics
    1. Of or relating to a matrix whose transpose equals its inverse.
    2. Of or relating to a linear transformation that preserves the length of vectors.
ETYMOLOGY:
From Greek orthognios : ortho-, ortho- + gni, angle; see genu-1 in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
or·thogo·nali·ty  (-nl-t) (Noun), or·thogo·nal·ly(Adverb)

OSCITANCY

NOUN:
pl. os·ci·tan·cies
  1. The act of yawning.
  2. The state of being drowsy or inattentive; dullness.
ETYMOLOGY:
From oscitant, yawning, from Latin scitns, scitant- present participle of scitre, to yawn : s, mouth; see s- in Indo-European roots + citre, to move; see kei-2 in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
osci·tant(Adjective)

OSIRIS

NOUN:
Mythology
The ancient Egyptian god whose annual death and resurrection personified the self-renewing vitality and fertility of nature.


OSMIC

ADJECTIVE:
Of, relating to, or containing osmium, especially in a compound with a valence of 4 or a valence higher than that in a comparable osmous compound.
ETYMOLOGY:
osm(ium) + -ic

OSMIUM

NOUN:
Symbol Os
A bluish-white, hard metallic element, found in small amounts in osmiridium, nickel, and platinum ores. It is used as a platinum hardener and in making pen points, phonograph needles, and instrument pivots. Atomic number 76; atomic weight 190.2; melting point 3,000°C; boiling point 5,000°C; specific gravity 22.57; valence 2, 3, 4, 8. See Table at element.
ETYMOLOGY:
From Greek osm, smell (from the strong odor of osmium tetroxide)

OSTEOPHYTE

NOUN:
A small, abnormal bony outgrowth.


OTHER FORMS:
oste·o·phytic  (-ftk) (Adjective)

OVIFORM

ADJECTIVE:
Shaped like an egg; ovoid.


OVINE

ADJECTIVE:
Of, relating to, or characteristic of sheep; sheeplike.
NOUN:
An ovine animal.
ETYMOLOGY:
Late Latin ovnus, from Latin ovis, sheep; see owi- in Indo-European roots

PAILLETTE

NOUN:
  1. A small piece of metal or foil used in painting with enamel.
  2. A spangle used to ornament a dress or costume.
ETYMOLOGY:
French, from Old French, diminutive of paille, straw ; see paillasse

OTHER FORMS:
pail·letted(Adjective)

PAROTITIS

NOUN:
Inflammation of the parotid glands, as in mumps.


OTHER FORMS:
paro·titic  (-ttk) (Adjective)

PARTURIENT

ADJECTIVE:
  1. About to bring forth young; being in labor.
  2. Of or relating to giving birth.
  3. About to produce or come forth with something, such as an idea or a discovery.
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin parturins, parturient- present participle of parturre, to be in labor, from partus, past participle of parere, to give birth; see per-1 in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
par·turi·en·cy(Noun)

PARVENU

NOUN:
A person who has suddenly risen to a higher social and economic class and has not yet gained social acceptance by others in that class.
ETYMOLOGY:
French, from past participle of parvenir, to arrive, from Latin pervenre : per, through; see per1 in Indo-European roots + venre, to come; see gw- in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
parve·nu(Adjective)

PECCANT

ADJECTIVE:
  1. Sinful; guilty.
  2. Violating a rule or an accepted practice; erring.
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin peccns, peccant- present participle of peccre, to sin; see ped- in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
peccan·cy(Noun), peccant·ly(Adverb)

PEDALFER

NOUN:
Soil rich in alumina and iron and deficient in carbonates, found in and characteristic of humid regions.
ETYMOLOGY:
ped(o)-1 + al(uminum) + Latin ferrum, iron

PEDICEL

NOUN:
  1. Botany
    1. A small stalk or stalklike part bearing a single flower in an inflorescence.
    2. A support for a fern sporangium or moss capsule.
  2. See pedicle.
ETYMOLOGY:
New Latin pedicellus, diminutive of Latin pediculus, diminutive of ps, ped-, foot; see ped- in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
pedi·cellar  (-slr) (Adjective)

PELF

NOUN:
Wealth or riches, especially when dishonestly acquired.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English, from Medieval Latin pelfra, pelfa, probably from Old French pelfre

PELLICLE

NOUN:
A thin skin or film, such as an organic membrane or liquid film.
ETYMOLOGY:
French, from Latin pellicula, husk, diminutive of pellis, skin; see pel-3 in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
pel·licu·lar  (p-lky-lr) (Adjective)

PENUMBRA

NOUN:
pl. pe·num·brae  (-br)  or pe·num·bras
  1. A partial shadow, as in an eclipse, between regions of complete shadow and complete illumination. See Synonyms at shade.
  2. The grayish outer part of a sunspot.
  3. An area in which something exists to a lesser or uncertain degree: "The First Amendment has a penumbra where privacy is protected from governmental intrusion" (Joseph A. Califano, Jr.).
  4. An outlying surrounding region; a periphery: "Downtown Chicago and its penumbra also stand rejuvenated" (John McCormick).
ETYMOLOGY:
New Latin pnumbra : Latin paene, almost + Latin umbra, shadow

OTHER FORMS:
pe·numbral or pe·numbrous(Adjective)

PEPLUM

NOUN:
pl. pep·lums
  1. A short overskirt or ruffle attached at the waistline of a jacket, blouse, or dress.
  2. See peplos.
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin, robe of state, from Greek peplon, neuter of peplos, peplos

OTHER FORMS:
peplumed(Adjective)

PEPO

NOUN:
pl. pe·pos
The fruit of any of various related plants, such as the cantaloupe, watermelon, cucumber, squash, pumpkin, and melon, having a hard or leathery rind, fleshy pulp, and numerous flattened seeds.
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin pep, a kind of melon, from Greek pepn, ripe; see pekw- in Indo-European roots

PERDITION

NOUN:
    1. Loss of the soul; eternal damnation.
    2. Hell: "Him the Almighty Power/Hurl'd headlong . . . /To bottomless perdition, there to dwell" (John Milton).
  2. Archaic Utter ruin.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English perdicion, from Old French, from Late Latin perditi, perditin-, from Latin perditus, past participle of perdere, to lose : per-, per- + dare, to give; see d- in Indo-European roots

PERFIDY

NOUN:
pl. per·fi·dies
  1. Deliberate breach of faith; calculated violation of trust; treachery: "the fink, whose perfidy was equaled only by his gall" (Gilbert Millstein).
  2. The act or an instance of treachery.
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin perfidia, from perfidus, treacherous : per-, to destruction ; see per- + fids, faith; see bheidh- in Indo-European roots

PERGOLA

NOUN:
An arbor or a passageway of columns supporting a roof of trelliswork on which climbing plants are trained to grow.
ETYMOLOGY:
Italian, from Latin pergula

PERIODONTICS

NOUN:
(used with a sing. verb)
The branch of dentistry that deals with the study and treatment of periodontal disease.


OTHER FORMS:
peri·o·dontic or peri·o·donti·cal(Adjective), peri·o·dontist(Noun)

PERIOTIC

ADJECTIVE:
  1. Situated around the ear.
  2. Of or relating to the bones immediately around the inner ear.


PERIPETEIA

NOUN:
A sudden change of events or reversal of circumstances, especially in a literary work.
ETYMOLOGY:
Greek, from peripiptein, peripet-, to change suddenly : peri-, peri- + piptein, to fall; see pet- in Indo-European roots

PERIPHRASIS

NOUN:
pl. pe·riph·ra·ses  (-sz) 
  1. The use of circumlocution.
  2. A circumlocution.
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin, from Greek, from periphrazein, to express periphrastically : peri-, peri- + phrazein, to say; see gwhren- in Indo-European roots

PERIPHRASTIC

ADJECTIVE:
  1. Having the nature of or characterized by periphrasis.
  2. Grammar Constructed by using an auxiliary word rather than an inflected form; for example, of father is the periphrastic possessive case of father but father's is the inflected possessive case, and did say is the periphrastic past tense of say but said is the inflected past tense.


OTHER FORMS:
peri·phrasti·cal·ly(Adverb)

PERIPTERAL

ADJECTIVE:
Architecture
Having a single row of columns on all sides.
ETYMOLOGY:
From Latin peripteros, from Greek : peri-, peri- + pteron, wing; see pet- in Indo-European roots

PERMITTIVITY

NOUN:
pl. per·mit·tiv·i·ties
A measure of the ability of a material to resist the formation of an electric field within it. Also called dielectric constant, relative permittivity.


PERTUSSIS

NOUN:
See whooping cough.
ETYMOLOGY:
New Latin : Latin per-, thorough ; see per- + Latin tussis, cough

OTHER FORMS:
per·tussal(Adjective)

PETROGLYPH

NOUN:
A carving or line drawing on rock, especially one made by prehistoric people.


OTHER FORMS:
petro·glyphic(Adjective)

PETROLATUM

NOUN:
See petroleum jelly.
ETYMOLOGY:
From petrol

PHLOX

NOUN:
pl. phlox or phlox·es
Any of various North American plants of the genus Phlox, having opposite leaves and flowers with a variously colored salverform corolla.
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin, a kind of flame-colored flower, from Greek, flame, wallflower; see bhel-1 in Indo-European roots

PHOTOGRAVURE

NOUN:
The process of printing from an intaglio plate, etched according to a photographic image.


PHYLACTERY

NOUN:
pl. phy·lac·ter·ies
  1. Judaism Either of two small leather boxes, each containing strips of parchment inscribed with quotations from the Hebrew Scriptures, one of which is strapped to the forehead and the other to the left arm; traditionally worn by Jewish men during morning worship, except on the Sabbath and holidays.
    1. An amulet.
    2. A reminder.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English filaterie, philacterie, from Old French filatiere, from Late Latin phylactrium, from Greek phulaktrion, guard's post, safeguard, phylactery, from phulaktr, guard, from phulax, phulak-

PIAFFER

NOUN:
A movement in which a horse trots in place with high action of the legs.
ETYMOLOGY:
French, from piaffer, to strut, piaffe

PILOSE

ADJECTIVE:
Covered with fine soft hair.
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin pilsus, from pilus, hair

OTHER FORMS:
pi·losi·ty  (-ls-t) (Noun)

PINCHBECK

NOUN:
  1. An alloy of zinc and copper used as imitation gold.
  2. A cheap imitation.
ADJECTIVE:
  1. Made of pinchbeck.
  2. Imitation; spurious.
ETYMOLOGY:
After Christopher Pinchbeck (1670?-1732), English watchmaker

PINNATE

ADJECTIVE:
Resembling a feather; having parts or branches arranged on each side of a common axis: a polyp with a pinnate form; pinnate leaves.
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin pinntus, feathered, from pinna, feather; see pet- in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
pinnately(Adverb)

PLANATION

NOUN:
The process of erosion and deposition in which a nearly level surface is produced, as by streams, wind, or ocean currents.
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin plnum, flat surface ; see plane1 + -ation

PLEACH

TRANSITIVE VERB:
pleached, pleach·ing, pleach·es
  1. To plait or interlace (branches or vines, for example), especially in making a hedge or an arbor.
  2. To shade or border with interlaced branches or vines.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English plechen, from Old North French plechier, probably from Latin plectere; see plek- in Indo-European roots

PLEASANCE

NOUN:
  1. A secluded garden or landscaped area.
  2. Archaic Pleasure or a source of pleasure.


PLEONASM

NOUN:
    1. The use of more words than are required to express an idea; redundancy.
    2. An instance of pleonasm.
  2. A superfluous word or phrase.
ETYMOLOGY:
Late Latin pleonasmus, from Greek pleonasmos, from pleonazein, to be excessive, from plen, more; see pel-1 in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
pleo·nastic  (-nstk) (Adjective), pleo·nasti·cal·ly(Adverb)

PLETHORIC

ADJECTIVE:
    1. Excessive in quantity; superabundant: "this successful industry of England, with its plethoric wealth" (Thomas Carlyle).
    2. Excessive in style; turgid: plethoric prose.
  2. Characterized by an overabundance of blood.


OTHER FORMS:
ple·thori·cal·ly(Adverb)

PLICATION

NOUN:
    1. The act or process of folding.
    2. The state of being folded.
  2. A fold.


PLIMSOLL

NOUN:
Chiefly British
A rubber-soled cloth shoe; a sneaker.
ETYMOLOGY:
Probably from the resemblance of its mudguard to a Plimsoll mark

PLISSé

NOUN:
  1. A puckered finish given to fabric by treating it with a caustic soda.
  2. Fabric having such a finish.
ETYMOLOGY:
French, from past participle of plisser, to pleat, from Old French, from pli, fold, from plier, to fold, from Latin plicre; see plek- in Indo-European roots

POLDER

NOUN:
An area of low-lying land, especially in the Netherlands, that has been reclaimed from a body of water and is protected by dikes.
ETYMOLOGY:
Dutch, from Middle Dutch

PONS ASINORUM

NOUN:
A problem that severely tests the ability of an inexperienced person.
ETYMOLOGY:
New Latin pns asinrum, bridge of fools (nickname of the Fifth Proposition in the Elements of Euclid, due to its difficulty) : Latin pns, bridge + Latin asinrum, genitive pl. of asinus, ass, fool

PONS VAROLII

NOUN:
See pons.
ETYMOLOGY:
New Latin pns Varoli, bridge of Varoli, after Costanzo Varolio (1543?-1575), Italian anatomist

POPLAR

NOUN:
    1. Any of several fast-growing deciduous trees of the genus Populus having unisexual flowers borne in catkins.
    2. The wood of these trees.
  2. See tulip tree.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English popler, from Old French poplier, from pouple, from Latin ppulus

PORTCULLIS

NOUN:
A grating of iron or wooden bars or slats, suspended in the gateway of a fortified place and lowered to block passage.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English port-colice, from Old French porte coleice, sliding gate : porte, gate (from Latin porta; see per-2 in Indo-European roots) + coleice, feminine of coleis, sliding (from Vulgar Latin *cltcius, from Latin cltus, past participle of clre, to filter, strain, from clum, sieve)

PREBEND

NOUN:
  1. A stipend drawn from the endowment or revenues of an Anglican cathedral or church by a presiding member of the clergy; a cathedral or church benefice.
  2. The property or tithe providing the endowment for such a stipend.
  3. A prebendary.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English prebende, from Old French, from Medieval Latin praebenda, from Late Latin, state allowance, from Latin, neuter pl. gerundive of praebre, to grant, from praehibre : prae-, pre- + habre, to hold; see ghabh- in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
pre·bendal  (pr-bndl, prbn-dl) (Adjective)

PREFERMENT

NOUN:
  1. The act of advancing to a higher position or office; promotion.
  2. A position, appointment, or rank giving advancement, as of profit or prestige.
  3. The act of preferring or the state of being preferred.


PREMONITION

NOUN:
  1. A presentiment of the future; a foreboding.
  2. A warning in advance; a forewarning.
ETYMOLOGY:
Late Latin praemoniti, praemonitin-, from Latin praemonitus, past participle of praemonre, to forewarn : prae-, pre- + monre, to warn; see men-1 in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
pre·moni·tori·ly  (-mn-tôr-l, -tr-) (Adverb), pre·moni·tory(Adjective)

PRETERITION

NOUN:
  1. The act of passing by, disregarding, or omitting.
  2. Law Neglect of a testator to mention a legal heir in his or her will.
  3. Christianity The Calvinist doctrine that God neglected to designate those who would be damned, positively determining only the elect.
ETYMOLOGY:
Late Latin praeteriti, praeteritin-, a passing over, from Latin praeteritus, past participle of praeterre, to go by ; see preterit

PRONATE

VERB:
pro·nat·ed, pro·nat·ing, pro·nates
VERB:
tr.
    1. To turn or rotate (the hand or forearm) so that the palm faces down or back.
    2. To turn or rotate (the foot) by abduction and eversion so that the inner edge of the sole bears the body's weight.
  2. To place in a prone position.
VERB:
intr.
  1. To become pronated.
  2. To assume a prone position.
ETYMOLOGY:
Late Latin prnre, prnt-, to bend forward, from prnus, turned forward ; see prone

OTHER FORMS:
pro·nation(Noun)

PRONEPHROS

NOUN:
pl. pro·neph·roi  (-roi)  or pro·neph·ra  (-r) 
A kidneylike organ, being either part of the most anterior pair of three pairs of organs in a vertebrate embryo, disappearing early in the embryonic development of higher vertebrates, but functioning as a kidney in some simple vertebrates, such as the lamprey.
ETYMOLOGY:
pro-2 + Greek nephros, kidney

OTHER FORMS:
pro·nephric  (-rk) (Adjective)

PROPTOSIS

NOUN:
pl. prop·to·ses  (-sz) 
Forward displacement of an organ, especially an eyeball.
ETYMOLOGY:
Late Latin proptsis, prolapse, from Greek, from propiptein, propt-, to fall forward : pro-, forward ; see pro-2 + piptein, to fall; see pet- in Indo-European roots

PROSOPOPEIA

NOUN:
  1. A figure of speech in which an absent or imaginary person is represented as speaking.
  2. See personification.
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin prospopoeia, from Greek prospopoii : prospon, face, mask, dramatic character ( pros-, pros- + pon, face from ps, p-, eye; see okw- in Indo-European roots) + poiein, to make; see kwei-2 in Indo-European roots

PUERPERAL FEVER

NOUN:
An illness resulting from infection of the endometrium following childbirth or abortion, marked by fever and septicemia and usually caused by unsterile technique. Also called childbed fever.


QUINATE

ADJECTIVE:
Arranged in groups of five: quinate leaflets.
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin qun, five each; see penkwe in Indo-European roots + -ate1

QUONDAM

ADJECTIVE:
That once was; former: "the quondam drunkard, now perfectly sober" (Bret Harte).
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin, from quom, when; see kwo- in Indo-European roots

RAGA

NOUN:
A traditional melodic type in Hindu music, consisting of a theme that expresses an aspect of religious feeling and sets forth a tonal system on which variations are improvised within a prescribed framework of typical progressions, melodic formulas, and rhythmic patterns.
ETYMOLOGY:
Sanskrit rga, color, musical mode

RAMULOSE

ADJECTIVE:
Having numerous small branches.
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin rmulsus, from rmulus, diminutive of rmus, branch ; see ramus

REALGAR

NOUN:
A soft orange-red arsenic ore, As2S2, used in pyrotechnics and tanning and as a pigment.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English, from Medieval Latin, from Catalan, from Arabic rahj al-r, powder (of) the mine or cave : rahj, powder + al-, the + r, cave; see rr in Semitic roots

REBARBATIVE

ADJECTIVE:
Tending to irritate; repellent: "He became rebarbative, prickly, spiteful" (Robert Craft).
ETYMOLOGY:
French rébarbatif, from Old French, from (se) rebarber, to confront : re-, re- + barbe, beard (from Latin barba; see bhardh-- in Indo-European roots)

REBEC

NOUN:
Music
A pear-shaped, two-stringed or three-stringed medieval instrument, played with a bow.
ETYMOLOGY:
French, from Old French, alteration (influenced by bec, beak, from its shape), of rebebe from Old Provençal rebeb, from Arabic rabb, from rabba, to be master, control; see rbb in Semitic roots

REBUS

NOUN:
pl. re·bus·es
A representation of words in the form of pictures or symbols, often presented as a puzzle.
ETYMOLOGY:
From Latin rbus, ablative pl. of rs, thing; see r- in Indo-European roots

RECRUDESCE

intr.v.
re·cru·desced, re·cru·desc·ing, re·cru·desc·es
To break out anew or come into renewed activity, as after a period of quiescence.
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin recrdscere, to grow raw again : re-, re- + crdscere, to get worse (from crdus, raw; see kreu- in Indo-European roots)

OTHER FORMS:
recru·descence(Noun), recru·descent(Adjective)

RECRUIT

VERB:
re·cruit·ed, re·cruit·ing, re·cruits
VERB:
tr.
  1. To engage (persons) for military service.
  2. To strengthen or raise (an armed force) by enlistment.
  3. To supply with new members or employees.
  4. To enroll or seek to enroll: colleges recruiting minority students.
  5. To replenish.
  6. To renew or restore the health, vitality, or intensity of.
VERB:
intr.
  1. To raise a military force.
  2. To obtain replacements for or new supplies of something lost, wasted, or needed.
  3. To regain lost health or strength; recover.
NOUN:
  1. A newly engaged member of a military force, especially one of the lowest rank or grade.
  2. A new member of an organization or body.
ETYMOLOGY:
French recruter, from obsolete recrute, recruit, variant of recrue, from feminine past participle of recroître, to grow again, from Old French recroistre : re-, re- + croistre, to grow (from Latin crscere; see ker-2 in Indo-European roots)

OTHER FORMS:
re·cruiter(Noun), re·cruitment(Noun)

RECTUS

NOUN:
pl. rec·ti  (-t) 
Any of various straight muscles, as of the abdomen, eye, neck, and thigh.
ETYMOLOGY:
New Latin (msculus) rctus, from Latin, straight (muscle) ; see rectum

RECURVATE

ADJECTIVE:
Bent or curved backward.


RECUSANT

NOUN:
  1. One of the Roman Catholics in England who incurred legal and social penalties in the 16th century and afterward for refusing to attend services of the Church of England.
  2. A dissenter; a nonconformist.


OTHER FORMS:
recu·san·cy(Noun), recu·sant(Adjective)

RED LEAD

NOUN:
A poisonous bright red powder, Pb3O4, used in paints, glass, pottery, and packing for pipe joints.


RELAXIN

NOUN:
A female hormone secreted by the corpus luteum that helps soften the cervix and relax the pelvic ligaments in childbirth.


RELICT

NOUN:
  1. Ecology An organism or species of an earlier time surviving in an environment that has undergone considerable change.
  2. Something that has survived; a remnant.
  3. A widow.
ADJECTIVE:
Geology
Of or relating to something that has survived, as structures or minerals after destructive processes.
ETYMOLOGY:
From Middle English relicte, left undisturbed, from Latin relictus, past participle of relinquere, to leave behind ; see relinquish. Sense 3, Middle English relicte from Medieval Latin relicta, from feminine past participle of Latin relinquere

RELICTION

NOUN:
Gradual recession of water in a sea, lake, or stream, leaving permanently dry land.


REMARQUE

NOUN:
  1. A small mark or sketch engraved in the margin of a plate to indicate its stage of development prior to completion.
  2. A print or proof from a plate carrying such a mark.
ETYMOLOGY:
French, from remarquer, to remark ; see remark

REPLEVIN

NOUN:
  1. An action to recover personal property said or claimed to be unlawfully taken.
  2. The writ or procedure of such an action.
TRANSITIVE VERB:
re·plev·ined, re·plev·in·ing, re·plev·ines
To replevy.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English, from Anglo-Norman replevine, from replevir, to give as a security : re-, re- + plevir, to pledge (from Late Latin plebere, of Germanic origin; see dlegh- in Indo-European roots)

RéSEAU/RESEAU

NOUN:
pl. ré·seaus or ré·seaux  (-zz, -z) 
  1. A net or mesh foundation for lace.
  2. Astronomy A reference grid of fine lines forming uniform squares on a photographic plate or print, used to aid in measurement.
  3. A mosaic screen of fine lines of three colors, used in color photography.
ETYMOLOGY:
French, from Old French reseuil, diminutive of raiz, net, from Latin rte

RETE

NOUN:
pl. re·ti·a  (rt-, rsh) 
An anatomical mesh or network, as of veins, arteries, or nerves.
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin rte, net

REVETMENT

NOUN:
  1. A facing, as of masonry, used to support an embankment.
  2. A barricade against explosives.


ROGATION

NOUN:
  1. Ecclesiastical Solemn prayer or supplication, especially as chanted during the rites of a Rogation Day. Often used in the plural.
    1. The formal proposal of a law in ancient Rome by a tribune or consul to the people for acceptance or rejection.
    2. A law proposed in this manner.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English rogacioun, from Latin rogti, rogtin-, from rogtus, past participle of rogre, to ask; see reg- in Indo-European roots

RUTH

NOUN:
  1. Compassion or pity for another.
  2. Sorrow or misery about one's own misdeeds or flaws.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English ruthe, from Old Norse hrygdh (influenced by Old English hrow, sorrow, regret)

SALIENT

ADJECTIVE:
  1. Projecting or jutting beyond a line or surface; protruding.
  2. Strikingly conspicuous; prominent. See Synonyms at noticeable.
  3. Springing; jumping: salient tree toads.
NOUN:
  1. A military position that projects into the position of the enemy.
  2. A projecting angle or part.
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin salins, salient- present participle of salre, to leap; see sel- in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
sali·ent·ly(Adverb)

SALIFEROUS

ADJECTIVE:
Containing or yielding salt.


SAPROPHAGOUS

ADJECTIVE:
Feeding on decaying organic matter.


SARCASTIC

ADJECTIVE:
  1. Expressing or marked by sarcasm.
  2. Given to using sarcasm.
ETYMOLOGY:
sarc(asm) + -astic as in enthusiastic

OTHER FORMS:
sar·casti·cal·ly(Adverb)

SYNONYMS:
sarcastic, ironic, caustic, satirical, sardonic

These adjectives mean having or marked by a feeling of bitterness and a biting or cutting quality. Sarcastic suggests sharp taunting and ridicule that wounds: "a deserved reputation for sarcastic, acerbic and uninhibited polemics" (Burke Marshall). Ironic implies a subtler form of mockery in which an intended meaning is conveyed obliquely: "a man of eccentric charm, ironic humor, andabove allprofound literary genius" (Jonathan Kirsch). Caustic means corrosive and bitingly trenchant: "The caustic jokes ... deal with such diverse matters as political assassination, talk-show hosts, medical ethics" (Frank Rich). Satirical implies exposure, especially of vice or folly, to ridicule: "on the surface a satirical look at commercial radio, but also a study of the misuse of telecommunications" (Richard Harrington). Sardonic is associated with scorn, derision, mockery, and often cynicism: "He was proud, sardonic, harsh to inferiority of every description" (Charlotte Brontë).

SARCOPTIC MANGE

NOUN:
Mange caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei.
ETYMOLOGY:
From New Latin Sarcoptes, genus name : sarco- + Greek koptein, to cut

SASSAFRAS

NOUN:
  1. A deciduous eastern North American tree (Sassafras albidum) having irregularly lobed leaves and aromatic bark, leaves, and branches.
  2. The dried root bark of this plant, used as a flavoring and a source of a volatile oil.
ETYMOLOGY:
Spanish sasafrás, from Late Latin saxifragia, kind of herb, variant of (herba) saxifraga, saxifrage ; see saxifrage

SATEEN

NOUN:
A cotton fabric with a satinlike finish.
ETYMOLOGY:
Alteration (influenced by velveteen), of satin

SATURNALIA

pl.n.
  1. Saturnalia The ancient Roman seven-day festival of Saturn, which began on December 17.
  2. (used with a sing. verb) A celebration marked by unrestrained revelry and often licentiousness; an orgy.
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin Sturnlia, from neuter pl. of Sturnlis, Saturnian, from Sturnus, Saturn ; see Saturn

SATURNINE

ADJECTIVE:
  1. Having the temperament of one born under the supposed astrological influence of Saturn.
    1. Melancholy or sullen.
    2. Having or marked by a tendency to be bitter or sardonic: a saturnine expression on his face.
  3. Produced by absorption of lead.


OTHER FORMS:
satur·ninely(Adverb)

SCABROUS

ADJECTIVE:
  1. Having or covered with scales or small projections and rough to the touch. See Synonyms at rough.
  2. Difficult to handle; knotty: a scabrous situation.
  3. Dealing with scandalous or salacious material: a scabrous novel.
ETYMOLOGY:
Late Latin scabrsus, from scaber, scabr-, scurfy

OTHER FORMS:
scabrous·ly(Adverb), scabrous·ness(Noun)

SCARIOUS

ADJECTIVE:
Thin, membranous, and dry: scarious bracts; a scarious tongue.
ETYMOLOGY:
New Latin scarisus

SCHOLIUM

NOUN:
pl. scho·li·ums or scho·li·a  (-l-) 
  1. An explanatory note or commentary, as on a Greek or Latin text.
  2. A note amplifying a proof or course of reasoning, as in mathematics.
ETYMOLOGY:
New Latin, from Greek skholion, diminutive of skhol, lecture, school; see segh- in Indo-European roots

SEBORRHEA

NOUN:
A disease of the sebaceous glands characterized by excessive secretion of sebum or an alteration in its quality, resulting in an oily coating, crusts, or scales on the skin.


OTHER FORMS:
sebor·rheic(Adjective)

SEDILIA

NOUN:
pl. se·di·lia  (-dly, -dl-) 
One of a set of seats, usually three, provided in some Roman Catholic and Anglican churches for the use of the presiding clergy, traditionally placed on the epistle side of the choir near the altar, and in Gothic-style churches often built into the wall.
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin sedle, seat, from sedre, to sit; see sed- in Indo-European roots

SEPSIS

NOUN:
pl. sep·ses  (-sz) 
  1. The presence of pathogenic organisms or their toxins in the blood or tissues.
  2. The poisoned condition resulting from the presence of pathogens or their toxins, as in septicemia.
ETYMOLOGY:
Greek spsis, putrefaction, from spein, to make rotten

SEROUS

ADJECTIVE:
Containing, secreting, or resembling serum.


SHAKO

NOUN:
pl. shak·os or shak·oes
A stiff, cylindrical military dress hat with a metal plate in front, a short visor, and a plume.
ETYMOLOGY:
French schako, from Hungarian csákó, from csákós (süveg), pointed (cap), from csák, peak, perhaps from Middle High German zacke, tack, nail

SHINPLASTER

NOUN:
  1. A piece of paper money issued privately and devalued by inadequate security or by inflation.
  2. A piece of paper money of small denomination issued by the government, especially one issued by the U.S. government from 1862 to 1878.
ETYMOLOGY:
From its resemblance to paper used in plasters for sore legs

SIBILATE

intr. & tr.v.
sib·i·lat·ed, sib·i·lat·ing, sib·i·lates
To utter or pronounce with a hissing sound.
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin sbilre, sbilt-, to hiss

OTHER FORMS:
sibi·lation(Noun)

SIBYL

NOUN:
  1. One of a number of women regarded as oracles or prophets by the ancient Greeks and Romans.
  2. A woman prophet.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English sibile, from Old French, from Latin Sibylla, from Greek Sibulla

SIPHONOPHORE

NOUN:
Any of various transparent, often subtly colored marine hydrozoans of the order Siphonophora, consisting of a floating or swimming colony of polyplike and medusalike individuals and including the Portuguese man-of-war.
ETYMOLOGY:
From New Latin Sphnophora, order name : Greek sph, sphn-, tube + Greek -phora, neuter pl. of -phoros, -phore

SKIRL

VERB:
skirled, skirl·ing, skirls
VERB:
intr.
To produce a high, shrill, wailing tone. Used of bagpipes.
VERB:
tr.
To play (a piece) on bagpipes.
NOUN:
  1. The shrill sound made by the chanter pipe of bagpipes.
  2. A shrill wailing sound: "The skirl of a police whistle split the stillness" (Sax Rohmer).
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English skrillen, skirlen, probably of Scandinavian origin

SLIME MOLD

NOUN:
  1. Any of various primitive organisms of the phylum Acrasiomycota, especially of the genus Dictyostelium, that grow on dung and decaying vegetation and have a life cycle characterized by a slimelike amoeboid stage and a multicellular reproductive stage. Also called cellular slime mold.
  2. Any of various organisms of the phylum Myxomycota that grow on decaying vegetation and in moist soil and have a similar but more advanced life cycle. Also called myxomycete.


SOCIOMETRY

NOUN:
The quantitative study of interpersonal relationships in populations, especially the study and measurement of preferences.


OTHER FORMS:
soci·o·metric  (--mtrk) (Adjective)

SOCLE

NOUN:
  1. A plain square block higher than a plinth, serving as a pedestal for sculpture, a vase, or a column.
  2. A plain plinth supporting a wall.
ETYMOLOGY:
French, from Italian zoccolo, wooden shoe, from Latin socculus, diminutive of soccus, a kind of light shoe ; see sock1

SOGDIAN

ADJECTIVE:
Of or relating to an ancient Iranian people whose homeland was in the area around Samarkand and who had established settlements throughout Chinese Turkistan before the advent of Islam.
NOUN:
  1. A member of this people.
  2. The extinct Middle Iranian language of this people, known chiefly from texts and inscriptions dating from the second to the ninth centuries a.d.
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin Sogdinus, from Greek Sogdoi, Sogdians, from Old Persian Sug(u)da-

SOKE

NOUN:
  1. In early English law, the right of local jurisdiction, generally one of the feudal rights of lordship.
  2. The district over which soke jurisdiction was exercised.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English, from Medieval Latin sca, from Old English scn, act of seeking; see sg- in Indo-European roots

SORDINO

NOUN:
Music pl. sor·di·ni  (-n) 
A mute for an instrument.
ETYMOLOGY:
Italian, diminutive of sordo, deaf, mute, from sordo, deaf, mute, from Latin surdus

SOUBRETTE

NOUN:
    1. A saucy, coquettish, intriguing maidservant in comedies or comic opera.
    2. An actress or a singer taking such a part.
  2. A young woman regarded as flirtatious or frivolous.
ETYMOLOGY:
French, from Provençal soubreto, feminine of soubret, conceited, from soubra, to leave aside, from Old Provençal sobrar, to be excessive, from Latin superre, from super, above; see uper in Indo-European roots

SPAVIN

NOUN:
  1. Bog spavin.
  2. Bone spavin.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English spaven, from Old French espavain, swelling, perhaps of Germanic origin

SPLENDENT

ADJECTIVE:
  1. Shining or lustrous; brilliant.
  2. Admired by many; illustrious.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English, from Old French esplendent, from Latin splendns, splendent- present participle of splendre, to shine

SPLINE

NOUN:
    1. Any of a series of projections on a shaft that fit into slots on a corresponding shaft, enabling both to rotate together.
    2. The groove or slot for such a projection.
  2. A flexible piece of wood, hard rubber, or metal used in drawing curves.
  3. A wooden or metal strip; a slat.
ETYMOLOGY:
Origin unknown

SPRACHGEFüHL

NOUN:
A feeling for language; an ear for the idiomatically correct or appropriate.
ETYMOLOGY:
German : Sprache, language (from Middle High German sprche, from Old High German sprhha) + Gefühl, feeling (from fühlen, to feel, from Middle High German vuelen, from Old High German vuolen; see pl- in Indo-European roots)

STABAT MATER

NOUN:
  1. A medieval Latin hymn on the sorrows of the Virgin Mary at the Crucifixion.
  2. A musical setting for this hymn.
ETYMOLOGY:
From Medieval Latin Stbat Mter (dolrsa), the Mother was standing (full of sorrow), the first words of the hymn : Latin stbat, third person sing. imperfect tense of stre, to stand + Medieval Latin Mter, Mother (of God)

STATIVE

ADJECTIVE:
Belonging to or designating a class of verbs that express a state or condition.
NOUN:
A verb of the stative class.
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin statvus, stationary, from stre, stat-, to stand; see st- in Indo-European roots

STATO–

pref.
  1. Resting; remaining: statoblast.
  2. Equilibrium; balance: statocyst.
ETYMOLOGY:
From Greek statos, standing, placed; see st- in Indo-European roots

STEATOPYGIA

NOUN:
An extreme accumulation of fat on the buttocks.
ETYMOLOGY:
steato- + Greek pug, rump + -ia1

OTHER FORMS:
stea·to·pygic  (stt-pjk, -pjk)  or stea·to·pygous  (-pgs) (Adjective)

STEATORRHEA

NOUN:
  1. Overaction of the sebaceous glands.
  2. Excessive discharge of fat in the feces.


STIPULE

NOUN:
One of the usually small, paired appendages at the base of a leafstalk in certain plants, such as roses and beans.
ETYMOLOGY:
New Latin stipula, from Latin, stalk

OTHER FORMS:
stipuled(Adjective)

STOCHASTIC

ADJECTIVE:
  1. Of, relating to, or characterized by conjecture; conjectural.
  2. Statistics
    1. Involving or containing a random variable or variables: stochastic calculus.
    2. Involving chance or probability: a stochastic stimulation.
ETYMOLOGY:
Greek stokhastikos, from stokhasts, diviner, from stokhazesthai, to guess at, from stokhos, aim, goal; see stegh- in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
sto·chasti·cal·ly(Adverb)

STOUP

NOUN:
  1. Ecclesiastical A basin or font for holy water at the entrance of a church.
  2. A drinking vessel, such as a cup or tankard.
  3. Scots A bucket or pail.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English stoup, bucket, jar, from Old Norse staup, cup

STRICKLE

NOUN:
  1. An instrument used to level off grain or other material in a measure.
  2. A foundry tool used to shape a mold in sand or loam.
  3. A tool for sharpening scythes.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English strikelle, perhaps from Old English stricel, teat, strickle; see streig- in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
strickle(Verb)

STRIDULATE

VERB:
strid·u·lat·ed, strid·u·lat·ing, strid·u·lates
VERB:
intr.
To produce a shrill grating, chirping, or hissing sound by rubbing body parts together, as certain insects do.
VERB:
tr.
To produce by rubbing body parts together: "The crickets stridulated their everlasting monotonous meaningful note" (John Updike).
ETYMOLOGY:
From Latin strdulus, stridulous ; see stridulous

OTHER FORMS:
stridu·lation(Noun), stridu·la·tory  (-l-tôr, -tr) (Adjective)

SUBORN

TRANSITIVE VERB:
sub·orned, sub·orn·ing, sub·orns
  1. To induce (a person) to commit an unlawful or evil act.
  2. Law
    1. To induce (a person) to commit perjury.
    2. To procure (perjured testimony).
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin subrnre : sub-, secretly ; see sub- + rnre, to equip; see ar- in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
subor·nation  (sbôr-nshn) (Noun), sub·orner(Noun)

SUCCUSSION

NOUN:
  1. The act or process of shaking violently, especially as a method of diagnosis to detect the presence of fluid and air in a body cavity.
  2. The condition of being shaken violently.
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin succussi, succussin-, from succussus, past participle of succutere, to toss up : sub-, up from below ; see sub- + quatere, to shake; see kwt- in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
suc·cussa·tory  (s-ks-tôr, -tr) (Adjective)

SUDD

NOUN:
A floating mass of vegetation that often obstructs navigation in tropical rivers.
ETYMOLOGY:
Arabic, obstruction, sudd, from sadda, to obstruct; see dd in Semitic roots

SUDORIFIC

ADJECTIVE:
Causing or increasing sweat.
NOUN:
A sudorific medicine. Also called sudatory.
ETYMOLOGY:
New Latin sdrificus : Latin sdor, sweat; see sweid- in Indo-European roots + Latin -ficus, -fic

SUINT

NOUN:
A natural grease formed from dried perspiration found in the fleece of sheep, used as a source of potash.
ETYMOLOGY:
French, from Old French, from suer, to sweat, from Latin sdre; see sweid- in Indo-European roots

SUMPTUARY

ADJECTIVE:
  1. Regulating or limiting personal expenditures.
    1. Regulating commercial or real-estate activities: sumptuary laws discouraging construction of large houses on small plots of land.
    2. Regulating personal behavior on moral or religious grounds: sumptuary laws forbidding gambling.
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin smpturius, from smptus, expense, from past participle of smere, to take, buy; see em- in Indo-European roots

SUPERNATANT

ADJECTIVE:
Floating on the surface.
NOUN:
also su·per·nate  (spr-nt) 
The clear fluid above a sediment or precipitate.
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin supernatns, supernatant- present participle of supernatre, to float : super-, super- + natre, to swim; see sn- in Indo-European roots

SURCINGLE

NOUN:
  1. A girth that binds a saddle, pack, or blanket to the body of a horse.
  2. Archaic The fastening belt on a clerical cassock; a cincture.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English sursengle, from Old French surcengle : sur-, sur- + cengle, belt (from Latin cingula, from cingere, to gird; see cingulum)

OTHER FORMS:
surcingle(Verb)

SYLPH

NOUN:
  1. A slim, graceful woman or girl.
  2. In the occult philosophy of Paracelsus, a being that has air as its element.
ETYMOLOGY:
New Latin sylpha, perhaps blend of Latin sylvestris, of the forest (from silva, sylva, forest), and Latin nympha, nymph ; see nymph

SYLPHID

NOUN:
A young or diminutive sylph.
ADJECTIVE:
Relating to or resembling a sylph.
ETYMOLOGY:
French sylphide, from sylphe, sylph, from New Latin sylpha ; see sylph

SYMPOSIARCH

NOUN:
  1. The master or director of a symposium, especially one in ancient Greece.
  2. A toastmaster.
ETYMOLOGY:
Greek sumposiarkhos : sumposion, symposium ; see symposium + arkhos, ruler ; see -arch

SYNTAX

NOUN:
    1. The study of the rules whereby words or other elements of sentence structure are combined to form grammatical sentences.
    2. A publication, such as a book, that presents such rules.
    3. The pattern of formation of sentences or phrases in a language.
    4. Such a pattern in a particular sentence or discourse.
  2. Computer Science The rules governing the formation of statements in a programming language.
  3. A systematic, orderly arrangement.
ETYMOLOGY:
French syntaxe, from Late Latin syntaxis, from Greek suntaxis, from suntassein, to put in order : sun-, syn- + tassein, tag-, to arrange

SYPHER

TRANSITIVE VERB:
sy·phered, sy·pher·ing, sy·phers
To overlap and even (chamfered or beveled plank edges) so that they form a flush surface.
ETYMOLOGY:
Alteration of cipher, to chamfer away

TABANID

NOUN:
Any of various bloodsucking dipterous flies of the family Tabanidae, which includes the horseflies.
ETYMOLOGY:
New Latin Tabnidae, family name, from Latin tabnus, horsefly

OTHER FORMS:
ta·banid(Adjective)

TABES

NOUN:
pl. tabes
  1. Progressive bodily wasting or emaciation.
  2. Tabes dorsalis.
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin tbs

OTHER FORMS:
ta·betic  (t-btk) (Adjective)

TABLA

NOUN:
A small hand drum of northern India.
ETYMOLOGY:
Hindi tabl, from Arabic abla, from Aramaic abl, drum, perhaps of Persian origin; akin to Middle Persian tumbag, drum

TAIGA

NOUN:
A subarctic, evergreen coniferous forest of northern Eurasia located just south of the tundra and dominated by firs and spruces.
ETYMOLOGY:
Russian taga, of Altaic origin

TALAPOIN

NOUN:
A small African monkey (Cercopithecus talapoin), the smallest of the guenons, having a long tail and greenish fur.
ETYMOLOGY:
French, from Portuguese talapões, pl. of talapão, monk

TALION

NOUN:
A punishment identical to the offense, as the death penalty for murder.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English talioun, from Anglo-Norman, from Latin tli, tlin-; see tel- in Indo-European roots

TANIST

NOUN:
The heir apparent to an ancient Celtic chief, elected during the chief's lifetime.
ETYMOLOGY:
Irish Gaelic tánaiste, second, tanist, from Old Irish tánaise; see sed- in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
tanist·ry(Noun)

TANTALUS

NOUN:
Greek Mythology
A king who for his crimes was condemned in Hades to stand in water that receded when he tried to drink, and with fruit hanging above him that receded when he reached for it.
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin, from Greek Tantalos; see tel- in Indo-European roots

TARTUFFE

NOUN:
A hypocrite, especially one who affects religious piety.
ETYMOLOGY:
After the protagonist of Tartuffe, a play by Molière

OTHER FORMS:
tar·tuffe·ry(Noun)

TELIUM

NOUN:
pl. te·li·a  (-l-) 
A pustulelike sorus formed on the tissue of a plant infected by a rust fungus and producing teliospores.
ETYMOLOGY:
New Latin, from Greek teleios, complete ; see teleology

OTHER FORMS:
teli·al  (-l-l) (Adjective)

TENESMUS

NOUN:
A painfully urgent but ineffectual attempt to urinate or defecate.
ETYMOLOGY:
Medieval Latin tnesmus, variant of Latin tnesmos, from Greek teinesmos, from teinein, to strain, stretch; see ten- in Indo-European roots

TENNIS

NOUN:
  1. A game played with rackets and a light ball by two players or two pairs of players on a rectangular court, as of grass, clay, or asphalt, divided by a net. Also called lawn tennis.
  2. Court tennis.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English tenetz, tenyes, court tennis, from Anglo-Norman tenetz, and Old French tenez, pl. imperative of tenir, to hold from Latin tenre ; see detain

TERCEL

NOUN:
A male hawk used in falconry.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English, from Old French terçuel, from Vulgar Latin *tertilus, diminutive of Latin tertius, third; see trei- in Indo-European roots

TERTIUM QUID

NOUN:
  1. Something that cannot be classified into either of two groups considered exhaustive; an intermediate thing or factor.
  2. A third person or thing of indeterminate character.
ETYMOLOGY:
Late Latin : Latin tertium, from neuter of tertius, third + quid, something

THIGMOTAXIS

NOUN:
See stereotaxis.
ETYMOLOGY:
Greek thigma, touch (from thinganein, to touch; see dheigh- in Indo-European roots) + -taxis

OTHER FORMS:
thigmo·tactic  (-tktk) (Adjective), thigmo·tacti·cal·ly(Adverb)

THYMUS

NOUN:
pl. thy·mus·es
A small glandular organ that is situated behind the top of the breastbone, consisting mainly of lymphatic tissue and serving as the site of T cell differentiation. The thymus increases gradually in size and activity until puberty, becoming vestigal thereafter.
ETYMOLOGY:
New Latin, from Greek thumos, warty excrescence, thymus

TIMBALE

NOUN:
  1. A custardlike dish of cheese, chicken, fish, or vegetables baked in a drum-shaped pastry mold.
  2. The pastry mold in which this food is baked.
ETYMOLOGY:
French, timbal, mold ; see timbal

TONTINE

NOUN:
  1. An investment plan in which participants buy shares in a common fund and receive an annuity that increases every time a participant dies, with the entire fund going to the final survivor or to those who survive after a specified time.
  2. Each member's share of a tontine.
  3. The subscribers to a tontine.
ETYMOLOGY:
French, after Lorenzo Tonti (1635-1690?), Italian-born French banker

TR.

abbr.
transmit-receive.


TRABEATED

ADJECTIVE:
Architecture
Having horizontal beams or lintels rather than arches.
ETYMOLOGY:
From Latin trabs, trab-, beam (influenced by trabetus, clothed in the trabea, a ritual garment); see treb- in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
trabe·ation(Noun)

TRADUCE

TRANSITIVE VERB:
tra·duced, tra·duc·ing, tra·duc·es
To cause humiliation or disgrace to by making malicious and false statements. See Synonyms at malign.
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin trdcere, to lead as a spectacle, dishonor : tr-, trns-, trans- + dcere, to lead; see deuk- in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
tra·ducement(Noun), tra·ducer(Noun), tra·ducing·ly(Adverb)

TRADUCIANISM

NOUN:
Theology
The belief that the soul is inherited from the parents along with the body.
ETYMOLOGY:
From Late Latin trdcinus, believer in traducianism, from trdux, trduc-, inheritance, from Latin, vine-branch trained for propagation, from trdcere, to lead across ; see traduce

OTHER FORMS:
tra·ducian·ist(Adjective)(Noun), tra·ducian·istic(Adjective)

TREPAN

NOUN:
  1. A rock-boring tool used in mining for sinking shafts.
  2. Medicine A trephine.
TRANSITIVE VERB:
tre·panned, tre·pan·ning, tre·pans
  1. To bore (a shaft) with a trepan.
  2. Medicine To trephine.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English trepane, surgical crown saw, from Medieval Latin trepanum, from Greek trpanon, borer, from trpn, to pierce, from trp, hole; see ter-1 in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
trepa·nation  (trp-nshn) (Noun)

TREPHINE

NOUN:
A surgical instrument having circular, sawlike edges, used to cut out disks of bone, usually from the skull.
TRANSITIVE VERB:
tre·phined, tre·phin·ing, tre·phines
To operate on with a trephine.
ETYMOLOGY:
French tréphine, from obsolete English trefine, from Latin trs fns, three ends : trs, three; see trei- in Indo-European roots + fns, pl. of fnis, end

OTHER FORMS:
trephi·nation  (trf-nshn) (Noun)

TREWS

pl.n.
Close-fitting trousers, usually of tartan.
ETYMOLOGY:
Variant of obsolete trouse ; see trouser

TROPOPHYTE

NOUN:
A plant adapted to climatic conditions in which periods of heavy rainfall alternate with periods of drought.


OTHER FORMS:
tropo·phytic  (-ftk) (Adjective)

TYMPANITES

NOUN:
A distention of the abdomen resulting from the accumulation of gas or air in the intestine or peritoneal cavity. Also called tympany.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English, from Late Latin tympants, from Greek tumpants, from tumpanon, drum

OTHER FORMS:
tympa·nitic  (-ntk) (Adjective)

TYR

NOUN:
Mythology
A Norse god of war, son of Odin.
ETYMOLOGY:
Old Norse Tr; see dyeu- in Indo-European roots

TYRO

NOUN:
pl. ty·ros
A beginner in learning something.
ETYMOLOGY:
Medieval Latin tr, squire, variant of Latin tr, recruit

URTICANT

ADJECTIVE:
Causing itching or stinging.
NOUN:
A substance that causes itching or stinging.


URTICATE

VERB:
ur·ti·cat·ed, ur·ti·cat·ing, ur·ti·cates
VERB:
tr.
To sting or whip with or as if with nettles.
VERB:
intr.
To produce a stinging or itching sensation.
ADJECTIVE:
(-kt, -kt)
Characterized by the presence of hives.
ETYMOLOGY:
Medieval Latin urticre, urtict-, from Latin urtica, nettle

URUSHIOL

NOUN:
A toxic substance present in the resin or on the surface of plants of the genus Rhus, including poison ivy and the lacquer tree, from which a black Japanese lacquer is obtained.
ETYMOLOGY:
Japanese urushi, lacquer + -ol1

UXORIAL

ADJECTIVE:
Of a wife; regarded as befitting a wife.
ETYMOLOGY:
From Latin uxrius, from uxor, wife

OTHER FORMS:
ux·ori·al·ly(Adverb)

UXORICIDE

NOUN:
  1. The killing of a wife by her husband.
  2. A man who kills his wife.
ETYMOLOGY:
Medieval Latin uxricdium : Latin uxor, wife + Latin -cdium, -cide

UXORIOUS

ADJECTIVE:
Excessively submissive or devoted to one's wife.
ETYMOLOGY:
From Latin uxrius, from uxor, wife

OTHER FORMS:
ux·ori·ous·ly(Adverb), ux·ori·ous·ness(Noun)

VALGUS

ADJECTIVE:
  1. Characterized by an abnormal outward turning of a bone, especially of the hip, knee, or foot.
  2. Knock-kneed.
NOUN:
A valgus bone.
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin, bowlegged

OTHER FORMS:
valgoid  (-goid) (Adjective)

VANG

NOUN:
Nautical
A rope running from the peak of a gaff to a ship's rail or mast, used to steady the gaff.
ETYMOLOGY:
Dutch, a catch, from vangen, to catch; see pag- in Indo-European roots

VARLETRY

NOUN:
Archaic pl. var·let·tries
  1. A crowd of attendants or menials.
  2. A disorderly crowd; a rabble.


VARVE

NOUN:
A layer or series of layers of sediment deposited in a body of still water in one year.
ETYMOLOGY:
Swedish varv, layer, from varva, to bend, from Old Norse hverfa

VELOCE

ADVERB:
Music
Rapidly. Used chiefly as a direction.
ETYMOLOGY:
Italian, from Latin vlx, vlc-, rapid ; see velocity

VENULE

NOUN:
A small vein, especially one joining capillaries to larger veins.
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin vnula, diminutive of vna, vein

OTHER FORMS:
venu·lar  (-y-lr) (Adjective)

VERNIER CALIPER

NOUN:
A measuring instrument consisting of an L-shaped frame with a linear scale along its longer arm and an L-shaped sliding attachment with a vernier, used to read directly the dimension of an object represented by the separation between the inner or outer edges of the two shorter arms.


VERSANT

NOUN:
  1. The slope of a side of a mountain or mountain range.
  2. The general slope of a region.
ETYMOLOGY:
French, present participle of verser, to turn, from Old French, from Latin versre, to turn frequently ; see versatile

VERSICOLOR

ADJECTIVE:
  1. Having a variety of colors; variegated.
  2. Changing in color; iridescent.
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin : versus, past participle of vertere, to turn ; see verse1 + color, color ; see color

VINCULUM

NOUN:
pl. vin·cu·lums or vin·cu·la  (-l) 
  1. Mathematics A bar drawn over two or more algebraic terms to indicate that they are to be treated as a single term.
  2. Anatomy A ligament that limits the movement of an organ or part.
  3. A bond or tie.
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin, bond, tie, from vincre, to tie

VIRILISM

NOUN:
The presence of male secondary sexual characteristics in a female.


VITELLINE

ADJECTIVE:
  1. Of, relating to, or associated with the yolk of an egg.
  2. Having the yellow hue of an egg yolk; dull yellow.
NOUN:
The yolk of an egg.
ETYMOLOGY:
vitell(us) + -ine1

VIVANDIèRE

NOUN:
A woman who accompanies troops to sell them food, supplies, and liquor.
ETYMOLOGY:
French, feminine of vivandier, from Old French, alteration (influenced by Medieval Latin vvenda, provisions), of viandier from viande, food ; see viand

VIVA VOCE

ADVERB:
&
ADJECTIVE:
By word of mouth: a report submitted viva voce; a viva voce examination.
ETYMOLOGY:
Medieval Latin vv vce, with the living voice : Latin vv, feminine ablative sing. of vvus, living + Latin vce, ablative of vx, voice

VIVIPAROUS

ADJECTIVE:
  1. Zoology Giving birth to living offspring that develop within the mother's body. Most mammals and some other animals are viviparous.
  2. Botany
    1. Germinating or producing seeds that germinate before becoming detached from the parent plant, as in the mangrove.
    2. Producing bulbils or new plants rather than seed, as in the tiger lily.
ETYMOLOGY:
From Latin vviparus : vvus, alive; see gwei- in Indo-European roots + -parus, -parous

OTHER FORMS:
vivi·pari·ty  (vv-pr-t, vv-) (Noun), vi·vipa·rous·ly(Adverb)

VOLANT

ADJECTIVE:
  1. Flying or capable of flying.
  2. Moving quickly or nimbly; agile.
  3. Heraldry Depicted with the wings extended as in flying.
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin volns, volant- present participle of volre, to fly. Sense 3, from French from Old French, present participle of voler, to fly, from Latin volre

VOLAR

ADJECTIVE:
Of or relating to the sole of the foot or the palm of the hand.
ETYMOLOGY:
From Latin vola, sole, palm

VOTARY

NOUN:
pl. vo·ta·ries
    1. A person bound by vows to live a life of religious worship or service.
    2. A devout adherent of a cult or religion; a committed worshiper: the votaries of Aphrodite.
  2. A person who is fervently devoted, as to a leader or ideal; a faithful follower.
  3. A person who is filled with enthusiasm, as for a pursuit or hobby; an enthusiast.
ETYMOLOGY:
From Latin vtum, vow ; see vote

WITENAGEMOT

NOUN:
An Anglo-Saxon advisory council to the king, composed of about 100 nobles, prelates, and other officials, convened at intervals to discuss administrative and judicial affairs.
ETYMOLOGY:
Old English witena gemt, meeting of councilors : witena, genitive pl. of wita, councilor; see weid- in Indo-European roots + gemt, meeting ( ge-, collective pref.; see kom in Indo-European roots + mt, meeting)