nandhakumarms/qualc-wiktionary-en huggingface dataset:
Word: caracole Part of Speech: noun Etymology: Borrowed from French caracole (noun, literally “snail's shell”), caracoler (verb). Pronunciation: /ˈkæɹəkəʊl/ 1. A half-turn performed by a horse and rider in dressage. 2. A combat maneuver where riders of the same squadron turn simultaneously to their left or to their right. Labels: historical Example: How the chargers neigh and champ, / (Their riders weary of camp,) / With curvet and with caracole! Example: The caracole played a role well into the Thirty Years' War. 3. A spiral staircase.
Word: caracole Part of Speech: verb Etymology: Borrowed from French caracole (noun, literally “snail's shell”), caracoler (verb). Pronunciation: /ˈkæɹəkəʊl/ 1. To execute a caracole. Example: Prince John, upon a grey and high-mettled palfrey, caracoled within the lists at the head of his jovial party, laughing loud with his train, and eyeing with all the boldness of royal criticism the beauties who adorned the lofty galleries. Example: 1884, Robert Black (translator), François Guizot, Henriette Elizabeth Guizot de Witt, The History of France from the Earliest Times to 1848, Volume 1, John B. Alden, page 259, Finally he went out of church and caracoled about on the open, at the foot of the castle, in presence of the people eager to have their share in the spectacle.
Word: cottar Part of Speech: noun 1. Alternative form of cotter (“peasant inhabiting a cottage”). Labels: Scotland, alt-of, alternative Example: Here, then, we have a description which, with the exception of what relates to the reciprocal services, would be applicable to the modern cottar where he is not an unlicensed squatter
Word: cotter Part of Speech: noun Etymology: Unknown. Pronunciation: /kɒtə/, /kɑtɚ/ 1. A pin or wedge inserted through a slot to hold machine parts together. Example: The chains are secured to each end of the cast-iron arches by cotters. 2. A cotter pin. Labels: informal
Word: cotter Part of Speech: verb Etymology: Unknown. Pronunciation: /kɒtə/, /kɑtɚ/ 1. To fasten with a cotter. Labels: transitive Example: She found Esco by the barn. He was trying to cotter a cart-wheel with a peg he had whittled from a locust branch, driving it in with a hand sledge
Word: cotter Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From Middle English cotter, cotere, kottere, koter, cotier, equivalent to cot (“cottage”) + -er, from Old English cot. Compare Old French coter, cotier. Pronunciation: /kɒtə/, /kɑtɚ/ 1. A peasant who performed labour in exchange for the right to live in a cottage. Labels: historical Example: The toil-worn Cotter frae his labour goes,— / This night his weekly moil is at an end,— / Collects his spades, his mattocks, and his hoes, […]
Word: Kristianstad Part of Speech: name Etymology: Swedish Kristianstad, named after King Christian IV of Denmark (1577–1648). Doublet of Christiansted. Pronunciation: /ˈkɹɪstʃənstɑːd/ 1. A city in north-eastern Scania, southern Sweden.
Word: baseboard Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From base + board. Pronunciation: /ˈbeɪsˌbɔɹd/ 1. A panel or molding between the floor and the interior wall of a structure. Labels: US 2. A similar panel at the base of a piece of furniture or equipment. Labels: US
Word: globus pallidus Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From Latin globus pallidus (“pale body”). 1. The inner part of the lenticular nucleus of the brain.
Word: baseless Part of Speech: adj Etymology: Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *gʷem- Proto-Indo-European *-tis Proto-Indo-European *gʷémtis Proto-Hellenic *gʷə́tis Ancient Greek βᾰ́σῐς (bắsĭs)bor. Latin basis Old French basebor. Middle English base English base Proto-Indo-European *lewh₁- Proto-Indo-European *lewHs-der. Proto-Germanic *leusaną Proto-Germanic *lausaz Proto-Germanic *-lausaz Proto-West Germanic *-laus Old English -lēas Middle English -les English -less English baseless From base + -less. Pronunciation: /ˈbeɪsləs/ 1. Of reasoning: based on something that is not true, or not based on solid reasons or facts; unfounded; without a basis. Labels: not-comparable Example: baseless accusations; baseless rumors Example: But Rodríguez says, “Neither the law nor the facts support Senator Grassley’s baseless allegations and extrapolated conclusions. 2. Without a physical base. Labels: not-comparable Example: More significant still — and most obviously in debt to the painterly imagination — this floating statue is the first baseless statue ever made. It is as though Bernini had taken Michelangelo's 'Pieta' and made it fly.
Word: gloried Part of Speech: verb 1. simple past and past participle of glory Labels: form-of, participle, past
Word: gloried Part of Speech: adj 1. illustrious, honourable Example: [...] [I]f old reſpect, As I ſuppoſe, towards your once gloried friend, My Son now Captive, hither hath inform'd your younger feet, [...]
Word: gloss over Part of Speech: verb 1. To cover up a mistake or a crime; to hush up or whitewash. Labels: idiomatic, transitive Example: They glossed over the problem, hoping that the customers wouldn't notice. Example: Plausibility, I know, can only be unmasked by shewing the absurdities it glosses over, and the simple truths it involves with specious errors. 2. To treat something with less care than it in some ways deserves; to ignore, or at least to discount or dismiss for the current purposes. Labels: idiomatic, transitive Example: This book only glosses over quantum mechanics; it doesn't go into detail. Example: "I am afraid that we are trespassing," said the doctor, awkward between his promise to the girl and the necessity of glossing over the situation. "My friend is interested in antiquities—"
Word: basement Part of Speech: noun Etymology: Etymology tree English base Proto-Indo-European *-mn̥ Proto-Indo-European *-mn̥tom Proto-Italic *-mentom Latin -mentum Old French -mentbor. Middle English -ment English -ment English basement From base + -ment. Pronunciation: /ˈbeɪsmənt/ 1. A floor of a building below ground level. Example: Turning back, then, toward the basement staircase, she began to grope her way through blinding darkness, but had taken only a few uncertain steps when, of a sudden, she stopped short and for a little stood like a stricken thing, quite motionless save that she quaked to her very marrow in the grasp of a great and enervating fear. 2. A floor of a building below ground level. Labels: abbreviation, alt-of, ellipsis 3. A mass of igneous or metamorphic rock forming the foundation over which a platform of sedimentary rocks is laid. 4. Last place in a sports conference's standings. Labels: informal
Word: fyrd Part of Speech: noun Etymology: Learned borrowing from Old English fyrd. Pronunciation: /fɝd/, /fɚd/, /fɪɹd/ 1. In early Anglo-Saxon times, an army that was mobilized from freemen to defend their shire, or from select representatives to join a royal expedition. Labels: historical Example: Below the king were the eoldermen, the ruling nobility. The eolderman was the king's 'viceroy' in a shire, responsible for administration and justice, for calling out the fyrd and leading its forces in the field.
Word: retention Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From Middle English retencioun, borrowed from Latin retentiō, retentiōnis, from retentus, the perfect passive participle of retineō (“retain”) (from re- (“back, again”) + teneō (“hold, keep”)). Pronunciation: /ɹɪˈtɛnʃən/ 1. The act of retaining or something retained. Labels: countable, uncountable Example: No woman's heart / So big, to hold so much; they lack retention. 2. The act or power of remembering things. Labels: countable, uncountable 3. Memory; what is retained in the mind. Labels: countable, uncountable Example: "Still," Suit echoed. "The way she handles the gun jamming." Suit shook their head in admiration. "Tap, rack, bang, without hesitation. That's extraordinary retention." 4. The involuntary withholding of urine and faeces. Labels: countable, uncountable 5. The length of time a patient remains in treatment. Labels: countable, uncountable 6. That which contains something, as a tablet; a means of preserving impressions. Labels: countable, obsolete, uncountable Example: Thy gift, thy tables, are within my brain Full character’d with lasting memory, […] That poor retention could not so much hold, Nor need I tallies thy dear love to score; 7. The act of withholding; restraint; reserve. Labels: countable, obsolete, uncountable Example: His life I gave him, and did thereto add / My love without retention or restraint, 8. A place of custody or confinement. Labels: countable, obsolete, uncountable 9. The right to withhold a debt, or of retaining property until a debt due to the person claiming the right is duly paid; a lien. Labels: countable, uncountable Example: The right of retention, which bears a near resemblance to compensation, is chiefly competent where the mutual debts, not being liquid, cannot be the ground of compensation 10. The portion of a potential damage that must be paid for by the holder of an insurance policy. Labels: countable, uncountable
Word: fingerprint analysis Part of Speech: noun 1. The comparison of fingerprints left at the scene of a crime with those of suspects to provide evidence of the presence of a particular person at a particular place. Labels: countable, uncountable
Word: ab ovo Part of Speech: adv Etymology: Learned borrowing from Latin ab ōvō (literally “from the egg”). Pronunciation: /æˈboʊˌvoʊ/ 1. From the beginning. Labels: not-comparable Example: We should be led too far, nor would it possess sufficient interest for our readers, were we, in this place specially, to discuss this important and complicated question, and to show ab ovo why this notion has been rejected.
Word: questions Part of Speech: noun Pronunciation: /ˈkwɛst͡ʃənz/ 1. plural of question Labels: form-of, plural
Word: questions Part of Speech: noun Pronunciation: /ˈkwɛst͡ʃənz/ 1. A game in which players must only say questions, and if they don't they lose.
Word: questions Part of Speech: verb Pronunciation: /ˈkwɛst͡ʃənz/ 1. third-person singular simple present indicative of question Labels: form-of, indicative, present, singular, third-person
Word: a little Part of Speech: adv 1. To a small extent or degree. Labels: not-comparable Example: The door was opened a little. Example: Helping not a little was a squad of volunteers. 2. Slightly. Labels: not-comparable Example: She's a little strange, but nice enough. 3. Very. Labels: UK, not-comparable Example: It's a little big, don't you think? 4. A lot. Labels: UK, not-comparable 5. A lot of. Labels: UK, not-comparable Example: It could do with a little work, that's for sure.
Word: a little Part of Speech: det 1. A small amount of (an uncountable thing). Example: A little water has spilled. Example: All we need is a little time and money to carry this idea to fruition.
Word: a little Part of Speech: pron 1. A small amount of an uncountable thing. Example: "Would you like some water?" "Just a little, please." Example: I’ll have a little of what you order.
Word: glisten Part of Speech: verb Etymology: From Middle English glisnen, glistnen, from Old English glisnian, itself from Proto-West Germanic *glisnōn, while ultimately deriving from Proto-Germanic *glisnōną. Pronunciation: /ˈɡlɪsən/ 1. To reflect light with a glittering luster; to sparkle, coruscate, glint or flash. Labels: intransitive Example: The sun was fierce, the land seemed to glisten and drip with steam.
Word: glisten Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From Middle English glisnen, glistnen, from Old English glisnian, itself from Proto-West Germanic *glisnōn, while ultimately deriving from Proto-Germanic *glisnōną. Pronunciation: /ˈɡlɪsən/ 1. A glistening shine from a wet surface. Example: In his clear northern flesh and his fair hair was a glisten like sunshine refracted through crystals of ice.
Word: glaze over Part of Speech: verb 1. To become unfocused, as if through boredom. Labels: intransitive Example: Someone's eyes may glaze over before or during a seizure. 2. To form a glazed coating: to ice over or otherwise to become covered in a glossy sheen. Labels: intransitive 3. To gloss over. Labels: proscribed, transitive Example: An important issue that is often glazed over.
Word: glamorisation Part of Speech: noun Etymology: Etymology tree English glamorise Proto-Indo-European *-tis Proto-Indo-European *-Hō Proto-Indo-European *-tiHō Proto-Italic *-tiō Latin -tiō Latin -ātiōlbor. Old French -ationbor. Middle English -acioun English -ation English glamorisation From glamorise + -ation. 1. Alternative spelling of glamorization. Labels: UK, alt-of, alternative, countable, uncountable
Word: superfetation Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From Latin superfetare (“conceive while pregnant”), from super- + fetus. Pronunciation: /suːpəfəˈteɪʃən/ 1. The formation of a fetus while another fetus is already present in the uterus. Labels: countable, uncountable 2. An excessive accumulation; a superfluous addition. Labels: countable, uncountable Example: 1992, Geoffrey Wall, translator of Gustave Flaubert, Madame Bovary These gentlemen were greatly astonished at Bovary's romantic ideas, and the pharmacist hurried in to say to him: "This velvet looks to me rather a superfetation. Besides, the expense..."
Word: Larvik Part of Speech: name 1. A town with bystatus and municipality of Vestfold, Norway.
Word: Tønsberg Part of Speech: name 1. A city and municipality in Vestfold county, Norway.
Word: Akershus Part of Speech: name Etymology: Borrowed from Norwegian Akershus. 1. A county of Norway. Labels: uncountable
Word: Aust-Agder Part of Speech: name Etymology: Borrowed from Norwegian Aust-Agder. 1. A former county in southern Norway. Labels: historical
Word: Buskerud Part of Speech: name Etymology: Borrowed from Norwegian Buskerud. 1. A county of Norway. Labels: uncountable
Word: Hedmark Part of Speech: name Etymology: Borrowed from Norwegian Hedmark. 1. A former county in southeastern Norway. Labels: historical, uncountable
Word: Hordaland Part of Speech: name Etymology: Borrowed from Norwegian Hordaland. 1. A county of Norway. Labels: historical, uncountable
Word: Finnmark Part of Speech: name Etymology: From Norwegian Finnmark, from Finn (“Finn”) + mark (“land”). Pronunciation: /fɪn.mɑːk/, /fɪn.mɑɹk/ 1. A county of Norway.
Word: Finnmark Part of Speech: noun Pronunciation: /fɪn.mɑːk/, /fɪn.mɑɹk/ 1. The Finnish markka (currency unit). Labels: historical
Word: Møre og Romsdal Part of Speech: name Etymology: Borrowed from Norwegian Møre og Romsdal. 1. A county of Norway. Labels: uncountable
Word: Nordland Part of Speech: name Etymology: From Norwegian nord + land. 1. A county in Northern Norway.
Word: Oppland Part of Speech: name Etymology: Borrowed from Norwegian Oppland. 1. A former county in eastern Norway. Labels: historical, uncountable
Word: Rogaland Part of Speech: name Etymology: From Norwegian Rogaland, from Old Norse Rogaland. 1. A county of Norway.
Word: Sogn og Fjordane Part of Speech: name Etymology: Borrowed from Norwegian Sogn og Fjordane. 1. A county of Norway. Labels: historical, uncountable
Word: Telemark Part of Speech: name Etymology: Borrowed from Norwegian Telemark. 1. A county of Norway. Labels: uncountable
Word: Troms Part of Speech: name Etymology: Borrowed from Norwegian Troms. 1. A county of Norway (between 2020 to 2024 Troms and Finnmark were merged into Troms og Finnmark county). Labels: uncountable
Word: Vest-Agder Part of Speech: name Etymology: Borrowed from Norwegian Vest-Agder. 1. A former county in southern Norway. Labels: historical
Word: Østfold Part of Speech: name 1. A county of Eastern Norway.
Word: Vestfold Part of Speech: name Etymology: Borrowed from Norwegian Vestfold. 1. A county of Norway. Labels: uncountable
Word: svengali Part of Speech: noun Etymology: Named for the hypnotist character Svengali in George du Maurier's novel Trilby. More at citations. Pronunciation: /svɛŋˈɡɑːli/, /svɛnˈdʒɑːli/ 1. One who manipulates or controls another as by some mesmeric or sinister influence; especially a coach, mentor or industry mogul. Example: She also offers a fascinating glimpse into a more innocent age before svengalis began colluding with marketing men and TV execs to promote talentless wannabes to overnight success. Example: The Tam Paton of today is nothing like the fearsome Svengali you would see on television during the Roller years. (It is used in multiple other occasions in this book)
Word: glamorization Part of Speech: noun Etymology: Etymology tree English glamor Proto-Indo-European *-id- Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *-idyéti Proto-Hellenic *-íďďō Ancient Greek -ῐ́ζω (-ĭ́zō)bor. Late Latin -izōder. Middle French -iserbor. Middle English -isen English -ize Proto-Indo-European *-tis Proto-Indo-European *-Hō Proto-Indo-European *-tiHō Proto-Italic *-tiō Latin -tiō Latin -ātiōlbor. Old French -ationbor. Middle English -acioun English -ation English -ization English glamorization From glamor + -ization. 1. The act of glamorizing, or something glamorized. Labels: countable, uncountable
Word: grandbabe Part of Speech: noun Etymology: Etymology tree English grand- Proto-Indo-European *bʰā- Proto-Germanic *bō-redup. Proto-Germanic *babô Proto-West Germanic *babō Old English *baba Middle English babe English babe English grandbabe From grand- + babe. 1. a grandchild Labels: informal
Word: grandbaby Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From grand- + baby. Attested 1850s US. 1. A young grandchild. Labels: informal
Word: grade school Part of Speech: noun Etymology: In contrast to high schools, the subsequent secondary school type, classes of this kind of school do not have typical nicknames. In a grade school all classes are simply enumerated 1st to 8th grade (called form or year in British English). In a high school, on the other hand, school year groups are in everyday parlance referred to as freshman/sophomore/junior/senior year. 1. Elementary school; primary school. Labels: Canada, Philippines, US, rare
Word: arsy varsy Part of Speech: adv Etymology: Alteration of arsy versy, from arse + vice versa 1. Tumbling upside down; head over heels; backwards. Labels: UK, idiomatic, not-comparable, vulgar
Word: guitary Part of Speech: adj Etymology: Etymology tree Ancient Greek κῐθᾰ́ρᾱ (kĭthắrā)bor. Aramaic קיתראbor. Arabic قِيثَارَة (qīṯāra)bor. Old Spanish guitarra Spanish guitarrabor. English guitar Proto-Indo-European *-kos Proto-Germanic *-gaz Proto-West Germanic *-g Old English -iġ Middle English -y English -y English guitary From guitar + -y. 1. Resembling or characteristic of a guitar. Labels: informal 2. Predominantly featuring guitars. Labels: informal
Word: gunky Part of Speech: adj Etymology: Etymology tree English gunk Proto-Indo-European *-kos Proto-Germanic *-gaz Proto-West Germanic *-g Old English -iġ Middle English -y English -y English gunky From gunk + -y. Pronunciation: /ɡʌŋki/ 1. greasy, messy or dirty. Labels: colloquial
Word: grab-bag Part of Speech: noun 1. Alternative spelling of grab bag. Labels: alt-of, alternative
Word: SER Part of Speech: noun 1. Initialism of state emergency relief. Labels: abbreviation, alt-of, initialism, uncountable
Word: bulgar Part of Speech: noun 1. Alternative spelling of bulgur. Labels: alt-of, alternative, uncountable
Word: EITC Part of Speech: noun 1. Initialism of earned income tax credit. Labels: US, abbreviation, alt-of, initialism, uncountable, usually Example: In 2018, the EITC and CTC kept 10.6 million people out of poverty, according to the CBPP, and the evidence shows they improve health, education and long-term employment outcomes, especially among children. Example: The IRS may audit an EITC claim or deny all or part of the credit if there are errors on a tax return.
Word: gentrify Part of Speech: verb Etymology: From gentry + -fy. Pronunciation: /ˈd͡ʒɛn.tɹɪ.faɪ/ 1. To renovate or improve something (especially housing or district), making it more appealing to the middle classes (now often with the negative association of pricing out existing residents). Labels: transitive Example: Club neighbor Joe Gegis told the board that he was concerned about the licenses due to the problem of drunk drivers and that he believed the bar would lower property values, which have been rising in the area as it becomes increasingly gentrified. 2. To develop and invest in a penurious or impoverished place.
Word: goy Part of Speech: noun Etymology: Etymology tree Biblical Hebrew גּוֹי (goi)bor. Yiddish גוי (goy)bor. English goy Borrowed from Yiddish גוי (goy, “gentile”), borrowed from Biblical Hebrew גּוֹי (goi, “nation”). The term goy does not technically refer to non-Jews, but rather to a nation per se; the Jews are said to constitute a goy. But through common usage – namely referring to "the [other non-Jewish] nations" – the word came to colloquially refer to non-Jews. Pronunciation: /ɡɔɪ/ 1. A non-Jew, a gentile. Labels: offensive, sometimes Example: I don’t think that marriage is working, but I’m not going to be stupid about it and say she shouldn’t have married a goy. 2. Synonym of shabbos goy (“a gentile thought to be subservient to Jewish people”) Labels: derogatory
Word: goys Part of Speech: noun 1. plural of goy Labels: form-of, plural Example: “Look at these goys lining up for a mall Santa. You're a bunch of idiots!” “Uh, excuse me, could you keep your voice down? There are children here.” “Oh, do the children know their "Santa" works at Home Depot? He makes keys.”
Word: goyim Part of Speech: noun Etymology: Borrowed from Hebrew גּוֹיִים. Pronunciation: /ˈɡɔɪ.ɪm/ 1. plural of goy Labels: form-of, plural Example: “Many goyim are confused by the large number of Yiddish terms beginning with ‘schl’ or ‘schm’ (schlemiel, schlemazzle, schmeggegge, schlub, schlock, schlep, schmutz, schnook), and use them incorrectly or interchangeably,” he wrote.
Word: genii Part of Speech: noun Pronunciation: /ˈdʒi(ː)niaɪ/ 1. plural of genius Labels: Roman Example: On the 11th Century glass bowl above, the painted figures—winged genii, nude athletes and brawny soldiers—resemble mythological characters but may be only lighthearted mimicry of ancient Greek or Roman subjects. 2. plural of genius Example: "According to the old wives' tales that are related about this race of genii who inhabit Iceland and its vicinity, they have a political form of government modelled after the same pattern as that which the inhabitants themselves are under. 3. plural of genius Labels: humorous, rare Example: Quiz kids of Senior Class announced today. Jack Daniels, Valedictorian; Mary Lou Shaw, Salutatorian; Irvin Nachman, Third Honor Student; Boots Cumming, Highest Average, and Janet Davis, Second Highest Average. Just a bunch of genii that’s all. Example: It aint oftin that you’s git a more better group of genii as was collected this year at good old Melrose High. To the credit of they, it can be said them didn’t do nothin’.
Word: genii Part of Speech: noun Pronunciation: /ˈdʒi(ː)niaɪ/ 1. plural of genie Labels: form-of, plural Example: The latter are not elementals but spirits of the Genii order, and correspond to the inferior "gods" of the invisible world.
Word: genii Part of Speech: noun Pronunciation: /ˈdʒi(ː)niaɪ/ 1. plural of genus Labels: form-of, nonstandard, plural
Word: GBS Part of Speech: noun 1. Initialism of Guillain-Barré syndrome. Labels: abbreviation, alt-of, initialism, uncountable 2. Initialism of group B streptococcus. Labels: abbreviation, alt-of, initialism, uncountable Example: Coordinate term: GAS 3. Initialism of grain boundary sliding. Labels: abbreviation, alt-of, initialism, uncountable
Word: genetic drift Part of Speech: noun 1. An overall shift of allele distribution in an isolated population, due to random fluctuations in the frequencies of individual alleles of the genes. Labels: countable, uncountable
Word: bit by a barn mouse Part of Speech: phrase Etymology: * probably from an allusion to barley. 1. tipsy; slightly drunk Labels: UK, dialectal, idiomatic, obsolete
Word: generalist Part of Speech: noun Etymology: Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *ǵenh₁- Proto-Indo-European *-os Proto-Indo-European *ǵénh₁os Proto-Italic *genos Latin genus, generis Proto-Indo-European *h₂el-der.? Proto-Italic *-ālis Latin -ālis Latin generālisbor. Anglo-Norman generalbor. Middle French generalbor. ▲ Latin generālisder. Middle English general English general Proto-Indo-European *-id- Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *-idyéti Proto-Hellenic *-íďďō Ancient Greek -ῐ́ζω (-ĭ́zō) Proto-Hellenic *-tās Ancient Greek -τής (-tḗs) Ancient Greek -ῐστής (-ĭstḗs)bor. Latin -istader. Old French -istebor. Middle English -ist English -ist English generalist From general + -ist. Pronunciation: /ˈd͡ʒɛn.(ə.)ɹə.lɪst/, /ˈd͡ʒen.(ə.)ɹə.lɪst/ 1. A person with a broad general knowledge, especially one with more than superficial knowledge in several areas and the ability to combine ideas from diverse fields. 2. A general practitioner. 3. Species which can thrive in a wide variety of environmental conditions. A eurytopic species.
Word: brush-off Part of Speech: noun Etymology: Deverbal from brush off. 1. An abrupt rebuff, a snub or curt rejection, a disdainful dismissal. Example: A halfhearted “thank you” may be a brush-off. Example: For the first time, we in the SF ghetto are beginning to get criticism – not brush-offs from literary snobs.
Word: give someone the brush-off Part of Speech: verb 1. To rebuff, snub or curtly reject someone. Labels: idiomatic, intransitive Example: I asked three different clerks, and they all gave me the brush-off.
Word: battner Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From batten + -er; so called because beef is apt to batten or fatten those that eat it. 1. An ox. Labels: obsolete, slang Example: The cove has hushed the battner; i.e. has killed the ox.
Word: guerdon Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From Middle English guerdon, guerdoun, gardone, from Old French guerdon, guerredon, guarredon, werdon, from Medieval Latin widerdōnum, alteration of widerlōnum, from West Germanic (whence Old High German widarlōn, Old English wiþerlēan), literally ‘back-payment’, with the second element assimilated to Latin dōnum (“gift”). Pronunciation: /ˈɡəː.dən/, /ˈɡɝ.dən/ 1. A reward, prize or recompense for a service; an accolade. Labels: literary Example: For would she of her gentlenesse, Withouten more, me ones kesse, It were to me a great guerdoon. Release of all my passion […] Example: Is this the guerdon wherewithall ye quite my fruitfulnesse? Is this the honor that ye gave for my plenteousnesse And dutie done with true intent?
Word: guerdon Part of Speech: verb Etymology: From Middle English guerdon, guerdoun, gardone, from Old French guerdon, guerredon, guarredon, werdon, from Medieval Latin widerdōnum, alteration of widerlōnum, from West Germanic (whence Old High German widarlōn, Old English wiþerlēan), literally ‘back-payment’, with the second element assimilated to Latin dōnum (“gift”). Pronunciation: /ˈɡəː.dən/, /ˈɡɝ.dən/ 1. To give such a reward to. Labels: transitive Example: And when thou see'st the Admiral ride by, Discharge thy musket, and perform his death; And then I'll guerdon thee with store of crowns. Example: […] him we gave a costly bribe To guerdon silence […]
Word: bachelor's fare Part of Speech: noun Etymology: A reference to the meals that bachelors supposedly have, because they either cannot cook or are not inclined to do so. Pronunciation: /ˈbæt͡ʃələz ˈfɛə(ɹ)/, /ˈbæt͡ʃələɹz ˈfɛɹ/, /ˈbæt͡ʃləɹz ˈfɛɹ/ 1. A simple meal that requires no cooking, such as bread and cheese. Labels: dated, uncountable Example: Lady Anſw[erall]. Colonel, ſome Ladies of your Acquaintance have promis'd to breakfast with you, and I am to wait on them; what will you give us? / Col[onel Atwit]. Why, faith, Madam, Batchelors Fare; Bread and Cheeſe, and Kiſſes. / Lady Anſw. Poh! what have you Batchelors to do with your Money, but to treat the Ladies? you have nothing to keep but your own Four Quarters. Example: Tho' his house ben't so nice, he is sure to be neat, / And the ladies are always well pleas'd with his treat. / By the ſmack of their lips they at parting declare, / How delicious a feaſt they think bachelor's fare.
Word: batchelor's son Part of Speech: noun 1. A bastard; someone born out of wedlock. Labels: obsolete, vulgar
Word: gruntled Part of Speech: adj Etymology: Etymology tree English gruntle Old English -ed Proto-Indo-European *-h₂ Proto-Indo-European *-éh₂ Proto-Indo-European *-tós Proto-Indo-European *-eh₂tos Proto-Germanic *-ōdaz Old English -od Middle English -ed English -ed English gruntled From gruntle + -ed. Pronunciation: /ˈɡɹʌntl̩d/, /ˈɡɹʌnt(ə)ld/ 1. Grunted. Labels: obsolete Example: Along about the time Orion's sword sloped down the west, Chabot heard their gruntled noises and the scurry of the flock.
Word: gruntled Part of Speech: adj Etymology: Back-formation from disgruntled. Pronunciation: /ˈɡɹʌntl̩d/, /ˈɡɹʌnt(ə)ld/ 1. Contented, pleased, satisfied. Labels: humorous Example: He spoke with a certain what-is-it in his voice, and I could see that, if not actually disgruntled, he was far from being gruntled. Example: It had been a rough day, so when I walked into the party I was very chalant, despite my efforts to appear gruntled and consolate.
Word: gooseherd Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From goose + herd (“herder”). Inherited from Middle English gosherde, from Old English gōshierde, a compound of gōs (“goose”) and hierde (“herder”). 1. A person who tends to geese.
Word: battle royal Part of Speech: noun Etymology: Preserves the French pattern of adjective after noun. Royal here means “grand in scale”. Pronunciation: /ˌbætl̩ ɹɔɪˈæl/ 1. A fight involving three or more individuals, teams, or factions; fought until one person, team, or faction is left standing. Example: I was told that since I was to be there anyway I might as well take part in the battle royal to be fought by some of my schoolmates as part of the entertainment. Example: Shinty, once a battle royal between villages, is still a far tougher game than hockey, its nearest Sassenach equivalent. 2. A heated discussion or debate. Labels: broadly
Word: golden age Part of Speech: noun Pronunciation: /ˈɡəʊl.dən eɪd͡ʒ/, /ˈɡoʊl.dən eɪd͡ʒ/ 1. A period of happiness, peace, prosperity, and great progress. Labels: idiomatic Example: The first half of this century has been referred to as the golden age of medicine. To me it seems more probable that we are on the threshold of a much greater age. Example: When the album succeeds, such as on the swaggering, Queen-esque “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us,” it does so on The Darkness’ own terms—that is, as a random ’80s-cliché generator. But with so many tired, lazy callbacks to its own threadbare catalog . . . Hot Cakes marks the point where The Darkness has stopped cannibalizing the golden age of stadium rock and simply started cannibalizing itself. 2. The Golden Age.
Word: bawbee Part of Speech: noun Etymology: Borrowed from Scots bawbee. Pronunciation: /bɔːˈbiː/ 1. A coin originally worth six pennies Scots, and later three; held equivalent to an English halfpenny. Labels: Scotland, historical 2. A copper; a small amount of money. Labels: figuratively Example: He said there were already plans for a tramline, and a museum of the theatre. Folk should not, he implied, waste their bawbees on the devil's spinning wheel.
Word: gobble up Part of Speech: verb 1. To consume [something] rapidly. Labels: transitive Example: supper gobbled up in haste 2. To continually absorb or expand through annexation. Labels: broadly, figuratively Example: The city grew over the years by gobbling up land around its limits.
Word: grump Part of Speech: noun Etymology: Uncertain. Possibly altered from grum, see there for more. Pronunciation: /ɡɹʌmp/ 1. A habitually grumpy or complaining person. Labels: informal 2. A grumpy mood. Labels: informal Example: If you're not taking Action to change the situation, either sit in a grump or Accept it.
Word: grump Part of Speech: verb Etymology: Uncertain. Possibly altered from grum, see there for more. Pronunciation: /ɡɹʌmp/ 1. To complain. Labels: informal, intransitive Example: Grumping to himself as he made up his own bed, Bradly thought, "Have to wash that blanket; young blighter going to bed with all that mud on his feet." 2. To be grumpy. Labels: informal, intransitive
Word: colorisation Part of Speech: noun Etymology: Etymology tree English colorise Proto-Indo-European *-tis Proto-Indo-European *-Hō Proto-Indo-European *-tiHō Proto-Italic *-tiō Latin -tiō Latin -ātiōlbor. Old French -ationbor. Middle English -acioun English -ation English colorisation From colorise + -ation. 1. Uncommon form of colorization. Labels: form-of, uncommon, uncountable Example: When milk is kept at a high temperature for a long period of time chemical reactions take place and the resultant reaction products give rise to brown colorisation of milk and a caramel-like flavour. Example: Despite these design and safety implications, the potential of interventional MR in the future is astouding and includes: liver imaging and tumour ablation with colorisation imaging capabilities, …
Word: grumps Part of Speech: noun Pronunciation: /ɡɹʌmps/ 1. plural of grump Labels: form-of, plural
Word: grumps Part of Speech: noun Pronunciation: /ɡɹʌmps/ 1. A fit of bad temper. Labels: plural, plural-only
Word: grumps Part of Speech: verb Pronunciation: /ɡɹʌmps/ 1. third-person singular simple present indicative of grump Labels: form-of, indicative, present, singular, third-person
Word: SPCA Part of Speech: name 1. Initialism of Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Labels: abbreviation, alt-of, initialism
Word: bawdy-house bottle Part of Speech: noun 1. A very small bottle. Labels: obsolete, slang
Word: goatherd Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From Middle English goteherd, from Old English gāthierde, equivalent to goat + herd (“herder”). 1. A person who herds, tends goats. Example: 'Oh, yes. A man was brought to us about a year ago. There'd been a big storm along the southern sector of the Taklamakan. It went on for four or five days. This man was a goatherd from Tongguzbasti. He'd gone out into the desert in search of tamarisk, along with a camel for the load. At midday he had some bread and water and lay down for a sleep. When he woke there was a storm the like of which he'd never seen before. There was nothing for it but to hunker down and make the best of it; but at some point - whether it was day or night he couldn't say - he found himself on his feet, shouting and screaming at the noise, and walking for what must have been miles.' Example: Looking up from the center of Rmaich, a Christian town lodged on Lebanon’s southern border with Israel, a sun-wizened Lebanese goatherd points to a cluster of pine trees on a ridge.
Word: Bay fever Part of Speech: noun 1. Any illness feigned by convicts to avoid being sent to Botany Bay. Labels: Australia, derogatory, obsolete, slang
Word: gashed Part of Speech: adj 1. Having gashes; slashed. Labels: not-comparable
Word: gashed Part of Speech: verb 1. simple past and past participle of gash Labels: form-of, participle, past
Word: Reuben Part of Speech: name Etymology: * From Hebrew רְאוּבֵן (r'uvén), from רְאוּ (r'ú, “see [masculine plural imperative]”) + בֵּן (ben, “son”); its literal meaning is therefore roughly, "See, all: a son!" * There are several unconfirmed etymologies for the name of the sandwich. Pronunciation: /ˈɹuː.bən/, /ˈɹu.bən/ 1. First son of Jacob, by his wife Leah. Labels: countable, uncountable 2. A male given name from Hebrew. Labels: countable, uncountable 3. A surname transferred from the given name Labels: countable, uncountable 4. Ellipsis of Reuben College, Oxford. Labels: abbreviation, alt-of, countable, ellipsis, informal, uncountable
Word: Reuben Part of Speech: noun Etymology: * From Hebrew רְאוּבֵן (r'uvén), from רְאוּ (r'ú, “see [masculine plural imperative]”) + בֵּן (ben, “son”); its literal meaning is therefore roughly, "See, all: a son!" * There are several unconfirmed etymologies for the name of the sandwich. Pronunciation: /ˈɹuː.bən/, /ˈɹu.bən/ 1. A grilled or toasted sandwich made with corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and either Russian dressing or Thousand Island dressing. 2. A member of one of the Israelite tribes, descended from Reuben.
Word: Bayard of ten toes Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From the fact that humans, unlike horses, have ten toes. (Bayard was a horse famous in old romances.) 1. The feet, as a means of travelling. Labels: obsolete, slang, uncountable Example: An honest poor man is the proof of misery, where patience is put to the trial of her strength to endure grief without passion, in starving with concealed necessity, or standing in the adventures of charity : if he be married, want rings in his ears, and woe watereth his eyes : if single, he droopeth with the shame of beggary, or dies with the passion of penury : of the rich he is shunned like infection, and of the poor learns but a heart-breaking profession : his bed is the earth, and the heaven is his canopy, the sun is his summer’s comfort, and the moon is his winter’s candle : his sighs are the notes of his music, and his song is like the swan before her death : his study is patience, and his exercise prayer : his diet the herbs of the earth, and his drink the water of the river : his travel is the walk of the woeful, and his horse Bayard''' of ten toes : his apparel but the clothing of nakedness, and his wealth but the hope of heaven : he is a stranger in the world, for no man craves his acquaintance, and his funeral is without ceremony, when there is no mourning for the miss of him ; yet may he be in the state of election, and in the life of love, and more rich in grace than the greatest of the world. In sum, he is the grief of nature, the sorrow of reason, the pity of wisdom, and the charge of charity.
Word: gruesome Part of Speech: adj Etymology: From grue (“(archaic except Northern England, Scotland) to be frightened; to shudder with fear”) + -some (suffix meaning ‘characterized by some specific condition or quality, usually to a considerable degree’ forming adjectives and nouns), probably popularized by the Scottish novelist and poet Walter Scott (1771–1832): see, for example, the 1816 quotation. cognates * Danish grusom (“cruel; horrible”) * Middle Dutch grousaem, grusaem (modern Dutch gruwzaam (“cruel; gruesome”)) * Middle High German grûsam, grûwesam (modern German grausam (“cruel”)) * Norwegian Bokmål grusom (“cruel; horrible”) Pronunciation: /ˈɡɹuːsəm/, /ˈɡɹuːsm̩/, /ˈɡɹusəm/ 1. Repellently frightful and shocking; ghastly, horrific. Example: He taks a ſvvirlie, auld moſs-oak, / For ſome black, grouſome Carlin; […] Example: There's a wheen German horse doun at Glasgow yonder; they ca' their commander Wittybody, or some sic name, though he's as grave and grewsome an auld Dutchman as e'er I saw. 2. Awful, terrible. Labels: broadly, informal Example: The team was so unprepared that the way it played was just gruesome. 3. Of a person: filled with fear; afraid, fearful. Labels: archaic, rare Example: Then says I to myself,—"John Ridd, these trees, and pools, and lonesome rocks, and setting of the sunlight, are making a gruesome coward of thee. Shall I go back to my mother so, and be called her fearless boy?" Example: Some of his [Nathaniel Hawthorne's] companions, either then or afterwards, took, I believe, rather a gruesome view of his want of articulate enthusiasm, and accused him of coming to the place as a sort of intellectual vampire, for purely psychological purposes.
Word: Clive Part of Speech: name Pronunciation: /ˈklaɪv/ 1. A topographic surname from Old English - someone who lived near a cliff (Old English clif). 2. A male given name transferred from the surname, popular in Britain in the mid-twentieth century. Example: "I suppose you," she said, "were named for General Clive." "I was. And my father was named for General Brock." 3. A village in Lacombe County, Alberta, Canada. 4. A city in Dallas County and Polk County, Iowa, United States. 5. An unincorporated community in Tooele County, Utah, United States. 6. A town on the Clive River in Hawke's Bay region, New Zealand. 7. An eastern suburb of Winsford, Cheshire West and Chester, Cheshire, England (OS grid ref SJ6766). 8. A village and civil parish in north Shropshire, England (OS grid ref SJ5124).
Word: gammy Part of Speech: adj Etymology: Origin obscure and uncertain. Possibly from the English dialectal (North Midlands) adjective game (“lame”), Welsh cam (“crooked”), or from Irish cam (“bent”), by way of Shelta. Compare also Old Occitan gambi (“lame, limping”), related to Old Occitan gamba (“leg”) (see also French jambe (“leg”), English gam (“leg”)). Pronunciation: /ˈɡæmi/ 1. Injured, or not functioning properly (with respect to legs). Example: I have got a gammy leg, and can't walk far. Example: "With that gammy leg I wouldn't risk a bet against the chance of another accident on those stairs." 2. Fake; counterfeit. Labels: obsolete, slang Example: A little bit of real lace would be fixed on this as in process of making, and a lot of "gammy" stuff, imitation lace, would be carried with it. 3. Bad; unfavourable. Labels: obsolete, slang
Word: gammy Part of Speech: noun Etymology: Abbreviation + -y. Pronunciation: /ˈɡæmi/ 1. Grandmother. Labels: colloquial Example: Had our beloved gammy lost it?
Word: gamey Part of Speech: adj Etymology: Etymology tree Proto-Germanic *gamaną Proto-West Germanic *gaman Old English gamen Middle English game English game Proto-Indo-European *-kos Proto-Germanic *-gaz Proto-West Germanic *-g Old English -iġ Middle English -y English -y English gamey From game + -y. Pronunciation: /ˈɡeɪmi/ 1. Having the smell, taste and texture of game meat. 2. Plucky, spirited or gritty. 3. Risque, sordid or sexually suggestive. 4. Involving in-game actions or behaviour that break immersion or contradict common sense in favour of exploiting game mechanics.
Word: garniture Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From Middle English garnetture, from Anglo-Norman garniture, gerneiture, from Old French garneture (“accessory for a saddle”), from Old French garnir, guarnir, from Frankish *warnijan (“to prevent, deny”). Pronunciation: /ˈɡɑr.nɪ.t͡ʃər/ 1. Something that garnishes; a decoration, adornment or embellishment Example: The Countess came forward to meet them, looking more beautiful than ever. But it was not now that Emily envied her beauty;—no philosopher like a girl in love, to feel, for the time being, utter indifference to all possible pomp and garniture. Example: […] I fancied Cuthbert's reddening face / Beneath its garniture of curly gold, / Dear fellow, till I almost felt him fold / An arm in mine to fix me to the place / That way he used. 2. A matching array of plate armour and its accessories
Word: micrometer Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From French micromètre, equivalent to micro- + -meter. Pronunciation: /maɪˈkɹɒmɪtə/, /maɪˈkɹɑmɪtəɹ/, [maɪˈkɹɑmɪɾɚ] 1. A device used to measure distance very precisely but within a limited range, especially depth, thickness, and diameter.
Word: micrometer Part of Speech: noun Etymology: Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *mey-der.? Ancient Greek μῑκρός (mīkrós) Ancient Greek μῑκρο- (mīkro-)lbor. English micro- English meter English micrometer From micro- (“one millionth”) + meter. Pronunciation: /ˈmaɪkɹəˌmiːtə/, /ˈmaɪkɹoʊˌmiːtəɹ/, [ˈmaɪkɹoʊˌmiːɾɚ] 1. US spelling of micrometre (“one-millionth of a metre”). Labels: US, alt-of Example: A strain is usually expressed in μm/m (micrometer per meter), also known as microstrain, which has the symbol µε. You may also see “mV/V,” which refers to the output in millivolts per volt of excitation.
Word: gnamma Part of Speech: noun Etymology: Aboriginal Australian, an anglicization of a Nyunga language word from Western Australia describing a naturally-formed rock hole and its retained rain water. 1. A hollow or hole that is eroded or indented in bare rock, in which water collects. Labels: Australia
Word: glossal Part of Speech: adj Etymology: Etymology tree Proto-Hellenic *glṓťťā Ancient Greek γλῶσσᾰ (glôssă) English -al English glossal From Ancient Greek γλῶσσᾰ (glôssă, “a tongue”) + English -al. Pronunciation: /ˈɡlɒs.əl/, /ˈɡlɒs.l̩/, /ˈɡlɑs.əl/, /ˈɡlɔs.əl/ 1. Of or relating to the tongue. Labels: not-comparable, rare
Word: potboiler Part of Speech: noun 1. Alternative spelling of pot boiler. Labels: alt-of, alternative
Word: diabolos Part of Speech: noun 1. plural of diabolo Labels: form-of, plural
Word: backslide Part of Speech: verb Etymology: From back + slide. 1. To regress; to slip backwards or revert to a previous, worse state. Labels: intransitive Example: He felt better for a little while, before his condition started to backslide. Example: […] Monna Brigida, who had backslided into false hair in Romola's absence, but now drew it off again and declared she would not mind being gray, if her dear child would stay with her. 2. To shirk responsibility; to renege on one's obligations or commitments. Labels: transitive Example: Rich countries are backsliding on their commitment to agree to new WTO measures to help people in poor countries gain access to affordable medicines. 3. To revert back into a life of sin after being saved.
Word: backslide Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From back + slide. 1. A backward regression; a reverting back to a worse state. 2. A dance move in which the feet are alternately slid back and the heels lifted, giving the illusion of walking forwards while actually moving backwards.
Word: NAF Part of Speech: name 1. Initialism of National Arbitration Forum. Labels: US, abbreviation, alt-of, initialism
Word: go all the way Part of Speech: verb 1. To travel the entire distance to one's intended destination. Labels: intransitive, literally 2. To continue to the conclusion of a task or project. Labels: idiomatic, intransitive 3. To have sexual intercourse. Labels: colloquial, euphemistic, idiomatic, intransitive Example: Let's go all the way, baby / Let's not wait / Let's go all the way, down, it's alright Example: Take my hand and come with me / And let me show you true ecstasy / Boy, be brave, don't be afraid / 'Cause tonight we're gonna go all the way
Word: something for the weekend Part of Speech: noun 1. A condom. Labels: euphemistic, uncountable Example: When they had finished your haircut and were moving towards the till, they would lean over, pull a display box from behind a row of hair potions on the shelf, finger the box which you then saw contained condoms – normally Durex in those days – and ask, “Something for the weekend, Sir?” – even if it was only Monday! The first few times this happened to me was around 1955 and after having just left school and started work, I was extremely naïve and hadn't a clue what the barber meant.
Word: trefoil Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From Middle English trefoil, from Old French trifoil, trefeul, from Latin trifolium, from tri- (“three”) + folium (“leaf”). Pronunciation: /ˈtɹɛ.fɔɪl/, /ˈtɹiː.fɔɪl/ 1. Any of several plants of the pea family, having compound, trifoliate leaves; especially one of the genus Trifolium. 2. A symbol having the shape of such leaves, especially when used as an architectural ornament. Example: "The pristine, unbroken condition of the vessel – sometimes called a trefoil jug – caused the entire dig to 'come to a halt,' Søvsø remarked." 3. Ellipsis of trefoil knot. Labels: abbreviation, alt-of, ellipsis
Word: depressant Part of Speech: noun Etymology: Etymology tree English depress Proto-Indo-European *-onts Latin -ns Latin -āns Old French -antbor. Proto-Indo-European *-onts Proto-Germanic *-ndz Proto-West Germanic *-andī Old English -ende Middle English -ant English -ant English depressant From depress + -ant. Pronunciation: /dɪˈpɹɛsənt/ 1. A pharmacological substance which decreases neuronal or physiological activity. Labels: countable, uncountable Example: Alcohol acts first as a stimulant and then as a depressant. Example: The prescription painkiller Emily Jackson took is a respiratory depressant that slows breathing. That in combination with the alcohol, another respiratory depressant, overwhelmed her brain, which stopped giving her heart and lungs the signal to keep functioning. 2. An agent that inhibits the flotation of a mineral or minerals. Labels: countable, uncountable
Word: depressant Part of Speech: adj Etymology: Etymology tree English depress Proto-Indo-European *-onts Latin -ns Latin -āns Old French -antbor. Proto-Indo-European *-onts Proto-Germanic *-ndz Proto-West Germanic *-andī Old English -ende Middle English -ant English -ant English depressant From depress + -ant. Pronunciation: /dɪˈpɹɛsənt/ 1. Reducing functional or nervous activity. Example: the conception of the asomatous depressant malaria
Word: brod Part of Speech: verb 1. To goad or prick. Labels: Scotland, obsolete, transitive