nandhakumarms/qualc-wiktionary-en huggingface dataset:
Word: zeugma Part of Speech: noun Etymology: Borrowed from Ancient Greek ζεῦγμα (zeûgma, “yoking; a bond, a band”), from ζεύγνυμι (zeúgnumi, “to yoke; to join”), from ζεῦγος (zeûgos, “a yoke”). Pronunciation: /ˈzjuːɡ.mə/, /ˈzuːɡ.mə/ 1. The act of using a word, particularly an adjective or verb, to apply to more than one noun when its sense is appropriate to only one. Labels: countable, rhetoric, uncountable 2. Syllepsis. Labels: countable, rhetoric, uncountable Example: The existence of zeugmas suggests the rule of transitivity. Zeugmas appear incorrect because they embody an allegedly univocal use of a term in a way which violated^([sic]) the rule of transitivity. Example: Thus I would describe 'He took his leave and the wrong umbrella' as zeugma, but not 'He took his hat and umbrella'. Zeugma is an important element in Chaucer's poetic technique, not because he uses it, but because he so regularly turns it down.
Word: weakly Part of Speech: adj Etymology: From Old English wāclīċe (“weakly”), equivalent to weak + -ly (adjectival suffix); compare Old English wāclīċ (“weak; ignoble; mean”), and Old Norse veikligr (“weakly; sick”); both ultimately from Proto-Germanic *waikalīkaz (“weakly; weak”). Pronunciation: /ˈwiːkli/ 1. Frail, sickly or of a delicate constitution; weak. Example: I lay in weakly case and confined to my bed for four months before I was able to rise and health returned to me. Example: I'd always been but weakly, / And my baby was just born; / A neighbour minded her by day, / I minded her till morn.
Word: weakly Part of Speech: adv Etymology: From Middle English weykly, equivalent to weak + -ly (adverbial suffix). Compare Old High German weihlīcho (“weakly”), Middle English wocliche, wokli, wacliche (both from Proto-Germanic *waikalīkō). Pronunciation: /ˈwiːkli/ 1. With little strength or force. Example: The basitemporal platform is flat in posterior view because the mamillar tuberosities are very weakly developed.
Word: wear and tear Part of Speech: verb Etymology: The noun is derived from wear (“damage caused by use over time”, noun) + and + tear (“damage caused by tearing”, noun). The verb is derived from wear (“to cause gradual deterioration in”, verb) + and + tear (“to rend by pulling apart”, verb), modelled on the noun. Pronunciation: /ˌwɛəɹ‿ən ˈtɛə/, /ˌwɛɹ‿ən ˈtɛ(ə)ɹ/ 1. To cause (something) physical damage due to ordinary use over time; to wear (down). Labels: transitive Example: […] Solomon Skinflint, […] ſeeing a large Sheet of Paper that vvould hold three or four Pair of Hoſe, going to be vvaſted, called out, […] This gives us a freſh Opportunity of ſhevving the good Nature of this injured Gentleman; vvho […] ſaved the Paper; vvhoſe Deſtiny vvas not to be burnt, but vvorn and torn to Pieces, in a Pocket. 2. To cause emotional damage to (someone's feelings, spirit, etc.). Labels: figuratively, transitive Example: Murmuring vexes the heart, it vvears and tears the heart, it inrages and inflames the heart, it vvounds and ſtabs the heart; […] Example: The chafing and firing of that girl, the wearing and tearing of that girl within her own breast, has been such that I have softly said to her again and again in passing her, 'Five-and-twenty, Tattycoram, five-and-twenty!' I heartily wish she could have gone on counting five-and-twenty day and night, and then it wouldn't have happened. 3. Of a thing: to be caused physical damage due to ordinary use over time. Labels: intransitive Example: The wives toiled over the rough work clothing: long john underwear, heavy socks, rubber boots, thick flannel shirts, oilskins—it all wore and tore and sprung holes from the hard use of battling storm and bad weather. Example: A body moving with misalignment is like trying to put a square peg through movement's circle hole. The pieces do not fit nor work well together; jamming, wearing and tearing each time you move from daily tasks to fitness and sport.
Word: weariness Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From Middle English werynes, werinesse, from Old English wēriġnes (“weariness”), equivalent to weary + -ness. Pronunciation: /ˈwɪəɹinɪs/, /ˈwɪ(ə)ɹinɪs/ 1. Exhaustion, fatigue or tiredness. Labels: uncountable, usually Example: Now when he had reached the King's capital wherein was Alaeddin, he alighted at one of the Kháns; and, when he had rested from the weariness of wayfare, he donned his dress and went down to wander about the streets, where he never passed a group without hearing them prate about the pavilion and its grandeur and vaunt the beauty of Alaeddin and his lovesomeness, his liberality and generosity, his fine manners and his good morals. 2. A lack of interest or excitement. Labels: uncountable, usually Example: “From the end of the Bush years up through 2013 and ’14, there was a war weariness that was permeating even Republicans,” said David Boaz, author of a new book “The Libertarian Mind.” “However, the videos of ISIS beheading Americans and other people have certainly made it more difficult to stick to a noninterventionist argument.”
Word: wearing Part of Speech: adj Pronunciation: /ˈwɛɹɪŋ/, /ˈwɛəɹɪŋ/ 1. Intended to be worn. Labels: not-comparable Example: Clothes used to be called wearing apparel. 2. Causing tiredness; trying to a person's patience. Example: [The biography] also displays a rather wearing fidelity to chronology that gives rise to too many summer holidays at the beginning of the book and too many royalty statements towards the end. 3. Causing erosion. 4. That wears (deteriorate through use), and may eventually wear out. Example: Comparison of the four bogie designs shows that the Rugby-built A.E.I. bogie has the least number of components and a minimum of metallic wearing surfaces.
Word: wearing Part of Speech: noun Pronunciation: /ˈwɛɹɪŋ/, /ˈwɛəɹɪŋ/ 1. The mechanical process of eroding or grinding. 2. The act by which something is worn. Example: formal crown-wearings 3. That which is worn; clothes; garments. Example: Give me my nightly wearing and adieu.
Word: wearing Part of Speech: verb Pronunciation: /ˈwɛɹɪŋ/, /ˈwɛəɹɪŋ/ 1. present participle and gerund of wear Labels: form-of, gerund, participle, present
Word: wearisome Part of Speech: adj Etymology: From Middle English werisom, equivalent to weary + -some. Pronunciation: /ˈwɪəɹisəm/, /ˈwɪɹisəm/ 1. Tiresome, tedious or causing fatigue. Example: Gardening can be wearisome work. Example: Above all, the 48-page timetables of the new service, which have been distributed free at every station in the scheme, are a model to the rest of B.R. For the first time on British Railways, so far as we are aware, a substantial timetable has been produced, not only without a single footnote but also devoid of all wearisome asterisks, stars, letter suffixes and other hieroglyphics.
Word: wear off Part of Speech: verb 1. to diminish in effect Labels: intransitive Example: The effect of the injection will gradually wear off. Example: My passion for football has worn off –I'm into into women's volleyball now. 2. to disappear because of being abraded, over-polished, or abused Labels: intransitive Example: The silver plating on that cheap silverware will wear off.
Word: wear out Part of Speech: verb 1. To cause (something) to become damaged, useless, or ineffective through continued use, especially hard, heavy, or careless use. Example: You're going to wear out that game if you keep playing so rough with it. Example: He wears a pair of tennis shoes out every summer. 2. To deteriorate or become unusable or ineffective due to continued use, exposure, or strain. Labels: intransitive Example: The old tractor finally wore out. Example: My shoes wear out quickly now that I walk to work. 3. To exhaust; to cause or contribute to another's exhaustion, fatigue, or weariness, as by continued strain or exertion. Example: You kids are wearing me out! Example: Trying to keep up with politics wears me out. 4. To become exhausted, tired, fatigued, or weary, as by continued strain or exertion. Labels: intransitive Example: I'm wearing out, guys. Time to go to sleep. Example: They built our railways, but they wore themselves out in the process. 5. Of apparel, to display in public. Example: Those sweatpants are great for loafing around the house, but they're not meant to be worn out. 6. Of a shirt, to not tuck into the pants; to wear in a casual manner. Example: A dress shirt should be tucked in, but a t-shirt can be worn out. 7. To punish by spanking. Labels: Southern-US
Word: borrower Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From Middle English borower, borewer, borwere, equivalent to borrow + -er (agent suffix). Pronunciation: /ˈbɔɹəʊə/, /ˈbɑɹoʊɚ/ 1. One who borrows. Example: a library borrower’s card Example: But if other negative factors are operating simultaneously, or if the borrower's financial status is weak to start with, then one extra adverse development is more likely to affect returns on the loan.
Word: weary Part of Speech: adj Etymology: From Middle English wery, weri, from Old English wēriġ (“weary”), from Proto-West Germanic *wōrīg, *wōrag (“weary”). Cognate with Saterland Frisian wuurich (“weary, tired”), West Frisian wurch (“tired”), Dutch dialectal wurrig (“exhausted”), Old Saxon wōrig (“weary”), Old High German wōrag, wuarag (“drunken”), Latvian vārgs (“weak”), Lithuanian vergas (“slave”), Latvian vergs (“slave”). Pronunciation: /ˈwɪə̯ɹi/, /ˈwɪːɹɪj/, /ˈwɪɹi/, /ˈwɪɚi/, /ˈwiɹi/ 1. Having the strength exhausted by toil or exertion; tired; fatigued. Example: A weary traveller knocked at the door. Example: I care not for my spirits if my legs were not weary. 2. Having one's patience, relish, or contentment exhausted; tired; sick. Example: soldiers weary of marching, or of confinement; I grew weary of studying and left the library. Example: [Henry Chang:] Could I persuade you to accept my hospitality until such time as you should grow weary of me? [Shangai Lily:] I'm weary of you now. 3. Expressive of fatigue. Example: He gave me a weary smile. 4. Causing weariness; tiresome. Example: And now she was vppon the weary way, Example: There passed a weary time.
Word: weary Part of Speech: verb Etymology: From Middle English wery, weri, from Old English wēriġ (“weary”), from Proto-West Germanic *wōrīg, *wōrag (“weary”). Cognate with Saterland Frisian wuurich (“weary, tired”), West Frisian wurch (“tired”), Dutch dialectal wurrig (“exhausted”), Old Saxon wōrig (“weary”), Old High German wōrag, wuarag (“drunken”), Latvian vārgs (“weak”), Lithuanian vergas (“slave”), Latvian vergs (“slave”). Pronunciation: /ˈwɪə̯ɹi/, /ˈwɪːɹɪj/, /ˈwɪɹi/, /ˈwɪɚi/, /ˈwiɹi/ 1. To make or to become weary. Labels: ambitransitive Example: So shall he waste his means, weary his soldiers, Example: I would not cease / To wearie him with my assiduous cries.
Word: concur Part of Speech: verb Etymology: Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *ḱe? Proto-Indo-European *ḱóm Proto-Italic *kom Proto-Italic *kom- Latin con- Proto-Indo-European *ḱers- Proto-Indo-European *-éti Proto-Indo-European *ḱr̥séti Proto-Italic *korzō Latin currō Latin concurrobor. English concur Borrowed from Latin concurro (“to run together, agree”). Pronunciation: /kəŋˈkɝ/, /kəŋˈkɜː/ 1. To agree (in action or opinion); to have a common opinion; to coincide; to correspond. Example: The jury concurs with the case put forward by the defence lawyer, that the defendant is undoubtedly innocent. Example: I do not concur that this is the best way forward. 2. To meet in the same point; to combine or conjoin; to contribute or help towards a common object or effect. Example: concurring plans Example: concurring lines of thought 3. To run together; to meet. Labels: obsolete 4. To converge. Labels: rare
Word: weather forecast Part of Speech: noun 1. A prediction of future weather, often for a specific locality, in a newspaper or on the radio or television. Example: Near-synonym: weather report Example: It may be sunny today, but the weather forecast is predicting rain for tomorrow.
Word: weather forecasting Part of Speech: noun 1. The science of using meteorology to predict future weather. Labels: uncountable
Word: inherent Part of Speech: adj Etymology: Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₁én Proto-Italic *en Proto-Italic *en- Latin in- Latin haereō Latin inhaereō Latin inhaerentembor. English inherent From Latin inhaerentem, accusative singular of inhaerēns, present active participle of inhaereō (“to be closely connected with; to adhere to”). Pronunciation: /ɪnˈhɪəɹənt/, /ɪnˈhɛɹənt/ 1. Naturally as part or consequence of something. Labels: not-comparable Example: There is a stern melancholy in his dark features, inherent and engrossing, which rivets the attention. Example: One of the hidden glories of Victorian engineering is proper drains.[…]But out of sight is out of mind. And that, together with the inherent yuckiness of the subject, means that many old sewers have been neglected and are in dire need of repair.
Word: foreshadow Part of Speech: verb Etymology: The verb is derived from fore- (prefix meaning ‘before with respect to time, earlier’) + shadow (“to shade, cloud, or darken”, verb). The noun is derived from fore- + shadow (“faint and imperfect representation”, noun), probably modelled after the verb which is attested earlier. Pronunciation: /fɔːˈʃædəʊ/, /ˌfɔːˈʃædəʊ/, /fə-/, /fɔɹˈʃædoʊ/, /fəɹ-/ 1. To suggest (someone or something) in advance; to prefigure, to presage. Labels: transitive Example: [T]he ceremonies commaunded in the lawe, did foreſhadowe Chriſt. Example: [T]hat the excellency and efficacy of this [Jesus's] death and passion might appear, it was by manifold types foreshadowed, and in divers prophecies foretold. 2. Of a person: to have an intuition or premonition about (something); to forebode. Labels: rare, transitive Example: Another consequence that he had never foreshadowed, was the implication of an innocent man in his supposed murder.
Word: foreshadow Part of Speech: noun Etymology: The verb is derived from fore- (prefix meaning ‘before with respect to time, earlier’) + shadow (“to shade, cloud, or darken”, verb). The noun is derived from fore- + shadow (“faint and imperfect representation”, noun), probably modelled after the verb which is attested earlier. Pronunciation: /ˈfɔːˌʃædəʊ/, /ˈfɔɹˌʃædoʊ/ 1. A suggestion of something in advance; a harbinger, a portent. Labels: transitive Example: At present it is only in local glimpses, and by significant fragments, picked often at wide-enough intervals from the original Volume, and carefully collated, that we can hope to impart some outline or foreshadow of this Doctrine. Example: Fore-shadows, call them rather fore-splendours, of that Truth, and Beginning of Truths, fell mysteriously over my soul.
Word: malodor Part of Speech: noun Etymology: Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *(s)mel-? Proto-Italic *malos Latin malus Latin maleder. Old French mal- English mal- English odor English malodor From mal- (“bad”) + odor. Pronunciation: /ˌmælˈəʊ.də(ɹ)/, /ˌmælˈoʊ.dɚ/ 1. An offensive odor.
Word: redder Part of Speech: adj Pronunciation: /ˈɹɛdɚ/ 1. comparative form of red: more red Labels: comparative, form-of
Word: reddest Part of Speech: adj Pronunciation: /ˈɹɛdɪst/ 1. superlative form of red: most red Labels: form-of, superlative
Word: brownish Part of Speech: adj Etymology: Etymology tree English brown Proto-Indo-European *-iskos Proto-Germanic *-iskaz Proto-West Germanic *-isk Old English -isċ Middle English -ish English -ish English brownish From brown + -ish. Pronunciation: /ˈbɹaʊnɪʃ/ 1. Of a colour which resembles brown; somewhat brown. Example: The Giraffe and the Zebra and the Eland and the Koodoo and the Hartebeest lived there; and they were 'sclusively sandy-yellow-brownish all over […] Example: Two pumps stood side by side in our kitchen. One was for well water and one was a cistern pump—water from the former was hard and clear, from the cistern it was brownish and soft.
Word: maltase Part of Speech: noun Etymology: Etymology tree English malt Proto-Indo-European *dwóh₁ Proto-Indo-European *dwísder. Ancient Greek διά (diá) Ancient Greek δῐᾰ- (dĭă-) Proto-Indo-European *steh₂- Proto-Indo-European *stísteh₂ti Proto-Hellenic *hístāmi Ancient Greek ῐ̔́στημῐ (hĭ́stēmĭ) Ancient Greek δῐῐ̈́στημῐ (dĭĭ̈́stēmĭ) Ancient Greek δῐᾰ́στᾰσῐς (dĭắstăsĭs) English diastase English -ase English maltase From malt + -ase. 1. An enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of maltose to glucose; often associated with amylase. Labels: countable, uncountable
Word: catalyze Part of Speech: verb Pronunciation: /ˈkætəˌlaɪz/ 1. To bring about the catalysis of a chemical reaction. Labels: transitive 2. To accelerate a process. Labels: transitive 3. To inspire significantly by catalysis. Labels: transitive
Word: catalysis Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From Ancient Greek κατάλυσις (katálusis, “dissolution”), from καταλύω (katalúō, “I dissolve”), from κατά (katá, “down”) + λύω (lúō, “I loose”). By surface analysis, cata- + -lysis. Pronunciation: /kəˈtæləsɪs/ 1. The increase of the rate of a chemical reaction, induced by a catalyst. Labels: countable, uncountable
Word: putrefaction Part of Speech: noun Etymology: First attested between 1350 and 1400 from Middle English putrefaccioun, from Old French putrefaccïon, from Latin putrefactiō, from putrefactus, perfect passive participle of putrefaciō (“become rotten”) Pronunciation: /ˌpjuːtɹəˈfækʃən/ 1. The act of causing to rot; the anaerobic splitting of proteins by bacteria and fungi with the formation of malodorous, incompletely oxidized products. Labels: countable, uncountable 2. Rotten material. Labels: countable, uncountable 3. The state of being rotten. Labels: countable, uncountable
Word: stour Part of Speech: adj Etymology: From Middle English store, stoor, stour (“tall, powerful”), from Old English stōr (“tall, great, mighty, strong”), from Proto-West Germanic *stōr, from Proto-Germanic *stōraz, *stōrijaz (“great, big, strong”), from Proto-Indo-European *stā-r-, *stō-r- (“steadfast, firm; standing tall; big, bulky”). Cognates Akin to Scots stour (“tall, large, great, stout”), Saterland Frisian stor (“great, many”), Danish, Swedish and Norwegian stor (“large, great”), Icelandic stórr (“large, tall”), Polish stary (“old, ancient”), Albanian stër- (“big, huge”). Compare also stoor, steer, stately. Pronunciation: /ˈstɔː/, /ˈstʊə/, /ˈstɔɹ/, /ˈstʊɚ/ 1. Tall; big; stout. Labels: dialectal, regional 2. Strong; powerful; hardy; robust; sturdy. Labels: dialectal, regional 3. Bold; audacious. Labels: dialectal, regional 4. Rough in manner; stern; austere; ill-tempered. Labels: dialectal, regional 5. Rough; hoarse; deep-toned; harsh. Labels: dialectal, regional 6. Inflexible, stiff. Labels: dialectal, regional, usually Example: A fenny gooſe, even as her fleſhe is blacker, ſtoorer, unholſomer, ſo is her feather, for the ſame cauſe, courſer, ſtoorer, and rougher, and therefore I have heard very good fletchers ſay, that the ſecond fether in ſome place is better than the pinion in other ſome. 7. Resolute; unyielding. Labels: obsolete
Word: stour Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From Middle English store, stoor, stour (“tall, powerful”), from Old English stōr (“tall, great, mighty, strong”), from Proto-West Germanic *stōr, from Proto-Germanic *stōraz, *stōrijaz (“great, big, strong”), from Proto-Indo-European *stā-r-, *stō-r- (“steadfast, firm; standing tall; big, bulky”). Cognates Akin to Scots stour (“tall, large, great, stout”), Saterland Frisian stor (“great, many”), Danish, Swedish and Norwegian stor (“large, great”), Icelandic stórr (“large, tall”), Polish stary (“old, ancient”), Albanian stër- (“big, huge”). Compare also stoor, steer, stately. Pronunciation: /ˈstɔː/, /ˈstʊə/, /ˈstɔɹ/, /ˈstʊɚ/ 1. A blowing or deposit of dust; dust in motion or at rest; dust in general. Labels: UK, Ulster, dialectal
Word: stour Part of Speech: adv Etymology: From Middle English store, stoor, stour (“tall, powerful”), from Old English stōr (“tall, great, mighty, strong”), from Proto-West Germanic *stōr, from Proto-Germanic *stōraz, *stōrijaz (“great, big, strong”), from Proto-Indo-European *stā-r-, *stō-r- (“steadfast, firm; standing tall; big, bulky”). Cognates Akin to Scots stour (“tall, large, great, stout”), Saterland Frisian stor (“great, many”), Danish, Swedish and Norwegian stor (“large, great”), Icelandic stórr (“large, tall”), Polish stary (“old, ancient”), Albanian stër- (“big, huge”). Compare also stoor, steer, stately. Pronunciation: /ˈstɔː/, /ˈstʊə/, /ˈstɔɹ/, /ˈstʊɚ/ 1. Severely; strongly. Labels: dialectal
Word: stour Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From Middle English stoure, stourre, from Old Norse staurr (“a stake, pale”), from Proto-Germanic *stauraz (“pole, support”), from Proto-Indo-European *stā- (“to stand, place”). Cognate with Icelandic staur (“a stake, pole”), Ancient Greek σταυρός (staurós, “a stake, cross”). Pronunciation: /ˈstaʊə/, /ˈstaʊ.ə/, /ˈstaʊɚ/, /ˈstaʊɹ/ 1. A stake. 2. A round of a ladder. 3. A stave in the side of a wagon. 4. A large pole by which barges are propelled against the stream; a poy.
Word: stour Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From Middle English stour, stor (“conflict”) from Anglo-Norman estur (“conflict, struggle”), from Old French estour, estor, estorme, estourmie, estormie (“battle, assault, conflict, tumult”), from Vulgar Latin *estorma, *storma (“battle, conflict, storm”), from Frankish *sturm (“storm, commotion, battle”), from Proto-Germanic *sturmaz (“storm”). Akin to Old High German sturm (“battle, storm”). More at storm. Pronunciation: /ˈstɔː/, /ˈstʊə/, /ˈstɔɹ/, /ˈstʊ(ə)ɹ/ 1. An armed battle or conflict. Labels: obsolete Example: Then there began a passyng harde stoure, for the Romaynes ever wexed ever bygger. Example: This pair, who past have many a dreadful stour, / And proffer now to prove this venture stout, / Alone to this attempt let them go forth, / Alone than thousands of more price and worth. 2. A time of struggle or stress. Labels: obsolete Example: Then gan she waile and weepe, to see that woefull stowre. 3. Tumult, commotion; confusion. Labels: dialectal
Word: stour Part of Speech: verb Etymology: From Middle English stour, stor (“conflict”) from Anglo-Norman estur (“conflict, struggle”), from Old French estour, estor, estorme, estourmie, estormie (“battle, assault, conflict, tumult”), from Vulgar Latin *estorma, *storma (“battle, conflict, storm”), from Frankish *sturm (“storm, commotion, battle”), from Proto-Germanic *sturmaz (“storm”). Akin to Old High German sturm (“battle, storm”). More at storm. Pronunciation: /ˈstɔː/, /ˈstʊə/, /ˈstɔɹ/, /ˈstʊ(ə)ɹ/ 1. Alternative form of stoor. Labels: alt-of, alternative
Word: flippant Part of Speech: adj Etymology: 1595, from Northern English dialectal flippand (“prattling, babbling, glib”), present participle of flip (“to babble”), of North Germanic origin. Cognate with Icelandic fleipa (“to babble, prattle”), Swedish dialectal flepa (“to talk nonsense”). Alteration of -and suffix (a variant of the participial -ing) to -ant probably due to influence from words in -ant. Pronunciation: /ˈflɪp.ənt/ 1. Showing disrespect through a casual attitude, levity, and a lack of due seriousness; pert. Example: a sort of flippant, vain discourse Example: The conversations had grown more adult over the years—she was less flippant, at least. 2. Loquacious; speaking with ease and rapidity. Labels: archaic Example: November 5, 1673, Isaac Barrow, sermon on the Gunpowder Treason It becometh good men, in such cases, to be pleasantly flippant and free in their speech. 3. Nimble; limber. Labels: dialectal
Word: caricature Part of Speech: noun Etymology: Borrowed from French caricature, from Italian caricatùra, ultimately from Latin carrus, and so not related to character, which is instead ultimately from Ancient Greek χαρακτήρ (kharaktḗr, “type, nature, character”). Pronunciation: /ˈkɛɹɪkət͡ʃʊɚ/, /ˈkɛɹɪkət͡ʃɚ/, /kəˈɹɪkət͡ʃʊɚ/, /kəˈɹɪkət͡ʃɚ/, /ˈkæɹɪkəˌtʃʊə/ 1. A pictorial representation of someone in which distinguishing features are exaggerated for comic effect. Example: Lo Ching-chong (羅慶忠), better known as L.C.C., showed off a caricature of Lu he did in 2001. In the black-and-white drawing, Lu sports a bird's nest-like hairdo, with a bird perched in it. Example: Men In Black 3 lacks the novelty of the first film, and its take on the late ’60s feels an awful lot like a psychedelic dress-up party, all broad caricatures and groovy vibes. 2. A grotesque misrepresentation. Example: A grotesque caricature of virtue. Example: Anything more appalling than this jumbled mass of the remains of a departed race I cannot imagine, and what made it even more dreadful was that in this dry air a considerable number of the bodies had simply become desiccated with the skin still on them, and now, fixed in every conceivable position, stared at us out of the mountain of white bones, grotesquely horrible caricatures of humanity. 3. In facial recognition systems, a face that has been modified to look less like the average face, and thus more distinctive.
Word: caricature Part of Speech: adj Etymology: Borrowed from French caricature, from Italian caricatùra, ultimately from Latin carrus, and so not related to character, which is instead ultimately from Ancient Greek χαρακτήρ (kharaktḗr, “type, nature, character”). Pronunciation: /ˈkɛɹɪkət͡ʃʊɚ/, /ˈkɛɹɪkət͡ʃɚ/, /kəˈɹɪkət͡ʃʊɚ/, /kəˈɹɪkət͡ʃɚ/, /ˈkæɹɪkəˌtʃʊə/ 1. Having the characteristics of a caricature, grotesque. Labels: not-comparable Example: That singularly foolish old lady, her grandmother, got up a sort of caricature conspiracy, and Miss Churchill was to have been married to a coxcombical Jacobite, of the name of Trevanion; but he was arrested in the church, though he has since escaped by means of the jailor's daughter.
Word: caricature Part of Speech: verb Etymology: Borrowed from French caricature, from Italian caricatùra, ultimately from Latin carrus, and so not related to character, which is instead ultimately from Ancient Greek χαρακτήρ (kharaktḗr, “type, nature, character”). Pronunciation: /ˈkɛɹɪkət͡ʃʊɚ/, /ˈkɛɹɪkət͡ʃɚ/, /kəˈɹɪkət͡ʃʊɚ/, /kəˈɹɪkət͡ʃɚ/, /ˈkæɹɪkəˌtʃʊə/ 1. To represent someone in an exaggerated or distorted manner. Example: Their faults grew suddenly perceptible, and their absurdities an unfailing subject of mimicry. All these, in his hands, became singularly amusing. Francesca, who had little knowledge, and no envy, of the individuals so relentlessly caricatured, could not help being entertained.
Word: flippancy Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From flippant + -cy. Pronunciation: /ˈflɪ.pən.si/, /ˈflɪ.pɛn.si/, /ˈflɪ.pɛnt.si/ 1. A disrespectful levity or pertness especially in respect to grave or sacred matters. Labels: countable, uncountable Example: "It was the same direction from which the American had come. Something terrible lay that way. It was my business to find out what it was." "What did you do?" My flippancy was all gone.
Word: levity Part of Speech: noun Etymology: Coined in 1564, from Latin levitās (“lightness, frivolity”), from levis (“lightness (in weight)”). Cognate to lever, and more distantly, light. Pronunciation: /ˈlɛ.vɪ.ti/ 1. A lightness of manner or speech, frivolity; flippancy; a lack of appropriate seriousness; an inclination to make a joke of serious matters. Labels: uncountable, usually Example: An attempt to inject a little levity into the proceedings. 2. A lack of steadiness. Labels: obsolete, uncountable, usually 3. The state or quality of being light, buoyancy. Labels: uncountable, usually Example: Most of the confidences were unsought - frequently I have feigned sleep, preoccupation or a hostile levity […] Example: […]it would really seem as if there was something nomadic in our natures, a principle of levity and restlessness […] 4. A lighthearted or frivolous act. Labels: countable, usually Example: For though it be something wonderful to tell that any should have hearts so hardened, in the midst of such a calamity, as to rob and steal, yet certain it is that all sorts of villainies, and even levities and debaucheries, were then practiced in the town as openly as ever: I will not say quite as frequently, because the number of people were many ways lessened. Example: […] or do the people joy less than common in their levities?"
Word: unseemly Part of Speech: adj Etymology: From Middle English unsemli, probably a partial calque of Old Norse úsǽmiligr (“unseemly”); equivalent to un- + seemly. Cognate with Icelandic ósæmileg (“offensive”), Norwegian usømmelig (“unseemly”), Danish usømmelig (“unseemly”), German unziemlich. 1. Inconsistent with established standards of good form or taste. Example: He was drunk and made some very unseemly comments. Example: Yet this I can say, I was very wary of giving them occasion, by any unseemly action, to make them averse to going on pilgrimage.
Word: unseemly Part of Speech: adv Etymology: From Middle English unsemli, probably a partial calque of Old Norse úsǽmiligr (“unseemly”); equivalent to un- + seemly. Cognate with Icelandic ósæmileg (“offensive”), Norwegian usømmelig (“unseemly”), Danish usømmelig (“unseemly”), German unziemlich. 1. In an unseemly manner. Example: […] [Charitie] Doeth not behaue it selfe vnseemly, seeketh not her owne, is not easily prouoked, thinketh no euill,
Word: frivolity Part of Speech: noun Etymology: Borrowed from French frivolité. Pronunciation: /fɹɪˈvɒlɪti/, /fɹɪˈvɑlɪti/ 1. frivolous act Labels: countable, uncountable 2. state of being frivolous Labels: countable, uncountable Example: The sight of their own blood in the white snow may even have been what provided the jolt to transform them from playful children recklessly delighting in the surprise of an unseasonable snowfall into a whooping army of mutineers urged on by a tiny cadre of seditious underclassmen to turn their rambunctious frivolity into stunning mischief and, with an outburst of everything untamed in them (despite regular attendance at chapel), to tumble and roll and skid down the Hill through the deep snow and commence a stupendous night out. Example: “Look at this festive assembly. All of us, gathered here together, chuckling at jokes and silliness.” [laughter] “And jackanapery.” [rim shots] “I guess there's only one thing left to say. What is this shit?” [rim shot] [laughter] “[laughs] Very good.” “You call yourselves vampires? Bah. This entire evening has been nothing but a pageant of insipid nonsense.” “[laughing] Yes.” “Worshipping at the altar of your own mediocre frivolity. A jester's hollow dance. And who is laughing?” “Yeah! [whoops] [grunts]” “Vampires are supposed to have blood orgies and slaughter circles. Gah! You have all gone soft. You even invited humans to this asinine affair.”
Word: disrespectful Part of Speech: adj Etymology: Etymology tree Latin dis- Old French des-bor. Latin dis-bor. Middle English dis- English dis- English respectful English disrespectful From dis- + respectful. Pronunciation: /dɪs.ɹɪˈspɛkt.fəl/ 1. Lacking respect. 2. irrespective, heedless, regardless Example: That alone, apart from Mr. Wyse’s old-fashioned notions on the subject, made telephoning impossible, for your summons was usually answered by his cook, who instantly began scolding the butcher irrespective and disrespectful of whom you were.
Word: snarf Part of Speech: verb Etymology: Probably of imitative origin. Alternatively, perhaps a blend of snack + scarf or snort + scarf. First attested in 1963. Pronunciation: /snɑː(ɹ)f/ 1. To eat or consume greedily. Labels: slang, transitive Example: He snarfed a whole bag of chips in a couple of minutes! Example: Freed from the usual inhibitions, we get home and I snarf down pasta salad right out of the Tupperware container[…] 2. To take something by dubious means, but without the connotations of stealing; to take something without regard to etiquette. Labels: slang, transitive Example: I snarfed a bunch of freebies from the vendor's booth when he wasn't looking. Example: As the two friends […] exited the door, they noticed two businesses, quick to snarf up the growing gay market in holiday spendingg, had pinned up notices. 3. To slurp (computing slang sense); to load in entirely; to copy as a whole. Labels: slang, transitive Example: I snarfed the whole database into my program. 4. To fetch (in general). Labels: broadly, slang, transitive Example: Either write-through or write-back policy caches may snarf the data that the bus master is writing to memory. Example: ...in addition, the embedding enables the designer to snarf features from the underlying language […]
Word: couldn't happen to a nicer Part of Speech: phrase 1. Sarcastically asserts that those in question thoroughly deserve their fate. Labels: idiomatic Example: So the CEO of ScamCo is going to prison? Couldn't happen to a nicer guy.
Word: cheesecake Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From Middle English chesekake; equivalent to cheese + cake. Compare chess cake. Pronunciation: /ˈt͡ʃiːzˌkeɪk/, /ˈt͡ʃizˌkeɪk/, /ˈt͡ʃɛzˌkeɪk/, /ˈt͡ʃɪzˌkeɪk/ 1. A pie made of sweetened and flavoured cottage cheese or cream cheese, eggs and milk on a crunchy base. Labels: countable, uncountable Example: Cheesecake is an especially delicious dessert. 2. A pie made of cream, eggs and milk (somewhat resembling the modern American chess cake). Labels: countable, obsolete, uncountable 3. Imagery of scantily clad, sexually attractive young women; pin-ups. Labels: uncountable Example: Company policy forbids displaying cheesecake in the locker rooms. Example: She was turning back toward the cameraman when she caught the pose of the filing clerk who was sitting on the corner of the desk with her skirt over her knees, her toes pointed down so that her crossed legs showed to advantage. "Now what the hell are you doing sitting there sticking that nylon out at the camera?" Bertha asked. (...) A man who had been standing over behind the filing case came out and said, "We're going to need cheesecake, Mrs. Cool. If we don't have cheesecake, the papers won't publish it."
Word: cordate Part of Speech: adj Etymology: Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *ḱerd- Proto-Indo-European *ḱḗr Proto-Indo-European *ḱr̥d- Proto-Italic *kord Latin cor(d) Proto-Indo-European *-h₂ Proto-Indo-European *-éh₂ Proto-Indo-European *-tós Proto-Indo-European *-eh₂tos Proto-Italic *-ātos Latin -ātuslbor. English -ate English cordate From Latin cor(d) (“heart”) + English -ate (adjective-forming suffix). Pronunciation: /ˈkɔːdeɪt/, /ˈkɔːɹdeɪt/ 1. Heart-shaped, with a point at the apex and a notch at the base.
Word: cordate Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From the substantivation of the above adjective, alternatively straight from Latin cord- (“heart”) + -ate (noun-forming suffix). Pronunciation: /ˈkɔːdeɪt/, /ˈkɔːɹdeɪt/ 1. Any animal with a heart. Example: If, for instance, the context: Example: The organisms in any sample of tigers will almost always happen to exemplify genetic properties more specific than the property shared by exactly the tigers, as well as a number of more inclusive ones such as properties common to all mammals or to all cordates. 2. A heart-shaped hand axe. Example: The upper loam (E) has been reported to have yielded several white-patinated implements, including a large number of pointed handaxes, cordates, ovates and cleavers. Example: Of the 58 ovates, cordates and cleavers examined, 21 have a tranchet sharpened edge, and 14 are twisted. 3. Misspelling of chordate. Labels: alt-of, misspelling Example: For quotations using this term, see Citations:cordate.
Word: supine Part of Speech: adj Etymology: The adjective is borrowed from Latin supīnus, from *sup- (see sub (“under”)) + -īnus (“of, pertaining to”). The word is cognate with Catalan supí, Italian supino, Old French sovin, Middle French souvin, Anglo-Norman supin, Old Occitan sobin, sopin, Portuguese supino, Spanish supino. Partly displaced Old English upweard (“upward, supine”), whence Modern English upward. The noun is from Late Middle English supin (“supine of a Latin verb”) or Middle French supin (“(grammar) supine”), from Latin supīnum, (ellipsis of supīnum verbum (“supine verb”)), from supīnus; further etymology above. Pronunciation: /ˈs(j)uːpaɪn/, /ˌsuˈpaɪn/, /ˈsuˌpaɪn/ 1. Lying on its back. Example: Poor Pnin had come down the last steps on his back. He lay supine for a moment, his eyes moving to and fro. Example: Data, in part previously reported by this laboratory (2, 9), on the effects of mannitol loads in supine subjects, and of saline infusions in both supine and standing subjects, have also been used in the construction of Table III and Figures 1 and 2. 2. Turned facing toward the body or upward: with the thumb outward (palm up), or with the big toe raised relative to the little toe. Example: when one is washing one’s face, the hand is in the supine position; and then the forearm is also in the supine position; when the foot is resting on the outer side of the sole, it is in the supine position 3. Reluctant to take action due to indifference or moral weakness; apathetic or passive towards something. Labels: figuratively Example: Such corruption is commonplace in a world of supine civil servants and underfunded ministries. Example: [W]hen Man was fallen, and had abandoned his primitive Innocence, [...] he became puſillanimous, and was eaſily ruffled with every little Paſſion within: ſupine, and as openly expoſed to any Temptation or Aſſault from without. 4. Inclining or leaning backward; inclined, sloping. Labels: poetic, rare Example: But if the Vine / On riſing Ground be plac'd, or Hills ſupine, / Extend thy looſe Battalions largely wide, / Opening thy Ranks and Files on either Side: [...]
Word: supine Part of Speech: noun Etymology: The adjective is borrowed from Latin supīnus, from *sup- (see sub (“under”)) + -īnus (“of, pertaining to”). The word is cognate with Catalan supí, Italian supino, Old French sovin, Middle French souvin, Anglo-Norman supin, Old Occitan sobin, sopin, Portuguese supino, Spanish supino. Partly displaced Old English upweard (“upward, supine”), whence Modern English upward. The noun is from Late Middle English supin (“supine of a Latin verb”) or Middle French supin (“(grammar) supine”), from Latin supīnum, (ellipsis of supīnum verbum (“supine verb”)), from supīnus; further etymology above. Pronunciation: /ˈs(j)uːpaɪn/, /ˌsuˈpaɪn/, /ˈsuˌpaɪn/ 1. In Latin and other languages: a type of verbal noun used in the ablative and accusative cases, which shares the same stem as the passive participle. Labels: also, attributive Example: And here also you may observ, that the syllable which is doubled in the Preterperfect tens is not doubled in the Supines, as totondi to clip, make's tonsum: cecídi to beat, cæsum: […] Example: There be alſo appertaining unto Verbs, two Supines, the one ending in um, which is called the firſt Supine, becauſe it hath the ſignification of the Verb Active: as, Eo amatum, I go to love: and the other in u, becauſe it hath for the moſt part the ſignification of Paſſive, as Difficilis amatu, hard to be loved. 2. In Swedish, Faroese, Icelandic and Old Norse: a verb form that combines with an inflection of ha/hafa/hava to form the present perfect and pluperfect tenses. Labels: also, attributive Example: The three conjugations are distinguished principally by the ending of the supine. In the first conjugation the supine ends in at, as: tala speak talat spoken. In the second conjugation the supine ends in t after a consonant, as: köpa buy köpt bought. In the third conjugation the supine ends in it, as: taga take tagit taken. Example: There are two non-finite forms in Swedish, the infinitive and the supine. […] The supine has two basic allomorphs: -t (weak verbs) and -it (strong verbs). […] The supine verb phrase serves as complement of the perfect auxiliary ha 'have' (hon hade bundit honom) which can be deleted, though, in subordinate clauses (eftersom hon [hade] bundit honom 'since she had bound him'). (The supine has existed as a morphologically distinct category in standard Swedish language at least since the 19th c.; cf. art. 155.) 3. (obsolete terminology) The 'to'-prefixed infinitive in English or other Germanic languages, so named because the infinitive was regarded as a verbal noun and the 'to'-prefixed form of it was seen as the dative form of the verbal noun; the full infinitive. Labels: also, attributive
Word: farmhand Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From farm + hand. Pronunciation: /ˈfɑːmˌhænd/, /ˈfɑɹmˌhænd/ 1. Synonym of farmworker. 2. A player in the minor leagues.
Word: throe Part of Speech: verb Etymology: The noun is probably derived partly: * from Middle English throu, throwe (“(chiefly in the plural) uterine contraction during the birth of a child; pain experienced while giving birth; suffering; a pain; emotional distress, anxiety”) [and other forms], perhaps from: ** Old English þrawu (rare), a variant of þrēa (“affliction, torment; disaster; oppression; a rebuke; severity; threat”), from Proto-West Germanic *þrau, from Proto-Germanic *þrawō (“longing; suffering”), from Proto-Indo-European *trewh₁-; and ** Old English þrōwian (“to endure, suffer”), from Proto-Germanic *þrōwijaną, probably from *þrawō (see above); and ** Old Norse þrá (“longing, yearning”), from Proto-Germanic *þrawō (see above); and * from Middle English throuen (“to endure distress, suffer; to be ill, to have a fever; to suffer (death, hardship, illness, punishment, etc.); to endure (sadness, hard work, etc.)”) [and other forms], from Old English þrōwian (see above). The current spelling of the word is a 16th-century variant of Middle English throu, throwe, perhaps to avoid confusion with throw (“act of turning or twisting; fit of bad temper or peevishness; look of anger, bad temper, irritation, etc., a grimace”). The verb is derived: * from the noun; and * perhaps from Middle English throuen (verb) (see above). Pronunciation: /θɹəʊ/, /θɹoʊ/ 1. To cause (someone) to feel throes, as if in childbirth; to put in agony. Labels: obsolete, transitive Example: Pre-thee ſay on, / The ſetting of thine eye, and cheeke proclaime / A matter from thee; and a birth, indeed, / Which throwes thee much to yeeld. 2. To feel throes; to struggle in extreme pain; to be in agony; to agonize. Labels: intransitive, obsolete Example: [W]hile yet he gazed at the wonderful countenance, his memory began to throe and struggle.
Word: throe Part of Speech: noun Etymology: Perhaps a variant of froe. Pronunciation: /θɹəʊ/, /θɹoʊ/ 1. Synonym of froe (“a cleaving tool for splitting cask staves and shingles from a block of wood”). Labels: obsolete
Word: fudge packer Part of Speech: noun Etymology: See pack fudge. 1. A male homosexual. Labels: derogatory, slang Example: How dare you talk to me that way, you fat old fudge packer! Example: There was obviously no way in hell he was going to say he was homosexual, queer, a fairy, a pansy, a fudge packer, a corn holer, or whatever the kids these days said so easily but that not so very long ago all but equaled death, and in fact sometimes still did. 2. A person who practices anal sex. Labels: slang 3. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see fudge, packer. Example: (spotting Tom Cruise boxing candy in a factory) Hey guys, check it out! Tom Cruise is a fudge packer!
Word: weathercock Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From Middle English wetharcoke, weþercok, wedercoc, wederkok, equivalent to weather + cock. 1. A weather vane, sometimes in the form of a cockerel. 2. One who veers with every change of current opinion; a fickle, inconstant person. Labels: figuratively 3. A kind of wind pump whose top behaves like a weather vane, moving with the wind direction, but which also has a wheel attached to measure wind speed. Labels: Canada, US
Word: weathercock Part of Speech: verb Etymology: From Middle English wetharcoke, weþercok, wedercoc, wederkok, equivalent to weather + cock. 1. To turn upwind because of the difference in water pressure on two sides. Labels: intransitive 2. To veer into the direction of the oncoming (relative) wind. Labels: intransitive 3. To act as a weathercock for. Labels: transitive
Word: weather vane Part of Speech: noun Pronunciation: /ˈwɛð.ɚ veɪn/, /ˈwɛð.ə veɪn/ 1. A mechanical device rotating around one axis and attached to an elevated object such as a roof for showing the direction of the wind. Example: From the graveyard gate one can count a dozen gayly painted farmhouses; the gilded weather-vanes on the big red barns wink at each other across the green and brown and yellow fields. Example: This one is surmounted by a clock-tower with a bent weather-vane - the latter being the only disorderly object in sight. 2. An indicator; something that reflects what the current situation is. Example: Since Elaine Showalter's 1985 article on the topic, Ophelia has been singled out as a role that depends for its power on the expression of female sexual desire, and, because of this, one that acts as a weather vane for attitudes towards women's sexuality. Example: Possibly though the best weather vane of the shippers' condition is the attitude of the mill trade as a whole toward present laxness in new orders. 3. A person or organization that changes their attitude and position based on the prevailing conditions rather than displaying any conviction. Labels: figuratively Example: The man who changes with every wind of doctrine is not a thinker but a weather vane. Example: Laval was a political weather vane, perpetually mobile, but always resting on the same base, himself, the Talleyrand of Aubervilliers.
Word: possibilism Part of Speech: noun Etymology: Borrowed from French possibilisme. By surface analysis, Latin possibil|is, ~e (“that can be done”) + -ism, from Latin po|ssum, ~(te)sse, ~tuī (“be able”) + -ibil|is, ~e (“-able”). First attested in 1883. 1. The belief that possible things exist, as well as actual things. Labels: countable, uncountable 2. The theory that the geographical environment sets certain constraints, but culture is otherwise determined by social conditions. Labels: countable, uncountable 3. An approach that pragmatically focuses on achievable goals rather than impossible ideals. Labels: countable, uncountable Example: Aim at a standard of adequacy (possibilism) rather than at a standard of perfection (utopianism). 4. Any of various socialist reform movements. Labels: countable, derogatory, sometimes, uncountable
Word: multiverse Part of Speech: noun Etymology: First appeared c. 1895. Blend of multiple + universe, coined by American philosopher William James. By surface analysis, multi- + -verse. Pronunciation: /ˈmʌltɪˌvɜːs/, /ˈmʌltiːˌvɜ(ɹ)s/, /ˈmʌltəˌvɝs/, /ˈmʌltiˌvɝs/ 1. The world, considered as lacking in purpose, design, or predictability. Example: Visible nature is all plasticity and indifference, a multiverse, as one might call it, and not a universe. Example: I've never gone through a place like Racine without thinking which house with the rubber-tire swing for kids and piano-practicing inside was like Stiva Lausch's, who had two daughters brought up with every refinement, including piano lessons, and how such little-speaking Odessa-bred sons had gotten on a track like this through the multiverse. 2. The hypothetical group of all the possible universes in existence. Example: Our universe is a very small part of the multiverse. Example: And, it must be remembered, that in the great multiverse they were a mere scattering of seeds; seeds that must survive many elements if they were to grow. 3. The different canons, continuities or timelines of a fictional property, considered as a whole. Example: In the DC multiverse, our reality is called "Earth-33". But in the Marvel multiverse, it's "Earth-1218". Example: What’s better than a Marvel Cinematic Universe? A Marvel Cinematic Multiverse. Once limited to theoretical physics and comic-book plot conveniences, the notion of a multiverse has been an essential tool for Hollywood. Whether it’s a role that’s been cast and recast, a franchise character that gets a spin-off when the larger story ends, or simply a reboot telling a new story without upending its origins, the answer to any big movie problem is often: multiverse.
Word: Daventry Part of Speech: name Pronunciation: /ˈdævəntɹi/, /ˈdeɪntɹi/ 1. A market town and civil parish with a town council in West Northamptonshire, Northamptonshire, England (OS grid ref SP5762). 2. A former local government district of Northamptonshire, formed in 1974, with its headquarters in the town of Daventry; it was abolished on 1 April 2021 and merged into the unitary authority of West Northamptonshire.