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New Game: What's the Word?


DarkRavie

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What's the Word: BOSKY

pronunciation: [BAHS-kee]

 

Part of speech: adjective

Origin: Middle English, late 16th century

 

Meaning

1. (Literary) wooded; covered by trees or bushes.

 

Example:

"Amy and Seth wanted to go on a hike on a bosky trail. "

"Many fairy tales take place in bosky locales."

 

About Bosky

This word is rooted in the Middle English variants “bosk,” “busk,” and “bush,” all meaning “shrub.” The sense of “uncultivated country” is probably directly from the Dutch “bos.”

 

Did You Know?

“Bosk,” a Middle English variant meaning “shrub,” disappeared until it popped up again in the early 17th century when it was used as the root for “bosky.” “Bosk” reappeared as a noun in the 19th century with the expanded definition of “a small wooded area.” The words are most often used in a literary sense, and not in everyday speech.

 

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What's the Word: HOWBEIT

pronunciation: [hou-BEE-it]

 

Part of speech: adverb

Origin: Location unknown, 15th century

 

Meaning

1. Nevertheless; however.

 

Example:

"I’ve never been to Spain before, howbeit, I know a lot about the culture."

"Jerrod wasn’t interested in the squabble, howbeit, he was pulled into the argument."

 

About Howbeit

This word stems from the contraction of “hough be hit” or “how be it,” meaning “"be it as it may, notwithstanding, nevertheless, yet; notwithstanding that."

 

Did You Know?

“Howbeit” sounds like another word used more commonly in the 21st century: “albeit.” Both can be used as conjunctions and are, in fact, synonyms. Because “albeit” is a contraction of “all be it” and “although it be” from the late 14th century, it’s very possible that “howbeit” comes from the same Middle English origins.

 

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What's the Word: WELKIN

pronunciation: [WEL-kən]

 

Part of speech: noun

Origin: Germanic, 12th century

 

Meaning

1. (Literary) the sky or heaven.

 

Example:

"The choir sang so proudly, the sounds lifted to the welkin."

"Adrienne liked looking at the night welkin and stars."

 

About Welkin

This word comes from Old English “wolcen,” meaning “cloud, sky,” but is of West Germanic origin. It is related to the Dutch “wolk” and German “Wolke.”

 

Did You Know?

In contemporary use, “welkin” is often incorporated into phrases like “make the welkin ring,” which means to make loud, reverberating noise. This usage harkens back to the original wording of the carol “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” which used to read “Hark, how all the welkin ring.”

 

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What's the Word: AURICULAR

pronunciation: [aw-RIK-yə-lər]

 

Part of speech: adjective

Origin: Latin, mid -16th century

 

Meaning

1. Relating to the ear or hearing.

2. Relating to or shaped like an auricle.

 

Example:

"The seashell had a recognizable, auricular shape."

"The plastic surgeon specialized in auricular surgery."

 

About Auricular

This word originates from the Medieval Latin “auricularis,” from Latin “auricula,” meaning "ear." It is a diminutive of “auris,” The definition of "pertaining to the ear" is from the 1640s.

 

Did You Know?

Auricles refer to our ears; specifically in humans, the projecting outer portion of the ear, or the pinna. However, the human heart has an ear-shaped appendage projecting from each atrium called auricular appendages, or auricles. They have thin walls and act as receiving rooms for the blood while the ventricles below act as pumps, moving the blood away from the heart.

 

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What's the Word: BETOKEN

pronunciation: [bə-TOK-ən]

 

Part of speech: verb

Origin: Old English, 15th century

 

Meaning

1. Be a sign of; indicate.

2. Be a warning or indication of (a future event).

 

Example:

"A smile that reaches the eyes can betoken genuine happiness."

"The silence of the orchestra pit betokened the imminent start of the performance."

 

About Betoken

"Betoken” comes from the Old English verb “betācnian,” meaning “to signify.”

 

Did You Know?

Betoken is just one of numerous verbs that mean “to be a sign of.” Other verbs include “denote,” “foreshadow,” “forebode,” “foreshow,” “indicate,” and “signify.” There are also some nouns that mean the same thing, such as “portent” and “omen.” For example, “the dove was a good omen for the journey still to come.”

 

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What's the Word: SKIRR

pronunciation: [skər]

 

Part of speech: verb

Origin: Late Middle English, mid 16th century

 

Meaning

1. Move rapidly, especially with a whirring sound.

 

Example:

"Courtney watched the birds skirr into the sky as they were startled by the bark of her dog."

"The camera drone skirred as it lifted into the air to take a photo of the newlyweds."

 

About SKIRR

“Skirr” comes from the now-obsolete use of the verb “scour” to mean “moving hastily.”

 

Did You Know?

Skirr can be used as both a verb and a noun. As a verb it means “to move rapidly,” but as a noun it specifically refers to the “whirring or grating sound of the wings of birds in flight.” For example, “the crows’ skirr alarmed the amateur ornithologists.”

 

 

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What's the Word: PHOSPHENE

pronunciation: [FAHS-feen]

 

Part of speech: noun

Origin: Greek, late 19th century

 

Meaning

1. A ring or spot of light produced by pressure on the eyeball or direct stimulation of the visual system other than by light.

 

Example:

"Holly rubbed her eyes, causing phosphenes to form."

"The doctor assured her that phosphenes were perfectly normal to see when her eyes were closed."

 

About Phosphene

The noun is an irregular formation of the Greek noun “phōs,” meaning light, and the Greek verb “phainein,” meaning “to show.”

 

Did You Know?

Phosphenes are the shapes and spots of light seen when the eyes are closed. These lights occur because the cells of the retina are stimulated: this can be by rubbing your eyes, a forceful sneeze, or a strong cough.

 

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What's the Word: VOLPLANE

pronunciation: [VAHL-playn]

 

Part of speech: noun

Origin: French, early 20th century

 

Meaning

1. A controlled dive or downward flight at a steep angle, especially by an airplane with the engine shut off.

 

Example:

"The pilots successfully attempted a daring volplane at the airshow."

"To reduce altitude quickly, the plane tilted into a volplane."

 

About Volplane

The noun “volplane” comes directly from the French “vol plané,” literally meaning “glided flight.” It was a phrase originally used to describe the downward flight of birds.

 

Did You Know?

Volplane” can be a noun or a verb. As a verb it refers specifically to an airplane — “to make a controlled dive or downward flight, especially with the engine shut off.” For example, “we watched the jumbo jets volplane in.” As a noun, it is the action that occurs.

 

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What's the Word: SANGFROID

pronunciation: [sahng-FRWA]

 

Part of speech: noun

Origin: French, mid 18th century

 

Meaning

1. Composure or coolness, sometimes excessive, as shown in danger or under trying circumstances.

 

Example:

"Brad displayed remarkable sangfroid as he sized up the tough decisions ahead."

"Sarah’s mother kept sangfroid as she dealt with the fender-bender accident."

 

About Sangfroid

"Sangfroid” comes from the French “sang-froid,” meaning cold blood.”

 

Did You Know?

Sangfroid” is an example of a loanword taken directly from French. Its literal translation is “cold blood” but in English, it’s used as a figurative expression of composure or cool headedness in the face of difficulty.

 

Edited by DarkRavie
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What's the Word: BRUMOUS

pronunciation: [BRUH-məs]

 

Part of speech: adjective

Origin: French, mid 19th century

 

Meaning

1. Foggy and wintry.

 

Example:

"Cameron tightly pulled her coat around her as she walked home on the brumous January evening."

"As the plane approached Prague the conditions became more brumous."

 

About Brumous

"Brumous" comes from the French adjective “brumeux,” meaning foggy. That, in turn, comes from the Latin word “bruma,” which means “winter.”

 

Did You Know?

Brumous is a literary adjective that was popular in the mid 19th century. It is closely connected to the noun “brume” meaning “mist or fog.” The first recorded use of the noun “brume” is from the late 17th century, which is about 120 years before the first recorded use of the adjective “brumous.”

 

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What's the Word: ALLIACEOUS

pronunciation: [ah-lee-EY-shəs]

 

Part of speech: adjective

Origin: Latin, late 18th century

 

Meaning

1. (Botany) relating to or denoting plants of a group that comprises the onions and other alliums.

 

Example:

"The sauteed green onions and shallots gave off an alliaceous aroma."

"Julia adds alliaceous vegetables to everything she cooks."

 

About Alliaceous

This word stems from the Latin “allium,” meaning “garlic,” plus the adjective-forming suffix “aceous,” meaning “of the nature of.”

 

Did You Know?

Alliaceous and cruciferous vegetables are important sources of sulphur. While you may be familiar with the unpleasant, eggy smell associated with sulphur, it’s an important component in an antioxidant that helps protect your cells from damage. Some people try to increase their sulphur intake with supplements, but it has been found that the sulphur from alliaceous and cruciferous foods is better synthesized in the body.

 

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What's the Word: REIFY

pronunciation: [REE-ə-fi]

 

Part of speech: verb

Origin: Latin, mid 19th century

 

Meaning

1. Make (something abstract) more concrete or real.

 

Example:

"The still-life assignment was to reify the sketch as a complete oil painting"

"The ad agency was asked to reify the marketing pitch ahead of their next meeting with the clients."

 

About Reify

"Reify" is a construction of the Latin “res,” meaning “thing,” and an evolution of the Latin verb “facere,” meaning “do, or make.”

 

Did You Know?

"Reify'' is an obscure verb that attempts to use language to bridge the gap between things that don’t exist yet, and what they will become. There aren’t many synonyms, but some that are slightly more common in usage are: “conceptualize,” “concretize,” “objectify,” and “picture.”

 

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What's the Word: TUTELARY

pronunciation: [TYOO-dl-er-ee]

 

Part of speech: adjective

Origin: Latin, early 17th century

 

Meaning

1. Serving as a protector, guardian, or patron; relating to protection or a guardian.

 

Example:

"The state police provided tutelary services to the former governor."

"Adam’s aunt was a tutelary presence in his childhood."

 

About Tutelary

This word comes from the Late Latin “tutelarius,” meaning "a guardian," originally from the Latin “tutela,” meaning "protection, watching."

 

Did You Know?

History is filled with tutelary deities who were deemed guardians of everything from a specific location or person to specific occupations. Ancient Greek and Roman religions believed in personal, tutelary gods for individuals from birth to death.

 

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What's the Word: APODICTIC

pronunciation: [ap-ə-DIK-tik]

 

Part of speech: adjective

Origin: Latin, mid 17th century

 

Meaning

1. Clearly established or beyond dispute.

 

Example:

"The surgeon had an apodictic knowledge of the human body."

"I can claim apodictic abilities once I receive my certification in electrical engineering."

 

About Apodictic

This word comes from the Latin “apodicticus,” originally from the Greek “apodeiktikos” and “apodeiktos.” It stems from the verbal adjective of “apodeiknynai,” meaning "to show off, demonstrate, show by argument, point out, prove."

 

Did You Know?

Theologians discuss two kinds of law: apodictic and casuistic. Apodictic law is comprised of absolute commands often rendered from a higher power, like the Ten Commandments. Casuistic law (also known as case law) is based on precedents and moral principles are applied to determine right and wrong in specific situations.

 

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What's the Word: COMPÈRE

pronunciation: [KAHM-per]

 

Part of speech: noun

Origin: French, early 20th century

 

Meaning

1. A person who introduces the performers or contestants in a variety show; host.

 

Example:

"Sam’s bubbly personality made him a great compère."

"The compère introduced all of the contestants with a nickname."

 

About Compère

This comes from the French word for “godfather,” originally from the medieval Latin “compater.” “Com-” means “together with,” and the Latin “pater” means “father.”

 

Did You Know?

Loyset Compère was a Franco-Flemish composer during the Renaissance. He likely had nothing to do with the etymology of “compère,” but it’s a happy coincidence that he contributed to musical performance. He was one of the most significant composers of the lyric-driven musical compositions popular during that time, as well as one of the first musicians to bring the Italianate Renaissance style to France.

 

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What's the Word: DILUVIAL

pronunciation: [də-LOO-vee-əl]

 

Part of speech: adjective

Origin: Latin, mid 17th century

 

Meaning

1. Relating to a flood or floods, especially the biblical flood.

 

Example:

"The diluvial rain transformed the barren field into a temporary lake."

"City planners needed to ensure nothing was built on the diluvial plains."

 

About Diluvial

"Diluvial” has its roots in the Latin verb “diluere,” which means “to wash away.”

 

Did You Know?

From the mid 17th century, geologists and archeologists used the adjective “diluvial” to refer to a distinct geological turning point associated with the Noah's biblical flood. It only acquired its modern meaning in the 1800s; an early example of modern usage is found in Caroline M. Kirkland’s essay “Forest Life,” from 1850.

 

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What's the Word: GRAMINIVOROUS

pronunciation: [ɡra-mə-NIV-ər-əs]

 

Part of speech: adjective

Origin: Latin, mid-18th century

 

Meaning

1. (Of an animal) feeding on grass.

 

Example:

"Most of the farm animals were graminivorous."

"Meredith’s research studies the effects of a graminivorous diet."

 

About Graminivorous

This word comes from the Latin “gramini-,” the combining form of “gramen,” meaning "grass, fodder." It is combined with “-vorous,” a Latin suffix that means “eating or devouring.”

 

Did You Know?

There are many animals that have graminivorous habits, even if they don’t exclusively eat grass. For instance, cats and dogs are known to eat grass occasionally. Typically, dogs consume grass when they have upset stomachs. This is a way to rid their intestinal tracts of parasites that can threaten their health.

 

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What's the Word: NAPERY

pronunciation: [NAY-pər-ee]

 

Part of speech: noun

Origin: French, 14th century

 

Meaning

1. Household linen, especially tablecloths and napkins.

 

Example:

"Cindy had color-coordinated napery for every holiday."

"The napery went into the laundry after the dinner party."

 

About Graminivorous

This word comes from Middle English via the Old French “naperie.” The root, “nape,” means “tablecloth.”

 

Did You Know?

“Napery,” while traditionally a word for household linens, is also a Sherwin-Williams paint color. It’s a warm tone; it either looks beige or closer to a buttercream yellow, depending on the light. This paint is featured in many home- design articles and Pinterest boards, particularly ones related to coastal designs.

 

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What's the Word: CORIACEOUS

pronunciation: [kor-ee-AY-shəs]

 

Part of speech: adjective

Origin: Latin, late 17th century

 

Meaning

1. Resembling or having the texture of leather.

 

Example:

"Vegan leather can still feel coriaceous."

"The fruit had a smooth, coriaceous skin."

 

About Coriaceous

This term stems from the Late Latin “coraceus,” originally from the Latin “corium,” meaning "skin, hide, leather."

 

Did You Know?

The word “coriaceous” is often used in the botanical field. For instance, the leaves of rhododendrons are considered coriaceous. There are also subclassifications of the term, such as “subcoreaceus,” which means “somewhat leathery” and “tenui-coriaceus,” meaning “thinly or finely coreaceous, thinned leathery.”

 

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What's the Word: SWARD

pronunciation: [swawrd]

 

Part of speech: noun

Origin: Old English, 13th century

 

Meaning

1. An expanse of short grass.

2. (Farming) the upper layer of soil, especially when covered with grass.

 

Example:

"The family’s plot was a simple sward in the English countryside."

"Taylor wanted to cultivate the sward to eventually plant crops."

 

About Sward

This word comes from Middle English, originally from the Old English “sweard” and “swearth,” meaning “skin” or “rind.” It is akin to the Middle High German “swart,” meaning “skin” or “hide.”

 

Did You Know?

“Sward” can easily be mistaken for the more common “sword,” even though one is a grassy plot and the other is a weapon. Not only are they visually similar with only one letter’s difference, but the words also sound similar if you’re not listening carefully. However, the “w” is more evident when pronouncing “sward.”

 

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