adversity
noun | ad-VER-suh-tee
What It Means
Adversity refers to a difficult situation or condition, or to a state of serious or continued difficulty or misfortune.
// The soldiers were honored for acting with courage in the face of adversity.
// The team overcame many adversities on their way to summiting the mountain.
Words and their Definitions
Re: Words and their Definitions
re·cal·ci·trant
adjective
having an obstinately uncooperative attitude towards authority or discipline:
"a class of recalcitrant fifteen-year-olds"
adjective
having an obstinately uncooperative attitude towards authority or discipline:
"a class of recalcitrant fifteen-year-olds"
Re: Words and their Definitions
fastidious
adjective | fass-TID-ee-us
What It Means
Someone described as fastidious is extremely or overly careful about how they do something. Fastidious may also describe someone who is difficult to please, or someone who always wants to be clean, neat, etc.
// Our parents taught us to be fastidious in keeping our rooms clean, making sure to dust every surface and sweep out every corner.
// He's a fastidious dresser whose fashion choices seem to anticipate the newest trends.
adjective | fass-TID-ee-us
What It Means
Someone described as fastidious is extremely or overly careful about how they do something. Fastidious may also describe someone who is difficult to please, or someone who always wants to be clean, neat, etc.
// Our parents taught us to be fastidious in keeping our rooms clean, making sure to dust every surface and sweep out every corner.
// He's a fastidious dresser whose fashion choices seem to anticipate the newest trends.
Re: Words and their Definitions
bodacious
adjective | boh-DAY-shuss
What It Means
Bodacious is used as an informal synonym of remarkable and noteworthy, as well as sexy and voluptuous. In some dialects of the Southern and Midland US, bodacious is used by its oldest meaning: "outright, unmistakable."
// The bodacious decor of the boutique hotel is intended to appeal to the young and the hip.
adjective | boh-DAY-shuss
What It Means
Bodacious is used as an informal synonym of remarkable and noteworthy, as well as sexy and voluptuous. In some dialects of the Southern and Midland US, bodacious is used by its oldest meaning: "outright, unmistakable."
// The bodacious decor of the boutique hotel is intended to appeal to the young and the hip.
Re: Words and their Definitions
Fernet-Branca
is an Italian brand of fernet, a style of amaro or bitters. It was formulated in Milan in 1845 and is manufactured there by Fratelli Branca Distillerie.
is an Italian brand of fernet, a style of amaro or bitters. It was formulated in Milan in 1845 and is manufactured there by Fratelli Branca Distillerie.
Re: Words and their Definitions
ATLATL
A spear-thrower, spear-throwing lever, or atlatl (pronounced /ˈætlætəl/ ⓘ[1] or /ˈɑːtlɑːtəl/;[2] Nahuatl ahtlatl Nahuatl pronunciation: [ˈaʔt͡ɬat͡ɬ]) is a tool that uses leverage to achieve greater velocity in dart or javelin-throwing, and includes a bearing surface that allows the user to store energy during the throw.
A spear-thrower, spear-throwing lever, or atlatl (pronounced /ˈætlætəl/ ⓘ[1] or /ˈɑːtlɑːtəl/;[2] Nahuatl ahtlatl Nahuatl pronunciation: [ˈaʔt͡ɬat͡ɬ]) is a tool that uses leverage to achieve greater velocity in dart or javelin-throwing, and includes a bearing surface that allows the user to store energy during the throw.
Re: Words and their Definitions
Pli·ant
/ˈplīənt/
adjective
1.
pliable:
"pliant willow stems"
/ˈplīənt/
adjective
1.
pliable:
"pliant willow stems"
Re: Words and their Definitions
ostensible
adjective | ah-STEN-suh-bul
What It Means
Ostensible is used to describe something that seems or is said to be true or real, but is possibly not true or real. In other words, it is plausible rather than demonstrably true or real.
// The ostensible purpose of a filibuster is to extend debate, but in reality it is used to delay or prevent action.
adjective | ah-STEN-suh-bul
What It Means
Ostensible is used to describe something that seems or is said to be true or real, but is possibly not true or real. In other words, it is plausible rather than demonstrably true or real.
// The ostensible purpose of a filibuster is to extend debate, but in reality it is used to delay or prevent action.
Re: Words and their Definitions
nonchalant
adjective | nahn-shuh-LAHNT
What It Means
Someone described as nonchalant is relaxed and calm, either because they do not care about something or because they are not worried about something. Nonchalant can also be used to describe something, such as demeanor or behavior, that expresses such relaxed, calm unconcern.
// The team showed a somewhat nonchalant attitude at the beginning of the season, but they became more serious once the championship was within reach.
adjective | nahn-shuh-LAHNT
What It Means
Someone described as nonchalant is relaxed and calm, either because they do not care about something or because they are not worried about something. Nonchalant can also be used to describe something, such as demeanor or behavior, that expresses such relaxed, calm unconcern.
// The team showed a somewhat nonchalant attitude at the beginning of the season, but they became more serious once the championship was within reach.
Re: Words and their Definitions
furtive
adjective | FER-tiv
What It Means
Furtive describes something that is done in a quiet and secret way to avoid being noticed. It can also mean "expressive of stealth" or "sly" (as in "a furtive look"), or "obtained underhandedly" (as in "furtive gains").
// We exchanged furtive smiles across the table, carefully not to attract the teacher's attention.
adjective | FER-tiv
What It Means
Furtive describes something that is done in a quiet and secret way to avoid being noticed. It can also mean "expressive of stealth" or "sly" (as in "a furtive look"), or "obtained underhandedly" (as in "furtive gains").
// We exchanged furtive smiles across the table, carefully not to attract the teacher's attention.
Re: Words and their Definitions
insouciance
noun | in-SOO-see-unss
What It Means
Insouciance is a formal word that refers to a feeling of carefree unconcern. It can also be understood as a word for the relaxed and calm state of a person who is not worried about anything.
// The young actor charmed interviewers with his easy smile and devil-may-care insouciance.
noun | in-SOO-see-unss
What It Means
Insouciance is a formal word that refers to a feeling of carefree unconcern. It can also be understood as a word for the relaxed and calm state of a person who is not worried about anything.
// The young actor charmed interviewers with his easy smile and devil-may-care insouciance.
Re: Words and their Definitions
ziggurat
noun | ZIG-uh-rat
What It Means
A ziggurat is an ancient Mesopotamian temple consisting of a pyramidal structure built in successive stages with outside staircases and a shrine at the top. The word ziggurat is also sometimes used for a similarly shaped structure.
// Ancient ziggurats were always built with a core of mud brick and an exterior covered with baked brick. They had no internal chambers and were usually square or rectangular.
noun | ZIG-uh-rat
What It Means
A ziggurat is an ancient Mesopotamian temple consisting of a pyramidal structure built in successive stages with outside staircases and a shrine at the top. The word ziggurat is also sometimes used for a similarly shaped structure.
// Ancient ziggurats were always built with a core of mud brick and an exterior covered with baked brick. They had no internal chambers and were usually square or rectangular.
Re: Words and their Definitions
exculpate
verb | EK-skull-payt
What It Means
To exculpate someone is to prove that they are not guilty of doing something wrong.
// The editorial expresses confidence that the evidence will exculpate the accused.
verb | EK-skull-payt
What It Means
To exculpate someone is to prove that they are not guilty of doing something wrong.
// The editorial expresses confidence that the evidence will exculpate the accused.
Re: Words and their Definitions
bumptious
adjective | BUMP-shus
What It Means
Bumptious describes people who are rudely and often noisily confident or over-assertive. It can also be applied to actions or behaviors that show this same attitude.
// Our host apologized for the bumptious party guest who caused a scene before being asked to leave.
adjective | BUMP-shus
What It Means
Bumptious describes people who are rudely and often noisily confident or over-assertive. It can also be applied to actions or behaviors that show this same attitude.
// Our host apologized for the bumptious party guest who caused a scene before being asked to leave.
Re: Words and their Definitions
modicum
noun | MAH-dih-kum
What It Means
Modicum is a formal word that means “a small amount.” It is almost always used with of.
// The band enjoyed a modicum of success in the early 2010s before becoming an international sensation.
noun | MAH-dih-kum
What It Means
Modicum is a formal word that means “a small amount.” It is almost always used with of.
// The band enjoyed a modicum of success in the early 2010s before becoming an international sensation.
Re: Words and their Definitions
fester
verb | FESS-ter
What It Means
Something that festers becomes worse as time passes. Fester can also mean, in the context of wounds, sores, etc., “to become painful and infected.”
// We should deal with these problems now instead of allowing them to fester
verb | FESS-ter
What It Means
Something that festers becomes worse as time passes. Fester can also mean, in the context of wounds, sores, etc., “to become painful and infected.”
// We should deal with these problems now instead of allowing them to fester
Re: Words and their Definitions
apotropaic
adjective | ap-uh-troh-PAY-ik
What It Means
Something described as apotropaic is designed or intended to avert evil.
// The etchings are believed to be associated with ancient apotropaic rituals.
adjective | ap-uh-troh-PAY-ik
What It Means
Something described as apotropaic is designed or intended to avert evil.
// The etchings are believed to be associated with ancient apotropaic rituals.
Re: Words and their Definitions
impervious
adjective | im-PER-vee-us
What It Means
Impervious describes that which does not allow something (such as water or light) to enter or pass through. It is also used formally to mean “not bothered or affected by something.” Both senses of impervious are usually used with to.
// The material is impervious to water.
// The mayor seems impervious to criticism.
adjective | im-PER-vee-us
What It Means
Impervious describes that which does not allow something (such as water or light) to enter or pass through. It is also used formally to mean “not bothered or affected by something.” Both senses of impervious are usually used with to.
// The material is impervious to water.
// The mayor seems impervious to criticism.
Re: Words and their Definitions
junket
noun | JUNK-ut
What It Means
Junket refers to a trip that is paid for by someone else, such as a promotional trip made at another's expense, or an official's trip made at public expense.
// The cast of the widely-acclaimed movie is making press junkets to major cities.
noun | JUNK-ut
What It Means
Junket refers to a trip that is paid for by someone else, such as a promotional trip made at another's expense, or an official's trip made at public expense.
// The cast of the widely-acclaimed movie is making press junkets to major cities.
Re: Words and their Definitions
talisman
noun | TAL-iss-mun
What It Means
A talisman is an object (such as a ring or stone) that is believed to have magic powers and to cause good things to happen to the person who has it.
// In ancient times, the gemstone was worn as a talisman to ward off evil.
noun | TAL-iss-mun
What It Means
A talisman is an object (such as a ring or stone) that is believed to have magic powers and to cause good things to happen to the person who has it.
// In ancient times, the gemstone was worn as a talisman to ward off evil.