metonymy
noun|muh-TAH-nuh-mee
What It Means
Metonymy refers to a figure of speech in which a word that is associated with something is used to refer to the thing itself, as when crown is used to mean “individual” or “queen.”
// Wall Street, Silicon Valley, and Hollywood are common examples of metonymy.
Words and their Definitions
Re: Words and their Definitions
desolate
adjective|DESS-uh-lut
What It Means
Desolate describes places that lack people, plants, animals, etc., that make people feel welcome in a place; desolate places are, in other words, deserted or barren. Desolate can also mean “joyless” or “gloomy.”
// We drove for hours along a desolate stretch of road until finally a lone gas station appeared in the middle of nowhere.
adjective|DESS-uh-lut
What It Means
Desolate describes places that lack people, plants, animals, etc., that make people feel welcome in a place; desolate places are, in other words, deserted or barren. Desolate can also mean “joyless” or “gloomy.”
// We drove for hours along a desolate stretch of road until finally a lone gas station appeared in the middle of nowhere.
Re: Words and their Definitions
perdition
noun|per-DISH-un
What It Means
Perdition refers to hell, or to the state of being in hell forever as punishment after death—in other words, damnation. It is usually used figuratively.
// Dante’s Inferno details the main character’s journey through perdition.
// It’s this kind of selfishness that leads down the road to perdition.
noun|per-DISH-un
What It Means
Perdition refers to hell, or to the state of being in hell forever as punishment after death—in other words, damnation. It is usually used figuratively.
// Dante’s Inferno details the main character’s journey through perdition.
// It’s this kind of selfishness that leads down the road to perdition.
Re: Words and their Definitions
unabashed
adjective|un-uh-BASHT
What It Means
Someone who is unabashed is not embarrassed or ashamed about openly expressing strong feelings or opinions.
// Unabashed by their booing and hissing, the artist continued with the musical performance.
adjective|un-uh-BASHT
What It Means
Someone who is unabashed is not embarrassed or ashamed about openly expressing strong feelings or opinions.
// Unabashed by their booing and hissing, the artist continued with the musical performance.
Re: Words and their Definitions
Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg, Lake
The lake's name comes from the Algonquian language of the Nipmuc and is often said to mean, "Fishing Place at the Boundaries—Neutral Meeting Grounds".[1] A more fitting translation is "lake divided by islands", according to anthropologist Ives Goddard.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Chaubunagungamaug
The lake's name comes from the Algonquian language of the Nipmuc and is often said to mean, "Fishing Place at the Boundaries—Neutral Meeting Grounds".[1] A more fitting translation is "lake divided by islands", according to anthropologist Ives Goddard.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Chaubunagungamaug
Re: Words and their Definitions
iconoclast
noun|eye-KAH-nuh-klast
What It Means
Iconoclast originally referred to someone who destroys religious images or who opposes their veneration. It is now used to refer broadly to anyone who criticizes or opposes beliefs and practices that are widely accepted.
// The comedian had developed a reputation as a contrarian and an iconoclast for whom no topic was off-limits.
noun|eye-KAH-nuh-klast
What It Means
Iconoclast originally referred to someone who destroys religious images or who opposes their veneration. It is now used to refer broadly to anyone who criticizes or opposes beliefs and practices that are widely accepted.
// The comedian had developed a reputation as a contrarian and an iconoclast for whom no topic was off-limits.
Re: Words and their Definitions
exculpatory
adjective|ek-SKUL-puh-tor-ee
What It Means
Something described as exculpatory serves to prove that someone is not guilty of doing something wrong.
// Their lawyer presented insurmountable exculpatory evidence at the trial
adjective|ek-SKUL-puh-tor-ee
What It Means
Something described as exculpatory serves to prove that someone is not guilty of doing something wrong.
// Their lawyer presented insurmountable exculpatory evidence at the trial
Re: Words and their Definitions
pseudonym
noun|SOO-duh-nim
What It Means
A pseudonym is a name that someone (such as a writer) uses instead of their real name.
// bell hooks is the pseudonym of the American writer Gloria Jean Watkins.
noun|SOO-duh-nim
What It Means
A pseudonym is a name that someone (such as a writer) uses instead of their real name.
// bell hooks is the pseudonym of the American writer Gloria Jean Watkins.
Re: Words and their Definitions
cajole
verb|kuh-JOHL
What It Means
To cajole someone is to use flattery or gentle urging to persuade them to do something or to give you something. Cajole can also mean “to deceive with soothing words or false promises.” It is often used with the word into.
// She cajoled her partner into going to the party with her.
// They hoped to cajole him into cooperating with local officials
verb|kuh-JOHL
What It Means
To cajole someone is to use flattery or gentle urging to persuade them to do something or to give you something. Cajole can also mean “to deceive with soothing words or false promises.” It is often used with the word into.
// She cajoled her partner into going to the party with her.
// They hoped to cajole him into cooperating with local officials
Re: Words and their Definitions
syco·phancy
[ˈsɪkəˌfan(t)si]
noun
sycophancy (noun)
obsequious behaviour towards someone important in order to gain advantage:
"your fawning sycophancy is nauseating""he discouraged sycophancy towards royalty"\\
Then we have
ob·se·qui·ous
[əbˈsiːkwiəs]
adjective
obsequious (adjective)
obedient or attentive to an excessive or servile degree:
"they were served by obsequious waiters"
[ˈsɪkəˌfan(t)si]
noun
sycophancy (noun)
obsequious behaviour towards someone important in order to gain advantage:
"your fawning sycophancy is nauseating""he discouraged sycophancy towards royalty"\\
Then we have
ob·se·qui·ous
[əbˈsiːkwiəs]
adjective
obsequious (adjective)
obedient or attentive to an excessive or servile degree:
"they were served by obsequious waiters"
Re: Words and their Definitions
alchemy
noun|AL-kuh-mee
What It Means
Alchemy refers to a power or process that changes or transforms something in a mysterious or impressive way.
// They practiced their alchemy in the kitchen, turning a pile of vegetables and legumes into an extravagant meal.
// The shopkeepers hoped for some sort of economic alchemy that would improve business.
noun|AL-kuh-mee
What It Means
Alchemy refers to a power or process that changes or transforms something in a mysterious or impressive way.
// They practiced their alchemy in the kitchen, turning a pile of vegetables and legumes into an extravagant meal.
// The shopkeepers hoped for some sort of economic alchemy that would improve business.
Re: Words and their Definitions
inoculate
verb|ih-NAHK-yuh-layt
What It Means
To inoculate a person or animal is to introduce immunologically active material (such as an antibody or antigen) into them especially in order to treat or prevent a disease. Inoculate can also mean "to introduce (something, such as a microorganism) into a suitable situation for growth," and in figurative use, it can mean "to protect as if by inoculation" or "to introduce something into the mind of."
// In 1796, the English physician Edward Jenner discovered that inoculating people with cowpox could provide immunity against smallpox.
// The cheese is inoculated with a starter culture to promote fermentation.
verb|ih-NAHK-yuh-layt
What It Means
To inoculate a person or animal is to introduce immunologically active material (such as an antibody or antigen) into them especially in order to treat or prevent a disease. Inoculate can also mean "to introduce (something, such as a microorganism) into a suitable situation for growth," and in figurative use, it can mean "to protect as if by inoculation" or "to introduce something into the mind of."
// In 1796, the English physician Edward Jenner discovered that inoculating people with cowpox could provide immunity against smallpox.
// The cheese is inoculated with a starter culture to promote fermentation.
Re: Words and their Definitions
enigmatic
adjective|en-ig-MAT-ik
What It Means
Something or someone described as enigmatic is mysterious and difficult to understand.
// The band’s lead singer has always been an enigmatic figure, refusing to use social media or even sit for interviews.
adjective|en-ig-MAT-ik
What It Means
Something or someone described as enigmatic is mysterious and difficult to understand.
// The band’s lead singer has always been an enigmatic figure, refusing to use social media or even sit for interviews.
Re: Words and their Definitions
Bindii Weed
This weedy plant is known for its tiny, sharp-needled seeds. It has small feathery leaves reminiscent of parsley and features exposed upward-pointing rosettes of seeds in a pod nestled at the branch junctions. Those familiar with the plant may also refer to it as "bindi patches", which cannot be easily walked on barefoot. Dogs and cats are similarly affected and tend to avoid areas where they have encountered it.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soliva_sessilis
This weedy plant is known for its tiny, sharp-needled seeds. It has small feathery leaves reminiscent of parsley and features exposed upward-pointing rosettes of seeds in a pod nestled at the branch junctions. Those familiar with the plant may also refer to it as "bindi patches", which cannot be easily walked on barefoot. Dogs and cats are similarly affected and tend to avoid areas where they have encountered it.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soliva_sessilis
Re: Words and their Definitions
bravado
noun|bruh-VAH-doh
What It Means
Bravado refers to confident or brave talk or behavior that is intended to impress other people.
// She tells the stories of her youthful exploits with enough bravado to invite suspicion that they're embellished a bit.
// The crew of climbers scaled the mountain with youthful bravado.
noun|bruh-VAH-doh
What It Means
Bravado refers to confident or brave talk or behavior that is intended to impress other people.
// She tells the stories of her youthful exploits with enough bravado to invite suspicion that they're embellished a bit.
// The crew of climbers scaled the mountain with youthful bravado.