bitful

UK-based weblog on technology, queerness, language and fitness

Archive for the ‘word of the day’ category

clamber

Thursday 27 March 2008

To climb with difficulty, especially on all fours; scramble.

littoral

Wednesday 26 March 2008

Of or on a shore, especially a seashore.

batten

Tuesday 25 March 2008

To furnish, fasten, or secure with battens (narrow strips of wood used especially for flooring).

shimmy

Monday 24 March 2008

Abnormal vibration or wobbling, as of the wheels of an automobile. A dance popular in the 1920s, characterized by rapid shaking of the body.

compendium

Sunday 23 March 2008

A short, complete summary; an abstract. A list or collection of various items.

fillip

Saturday 22 March 2008

A snap or light blow made by pressing a fingertip against the thumb and suddenly releasing it. One that is trivial or of little importance.

decry

Friday 21 March 2008

To condemn openly. To depreciate (currency, for example) by official proclamation or by rumor.

extol

Thursday 20 March 2008

To praise highly; exalt.

esurient

Wednesday 19 March 2008

Hungry; greedy.

traduce

Tuesday 18 March 2008

To cause humiliation or disgrace to by making malicious and false statements.

flagitious

Monday 17 March 2008

Characterized by extremely brutal or cruel crimes; vicious. Infamous; scandalous.

philomath

Sunday 16 March 2008

A lover of learning; a scholar.

sunder

Saturday 15 March 2008

To break or wrench apart; sever.

persiflage

Friday 14 March 2008

Light good-natured talk; banter. Light or frivolous manner of discussing a subject.

protean

Thursday 13 March 2008

Readily taking on varied shapes, forms, or meanings. Exhibiting considerable variety or diversity.

numinous

Wednesday 12 March 2008

Of or relating to a numen; supernatural. Spiritually elevated; sublime.

pelf

Tuesday 11 March 2008

Wealth or riches, especially when dishonestly acquired.

cynosure

Monday 10 March 2008

An object that serves as a focal point of attention and admiration. Something that serves to guide.

bumptious

Sunday 9 March 2008

Crudely or loudly assertive; pushy.

obloquy

Saturday 8 March 2008

Abusively detractive language or utterance; calumny

philter

Friday 7 March 2008

A love potion. A magic potion or charm.

deliquesce

Thursday 6 March 2008

To melt away. To disappear as if by melting.

importunate

Wednesday 5 March 2008

Troublesomely urgent or persistent in requesting; pressingly entreating.

enervate

Tuesday 4 March 2008

To weaken or destroy the strength or vitality. To remove a nerve or part of a nerve.

ribald

Monday 3 March 2008

Characterized by or indulging in vulgar, lewd humor.

condign

Sunday 2 March 2008

Deserved; adequate.

quondam

Saturday 1 March 2008

That once was; former.

camarilla

Friday 29 February 2008

A group of confidential, often scheming advisers; a cabal.

rapine

Thursday 28 February 2008

Forcible seizure of another's property; plunder.

myrmidon

Wednesday 27 February 2008

A faithful follower who carries out orders without question.