Word of the Day
Definition: (adjective) Blemished by imperfections of the skin. Synonyms: acned, pimpled. Usage: She tormented her brother about his pustulate complexion until she herself developed a severe case of acne. Discuss
Definition: (noun) A quaint and amusing jest. Synonyms: waggery. Usage: We filed into the parlor for some entertainment from Uncle Jones, who was known for his drollery and excellent impersonation of Aunt Cecilia. Discuss
Definition: (noun) A fit of violent emotion, such as anger or panic. Synonyms: fit, tantrum, scene. Usage: When he discovered that his soup was only lukewarm, he had a conniption and stormed out of the restaurant. Discuss
Definition: (adjective) Unpleasantly and excessively suave or ingratiating in manner or speech. Synonyms: unctuous, buttery, oleaginous, smarmy, oily. Usage: His introduction contained such fulsome flattery that I began to wonder whether anything else he said could be trusted. Discuss
Definition: (noun) A purplish-red dye derived from certain lichens. Synonyms: archil, orchil. Usage: The monks secured a small sample of cudbear to see if it could be used in their illuminated manuscripts. Discuss
Definition: (noun) A mischievous, troublesome, or unruly person. Synonyms: devil, heller. Usage: He chased the young hellions out of his yard, but the boys had already trampled his wife's precious flowerbeds, and the blooms could not be salvaged. Discuss
Definition: (noun) The abode of Satan and the forces of evil; where sinners suffer eternal punishment. Synonyms: Hell, infernal region, nether region, the pit, Inferno. Usage: She feared the fires of perdition and listened closely to the preacher's sermon about purity of heart and avoiding sin. Discuss
Definition: (noun) A sleeveless garment similar to an apron, worn especially by small girls as a dress or an overdress. Synonyms: jumper, pinny. Usage: Dolly came into the yard sobbing and crying, with her little blue frock and white pinafore spattered all over with mud. Discuss
Definition: (noun) Extreme want or poverty; destitution. Synonyms: indigence, pauperism, beggary, need. Usage: Fyne did not know what it might mean to be suddenly reduced from riches to absolute penury. Discuss
Definition: (noun) A small elevator used to convey food (or other goods) from one floor of a building to another. Synonyms: food elevator. Usage: The cook put the food on the dumbwaiter and sent it upstairs, where the waiters served it. Discuss