Word of the Day

Definition: (noun) A card game in which the winner is the player who holds two or three cards totaling closest to nine. Synonyms: chemin de fer. Usage: Because baccarat attracts wealthy players who place enormous bets, a casino can win or lose millions of dollars a night on the game. Discuss

Definition: (noun) A formal public statement. Synonyms: proclamation, declaration, announcement. Usage: A long and dramatic drum-roll signaled that a royal annunciation was about to be delivered. Discuss

Definition: (noun) A shady resting place in a garden or park, often made of rustic work or latticework on which plants, such as climbing shrubs or vines, are grown. Synonyms: bower, pergola. Usage: I never saw such a garden—large and shady, full of box-bordered paths, and lined with long grape-covered arbors with seats under them. […]

Definition: (noun) An object worn, especially around the neck, as a charm against evil or injury. Synonyms: talisman. Usage: It was sorcery, magic of the worst kind, thought Buldeo, and he wondered whether the amulet round his neck would protect him. Discuss

Definition: (noun) A person with expert knowledge or training, especially in the fine arts. Synonyms: cognoscente. Usage: I brought the painting to the world's best art connoisseurs, and they all agreed that it was an authentic Picasso and would fetch millions at auction. Discuss

Definition: (noun) A deserted or abandoned child of unknown parentage. Synonyms: abandoned infant. Usage: No one knew why an envelope containing images of a mountainous landscape had been tucked in the folds of the foundling's blanket. Discuss

Definition: (adjective) Causing harm or injury. Synonyms: damaging, detrimental, prejudicial. Usage: The reporter's coverage resulted in prejudicious publicity for the defendant. Discuss

Definition: (noun) A person given to clowning and joking. Synonyms: merry andrew, clown, goof, goofball. Usage: At a country fair there was a buffoon who made all the people laugh by imitating the cries of various animals. Discuss

Definition: (noun) A wooden pin used in the game of ninepins. Synonyms: skittle. Usage: He threw the ball so hard that it knocked the ninepin into the neighbor’s yard. Discuss

Definition: (noun) A woman hired to do cleaning or similar work, usually in a large building. Synonyms: cleaning lady. Usage: The charwoman cleaned every bathroom in the office building after the executives left for the evening. Discuss