Word of the Day

Definition: (noun) A verbal denunciation characterized by harsh, often insulting language; a tirade. Synonyms: tirade, broadside. Usage: Ferrars looked exceedingly angry, and drawing herself up more stiffly than ever, pronounced in retort a bitter philippic. Discuss

Definition: (noun) Adherence. Synonyms: compliance, conformity. Usage: In my parents' household, strict abidance by the rules was required, so naturally I rebelled.

Definition: (noun) A patchy brown or dark brown skin discoloration that usually occurs on a woman's face and may result from hormonal changes, as in pregnancy. Synonyms: mask of pregnancy, melasma. Usage: She developed chloasma on her face during her pregnancy, but it disappeared when her baby was a few months old.

Definition: (verb) To look on or treat (a person) as a celebrity. Synonyms: celebrate. Usage: She lionized her older brother and was always proud to be seen with him. Discuss

Definition: (noun) A powerfully built, robust person. Synonyms: bruiser, bull, Samson. Usage: Grandmother described everyone in larger-than-life terms. Even scrawny Bill from down the block was "a regular strapper."

Definition: (noun) A single pictorial composition made by juxtaposing or superimposing many pictures or designs. Synonyms: collage. Usage: The children's gift to their grandmother was a montage of family pictures.

Definition: (noun) The top stone of a structure or wall. Synonyms: stretcher, coping stone, copestone. Usage: When the structure's capstone was finally in place, the builders threw themselves a party to celebrate their achievement. Discuss

Definition: (noun) One who works solely for compensation, especially a person willing to perform for a fee tasks considered menial or offensive. Synonyms: pensionary. Usage: The hireling said he would be willing to clean out the cesspool—for the right price.

Definition: (adjective) Possible to impute or ascribe; attributable. Synonyms: ascribable, due to, referable. Usage: The oversight was not imputable to him because he was on vacation when it occurred.

Definition: (adjective) Warlike in manner or temperament; pugnacious. Synonyms: battleful, combative, contentious. Usage: She had always found him to be bellicose and was not surprised when he was expelled from the military academy for his belligerent and violent behavior. Discuss