vocabulary

Definition: (noun) Land with a soft muddy surface. Synonyms: mire, morass, quag, slack. Usage: We had some difficulty in reaching the point, owing to the intolerably bad paths; for everywhere in the shade the ground soon becomes a perfect quagmire. Discuss

Definition: (noun) A satire or lampoon, especially one that ridicules a specific person, traditionally written and posted in a public place. Synonyms: parody, put-on, sendup, spoof, charade, lampoon, mockery, burlesque, travesty, takeoff. Usage: The corrupt politician was a popular target of the pasquinades that were posted all over the city. Discuss

Definition: (noun) A grasping structure on the limb of a crustacean or other arthropods. Synonyms: chela, nipper, claw. Usage: The front pair of legs terminate in very strong and heavy pincers. Discuss

Definition: (noun) A split or opening in an organ or part. Synonyms: crack, crevice, fissure, cleft. Usage: The surgeon explained that the stitches he had used to sew the scissure shut would dissolve in a few weeks. Discuss

Definition: (adjective) Marked by quiet and caution and secrecy; taking pains to avoid being observed. Synonyms: furtive, stealthy, sneaky. Usage: She stole a surreptitious glance at him, but he, too, seemed to have been caught up by Rose's gay, good humor. Discuss

Definition: (noun) A metal ring or cap placed around a pole or shaft for reinforcement or to prevent splitting. Synonyms: collet. Usage: The walking stick was quite old, and the large brass ferrule at its tip was worn down and dented. Discuss

Definition: (noun) A structure in the form of a network, especially of nerves, blood vessels, or lymphatics. Synonyms: rete. Usage: The bullet missed his cardiac plexus by an inch, leaving all the nerves intact. Discuss

Definition: (adjective) Marked by low spirits; showing no enthusiasm. Synonyms: dispirited. Usage: A subtle change had transformed her from the listless woman he had known into a being who, for the moment, seemed palpitant with the forces of life. Discuss

Definition: (noun) A monster able to change appearance from human to wolf. Synonyms: werewolf, wolfman, loup-garou. Usage: She thought the novel about the lycanthrope would be silly, but the sad tale about the werewolf's struggles to regain control of his life moved her to tears. Discuss

Definition: (noun) Outer tissue of bark; a protective layer of dead cells. Synonyms: cork. Usage: Joe carefully harvested the phellem from the tree, excited at the prospect of using the buoyant material to make his very own toy boat. Discuss