nudnik Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:24:43 -0500
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for November 06, 2009 is:
nudnik • \NOOD-nik (the "OO" is as in "good")\ • noun
: a person who is a bore or nuisance
Example sentence:
James worried that he would never finish his work if the office nudnik didn't quit hanging around his cubicle.
Did you know?
The suffix "-nik" came to English through Yiddish (and ultimately from Polish and Ukrainian). It means "one connected with or characterized by being." You might be familiar with "beatnik," "computernik," or "neatnik," but what about "no-goodnik" or "allrightnik"? The suffix "-nik" is frequently used in English to create nonce words that are often jocular or slightly derogatory. Some theorize that the popularity of the suffix was enhanced by Russian "Sputnik," as well as Al Capp's frequent use of "-nik" words in his "L'il Abner" cartoons. The "nud-" of the Yiddish borrowing "nudnik" ultimately comes from the Polish word "nuda," meaning "boredom."
maugre Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:24:43 -0500
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for November 05, 2009 is:
maugre • \MAW-gur\ • preposition
archaic : in spite of
Example sentence:
"I love thee so that, maugre all thy pride, / Nor wit nor reason can my passion hide." (Shakespeare, Twelfth Night, Act III, Scene i)
Did you know?
"Maugre" is now quite rare, but having served the English language for more than 700 years, it's due whatever rest it's currently enjoying. Although it may not be a word worth incorporating into your expressive vocabulary, being familiar with it will be helpful in reading the works of such authors as Shakespeare, Scott, Milton, and, as in this quote from his Essays, First Series, Emerson: "By virtue of this inevitable nature, private will is overpowered, and, maugre our efforts or our imperfections, your genius will speak from you, and mine from me." The word is Anglo-French in origin, coming from "mal" or "mau," meaning "evil," and "gré," meaning "grace, favor."
invective Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:24:43 -0500
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for November 04, 2009 is:
invective • \in-VEK-tiv\ • noun
*1 : an abusive expression or speech 2 : insulting or abusive language : vituperation
Example sentence:
The sonnet is an invective against the poet's wife and the man who cuckolded him.
Did you know?
"Invective" began life in the 15th century as an adjective meaning "of, relating to, or characterized by insult or abuse." In 1523, it appeared in print as a noun meaning "an example of abusive speech." Eventually, the noun developed a second sense applying to abusive language as a whole. "Invective" comes to us from the Middle French word "invectif," which in turn derives from Latin "invectivus," meaning "reproachful, abusive." ("Invectivus" comes from Latin "invectus," past participle of the verb "invehere," one form of which means "to assail with words.") "Invective" is similar to "abuse," but it tends to suggest not only anger and vehemence, but also verbal and rhetorical skill. It sometimes implies public denunciation, as in "blistering political invective."
*Indicates the sense illustrated in the example sentence.
regimen Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:24:43 -0500
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for November 03, 2009 is:
regimen • \REJ-uh-mun\ • noun
*1 : a systematic course of treatment or training 2 : government, rule 3 : a government in power : regime
Example sentence:
Sherry’s personal trainer at the gym started her on a workout regimen of 30 minutes on the treadmill followed by 30 minutes of weight training.
Did you know?
We borrowed "regimen" straight from Latin, spelling and all -- but in Latin, the word simply meant "rule" or "government." In English, it usually refers to a system of rules or guidelines, often for living a healthy life or taking a regular dose of exercise. The Latin "regimen" derives from another Latin word, the verb "regere," which means "to lead straight" or "to rule." If you trace straight back from "regere," you'll find that "regimen" has plenty of lexical kin, including "correct," "erect," "region," "rule," and "surge." If you are using the "training" sense of "regimen," be careful not to confuse the word with "regiment," another "regere" descendant, which is used for a military unit.
*Indicates the sense illustrated in the example sentence.
voluble Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:24:43 -0500
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for November 02, 2009 is:
voluble • \VAHL-yuh-bul\ • adjective
1 : easily rolling or turning : rotating *2 : characterized by ready or rapid speech : glib, fluent
Example sentence:
The young man proved to be a voluble informer who would tell stories of bookies, smugglers, and hit men to the detectives for hours.
Did you know?
English has many terms for gabby types, but it's important to choose the right word to get across what kind of chatterbox you mean. "Talkative" usually implies a readiness to engage in talk or a disposition to enjoy conversation. "Loquacious" generally suggests the power to express oneself fluently, articulately, or glibly, but it can also mean "talking excessively." "Garrulous" is even stronger in its suggestion of excessive talkativeness; it is most often used for tedious, rambling talkers. "Voluble" describes an individual who speaks easily and often.
*Indicates the sense illustrated in the example sentence.
disavow Sun, 01 Nov 2009 14:24:43 -0500
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for November 01, 2009 is:
disavow • \dis-uh-VOW\ • verb
1 : to deny responsibility for : repudiate *2 : to refuse to acknowledge or accept : disclaim
Example sentence:
The candidate has disavowed any knowledge of the letter -- received by thousands of voters -- in which her opponent was maligned.
Did you know?
If you trace the etymology of "disavow" back through Middle English to Anglo-French, you'll arrive eventually at the prefix "des-" and the verb "avouer," meaning "to avow." The prefix "des-" in turn derives from the Latin prefix "dis-," meaning "apart." That Latin prefix plays a significant role in many current English words, including "disadvantage," "disappoint," and "disagree." "Avouer" is from Latin "advocare," meaning "to summon," and is also the source of our word "advocate."
*Indicates the sense illustrated in the example sentence.
MedTerms Word of the Day
Grand multipara Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0700 Grand multipara: The term "multipara" applies to any woman who has given birth 2 or more times. A woman who has given birth 5 or more times is called a grand multipara.
For a pregnancy to count as a "birth", it must go to at least 20 weeks' gestation (the mid-point of a full-term pregnancy) or yield an infant that weighs at least 500 grams, irrespective of whether the infant is liveborn or not.
The term "multipara" is composed of two Latin words: "multi-" from "multus", much + "-para" from "pario", to bring forth = to bring forth much (in the way of children).
MedTerms (TM) is the Medical Dictionary of MedicineNet.com.We Bring Doctors' Knowledge To You
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