Learn English Vocabulary - via Word of the Day

Idée fixe [ ee-dey FEEKS ] [ noun ] MEANING : an idea that one has entertained for a long time; a fixed idea; obsession USAGE EXAMPLE 1 : Pink Floyd's idee fixe of incorporating technology in music was considered ahead of its time.

Pique [ peek ] [ noun, verb ] MEANING : 1. (n.) feeling of anger or resentment, esp., aroused by a sense of wounded pride (v.) 2. to excite or arouse an emotion 3. (v.) to provoke one to act or respond to a challenge USAGE EXAMPLE 1 : He left the room in a fit of pique.

Quarry [ KWAWR-ee, KWOR-ee ] [ noun, transitive verb ] MEANING : 1. (n.) prey or game 2. (n.) an open excavation pit to obtain stone by blasting or digging 3. (n.) an object being pursued 4. (tr.v.) to excavate stone from a quarry USAGE EXAMPLE 1 : His indecisiveness caused his quarry to escape.

Reprobate [ REP-ruh'-beyt ] [ noun, adjective, transitive verb ] MEANING : 1. (n.) a person without any sense of right or wrong 2. (n.) a person doomed or without hope of being saved 3. (adj.) without principles of right and wrong 4. (tr. v.) to reject or condemn USAGE EXAMPLE 1 : The reprobate was condemned by the media and public alike for his misdeeds.

Tryst [ trist, trahyst ] [ noun, intransitive verb, transitive verb ] MEANING : 1. (n.) an appointment or meeting or a place for such a meeting, a private romantic rendezvous between lovers 2. (tr.v.) to fix up a meeting 3. (intr.v.) to agree for an appointment or meeting USAGE EXAMPLE 1 : Their trysts were varied, romantic, playful and passionate.

Cortège[ kawr-TEZH, -TEYZH ] [ noun ] MEANING : A solemn procession, especially for a funeral. a train of attendants USAGE EXAMPLE 1 : The cortège  of the dead leader attracted a huge number of onlookers.