Learn English Vocabulary - via Word of the Day

anosmia [ an-OZ-mee-uh', -OS- ][ noun ]MEANING :loss or absence of the sense of smellUSAGE EXAMPLE 1 :Certain intranasal gels marketed as remedies for the common cold can also be a cause of anosmia.USAGE EXAMPLE 2 :The likelihood of recovery from anosmia depends on what has caused it, as well as any treatment.

acquiesce [ ak-wee-ES ][ verb ]MEANING :to agree without protest; to consent or comply tacitlyUSAGE EXAMPLE 1 :The essence of military training is for a young cadet to be able to acquiesce to commands made by a superior officer.USAGE EXAMPLE 2 :Though adhering to that ideal brought the roof crashing down during the team's Spanish period, McLaren were delighted to acquiesce.

euphonious [ yoo-FOH-nee-uh' s ][ adjective ]MEANING :having a pleasing sound; pleasant to the earUSAGE EXAMPLE 1 :An euphonious voice can be a great asset when working in a call centre or in telephonic sales.USAGE EXAMPLE 2 :This was often referred to as "neo-liberalism", though a more correct if less euphonious title would have been "neo-economic-liberalism".

esoteric [ es-uh'-TER-ik ][ adjective ]MEANING :1. understood by or designed for only a select few
2. requiring or showcasing special knowledge that is revealed only to a small group
3. private; confidential
4. of a rare, special, or unusual interestUSAGE EXAMPLE 1 :The esoteric seminar on “the relevance of the Upanishads in present day society” attracted a sparse audience.
USAGE EXAMPLE 2 :The agenda featured esoteric items like a discussion of 19th-century social attitudes toward the germ theory and a detailed analysis of the inks that Galileo used in one of his manuscripts.

heretic [ n. HER-i-tik; adj. HER-i-tik, huh'-RET-ik ][ noun ]MEANING :a person who holds controversial beliefs, especially contrary to religion, profession etc.USAGE EXAMPLE 1 :Joan of Arc was unjustly accused of being a heretic and, as a result, was burnt at the stake.USAGE EXAMPLE 2 :In 1633 the astronomer was tried as a heretic and forced to recant his theory that the Earth revolved around the sun.

ambidextrous [ am-bi-DEK-struh' s ][ adjective ]MEANING :1. able to skilfully use both hands
2. unusually skilful; versatile; adroit
3. double-dealing; hypocritical or deceitfulUSAGE EXAMPLE 1 :Being an ambidextrous violinist, Yehudi Menuhin attracted large audiences during his hey day.USAGE EXAMPLE 2 :He's also pianistically ambidextrous these days, a big deal for a brilliant artist who lost the use of his right hand in 1965 and only regained it - to a limited degree - about 10 years ago.

eloquence [ EL-uh-kwuh ns ][ noun ]MEANING :1. a discourse or speech that is forceful and persuasive in nature
2. fluent, articulate and apt use of a language
3. the quality of powerful, forceful or persuasive expressionUSAGE EXAMPLE 1 :Her eloquence was admired by her followers.USAGE EXAMPLE 2 :The Madison papers have very few moments of eloquence."
Peak of Eloquence or the power of persuasion is cited in the story where the artist with his flute's music persuades millions of rats to die.

aegis [ EE-jis ][ noun ]MEANING :1. protection; support: under the imperial aegis
2. Classical Mythology. the shield or breastplate of Zeus or Athena, bearing at its centre the head of the Gorgon.USAGE EXAMPLE 1 :The GATT talks, held under the aegis of the WTO, promises the world a more equitable trading regime between the developing and developed countries.USAGE EXAMPLE 2 :Kirsti Paakkanen, a stalwart of Finland's advertising world, was persuaded out of retirement to buy Marimekko from Amer for a song and under her aegis the company prospered, tapping new export markets.

eschew [ es-CHOO ]
[ verb ]
MEANING :
to avoid or keep away from, esp. from wrongdoings or evil; to shun
USAGE EXAMPLE 1 :
All religions advise their people to eschew wickedness and evil from their daily lives.
USAGE EXAMPLE 2 :
If this was not enough, the PMO statement, talking about the meeting of Left leaders with PM, went to the extent of indirectly advising the Left parties to "eschew the temptation of politicising the misery of the people". This is the first time in four years that PMO has reacted so bitterly. 

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hector [ HEK-ter ] [ noun, intransitive verb, transitive verb ] MEANING : 1. (n.) a bully 2. (intr. v.) to dominate or intimidate in a loud manner 3. (tr. v.) to behave like a bully USAGE EXAMPLE 1 : Politicians who hector each other in the “Big Fight” on NDTV make for amusing viewing.USAGE EXAMPLE 2 : The amusing conservatives who hector one another on Rupert Murdoch's Fox News were shouting a little louder yesterday morning.

florid [ FLAWR-id, FLOR- ][ adjective ]MEANING :1. ornate; flowery
2. ruddy; having a rosy blush
3. (archaic) healthy
3. (obsolete) covered with or abounding in flowers USAGE EXAMPLE 1 :His stout physique, florid complexion and benign disposition bespoke of an inner contentment rarely seen these days.USAGE EXAMPLE 2 :The knob is a dome of bald rock and florid rhododendrons crowning Roan Mountain that thrusts into the blue Tennessee sky like a giant granite egg.

banal [ buh'-NAL, -NAHL, BEYN-l ][ adjective ]MEANING :1. lacking originality or novelty
2. commonplace; pettyUSAGE EXAMPLE 1 :Despite the presence of big stars, the banal plot of the film ensured its lukewarm response.USAGE EXAMPLE 2 :In a series of leisurely-paced scenes, Suleiman shows the banal realties of petrol bomb attacks and army checkpoint searches, combining them with dreamlike sequences.

harbinger [ HAHR-bin-jer ][ noun, transitive verb ]MEANING :(n.) someone or something that indicates or announces what is to come
(tr. v.) to indicate the approach of USAGE EXAMPLE 1 :The by elections in August could well prove to be the harbinger of the voters mood before the assembly elections early next year.USAGE EXAMPLE 2 :The significance of Mr Besley’s vote is that it could prove a harbinger of the MPC’s stance when it next meets, in August.

necromancy [ NEK-ruh’-man-see][ noun ]MEANING :1. the practice of predicting the future by communicating with the spirits of the dead
2. black magicUSAGE EXAMPLE 1 :The practice of necromancy is almost non-existent in modern day society.USAGE EXAMPLE 2 :The villagers believed that Lilith practised the black art of necromancy.

bedlam [ BED-luh' m ][ noun ]MEANING :a state, place or scene of utter confusion and uproarUSAGE EXAMPLE 1 :The presence of a snake in the room caused absolute bedlam.USAGE EXAMPLE 2 :The bomb went off and it was absolute bedlam - it was the biggest bang I've ever heard in my life, he said.

complaisant [ kuh' m-PLEY-suh' nt, -zuh' nt, KOM-pluh'-zant ][ adjective ]MEANING :readily willing to please or obligeUSAGE EXAMPLE 1 :Employers are apt to take advantage of complaisant employees.USAGE EXAMPLE 2 :It seems that these days AMD prefers to force feed complaisant journalist geese to produce what it hopes is the finest pâté de foie gras to present to its shareholders on toast.

balderdash [ BAWL-der-dash ][ noun ]MEANING :nonsense; stupid, senseless talk or writingUSAGE EXAMPLE 1 :The Pakistan government's balderdash in the wake of the 26/11 terrorist attacks that took place in Mumbai was not surprising.USAGE EXAMPLE 2 :The Foreign Ministry called the State Department report an "arrogant and self-justified document" in which the U.S. "let loose a spate of balderdash" against North Korea.

ambiguous [ am-BIG-yoo-uh' s ][ adjective ]MEANING :1. open to various interpretations
2. vague, inexplicable or uncertainUSAGE EXAMPLE 1 :The psychologist showed ambiguous pictures and asked some questions.USAGE EXAMPLE 2 :Mozart's lighter instrumental pieces are an ambiguous and varied group of works.

expropriate [ eks-proh-pree-eyt ][ transitive verb ]MEANING :1. to deprive or take away from someone his possessions or ownership rights
2. to take something from someone else for one's own useUSAGE EXAMPLE 1 :The government has decided to expropriate more land in Chandipur in order to expand its missile testing base.
USAGE EXAMPLE 2 :An Argentine government secretary, Luis D'Elía, has lead recent efforts to expropriate Tompkins's holdings and publicly hinted that the environmentalist is working with the U.S. government to exert control over regional water supplies.

hackle [ HAK-uh' l ][ noun ]MEANING :1. a long and slender feather on the neck of a bird like a pigeon or a rooster
2. (pl.) the hair on the back of the neck of an animal like a dog or a cat, that rise in fear or anger USAGE EXAMPLE 1 :The hackle of a rooster is often used to make artificial flies for anglers.USAGE EXAMPLE 2 :We think especially of another of Prince Charles's regiments, the Black Watch, with its famous "red hackle".