Learn English Vocabulary - via Word of the Day

Surge [ surj ][ noun, intransitive verb ]MEANING :1. (n.) a rush or strong wavelike advance
2. (n.) a swelling wave or a rolling sea
3. (intr. v.) to rise and move in a billowing manner
4. (intr. v.) to increase suddenly
5. (tr. v.) to gradually loosen or slackenUSAGE EXAMPLE 1 :The excited fans surged onto the football field as soon as the game was over.
USAGE EXAMPLE 2 :Health chiefs have revealed how icy weather saw a surge in patient numbers across south west Scotland.

Gibberish [ JIB-er-ish, GIB- ][ noun ]MEANING :1. unintelligible language
2. talk or writing that contains a lot of pretentious or technical wordsUSAGE EXAMPLE 1 :The wounded soldier was barely conscious and was talking gibberish.
USAGE EXAMPLE 2 :His clothes were practically burned from his body. He was just talking gibberish.

Platonic [ pluh’-TON-ik, pley- ][ adjective ]MEANING :1. characteristic of or pertaining to Plato
2. pertaining to or characteristic of a relationship that is non-sexual
3. nominal, theoretical or speculativeUSAGE EXAMPLE 1 :Theirs was a platonic relationship built on trust and mutual admiration.
USAGE EXAMPLE 2 :The concept of platonic friendship that arose and was largely talked and written from the time of Greek Philosopher Plato still remains as unclear and confusing as ever.

Dissuade [ di-SWEYD ][ transitive verb ]MEANING :1. to persuade not to perform an act
2. to deter
3. to advise against doing somethingUSAGE EXAMPLE 1 :We dissuaded our friend from dropping out of college.
USAGE EXAMPLE 2 :They are also intended to dissuade Israel from launching attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities.

Profligate [ PROF-li-git, -geyt ][ adjective ]MEANING :1. utterly licentious or immoral
2. wildly extravagant or prodigalUSAGE EXAMPLE 1 :His profligate ways landed him in prison.
USAGE EXAMPLE 2 :With attention on energy problems worldwide, Formula One cannot afford to be profligate in its use of fuel, said Mosley, who expects general levels of spending to be cut in half "without affecting the spectacle in any way."

Reciprocate [ ri-SIP-ruh’-keyt ][ intransitive verb, transitive verb ]MEANING :1. (tr.v.) to give and take or interchange mutually or return a favour
2. (tr.v.) to change one's position by alternating back and forth
3. (intr.v.) to give back or return esp. a favour of some sort
4. (intr.v.) to move back and forth and interchange positionsUSAGE EXAMPLE 1 :He reciprocated their actions by writing them thank you notes.
USAGE EXAMPLE 2 :Civil aviation minister Praful Patel had earlier appealed to airlines to cut fares and reciprocate the measures taken by the government to help the ailing industry.

Piquant [ PEE-kuh’ nt, -kahnt, pee-KAHNT ][ adjective ]MEANING :1. spicy or pleasantly pungent
2. interesting, intriguing, charming or appealing
3. engagingly provocative or lively
4. (archaic) stinging or hurting to feelingsUSAGE EXAMPLE 1 :The piquant taste of the cuisine adds to its appeal.
USAGE EXAMPLE 2 :This piquant tomatillo and jicama salad is low in fat and calories, and a refreshing change from the monotony of mixed greens.

Metaphor [ MET-uh’-fawr, -fer ][ noun ]MEANING :1. a figure of speech where a word or a phrase that normally gives off a certain meaning is made to give off another indirectly which leads to an implied comparison between the two
2. an emblem or symbol
3. an object or idea that represents anotherUSAGE EXAMPLE 1 :He liked to use metaphors while speaking.
USAGE EXAMPLE 2 :I have tried to depict autism in the wider perspective of a metaphor, with normal parents looking for miracles to make their children extraordinary.

Parlance [ PAHR-luh'ns ][ noun ]MEANING :1. the way of speaking
2. talk or speechUSAGE EXAMPLE 1 :They asked a lawyer for an explanation of the legal parlance in the contract.
USAGE EXAMPLE 2 :It is common parlance that if you have a problem, "Why hire a lawyer when you can buy a judge," Clinton said, referring to corruption associated with the nation's judiciary system.

Pyre [ pahy-uh'r ][ noun ]MEANING :1. a stack of wood or other combustible material used to burn a dead bodyUSAGE EXAMPLE 1 :It was difficult to light the funeral pyre as the wood had become damp due to the rain.
USAGE EXAMPLE 2 :A bid by a devout Hindu for the legal right to be cremated on a traditional open-air funeral pyre has been rejected by the High Court in London.

Pusillanimous [ pyoo-suh'-LAN-uh'-muh's ][ adjective ]MEANING :1. having no courage
2. cowardlyUSAGE EXAMPLE 1 :The army deserter had a weak pusillanimous character and was terrified of being shot by the enemy.
USAGE EXAMPLE 2 :Sir Richard's insistence that men and women sent to war should be adequately equipped may have angered our pusillanimous ministers, but it endeared him to the soldiers who are his, and our, first concern.

Talisman [ TAL-is-muh'n, -iz- ][ noun ]MEANING :an amulet or charm in the form of a ring, stone or any object that is believed to possess powers of the occultUSAGE EXAMPLE 1 :He was given a talisman to protect him from evil.
USAGE EXAMPLE 2 :It became his talisman and he carried it around for a year and a half before returning home.

Onus [ OH-nuh’ s ][ noun ]MEANING :1. obligation, burden, difficult task or duty
2. burden of proof
3. responsibility, blame or stigmaUSAGE EXAMPLE 1 :The onus is on the CEO to ensure the financial security of the company.
USAGE EXAMPLE 2 :The onus is on the occupying forces to ensure security of embassy personnel in Baghdad.

Monolithic [ mon-uh’-LITH-ik ][ adjective ]MEANING :1. pertaining to or of a monolith
2. carved out of only one stone
3. massive, monumental or huge
4. composed of a single piece, unbroken or solidUSAGE EXAMPLE 1 :The monolithic architecture was a famous tourist attraction.
USAGE EXAMPLE 2 :NMP's appointment marks the end of British Nuclear Fuels, better known as BNFL, the monolithic government body that for years was synonymous with the UK nuclear industry.

Menial [ MEE-nee-uh’ l, MEEN-yuh’ l ][ noun, adjective ]MEANING :1. (adj.) degrading, low, servile or submissive
2. (adj.) pertaining to or characteristic of slaves or servants
3. (n.) a domestic slave or servant
4. (n.) a submissive or servile personUSAGE EXAMPLE 1 :Menial labour, unfortunately, is looked down upon and does not carry the same respect as other jobs.
USAGE EXAMPLE 2 :He worked in menial jobs until he was 25, when a school friend who was directing commercials took on Ritchie as a runner.

Idyllic [ ahy-DIL-ik ][ adjective ]MEANING :1. related to or characteristic of an idyll
2. natural, simple, picturesque or pastoral
3. romanticUSAGE EXAMPLE 1 :The idyllic setting was perfect for the wedding.
USAGE EXAMPLE 2 :Each year, more than 2 million people visit the store in the idyllic town of Frankenmuth, Michigan.

Melee [ MEY-ley, mey-LEY, MEL-ey ][ noun ]MEANING :1. a chaotic or confused brawl or struggle
2. turmoil or confusionUSAGE EXAMPLE 1 :The melee left many people injured.
USAGE EXAMPLE 2 :This was the melee tournament - a brutal free-for-all with few rules - designed very much as a preparation for war.

Incantation [ in-kan-TEY-shuh’ n ][ noun ]MEANING :1. recitation or chant of magical words or spells
2. an employed formula or the words in the charm or spell
3. sorcery or magicUSAGE EXAMPLE 1 :The incantation had to be said clearly for the charm to work.
USAGE EXAMPLE 2 :There is undeniable pleasure to be had reducing a city to rubble with a few incantations.