Learn English Vocabulary - via Word of the Day

Synoptic [ si-NOP-tik  ][ adjective ]MEANING :1. taking a general view or summary of the principal parts of a subject
2. relating to the first three gospels of the New TestamentUSAGE EXAMPLE 1 :The director did a synoptic reading of the play before handing out the dialogues to each actor.

Ventral [ VEN-truh'l ][ noun, adjective ]MEANING :1. (adj.) pertaining to the abdomen or belly
2. (adj.) situated on or near the lower, abdominal plane of the body
3. (n.) the abdominal segment of an insectUSAGE EXAMPLE 1 :The patient was unable to pin-point the exact location but indicated that the pain emanated from the ventral side of his body.

Conjugal [ KON-juh'-guh'l ][ adjective ]MEANING :1. matrimonial or pertaining to marriage
2. the relationship of spouses or to husband and wifeUSAGE EXAMPLE 1 :After they exchanged conjugal vows the priest declared that they were husband and wife.

Pervasive [ per-VEY-siv ][ adjective ]MEANING :1. becoming spread throughout all parts of
2. having the quality of being widespread or the tendency of spreadingUSAGE EXAMPLE 1 :The pervasive aroma of good food made his mouth water.

Covenant [ KUHV-uh'-nuh'nt ][ noun, intransitive verb, transitive verb ]MEANING :1. (n.) a treaty or a binding agreement
2. (n.) a legally agreement
3. (n.) God's promises to the human race, as revealed in the Scriptures
4. (tr. v.) to promise by a formal agreement
3. (intr. v.) to enter into a legal agreementUSAGE EXAMPLE 1 :In the interest of progress a covenant was made between the Industrialists and the state government.

Confound [ kon-FOUN-did ][ adjective ]MEANING :1. confused or bewildered
2. damned (euphemistic usage)
3. to cause to become confused or bewildered
4. to mix up
5. to make a bad thing worseUSAGE EXAMPLE 1 :He was confounded by the mannerisms of the tribesmen.

Resuscitate [ ri-SUHS-i-teyt ][ intransitive verb, transitive verb ]MEANING :1. (tr. v.) to revive from unconsciousness or from apparent death
2. (tr. v.) to restore to consciousness
3. (intr. v.) to regain consciousnessUSAGE EXAMPLE 1 :Paramedics resuscitated her as soon as the lifeguard brought her ashore.

Despot [ DES-puh't, -pot  ][ noun ]MEANING :1. a tyrant
2. one who wields power oppressively
3. a ruler with absolute power or a Byzantine emperorUSAGE EXAMPLE 1 :The despot had put to death all those who dared to oppose him.

Aberrant [ uh'-BER-uh'nt  ][ noun, adjective ]MEANING :1. (adj.) departing from the normal or usual course
2. (adj.) deviating from the ordinary or abnormal
3. (n.) an abnormal person or group or a thing that deviates from the normalUSAGE EXAMPLE 1 :The class teacher immediately reported the aberrant behaviour of the child to the principal.

Nuance [ NOO-ahns, Fr. ny-AHNZ ][ noun ]MEANING :1. a very slight or subtle difference in meaning or expression
2. a slight degree of difference or variation in tone, shade or colourUSAGE EXAMPLE 1 :They were supposed to pay attention to the finer nuances of the accent pertaining to each of the specified regions.

Plagiarize [ PLEY-juh'-rahyz ][ intransitive verb, transitive verb ]MEANING :1. (tr. v.) the unauthorized use or close imitation of another's work, ideas or style
2. (tr. v.) work copied and represented as one's own
3. (intr. v.) to indulge in the copying of another's work and passing it off as one's ownUSAGE EXAMPLE 1 :The authors in the content team did not plagiarize the work of other writers.

Illimitable [ ih-LIM-i-tuh'-buh'l ][ adjective ]MEANING :1. limitless or having no limit
2. boundless
3. infinite not able to be contained within a limitUSAGE EXAMPLE 1 :He was disqualified as his illimitable stamina came from the performance enhancement drugs.

Amok [ uh'-MUHK, uh'-MOK  ][ noun ]MEANING :1. a psychic disturbance characterized by depression followed by a manic urge to murder (Southeast Asian cultures)USAGE EXAMPLE 1 :The executive who ran amok and strangled his boss has been apprehended by the police.

Dilatory [ DIL-uh'-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee  ][ adjective ]MEANING :1. procrastinate or tending to delay
2. tending to postpone or put off
3. to defer or put of taking a decisionUSAGE EXAMPLE 1 :The members of the board adopted dilatory tactics so as to avoid making a commitment on the controversial issue.

fermentation [ fur-men-TEY-shuh'n  ][ noun ]MEANING :1. the act of process of forming into alcohol
2. the conversion of sugar into alcohol using yeast
3. excitement or agitationUSAGE EXAMPLE 1 :He had decided to make a batch of wine but before starting he wanted to know how to expedite the fermentation process.
USAGE EXAMPLE 2 :The alcohol content of a particular drink is controlled by the amount of yeast and length of fermentation.

whorl [ hwurl, hwawrl, wurl, wawrl  ][ noun ]MEANING :1. a circular arrangement of like parts around a point on an axis
2. shaped like a coil or spiral
3. a circular ridge or convolution of a fingerprintUSAGE EXAMPLE 1 :Fresh flowers were affixed to the backdrop in decorative whorls.
USAGE EXAMPLE 2 :It hides under bracken, and has finished flowering now, but the leaves were quite distinctive, an untidy whorl of bright green smooth leaves.

numismatist [ noo-MIZ-muh'-tist  ][ noun ]MEANING :1. a person who specialized in coins
2. the study and collection of coins
3. a coin collectorUSAGE EXAMPLE 1 :He told his parents that he wanted to become a numismatist and work in the Department of Coins and Medals at a museum.
USAGE EXAMPLE 2 :No value has yet been put on the discovery, which has been deemed "of international importance", but numismatists said just one silver coin from the same period can fetch up to £50.

complacency [ kuh'm-PLEY-suh'n-see  ][ noun ]MEANING :1. a feeling of contentment often while unaware of some potential danger
2. a feeling of self-satisfaction coupled with an unawareness of probable trouble
3. an instance of self-satisfactionUSAGE EXAMPLE 1 :They lost the cricket match because of the complacency of the captain.
USAGE EXAMPLE 2 :David Haye defends the World Boxing Association heavyweight title in Manchester next Saturday knowing that he can ill afford any complacency against the wily veteran American John Ruiz, whom he considers "more dangerous" than the Russian giant Nikolai Valuev.

dolorous [ DOL-er-uh's ] [ adjective ] MEANING : 1. mournful or full of sorrow
2. characterized by or showing grief or sorrow
3. causing pain or sorrow USAGE EXAMPLE 1 : She suffered a nervous breakdown when she heard the dolorous news of her husband's death.USAGE EXAMPLE 2 : She receives strong support from a remarkable score by Alexandre Desplat, sweeping, romantic and dolorous, but built on a tinkling eight-note refrain that sounds like a child's nursery rhyme.

marsupial [ mahr-SOO-pee-uh'l  ][ noun, adjective ]MEANING :1. (n.) any viviparous, non-placental mammal of the order Marsupialia
2. (adj.) pertaining to, resembling or having a marsupium or pouch for it youngUSAGE EXAMPLE 1 :The kangaroo is classified as a marsupial.
USAGE EXAMPLE 2 :Marsupials rear their young in pouches.

Luminous [ LOO-muh'-nuh's ][ adjective ]MEANING :1. full of light or illuminated or brightly lit
2. ginning off or emitting light
3. inspiring or intelligent
4. clear or easily understoodUSAGE EXAMPLE 1 :Beautiful models in fashionable creations paraded on the luminous catwalk.

Preclude [ pri-KLOOD ][ transitive verb ]MEANING :1. to make not possible by preventive measures
2. to rule out a certain condition or activityUSAGE EXAMPLE 1 :The criminal was released because the disappearance of the eyewitness precluded a conviction.

Repellent [ ri-PEL-uh’ nt ][ noun, adjective ]MEANING :1. (adj.) repulsive, offensive or causing distaste or disgust
2. (adj.) warding off or driving away
3. (adj.) impervious or resistant esp. to liquids
4. (n.) one that causes repulsion esp. one that repels insects
5. (n.) a medicine or treatment for tumours or swellingsUSAGE EXAMPLE 1 :Mosquito repellents available nowadays are not very effective.

Pander [ PAN-der ][ noun, intransitive verb, transitive verb ]MEANING :1. (n.) a pimp, procurer or go-between in sexual intrigues
2. (n.) one catering to or exploiting other people's weaknesses and desires
3. (tr.v.) to behave or act as a pander
4. (intr.v.) to act as or be a pander in order to gratify someone else's desiresUSAGE EXAMPLE 1 :Panders are looked down on by society.

Caricature [ KAR-i-kuh'-cher, -choo' r ][ noun, transitive verb ]MEANING :1. a pictorial representation highlighting any flaws or peculiarities in a person's features or mannerisms in order to bring about a grotesque or humorous effect
2. the art of making or creating caricatures
3. (tr.v.) to make a pictorial depiction or caricatureUSAGE EXAMPLE 1 :The caricature humiliated the politician.

Transpire [ tran-spahyuhr ][ intransitive verb, transitive verb ]MEANING :1. (intr. v.) to occur; happen; take place.
2. (tr. v.) to emit or give off (waste matter, watery vapor, an odor, etc.)USAGE EXAMPLE 1 :He made a note of everything that transpired in the courtroom.

Ostracism [  OS-truh'-siz-uh'm  ][ noun ]MEANING :1. (n.) banishment
2. (n.) disgrace or exclusion from a group by popular vote
2. (n.) (ancient Greece) temporary banishment by means of popular voteUSAGE EXAMPLE 1 :The ostracism he faced at work because he belonged to a particular caste was, indeed, shameful.