Wiktionary:Word of the day/Archive/2007/July

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1

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sheer adj

(textiles) Very thin or transparent. Pure; unmixed; being only what it seems to be. Straight up and down; vertical

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2

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denounce v

To criticize or speak out against. To make a formal or public accusation against. (archaic) To make known in a formal manner; to proclaim

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3

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non sequitur n

(logic) An invalid argument, the conclusion of which cannot be logically deduced from the premises. Any abrupt and inexplicable transition or occurrence

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4

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keepsake n

An object given by a person and retained in memory of something or someone

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5

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Pyrrhic victory n

A very costly victory, wherein the considerable losses outweigh the gain, so as to render the battle unfavourable

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6

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obfuscate v

To make dark; to overshadow. To deliberately make (something) more confusing in order to conceal the truth

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7

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duplicitous adj

Given to or marked by deliberate deceptiveness in behavior or speech

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8

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agnostic n

A person who holds to a form of agnosticism, especially someone uncertain of the existence of a deity

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9

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pertinaciously adv

In a stubbornly resolute manner; tenaciously holding one's opinion or course of action

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10

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vacillate v

To sway unsteadily from one side to the other; to oscillate. To swing indecisively from one course of action or opinion to another

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11

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invidious adj

Prompted by or expressing or adapted to excite envious dislike or ill will; offensively or unfairly discriminating. Envious; causing or arising from envy. Hateful; odious; detestable

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12

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calliope n

A musical organ, consisting of steam whistles played with a keyboard

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13

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umbrage n

A feeling of anger or annoyance caused by something offensive. A feeling of doubt. (obsolete) A shadow, shade

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14

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ratify v

To give formal consent to; make officially valid

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15

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coy adj

Pretending shyness or modesty. (archaic) Quiet, reserved, modest

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16

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escritoire n

A writing desk with a hinged door that provides the writing surface

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17

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phlegmatic adj

Not easily excited to action or passion; calm; sluggish. (archaic) Abounding in phlegm, as in "phlegmatic humors"

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18

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hostis humani generis n

(international law) A person who has committed a criminal act so grave – originally maritime piracy and slave-trading, and now torture as well – that any nation may put on trial and, upon conviction, punish him or her.

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19

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corbie step n

(architecture) A series of step-like projections at the top of a gable

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20

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surfeit n

An excessive amount of something. Overindulgence in either food or drink; overeating. A sickness or condition caused by overindulgence

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21

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garrulous adj

Excessively or tiresomely talkative. (of something written or performed) Excessively wordy and rambling

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22

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malinger v

To feign illness, injury, or incapacitation in order to avoid work or obligation

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23

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goober n

(Southern US) A peanut

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24

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serpentine adj

Sinuous; curving in alternate directions. Having the shape or form of a snake

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25

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tilde n

(orthography) A diacritical mark placed above a letter (as in ñ) to modify pronunciation, such as by palatalization or nasalization

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26

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belie v

To give a false representation of (something). To tell lies about (someone). To contradict or show to be false

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27

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hierarchical adj

Of or pertaining to an ecclesiastic or priestly order. Classified or arranged according to various criteria into successive ranks or grades

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28

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leitmotif n

(music) A melodic theme associated with a particular character, place, thing or idea in an opera. A recurring theme

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29

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aleatory adj

Depending on the throw of a die; random, arising by chance

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30

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foster v

To nurture or bring up (offspring); or to provide similar parental care to (an unrelated child). To cultivate and grow (something)

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31

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pettifogger n

Someone who quibbles over trivia, and raises petty, annoying objections. An unscrupulous or unethical lawyer, especially one of lesser skill

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