noun
1 : a hundred-eyed monster of Greek mythology
*2 : a watchful guardian
Example sentence:
The students moved nervously through the hallway under the watchful eyes of
Principal Burns, an all-seeing Argus who seemed to be able to spot horseplay
even with his back turned.
\TAHN-teen\ • noun
: a joint financial arrangement whereby the participants usually
contribute equally to a prize that is awarded entirely to the participant who
survives all the others
Example sentence:
When all the participants in the tontine but one were murdered, you can guess
who the primary suspect was.
bool-vair-suh-MAHNG (the "NG" is not pronounced, but the vowel is nasalized)\
• noun
*1 : reversal
2 : a violent disturbance : disorder
Example sentence:
The economist pointed out that, in a bouleversement of housing trends, more
people are purchasing homes now, whereas rentals have dropped off.
poh-MAY-shuss\ • adjective
1 : of or relating to apples
*2 : resembling a pome
Example sentence:
"Her face was looking papery and translucent. . .. but she still had nice
legs, with the pomaceous calves of a Pittsburgh girl." (Michael Chabon, The
New Yorker, April 1990)
\tel-uh-graf-EEZ\ • noun
: language characterized by the terseness and ellipses that are common
in telegrams
Example sentence:
The translator couldn't keep up with the speaker, so what we heard of the
speech sounded like telegraphese.
: origin, source
Example sentence:
Its exact provenience is shrouded in mystery, but some people think the Hope
diamond was cut from a gem stolen from the French crown jewels in 1792.
• noun : an author or editor of a dictionary
Example sentence:
The great lexicographer Noah Webster, who wrote the first authoritative
dictionary of American English, was born on October 16, 1758.
1 : a speech addressed to a public assembly
*2 : a ranting speech or writing
3 : lecture
: tending to contract or bind : astringent; especially : tending to check bleeding
1 a : one that inflicts retribution or vengeance *b : a formidable and usually victorious rival or opponent
2 a : an act or effect of retribution b : a source of harm or ruin : curse
adjective
: characterized by or reflecting economy in the use of resources
Example sentence:
Mary's friends knew her as a frugal woman who cut coupons to save pennies, so
they were shocked when she suddenly purchased an extravagantly expensive car.
verb
1 : demand, claim
*2 a : to assume or claim as true, existent, or necessary :
depend upon or start from the hypothesis of b : to assume as an
established truth (as in logic or mathematics)
Example sentence:
"In order to test our theory," said Detective Higgins, "we must postulate that
the victim was indeed acquainted with his killer."
noun
1 : the mind in its hypothetical primary blank or empty state before
receiving outside impressions
*2 : something existing in its original pristine state
Example sentence:
Our newly built house, with its unpainted walls, is a tabula rasa awaiting our
decorative touches.
verb
*1 : to make a harsh cry
2 : to protest or complain noisily
Example sentence:
"Just before sunrise, barred owls hooted, screamed and caterwauled in the
distance." (Chris Young, The State Journal-Register [Springfield, IL],
April 9, 2005)
adjective
*1 : composed of incongruous parts
2 : of different colors; especially : spotted or blotched
with black and white
Example sentence:
Lee's self-proclaimed "experimental novel" was a piebald accumulation of
random stories woven together with the thinnest of narrative threads.
noun
: dry land : solid ground
Example sentence:
The passengers on the ocean liner looked forward to setting foot on terra
firma at the end of the long voyage.
noun
1 : the ringing or sounding of bells
*2 : a jingling or tinkling sound as if of bells
Example sentence:
The best man's toast to the bride and groom ended with the customary
tintinnabulation of a hundred clinking champagne glasses.
noun
: rapidity of motion or action
Example sentence:
Sarah's employees appreciate the celerity with which she responds to queries
and deals with problems.
adjective
1 *a : subject to two or more interpretations and usually used
to mislead or confuse b : uncertain as an indication or sign
2 a : of uncertain nature or classification b : of uncertain
disposition toward a person or thing : undecided c : of doubtful
advantage, genuineness, or moral rectitude
Example sentence:
When asked if he would run for president, the senator gave only equivocal
answers, providing little information about his plans
verb
1 : to deprive of possession or proprietary rights
*2 : to transfer (the property of another) to one's own possession
Example sentence:
When Maria went home, we expropriated her pens and extra paper to finish the
group project.
adjective
: of, relating to, or being a situation (as a game or relationship) in
which a gain for one side entails a corresponding loss for the other side
Example sentence:
"Increasing spending for computer ed means cutting it somewhere else,"
explained the school superintendent. "It's a zero-sum situation."
noun
*1 : a bitter and abusive speech or writing
2 : ironical or satirical criticism
Example sentence:
The columnist wrote a ruthless diatribe condemning people who talk on cell
phones while driving.
adjective
*1 : of, relating to, or resembling a tree
2 : inhabiting or frequenting trees
Example sentence:
With some of the largest and oldest trees in the world, Sequoia National Park
in California is an arboreal wonder.
verb
*1 : to suppress quietly or indirectly
2 : bypass, avoid
Example sentence:
The governor attempted to discreetly burke all inquiries into his alleged
misuse of state funds.
noun
: a radiant or resplendent quality or state : brilliance
Example sentence:
Cervantes' Don Quixote compares his beloved's hair to "threads of the
brightest gold of Araby, whose refulgence dimmed the sun himself."
noun
: a sentence or phrase that can be interpreted in more than one way
Example sentence:
Not wanting to voice what I really felt, I resorted to amphibology and said,
"I can't say too many good things about her."
noun
: a female demon : vampire
Example sentence:
In his latest horror flick, a seductive lamia revengefully preys upon the
young men of a suburban town, who, it turns out, were responsible for her
brutal death.
noun
: a person of a weak or sickly constitution; especially :
one whose chief concern is being or becoming a chronic invalid
Example sentence:
Will complained constantly of his aches, pains, and sniffles; he was a
terrible valetudinarian.
noun
: one to whom secrets are entrusted; especially :
intimate
Example sentence:
Only Julian's closest confidants knew that he was hunting for a new job.
adjective
*1 : characterized by clownish extravagance or absurdity
2 : whimsically gay : frolicsome
Example sentence:
As the movie progresses, the characters become involved in a series of antic
misadventures, each one funnier and more absurd than the last.
adjective
*1 : of, relating to, or befitting a son or daughter
2 : having or assuming the relation of a child or offspring
Example sentence:
Martha's acute sense of filial responsibility made her check on her mother
whenever a few days went by without contact.
noun
*1 : use of the wrong word for the context
2 : use of a forced and especially paradoxical figure of speech
Example sentence:
The paper printed a correction for the previous day's catachresis: dubbing a
local artist-philanthropist a "socialist" when they meant "socialite."
adverb
: from the beginning
Example sentence:
"Would you live your life differently if you could start again ab ovo?" Rachel
asked.
noun
1 : the point of the celestial sphere that is directly opposite the
nadir and vertically above the observer
2 : the highest point reached in the heavens by a celestial body
*3 : culminating point : acme
Example sentence:
"Winning a gold medal at the Olympic games would be the zenith of my career,"
said the skier in a recent interview.