Word to the Wise

Word to the Wise: Extempore
by ETR (04/10/2008)

Something that's "extempore" (ik-STEM-puh-ree) - Latin for "out of the time" - is done on the spur of the moment, without preparation.

Word to the Wise: Locution
by ETR (04/09/2008)

A "locution" (loh-KYOO-shun) is a form of expression - a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations.

Word to the Wise: Protracted
by ETR (04/08/2008)

"Protracted" (proh-TRAK-tid) - from the Latin for "to drag forth" - means drawn out or prolonged.

Word to the Wise: Obfuscate
by ETR (04/07/2008)

To "obfuscate" (OB-fuh-skate) - from the Latin for "to darken" - is to make something so confusing or unclear that it is difficult to understand.

Word to the Wise: Delectation
by ETR (04/05/2008)

"Delectation" (dee-lek-TAY-shun) - from the Latin for "to please" - is great pleasure, delight, or enjoyment.

Word to the Wise: Autochthonous
by ETR (04/04/2008)

Someone or something that's "autochthonous" (aw-TOK-thuh-nus) - from the Latin for "of the land" - is native to the place where it's found.

Word to the Wise: Blandishment
by ETR (04/03/2008)

"Blandishment" (BLAN-dish-munt) is speech or action that flatters and tends to coax, entice, or persuade.

Word to the Wise: Incipient
by ETR (04/02/2008)

Something that's "incipient" (in-SIP-ee-unt) is just beginning to exist or appear. It is derived from the Latin for "in" + "to take."

Word to the Wise: Abominate
by ETR (04/01/2008)

To "abominate" (uh-BOM-uh-nate) is to hate intensely.

Word to the Wise: Coign
by ETR (03/31/2008)

A "coign" (COIN or KWOIN) is, architecturally speaking, a projecting corner used for observation.

Word to the Wise: Labile
by ETR (03/29/2008)

"Labile" (LAY-bile) - from the Latin for "to slip" - means adaptable or open to change.

Word to the Wise: Arrant
by ETR (03/28/2008)

"Arrant" (AR-unt) - from the Latin for "a journey" - means downright/ confirmed/ extreme/ notorious. It was originally a variant spelling of "errant" (meaning "wandering") and was applied to vagabonds.

Word to the Wise: Luminary
by ETR (03/27/2008)

A "luminary" (LOO-muh-nare-ee) - from the Latin for "light" - is a person of eminence or brilliant achievement.

Word to the Wise: Redound
by ETR (03/26/2008)

To "redound" (rih-DOWND) is to have a consequence or effect. The word is derived from the Latin for "to be in abundance or excess."

Word to the Wise: Sapid
by ETR (03/25/2008)

Something that's "sapid" (SAP-id) - from the Latin for "to taste" - has a strong, pleasant flavor.

Word to the Wise: Penultimate
by ETR (03/24/2008)

"Penultimate" (pih-NUL-tuh-mit) - from the Latin for "almost final" - means "next to the last."

Word to the Wise: Philter
by ETR (03/22/2008)

A "philter" (FIL-tur) is a love potion or charm. It is derived from the Greek for "to love

Word to the Wise: Winsome
by ETR (03/21/2008)

"Winsome" (WIN-sum) - from the Old English for "joy" - means cheerful or light-hearted.

Word to the Wise: Pleonasm
by ETR (03/20/2008)

"Pleonasm" (PLEE-uh-naz-um) - from the Greek for "greater" - is the use of more words than necessary to express an idea.

Word to the Wise: Concupiscence
by ETR (03/19/2008)

"Concupiscence" (kon-KYOO-puh-sunts) - from the Latin for "to desire eagerly" - is lust. The name of the Roman god of love - Cupid - is derived from the same root.

Word to the Wise: Turbid
by ETR (03/18/2008)

Something that's "turbid" (TUR-bid) is (1) muddy, or (2) disturbed. The word is from the Latin for confused/ disordered.

Word to the Wise: Magniloquent
by ETR (03/14/2008)

"Magniloquent" (mag-NIL-uh-kwent) refers to lofty or grandiose speech or expression. The word is from the Latin for "great" + "to speak."

Word to the Wise: Ludic
by ETR (03/13/2008)

"Ludic" (LOO-dik) - from the Latin - means "playful." The word is related to "ludicrous."

Word to the Wise: Volte-Face
by ETR (03/12/2008)

Volte-face" (vawl-tuh-FAHS) - from the Italian for "turn" + "face" - is a reversal, as in policy or opinion.

Word to the Wise: Temerarious
by ETR (03/11/2008)

"Temerarious" (tem-uh-RARE-ee-us) - from the Latin - means recklessly or presumptuously daring.

Word to the Wise: Cap-a-Pie
by ETR (03/10/2008)

"Cap-a-pie" (cap-uh-PEE) - from the French - means "head-to-toe."

Word to the Wise: Constitutional
by ETR (03/08/2008)

A "constitutional" (kon-stih-TOO-shun-ul) is a walk taken for your health (for the benefit of your "constitution").

Word to the Wise: Apotheosis
by ETR (03/07/2008)

An "apotheosis" (uh-pah-thee-OH-sis) is an exalted or glorified example. The word is derived from the Greek for "to deify."

Word to the Wise: Sough
by ETR (03/06/2008)

To "sough" (SOW or SUF) is to make a soft, low, sighing or rustling sound.

Word to the Wise: Temporize
by ETR (03/05/2008)

To "temporize" (TEM-puh-rize) is to be indecisive or evasive in order to gain time or delay action.

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