Word to the Wise - learning vocabulary words

Learn to build your vocabulary words with our Word To The Wise english vocabulary learning resources. Become a more persuasive writer and speaker … build your self-confidence and intellect … increase your attractiveness to others … just by spending 10 VERY enjoyable minutes a day with ETR’s new vocabulary resource - Words to the Wise

Word to the Wise: Colloquial
by ETR (07/30/2008)

"Colloquial" (kuh-LOH-kwee-ul) - from the Latin for "conversation" - refers to informal spoken language.

Word to the Wise: Soporific
by ETR (07/29/2008)

Something that's "soporific" (sop-uh-RIF-ik) - from the Latin - induces sleep.

Word to the Wise: Redoubt
by ETR (07/28/2008)

A "redoubt" (rih-DOWT) - from the Latin for refuge - is a small, usually temporary, defensive fortification.

Word to the Wise: Prelapsarian
by ETR (07/26/2008)

"Prelapsarian" (pree-lap-SARE-ee-un) - from the Latin for "before" + "fall" - refers to the time or state before the fall of Adam and Eve.

Word to the Wise: Disjunctive
by ETR (07/25/2008)

Something that's "disjunctive" (dis-JUNGK-tiv) - from the Middle English for "placed in opposition" - serves to disjoin, separate, divide, or distinguish.

Word to the Wise: Filial
by ETR (07/23/2008)

"Filial" (FIL-ee-ul) - from the Latin for "son" - means pertaining to or befitting a son or daughter.

Word to the Wise: Inimical
by ETR (07/22/2008)

"Inimical" (ih-NIM-ih-kul) - from the Latin for "hostile" - means unfriendly, unfavorable, or antagonistic; having the disposition of an enemy.

Word to the Wise: Extant
by ETR (07/21/2008)

"Extant" (EK-stunt) - from the Latin for "to stand out" - means still existing.

Word to the Wise: Kluge
by ETR (07/19/2008)

A "kluge" (KLOOJ) - perhaps from an ironic use of the German for "smart/clever" - was originally slang for a computer system made up of poorly matched elements or elements originally intended for other applications.

Word to the Wise: Grok
by ETR (07/18/2008)

To "grok" (GRAWK) is slang for "to understand," especially in a profound and intimate way. The word was coined by Robert A. Heinlein in his science fiction novel Stranger in a Strange Land.

Word to the Wise: Gimlet Eye
by ETR (07/17/2008)

A "gimlet" (GIM-let) is a small hand tool with a pointed spiral tip, used for boring holes in wood. We use the phrase "gimlet eye" for a sharp or piercing look.

Word to the Wise: Welter
by ETR (07/16/2008)

Word to the Wise: Philtrum
by ETR (07/15/2008)

The "philtrum" (FIL-trum) - from the Greek for "to love; to kiss" - is the vertical depression in the center of the upper lip, directly under the tip of the nose.

Word to the Wise: Ablution
by ETR (07/14/2008)

"Ablution" (uh-BLOO-shun) - from the Latin for "to wash away" - is the act of ritually cleansing the body.

Word to the Wise: Comely
by ETR (07/12/2008)

Something that's "comely" (KUM-lee) - from the Old English for "pretty" - is pleasing or agreeable to the eye.

Word to the Wise: Lineament
by ETR (07/11/2008)

"Lineament" (LIN-ee-uh-munt) - from the Latin for "line" - is a distinguishing or characteristic feature.

Word to the Wise: Gainsay
by ETR (07/10/2008)

To "gainsay" (gane-SAY) - from the Old English for "against" + "to say" - is to deny or dispute.

Word to the Wise: Jejune
by ETR (07/09/2008)

"Jejune" (juh-JOON) - from the Latin for "meager/weak" - is another way of saying childish or lacking in maturity.

Word to the Wise: Claque
by ETR (07/08/2008)

A "claque" (KLAK) - from the French for "clap" - is a group of fawning admirers, sometimes hired to applaud at a performance.

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

To "adumbrate" (uh-DUM-brate) - from the Latin for "shadow" - is to foreshadow or give a sketchy outline.

Word to the Wise: Supercilious
by ETR (07/05/2008)

"Supercilious" (soo-pur-SIL-ee-us) - from the Latin for "eyebrow" - means haughty or disdainfully arrogant.

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

"Dolorous" (DOH-luh-rus) - from the Latin for "to grieve" - is another way of saying "sorrowful."

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

Something that's "capacious" (kuh-PAY-shus) is roomy or spacious. The word is derived from the Latin for "able to hold or contain."

Word to the Wise: Confute
by ETR (07/02/2008)

To "confute" (kun-FYOOT) - from the Latin for "to put down to silence" - is to overwhelmingly prove to be false

Word to the Wise: Ignominious
by ETR (06/30/2008)

"Ignominious" (ig-nuh-MIN-ee-us) - from the Latin for "shameful" - is another way of saying "humiliating."

Word to the Wise: Interpolate
by ETR (06/28/2008)

To "interpolate"- from the Latin for "to polish up," hence to falsify - is to insert new or foreign material into a text or conversation.

Word to the Wise: Palliate
by ETR (06/27/2008)

To "palliate" (PAL-ee-ate) - from the Latin for "to conceal" - is to lessen in severity or make less intense.

Word to the Wise: Durance
by ETR (06/26/2008)

"Durance" (DUR-unts) - from the Latin for "to endure" - is imprisonment or restraint by force. It is usually used in the phrase "durance vile."

Word to the Wise: Invective
by ETR (06/25/2008)

"Invective" (in-VEK-tiv) - from the Latin for "to inveigh against" - is insulting or abusive language.

Word to the Wise: Sentient
by ETR (06/24/2008)

"Sentient" (SEN-shunt) - from the Latin for "to feel" - means responsive to or conscious of sensory perceptions.
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