Buffoon :
A buffoon is someone whose ridiculous behavior is a source of amusement to others.
People you might call a buffoon are a political rival or the guy at work who tells silly jokes at office parties.
The noun buffoon has changed its spelling over the years, but not really its meaning.
In Middle French, it was bouffon, which came from the Italian buffone, meaning "jester."
The original root is the Latin buffare. Think of the stereotypical court jester, the person who makes jokes and falls about trying to make the king laugh β he's paid to be a buffoon.
A buffoon is someone whose ridiculous behavior is a source of amusement to others.
People you might call a buffoon are a political rival or the guy at work who tells silly jokes at office parties.
The noun buffoon has changed its spelling over the years, but not really its meaning.
In Middle French, it was bouffon, which came from the Italian buffone, meaning "jester."
The original root is the Latin buffare. Think of the stereotypical court jester, the person who makes jokes and falls about trying to make the king laugh β he's paid to be a buffoon.
π1
PAYLOAD :
Payload is what a vehicle carries.
If you have a plane with a payload of one ton, then that plane can carry one ton (including you and the snacks you may bring aboard).
Often, payload is estimated to be everything on board a vehicle that's worth money, or that produces income for the vehicle's owner. In the case of a commercial jet, that might be all the paying passengers. In other cases, a truck, ship, or plane's payload includes every single person and item on board, including the flight crew and fuel.
From about 1936, payload frequently referred to bombs carried by a military plane or missile.
Payload is what a vehicle carries.
If you have a plane with a payload of one ton, then that plane can carry one ton (including you and the snacks you may bring aboard).
Often, payload is estimated to be everything on board a vehicle that's worth money, or that produces income for the vehicle's owner. In the case of a commercial jet, that might be all the paying passengers. In other cases, a truck, ship, or plane's payload includes every single person and item on board, including the flight crew and fuel.
From about 1936, payload frequently referred to bombs carried by a military plane or missile.
π1
Permeate
As tattoos permeate the mainstream, though, being ink-free may mean less and less. Attitudes towards tattoos are liberalizing...
perΒ·meΒ·ate
verb
Spread throughout (something)
Synonyms: pervade, spread through, fill
As tattoos permeate the mainstream, though, being ink-free may mean less and less. Attitudes towards tattoos are liberalizing...
perΒ·meΒ·ate
verb
Spread throughout (something)
Synonyms: pervade, spread through, fill
π1
Buttress
You can buttress an argument with solid facts or your financial portfolio with safe investments. You may find that giving compliments to everyone you meet buttresses your popularity. To buttress is to sustain or reinforce.
A buttress is a structure that adds stability to a wall or building, and this innovation played a significant role in the evolution of architecture. Think of a medieval cathedral. It's an incredibly tall, open building filled with light from vast windows. Without buttresses supporting the walls and carrying the weight of the ceiling away from the building and down to the ground, this cathedral would be impossible. Picture this when you use buttress figuratively as a verb meaning to strengthen and support.
You can buttress an argument with solid facts or your financial portfolio with safe investments. You may find that giving compliments to everyone you meet buttresses your popularity. To buttress is to sustain or reinforce.
A buttress is a structure that adds stability to a wall or building, and this innovation played a significant role in the evolution of architecture. Think of a medieval cathedral. It's an incredibly tall, open building filled with light from vast windows. Without buttresses supporting the walls and carrying the weight of the ceiling away from the building and down to the ground, this cathedral would be impossible. Picture this when you use buttress figuratively as a verb meaning to strengthen and support.
π1
Indubitably :
Indubitably means "without doubt." If you say that you are indubitably going to run for class president, you're sure of it.
With five syllables, indubitably is kind of a mouthful. Here's how to say it: "in-DOO-bit-a-blee." And while it is more of an old-fashioned adverb, indubitably remains a unique way to say "undoubtedly."
In fact, doubt and indubitably share a root in the Latin word dubitabilis, meaning "doubtful." Adding the prefix in- makes something done indubitably without a doubt.
Indubitably means "without doubt." If you say that you are indubitably going to run for class president, you're sure of it.
With five syllables, indubitably is kind of a mouthful. Here's how to say it: "in-DOO-bit-a-blee." And while it is more of an old-fashioned adverb, indubitably remains a unique way to say "undoubtedly."
In fact, doubt and indubitably share a root in the Latin word dubitabilis, meaning "doubtful." Adding the prefix in- makes something done indubitably without a doubt.
π1
Sommelier
If you want to impress your dining companions at a fancy restaurant, be sure to refer to the special waiter who serves wine as a sommelier.
You're unlikely to see a sommelier unless you eat at an expensive restaurant where there is a carefully selected menu of wine chosen by the sommelier to complement the food. She will also serve and pour the wine into glasses, and often wait for the diners to taste and approve of it.
In French, the word sommelier literally means "butler," and it's been used since the 19th century to mean "wine steward" or "wine waiter."
If you want to impress your dining companions at a fancy restaurant, be sure to refer to the special waiter who serves wine as a sommelier.
You're unlikely to see a sommelier unless you eat at an expensive restaurant where there is a carefully selected menu of wine chosen by the sommelier to complement the food. She will also serve and pour the wine into glasses, and often wait for the diners to taste and approve of it.
In French, the word sommelier literally means "butler," and it's been used since the 19th century to mean "wine steward" or "wine waiter."
π1
Denizen
A denizen is an inhabitant or frequenter of a particular place: a citizen of a country, a resident in a neighborhood, a maven of a museum, a regular at a bar, or, even, a plant that is naturalized in a region.
The noun denizen comes from words that mean βfromβ and βwithinβ and is related to βcitizen.β Denizen can be used when talking about any person or group of people that have a specific relationship with a place. It was historically used to refer to foreigners who were either naturalized or becoming citizens but now it is used much more generally, as in: "The denizens of my auntβs neighborhood all have contracts with the same gardener."
A denizen is an inhabitant or frequenter of a particular place: a citizen of a country, a resident in a neighborhood, a maven of a museum, a regular at a bar, or, even, a plant that is naturalized in a region.
The noun denizen comes from words that mean βfromβ and βwithinβ and is related to βcitizen.β Denizen can be used when talking about any person or group of people that have a specific relationship with a place. It was historically used to refer to foreigners who were either naturalized or becoming citizens but now it is used much more generally, as in: "The denizens of my auntβs neighborhood all have contracts with the same gardener."
π1
hunker down
When you hunker down, you settle into a safe, sheltered position. Some people evacuate their homes during a big hurricane, while others hunker down and wait for the storm to pass.
This term is such a popular way to describe taking shelter from a storm that it's become a weather report clichΓ©. You might hunker down in your basement during a tornado watch, but you can also hunker down during an argument, refusing to budge from your stated position.
Hunker comes from Scottish β it means "crouch on your heels" or "squat." Sometimes the phrase is also used to mean "get to work," like when you hunker down and finish your homework.
When you hunker down, you settle into a safe, sheltered position. Some people evacuate their homes during a big hurricane, while others hunker down and wait for the storm to pass.
This term is such a popular way to describe taking shelter from a storm that it's become a weather report clichΓ©. You might hunker down in your basement during a tornado watch, but you can also hunker down during an argument, refusing to budge from your stated position.
Hunker comes from Scottish β it means "crouch on your heels" or "squat." Sometimes the phrase is also used to mean "get to work," like when you hunker down and finish your homework.
π1
Triage
Grouping patients based on the severity of their injuries and the likelihood of their survival is called triage.
In a triage situation, urgent cases are seen by doctors first, and non-life-threatening emergencies go last.
You can also apply the sorting and prioritizing of triage to more general situations. If you're overwhelmed with homework, you can perform triage by organizing it into subjects and prioritizing assignments based on their due dates.
The word triage comes from the French word trier meaning to sort. Although the medical sense is now the most common, it wasn't used that way until World War One.
Grouping patients based on the severity of their injuries and the likelihood of their survival is called triage.
In a triage situation, urgent cases are seen by doctors first, and non-life-threatening emergencies go last.
You can also apply the sorting and prioritizing of triage to more general situations. If you're overwhelmed with homework, you can perform triage by organizing it into subjects and prioritizing assignments based on their due dates.
The word triage comes from the French word trier meaning to sort. Although the medical sense is now the most common, it wasn't used that way until World War One.
π1
Catharsis
Use the noun catharsis to refer to the experience a person can have of releasing emotional tension and feeling refreshed afterwards.
Conceived by Aristotle as the cleansing effect of emotional release that tragic drama has on its audience, catharsis stems from a Greek verb meaning "to purify, purge."
Today, it can be used to describe any emotional release, including a good long laugh or cry that is followed by a sense of balance and freshness afterwards.
Use the noun catharsis to refer to the experience a person can have of releasing emotional tension and feeling refreshed afterwards.
Conceived by Aristotle as the cleansing effect of emotional release that tragic drama has on its audience, catharsis stems from a Greek verb meaning "to purify, purge."
Today, it can be used to describe any emotional release, including a good long laugh or cry that is followed by a sense of balance and freshness afterwards.
β€1
Recidivism
/rΙͺΛsΙͺdΙͺvΙͺz(Ι)m/
noun
the tendency of a convicted criminal to reoffend.
"the prison has succeeded in reducing recidivism"
/rΙͺΛsΙͺdΙͺvΙͺz(Ι)m/
noun
the tendency of a convicted criminal to reoffend.
"the prison has succeeded in reducing recidivism"
π1
perspicacious
Perspicacious is an adjective that means "shrewd" and "wise." A perspicacious child can't be fooled when her parents try to keep a secret by talking in Pig Latin.
The adjective perspicacious is a long word for a short definition: "keen" or "shrewd." This word is descended from the Latin word perspicere, which means "to look closely."
In other words, if you look closely at something you are paying attention to it and know it well.
A definition of perspicacious that is out of date but still relevant is "having keen eyesight" and people who can see clearly are also aware and attentive!
Perspicacious is an adjective that means "shrewd" and "wise." A perspicacious child can't be fooled when her parents try to keep a secret by talking in Pig Latin.
The adjective perspicacious is a long word for a short definition: "keen" or "shrewd." This word is descended from the Latin word perspicere, which means "to look closely."
In other words, if you look closely at something you are paying attention to it and know it well.
A definition of perspicacious that is out of date but still relevant is "having keen eyesight" and people who can see clearly are also aware and attentive!
π1
If it's the day before a big event and you have no idea what to wear and nothing in your closet is going to cut it, you are facing a sartorial dilemma β one that pertains to clothing, fashion, or dressing.
π1
insinuation
An insinuation is a sly way of saying something, usually something insulting. It can also be a way of worming your way into a group or situation.
"You're dumb!" is an insult. An insinuation is different: it's a way of indirectly saying something. Insinuation evolved from the Latin insinuationem, meaning "entrance through a narrow way.β So an insinuation is like an insult that sneaks in the back door. Mentioning that your cousin could try harder in school could be an insinuation that your cousinβs lazy. Another kind of insinuation is when someone, often through flattery, gets herself accepted by others. Both kinds of insinuations are sneaky.
An insinuation is a sly way of saying something, usually something insulting. It can also be a way of worming your way into a group or situation.
"You're dumb!" is an insult. An insinuation is different: it's a way of indirectly saying something. Insinuation evolved from the Latin insinuationem, meaning "entrance through a narrow way.β So an insinuation is like an insult that sneaks in the back door. Mentioning that your cousin could try harder in school could be an insinuation that your cousinβs lazy. Another kind of insinuation is when someone, often through flattery, gets herself accepted by others. Both kinds of insinuations are sneaky.
π1π₯1
insouciance
/ΙͺnΛsuΛsiΛΙns/
β noun
the cheerful feeling you have when nothing is troubling you
synonyms : carefreeness, lightheartedness, lightsomeness
/ΙͺnΛsuΛsiΛΙns/
β noun
the cheerful feeling you have when nothing is troubling you
synonyms : carefreeness, lightheartedness, lightsomeness
π1
A parsimonious person is unwilling to spend a lot of money.
You know those people who count up every penny when it's time to split a restaurant bill? You can call them parsimonious. Or cheap.
Stingy is the most common and general synonym of parsimonious, but there are many other near synonyms, including thrifty, frugal, penurious, niggardly, penny-pinching, miserly, tight-fisted, tight.
The adjective parsimonious was formed in English from the noun parsimony, "the quality of being careful in spending." It is a combination of the Latin verb parcere, "to spare," plus an Old French suffix βous, "having the quality of."
You know those people who count up every penny when it's time to split a restaurant bill? You can call them parsimonious. Or cheap.
Stingy is the most common and general synonym of parsimonious, but there are many other near synonyms, including thrifty, frugal, penurious, niggardly, penny-pinching, miserly, tight-fisted, tight.
The adjective parsimonious was formed in English from the noun parsimony, "the quality of being careful in spending." It is a combination of the Latin verb parcere, "to spare," plus an Old French suffix βous, "having the quality of."
π5
Something that's mangled is damaged or even ruined from being crushed, torn, or sliced.
Your recycling bin will be full of mangled soda cans if you stomp on them with your work boots before tossing them in.
Cars can be mangled after a bad accident, and even buildings might be mangled after an explosion.
Mangled debris may mark the site of a bomb or plane crash.
You can also use this adjective figuratively, to mean "ruined," like when you perform a mangled rendition of your favorite song at the school talent show.
Mangled comes from the Old French mangoner, "cut to pieces."
Your recycling bin will be full of mangled soda cans if you stomp on them with your work boots before tossing them in.
Cars can be mangled after a bad accident, and even buildings might be mangled after an explosion.
Mangled debris may mark the site of a bomb or plane crash.
You can also use this adjective figuratively, to mean "ruined," like when you perform a mangled rendition of your favorite song at the school talent show.
Mangled comes from the Old French mangoner, "cut to pieces."
π4β€2
The Latin phrase quid pro quo means making a certain kind of deal: you do this for me, and I'll do that for you.
Ever hear the expression
That describes a quid pro quo: doing a favor you expect to be paid back, instead of doing the favor for its own sake.
Politicians are often accused of doing a quid pro quo: someone donated to their campaign and is now getting favors in return. @WordCzar
Quid pro quo definitely has a shady feel, but it just means making a deal that trades one thing for another.
Ever hear the expression
, "You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours"?
That describes a quid pro quo: doing a favor you expect to be paid back, instead of doing the favor for its own sake.
Politicians are often accused of doing a quid pro quo: someone donated to their campaign and is now getting favors in return. @WordCzar
Quid pro quo definitely has a shady feel, but it just means making a deal that trades one thing for another.
π2β€1