cheers

—used as a toast

stuff

1

: materials, supplies, or equipment used in various activities: as a obsolete : military baggage b : personal property

2

: material to be manufactured, wrought, or used in construction {clear half-inch pine stuff — Emily Holt}

3

: a finished textile suitable for clothing; especially : wool or worsted material

4

a : literary or artistic production b : writing, discourse, talk, or ideas of little value : trash

5

a : an unspecified material substance or aggregate of matter {volcanic rock is curious stuff} b : something (as a drug or food) consumed or introduced into the body by humans c : a matter to be considered {the truth was heady stuff} {long-term policy stuff} d : a group or scattering of miscellaneous objects or articles {pick that stuff up off the floor}; also : nonphysical unspecified material {conservation and…all kinds of good stuff — Eric Korn}

6

a : fundamental material : substance {the stuff of greatness} b : subject matter {a teacher who knows her stuff}

7

: special knowledge or capability {showing their stuff}

8

a : spin imparted to a thrown or hit ball to make it curve or change course b : the movement of a baseball pitch out of its apparent line of flight : the liveliness of a pitch {greatest pitcher of my time…had tremendous stuff — Ted Williams}

9

: dunk shot

baffle

1

: to defeat or check (as a person) by confusing or puzzling : disconcert

2

: to check or break the force or flow of by or as if by a baffle

helter-skelter

1

: in undue haste, confusion, or disorder {ran helter–skelter, getting in each other's way — F. V. W. Mason}

2

: in a haphazard manner

squelch

transitive verb

1

a : to fall or stamp on so as to crush b (1) : to completely suppress : quell {squelch resistance} (2) : silence {squelched the protesters}

2

: to emit or move with a sucking sound 

 

intransitive verb

1

: to emit a sucking sound

2

: to splash through water, slush, or mire

spawn

intransitive verb

1

: to deposit or fertilize spawn

2

: to produce young especially in large numbers 

 

transitive verb

1

a : to produce or deposit (eggs) —used of an aquatic animal b : to induce (fish) to spawn c : to plant with mushroom spawn

2

: bring forth, generate {the idea spawned controversy}

scarce

1

: deficient in quantity or number compared with the demand : not plentiful or abundant

2

: intentionally absent {made himself scarce at inspection time}

scram

: to go away at once {scram, you're not wanted}

pumpkin

1

a : the usually round orange fruit of an annual vine (Cucurbita pepo) of the gourd family widely cultivated as food b : winter crookneck c British : any of various large-fruited winter squashes (C. maxima)

2

: a usually hairy prickly vine that produces pumpkins

3

: a strong orange color

bedbug

: a wingless bloodsucking hemipterous bug (Cimex lectularius) sometimes infesting houses and especially beds and feeding on human blood

pluck

transitive verb

1

: to pull or pick off or out

2

a : to remove something (as hairs) from by or as if by plucking {pluck one's eyebrows} b : rob, fleece

3

: to move, remove, or separate forcibly or abruptly {plucked the child from the middle of the street}

4

a : to pick, pull, or grasp at b : to play by sounding the strings with the fingers or a pick 

 

intransitive verb

: to make a sharp pull or twitch

psycho

: a deranged or psychopathic person —not used technically

anyway

1

: anywise

2

: in any case : anyhow

pronghorn

: a swift horned ruminant mammal (Antilocapra americana) chiefly of grasslands and deserts of western North America that resembles an antelope —called also pronghorn antelope

thunderbolt

1

a : a single discharge of lightning with the accompanying thunder b : an imaginary elongated mass cast as a missile to earth in the lightning flash

2

a : a person or thing that resembles lightning in suddenness, effectiveness, or destructive power b : a vehement threat or censure

decree

1

: an order usually having the force of law

2

a : a religious ordinance enacted by council or titular head b : a foreordaining will

3

a : a judicial decision of the Roman emperor b : a judicial decision especially in an equity or probate court

flip-flop

1

: the sound or motion of something flapping loosely

2

a : a backward handspring b : a sudden reversal (as of policy or strategy)

3

: a usually electronic device or a circuit (as in a computer) capable of assuming either of two stable states

4

: a rubber sandal loosely fastened to the foot by a thong 

 

— flip–flop intransitive verb

groggy

: weak and unsteady on the feet or in action

seldom

: in few instances : rarely, infrequently

thespian

1

capitalized : of or relating to Thespis

2

often capitalized [from the tradition that Thespis was the originator of the actor's role] : relating to the drama : dramatic

nuisance

1

: harm, injury

2

: one that is annoying, unpleasant, or obnoxious : pest

custard

: a pudding-like usually sweetened mixture made with eggs and milk

fluctuate

intransitive verb

1

: to shift back and forth uncertainly

2

: to ebb and flow in waves 

 

transitive verb

: to cause to fluctuate

shabby

1

: clothed with worn or seedy garments {a shabby hobo}

2

a : threadbare and faded from wear {a shabby sofa} b : ill-kept : dilapidated {a shabby neighborhood}

3

a : mean, despicable, contemptible {must feel shabby…because of his compromises — Nat Hentoff} b : ungenerous, unfair {laments the shabby way in which this country often treated a poet — Paul Engle{ c : inferior in quality {shabby reasoning}

callipygian

: having shapely buttocks

selcouth

archaic : unusual, strange

behold

transitive verb

1

: to perceive through sight or apprehension : see

2

: to gaze upon : observe

 

intransitive verb

—used in the imperative especially to call attention

— be·hold·er noun

cocky

1

: boldly or brashly self-confident {a cocky young actor}

2

: jaunty

snob

1

British : cobbler

2

: one who blatantly imitates, fawningly admires, or vulgarly seeks association with those regarded as social superiors

3

a : one who tends to rebuff, avoid, or ignore those regarded as inferior b : one who has an offensive air of superiority in matters of knowledge or taste

bulldoze

transitive verb

1

: to coerce or restrain by threats : bully

2

: to move, clear, gouge out, or level off by pushing with or as if with a bulldozer

3

: to force insensitively or ruthlessly {bulldozed the program through the legislature}

intransitive verb

1

: to operate a bulldozer

2

: to force one's way like a bulldozer

numbskull

variant of numskull

 

1

: a thick or muddled head

2

: a dull or stupid person : dunce

 

silly

1

archaic : helpless, weak

2

a : rustic, plain b obsolete : lowly in station : humble

3

a : weak in intellect : foolish b : exhibiting or indicative of a lack of common sense or sound judgment {a very silly mistake} c : trifling, frivolous

4

: being stunned or dazed {scared silly} {knocked me silly}

chestnut

1

a : any of a genus (Castanea) of trees or shrubs of the beech family; especially : an American tree (C. dentata) that was formerly a dominant or codominant member of many deciduous forests of the eastern United States but has now been largely eliminated by the chestnut blight and seldom grows beyond the shrub or sapling stage b : the edible nut of a chestnut c : the wood of a chestnut

2

: a grayish to reddish brown

3

: horse chestnut

4

: a chestnut-colored animal; specifically : a horse having a body color of any shade of pure or reddish brown with mane, tail, and points of the same or a lighter shade — compare ²bay 1, ¹sorrel 1

5

: a callosity on the inner side of the leg of the horse — see horse illustration

6

a : an old joke or story b : something (as a musical piece or a saying) repeated to the point of staleness

proper

1

a : referring to one individual only b : belonging to one : own c : appointed for the liturgy of a particular day d : represented heraldically in natural color

2

: belonging characteristically to a species or individual : peculiar

3

chiefly dialect : good-looking, handsome

4

: very good : excellent

5

chiefly British : utter, absolute

6

: strictly limited to a specified thing, place, or idea {the city proper}

7

a : strictly accurate : correct b archaic : virtuous, respectable c : strictly decorous : genteel

8

: marked by suitability, rightness, or appropriateness : fit

9

: being a mathematical subset (as a subgroup) that does not contain all the elements of the inclusive set from which it is derived

nifty

: very good : very attractive : fine {nifty clothes}

behemoth

1

often capitalized : a mighty animal described in Job 40:15–24 as an example of the power of God

2

: something of monstrous size, power, or appearance {a behemoth truck}

sideways

1

: from one side

2

: with one side forward {turn sideways}

3

a : in a lateral direction or downward to one side {hopped sideways} {slump sideways} b : askance {look sideways at someone}

frenzy

1

a : a temporary madness b : a violent mental or emotional agitation

2

: intense usually wild and often disorderly compulsive or agitated activity {a shopping frenzy}

loose

1

a : not rigidly fastened or securely attached b (1) : having worked partly free from attachments {a loose tooth} (2) : having relative freedom of movement c : produced freely and accompanied by raising of mucus {a loose cough} d : not tight-fitting

2

a : free from a state of confinement, restraint, or obligation {a lion loose in the streets} {spend loose funds wisely} b : not brought together in a bundle, container, or binding c archaic : disconnected, detached

3

a : not dense, close, or compact in structure or arrangement b : not solid : watery {loose stools}

4

a : lacking in restraint or power of restraint {a loose tongue} b : lacking moral restraint : unchaste c : overactive; specifically : marked by frequent voiding especially of watery stools {loose bowels}

5

a : not tightly drawn or stretched : slack b : being flexible or relaxed {stay loose}

6

a : lacking in precision, exactness, or care {loose brushwork} {loose usage} b : permitting freedom of interpretation

7

: not in the possession of either of two competing teams {a loose ball} {a loose puck}

loop

1

a : a curving or doubling of a line so as to form a closed or partly open curve within itself through which another line can be passed or into which a hook may be hooked b : such a fold of cord or ribbon serving as an ornament

2

a : something shaped like or suggestive of a loop b : a circular airplane maneuver executed in the vertical plane

3

: a ring or curved piece used to form a fastening, handle, or catch

4

: a closed electric circuit

5

a : a piece of film or magnetic tape whose ends are spliced together so as to project or play back the same material continuously b : a continuously repeated segment of music, dialogue, or images {a drum loop}

6

: a series of instructions (as for a computer) that is repeated until a terminating condition is reached

7

: a sports league

8

: a select well-informed inner circle that is influential in decision making {out of the policy loop}

— for a loop

: into a state of amazement, confusion, or distress {the news threw us for a loop}

boost

1

: a push upward

2

: an act that brings help or encouragement : assist

3

: an increase in amount

cockamamie

: ridiculous, incredible {of all the cockamamy excuses I ever heard — Leo Rosten}

upheaval

1

: the action or an instance of upheaving especially of part of the earth's crust

2

: extreme agitation or disorder : radical change; also : an instance of this

typo

: an error (as of spelling) in typed or typeset material

splash

intransitive verb

1

a : to strike and dash about a liquid or semiliquid substance b : to move in or into a liquid or semiliquid substance and cause it to spatter

2

a (1) : to become spattered about (2) : to spread or scatter in the manner of splashed liquid b : to fall, strike, or move with a splashing sound {a brook splashing over rocks}

 

transitive verb

1

a (1) : to dash a liquid or thinly viscous substance upon or against (2) : to soil or stain with splashed liquid b : to mark or overlay with patches of contrasting color or texture c : to display prominently {a story splashed on the front page}

2

a : to cause (a liquid or thinly viscous substance) to spatter about especially with force b : to scatter in the manner of a splashed liquid

swell

1

a : stylish b : socially prominent

2

: excellent —used as a generalized term of enthusiasm

laptop

: of a size and design that makes operation and use on one's lap convenient — compare desktop

muck

1

: soft moist farmyard manure

2

: slimy dirt or filth

3

a : defamatory remarks or writings b : rubbish, nonsense {mindless muck}

4

a (1) : dark highly organic soil (2) : mire, mud b : something resembling muck : gunk

5

: material removed in the process of excavating or mining

curd

1

dialect : curd

2

a : a deposit or incrustation of filth, grease, or refuse b : something disagreeable or disgusting : rubbish c slang : a despicable or contemptible person

3

: a usually ill-defined or imperfectly identified bodily disorder

gunk

: filthy, sticky, or greasy matter

intertwine

transitive verb

: to unite by twining one with another 

 

intransitive verb

: to twine about one another; also : to become mutually involved

roam

intransitive verb

1

: to go from place to place without purpose or direction : wander

2

: to travel purposefully unhindered through a wide area {cattle roaming in search of water}

3

: to use a cellular phone outside one's local calling area {roaming charges}

 

transitive verb

: to range or wander over

knickers

1

: loose-fitting short pants gathered at the knee

2

chiefly British : underpants

knot

1

a : an interlacement of the parts of one or more flexible bodies forming a lump or knob (as for fastening or tying together) b : the lump or knob so formed c : a tight constriction or the sense of constriction {my stomach was all in knots}

2

: something hard to solve : problem {a matter full of legal knots}

3

: a bond of union; especially : the marriage bond

4

a : a protuberant lump or swelling in tissue {a knot in a gland} b : the base of a woody branch enclosed in the stem from which it arises; also : its section in lumber

5

: a cluster of persons or things : group

6

: an ornamental bow of ribbon : cockade

7

a : a division of the log's line serving to measure a ship's speed b (1) : one nautical mile per hour (2) : one nautical mile —not used technically

8

: a closed curve in three-dimensional space

massive

1

: forming or consisting of a large mass: a : bulky b : weighty, heavy {massive walls} {a massive volume} c : impressively large or ponderous d : having no regular form but not necessarily lacking crystalline structure {massive sandstone}

2

a : large, solid, or heavy in structure {massive jaw} b : large in scope or degree {the feeling of frustration, of being ineffectual, is massive — David Halberstam} c (1) : large in comparison to what is typical {a massive dose of penicillin} (2) : being extensive and severe {massive hemorrhage} {massive collapse of a lung} (3) : imposing in excellence or grandeur : monumental {massive simplicity}

3

: having mass {a massive boson}

beseech

1

: to beg for urgently or anxiously

2

: to request earnestly : implore

 

intransitive verb

: to make supplication

balloon

1

: a nonporous bag of light material that can be inflated especially with air or gas: as a : a bag that is filled with heated air or a gas lighter than air so as to rise and float in the atmosphere and that usually carries a suspended load (as a gondola with passengers) b : an inflatable bag (as of rubber or plastic) usually used as a toy or for decoration

2

: the outline enclosing words spoken or thought by a figure especially in a cartoon

scratch

1

: a mark or injury produced by scratching; also : a slight wound

2

: scrawl, scribble

3

: the sound made by scratching

4

: the starting line in a race

5

a : a test of courage b : satisfactory condition, level, or performance scratch>

6

: a contestant whose name is withdrawn

7

: poultry feed (as mixed grains) scattered on the litter or ground especially to induce birds to exercise —called also scratch feed

8

a : a shot in billiards or pool that ends a player's turn; specifically : a shot in pool in which the cue ball falls into the pocket b : a shot that scores by chance : fluke

9

slang : money, funds

— from scratch

1

: from a point at which nothing has been done ahead of time {build a school system from scratch}

2

: without using a prepared mixture of ingredients {bake a cake from scratch}

tinker

intransitive verb

: to work in the manner of a tinker; especially : to repair, adjust, or work with something in an unskilled or experimental manner : fiddle {always tinkering with his car}

 

transitive verb

: to repair, adjust, or experiment with

gimmick

1

a : a mechanical device for secretly and dishonestly controlling gambling apparatus b : an ingenious or novel mechanical device : gadget

2

a : an important feature that is not immediately apparent : catch b : an ingenious and usually new scheme or angle c : a trick or device used to attract business or attention {a marketing gimmick}

nil

: nothing, zero

sturdy

1

a : firmly built or constituted : stout b : hardy {sturdy plants} c : sound in design or execution : substantial

2

a : marked by or reflecting physical strength or vigor b : firm, resolute c : rugged, stable

happy-go-lucky

: blithely unconcerned : carefree

output

1: something produced: as a : mineral, agricultural, or industrial production {steel output} b : mental or artistic production {literary output} c : the amount produced by a person in a given time d : power or energy produced or delivered by a machine or system (as for storage or for conversion in kind or in characteristics) {generator output} {solar X-ray output} e : the information produced by a computer

2: the act, process, or an instance of producing

3: the terminal for the output on an electrical device

noodle

: a food paste made usually with egg and shaped typically in ribbon form

ballyhoo

1

: a noisy attention-getting demonstration or talk

2

: flamboyant, exaggerated, or sensational promotion or publicity

3

: excited commotion

cockpit

1

a : a pit or enclosure for cockfights b : a place noted for especially bloody, violent, or long-continued conflict

2

obsolete : the pit of a theater

3

: a compartment in a sailing warship used as quarters for junior officers and for treatment of the wounded in an engagement

4

: a space or compartment in a usually small vehicle (as a boat, airplane, or automobile) from which it is steered, piloted, or driven — see airplane illustration

mighty

1

: possessing might : powerful

2

: accomplished or characterized by might {a mighty thrust}

3

: great or imposing in size or extent : extraordinary

forlorn

1

a : bereft, forsaken {left quite forlorn of hope} b : sad and lonely because of isolation or desertion : desolate {a forlorn landscape}

2

: being in poor condition : miserable, wretched {forlorn tumbledown buildings}

3

: nearly hopeless {a forlorn attempt}

dangle

1

: to hang loosely and usually so as to be able to swing freely

2

: to be a hanger-on or a dependent

3

: to occur in a sentence without having a normally expected syntactic relation to the rest of the sentence (as climbing in “Climbing the mountain the cabin came into view”) {a dangling participle} {a dangling modifier}

gorilla

1

: a very large typically black-colored anthropoid ape (Gorilla gorilla) of equatorial Africa that has a stocky body with broad shoulders and long arms and is less erect and has smaller ears than the chimpanzee

2

a : an ugly or brutal man b : thug, goon

scuppernong

1

: muscadine; especially : a cultivated muscadine with yellowish-green plum-flavored fruits

2

: a sweet aromatic amber-colored wine made from scuppernongs

boondoggle

1

: a braided cord worn by Boy Scouts as a neckerchief slide, hatband, or ornament

2

: a wasteful or impractical project or activity often involving graft

trinket

1

: a small ornament (as a jewel or ring)

2

: a small article of equipment

3

: a thing of little value : trifle

flibbertigibbet

: a silly flighty person

acknowledge

1

: to recognize the rights, authority, or status of

2

: to disclose knowledge of or agreement with

3

a : to express gratitude or obligation for {acknowledge a gift}  

b : to take notice of {failed to acknowledge my greeting}  

c : to make known the receipt of {acknowledge a letter}

4

: to recognize as genuine or valid {acknowledge a debt}

rubber

1

a : one that rubs  

b : an instrument or object (as a rubber eraser) used in rubbing, polishing, scraping, or cleaning

c : something that prevents rubbing or chafing

2

[from its use in erasers] 

a : an elastic substance that is obtained by coagulating the milky juice of any of various tropical plants (as of the genera Hevea and Ficus), is essentially a polymer of isoprene, and is prepared as sheets and then dried —called also caoutchouc, india rubber 

b : any of various synthetic rubberlike substances 

c : natural or synthetic rubber modified by chemical treatment to increase its useful properties (as toughness and resistance to wear) and used especially in tires, electrical insulation, and waterproof materials

3

: something made of or resembling rubber: as  

a : a rubber overshoe  

b (1) : a rubber tire (2) : the set of tires on a vehicle  

c : a rectangular slab of white rubber in the middle of a baseball infield on which a pitcher stands while pitching  

d : condom 1

indeed

1

: without any question : truly, undeniably —often used interjectionally to express irony or disbelief or surprise

2

: in reality

3

: all things considered : as a matter of fact

aardvark

: a large burrowing nocturnal mammal (Orycteropus afer) of sub-Saharan Africa that has a long snout, extensible tongue, powerful claws, large ears, and heavy tail and feeds especially on termites and ants

hop

intransitive verb

1

: to move by a quick springy leap or in a series of leaps; also : to move as if by hopping {hop in the car}

2

: to make a quick trip especially by air

3

: to set about doing something —usually used in the phrase hop to it

transitive verb

1

: to jump over {hop a fence}

2

: to ride on {hopped a flight}; also : to ride surreptitiously and without authorization {hop a freight train}

deploy

transitive verb

1

a : to extend (a military unit) especially in width b : to place in battle formation or appropriate positions

2 

: to spread out, utilize, or arrange for a deliberate purpose {deploy a sales force} {deploy a parachute}

 

intransitive verb

: to move, spread out, or function while being deployed {the troops deployed along the front} {the parachute failed to deploy}

 

— de·ploy·able\-ə-bəl\ adjective

— de·ploy·ment\-mənt\ noun

hubbub

Main Entry: hub·bub 

Pronunciation: \ˈhə-ˌbəb\

Function: noun

Etymology: perhaps of Irish origin; akin to Scottish Gaelic ub ub, interjection of contempt

Date: 1555

1 : noise, uproar
2 : confusion, turmoil

cockalorum

Main Entry: cock·a·lo·rum 

Pronunciation: \ˌkä-kə-ˈlȯr-əm\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural cock·a·lo·rums

Etymology: probably modification of obsolete Dutch dial. kockeloeren to crow, of imitative origin

Date: circa 1715

1 : a boastful and self-important person
2 : leapfrog
3 : boastful talk

behavior

Main Entry: be·hav·ior 

Pronunciation: \bi-ˈhā-vyər, bē-\

Function: noun

Etymology: alteration of Middle English behavour, from behaven

Date: 15th century

1 a : the manner of conducting oneself b : anything that an organism does involving action and response to stimulation c : the response of an individual, group, or species to its environment
2 : the way in which someone behaves; also : an instance of such behavior
3 : the way in which something functions or operates

— be·hav·ior·al \-vyə-rəl\ adjective

— be·hav·ior·al·ly \-rə-lē\ adverb

sheesh

Main Entry: sheesh 

Pronunciation: \ˈshēsh\

Function: interjection

Date: 1972

—used to express disappointment, annoyance, or surprise

voyage

Main Entry: ¹voy·age 

Pronunciation: \ˈvȯi-ij, ˈvȯ(-)ij\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English viage, veyage, from Anglo-French veiage, from Late Latin viaticum, from Latin, traveling money, from neuter of viaticus of a journey, from via way — more at way

Date: 14th century

1 : an act or instance of traveling : journey
2 : a course or period of traveling by other than land routes {a long sea voyage}
3 : an account of a journey especially by sea

duplicitous

Main Entry: du·plic·i·tous 

Pronunciation: \du̇-ˈpli-sə-təs also dyu̇-\

Function: adjective

Date: 1928

: marked by duplicity : deceptive in words or action

— du·plic·i·tous·ly adverb

kangaroo

Main Entry: kan·ga·roo 

Pronunciation: \ˌkaŋ-gə-ˈrü\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural kan·ga·roos

Etymology: Guugu Yimidhirr (Australian aboriginal language of northern Queensland) gaŋurru

Date: 1770

: any of various herbivorous leaping marsupial mammals (family Macropodidae) of Australia, New Guinea, and adjacent islands with a small head, large ears, long powerful hind legs, a long thick tail used as a support and in balancing, and rather small forelegs not used in locomotion

scoff

Main Entry: ²scoff

Function: verb

Date: 14th century

intransitive verb

: to show contempt by derisive acts or language {scoffed at the idea}

 transitive verb 

: to treat or address with derision : mock

— scoff·er noun

polyploidy

Main Entry: poly·ploid 

Pronunciation: \ˈpä-lē-ˌplȯid\

Function: adjective

Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary

Date: 1920

: having or being a chromosome number that is a multiple greater than two of the monoploid number

— polyploid noun

— poly·ploi·dy \-ˌplȯi-dē\ noun

phalanx

Main Entry: pha·lanx 

Pronunciation: \ˈfā-ˌlaŋ(k)s, British usually ˈfa-\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural pha·lanx·es or pha·lan·ges \fə-ˈlan-(ˌ)jēz, fā-, ˈfā-ˌ, British usually fa-\

Etymology: Latin phalang-, phalanx, from Greek, battle line, digital bone, literally, log — more at balk

Date: 1553

1 : a body of heavily armed infantry in ancient Greece formed in close deep ranks and files; broadly : a body of troops in close array
2 plural phalanges : one of the digital bones of the hand or foot of a vertebrate
3 plural usually phalanxes a : a massed arrangement of persons, animals, or things {a phalanx of armed guards} b : an organized body of persons {a phalanx of lawyers}

behoove

Main Entry: be·hoove 

Pronunciation: \bi-ˈhüv, bē-\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): be·hooved; be·hoov·ing

Etymology: Middle English behoven, from Old English behōfian, from behōf

Date: before 12th century

transitive verb : to be necessary, proper, or advantageous for {it behooves us to go}

intransitive verb : to be necessary, fit, or proper

enthrall

Main Entry: en·thrall 

Variant(s): or en·thral \in-ˈthrȯl, en-\

Function: transitive verb

Inflected Form(s): en·thralled; en·thrall·ing

Etymology: Middle English

Date: 15th century

1 : to hold in or reduce to slavery
2 : to hold spellbound : charm

— en·thrall·ment \-ˈthrȯl-mənt\ noun

entwine

Main Entry: en·twine 

Pronunciation: \in-ˈtwīn, en-\

Function: verb

Date: 1590

transitive verb

: to twine together or around

intransitive verb  

: to become twisted or twined

tadpole

Main Entry: tad·pole 

Pronunciation: \ˈtad-ˌpōl\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English taddepol, from tode toad + polle head

Date: 15th century

: a larval amphibian; specifically : a frog or toad larva that has a rounded body with a long tail bordered by fins and external gills soon replaced by internal gills and that undergoes a metamorphosis to the adult

slipshod

Main Entry: slip·shod 

Pronunciation: \ˈslip-ˈshäd\

Function: adjective

Etymology: ¹slip

Date: 1580

1 a : wearing loose shoes or slippers b : down at the heel : shabby
2 : careless, slovenly

platypus

Main Entry: platy·pus 

Pronunciation: \ˈpla-ti-pəs, -ˌpu̇s\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural platy·pus·es also platy·pi \-ˌpī, -ˌpē\

Etymology: New Latin, from Greek platypous flat-footed, from platys broad, flat + pous foot — more at place, foot

Date: 1799

: a small carnivorous aquatic monotreme mammal (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) of eastern Australia and Tasmania that has a fleshy bill resembling that of a duck, dense fur, webbed feet, and a broad flattened tail —called also duck-billed platypus

frog

Main Entry: frog 

Pronunciation: \ˈfrȯg, ˈfräg\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English frogge, from Old English frogga; akin to Old High German frosk frog; senses 2, 3, 5, 7, 8 unclearly derived & perhaps of distinct origin

Date: before 12th century

1 : any of various largely aquatic leaping anuran amphibians (as ranids) that have slender bodies with smooth moist skin and strong long hind legs with webbed feet — compare toad
2 : the triangular elastic horny pad in the middle of the sole of the foot of a horse 

3 a : a loop attached to a belt to hold a weapon or tool b : an ornamental braiding for fastening the front of a garment that consists of a button and a loop through which it passes
4 often capitalized usually offensive : frenchman
5 : a device permitting the wheels on one rail of a track to cross an intersecting rail
6 : a condition in the throat that produces hoarseness {had a frog in his throat}
7 : the nut of a violin bow
8 : a small holder (as of metal, glass, or plastic) with perforations or spikes for holding flowers in place in a bowl or vase

hedgehog

Main Entry: hedge·hog 

Pronunciation: \ˈhej-ˌhȯg, -ˌhäg\

Function: noun

Date: 15th century

1 a : any of a subfamily (Erinaceinae) of Eurasian and African nocturnal insectivores that have both hair and spines which they present outwardly by rolling themselves up when threatened b : any of several spiny mammals (as a porcupine)
2 a : a military defensive obstacle (as of barbed wire) b : a well-fortified military stronghold

blob

Main Entry: ¹blob 

Pronunciation: \ˈbläb\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English (Scots)

Date: 15th century

1 a : a small drop or lump of something viscid or thick b : a daub or spot of color
2 : something ill-defined or amorphous

vanish

Main Entry: van·ish 

Pronunciation: \ˈva-nish\

Function: verb

Etymology: Middle English vanisshen, from Anglo-French vaniss-, stem of vanir, envanir, esvanir, from Vulgar Latin *exvanire, alteration of Latin evanescere to dissipate like vapor, vanish, from e- + vanescere to vanish, from vanus empty

Date: 14th century

intransitive verb  

1 a : to pass quickly from sight : disappear b : to pass completely from existence
2 : to assume the value zerotransitive verb : to cause to disappear

— van·ish·er noun

naysayer

Main Entry: nay·say·er 

Pronunciation: \ˈnā-ˌsā-ər, -ˌser\

Function: noun

Date: 1721

: one who denies, refuses, opposes, or is skeptical or cynical about something

— nay–say·ing \-ˌsā-iŋ\ noun

peradventure

Main Entry: ¹per·ad·ven·ture 

Pronunciation: \ˈpər-əd-ˌven-chər, ˈper-; ˌpər-əd-ˈ, ˌper-\

Function: adverb

Etymology: Middle English par aventure, from Anglo-French, by chance

Date: 14th century

archaic : perhaps, possibly

nasty

Main Entry: nas·ty 

Pronunciation: \ˈnas-tē\

Function: adjective

Inflected Form(s): nas·ti·er; nas·ti·est

Etymology: Middle English

Date: 14th century

1 a : disgustingly filthy b : physically repugnant
2 : indecent, obscene
3 : mean, tawdry
4 a : extremely hazardous or harmful {a nasty undertow} b : causing severe pain or suffering {a nasty wound} {a nasty fall} c : sharply unpleasant : disagreeable {nasty weather}
5 a : difficult to understand or deal with {a nasty problem} {a nasty curveball} b : psychologically unsettling : trying {a nasty fear that she was lost}
6 : lacking in courtesy or sportsmanship {a nasty trick}

synonyms see dirty

— nas·ti·ly \-tə-lē\ adverb

— nas·ti·ness \-tē-nəs\ noun

— nasty noun

skyrocket

Main Entry: ²skyrocket

Function: verb

Date: 1851

transitive verb

1 : to cause to rise or increase abruptly and rapidly
2 : catapult

intransitive verb : to shoot up abruptly {prices are skyrocketing}

knick-knack

Main Entry: knick·knack 

Variant(s): also nick·nack \ˈnik-ˌnak\

Function: noun

Etymology: reduplication of knack

Date: 1682

: a small trivial article usually intended for ornament

aloof

Main Entry: ¹aloof 

Pronunciation: \ə-ˈlüf\

Function: adverb

Etymology: obsolete aloof to windward, from ¹a- + louf, luf luff

Date: 1523

: at a distance

plunge

Main Entry: ¹plunge 

Pronunciation: \ˈplənj\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): plunged; plung·ing

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French plunger, from Vulgar Latin *plumbicare, from Latin plumbum lead

Date: 14th century

transitive verb  

1 : to cause to penetrate or enter quickly and forcibly into something {plunged the dagger}
2 : to cause to enter a state or course of action usually suddenly, unexpectedly, or violently {plunged the nation into economic depression}

 intransitive verb 

1 : to thrust or cast oneself into or as if into water
2 a : to become pitched or thrown headlong or violently forward and downward; also : to move oneself in such a manner {plunged off the embankment} b : to act with reckless haste : enter suddenly or unexpectedly {plunges into project after project} c : to bet or gamble heavily and recklessly
3 : to descend or dip suddenly {the stock's value plunged}