begrudgingly

Main Entry: be·grudge 

Pronunciation: \bi-ˈgrəj, bē-\

Function: transitive verb

Date: 14th century

1 : to give or concede reluctantly or with displeasure {begrudge money} {begrudged the weeks spent away from home}
2 : to look upon with disapproval {begrudge their rivals' success}

— be·grudg·er \-ˈgrə-jər\ noun

— be·grudg·ing·ly \-ˈgrə-jiŋ-lē\ adverb

overlap

Main Entry: over·lap 

Pronunciation: \ˌō-vər-ˈlap\

Function: verb

Date: 1704

transitive verb

1 : to extend over or past and cover a part of
2 : to have something in common withintransitive verb 1 : to occupy the same area in part
2 : to have something in common

— over·lap \ˈō-vər-ˌlap\ noun

buzz

Main Entry: ²buzz

Function: noun

Date: circa 1600

1 : a persistent vibratory sound
2 a : a confused murmur b : rumor, gossip c : a flurry of activity d : fad, craze e : speculative or excited talk or attention relating especially to a new or forthcoming product or event {one of the few new shows that's getting good buzz — TV Guide}; also : an instance of such talk or attention {their first CD created a huge buzz}
3 : a signal conveyed by buzzer; specifically : a telephone call
4 : high 4

outburst

Main Entry: out·burst 

Pronunciation: \-ˌbərst\

Function: noun

Date: 1657

1 : a violent expression of feeling {an outburst of anger}
2 : a surge of activity or growth {new outbursts of creative power — C. E. Montague}
3 : eruption {volcanic outbursts}

pleasure

Main Entry: ¹plea·sure 

Pronunciation: \ˈple-zhər, ˈplā-\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English plesure, alteration of plesir, from Anglo-French plaisir, from plaisir to please

Date: 14th century

1 : desire, inclination
2 : a state of gratification
3 a : sensual gratification b : frivolous amusement
4 : a source of delight or joy

kudos

Main Entry: ku·dos 

Pronunciation: \ˈkü-ˌdäs, ˈkyü-, -ˌdōs\

Function: noun

Etymology: Greek kydos

Date: 1831

1 : fame and renown resulting from an act or achievement : prestige
2 : praise given for achievement

withdraw

Main Entry: with·draw 

Pronunciation: \with-ˈdrȯ, with-\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): with·drew \-ˈdrü\; with·drawn \-ˈdrȯn\; with·draw·ing \-ˈdrȯ(-)iŋ\

Etymology: Middle English, from with from + drawen to draw

Date: 13th century

transitive verb 1 a : to take back or away : remove b : to remove from use or cultivation c : to remove (money) from a place of deposit d : to turn away (as the eyes) from an object of attention <withdrew her gaze> e : to draw (as a curtain) back or aside
2 a : to remove from consideration or set outside a group <withdrew his name from the list of nominees> <withdrew their child from the school> b (1) : take back, retract (2) : to recall or remove (a motion) under parliamentary procedureintransitive verb 1 a : to move back or away : retire b : to draw back from a battlefield : retreat
2 a : to remove oneself from participation b : to become socially or emotionally detached withdrawn farther and farther into herself — Ethel Wilson>
3 : to recall a motion under parliamentary procedure

— with·draw·able \-ˈdrȯ-ə-bəl\ adjective

ditto

Main Entry: ¹dit·to 

Pronunciation: \ˈdi-(ˌ)tō\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural dittos

Etymology: Italian ditto, detto, past participle of dire to say, from Latin dicere — more at diction

Date: circa 1639

1 : a thing mentioned previously or above —used to avoid repeating a word —often symbolized by inverted commas or apostrophes
2 : a ditto mark

peacock

Main Entry: ¹pea·cock 

Pronunciation: \ˈpē-ˌkäk\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English pecok, from pe- (from Old English pēa peafowl, from Latin pavon-, pavo peacock) + cok cock

Date: 14th century

1 : a male peafowl distinguished by a crest of upright feathers and by greatly elongated loosely webbed upper tail coverts which are mostly tipped with iridescent spots and are erected and spread in a shimmering fan usually as a courtship display; broadly : peafowl
2 : one making a proud display of oneself : show-off

— pea·cock·ish \-ˌkä-kish\ adjective

— pea·cocky \-kē\ adjective

awry

Main Entry: awry 

Pronunciation: \ə-ˈrī\

Function: adverb or adjective

Date: 14th century

1 : in a turned or twisted position or direction : askew
2 : off the correct or expected course : amiss

arboreal

Main Entry: ar·bo·re·al 

Pronunciation: \är-ˈbȯr-ē-əl\

Function: adjective

Etymology: Latin arboreus of a tree, from arbor

Date: circa 1667

1 : of, relating to, or resembling a tree
2 : inhabiting or frequenting trees

— ar·bo·re·al·ly \-ə-lē\ adverb

thingamajig

Main Entry: thing·am·a·jig 

Variant(s): or thing·um·a·jig \ˈthiŋ-ə-mə-ˌjig\

Function: noun

Etymology: alteration of earlier thingum, from thing

Date: 1828

: something that is hard to classify or whose name is unknown or forgotten

dreaded

Main Entry: ¹dread 

Pronunciation: \ˈdred\

Function: verb

Etymology: Middle English dreden, from Old English drǣdan

Date: before 12th century

transitive verb 1 a : to fear greatly b archaic : to regard with awe
2 : to feel extreme reluctance to meet or faceintransitive verb : to be apprehensive or fearful

overhaul

Main Entry: over·haul 

Pronunciation: \ˌō-vər-ˈhȯl\

Function: transitive verb

Date: 1705

1 a : to examine thoroughly b (1) : repair (2) : to renovate, remake, revise, or renew thoroughly
2 : to haul or drag over
3 : overtake

— over·haul \ˈō-vər-ˌhȯl\ noun

bamboozle

Main Entry: bam·boo·zle 

Pronunciation: \bam-ˈbü-zəl\

Function: transitive verb

Inflected Form(s): bam·boo·zled; bam·boo·zling \-ˈbüz-liŋ, -ˈbü-zə-\

Etymology: origin unknown

Date: 1703

1 : to deceive by underhanded methods : dupe, hoodwink
2 : to confuse, frustrate, or throw off thoroughly or completely bamboozled by an unexpected defense>

— bam·boo·zle·ment \-ˈbü-zəl-mənt\ noun

toward

Main Entry: ²to·ward 

Variant(s): or to·wards \ˈtō-ərd(z), ˈtȯ(-ə)rd(z), tə-ˈwȯrd(z), ˈtwȯrd(z), ˈtwōrd(z)\

Function: preposition

Date: before 12th century

1 : in the direction of
2 a : along a course leading to b : in relation to
3 a : at a point in the direction of : near b : in such a position as to be in the direction of
4 : not long before
5 a : in the way of help or assistance in b : for the partial payment of

available

Main Entry: avail·able 

Pronunciation: \ə-ˈvā-lə-bəl\

Function: adjective

Date: 15th century

1 archaic : having a beneficial effect
2 : valid —used of a legal plea or charge
3 : present or ready for immediate use
4 : accessible, obtainable
5 : qualified or willing to do something or to assume a responsibility
6 : present in such chemical or physical form as to be usable (as by a plant)

— avail·able·ness noun

— avail·ably \-blē\ adverb

borderline

Main Entry: ¹bor·der·line 

Pronunciation: \-ˌlīn\

Function: adjective

Date: 1907

1 a : being in an intermediate position or state : not fully classifiable as one thing or its opposite b : not quite up to, typical of, or as severe as what is usual, standard, or expected c : characterized by psychological instability in several areas (as interpersonal relations, behavior, and identity) but only with brief or no psychotic episodes
2 : situated at or near a border

— borderline noun

outlet

Main Entry: out·let 

Pronunciation: \ˈau̇t-ˌlet, -lət\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English ut-lete, from ut out + -lete watercourse, from Old English gelǣt, from lǣtan to let

Date: 13th century

1 a : a place or opening through which something is let out : exit, vent b : a means of release or satisfaction for an emotion or impulse s> c : a medium of expression or publication d : a publication or broadcast organization s>
2 : a stream flowing out of a lake or pond
3 a : a market for a commodity b : an agency (as a store) through which a product is marketed s>
4 : a receptacle for the plug of an electrical device

borderline

Main Entry: ¹bor·der·line 

Pronunciation: \-ˌlīn\

Function: adjective

Date: 1907

1 a : being in an intermediate position or state : not fully classifiable as one thing or its opposite b : not quite up to, typical of, or as severe as what is usual, standard, or expected c : characterized by psychological instability in several areas (as interpersonal relations, behavior, and identity) but only with brief or no psychotic episodes
2 : situated at or near a border

— borderline noun

whirl

Main Entry: ¹whirl 

Pronunciation: \ˈhwər(-ə)l, ˈwər(-ə)l\

Function: verb

Etymology: Middle English, probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse hvirfla to whirl; akin to Old High German wirbil whirlwind, Old English hweorfan to turn — more at wharf

Date: 14th century

intransitive verb 1 : to move in a circle or similar curve especially with force or speed
2 a : to turn on or around an axis like a wheel : rotate b : to turn abruptly around or aside : wheel ed around in surprise>
3 : to pass, move, or go quickly ed down the hallway>
4 : to become giddy or dizzy : reel ing>transitive verb 1 : to drive, impel, or convey with or as if with a rotary motion
2 a : to cause to turn usually rapidly on or around an axis : rotate b : to cause to turn abruptly around or aside
3 obsolete : to throw or hurl violently with a revolving motion

— whirl·er \ˈhwər-lər, ˈwər-\ noun

beaucoup

Main Entry: beau·coup 

Pronunciation: \ˈbō-(ˌ)kü\

Function: adjective

Etymology: French

Date: 1918

slang : great in quantity or amount : many, much

quail

Main Entry: ¹quail 

Pronunciation: \ˈkwāl\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural quail or quails

Etymology: Middle English quaile, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin quaccula, of imitative origin

Date: 14th century

: any of numerous small gallinaceous birds: as a : an Old World migratory game bird (Coturnix coturnix) b : bobwhite

embellish

Main Entry: em·bel·lish 

Pronunciation: \im-ˈbe-lish\

Function: transitive verb

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French embeliss-, stem of embelir, from en- + bel beautiful — more at beauty

Date: 14th century

1 : to make beautiful with ornamentation : decorate ed with illustrations>
2 : to heighten the attractiveness of by adding decorative or fanciful details : enhance ed our account of the trip>

synonyms see adorn

— em·bel·lish·er noun

humongous

Main Entry: hu·mon·gous 

Pronunciation: \hyü-ˈməŋ-gəs, yü-, -ˈmäŋ-\

Variant(s): also hu·mun·gous \-ˈməŋ-gəs\

Function: adjective

Etymology: perhaps alteration of huge + monstrous

Date: circa 1967

: extremely large : huge

whip

Main Entry: ¹whip 

Pronunciation: \ˈhwip, ˈwip\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): whipped; whip·ping

Etymology: Middle English wippen, whippen; akin to Middle Dutch wippen to move up and down, sway, Old English wīpian to wipe

Date: 14th century

transitive verb 1 : to take, pull, snatch, jerk, or otherwise move very quickly and forcefully <whipped out his gun — Green Peyton>
2 a (1) : to strike with a slender lithe implement (as a lash or rod) especially as a punishment (2) : spank b : to drive or urge on by or as if by using a whip c : to strike as a lash does whipped the pavement>
3 a : to bind or wrap (as a rope or fishing rod) with cord for protection and strength b : to wind or wrap around something
4 : to belabor with stinging words : abuse
5 : to seam or hem with shallow overcasting stitches
6 : to overcome decisively : defeat
7 : to stir up : incite —usually used with up
8 : to produce in a hurry —usually used with up New York Times>
9 : to fish (water) with rod, line, and artificial lure
10 : to beat (as eggs or cream) into a froth with a utensil (as a whisk or fork)
11 : to gather together or hold together for united action in the manner of a party whipintransitive verb 1 : to proceed nimbly or quickly <whipping through the supper dishes — C. B. Davis>
2 : to thrash about flexibly in the manner of a whiplash whipping out from its staff — H. A. Calahan>

— whip·per noun

— whip into shape : to bring forcefully to a desired state or condition

squeak

Main Entry: ¹squeak 

Pronunciation: \ˈskwēk\

Function: verb

Etymology: Middle English squeken, of imitative origin

Date: 14th century

intransitive verb 1 : to utter or make a short shrill cry or noise
2 : squeal 2a
3 : to pass, succeed, or win by a narrow margin ed by in the election>transitive verb : to utter in a shrill piping tone

concoct

Main Entry: con·coct 

Pronunciation: \kən-ˈkäkt, kän-\

Function: transitive verb

Etymology: Latin concoctus, past participle of concoquere to cook together, from com- + coquere to cook — more at cook

Date: 1675

1 : to prepare by combining raw materials
2 : devise, fabricate

— con·coct·er noun

— con·coc·tion \-ˈkäk-shən\ noun

— con·coc·tive \-ˈkäk-tiv\ adjective 

tricky

Main Entry: tricky 

Pronunciation: \ˈtri-kē\

Function: adjective

Inflected Form(s): trick·i·er; trick·i·est

Date: 1786

1 : inclined to or marked by trickery
2 a : giving a deceptive impression of easiness, simplicity, or order : ticklish b : trick 3
3 : requiring skill, knack, or caution (as in doing or handling) : difficult ; also : ingenious

synonyms see sly

— trick·i·ly \ˈtri-kə-lē\ adverb

— trick·i·ness \ˈtri-kē-nəs\ noun

concoct

Main Entry: con·coct 

Pronunciation: \kən-ˈkäkt, kän-\

Function: transitive verb

Etymology: Latin concoctus, past participle of concoquere to cook together, from com- + coquere to cook — more at cook

Date: 1675

1 : to prepare by combining raw materials
2 : devise, fabricate

— con·coct·er noun

— con·coc·tion \-ˈkäk-shən\ noun

— con·coc·tive \-ˈkäk-tiv\ adjective

tricky

Main Entry: tricky 

Pronunciation: \ˈtri-kē\

Function: adjective

Inflected Form(s): trick·i·er; trick·i·est

Date: 1786

1 : inclined to or marked by trickery
2 a : giving a deceptive impression of easiness, simplicity, or order : ticklish b : trick 3
3 : requiring skill, knack, or caution (as in doing or handling) : difficult ; also : ingenious

synonyms see sly

— trick·i·ly \ˈtri-kə-lē\ adverb

— trick·i·ness \ˈtri-kē-nəs\ noun

slash

Main Entry: ¹slash 

Pronunciation: \ˈslash\

Function: verb

Etymology: origin unknown

Date: 1548

intransitive verb : to lash out, cut, or thrash about with or as if with an edged bladetransitive verb 1 : to cut with or as if with rough sweeping strokes
2 : cane, lash
3 : to cut slits in (as a garment) so as to reveal a color beneath
4 : to criticize cuttingly
5 : to reduce sharply : cut

feedback

Main Entry: feed·back 

Pronunciation: \ˈfēd-ˌbak\

Function: noun

Date: 1919

1 : the return to the input of a part of the output of a machine, system, or process (as for producing changes in an electronic circuit that improve performance or in an automatic control device that provide self-corrective action)
2 a : the partial reversion of the effects of a process to its source or to a preceding stage b : the transmission of evaluative or corrective information about an action, event, or process to the original or controlling source; also : the information so transmitted
3 : a rumbling, whining, or whistling sound resulting from an amplified or broadcast signal (as music or speech) that has been returned as input and retransmitted

straightforward

Main Entry: ¹straight·for·ward 

Pronunciation: \ˌstrāt-ˈfȯr-wərd, ˈstrāt-ˌ\

Function: adjective

Date: 1790

1 a : free from evasiveness or obscurity : exact, candid b : clear-cut, precise
2 : proceeding in a straight course or manner : direct, undeviating

— straight·for·ward·ly adverb

— straight·for·ward·ness noun

acquiesce

Main Entry: ac·qui·esce 

Pronunciation: \ˌa-kwē-ˈes\

Function: intransitive verb

Inflected Form(s): ac·qui·esced; ac·qui·esc·ing

Etymology: French acquiescer, from Latin acquiescere, from ad- + quiescere to be quiet — more at quiescent

Date: 1651

: to accept, comply, or submit tacitly or passively —often used with in and sometimes with to

synonyms see assent

hodgepodge

Main Entry: hodge·podge 

Pronunciation: \ˈhäj-ˌpäj\

Function: noun

Etymology: alteration of hotchpotch

Date: 15th century

: a heterogeneous mixture : jumble

eel

Main Entry: eel 

Pronunciation: \ˈēl\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English ele, from Old English ǣl; akin to Old High German āl eel

Date: before 12th century

1 a : any of numerous voracious elongate snakelike bony fishes (order Anguilliformes) that have a smooth slimy skin, lack pelvic fins, and have the median fins confluent around the tail — compare american eel b : any of numerous other elongate fishes (as of the order Synbranchiformes)
2 : any of various nematodes (as the vinegar eel)

— eel·like \ˈēl-ˌlīk\ adjective

— eely \ˈē-lē\ adjective

whistle

Main Entry: ²whistle

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): whis·tled; whis·tling \-s(ə-)liŋ\

Date: before 12th century

intransitive verb 1 a : to utter a shrill clear sound by blowing or drawing air through the puckered lips b : to utter a shrill note or call resembling a whistle c : to make a shrill clear sound especially by rapid movement whistled> d : to blow or sound a whistle
2 a : to give a signal or issue an order or summons by or as if by whistling b : to make a demand without result transitive verb 1 a : to send, bring, signal, or call by or as if by whistling b : to charge (as a basketball or hockey player) with an infraction
2 : to produce, utter, or express by whistling

— whis·tle·able \-sə-lə-bəl\ adjective

— whistle in the dark : to keep up one's courage by or as if by whistling

filth

Main Entry: filth 

Pronunciation: \ˈfilth\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English fȳlth, from fūl foul

Date: before 12th century

1 : foul or putrid matter; especially : loathsome dirt or refuse
2 a : moral corruption or defilement b : something that tends to corrupt or defile

mesmerizing

Main Entry: mes·mer·ize 

Pronunciation: \-mə-ˌrīz\

Function: transitive verb

Inflected Form(s): mes·mer·ized; mes·mer·iz·ing

Date: 1829

1 : to subject to mesmerism; also : hypnotize
2 : spellbind

— mes·mer·iz·er noun

resourceful

Main Entry: re·source·ful 

Pronunciation: \ri-ˈsȯrs-fəl, -ˈzȯrs-\

Function: adjective

Date: 1851

: able to meet situations : capable of devising ways and means

— re·source·ful·ly \-fə-lē\ adverb

— re·source·ful·ness noun

prompt

Main Entry: ¹prompt 

Pronunciation: \ˈpräm(p)t\

Function: transitive verb

Etymology: Middle English, from Medieval Latin promptare, from Latin promptus prompt

Date: 14th century

1 : to move to action : incite
2 : to assist (one acting or reciting) by suggesting or saying the next words of something forgotten or imperfectly learned : cue
3 : to serve as the inciting cause of ing an investigation>

— prompt·er noun

acquire

Main Entry: ac·quire 

Pronunciation: \ə-ˈkwī(-ə)r\

Function: transitive verb

Inflected Form(s): ac·quired; ac·quir·ing

Etymology: Middle English aqueren, from Anglo-French acquerre, from Latin acquirere, from ad- + quaerere to seek, obtain

Date: 15th century

1 : to get as one's own: a : to come into possession or control of often by unspecified means b : to come to have as a new or added characteristic, trait, or ability (as by sustained effort or natural selection)
2 : to locate and hold (a desired object) in a detector

pundit

Main Entry: pun·dit 

Pronunciation: \ˈpən-dət\

Function: noun

Etymology: Hindi paṇḍit, from Sanskrit paṇḍita, from paṇḍita learned

Date: 1672

1 : pandit
2 : a learned man : teacher
3 : a person who gives opinions in an authoritative manner usually through the mass media : critic

— pun·dit·ry \-də-trē\ noun

terrific

Main Entry: ter·rif·ic 

Pronunciation: \tə-ˈri-fik\

Function: adjective

Etymology: Latin terrificus, from terrēre to frighten

Date: 1667

1 a : very bad : frightful b : exciting or fit to excite fear or awe
2 : extraordinary
3 : unusually fine : magnificent

— ter·rif·i·cal·ly \-fi-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

whatchamacallit

Main Entry: what·cha·ma·call·it 

Pronunciation: \ˈhwä-chə-mə-ˌkȯ-lət, ˈwä-, ˈ(h)wə-\

Function: noun

Etymology: alteration of what you may call it

Date: 1928

: thingamajig

wrist

Main Entry: wrist 

Pronunciation: \ˈrist\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English; akin to Middle High German rist wrist, ankle, Old English wrǣstan to twist — more at wrest

Date: before 12th century

1 : the joint or the region of the joint between the human hand and the arm or a corresponding part on a lower animal
2 : the part of a garment or glove covering the wrist

abrupt

Main Entry: abrupt 

Pronunciation: \ə-ˈbrəpt\

Function: adjective

Etymology: Latin abruptus, from past participle of abrumpere to break off, from ab- + rumpere to break — more at reave

Date: 1530

1 a : characterized by or involving action or change without preparation or warning : unexpected b : unceremoniously curt c : lacking smoothness or continuity
2 : giving the impression of being cut or broken off; especially : involving a sudden steep rise or drop

synonyms see precipitate, steep

— abrupt·ly \ə-ˈbrəp(t)-lē\ adverb

— abrupt·ness \ə-ˈbrəp(t)-nəs\ noun

dongle

Main Entry: don·gle 

Pronunciation: \ˈdäŋ-gəl, ˈdȯŋ-\

Function: noun

Etymology: perhaps alteration of dangle

Date: 1981

: a small device that plugs into a computer and serves as an adapter or as a security measure to enable the use of certain software

clutch

Main Entry: ²clutch

Function: noun

Date: 13th century

1 a : the claws or a hand in the act of grasping or seizing firmly b : an often cruel or unrelenting control, power, or possession c : the act of grasping, holding, or restraining
2 a : a coupling used to connect and disconnect a driving and a driven part (as an engine and a transmission) of a mechanism b : a lever (as a pedal) operating such a clutch
3 : a tight or critical situation : pinch
4 : clutch bag

smitten

Main Entry: smite 

Pronunciation: \ˈsmīt\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): smote \ˈsmōt\; smit·ten \ˈsmi-t^ən\ or smote; smit·ing \ˈsmī-tiŋ\

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English smītan to smear, defile; akin to Old High German bismīzan to defile

Date: 12th century

transitive verb 1 : to strike sharply or heavily especially with the hand or an implement held in the hand
2 a : to kill or severely injure by smiting b : to attack or afflict suddenly and injuriously <smitten by disease>
3 : to cause to strike
4 : to affect as if by striking smitten with the fear of hell — V. L. Parrington>
5 : captivate, take <smitten with her beauty>intransitive verb : to deliver or deal a blow with or as if with the hand or something held

— smit·er \ˈsmī-tər\ noun

impervious

Main Entry: im·per·vi·ous 

Pronunciation: \(ˌ)im-ˈpər-vē-əs\

Function: adjective

Etymology: Latin impervius, from in- + pervius pervious

Date: 1640

1 a : not allowing entrance or passage : impenetrable b : not capable of being damaged or harmed
2 : not capable of being affected or disturbed

— im·per·vi·ous·ly adverb

— im·per·vi·ous·ness noun

gadget

Main Entry: gad·get 

Pronunciation: \ˈga-jət\

Function: noun

Etymology: origin unknown

Date: 1886

: an often small mechanical or electronic device with a practical use but often thought of as a novelty

— gad·ge·teer \ˌga-jə-ˈtir\ noun

— gad·get·ry \ˈga-jə-trē\ noun

— gad·gety \-jə-tē\ adjective

preposterous

Main Entry: pre·pos·ter·ous 

Pronunciation: \pri-ˈpäs-t(ə-)rəs\

Function: adjective

Etymology: Latin praeposterus, literally, in the wrong order, from prae- + posterus hinder, following — more at posterior

Date: 1542

: contrary to nature, reason, or common sense : absurd

— pre·pos·ter·ous·ly adverb

— pre·pos·ter·ous·ness noun

superb

Main Entry: su·perb 

Pronunciation: \su̇-ˈpərb\

Function: adjective

Etymology: Latin superbus excellent, proud, from super above + -bus (akin to Old English bēon to be) — more at over, be

Date: 1549

: marked to the highest degree by grandeur, excellence, brilliance, or competence

synonyms see splendid

— su·perb·ly adverb

— su·perb·ness noun

tweezers

Main Entry: twee·zers 

Pronunciation: \ˈtwē-zərz\

Function: noun plural but singular or plural in construction

Etymology: obsolete English tweeze, noun, etui, short for obsolete English etweese, from plural of obsolete English etwee, from French étui

Date: 1654

: any of various small metal instruments that are usually held between the thumb and index finger, are used for plucking, holding, or manipulating, and consist of two legs joined at one end

contraption

Main Entry: con·trap·tion 

Pronunciation: \kən-ˈtrap-shən\

Function: noun

Etymology: perhaps blend of contrivance, trap, and invention

Date: circa 1825

: device, gadget

warrior

Main Entry: war·rior 

Pronunciation: \ˈwȯr-yər, ˈwȯr-ē-ər, ˈwär-ē- also ˈwär-yər\

Function: noun

Usage: often attributive

Etymology: Middle English werreour, from Anglo-French *werreier, guerreier, from warreier, guerreier to wage war, from werre war — more at war

Date: 14th century

: a man engaged or experienced in warfare; broadly : a person engaged in some struggle or conflict s>

astonishing

Main Entry: as·ton·ish·ing 

Pronunciation: \-ni-shiŋ\

Function: adjective

Date: 1593

: causing astonishment : surprising

— as·ton·ish·ing·ly \-shiŋ-lē\ adverb

groove

Main Entry: ¹groove 

Pronunciation: \ˈgrüv\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English grove pit, cave, from Middle Dutch groeve; akin to Old High German gruoba pit, cave, Old English grafan to dig — more at grave

Date: 1659

1 : a long narrow channel or depression
2 a : a fixed routine : rut b : a situation suited to one's abilities or interests : niche
3 : top form
4 : the middle of the strike zone in baseball where a pitch is most easily hit
5 : an enjoyable or exciting experience
6 : a pronounced enjoyable rhythm

tycoon

Main Entry: ty·coon 

Pronunciation: \tī-ˈkün\

Function: noun

Etymology: Japanese taikun

Date: 1857

1 : shogun
2 a : a top leader (as in politics) b : a businessman of exceptional wealth and power : magnate

uproarious

Main Entry: up·roar·i·ous 

Pronunciation: \ˌəp-ˈrȯr-ē-əs\

Function: adjective

Date: 1800

1 : marked by uproar
2 : very noisy and full
3 : extremely funny

— up·roar·i·ous·ly adverb

— up·roar·i·ous·ness noun

junction

Main Entry: junc·tion 

Pronunciation: \ˈjəŋ(k)-shən\

Function: noun

Etymology: Latin junction-, junctio, from jungere to join — more at yoke

Date: 1711

1 : an act of joining : the state of being joined
2 a : a place or point of meeting b : an intersection of roads especially where one terminates c : a point (as in a thermocouple) at which dissimilar metals make contact d : an interface in a semiconductor device between regions with different electrical characteristics
3 : something that joins

— junc·tion·al \-shnəl, -shə-n^əl\ adjective

shred

Main Entry: ¹shred 

Pronunciation: \ˈshred, especially Southern ˈsred\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English shrede, from Old English scrēade; akin to Old High German scrōt piece cut off

Date: before 12th century

1 a : a long narrow strip cut or torn off b plural : a shredded, damaged, or ruined condition s>
2 : particle, scrap

lacquer

Main Entry: ¹lac·quer 

Pronunciation: \ˈla-kər\

Function: noun

Etymology: Portuguese lacré sealing wax, from laca lac, from Arabic lakk, from Persian lak — more at lac

Date: 1592

1 a : a spirit varnish (as shellac) b : any of various durable natural varnishes; especially : a varnish obtained from an Asian sumac (Rhus verniciflua) —called also Japanese lacquer
2 : any of various clear or colored synthetic organic coatings that typically dry to form a film by evaporation of the solvent; especially : a solution of a cellulose derivative (as nitrocellulose)

shred

Main Entry: ¹shred 

Pronunciation: \ˈshred, especially Southern ˈsred\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English shrede, from Old English scrēade; akin to Old High German scrōt piece cut off

Date: before 12th century

1 a : a long narrow strip cut or torn off b plural : a shredded, damaged, or ruined condition s>
2 : particle, scrap

narrow

Main Entry: ¹nar·row 

Pronunciation: \ˈner-(ˌ)ō, ˈna-(ˌ)rō\

Function: adjective

Etymology: Middle English narowe, from Old English nearu; akin to Old High German narwa scar

Date: before 12th century

1 a : of slender width b : of less than standard or usual width c of a textile : woven in widths usually less than 18 inches (46 centimeters)
2 : limited in size or scope
3 a : illiberal in views or disposition : prejudiced b chiefly dialect : stingy, niggardly
4 a : barely sufficient : close b : barely successful
5 : minutely precise : meticulous
6 of an animal ration : relatively rich in protein as compared with carbohydrate and fat
7 : tense 3

— nar·row·ly adverb

— nar·row·ness noun

overwhelming

Main Entry: over·whelm·ing 

Pronunciation: \-ˈ(h)wel-miŋ\

Function: adjective

Date: 1702

: tending or serving to overwhelm ; also : extreme, great

gizmo

Main Entry: giz·mo 

Variant(s): also gis·mo \ˈgiz-(ˌ)mō\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural gizmos also gismos

Etymology: origin unknown

Date: 1943

: gadget