synonymy

Main Entry: syn·on·y·my 

Pronunciation: \-mē\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural syn·on·y·mies

Date: 1683

1 a : a list or collection of synonyms often defined and discriminated from each other b : the study or discrimination of synonyms
2 : the scientific names that have been used to designate the same taxonomic group (as a species); also : a list of these
3 : the quality or state of being synonymous

hillbilly

Main Entry: hill·bil·ly 

Pronunciation: \ˈhil-ˌbi-lē\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural hill·bil·lies

Etymology: ¹hill + Billy, nickname for William

Date: 1900

: a person from a backwoods area

hoopla

Main Entry: hoop·la 

Pronunciation: \ˈhü-ˌplä, ˈhu̇-\

Function: noun

Etymology: French houp-là, interjection

Date: 1877

: to-do; also : ballyhoo

commonsensical

Main Entry: common sense

Function: noun

Date: 1726

: sound and prudent judgment based on a simple perception of the situation or facts

synonyms see sense

— com·mon·sense \ˈkä-mən-ˈsen(t)s\ adjective

— com·mon·sen·si·ble \-ˈsen(t)-sə-bəl\ adjective

— com·mon·sen·si·cal \-ˈsen(t)-si-kəl\ adjective

— com·mon·sen·si·cal·ly \-si-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

gulp

Main Entry: gulp 

Pronunciation: \ˈgəlp\

Function: verb

Etymology: Middle English, from a Middle Dutch or Middle Low German word akin to Dutch & Frisian gulpen to bubble forth, drink deep; akin to Old English gielpan to boast — more at yelp

Date: 14th century

transitive verb 

1 : to swallow hurriedly or greedily or in one swallow
2 : to keep back as if by swallowing {gulp down a sob}
3 : to take in readily as if by swallowing {gulp down knowledge}

 intransitive verb 

: to catch the breath as if in taking a long drink

— gulp noun

— gulp·er noun

theoretically

Main Entry: the·o·ret·i·cal·ly 

Pronunciation: \-ti-k(ə-)lē\

Function: adverb

Date: 1701

1 : in a theoretical way
2 : according to an ideal or assumed set of facts or principles : in theory

squid

Main Entry: ¹squid 

Pronunciation: \ˈskwid\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural squid or squids

Etymology: origin unknown

Date: 1613

: any of an order (Teuthoidea) of cephalopods having eight short arms and two usually longer tentacles, a long tapered body, a caudal fin on each side, and usually a slender internal chitinous support

engulf

Main Entry: en·gulf 

Pronunciation: \in-ˈgəlf, en-\

Function: transitive verb

Date: 1555

1 : to flow over and enclose : overwhelm {the mounting seas threatened to engulf the island}
2 : to take in (food) by or as if by flowing over and enclosing

— en·gulf·ment \-mənt\ noun

twig

Main Entry: ¹twig 

Pronunciation: \ˈtwig\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English twigge, from Old English; akin to Old High German zwīg twig, Old English twā two

Date: before 12th century

1 : a small shoot or branch usually without its leaves
2 : a minute branch of a nerve or artery

— twigged \ˈtwigd\ adjective

— twig·gy \ˈtwi-gē\ adjective

surely

Main Entry: sure·ly 

Pronunciation: \ˈshu̇r-lē, especially Southern ˈshȯr-\

Function: adverb

Date: 14th century

1 : in a sure manner: a archaic : without danger or risk of injury or loss : safely b (1) : with assurance : confidently {answered quickly and surely} (2) : without doubt : certainly {they will surely be heard from in the future — R. J. Lifton}
2 : indeed, really —often used as an intensive {you surely don't believe that}

usage see ²sure

mishap

Main Entry: mis·hap 

Pronunciation: \ˈmis-ˌhap, mis-ˈ\

Function: noun

Date: 14th century

1 : an unfortunate accident
2 : bad luck : misfortune

synonyms see misfortune

creature

Main Entry: crea·ture 

Pronunciation: \ˈkrē-chər\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin creatura, from Latin creatus, past participle of creare

Date: 14th century

1 : something created either animate or inanimate: as a : a lower animal; especially : a farm animal b : a human being c : a being of anomalous or uncertain aspect or nature {creatures of fantasy}
2 : one that is the servile dependent or tool of another : instrument

— crea·tur·al \ˈkrē-chə-rəl\ adjective

— crea·ture·hood \ˈkrē-chər-ˌhu̇d\ noun

— crea·ture·li·ness \-lē-nəs\ noun

— crea·ture·ly \-lē\ adjective

neat

Main Entry: ²neat

Function: adjective

Etymology: Middle French net, from Latin nitidus bright, neat, from nitēre to shine; probably akin to Middle Irish níam luster

Date: 1542

1 : free from dirt and disorder : habitually clean and orderly
2 a : free from admixture or dilution : straight {neat brandy} {neat cement} b : free from irregularity : smooth {neat silk}
3 : marked by tasteful simplicity {a neat outfit}
4 a : precise, systematic b : marked by skill or ingenuity : adroit
5 : net {neat profit}
6 : fine, admirable

— neat·ly adverb

— neat·ness noun

sneak

Main Entry: ¹sneak 

Pronunciation: \ˈsnēk\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): sneaked \ˈsnēkt\ or snuck \ˈsnək\; sneak·ing

Etymology: akin to Old English snīcan to sneak along, Old Norse snīkja

Date: 1594

intransitive verb 1 : to go stealthily or furtively : slink {snuck out early}
2 : to act in or as if in a furtive manner
3 : to carry the football on a quarterback sneaktransitive verb : to put, bring, or take in a furtive or artful manner {sneak a smoke}

synonyms see lurk

— sneak up on : to approach or act on stealthily

usage From its earliest appearance in print in the late 19th century as a dialectal and probably uneducated form, the past and past participle snuck has risen to the status of standard and to approximate equality with sneaked. It is most common in the United States and Canada but has also been spotted in British and Australian English.

scheme

Main Entry: ¹scheme 

Pronunciation: \ˈskēm\

Function: noun

Etymology: Latin schemat-, schema arrangement, figure, from Greek schēmat-, schēma, from echein to have, hold, be in (such) a condition; akin to Old English sige victory, Sanskrit sahate he prevails

Date: circa 1595

1 a archaic (1) : a mathematical or astronomical diagram (2) : a representation of the astrological aspects of the planets at a particular time b : a graphic sketch or outline
2 : a concise statement or table : epitome
3 : a plan or program of action; especially : a crafty or secret one
4 : a systematic or organized configuration : design {color scheme}

synonyms see plan

scourge

Main Entry: ¹scourge 

Pronunciation: \ˈskərj also ˈskōrj, ˈskȯrj, ˈsku̇rj\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French escorge, from escorger to whip, from Vulgar Latin *excorrigiare, from Latin ex- + corrigia thong, whip

Date: 13th century

1 : whip; especially : one used to inflict pain or punishment
2 : an instrument of punishment or criticism
3 : a cause of wide or great affliction

squabble

Main Entry: ¹squab·ble 

Pronunciation: \ˈskwä-bəl\

Function: noun

Etymology: probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Swedish dial. skvabbel dispute

Date: 1602

: a noisy altercation or quarrel usually over petty matters

synonyms see quarrel

spree

Main Entry: spree 

Pronunciation: \ˈsprē\

Function: noun

Etymology: origin unknown

Date: 1804

: an unrestrained indulgence in or outburst of an activity ; also : a drunken revel : binge

skull

Main Entry: ¹skull 

Pronunciation: \ˈskəl\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English skulle, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Swedish dial. skulle skull

Date: 13th century

1 : the skeleton of the head of a vertebrate forming a bony or cartilaginous case that encloses and protects the brain and chief sense organs and supports the jaws
2 : the seat of understanding or intelligence : mind

— skulled \ˈskəld\ adjective

claptrap

Main Entry: ¹clap·trap 

Pronunciation: \ˈklap-ˌtrap\

Function: noun

Etymology: ²clap; from its attempt to win applause

Date: 1799

: pretentious nonsense : trash

squish

Main Entry: squish 

Pronunciation: \ˈskwish\

Function: verb

Etymology: alteration of squash

Date: circa 1647

transitive verb  

1 : squash {squished the bug}
2 : squelch, suck

 intransitive verb 

: squelch, suck {their wet tennis shoes squished — Frank Noel}

— squish noun

thus

Main Entry: thus 

Pronunciation: \ˈthəs\

Function: adverb

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old Saxon thus thus

Date: before 12th century

1 : in this or that manner or way {described it thus}
2 : to this degree or extent : so {thus far}
3 : because of this or that : hence, consequently
4 : as an example

deadpan

Main Entry: ¹dead·pan 

Pronunciation: \ˈded-ˌpan\

Function: adjective

Date: circa 1928

: marked by an impassive matter-of-fact manner, style, or expression {a deadpan comedy}

— deadpan adverb

ramshackle

Main Entry: ram·shack·le 

Pronunciation: \ˈram-ˌsha-kəl\

Function: adjective

Etymology: alteration of earlier ransackled, from past participle of obsolete ransackle, frequentative of ransack

Date: 1830

1 : appearing ready to collapse : rickety
2 : carelessly or loosely constructed {a ramshackle plot}

piggyback

Main Entry: ⁴piggyback

Variant(s): also pickaback

Function: verb

Date: 1952

transitive verb

1 : to carry up on the shoulders and back
2 : to haul (as a truck trailer) by railroad car
3 : to set up or cause to function in conjunction with something larger, more important, or already in existence or operation

intransitive verb 

: to function or be carried on or as if on the back of another

smooth

Main Entry: ¹smooth 

Pronunciation: \ˈsmüth\

Function: adjective

Etymology: Middle English smothe, from Old English smōth; akin to Old Saxon smōthi smooth

Date: before 12th century

1 a (1) : having a continuous even surface (2) of a curve : being the representation of a function with a continuous first derivative (3) : having or being a short even coat of hair {a smooth collie} — compare rough, wirehaired b : being without hair c : glabrous {a smooth leaf} d : causing no resistance to sliding
2 : free from difficulties or impediments {the smooth course of his life}
3 : even and uninterrupted in flow or flight
4 : excessively and often artfully suave : ingratiating {a smooth operator}
5 a : serene, equable {a smooth disposition} b : amiable, courteous
6 a : not sharp or harsh {a smooth sherry} b : free from lumps

synonyms see level, easy, suave

— smooth adverb

— smooth·ly adverb

— smooth·ness noun

wrath

Main Entry: ¹wrath 

Pronunciation: \ˈrath, chiefly British ˈrȯth\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English wrǣththo, from wrāth wroth — more at wroth

Date: before 12th century

1 : strong vengeful anger or indignation
2 : retributory punishment for an offense or a crime : divine chastisement

synonyms see anger

flamboyant

Main Entry: ¹flam·boy·ant 

Pronunciation: \-ənt\

Function: adjective

Etymology: French, from present participle of flamboyer to flame, from Old French, from flambe

Date: 1832

1 often capitalized : characterized by waving curves suggesting flames {flamboyant tracery} {flamboyant architecture}
2 : marked by or given to strikingly elaborate or colorful display or behavior {a flamboyant performer}

— flam·boy·ant·ly adverb

cue

Main Entry: ²cue

Function: noun

Etymology: probably from qu, abbreviation (used as a direction in actors' copies of plays) of Latin quando when

Date: 1553

1 a : a signal (as a word, phrase, or bit of stage business) to a performer to begin a specific speech or action b : something serving a comparable purpose : hint
2 : a feature indicating the nature of something perceived
3 archaic : the part one has to perform in or as if in a play
4 archaic : mood, humor

oblivion

Main Entry: obliv·i·on 

Pronunciation: \ə-ˈbli-vē-ən, ō-, ä-\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin oblivion-, oblivio, from oblivisci to forget, perhaps from ob- in the way + levis smooth — more at ob-, levigate

Date: 14th century

1 : the fact or condition of forgetting or having forgotten; especially : the condition of being oblivious
2 : the condition or state of being forgotten or unknown

quotient

Main Entry: quo·tient 

Pronunciation: \ˈkwō-shənt\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English quocient, modification of Latin quotiens how many times, from quot how many

Date: 15th century

1 : the number resulting from the division of one number by another
2 : the numerical ratio usually multiplied by 100 between a test score and a standard value
3 : quota, share
4 : the magnitude of a specified characteristic or quality {the celebrity's likability quotient is high}

doofus

Main Entry: doo·fus 

Pronunciation: \ˈdü-fəs, -fis\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural doo·fus·es \-fə-siz\

Etymology: perhaps alteration of ¹goof

Date: 1960

slang : a stupid, incompetent, or foolish person

worldly

Main Entry: world·ly 

Pronunciation: \ˈwər(-ə)ld-lē, ˈwərl-lē\

Function: adjective

Date: before 12th century

1 : of, relating to, or devoted to this world and its pursuits rather than to religion or spiritual affairs
2 : worldly-wise

synonyms see earthly

— world·li·ness noun

earthly

Main Entry: earth·ly 

Pronunciation: \ˈərth-lē\

Function: adjective

Date: before 12th century

1 a : characteristic of or belonging to this earth b : relating to the human race's actual life on this earth
2 : possible {of what earthly use is it?}

— earth·li·ness noun

whoop

Main Entry: ¹whoop 

Pronunciation: \ˈhüp, ˈhu̇p, ˈhwüp, ˈhwu̇p, ˈwüp, ˈwu̇p\

Function: verb

Etymology: Middle English whopen, houpen, from Anglo-French huper, of imitative origin

Date: 14th century

intransitive verb 

1 : to utter a whoop in expression of eagerness, enthusiasm, or enjoyment : shout
2 : to utter the cry of an owl : hoot
3 : to make the characteristic whoop of whooping cough
4 a : to go or pass with a loud noise b : to be rushed through by acclamation or with noisy support {the bill whooped through both houses}

transitive verb  

1 a : to utter or express with a whoop b : to urge, drive, or cheer on with a whoop
2 : to agitate in behalf of
3 : raise, boost {whoop up the price}

— whoop it up  

1 : to celebrate riotously : carouse
2 : to stir up enthusiasm

perhaps

Main Entry: ¹per·haps 

Pronunciation: \pər-ˈhaps, ˈpraps\

Function: adverb

Etymology: per + hap

Date: 1528

: possibly but not certainly : maybe

shrug

Main Entry: ¹shrug 

Pronunciation: \ˈshrəg, especially Southern ˈsrəg\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): shrugged; shrug·ging

Etymology: Middle English schruggen

Date: 14th century

intransitive verb  

: to raise or draw in the shoulders especially to express aloofness, indifference, or uncertainty 

transitive verb  

: to lift or contract (the shoulders) especially to express aloofness, indifference, or uncertainty

whereas

Main Entry: ¹where·as 

Pronunciation: \hwer-ˈaz, wer-, (ˌ)(h)wər-\

Function: conjunction

Etymology: Middle English where as, from where + as

Date: 14th century

1 a : while on the contrary b : although
2 : in view of the fact that : since —used especially to introduce a preamble

deplete

Main Entry: de·plete 

Pronunciation: \di-ˈplēt\

Function: transitive verb

Inflected Form(s): de·plet·ed; de·plet·ing

Etymology: Latin depletus, past participle of deplēre, from de- + plēre to fill — more at full

Date: 1807

1 : to empty of a principal substance
2 : to lessen markedly in quantity, content, power, or value

— de·plet·able \-ˈplē-tə-bəl\ adjective

— de·plet·er \-ˈplē-tər\ noun

— de·ple·tion \-ˈplē-shən\ noun

— de·ple·tive \-ˈplē-tiv\ adjective

turmoil

Main Entry: tur·moil 

Pronunciation: \ˈtər-ˌmȯi(-ə)l\

Function: noun

Etymology: origin unknown

Date: 1526

: a state or condition of extreme confusion, agitation, or commotion

whizbang

Main Entry: whiz·bang 

Variant(s): also whizz·bang \ˈhwiz-ˌbaŋ, ˈwiz-, -ˈbaŋ\

Function: noun

Date: 1915

: one that is conspicuous for noise, speed, excellence, or startling effect

— whiz–bang adjective

detritus

Main Entry: de·tri·tus 

Pronunciation: \di-ˈtrī-təs\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural de·tri·tus \-ˈtrī-təs, -ˈtrī-ˌtüs\

Etymology: French détritus, from Latin detritus, past participle of deterere

Date: 1802

1 : loose material (as rock fragments or organic particles) that results directly from disintegration
2 a : a product of disintegration, destruction, or wearing away : debris b : miscellaneous remnants : odds and ends {sifting through the detritus of his childhood — Michael Tomasky}

— de·tri·tal \-ˈtrī-t^əl\ adjective

derail

Main Entry: de·rail 

Pronunciation: \di-ˈrāl, dē-\

Function: verb

Etymology: French dérailler to throw off the track, from dé- de- + rail, from English

Date: 1850

transitive verb  

1 : to cause to run off the rails
2 a : to obstruct the progress of : frustrate {security problems derailed the tour} b : to upset the stability or composure of {divorce…can seriously derail an employee — Joanne Gordon}

intransitive verb : to leave the rails

— de·rail·ment \-mənt\ noun

wallow

Main Entry: ¹wal·low 

Pronunciation: \ˈwä-(ˌ)lō\

Function: intransitive verb

Etymology: Middle English walwen, from Old English wealwian to roll — more at voluble

Date: before 12th century

1 : to roll oneself about in a lazy, relaxed, or ungainly manner {hogs wallowing in the mud}
2 : to billow forth : surge
3 : to devote oneself entirely; especially : to take unrestrained pleasure : delight
4 a : to become abundantly supplied : luxuriate {a family that wallows in money} b : to indulge oneself immoderately {wallowing in self-pity}
5 : to become or remain helpless {allowed them to wallow in their ignorance}

— wal·low·er \ˈwä-lə-wər\ noun

protrude

Main Entry: pro·trude 

Pronunciation: \prō-ˈtrüd\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): pro·trud·ed; pro·trud·ing

Etymology: Latin protrudere, from pro- + trudere to thrust — more at threat

Date: 1620

transitive verb 1 archaic : to thrust forward
2 : to cause to projectintransitive verb : to jut out from the surrounding surface or context {a handkerchief protruding from his breast pocket}

— pro·tru·si·ble \-ˈtrü-sə-bəl, -zə-\ adjective

arthropod

Main Entry: ar·thro·pod 

Pronunciation: \ˈär-thrə-ˌpäd\

Function: noun

Etymology: New Latin Arthropoda, from arthr- + Greek pod-, pous foot — more at foot

Date: 1876

: any of a phylum (Arthropoda) of invertebrate animals (as insects, arachnids, and crustaceans) that have a segmented body and jointed appendages, a usually chitinous exoskeleton molted at intervals, and a dorsal anterior brain connected to a ventral chain of ganglia

— arthropod adjective

— ar·throp·o·dan \är-ˈthrä-pə-dən\ adjective

within

Main Entry: ¹with·in 

Pronunciation: \wi-ˈthin, -ˈthin\

Function: adverb

Etymology: Middle English withinne, from Old English withinnan, from with + innan inwardly, within, from in

Date: before 12th century

1 : in or into the interior : inside
2 : in one's inner thought, disposition, or character : inwardly {search within for a creative impulse — Kingman Brewster †1988}

gorgeous

Main Entry: gor·geous 

Pronunciation: \ˈgȯr-jəs\

Function: adjective

Etymology: Middle English gorgeouse, from Middle French gorgias elegant, perhaps from gorgias wimple, from gorge throat

Date: 15th century

: splendidly or showily brilliant or magnificent

synonyms see splendid

— gor·geous·ly adverb

— gor·geous·ness noun

whiggish

Main Entry: Whig·gish 

Pronunciation: \ˈhwi-gish, ˈwi-\

Function: adjective

Date: 1684

1 : characteristic of Whigs or Whiggery
2 : of, relating to, or characterized by a view which holds that history follows a path of inevitable progression and improvement and which judges the past in light of the present

jell

Main Entry: jell 

Pronunciation: \ˈjel\

Function: verb

Etymology: back-formation from jelly

Date: 1869

intransitive verb 

1 : to come to the consistency of jelly : congeal, set
2 : to take shape and achieve distinctness : become cohesive

transitive verb : to cause to jell

trigger

Main Entry: ¹trig·ger 

Pronunciation: \ˈtri-gər\

Function: noun

Etymology: alteration of earlier tricker, from Dutch trekker, from Middle Dutch trecker one that pulls, from trecken to pull — more at trek

Date: 1621

1 a : a piece (as a lever) connected with a catch or detent as a means of releasing it; especially : the part of the action moved by the finger to fire a gun b : a similar movable part by which a mechanism is actuated {trigger of a spray gun}
2 : something that acts like a mechanical trigger in initiating a process or reaction

— trigger adjective

— trig·gered \-gərd\ adjective

propel

Main Entry: pro·pel 

Pronunciation: \prə-ˈpel\

Function: transitive verb

Inflected Form(s): pro·pelled; pro·pel·ling

Etymology: Middle English propellen, from Latin propellere, from pro- before + pellere to drive — more at felt

Date: 15th century

: to drive forward or onward by or as if by means of a force that imparts motion

measure

Main Entry: ¹mea·sure 

Pronunciation: \ˈme-zhər, ˈmā-\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English mesure, from Anglo-French, from Latin mensura, from mensus, past participle of metiri to measure; akin to Old English mǣth measure, Greek metron

Date: 13th century

1 a (1) : an adequate or due portion (2) : a moderate degree; also : moderation, temperance (3) : a fixed or suitable limit : bounds {rich beyond measure} b : the dimensions, capacity, or amount of something ascertained by measuring c : an estimate of what is to be expected (as of a person or situation) d (1) : a measured quantity (2) : amount, degree
2 a : an instrument or utensil for measuring b (1) : a standard or unit of measurement — see weight table (2) : a system of standard units of measure {metric measure}
3 : the act or process of measuring
4 a (1) : melody, tune (2) : dance; especially : a slow and stately dance b : rhythmic structure or movement : cadence: as (1) : poetic rhythm measured by temporal quantity or accent; specifically : meter (2) : musical time c (1) : a grouping of a specified number of musical beats located between two consecutive vertical lines on a staff (2) : a metrical unit : foot
5 : an exact divisor of a number
6 : a basis or standard of comparison {wealth is not a measure of happiness}
7 : a step planned or taken as a means to an end; specifically : a proposed legislative act

— for good measure : in addition to the minimum required : as an extra

shoehorn

Main Entry: ¹shoe·horn 

Pronunciation: \-ˌhȯrn\

Function: noun

Date: 1589

: a curved piece (as of horn, wood, or metal) used in putting on a shoe

tantalizing

Main Entry: tantalizing

Function: adjective

Date: circa 1683

: possessing a quality that arouses or stimulates desire or interest; also : mockingly or teasingly out of reach

— tan·ta·liz·ing·ly adverb

grasp

Main Entry: ¹grasp 

Pronunciation: \ˈgrasp\

Function: verb

Etymology: Middle English graspen

Date: 14th century

intransitive verb : to make the motion of seizing : clutch 

transitive verb  

1 : to take or seize eagerly
2 : to clasp or embrace especially with the fingers or arms
3 : to lay hold of with the mind : comprehend

synonyms see take

— grasp·able \ˈgras-pə-bəl\ adjective

— grasp·er noun

— grasp at straws : to reach for or try anything in desperation

— grasp the nettle : to act boldly

vacuum

Main Entry: ¹vac·u·um 

Pronunciation: \ˈva-(ˌ)kyüm, -kyəm also -kyü-əm\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural vac·u·ums or vac·ua \-kyə-wə\

Etymology: Latin, from neuter of vacuus empty, from vacare to be empty

Date: 1550

1 : emptiness of space
2 a : a space absolutely devoid of matter b : a space partially exhausted (as to the highest degree possible) by artificial means (as an air pump) c : a degree of rarefaction below atmospheric pressure
3 a : a state or condition resembling a vacuum : void {the power vacuum in Indochina after the departure of the French — Norman Cousins} b : a state of isolation from outside influences {people who live in a vacuum…so that the world outside them is of no moment — W. S. Maugham}
4 : a device creating or utilizing a partial vacuum; especially : vacuum cleaner

stress

Main Entry: ¹stress 

Pronunciation: \ˈstres\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English stresse stress, distress, short for destresse — more at distress

Date: 14th century

1 : constraining force or influence: as a : a force exerted when one body or body part presses on, pulls on, pushes against, or tends to compress or twist another body or body part; especially : the intensity of this mutual force commonly expressed in pounds per square inch b : the deformation caused in a body by such a force c : a physical, chemical, or emotional factor that causes bodily or mental tension and may be a factor in disease causation d : a state resulting from a stress; especially : one of bodily or mental tension resulting from factors that tend to alter an existent equilibrium {job-related stress} e : strain, pressure {the environment is under stress to the point of collapse — Joseph Shoben}
2 : emphasis, weight {lay stress on a point}
3 archaic : intense effort or exertion
4 : intensity of utterance given to a speech sound, syllable, or word producing relative loudness
5 a : relative force or prominence of sound in verse b : a syllable having relative force or prominence
6 : accent 6a

threshold

Main Entry: thresh·old 

Pronunciation: \ˈthresh-ˌhōld, ˈthre-ˌshōld\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English thresshold, from Old English threscwald; akin to Old Norse threskjǫldr threshold, Old English threscan to thresh

Date: before 12th century

1 : the plank, stone, or piece of timber that lies under a door : sill
2 a : gate, door b (1) : end, boundary; specifically : the end of a runway (2) : the place or point of entering or beginning : outset {on the threshold of a new age}
3 a : the point at which a physiological or psychological effect begins to be produced {has a high threshold for pain} b : a level, point, or value above which something is true or will take place and below which it is not or will not

odd

Main Entry: odd 

Pronunciation: \ˈäd\

Function: adjective

Etymology: Middle English odde, from Old Norse oddi point of land, triangle, odd number; akin to Old English ord point of a weapon

Date: 14th century

1 a : being without a corresponding mate {an odd shoe} b (1) : left over after others are paired or grouped (2) : separated from a set or series
2 a : somewhat more than the indicated approximate quantity, extent, or degree —usually used in combination {300-odd pages} b (1) : left over as a remainder {had a few odd dollars left after paying his bills} (2) : constituting a small amount {had some odd change in her pocket}
3 a : being any of the integers (as −3, −1, +1, and +3) that are not divisible by two without leaving a remainder b : marked by an odd number of units c : being a function such that f (−x) = −f (x) where the sign is reversed but the absolute value remains the same if the sign of the independent variable is reversed
4 a : not regular, expected, or planned {worked at odd jobs} b : encountered or experienced from time to time : occasional
5 : having an out-of-the-way location : remote
6 : differing markedly from the usual or ordinary or accepted : peculiar

synonyms see strange

— odd·ness noun

issue

Main Entry: ¹is·sue 

Pronunciation: \ˈi-(ˌ)shü, chiefly Southern ˈi-shə, chiefly British ˈis-(ˌ)yü\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, exit, proceeds, from Anglo-French, from issir to come out, go out, from Latin exire to go out, from ex- + ire to go; akin to Gothic iddja he went, Greek ienai to go, Sanskrit eti he goes

Date: 14th century

1 plural : proceeds from a source of revenue (as an estate)
2 : the action of going, coming, or flowing out : egress, emergence
3 : a means or place of going out : exit, outlet
4 : offspring, progeny {died without issue}
5 a : a final outcome that usually constitutes a solution (as of a problem) or resolution (as of a difficulty) b obsolete : a final conclusion or decision about something arrived at after consideration c archaic : termination, end {hope that his enterprise would have a prosperous issue — T. B. Macaulay}
6 a : a matter that is in dispute between two or more parties b (1) : a vital or unsettled matter {economic issues} (2) : concern, problem {I have issues with his behavior} c : the point at which an unsettled matter is ready for a decision {brought the matter to an issue}
7 : a discharge (as of blood) from the body
8 a : something coming forth from a specified source {issues of a disordered imagination} b obsolete : deed
9 a : the act of publishing or officially giving out or making available {the next issue of commemorative stamps} {issue of supplies by the quartermaster} b : the thing or the whole quantity of things given out at one time {read the latest issue}

— is·sue·less \ˈi-shü-ləs\ adjective

— at issue  

1 : in a state of controversy : in disagreement
2 also in issue : under discussion or in dispute

approach

Main Entry: ²approach

Function: noun

Date: 15th century

1 a : an act or instance of approaching {the approach of summer} b : approximation {in this book he makes his closest approach to greatness}
2 a : the taking of preliminary steps toward a particular purpose {experimenting with new lines of approach} b : a particular manner of taking such steps {a highly individual approach to language}
3 : a means of access : avenue
4 a : a golf shot from the fairway toward the green b : the steps taken by a bowler before delivering the ball; also : the part of the alley behind the foul line from which the bowler delivers the ball
5 : the descent of an aircraft toward a landing place

cuckoo

Main Entry: ¹cuck·oo 

Pronunciation: \ˈkü-(ˌ)kü, ˈku̇-\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural cuckoos

Etymology: Middle English cuccu, of imitative origin

Date: 13th century

1 : a largely grayish-brown European bird (Cuculus canorus) that is a parasite given to laying its eggs in the nests of other birds which hatch them and rear the offspring; broadly : any of a large family (Cuculidae of the order Cuculiformes) to which this bird belongs
2 : the call of the cuckoo
3 : a silly or slightly crackbrained person

blatant

Main Entry: bla·tant 

Pronunciation: \ˈblā-t^ənt\

Function: adjective

Etymology: perhaps from Latin blatire to chatter

Date: 1596

1 : noisy especially in a vulgar or offensive manner : clamorous
2 : completely obvious, conspicuous, or obtrusive especially in a crass or offensive manner : brazen {blatant disregard for the rules}

synonyms see vociferous

— bla·tant·ly adverb

outward

Main Entry: ¹out·ward 

Pronunciation: \ˈau̇t-wərd\

Function: adjective

Date: before 12th century

1 : moving, directed, or turned toward the outside or away from a center {an outward flow}
2 : situated on the outside : exterior
3 : of or relating to the body or to appearances rather than to the mind or the inner life {outward beauty}
4 : external

success

Main Entry: suc·cess 

Pronunciation: \sək-ˈses\

Function: noun

Etymology: Latin successus, from succedere

Date: 1537

1 obsolete : outcome, result
2 a : degree or measure of succeeding b : favorable or desired outcome; also : the attainment of wealth, favor, or eminence
3 : one that succeeds

serendipity

Main Entry: ser·en·dip·i·ty 

Pronunciation: \-ˈdi-pə-tē\

Function: noun

Etymology: from its possession by the heroes of the Persian fairy tale The Three Princes of Serendip

Date: 1754

: the faculty or phenomenon of finding valuable or agreeable things not sought for; also : an instance of this

loophole

Main Entry: ¹loop·hole 

Pronunciation: \ˈlüp-ˌhōl\

Function: noun

Etymology: ¹loop

Date: 1591

1 a : a small opening through which small arms may be fired b : a similar opening to admit light and air or to permit observation
2 : a means of escape; especially : an ambiguity or omission in the text through which the intent of a statute, contract, or obligation may be evaded

corkscrew

Main Entry: ¹cork·screw 

Pronunciation: \ˈkȯrk-ˌskrü\

Function: noun

Date: 1698

: a device for drawing corks from bottles that has a pointed spiral piece of metal turned by a handle

debris

Main Entry: de·bris 

Pronunciation: \də-ˈbrē, dā-ˈ, ˈdā-ˌ, British usually ˈde-(ˌ)brē\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural de·bris \-ˈbrēz, -ˌbrēz\

Etymology: French débris, from Middle French, from debriser to break to pieces, from Old French debrisier, from de- + brisier to break, of Celtic origin; akin to Old Irish brisid he breaks; perhaps akin to Latin fricare to rub — more at friction

Date: 1708

1 : the remains of something broken down or destroyed
2 : an accumulation of fragments of rock
3 : something discarded : rubbish

thigh

Main Entry: thigh 

Pronunciation: \ˈthī\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English thēoh; akin to Old High German dioh thigh, Lithuanian taukai, plural, fat

Date: before 12th century

1 a : the proximal segment of the vertebrate hind or lower limb extending from the hip to the knee b : the segment of the leg immediately distal to the thigh in a bird or in a quadruped in which the true thigh is obscured c : the femur of an insect
2 : something resembling or covering a thigh

— thighed \ˈthīd\ adjective