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}

assassin

Main Entry: as·sas·sin 

Pronunciation: \ə-ˈsa-s^ən\

Function: noun

Etymology: Medieval Latin assassinus, from Arabic ḥashshāshīn, plural of ḥashshāsh worthless person, literally, hashish user, from hashīsh hashish

Date: circa 1520

1 capitalized : a member of a Shia Muslim sect who at the time of the Crusades was sent out on a suicidal mission to murder prominent enemies
2 : a person who commits murder; especially : one who murders a politically important person either for hire or from fanatical motives

peahen

Main Entry: pea·hen 

Pronunciation: \ˈpē-ˌhen\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English pehenne, from pe- + henne hen

Date: 15th century

: a female peafowl

gobbledygook

Main Entry: gob·ble·dy·gook 

Variant(s): also gob·ble·de·gook \ˈgä-bəl-dē-ˌgu̇k, -ˌgük\

Function: noun

Etymology: irregular from gobble, noun

Date: 1944

: wordy and generally unintelligible jargon

syzygy

Main Entry: syz·y·gy 

Pronunciation: \ˈsi-zə-jē\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural syz·y·gies

Etymology: Late Latin syzygia conjunction, from Greek, from syzygos yoked together, from syn- + zygon yoke — more at yoke

Date: circa 1847

: the nearly straight-line configuration of three celestial bodies (as the sun, moon, and earth during a solar or lunar eclipse) in a gravitational system

diminish

Main Entry: di·min·ish 

Pronunciation: \də-ˈmi-nish\

Function: verb

Etymology: Middle English deminishen, alteration of diminuen, from Anglo-French diminuer, from Late Latin diminuere, alteration of Latin deminuere, from de- + minuere to lessen — more at minor

Date: 15th century

transitive verb 1 : to make less or cause to appear less {diminish an army's strength}
2 : to lessen the authority, dignity, or reputation of : belittle {diminish a rival's accomplishments}
3 : to cause to taperintransitive verb 1 : to become gradually less (as in size or importance) : dwindle
2 : taper

synonyms see decrease

— di·min·ish·able \-ni-shə-bəl\ adjective

— di·min·ish·ment \-mənt\ noun

folly

Main Entry: fol·ly 

Pronunciation: \ˈfä-lē\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural follies

Etymology: Middle English folie, from Anglo-French, from fol fool

Date: 13th century

1 : lack of good sense or normal prudence and foresight
2 a : criminally or tragically foolish actions or conduct b obsolete : evil, wickedness; especially : lewd behavior
3 : a foolish act or idea
4 : an excessively costly or unprofitable undertaking
5 : an often extravagant picturesque building erected to suit a fanciful taste

lagoon

Main Entry: la·goon 

Pronunciation: \lə-ˈgün\

Function: noun

Etymology: French & Italian; French lagune, from Italian laguna, from Latin lacuna pit, pool, from lacus lake

Date: 1673

1 : a shallow sound, channel, or pond near or communicating with a larger body of water
2 : a shallow artificial pool or pond (as for the processing of sewage or storage of a liquid)

— la·goon·al \-ˈgü-n^əl\ adjective

buttock

Main Entry: but·tock 

Pronunciation: \ˈbə-tək also -(ˌ)täk\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English buttok — more at butt

Date: 14th century

1 : the back of a hip that forms one of the fleshy parts on which a person sits
2 plural a : the seat of the body b : rump 1a

albeit

Main Entry: al·be·it 

Pronunciation: \ȯl-ˈbē-ət, al-\

Function: conjunction

Etymology: Middle English, literally, all though it be

Date: 14th century

: conceding the fact that : even though : although

crackpot

Main Entry: crack·pot 

Pronunciation: \ˈkrak-ˌpät\

Function: noun

Date: 1883

: one given to eccentric or lunatic notions

— crackpot adjective

sluggish

Main Entry: slug·gish 

Pronunciation: \ˈslə-gish\

Function: adjective

Date: 15th century

1 : averse to activity or exertion : indolent; also : torpid
2 : slow to respond (as to stimulation or treatment)
3 a : markedly slow in movement, flow, or growth b : economically inactive or slow

— slug·gish·ly adverb

— slug·gish·ness noun

seizure

Main Entry: sei·zure 

Pronunciation: \ˈsē-zhər\

Function: noun

Date: 15th century

1 a : the act, action, or process of seizing : the state of being seized b : the taking possession of person or property by legal process
2 a : a sudden attack (as of disease); especially : the physical manifestations (as convulsions, sensory disturbances, or loss of consciousness) resulting from abnormal electrical discharges in the brain (as in epilepsy) b : an abnormal electrical discharge in the brain

mischief

Main Entry: mis·chief 

Pronunciation: \ˈmis-chəf, ˈmish-\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English meschief, from Anglo-French, misfortune, hardship, from Old French meschever to come out badly, mes- + chief head, end — more at chief

Date: 14th century

1 : a specific injury or damage attributed to a particular agent
2 : a cause or source of harm, evil, or irritation; especially : a person who causes mischief
3 a : action that annoys or irritates b : the quality or state of being mischievous : mischievousness {had mischief in his eyes}

gecko

Main Entry: gecko 

Pronunciation: \ˈge-(ˌ)kō\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural geck·os or geck·oes

Etymology: perhaps from Malay dial. geʔkok

Date: 1774

: any of numerous small chiefly tropical and nocturnal insectivorous lizards (family Gekkonidae)

glow

Main Entry: ¹glow 

Pronunciation: \ˈglō\

Function: intransitive verb

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English glōwan; akin to Old English geolu yellow — more at yellow

Date: before 12th century

1 a : to shine with or as if with an intense heat {embers glowing in the darkness} b (1) : to have a rich warm typically ruddy color {cheeks glowing with health} (2) : flush, blush {the children glowed with excitement}
2 a : to experience a sensation of or as if of heat {glowing with rage} b : to show exuberance or elation {glow with pride}

— glow·ing·ly \-iŋ-lē\ adverb

slippery

Main Entry: slip·pery 

Pronunciation: \ˈsli-p(ə-)rē\

Function: adjective

Inflected Form(s): slip·per·i·er; slip·per·i·est

Etymology: alteration of Middle English slipper

Date: circa 1500

1 a : causing or tending to cause something to slide or fall {slippery roads} b : tending to slip from the grasp {a slippery fish}
2 a : not firmly fixed : unstable b : not precise or fixed in meaning : ambiguous, elusive
3 : not to be trusted : tricky

— slip·per·i·ness noun

pompous

Main Entry: pomp·ous 

Pronunciation: \ˈpäm-pəs\

Function: adjective

Date: 15th century

1 : excessively elevated or ornate {pompous rhetoric}
2 : having or exhibiting self-importance : arrogant {a pompous politician}
3 : relating to or suggestive of pomp : magnificent

— pomp·ous·ly adverb

— pomp·ous·ness noun

acute

Main Entry: acute 

Pronunciation: \ə-ˈkyüt\

Function: adjective

Inflected Form(s): acut·er; acut·est

Etymology: Middle English, from Latin acutus, past participle of acuere to sharpen, from acus needle; akin to Latin acer sharp — more at edge

Date: 14th century

1 a (1) : characterized by sharpness or severity {acute pain} (2) : having a sudden onset, sharp rise, and short course {acute disease} (3) : being, providing, or requiring short-term medical care (as for serious illness or traumatic injury) {acute hospitals} {an acute patient} b : lasting a short time {acute experiments}
2 : ending in a sharp point: as a : being or forming an angle measuring less than 90 degrees {an acute angle} b : composed of acute angles {an acute triangle}
3 a of an accent mark : having the form ´ b : marked with an acute accent c : of the variety indicated by an acute accent
4 a : marked by keen discernment or intellectual perception especially of subtle distinctions : penetrating {an acute thinker} b : responsive to slight impressions or stimuli {acute hearing}
5 : felt, perceived, or experienced intensely {acute distress}
6 : seriously demanding urgent attention {an acute emergency}

— acute·ly adverb

— acute·ness noun

goof

Main Entry: ¹goof 

Pronunciation: \ˈgüf\

Function: noun

Etymology: probably alteration of English dial. goff simpleton

Date: 1915

1 : a silly or stupid person
2 : blunder

ignite

Main Entry: ig·nite 

Pronunciation: \ig-ˈnīt\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): ig·nit·ed; ig·nit·ing

Etymology: Latin ignitus, past participle of ignire to ignite, from ignis

Date: 1666

transitive verb  

1 : to subject to fire or intense heat; especially : to render luminous by heat
2 a : to set afire; also : kindle b : to cause (a fuel) to burn
3 a : to heat up : excite {oppression that ignited the hatred of the people} b : to set in motion : spark {ignite a debate}

 intransitive verb  

1 : to catch fire
2 : to begin to glow

— ig·nit·abil·i·ty \ig-ˌnī-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

— ig·nit·able also ig·nit·ible \-ˈnī-tə-bəl\ adjective

— ig·nit·er also ig·ni·tor \-ˈnī-tər\ noun

beneath

Main Entry: ¹be·neath 

Pronunciation: \bi-ˈnēth, bē-\

Function: adverb

Etymology: Middle English benethe, from Old English beneothan, from be- + neothan below; akin to Old English nithera nether — more at nether

Date: before 12th century

1 : in or to a lower position : below {the mountains and the towns beneath}
2 : directly under : underneath

stopgap

Main Entry: stop·gap 

Pronunciation: \ˈstäp-ˌgap\

Function: noun

Usage: often attributive

Date: 1684

: something that serves as a temporary expedient : makeshift {stopgap measures}

synonyms see resource

distinct

Main Entry: dis·tinct 

Pronunciation: \di-ˈstiŋ(k)t\

Function: adjective

Etymology: Middle English, from Latin distinctus, from past participle of distinguere

Date: 14th century

1 : distinguishable to the eye or mind as discrete : separate {a distinct cultural group} {teaching as distinct from research}
2 : presenting a clear unmistakable impression {a neat distinct handwriting}
3 archaic : notably decorated
4 a : notable {a distinct contribution to scholarship} b : readily and unmistakably apprehended {a distinct possibility of snow} {a distinct British accent}

— dis·tinct·ly \-ˈstiŋ(k)-tlē, -ˈstiŋ-klē\ adverb

— dis·tinct·ness \-ˈstiŋ(k)t-nəs, -ˈstiŋk-nəs\ noun

seaweed

Main Entry: sea·weed 

Pronunciation: \-ˌwēd\

Function: noun

Date: 1577

1 : a mass or growth of marine plants
2 : a plant growing in the sea; especially : a marine alga (as a kelp)

happenstance

Main Entry: hap·pen·stance 

Pronunciation: \ˈha-pən-ˌstan(t)s, ˈha-p^əm-\

Function: noun

Etymology: happen + circumstance

Date: 1897

: a circumstance especially that is due to chance

— hap·pen·stance adjective

purport

Main Entry: ²pur·port 

Pronunciation: \(ˌ)pər-ˈpȯrt\

Function: transitive verb

Date: 15th century

1 : to have the often specious appearance of being, intending, or claiming (something implied or inferred) {a book that purports to be an objective analysis}; also : claim {foreign novels which he purports to have translated — Mary McCarthy}
2 : intend, purpose

brouhaha

Main Entry: brou·ha·ha 

Pronunciation: \ˈbrü-ˌhä-ˌhä, ˌbrü-ˌhä-ˈhä, brü-ˈhä-ˌhä\

Function: noun

Etymology: French

Date: 1890

: hubbub, uproar