staggering

Main Entry: staggering

Function: adjective

Date: 1565

: so great as to cause one to stagger : astonishing, overwhelming

— stag·ger·ing·ly adverb

crybaby

Main Entry: cry·ba·by 

Pronunciation: \ˈkrī-ˌbā-bē\

Function: noun

Date: 1851

: one who cries or complains easily or often

thorough

Main Entry: ³thorough

Function: adjective

Date: 15th century

1 : carried through to completion : exhaustive
2 a : marked by full detail b : careful about detail : painstaking c : complete in all respects d : having full mastery (as of an art)

— thor·ough·ly adverb

— thor·ough·ness noun

galore

Main Entry: ga·lore 

Pronunciation: \gə-ˈlȯr\

Function: adjective

Etymology: Irish go leor enough

Date: 1628

: abundant, plentiful —used postpositively

sheepishly

Main Entry: sheep·ish 

Pronunciation: \ˈshē-pish\

Function: adjective

Date: 13th century

1 : resembling a sheep in meekness, stupidity, or timidity
2 : affected by or showing embarrassment caused by consciousness of a fault

— sheep·ish·ly adverb

— sheep·ish·ness noun

rubicon

Main Entry: Ru·bi·con 

Pronunciation: \ˈrü-bi-ˌkän\

Function: noun

Etymology: Latin Rubicon-, Rubico, river of northern Italy forming part of the boundary between Cisalpine Gaul and Italy whose crossing by Julius Caesar in 49 b.c. was regarded by the Senate as an act of war

Date: 1626

: a bounding or limiting line; especially : one that when crossed commits a person irrevocably

pipsqueak

Main Entry: pip–squeak 

Pronunciation: \ˈpip-ˌskwēk\

Function: noun

Date: 1910

: one that is small or insignificant

prop

Main Entry: ²prop

Function: transitive verb

Inflected Form(s): propped; prop·ping

Date: 1538

1 a : to support by placing something under or against —often used with up b : to support by placing against something
2 : sustain, strengthen —often used with up propped up by the military>

whisper

Main Entry: ¹whis·per 

Pronunciation: \ˈhwis-pər, ˈwis-\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): whis·pered; whis·per·ing \-p(ə-)riŋ\

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English hwisperian; akin to Old High German hwispalōn to whisper, Old Norse hvīsla — more at whistle

Date: before 12th century

intransitive verb 1 : to speak softly with little or no vibration of the vocal cords especially to avoid being overheard
2 : to make a sibilant sound that resembles whisperingtransitive verb 1 : to address in a whisper
2 : to utter or communicate in or as if in a whisper

collapse

Main Entry: ²collapse

Function: noun

Date: 1801

1 a : a breakdown in vital energy, strength, or stamina b : a state of extreme prostration and physical depression (as from circulatory failure or great loss of body fluids) c : an airless state of all or part of a lung originating spontaneously or induced surgically
2 : the act or action of collapsing
3 : a sudden failure : breakdown, ruin
4 : a sudden loss of force, value, or effect

bloody

Main Entry: ¹bloody 

Pronunciation: \ˈblə-dē\

Function: adjective

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

Date: before 12th century

1 a : containing or made up of blood b : of or contained in the blood
2 : smeared or stained with blood
3 : accompanied by or involving bloodshed; especially : marked by great slaughter
4 a : murderous b : merciless, cruel
5 : bloodred
6 sometimes vulgar : damned —often used as an intensive

— blood·i·ly \ˈblə-d^əl-ē\ adverb

— blood·i·ness \ˈblə-dē-nəs\ noun

synonyms bloody, sanguinary, gory mean affected by or involving the shedding of blood. bloody is applied especially to things that are actually covered with blood or are made up of blood <bloody hands>. sanguinary applies especially to something attended by, or someone inclined to, bloodshed sanguinary conflict>. gory suggests a profusion of blood and slaughter gory, even for a horror movie>.

flaunt

Main Entry: flaunt 

Pronunciation: \ˈflȯnt, ˈflänt\

Function: verb

Etymology: perhaps of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse flana to rush around

Date: 1566

intransitive verb 1 : to display or obtrude oneself to public notice ing crowd — Charles Dickens;
2 : to wave or flutter showily s in the breeze>transitive verb 1 : to display ostentatiously or impudently : parade ing his superiority>
2 : to treat contemptuously ed the rules — Louis Untermeyer>

synonyms see show

— flaunt noun

— flaunt·ing·ly \ˈflȯn-tiŋ-lē, ˈflän-\ adverb

— flaunty \-tē\ adjective

usage Although transitive sense 2 of flaunt undoubtedly arose from confusion with flout, the contexts in which it appears cannot be called substandard flaunt the law — Oscar Lewis> flaunting of their authority in the suburbs, where men…put up buildings that had no place at all in a Christian commonwealth — Marchette Chute> flaunted our most basic principles — R. T. Blackburn, AAUP Bulletin>. If you use it, however, you should be aware that many people will consider it a mistake. Use of flout in the sense of flaunt 1 is found occasionally <“The proper pronunciation,” the blonde said, flouting her refined upbringing, “is pree feeks” — Mike Royko>.

barely

Main Entry: bare·ly

Function: adverb

Date: before 12th century

1 : in a meager manner : plainly
2 : scarcely, hardly

dwindle

Main Entry: dwin·dle 

Pronunciation: \ˈdwin-d^əl\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): dwin·dled; dwin·dling \-(d)liŋ, -d^əl-iŋ\

Etymology: probably frequentative of dwine to waste away, from Middle English, from Old English dwīnan; akin to Old Norse dvīna to pine away, deyja to die — more at die

Date: 1596

intransitive verb : to become steadily less : shrinktransitive verb : to make steadily less

synonyms see decrease

throat

Main Entry: ¹throat 

Pronunciation: \ˈthrōt\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English throte, from Old English; akin to Old High German drozza throat

Date: before 12th century

1 a (1) : the part of the neck in front of the spinal column (2) : the passage through the neck to the stomach and lungs b (1) : voice (2) : the seat of the voice
2 : something resembling the throat especially in being an entrance, a passageway, a constriction, or a narrowed part: as a : the orifice of a tubular organ especially of a plant b : the opening in the vamp of a shoe at the instep c : the part of a tennis racket that connects the head with the shaft
3 : the curved part of an anchor's arm where it joins the shank — see anchor illustration

— at each other's throats : in open and aggressive conflict

undergo

Main Entry: un·der·go 

Pronunciation: \ˌən-dər-ˈgō\

Function: transitive verb

Inflected Form(s): -went\-ˈwent\; un·der·gone \-ˈgȯn also -ˈgän\; un·der·go·ing \-ˈgō-iŋ, -ˈgȯ(-)iŋ\

Date: 14th century

1 : to submit to : endure
2 : to go through : experience
3 obsolete : undertake
4 obsolete : to partake of

woo

Main Entry: woo 

Pronunciation: \ˈwü\

Function: verb

Etymology: Middle English wowen, from Old English wōgian

Date: before 12th century

transitive verb 1 : to sue for the affection of and usually marriage with : court
2 : to solicit or entreat especially with importunity
3 : to seek to gain or bring aboutintransitive verb : to court a woman

— woo·er noun

pop

Main Entry: ¹pop 

Pronunciation: \ˈpäp\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): popped; pop·ping

Etymology: Middle English poppen, of imitative origin

Date: 15th century

transitive verb 1 : to strike or knock sharply : hit
2 : to push, put, or thrust suddenly and often deftly s a grape into her mouth> <popped in a CD>
3 : to cause to explode or burst open <popped some popcorn>
4 : to fire at : shoot
5 : to take (pills) especially frequently or habitually
6 : to open with a pop intransitive verb 1 a : to go, come, or appear suddenly —often used with up popping up on the screen> b : to escape or break away from something (as a point of attachment) usually suddenly or unexpectedly
2 : to make or burst with a sharp sound popped>
3 : to protrude from the sockets popping with amazement>
4 : to shoot with a firearm
5 : to hit a pop fly —often used with up or out

— pop the question : to propose marriage

quack

Main Entry: ⁴quack

Function: noun

Etymology: short for quacksalver

Date: 1638

1 : charlatan 2
2 : a pretender to medical skill

— quack·ish \ˈkwa-kish\ adjective

dismiss

Main Entry: dis·miss 

Pronunciation: \dis-ˈmis\

Function: transitive verb

Etymology: Middle English, modification of Latin dimissus, past participle of dimittere, from dis- + mittere to send

Date: 15th century

1 : to permit or cause to leave ed the visitors>
2 : to remove from position or service : discharge ed the thievish servant>
3 a : to reject serious consideration of ed the thought> b : to put out of judicial consideration ed all charges>

— dis·mis·sion \-ˈmi-shən\ noun

— dis·mis·sive \-ˈmi-siv\ adjective

— dis·mis·sive·ly adverb

kerfuffle

Main Entry: ker·fuf·fle 

Pronunciation: \kər-ˈfə-fəl\

Function: noun

Etymology: alteration of carfuffle, from Scots car- (probably from Scottish Gaelic cearr wrong, awkward) + fuffle to become disheveled

Date: 1946

chiefly British : disturbance, fuss

blubber

Main Entry: ²blubber

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English bluber bubble, foam, probably of imitative origin

Date: 15th century

1 a : the fat of whales and other large marine mammals b : excessive fat on the body
2 : the action of blubbering

allotment

Main Entry: al·lot·ment 

Pronunciation: \ə-ˈlät-mənt\

Function: noun

Date: 1574

1 : the act of allotting : apportionment
2 : something that is allotted; especially chiefly British : a plot of land let to an individual for cultivation

hierarchy

Main Entry: hi·er·ar·chy 

Pronunciation: \ˈhī-(ə-)ˌrär-kē also ˈhi(-ə)r-ˌär-\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural hi·er·ar·chies

Etymology: Middle English ierarchie rank or order of holy beings, from Anglo-French jerarchie, from Medieval Latin hierarchia, from Late Greek, from Greek hierarchēs

Date: 14th century

1 : a division of angels
2 a : a ruling body of clergy organized into orders or ranks each subordinate to the one above it; especially : the bishops of a province or nation b : church government by a hierarchy
3 : a body of persons in authority
4 : the classification of a group of people according to ability or to economic, social, or professional standing; also : the group so classified
5 : a graded or ranked series

purportedly

Main Entry: pur·port·ed·ly 

Pronunciation: \-lē\

Function: adverb

Date: 1942

: it is purported : ostensibly, allegedly

awkward

Main Entry: awk·ward 

Pronunciation: \ˈȯ-kwərd\

Function: adjective

Etymology: Middle English awkeward in the wrong direction, from awke turned the wrong way, from Old Norse ǫfugr; akin to Old High German abuh turned the wrong way

Date: 1530

1 obsolete : perverse
2 archaic : unfavorable, adverse
3 a : lacking dexterity or skill (as in the use of hands) b : showing the result of a lack of expertness
4 a : lacking ease or grace (as of movement or expression) b : lacking the right proportions, size, or harmony of parts : ungainly
5 a : lacking social grace and assurance b : causing embarrassment
6 : not easy to handle or deal with : requiring great skill, ingenuity, or care

— awk·ward·ly adverb

— awk·ward·ness noun

synonyms awkward, clumsy, maladroit, inept, gauche mean not marked by ease (as of performance, movement, or social conduct). awkward is widely applicable and may suggest unhandiness, inconvenience, lack of muscular control, embarrassment, or lack of tact awkward silence>. clumsy implies stiffness and heaviness and so may connote inflexibility, unwieldiness, or lack of ordinary skill clumsy mechanic>. maladroit suggests a tendency to create awkward situations maladroit politician>. inept often implies complete failure or inadequacy inept defense attorney>. gauche implies the effects of shyness, inexperience, or ill breeding gauche and unsophisticated at formal parties>.

sweep

Main Entry: ¹sweep 

Pronunciation: \ˈswēp\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): swept \ˈswept\; sweep·ing

Etymology: Middle English swepen; akin to Old English swāpan to sweep, Old High German sweifen to wander

Date: 14th century

transitive verb 1 a : to remove from a surface with or as if with a broom or brush <swept the crumbs from the table> b : to destroy completely : wipe out —usually used with away swept away overnight — Louis Bromfield> c : to remove or take with a single continuous forceful action <swept the books off the desk> d : to remove from sight or consideration swept under the rug> e : to drive or carry along with irresistible force swept the opposition into office>
2 a : to clean with or as if with a broom or brush b : to clear by repeated and forcible action c : to move across or along swiftly, violently, or overwhelmingly swept the business district — American Guide Series: Maryland> d : to win an overwhelming victory in or on e : to win all the games or contests of
3 : to touch in passing with a swift continuous movement
4 : to trace or describe the locus or extent of (as a line, circle, or angle)
5 : to cover the entire range of swept the horizon>intransitive verb 1 a : to clean a surface with or as if with a broom b : to move swiftly, forcefully, or devastatingly swept through the treetops>
2 : to go with stately or sweeping movements swept into the room>
3 : to move or extend in a wide curve or range

— sweep one off one's feet : to gain immediate and unquestioning support, approval, or acceptance by a person

— sweep the board or sweep the table 1 : to win all the bets on the table
2 : to win everything : beat all competitors

thrust

Main Entry: ¹thrust 

Pronunciation: \ˈthrəst\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): thrust; thrust·ing

Etymology: Middle English thrusten, thristen, from Old Norse thrȳsta; probably akin to Old Norse thrjōta to tire, Old English thrēat coercion — more at threat

Date: 13th century

transitive verb 1 : to push or drive with force : shove
2 : to cause to enter or pierce something by or as if by pushing
3 : extend, spread
4 : stab, pierce
5 a : to put (as an unwilling person) forcibly into a course of action or position thrust into the job> b : to introduce often improperly into a position : interpolate
6 : to press, force, or impose the acceptance of upon someone intransitive verb 1 a : to force an entrance or passage b : to push forward : press onward c : to push upward : project
2 : to make a thrust, stab, or lunge with or as if with a pointed weapon

struggle

Main Entry: ¹strug·gle 

Pronunciation: \ˈstrə-gəl\

Function: intransitive verb

Inflected Form(s): strug·gled; strug·gling \-g(ə-)liŋ\

Etymology: Middle English struglen

Date: 14th century

1 : to make strenuous or violent efforts in the face of difficulties or opposition <struggling with the problem>
2 : to proceed with difficulty or with great effort <struggled through the high grass> <struggling to make a living>

— strug·gler \-g(ə-)lər\ noun

asset

Main Entry: as·set 

Pronunciation: \ˈa-ˌset also -sət\

Function: noun

Etymology: back-formation from assets, singular, sufficient property to pay debts and legacies, from Anglo-French assetz, from asez enough, from Vulgar Latin *ad satis, from Latin ad to + satis enough — more at at, sad

Date: 1531

1 plural a : the property of a deceased person subject by law to the payment of his or her debts and legacies b : the entire property of a person, association, corporation, or estate applicable or subject to the payment of debts
2 : advantage, resource
3 a : an item of value owned b plural : the items on a balance sheet showing the book value of property owned
4 : something useful in an effort to foil or defeat an enemy: as a : a piece of military equipment b : spy

eclectic

Main Entry: ¹eclec·tic 

Pronunciation: \e-ˈklek-tik, i-\

Function: adjective

Etymology: Greek eklektikos, from eklegein to select, from ex- out + legein to gather — more at legend

Date: 1683

1 : selecting what appears to be best in various doctrines, methods, or styles
2 : composed of elements drawn from various sources; also : heterogeneous

— eclec·ti·cal·ly \-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

yearn

Main Entry: yearn 

Pronunciation: \ˈyərn\

Function: intransitive verb

Etymology: Middle English yernen, from Old English giernan; akin to Old High German gerōn to desire, Latin hortari to urge, encourage, Greek chairein to rejoice

Date: before 12th century

1 : to long persistently, wistfully, or sadly s to make a difference>
2 : to feel tenderness or compassion

synonyms see long

— yearn·er noun

— yearn·ing·ly \ˈyər-niŋ-lē\ adverb

flip

Main Entry: ¹flip 

Pronunciation: \ˈflip\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): flipped; flip·ping

Etymology: probably imitative

Date: circa 1567

transitive verb 1 : to toss so as to cause to turn over in the air ; also : toss
2 a : to cause to turn and especially to turn over <flipped the car> <flipping the pages of a book> b : to move with a small quick motion
3 : to buy and usually renovate (real estate) so as to quickly resell at a higher priceintransitive verb 1 : to make a twitching or flicking movement flipped and flopped on the deck>; also : to change from one position to another and especially turn over flipped>
2 : leaf 2 <flipped through the pages>
3 slang a : to lose one's mind or composure —often used with out b : to become very enthusiastic

abhorrent

Main Entry: ab·hor·rent 

Pronunciation: \-ənt\

Function: adjective

Etymology: Latin abhorrent-, abhorrens, present participle of abhorrēre

Date: 1599

1 a archaic : strongly opposed b : feeling or showing abhorrence
2 : not agreeable : contrary
3 : being so repugnant as to stir up positive antagonism

— ab·hor·rent·ly adverb

feather

Main Entry: ¹feath·er 

Pronunciation: \ˈfe-thər\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English fether, from Old English; akin to Old High German federa wing, Latin petere to go to, seek, Greek petesthai to fly, piptein to fall, pteron wing

Date: before 12th century

1 a : any of the light horny epidermal outgrowths that form the external covering of the body of birds and that consist of a shaft bearing on each side a series of barbs which bear barbules which in turn bear barbicels commonly ending in hooked hamuli and interlocking with the barbules of an adjacent barb to link the barbs into a continuous vane b archaic : plume 2a c : the vane of an arrow
2 a : plumage b : kind, nature c : attire, dress d : condition, mood e plural : composure s had been ruffled — D. J. Blum>
3 : feathering 2
4 : a projecting strip, rib, fin, or flange
5 : a feathery flaw in the eye or in a precious stone
6 : the act of feathering an oar

— feath·ered \-thərd\ adjective

— feath·er·less adjective

— a feather in one's cap : a mark of distinction : honor

fluff

Main Entry: ¹fluff 

Pronunciation: \ˈfləf\

Function: noun

Etymology: perhaps blend of flue (fluff) and puff

Date: 1790

1 : ⁷down 1
2 : something fluffy
3 : something inconsequential
4 : blunder; especially : an actor's lapse of memory

offspring

Main Entry: off·spring 

Pronunciation: \ˈȯf-ˌspriŋ\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural offspring also offsprings

Etymology: Middle English ofspring, from Old English, from of off + springan to spring

Date: before 12th century

1 a : the product of the reproductive processes of an animal or plant : young, progeny b : child
2 a : product, result s of PhDs — Donna Martin> b : offshoot 1a

gallop

Main Entry: ¹gal·lop 

Pronunciation: \ˈga-ləp\

Function: verb

Date: 15th century

intransitive verb

1 : to progress or ride at a gallop
2 : to run fasttransitive verb 1 : to cause to gallop
2 : to transport at a gallop

— gal·lop·er noun

wholehearted

Main Entry: whole·heart·ed 

Pronunciation: \ˈhōl-ˈhär-təd\

Function: adjective

Date: 1836

1 : completely and sincerely devoted, determined, or enthusiastic
2 : marked by complete earnest commitment : free from all reserve or hesitation

synonyms see sincere

— whole·heart·ed·ly adverb

cockroach

Main Entry: cock·roach 

Pronunciation: \ˈkäk-ˌrōch\

Function: noun

Etymology: by folk etymology from Spanish cucaracha cockroach

Date: 1623

: any of an order or suborder (Blattodea syn. Blattaria) of chiefly nocturnal insects including some that are domestic pests — compare German cockroach

beware

Main Entry: be·ware 

Pronunciation: \bi-ˈwer, bē-\

Function: verb

Etymology: Middle English been war, from been to be + war careful — more at be, ware

Date: 14th century

intransitive verb : to be on one's guard transitive verb 1 : to take care of
2 : to be wary of

afterthought

Main Entry: af·ter·thought 

Pronunciation: \-ˌthȯt\

Function: noun

Date: circa 1661

1 : an idea occurring later
2 : something (as a part or feature) not thought of originally : something secondary

cling

Main Entry: ¹cling 

Pronunciation: \ˈkliŋ\

Function: intransitive verb

Inflected Form(s): clung \ˈkləŋ\; cling·ing

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English clingan; akin to Old High German klunga tangled ball of thread

Date: before 12th century

1 a : to hold together b : to adhere as if glued firmly c : to hold or hold on tightly or tenaciously
2 a : to have a strong emotional attachment or dependence clung to his friends for support> b : to remain or linger as if resisting complete dissipation or dispersal clung to the room for hours>

synonyms see stick

— cling·er \ˈkliŋ-ər\ noun

— clingy \ˈkliŋ-ē\ adjective

ginger

Main Entry: ¹gin·ger 

Pronunciation: \ˈjin-jər\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, alteration of Old English gingifer, from Medieval Latin gingiber, alteration of Latin zingiber, from Greek zingiberi, of Indo-Aryan origin; akin to Pali siṅgivēra ginger

Date: before 12th century

1 a (1) : a thickened pungent aromatic rhizome that is used as a spice and sometimes medicinally (2) : the spice usually prepared by drying and grinding ginger b : any of a genus (Zingiber of the family Zingiberaceae, the ginger family) of herbs with pungent aromatic rhizomes; especially : a widely cultivated tropical herb (Z. officinale) that supplies most commercial ginger — compare wild ginger
2 : pep
3 : a light reddish or reddish-brown color

— gin·gery \ˈjinj-rē, ˈjin-jə-\ adjective

nonsense

Main Entry: ¹non·sense 

Pronunciation: \ˈnän-ˌsen(t)s, ˈnän(t)-sən(t)s\

Function: noun

Date: 1614

1 a : words or language having no meaning or conveying no intelligible ideas b (1) : language, conduct, or an idea that is absurd or contrary to good sense (2) : an instance of absurd action
2 a : things of no importance or value : trifles b : affected or impudent conduct
3 : genetic information consisting of one or more codons that do not code for any amino acid and usually cause termination of the molecular chain in protein synthesis

— non·sen·si·cal \ˌnän-ˈsen(t)-si-kəl\ adjective

— non·sen·si·cal·ly \-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

— non·sen·si·cal·ness \-kəl-nəs\ noun

squat

Main Entry: ³squat

Function: noun

Date: 1580

1 a : the act of squatting b : the posture of one that squats
2 a : a place where one squats b : the lair of a small animal
3 : a lift in which a standing weight lifter drops to a squatting position and then rises to an upright position while holding a barbell on the shoulders; also : a competitive event involving this lift
4 chiefly British : an empty house or building that is occupied by squatters
5 slang : diddly-squat

poultry

Main Entry: poul·try 

Pronunciation: \ˈpōl-trē\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English pultrie, from Anglo-French pulletrie, from pulleter poulterer, from pullet chicken — more at pullet

Date: 14th century

: domesticated birds kept for eggs or meat

queue

Main Entry: ¹queue 

Pronunciation: \ˈkyü\

Function: noun

Etymology: French, literally, tail, from Old French cue, coe, Latin cauda, coda

Date: 1748

1 : a braid of hair usually worn hanging at the back of the head
2 : a waiting line especially of persons or vehicles
3 a : a sequence of messages or jobs held in temporary storage awaiting transmission or processing b : a data structure that consists of a list of records such that records are added at one end and removed from the other

eerie

Main Entry: ee·rie 

Variant(s): also ee·ry \ˈir-ē\

Function: adjective

Inflected Form(s): ee·ri·er; ee·ri·est

Etymology: Middle English (northern dial.) eri

Date: 14th century

1 chiefly Scottish : affected with fright : scared
2 : so mysterious, strange, or unexpected as to send a chill up the spine ; also : seemingly not of earthly origin

synonyms see weird

— ee·ri·ly \ˈir-ə-lē\ adverb

— ee·ri·ness \ˈir-ē-nəs\ noun

hiccup

Main Entry: ¹hic·cup 

Variant(s): also hic·cough \ˈhi-(ˌ)kəp\

Function: noun

Etymology: imitative

Date: circa 1580

1 : a spasmodic inhalation with closure of the glottis accompanied by a peculiar sound
2 : an attack of hiccuping —usually used in plural but singular or plural in construction
3 a : a slight irregularity, error, or malfunction s in the computer system> b : a usually minor and short-lived interruption or disruption, or change

swallow

Main Entry: ²swallow

Function: verb

Etymology: Middle English swalowen, from Old English swelgan; akin to Old High German swelgan to swallow

Date: before 12th century

transitive verb 1 : to take through the mouth and esophagus into the stomach
2 : to envelop or take in as if by swallowing : absorb

3 :
to accept without question, protest, or resentment
4
: take back,
retract

5
: to keep from expressing or showing :
repress
ed my anger>
6
: to utter (as words) indistinctlyintransitive
verb 1 : to receive something
into the body through the mouth and esophagus
2 :
to perform the action characteristic of swallowing something especially
under emotional stress

— swal·low·able \ˈswä-lō-ə-bəl\ adjective

— swal·low·er \ˈswä-lə-wər\ noun

spread

Main Entry: ¹spread 

Pronunciation: \ˈspred\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): spread; spread·ing

Etymology: Middle English spreden, from Old English -sprǣdan; akin to Old High German spreiten to spread

Date: 13th century

transitive verb 1 a : to open or expand over a larger area b : to stretch out : extend
2 a : to distribute over an area b : to distribute over a period or among a group c : to apply on a surface d (1) : to cover or overlay something with (2) archaic : to cover completely e (1) : to prepare or furnish for dining : set (2) : serve
3 a : to make widely known b : to extend the range or incidence of c : diffuse, emit ing their fragrance>
4 : to push apart by weight or forceintransitive verb 1 a : to become dispersed, distributed, or scattered b : to become known or disseminated
2 : to grow in length or breadth : expand
3 : to move apart (as from pressure or weight) : separate

— spread·abil·i·ty \ˌspre-də-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

— spread·able \ˈspre-də-bəl\ adjective

wry

Main Entry: ²wry

Function: adjective

Inflected Form(s): wry·er \ˈrī(-ə)r\; wry·est \ˈrī-əst\

Date: 15th century

1 : having a bent or twisted shape or condition ; also : turned abnormally to one side
2 : wrongheaded 1
3 : cleverly and often ironically or grimly humorous

— wry·ly \ˈrī-lē\ adverb

— wry·ness noun

fleet

Main Entry: ²fleet

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English flete, from Old English flēot ship, from flēotan

Date: 13th century

1 : a number of warships under a single command; specifically : an organization of ships and aircraft under the command of a flag officer
2 : group 2a, b; especially : a group (as of ships, planes, or trucks) operated under unified control

sparrow

Main Entry: spar·row 

Pronunciation: \ˈspa-(ˌ)rō\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English sparow, from Old English spearwa; akin to Old High German sparo sparrow

Date: before 12th century

1 : any of a genus (Passer of the family Passeridae) of small chiefly brownish or grayish Old World oscine songbirds that include some which have been widely introduced; especially : house sparrow
2 : any of numerous finches (family Emberizidae) that are New World birds (as the song sparrow or tree sparrow) resembling the Old World sparrows

— spar·row·like \-rō-ˌlīk, -rə-ˌlīk\ adjective

quirky

Main Entry: ¹quirk 

Pronunciation: \ˈkwərk\

Function: noun

Etymology: origin unknown

Date: 1565

1 a : an abrupt twist or curve b : a peculiar trait : idiosyncrasy c : accident, vagary
2 : a groove separating a bead or other molding from adjoining members

— quirk·i·ly \ˈkwər-kə-lē\ adverb

— quirk·i·ness \-kē-nəs\ noun

— quirk·ish \ˈkwər-kish\ adjective

— quirky \-kē\ adjective

goggles

Main Entry: gog·gles 

Pronunciation: \ˈgä-g^əlz\

Function: noun plural

Date: 1715

1 : protective glasses set in a flexible frame (as of rubber or plastic) that fits snugly against the face
2 : an electronic apparatus that covers the eyes and is used to enhance vision (as at night) or to produce images (as of a virtual reality)

— gog·gled \-g^əld\ adjective

thread

Main Entry: ¹thread 

Pronunciation: \ˈthred\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English thred, from Old English thrǣd; akin to Old High German drāt wire, Old English thrāwan to cause to twist or turn — more at throw

Date: before 12th century

1 a : a filament, a group of filaments twisted together, or a filamentous length formed by spinning and twisting short textile fibers into a continuous strand b : a piece of thread
2 a : any of various natural filaments s of a spiderweb> b : a slender stream (as of water) c : a projecting helical rib (as in a fitting or on a pipe) by which parts can be screwed together : screw thread
3 : something continuous or drawn out: as a : a line of reasoning or train of thought that connects the parts in a sequence (as of ideas or events) b : a continuing element c : a series of newsgroup messages following a single topic
4 : a tenuous or feeble support
5 plural : clothing

— thread·less \-ləs\ adjective

— thread·like \-ˌlīk\ adjective

meander

Main Entry: ²meander

Function: intransitive verb

Inflected Form(s): meandered; meander·ing\-d(ə-)riŋ\

Date: circa 1612

1 : to follow a winding or intricate course
2 : to wander aimlessly or casually without urgent destination : ramble

synonyms see wander

swarm

Main Entry: ¹swarm 

Pronunciation: \ˈswȯrm\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English swearm; akin to Old High German swaram swarm and probably to Latin susurrus hum

Date: before 12th century

1 a : a great number of honeybees emigrating together from a hive in company with a queen to start a new colony elsewhere b : a colony of honeybees settled in a hive
2 a : a large number of animate or inanimate things massed together and usually in motion : throng s of sightseers> b : a number of similar geological features or phenomena close together in space or time

hectic

Main Entry: hec·tic 

Pronunciation: \ˈhek-tik\

Function: adjective

Etymology: Middle English etyk, from Anglo-French etique, from Late Latin hecticus, from Greek hektikos habitual, consumptive, from echein to have — more at scheme

Date: 14th century

1 : of, relating to, or being a fluctuating but persistent fever (as in tuberculosis)
2 : having a hectic fever
3 : red, flushed
4 : characterized by activity, excitement, or confusion

— hec·ti·cal·ly \-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

rubbish

Main Entry: rub·bish 

Pronunciation: \ˈrə-bish, dial -bij\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English robous

Date: 15th century

1 : useless waste or rejected matter : trash
2 : something that is worthless or nonsensical

— rub·bishy \-bə-shē\ adjective

shadow

Main Entry: ¹shad·ow 

Pronunciation: \ˈsha-(ˌ)dō\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English shadwe, from Old English sceaduw-, sceadu shade

Date: before 12th century

1 : partial darkness or obscurity within a part of space from which rays from a source of light are cut off by an interposed opaque body
2 : a reflected image
3 : shelter from danger or observation
4 a : an imperfect and faint representation b : an imitation of something : copy
5 : the dark figure cast upon a surface by a body intercepting the rays from a source of light
6 : phantom
7 plural : dark 1a
8 : a shaded or darker portion of a picture
9 : an attenuated form or a vestigial remnant
10 a : an inseparable companion or follower b : one (as a spy or detective) that shadows
11 : a small degree or portion : trace
12 : a source of gloom or unhappiness
13 a : an area near an object : vicinity b : pervasive and dominant influence
14 : a state of ignominy or obscurity

— shad·ow·less \ˈsha-dō-ləs, -də-ləs\ adjective

— shad·ow·like \-ˌlīk\ adjective

scoop

Main Entry: ¹scoop 

Pronunciation: \ˈsküp\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English scope, from Middle Dutch schope; akin to Old High German skepfen to shape — more at shape

Date: 14th century

1 a : a large ladle b : a deep shovel or similar implement for digging, dipping, or shoveling c : a usually hemispherical utensil for dipping food d : a small spoon-shaped utensil or instrument for cutting or gouging
2 a : the action of scooping b : the amount contained by a scoop
3 a : a hollow place : cavity b : a part forming or surrounding an opening for channeling a fluid (as air) into a desired path
4 a : information especially of immediate interest b : beat 5b
5 : a rounded and usually low-cut neckline on a woman's garment —called also scoop neck

— scoop·ful \-ˌfu̇l\ noun

squeeze

Main Entry: ¹squeeze 

Pronunciation: \ˈskwēz\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): squeezed; squeez·ing

Etymology: alteration of obsolete English quease, from Middle English queysen, from Old English cwȳsan; akin to Icelandic kveisa stomach cramps

Date: circa 1601

transitive verb 1 a : to exert pressure especially on opposite sides of : compress b : to extract or emit under pressure c : to force or thrust by compression
2 a (1) : to get by extortion (2) : to deprive by extortion b : to cause economic hardship to c : to reduce the amount of s profits>
3 : to crowd into a limited area
4 : to gain or win by a narrow margin
5 : to force (another player) to discard in bridge so as to unguard a suit
6 : to score by means of a squeeze playintransitive verb 1 : to give way before pressure
2 : to exert pressure; also : to practice extortion or oppression
3 : to force one's way
4 : to pass, win, or get by narrowly

— squeez·abil·i·ty \ˌskwē-zə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

— squeez·able \ˈskwē-zə-bəl\ adjective

— squeez·er noun

startle

Main Entry: ¹star·tle 

Pronunciation: \ˈstär-t^əl\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): star·tled; star·tling \ˈstärt-liŋ, ˈstär-t^əl-iŋ\

Etymology: Middle English stertlen, frequentative of sterten to start

Date: 1530

intransitive verb : to move or jump suddenly (as in surprise or alarm) s easily>transitive verb : to frighten or surprise suddenly and usually not seriously

— star·tle·ment \-mənt\ noun

eager

Main Entry: ea·ger 

Pronunciation: \ˈē-gər\

Function: adjective

Etymology: Middle English egre, from Anglo-French egre, aigre, from Latin acer — more at edge

Date: 14th century

1 a archaic : sharp b obsolete : sour
2 : marked by enthusiastic or impatient desire or interest

— ea·ger·ly adverb

— ea·ger·ness noun

synonyms eager, avid, keen, anxious, athirst mean moved by a strong and urgent desire or interest. eager implies ardor and enthusiasm and sometimes impatience at delay or restraint <eager to get started>. avid adds to eager the implication of insatiability or greed <avid for new thrills>. keen suggests intensity of interest and quick responsiveness in action <keen on the latest fashions>. anxious emphasizes fear of frustration or failure or disappointment <anxious not to make a social blunder>. athirst stresses yearning but not necessarily readiness for action <athirst for adventure>.

disjointed

Main Entry: dis·joint·ed 

Pronunciation: \-ˈjȯin-təd\

Function: adjective

Date: circa 1586

1 a : being thrown out of orderly function b : lacking coherence or orderly sequence
2 : separated at or as if at the joint

— dis·joint·ed·ly adverb

— dis·joint·ed·ness noun

sheer

Main Entry: ³sheer

Function: adjective

Etymology: Middle English schere freed from guilt, probably alteration of skere, from Old Norse skærr pure; akin to Old English scīnan to shine

Date: circa 1568

1 obsolete : bright, shining
2 : of very thin or transparent texture : diaphanous
3 a : unqualified, utter b : being free from an adulterant : pure, unmixed c : viewed or acting in dissociation from all else
4 : marked by great and continuous steepness

synonyms see steep

— sheer·ly adverb

— sheer·ness noun

smuggle

Main Entry: smug·gle 

Pronunciation: \ˈsmə-gəl\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): smug·gled; smug·gling \-g(ə-)liŋ\

Etymology: Low German smuggeln & Dutch smokkelen

Date: 1687

transitive verb 1 : to import or export secretly contrary to the law and especially without paying duties imposed by law
2 : to convey or introduce surreptitiouslyintransitive verb : to import or export something in violation of the customs laws

— smug·gler \ˈsmə-glər\ noun