Monday, November 15, 2004

soubriquet

soubriquet, so·bri·quet, n.:

1. An affectionate or humorous nickname.
2. An assumed name.

[From Old French soubriquet, literally meaning "chuck under the chin."]

Friday, November 12, 2004

pathetic fallacy

pathetic fallacy, n.:

The attribution of human emotions or characteristics to inanimate objects or nature; for example, "a cruel wind."

Wednesday, October 27, 2004

callipygian

callipygian, cal·li·pyg·i·an, adj.:

Having beautifully proportioned buttocks.

[From Greek kallipugos: kalli- meaning beautiful (from kallos, beauty) + pug, meaning buttocks.]

elided

elide, e·lide, tr. v.:

1a. To omit or slur over (a syllable, for example) in pronunciation.
1b. To strike out something written.

2a. To eliminate or leave out of consideration.
2b. To cut short; abridge.

[From the Latin elidere, meaning to strike out or off.]

Monday, October 25, 2004

hirsute

hirsute, hir·sute, adj.:

1. Covered with hair; hairy.
2. (Botany) Covered with stiff or coarse hairs.

[From the Latin hirsutus, meaning hairy or bristly.]

Sunday, October 24, 2004

ubiquitous

ubiquitous, u·biq·ui·tous, adj.:

Being or seeming to be everywhere at the same time; omnipresent: “plodded through the shadows fruitlessly like an ubiquitous spook” (Joseph Heller).

vulpine

vulpine (VUHL-pine), adjective:

1. Of, resembling, or characteristic of a fox.
2. Cunning; clever.

[Latin vulpinus, from vulpes (fox).]

Friday, October 22, 2004

jape

jape

1. v. to joke or quip; to make sport of.
2. n. a joke or quip.

[Middle English japen, probably from Old French japer, to yap, chatter, nag.]

dentigerous

dentigerous, adjective (den-TIJ-uhr-uhs):

Having or furnished with teeth.

[From the Latin gerere, meaning "to bear."]

Sunday, October 17, 2004

gamine

gamine \gam-EEN; GAM-een\, noun:
1. A girl who wanders about the streets; an urchin.
2. A playfully mischievous girl or young woman.

[From the French.]