Words of the day
11/29
1.converge [v.] /kənˈvəːdʒ/
definition: (of lines) tend to meet at a point
origin: late 17th century: from late Latin convergere, from con-'together' + Latin vergere 'incline'
sentence: A pair of lines of longitude are parallel at the equator but
converge toward the poles.
part of speech: convergence [n.]
2.convulsion [n.] /kənˈvʌlʃ(ə)n/
definition: a sudden, violent, irregular movement of the body,
caused by involuntary contraction of muscles and associated especially with brain disorders such as epilepsy, the presence of
certain toxins or other agents in the blood, or fever in children
origin: mid 16th century (originally in the sense 'cramp, spasm'):
from Latin convulsio(n-), from the verb convellere
sentence: She suddenly went into convulsions.
part of speech: convulsive [adj.] convulsively [adv.]
3.copious [adj.] /ˈkəʊpɪəs/
definition: abundant in supply or quantity
origin: late Middle English: from Old French copieux or Latin
copiosus, from copia 'plenty'
sentence: She took copious notes.
part of speech: copiously [adv.]
4.cordial [adj.] /ˈkɔːdɪəl/
definition: warm and friendly
origin: Middle English (also in the sense 'belonging to the heart'):
from medieval Latin cordialis, from Latin cor, cord- 'heart'
sentence: The atmosphere was cordial and relaxed.
part of speech: cordiality [n.] cordially [adv.]
5.dabble [v.] /ˈdab(ə)l/
definition: immerse (one’s hands or feet) partially in water and
move them around gently
origin: mid 16th century: from obsolete Dutch dabbelen, or a
frequentative of the verb dab
sentence: They dabbled their feet in the rock pools.
part of speech: dabbler [n.]
12/2
1.corny [adj.] /ˈkɔːni/
definition: trite, banal, or mawkishly sentimental
origin: 1930s: from an earlier sense 'rustic, appealing to country
folk'
sentence: It sounds corny, but as soon as I saw her I knew she was
the one.
part of speech: cornily [adv.] corniness [n.]
2.correlate [v.] /ˈkɒrəleɪt, -rɪ-/
definition: have a mutual relationship or connection, in which one
thing affects or depends on another
origin: mid 17th century (as a noun): back-formation from
correlation and correlative
sentence: The study found that success in the educational system
correlates highly with class.
part of speech: correlation [n.]
3.corroborate [v.] /kəˈrɒbəreɪt/
definition: confirm or give support to (a statement, theory, or
finding)
origin: mid 16th century (in the sense 'make physically stronger'):
from Latin corroborat- 'strengthened', from the verb corroborare, from cor- 'together' + roborare, from robur 'strength'
sentence: The witness had corroborated the boy’s account of the
attack.
part of speech: corroborative [adj.] corroborator [n.]
corroboratory [adj.]
4.corrode [v.] /kəˈrəʊd/
definition: destroy or damage (metal, stone, or other materials)
slowly by chemical action
origin: late Middle English: from Latin corrodere, from cor-
(expressing intensive force) + rodere 'gnaw'
sentence: Acid rain poisons fish and corrodes buildings.
part of speech: corrodible [adj.] corrosion [n.]
corrosive [adj.]
5.cosmetic [adj.] /kɒzˈmɛtɪk/
definition: affecting only the appearance of something rather than
its substance
origin: early 17th century (as a noun denoting the art of beautifying the body): from French cosmétique, from Greek
kosmētikos, from kosmein 'arrange or adorn', from kosmos 'order or adornment'
sentence: The reform package was merely a cosmetic exercise.
part of speech: cosmetically [adv.]
definition: (of lines) tend to meet at a point
origin: late 17th century: from late Latin convergere, from con-'together' + Latin vergere 'incline'
sentence: A pair of lines of longitude are parallel at the equator but
converge toward the poles.
part of speech: convergence [n.]
2.convulsion [n.] /kənˈvʌlʃ(ə)n/
definition: a sudden, violent, irregular movement of the body,
caused by involuntary contraction of muscles and associated especially with brain disorders such as epilepsy, the presence of
certain toxins or other agents in the blood, or fever in children
origin: mid 16th century (originally in the sense 'cramp, spasm'):
from Latin convulsio(n-), from the verb convellere
sentence: She suddenly went into convulsions.
part of speech: convulsive [adj.] convulsively [adv.]
3.copious [adj.] /ˈkəʊpɪəs/
definition: abundant in supply or quantity
origin: late Middle English: from Old French copieux or Latin
copiosus, from copia 'plenty'
sentence: She took copious notes.
part of speech: copiously [adv.]
4.cordial [adj.] /ˈkɔːdɪəl/
definition: warm and friendly
origin: Middle English (also in the sense 'belonging to the heart'):
from medieval Latin cordialis, from Latin cor, cord- 'heart'
sentence: The atmosphere was cordial and relaxed.
part of speech: cordiality [n.] cordially [adv.]
5.dabble [v.] /ˈdab(ə)l/
definition: immerse (one’s hands or feet) partially in water and
move them around gently
origin: mid 16th century: from obsolete Dutch dabbelen, or a
frequentative of the verb dab
sentence: They dabbled their feet in the rock pools.
part of speech: dabbler [n.]
12/2
1.corny [adj.] /ˈkɔːni/
definition: trite, banal, or mawkishly sentimental
origin: 1930s: from an earlier sense 'rustic, appealing to country
folk'
sentence: It sounds corny, but as soon as I saw her I knew she was
the one.
part of speech: cornily [adv.] corniness [n.]
2.correlate [v.] /ˈkɒrəleɪt, -rɪ-/
definition: have a mutual relationship or connection, in which one
thing affects or depends on another
origin: mid 17th century (as a noun): back-formation from
correlation and correlative
sentence: The study found that success in the educational system
correlates highly with class.
part of speech: correlation [n.]
3.corroborate [v.] /kəˈrɒbəreɪt/
definition: confirm or give support to (a statement, theory, or
finding)
origin: mid 16th century (in the sense 'make physically stronger'):
from Latin corroborat- 'strengthened', from the verb corroborare, from cor- 'together' + roborare, from robur 'strength'
sentence: The witness had corroborated the boy’s account of the
attack.
part of speech: corroborative [adj.] corroborator [n.]
corroboratory [adj.]
4.corrode [v.] /kəˈrəʊd/
definition: destroy or damage (metal, stone, or other materials)
slowly by chemical action
origin: late Middle English: from Latin corrodere, from cor-
(expressing intensive force) + rodere 'gnaw'
sentence: Acid rain poisons fish and corrodes buildings.
part of speech: corrodible [adj.] corrosion [n.]
corrosive [adj.]
5.cosmetic [adj.] /kɒzˈmɛtɪk/
definition: affecting only the appearance of something rather than
its substance
origin: early 17th century (as a noun denoting the art of beautifying the body): from French cosmétique, from Greek
kosmētikos, from kosmein 'arrange or adorn', from kosmos 'order or adornment'
sentence: The reform package was merely a cosmetic exercise.
part of speech: cosmetically [adv.]
12/3
1.covert [adj.] /ˈkʌvət/
definition: not openly acknowledged or displayed
origin: Middle English (in the general senses 'covered' and 'a
cover'): from Old French, 'covered', past participle of covrir
sentence: Covert operations against the dictatorship.
part of speech: covertly [adv.] covertness [n.]
2.covet [v.] /ˈkʌvɪt/
definition: yearn to possess (something, especially something
belonging to another)
origin: Middle English: from Old French cuveitier, based on Latin
cupiditas
sentence: I covet one of their smart bags.
part of speech: covetable [adj.]
3.coy [adj.] /kɔɪ/
definition: (especially with reference to a woman) making a
pretence of shyness or modesty which is intended to be
alluring
origin: Middle English: from Old French coi, quei, from Latin
quietus (see quiet). The original sense was 'quiet, still' (especially in behaviour), later 'modestly retiring', and hence (of a woman)
'affecting to be unresponsive to advances'
sentence: She treated him to a coy smile of invitation.
part of speech: coyly [adv.] coyness [n.]
4.crank [v.] /kraŋk/
definition: turn the crankshaft of (an internal-combustion engine)
in order to start the engine
origin: Old English cranc (recorded in crancstæf, denoting a
weaver's implement), related to crincan
sentence: The starter motor struggled to crank the engine.
part of speech: cranky [adj.]
5.crass [adj.] /kras/
definition: showing no intelligence or sensitivity
origin: late 15th century (in the sense 'dense or coarse'): from Latin
crassus 'solid, thick'
sentence: The crass assumptions that men make about women.
part of speech: crassitude [n.] crassly [adv.] crassness [n.]
origin: Middle English (in the general senses 'covered' and 'a
cover'): from Old French, 'covered', past participle of covrir
sentence: Covert operations against the dictatorship.
part of speech: covertly [adv.] covertness [n.]
2.covet [v.] /ˈkʌvɪt/
definition: yearn to possess (something, especially something
belonging to another)
origin: Middle English: from Old French cuveitier, based on Latin
cupiditas
sentence: I covet one of their smart bags.
part of speech: covetable [adj.]
3.coy [adj.] /kɔɪ/
definition: (especially with reference to a woman) making a
pretence of shyness or modesty which is intended to be
alluring
origin: Middle English: from Old French coi, quei, from Latin
quietus (see quiet). The original sense was 'quiet, still' (especially in behaviour), later 'modestly retiring', and hence (of a woman)
'affecting to be unresponsive to advances'
sentence: She treated him to a coy smile of invitation.
part of speech: coyly [adv.] coyness [n.]
4.crank [v.] /kraŋk/
definition: turn the crankshaft of (an internal-combustion engine)
in order to start the engine
origin: Old English cranc (recorded in crancstæf, denoting a
weaver's implement), related to crincan
sentence: The starter motor struggled to crank the engine.
part of speech: cranky [adj.]
5.crass [adj.] /kras/
definition: showing no intelligence or sensitivity
origin: late 15th century (in the sense 'dense or coarse'): from Latin
crassus 'solid, thick'
sentence: The crass assumptions that men make about women.
part of speech: crassitude [n.] crassly [adv.] crassness [n.]
12/4
1.crave [v.] /kreɪv/
definition: feel a powerful desire for (something)
origin: Old English crafian (in the sense 'demand, claim as a right'),
of Germanic origin; related to Swedish kräva, Danish kræve
'demand'. The current sense dates from late Middle English
sentence: If only she had shown her daughter the love she craved.
part of speech: craver [n.] craving [n.]
2.crease [n.] /kriːs/
definition: a line or ridge produced on paper or cloth by folding,
pressing, or crushing
origin: late 16th century: probably a variant of crest
sentence: She smoothed the creases out of her skirt.
part of speech: creased [adj.]
3.cremate [v.] /krɪˈmeɪt/
definition: dispose of (a dead person’s body) by burning it to ashes,
typically after a funeral ceremony
origin: late 19th century (as cremation): from Latin cremare 'burn'
sentence: She had refused to have her husband cremated.
part of speech: cremation [n.] cremator [n.]
4.curt [adj.] /kəːt/
definition: rudely brief
origin: late Middle English (in the sense 'short, shortened'): from
Latin curtus 'cut short, abridged'
sentence: His reply was curt.
part of speech: curtly [adv.] curtness [n.]
5.curtail [v.] /kəːˈteɪl/
definition: reduce in extent or quantity; impose a restriction on
origin: late 15th century: from obsolete curtal 'horse with a docked
tail', from French courtault, from court 'short', from Latin curtus.
The change in the ending was due to association with tail and
perhaps also with French tailler 'to cut'
sentence: Civil liberties were further curtailed.
part of speech: curtailment [n.]
12/5
1.dainty [adj.] /ˈdeɪnti/
definition: (of a person) delicate and graceful in build or movement
origin: Middle English (as noun): from Old French daintie, deintie
'choice morsel, pleasure', from Latin dignitas 'worthiness or beauty', from dignus 'worthy'
sentence: He is one of the daintiest players in the game.
part of speech: daintily [adv.] daintiness [n.]
2.daunt [v.] /dɔːnt/
definition: make (someone) feel intimidated or apprehensive
origin: Middle English: from Old French danter, from Latin
domitare, frequentative of domare 'to tame'
sentence: Some people are daunted by technology.
part of speech: daunting [adj.] dauntingly [adv.]
dauntless [adj.]
3.debilitate [v.] /dɪˈbɪlɪteɪt/
definition: make (someone) very weak and infirm
origin: mid 16th century: from Latin debilitat- 'weakened', from the
verb debilitare, from debilitas
sentence: He was severely debilitated by a stomach upset.
part of speech: debilitation [n.] debilitative [adj.]
4.decadence [n.] /ˈdɛkəd(ə)ns/
definition: moral or cultural decline as characterized by excessive
indulgence in pleasure or luxury:
origin: mid 16th century: from French décadence, from medieval
Latin decadentia; related to decay
sentence: He denounced Western decadence.
part of speech: decadent [adj.]
5.decimate [v.] /ˈdɛsɪmeɪt/
definition: kill, destroy, or remove a large proportion of
origin: late Middle English: from Latin decimat- 'taken as a tenth',
from the verb decimare, from decimus 'tenth'. In Middle English the term decimation denoted the levying of a tithe, and later the tax
imposed by Cromwell on the Royalists
sentence: The inhabitants of the country had been decimated.
part of speech: decimation [n.] decimator [n.]
definition: feel a powerful desire for (something)
origin: Old English crafian (in the sense 'demand, claim as a right'),
of Germanic origin; related to Swedish kräva, Danish kræve
'demand'. The current sense dates from late Middle English
sentence: If only she had shown her daughter the love she craved.
part of speech: craver [n.] craving [n.]
2.crease [n.] /kriːs/
definition: a line or ridge produced on paper or cloth by folding,
pressing, or crushing
origin: late 16th century: probably a variant of crest
sentence: She smoothed the creases out of her skirt.
part of speech: creased [adj.]
3.cremate [v.] /krɪˈmeɪt/
definition: dispose of (a dead person’s body) by burning it to ashes,
typically after a funeral ceremony
origin: late 19th century (as cremation): from Latin cremare 'burn'
sentence: She had refused to have her husband cremated.
part of speech: cremation [n.] cremator [n.]
4.curt [adj.] /kəːt/
definition: rudely brief
origin: late Middle English (in the sense 'short, shortened'): from
Latin curtus 'cut short, abridged'
sentence: His reply was curt.
part of speech: curtly [adv.] curtness [n.]
5.curtail [v.] /kəːˈteɪl/
definition: reduce in extent or quantity; impose a restriction on
origin: late 15th century: from obsolete curtal 'horse with a docked
tail', from French courtault, from court 'short', from Latin curtus.
The change in the ending was due to association with tail and
perhaps also with French tailler 'to cut'
sentence: Civil liberties were further curtailed.
part of speech: curtailment [n.]
12/5
1.dainty [adj.] /ˈdeɪnti/
definition: (of a person) delicate and graceful in build or movement
origin: Middle English (as noun): from Old French daintie, deintie
'choice morsel, pleasure', from Latin dignitas 'worthiness or beauty', from dignus 'worthy'
sentence: He is one of the daintiest players in the game.
part of speech: daintily [adv.] daintiness [n.]
2.daunt [v.] /dɔːnt/
definition: make (someone) feel intimidated or apprehensive
origin: Middle English: from Old French danter, from Latin
domitare, frequentative of domare 'to tame'
sentence: Some people are daunted by technology.
part of speech: daunting [adj.] dauntingly [adv.]
dauntless [adj.]
3.debilitate [v.] /dɪˈbɪlɪteɪt/
definition: make (someone) very weak and infirm
origin: mid 16th century: from Latin debilitat- 'weakened', from the
verb debilitare, from debilitas
sentence: He was severely debilitated by a stomach upset.
part of speech: debilitation [n.] debilitative [adj.]
4.decadence [n.] /ˈdɛkəd(ə)ns/
definition: moral or cultural decline as characterized by excessive
indulgence in pleasure or luxury:
origin: mid 16th century: from French décadence, from medieval
Latin decadentia; related to decay
sentence: He denounced Western decadence.
part of speech: decadent [adj.]
5.decimate [v.] /ˈdɛsɪmeɪt/
definition: kill, destroy, or remove a large proportion of
origin: late Middle English: from Latin decimat- 'taken as a tenth',
from the verb decimare, from decimus 'tenth'. In Middle English the term decimation denoted the levying of a tithe, and later the tax
imposed by Cromwell on the Royalists
sentence: The inhabitants of the country had been decimated.
part of speech: decimation [n.] decimator [n.]
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