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AGITPROP
Main Entry: ag·it·prop
Pronunciation: 'a-j&t-"präp
Function: noun
: PROPAGANDA; especially : political propaganda promulgated chiefly in literature, drama, music, or art
- agitprop adjective
Etymology: Russian, from agitatsiya agitation + propaganda
Date: 1935

ANATHEMA
Main Entry: anath·e·ma
Pronunciation: &-'na-th&-m&
Function: noun
1 a : one that is cursed by ecclesiastical authority b : someone or something intensely disliked or loathed -- usually used as a predicate nominative (this notion was anathema to most of his countrymen -- S. J. Gould)
2 a : a ban or curse solemnly pronounced by ecclesiastical authority and accompanied by excommunication b : the denunciation of something as accursed c : a vigorous denunciation : CURSE
Etymology: Late Latin anathemat-, anathema, from Greek, thing devoted to evil, curse, from anatithenai to set up, dedicate, from ana- + tithenai to place, set -- more at DO
Date: 1526

ANODYNE
Main Entry: 1an·o·dyne
Pronunciation: 'a-n&-"dIn
Function: adjective
1 : serving to assuage pain
2 : not likely to offend or arouse tensions : INNOCUOUS
Etymology: Latin anodynos, from Greek anOdynos, from a- + odynE pain; probably akin to Old English etan to eat
Date: 1543

ANOMALOUS
Main Entry: anom·a·lous
Pronunciation: &-'nä-m&-l&s
Function: adjective
1 : inconsistent with or deviating from what is usual, normal, or expected : IRREGULAR, UNUSUAL
2 a : of uncertain nature or classification b : marked by incongruity or contradiction : PARADOXICAL
synonym see IRREGULAR
- anom·a·lous·ly adverb
- anom·a·lous·ness noun
Etymology: Late Latin anomalus, from Greek anOmalos, literally, uneven, from a- + homalos even, from homos same -- more at SAME
Date: 1655

ANTHROPOMORPHIC
Main Entry: an·thro·po·mor·phic
Pronunciation: "an(t)-thr&-p&-'mor-fik
Function: adjective
1 : described or thought of as having a human form or human attributes (anthropomorphic deities)
2 : ascribing human characteristics to nonhuman things (anthropomorphic supernaturalism)
- an·thro·po·mor·phi·cal·ly /-fi-k(&-)lE/ adverb
Etymology: Late Latin anthropomorphus of human form, from Greek anthrOpomorphos, from anthrOp- + -morphos -morphous
Date: 1827

APOCRYPHAL
Main Entry: apoc·ry·phal
Pronunciation: -f&l
Function: adjective
1 : of doubtful authenticity : SPURIOUS
2 often capitalized : of or resembling the Apocrypha
synonym see FICTITIOUS
- apoc·ry·phal·ly /-f&-lE/ adverb
- apoc·ry·phal·ness noun
Date: 1590

APOSTASY
Main Entry: apos·ta·sy
Pronunciation: &-'päs-t&-sE
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural -sies
1 : renunciation of a religious faith
2 : abandonment of a previous loyalty : DEFECTION
Etymology: Middle English apostasie, from Late Latin apostasia, from Greek, literally, revolt, from aphistasthai to revolt, from apo- + histasthai to stand -- more at STAND
Date: 14th century

AVARICE
Main Entry: av·a·rice
Pronunciation: 'a-v&-r&s, 'av-r&s
Function: noun
: excessive or insatiable desire for wealth or gain : GREEDINESS, CUPIDITY
Etymology: Middle English, from Old French, from Latin avaritia, from avarus avaricious, from avEre to crave -- more at AVID
Date: 14th century

BLITZ
Main Entry: blitz
Pronunciation: 'blits
Function: noun
1 a : BLITZKRIEG 1 b (1) : an intensive aerial campaign (2) : AIR RAID
2 a : an intensive nonmilitary campaign : a sudden overwhelming bombardment (an advertising blitz) b : a rush of the passer by the defensive linebackers in football
- blitz verb
Date: circa 1939

BUCOLIC
Main Entry: bu·col·ic
Pronunciation: byü-'kä-lik
Function: adjective
1 : of or relating to shepherds or herdsmen : PASTORAL
2 : relating to or typical of rural life
- bu·col·i·cal·ly /-li-k(&-)lE/ adverb
Etymology: Latin bucolicus, from Greek boukolikos, from boukolos cowherd, from bous head of cattle + -kolos (akin to Latin colere to cultivate) -- more at COW, WHEEL
Date: circa 1609

CALLOW
Main Entry: cal·low
Pronunciation: 'ka-(")lO
Function: adjective
: lacking adult sophistication : IMMATURE
- cal·low·ness /'ka-lO-n&s, -l&-n&s/ noun
Etymology: Middle English calu bald, from Old English; akin to Old High German kalo bald, Old Church Slavonic golu bare
Date: 1580

CALUMNY
Main Entry: cal·um·ny
Pronunciation: 'ka-l&m-nE also 'kal-y&m-
Function: noun
1 : a misrepresentation intended to blacken another's reputation
2 : the act of uttering false charges or misrepresentations maliciously calculated to damage another's reputation
- ca·lum·ni·ous /k&-'l&m-nE-&s/ adjective
- ca·lum·ni·ous·ly adverb
Inflected Form(s): plural -nies
Etymology: Middle French & Latin; Middle French calomnie, from Latin calumnia, from calvi to deceive; perhaps akin to Old English hOlian to slander, Greek kElein to beguile
Date: 15th century

CIRCUMLOCUTION
Main Entry: cir·cum·lo·cu·tion
Pronunciation: "s&r-k&m-lO-'kyü-sh&n
Function: noun
1 : the use of an unnecessarily large number of words to express an idea
2 : evasion in speech
- cir·cum·loc·u·to·ry /-'lä-ky&-"tOr-E, -"tor-/ adjective
Etymology: Latin circumlocution-, circumlocutio, from circum- + locutio speech, from loqui to speak
Date: 15th century

DEBAUCHERY
Main Entry: de·bauch·ery
Pronunciation: di-'bo-ch&-rE, -chrE, -'bä-
Function: noun
1 a : extreme indulgence in sensuality b plural : ORGIES
2 archaic : seduction from virtue or duty
Inflected Form(s): plural -er·ies
Date: 1642

DEFENESTRATION
Main Entry: de·fen·es·tra·tion
Pronunciation: (")dE-"fe-n&-'strA-sh&n
Function: noun
: a throwing of a person or thing out of a window
- de·fen·es·trate /(")dE-'fe-n&-"strAt/ transitive verb
Etymology: de- + Latin fenestra window
Date: 1620

DEFIANCE
Main Entry: de·fi·ance
Pronunciation: di-'fI-&n(t)s, dE-
Function: noun
1 : the act or an instance of defying : CHALLENGE
2 : disposition to resist : willingness to contend or fight
- in defiance of : contrary to : DESPITE
Date: 15th century

DEMAGOGUE
Main Entry: 1dem·a·gogue
Variant(s): or dem·a·gog /'de-m&-"gäg/
Function: noun
1 : a leader who makes use of popular prejudices and false claims and promises in order to gain power
2 : a leader championing the cause of the common people in ancient times
- dem·a·gogu·ery /-"gä-g(&-)rE/ noun
- dem·a·gogy /-"gä-gE, -"gä-jE, -"gO-jE/ noun
Etymology: Greek dEmagOgos, from dEmos people (perhaps akin to Greek daiesthai to divide) + agOgos leading, from agein to lead -- more at TIDE, AGENT
Date: 1648

DENOUEMENT
Main Entry: de·noue·ment
Variant(s): also dé·noue·ment /"dA-"nü-'män, dA-'nü-"/
Function: noun
1 : the final outcome of the main dramatic complication in a literary work
2 : the outcome of a complex sequence of events
Etymology: French dénouement, literally, untying, from Middle French desnouement, from desnouer to untie, from Old French desnoer, from des- de- + noer to tie, from Latin nodare, from nodus knot -- more at NODE
Date: 1752

DESULTORY
Main Entry: des·ul·to·ry
Pronunciation: 'de-s&l-"tOr-E, -"tor- also -z&l-
Function: adjective
1 : marked by lack of definite plan, regularity, or purpose
2 : not connected with the main subject
3 : disappointing in progress or performance : SLUGGISH
- des·ul·to·ri·ly /"de-s&l-'tOr-&-lE, -'tor-/ adverb
- des·ul·to·ri·ness /'de-s&l-"tOr-E-n&s, -"tor-/ noun
Etymology: Latin desultorius, literally, of a circus rider who leaps from horse to horse, from desilire to leap down, from de- + salire to leap -- more at SALLY
Date: 1581

DILETTANTE
Main Entry: dil·et·tante
Pronunciation: 'di-l&-"tänt, -"tant; "di-l&-'
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural -tantes or dil·et·tan·ti /-'tän-tE, -'tan-tE/
1 : an admirer or lover of the arts
2 : a person having a superficial interest in an art or a branch of knowledge : DABBLER
synonym see AMATEUR
- dilettante adjective
- dil·et·tant·ish /-"tän-tish, -"tan-, "di-l&-'/ adjective
- dil·et·tan·tism /-"tän-"ti-z&m, -"tan-, "di-l&-'/ noun
Etymology: Italian, from present participle of dilettare to delight, from Latin dilectare -- more at DELIGHT
Date: 1748

DIPSOMANIA
Main Entry: dip·so·ma·nia
Pronunciation: "dip-s&-'mA-nE-&, -ny&
Function: noun
: an uncontrollable craving for alcoholic liquors
- dip·so·ma·ni·ac /-nE-"ak/ noun
- dip·so·ma·ni·a·cal /"dip-sO-m&-'nI-&-k&l/ adjective
Etymology: New Latin, from Greek dipsa thirst + Late Latin mania
Date: circa 1844

DISINGENUOUS
Main Entry: dis·in·gen·u·ous
Pronunciation: "di-s&n-'jen-y&-w&s
Function: adjective
: lacking in candor; also : giving a false appearance of simple frankness
: CALCULATING
- dis·in·gen·u·ous·ly adverb
- dis·in·gen·u·ous·ness noun
Date: 1655

DUPLICITY
Main Entry: du·plic·i·ty
Pronunciation: du-'pli-s&-tE also dyu-
Function: noun
1 : contradictory doubleness of thought, speech, or action; especially : the belying of one's true intentions by deceptive words or action
2 : the quality or state of being double or twofold
3 : the technically incorrect use of two or more distinct items (as claims, charges, or defenses) in a single legal action
Inflected Form(s): plural -ties
Etymology: Middle English duplicite, from Middle French, from Late Latin duplicitat-, duplicitas, from Latin duplex
Date: 15th century

DYSTOPIA
Main Entry: dys·to·pia
Pronunciation: (")dis-'tO-pE-&
Function: noun
1 : an imaginary place where people lead dehumanized and often fearful lives
2 : ANTI-UTOPIA 2
- dys·to·pi·an /-pE-&n/ adjective
Etymology: New Latin, from dys- + -topia (as in utopia)
Date: circa 1950

ENNUI
Main Entry: en·nui
Pronunciation: "än-'wE
Function: noun
: a feeling of weariness and dissatisfaction : BOREDOM
Etymology: French, from Old French enui annoyance, from enuier to annoy -- more at ANNOY
Date: 1732

EPICURE
Main Entry: ep·i·cure
Pronunciation: 'e-pi-"kyur
Function: noun
1 archaic : one devoted to sensual pleasure : SYBARITE
2 : one with sensitive and discriminating tastes especially in food or wine
synonyms EPICURE, GOURMET, GOURMAND, GASTRONOME mean one who takes pleasure in eating and drinking. EPICURE implies fastidiousness and voluptuousness of taste. GOURMET implies being a connoisseur in food and drink and the discriminating enjoyment of them. GOURMAND implies a hearty appetite for good food and drink, not without discernment, but with less than a gourmet's. GASTRONOME implies that one has studied extensively the history and rituals of haute cuisine.
Etymology: Epicurus
Date: 1565

ESOTERIC
Main Entry: es·o·ter·ic
Pronunciation: "e-s&-'ter-ik
Function: adjective
1 a : designed for or understood by the specially initiated alone (a body of esoteric legal doctrine -- B. N. Cardozo) b : of or relating to knowledge that is restricted to a small group
2 a : limited to a small circle (esoteric pursuits) b : PRIVATE, CONFIDENTIAL (an esoteric purpose)
- es·o·ter·i·cal·ly /-i-k(&-)lE/ adverb
Etymology: Late Latin esotericus, from Greek esOterikos, from esOterO, comparative of eisO, esO within, from eis into; akin to Greek en in -- more at IN
Date: circa 1660

ETHEREAL
Main Entry: ethe·re·al
Pronunciation: i-'thir-E-&l
Function: adjective
1 a : of or relating to the regions beyond the earth b : CELESTIAL, HEAVENLY c : UNWORLDLY, SPIRITUAL
2 a : lacking material substance : IMMATERIAL, INTANGIBLE b : marked by unusual delicacy or refinement
3 : relating to, containing, or resembling a chemical ether
- ethe·re·al·i·ty /-"thir-E-'a-l&-tE/ noun
- ethe·re·al·iza·tion /-E-&-l&-'zA-sh&n/ noun
- ethe·re·al·ize /-'thir-E-&-"lIz/ transitive verb
- ethe·re·al·ly /-E-&-lE/ adverb
- ethe·re·al·ness noun
Date: 1513

EXCORIATE
Main Entry: ex·co·ri·ate
Pronunciation: ek-'skOr-E-"At, -'skor-
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form(s): -at·ed; -at·ing
1 : to wear off the skin of : ABRADE
2 : to censure scathingly
- ex·co·ri·a·tion /(")ek-"skOr-E-'A-sh&n, -"skor-/ noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Late Latin excoriatus, past participle of excoriare, from Latin ex- + corium skin, hide -- more at CUIRASS
Date: 15th century

EXISTENTIAL
Main Entry: ex·is·ten·tial
Pronunciation: "eg-(")zis-'ten(t)-sh&l, "ek-(")sis-
Function: adjective
1 : of, relating to, or affirming existence (existential propositions)
2 a : grounded in existence or the experience of existence : EMPIRICAL b : having being in time and space
3 [translation of Danish eksistentiel & German existential] : EXISTENTIALIST
- ex·is·ten·tial·ly adverb
Date: 1693

FACTOTUM
Main Entry: fac·to·tum
Pronunciation: fak-'tO-t&m
Function: noun
1 : a person having many diverse activities or responsibilities
2 : a general servant
Etymology: New Latin, literally, do everything, from Latin fac (imperative of facere do) + totum everything
Date: 1566

FECKLESS
Main Entry: feck·less
Pronunciation: 'fek-l&s
Function: adjective
1 : WEAK, INEFFECTIVE
2 : WORTHLESS, IRRESPONSIBLE
- feck·less·ly adverb
- feck·less·ness noun
Etymology: Scots, from feck effect, majority, from Middle English (Sc) fek, alteration of Middle English effect
Date: circa 1585

FECUND
Main Entry: fe·cund
Pronunciation: 'fe-k&nd, 'fE-
Function: adjective
1 : fruitful in offspring or vegetation : PROLIFIC
2 : intellectually productive or inventive to a marked degree
synonym see FERTILE
- fe·cun·di·ty /fi-'k&n-d&-tE, fe-/ noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French fecond, from Latin fecundus -- more at FEMININE
Date: 15th century

FLUMMOX
Main Entry: flum·mox
Pronunciation: 'fl&-m&ks, -miks
Function: transitive verb
: CONFUSE
Etymology: origin unknown
Date: 1837

FUGUE
Main Entry: fugue
Pronunciation: 'fyüg
Function: noun
1 a : a musical composition in which one or two themes are repeated or imitated by successively entering voices and contrapuntally developed in a continuous interweaving of the voice parts b : something that resembles a fugue especially in interweaving repetitive elements
2 : a disturbed state of consciousness in which the one affected seems to perform acts in full awareness but upon recovery cannot recollect the deeds
- fugue verb
- fugu·ist /'fyü-gist/ noun
Etymology: probably from Italian fuga flight, fugue, from Latin, flight, from fugere
Date: 1597

GEEK
Main Entry: geek
Pronunciation: 'gEk
Function: noun
1 : a carnival performer often billed as a wild man whose act usually includes biting the head off a live chicken or snake
2 : a person often of an intellectual bent who is disapproved of
- geeky /'gE-kE/ adjective
Etymology: probably from English dialect geek, geck fool, from Low German geck, from Middle Low German
Date: 1914
GENEROUS
Main Entry: gen·er·ous
Pronunciation: 'jen-r&s, 'je-n&-
Function: >adjective
1 archaic : HIGHBORN
2 a : characterized by a noble or forbearing spirit : MAGNANIMOUS, KINDLY b : liberal in giving : OPENHANDED c : marked by abundance or ample proportions : COPIOUS synonym see LIBERAL
- gen·er·ous·ly adverb
- gen·er·ous·ness noun
Etymology: Middle French or Latin; Middle French genereus, from Latin generosus, from gener-, genus
Date: 1588

HEDONISM
Main Entry: he·do·nism
Pronunciation: 'hE-d&n-"i-z&m
Function: noun
1 : the doctrine that pleasure or happiness is the sole or chief good in life
2 : a way of life based on or suggesting the principles of hedonism
- he·do·nist /-d&n-ist/ noun
- he·do·nis·tic /"hE-d&n-'is-tik/ adjective
- he·do·nis·ti·cal·ly /-ti-k(&-)lE/ adverb
Etymology: Greek hEdonE pleasure; akin to Greek hEdys sweet -- more at SWEET
Date: 1856

HOMUNCULUS
Main Entry: ho·mun·cu·lus
Pronunciation: hO-'m&[ng]-ky&-l&s
Function: noun
1 : a little man : MANIKIN
2 : a miniature adult that in the theory of preformation is held to inhabit the germ cell and to produce a mature individual merely by an increase in size
Inflected Form(s): plural ho·mun·cu·li /-"lI, -"lE/
Etymology: Latin, diminutive of homin-, homo human being -- more at HOMAGE

HYPOCRISY
Main Entry: hy·poc·ri·sy
Pronunciation: hi-'pä-kr&-sE also hI-
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural -sies
1 : a feigning to be what one is not or to believe what one does not; especially : the false assumption of an appearance of virtue or religion
2 : an act or instance of hypocrisy
Etymology: Middle English ypocrisie, from Old French, from Late Latin hypocrisis, from Greek hypokrisis act of playing a part on the stage, hypocrisy, from hypokrinesthai to answer, act on the stage, from hypo- + krinein to decide -- more at CERTAIN
Date: 13th century

ICONOCLAST
Main Entry: icon·o·clast
Pronunciation: -"klast
Function: noun
1 : one who destroys religious images or opposes their veneration
2 : one who attacks settled beliefs or institutions
- icon·o·clas·tic /(")I-"kä-n&-'klas-tik/ adjective
- icon·o·clas·ti·cal·ly /-ti-k(&-)lE/ adverb
Etymology: Medieval Latin iconoclastes, from Middle Greek eikonoklastEs, literally, image destroyer, from Greek eikono- + klan to break -- more at CLAST
Date: 1641

IMPECUNIOUS
Main Entry: im·pe·cu·nious
Pronunciation: "im-pi-'kyü-ny&s, -nE-&s
Function: adjective
: having very little or no money usually habitually : PENNILESS
- im·pe·cu·ni·os·i·ty /-"kyü-nE-'ä-s&-tE/ noun
- im·pe·cu·nious·ly adverb
- im·pe·cu·nious·ness noun
Etymology: 1in- + obsolete English pecunious rich, from Middle English, from Latin pecuniosus, from pecunia money -- more at FEE
Date: 1596

INIMICAL
Main Entry: in·im·i·cal
Pronunciation: i-'ni-mi-k&l
Function: adjective
1 : being adverse often by reason of hostility or malevolence
2 a : having the disposition of an enemy : HOSTILE b : reflecting or indicating hostility : UNFRIENDLY
- in·im·i·cal·ly /-mi-k(&-)lE/ adverb
Etymology: Late Latin inimicalis, from Latin inimicus enemy -- more at ENEMY
Date: 1573

INSOLENT
Main Entry: in·so·lent
Pronunciation: -s(&-)l&nt
Function: adjective
1 : insultingly contemptuous in speech or conduct : OVERBEARING
2 : exhibiting boldness or effrontery : IMPUDENT
synonym see PROUD
- insolent noun
- in·so·lent·ly adverb
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin insolent-, insolens unaccustomed, overbearing, from in- + solens, present participle of solEre to be accustomed; perhaps akin to Latin sodalis comrade -- more at SIB
Date: 14th century

INSOUCIANCE
Main Entry: in·sou·ci·ance
Pronunciation: in-'sü-sE-&n(t)s, an-süs-yäns
Function: noun
: lighthearted unconcern : NONCHALANCE
- in·sou·ci·ant /in-'sü-sE-&nt, an-süs-yän/ adjective
- in·sou·ci·ant·ly /in-'sü-sE-&nt-lE/ adverb
Etymology: French, from in- + soucier to trouble, disturb, from Latin sollicitare -- more at SOLICIT
Date: 1799

INTEGRITY
Main Entry: in·teg·ri·ty
Pronunciation: in-'te-gr&-tE
Function: noun
1 : firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values : INCORRUPTIBILITY
2 : an unimpaired condition : SOUNDNESS
3 : the quality or state of being complete or undivided : COMPLETENESS
synonym see HONESTY
Etymology: Middle English integrite, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French integrité, from Latin integritat-, integritas, from integr-, integer entire
Date: 14th century

INTRANSIGENT
Main Entry: in·tran·si·gent
Pronunciation: -j&nt
Function: adjective
1 a : refusing to compromise or to abandon an extreme position or attitude : UNCOMPROMISING b : IRRECONCILABLE
2 : characteristic of an intransigent person
- intransigent noun
- in·tran·si·gent·ly adverb
Etymology: Spanish intransigente, from in- + transigente, present participle of transigir to compromise, from Latin transigere to come to an agreement -- more at TRANSACT
Date: circa 1879

JEALOUSY
Main Entry: jeal·ou·sy
Pronunciation: 'je-l&-sE
Function: noun
1 : a jealous disposition, attitude, or feeling
2 : zealous vigilance
Inflected Form(s): plural -sies
Date: 13th century

JINGOISM
Main Entry: jin·go·ism
Pronunciation: 'ji[ng]-(")gO-"i-z&m
Function: noun
: extreme chauvinism or nationalism marked especially by a belligerent foreign policy
- jin·go·ist /-ist/ noun or adjective
- jin·go·is·tic /"ji[ng]-gO-'is-tik/ adjective
- jin·go·is·ti·cal·ly /-ti-k(&-)lE/ adverb
Date: 1878

LACONIC
Main Entry: la·con·ic
Pronunciation: l&-'kä-nik
Function: adjective
: using or involving the use of a minimum of words : concise to the point of seeming rude or mysterious
synonym see CONCISE
- la·con·i·cal·ly /-ni-k(&-)lE/ adverb
Etymology: Latin laconicus Spartan, from Greek lakOnikos; from the Spartan reputation for terseness of speech
Date: 1589

LIMN
Main Entry: limn
Pronunciation: 'lim
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form(s): limned; limn·ing /'li-mi[ng], 'lim-ni[ng]/
1 : to draw or paint on a surface
2 : to outline in clear sharp detail : DELINEATE
3 : DESCRIBE
- limn·er /'li-m&r, 'lim-n&r/ noun
Etymology: Middle English luminen, limnen to illuminate (a manuscript), from Middle French enluminer, from Latin illuminare to illuminate
Date: 1592

LOQUACIOUS
Main Entry: lo·qua·cious
Pronunciation: lO-'kwA-sh&s
Function: adjective
1 : full of excessive talk : WORDY
2 : given to fluent or excessive talk : GARRULOUS
synonym see TALKATIVE
- lo·qua·cious·ly adverb
- lo·qua·cious·ness noun
Etymology: Latin loquac-, loquax, from loqui to speak
Date: 1663

LUMMOX
Main Entry: lum·mox
Pronunciation: 'l&-m&ks, -miks
Function: noun
: a clumsy person
Date: circa 1825

MALFEASANCE
Main Entry: mal·fea·sance
Pronunciation: "mal-'fE-z&n(t)s
Function: noun
: wrongdoing or misconduct especially by a public official
Etymology: mal- + obsolete feasance doing, execution
Date: 1696

MENDACIOUS
Main Entry: men·da·cious
Pronunciation: men-'dA-sh&s
Function: adjective
: given to or characterized by deception or falsehood or divergence from absolute truth (mendacious tales of his adventures)
synonym see DISHONEST
- men·da·cious·ly adverb
- men·da·cious·ness noun
Etymology: Latin mendac-, mendax -- more at AMEND
Date: 1616

MEWL
Main Entry: mewl
Pronunciation: 'myü(&)l
Function: intransitive verb
: to cry weakly : WHIMPER
Etymology: imitative
Date: 1600

MIASMA
Main Entry: mi·as·ma
Pronunciation: mI-'az-m&, mE-
Function: noun
1 : a vaporous exhalation formerly believed to cause disease; also : a heavy vaporous emanation or atmosphere (a miasma of tobacco smoke)
2 : an influence or atmosphere that tends to deplete or corrupt (freed from the miasma of poverty -- Sir Arthur Bryant); also : an atmosphere that obscures : FOG (retreated into an asexual mental miasma -- Times Literary Supplement)
- mi·as·mal /-m&l/ adjective
- mi·as·mat·ic /"mI-&z-'ma-tik/ adjective
- mi·as·mic /mI-'az-mik, mE-/ adjective
- mi·as·mi·cal·ly /-mi-k(&-)lE/ adverb
Inflected Form(s): plural -mas also mi·as·ma·ta /-m&-t&/
Etymology: New Latin, from Greek, defilement, from miainein to pollute
Date: 1665

MINION
Main Entry: min·ion
Pronunciation: 'min-y&n
Function: noun
1 : a servile dependent, follower, or underling
2 : one highly favored : IDOL
3 : a subordinate or petty official
Etymology: Middle French mignon darling
Date: 1501

MORON
Main Entry: mo·ron
Pronunciation: 'mOr-"än, 'mor-
Function: noun
1 : a mentally retarded person who has a potential mental age of between 8 and 12 years and is capable of doing routine work under supervision
2 : a very stupid person
- mo·ron·ic /m&-'rä-nik, mo-/ adjective
- mo·ron·i·cal·ly /-ni-k(&-)lE/ adverb
- mo·ron·ism /'mOr-"ä-"ni-z&m, 'mor-/ noun
- mo·ron·i·ty /m&-'rä-n&-tE, mo-/ noun
Etymology: irregular from Greek mOros foolish, stupid
Date: 1910

MOXIE
Main Entry: mox·ie
Pronunciation: 'mäk-sE
Function: noun
1 : ENERGY, PEP
2 : COURAGE, DETERMINATION
3 : KNOW-HOW, EXPERTISE
Etymology: from Moxie, a trademark for a soft drink
Date: 1930

MYRMIDON
Main Entry: myr·mi·don
Pronunciation: 'm&r-m&-"dän, -d&n
Function: noun
1 capitalized : a member of a legendary Thessalian people who accompanied their king Achilles in the Trojan War
2 : a loyal follower; especially : a subordinate who executes orders unquestioningly or unscrupulously
Etymology: Middle English Mirmydon, Latin Myrmidon-, Myrmido, from Greek MyrmidOn
Date: 15th century

NADIR
Main Entry: na·dir
Pronunciation: 'nA-"dir, 'nA-d&r
Function: noun
1 : the point of the celestial sphere that is directly opposite the zenith and vertically downward from the observer
2 : the lowest point
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, from Arabic nazIr opposite
Date: 15th century

NEFARIOUS
Main Entry: ne·far·i·ous
Pronunciation: ni-'far-E-&s, -'fer-
Function: adjective
: flagrantly wicked or impious : EVIL
synonym see VICIOUS
- ne·far·i·ous·ly adverb Etymology: Latin nefarius, from nefas crime, from ne- not + fas right, divine law; perhaps akin to Greek themis law, tithenai to place -- more at DO
Date: circa 1609

NEOPHYTE
Main Entry: neo·phyte
Pronunciation: 'nE-&-"fIt
Function: noun
1 : a new convert : PROSELYTE
2 : NOVICE 1
3 : TYRO, BEGINNER
Etymology: Middle English, from Late Latin neophytus, from Greek neophytos, from neophytos newly planted, newly converted, from ne- + phyein to bring forth -- more at BE
Date: 14th century

PALAVER
Main Entry: 1pa·lav·er
Pronunciation: p&-'la-v&r, -'lä-
Function: noun
1 a : a long parley usually between persons of different cultures or levels of sophistication b : CONFERENCE, DISCUSSION
2 a : idle talk b : misleading or beguiling speech
Etymology: Portuguese palavra word, speech, from Late Latin parabola parable, speech
Date: 1735

Main Entry: 2palaver
Function: verb
intransitive senses
1 : to talk profusely or idly
2 : PARLEY
transitive senses : to use palaver to : CAJOLE
Inflected Form(s): pa·lav·ered; pa·lav·er·ing /p&-'la-v&-ri[ng], -'lä-; -'lav-ri[ng], -'läv-/
Date: 1773