It seems like there's a widow's cruse of classes left before I graduate.

Last night's lovemaking was a widow's cruse of ecstasy.

Only a meshuggener would buy a Meshuggah's CD.

Word of the day May 15
 

The Word of the Day for May 15 is:

gallivant • \GAL-uh-vant\ • (verb) 1. to go about usually ostentatiously or indiscreetly with members of the opposite sex; 2. to travel, roam, or move about for pleasure

A little more information about today’s word:
Back in the 14th century, a young man of fashion (or a ladies' man) was called a "gallant." By the late 1600s, "gallant" was being used as a verb to describe the process a paramour used to win a lady's heart; "to gallant" became a synonym of "to court." Etymologists think that the spelling of the verb "gallant" was altered to create today's term for the behavior of a roguish Romeo: "gallivant." Nowadays, "gallivant" is used as much to describe irresponsible wandering as indiscreet romancing.

My sentence (using definition #2):
"It's just like Peter to quit a great job and go gallivanting across the country without a care in the world or a dollar in his pocket," said Myra.

Based on Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 10th Edition.

Next sentence?

When I was in school summer meant a time to gallavant around without a care in the world. Now that I am working for a living summer just means more great weather missed so I can pay the bills.

(can you tell I have spring fever?)

Once class gets out today, my semester will be over and I can go gallivanting around.

Based on my limited experience, I would say that scrapbooking is primarily a gallivant
than a guy event.

When I retire I would like to gallivant around the country with my wife in a mobile home.

Word of the day May 16
 

The Word of the Day for May 16 is:

funicular • \fyoo-NIH-kyuh-ler\ • (noun) a cable railway ascending a mountain; especially, one in which an ascending car counterbalances a descending car

A little more information about today’s word:
You may have fun on a funicular, but the word is not related to "fun" (which comes to us from an English dialect verb meaning "to hoax"). The noun "funicular" descends from an earlier adjective "funicular," meaning "relating to a cord under tension." It was also influenced by "funiculaire," a French word used for a type of railway that is dependent upon cables (or on "cords under tension"). Ultimately, these terms trace to the Latin noun "funiculus," meaning "small rope." "Funicular" first appeared in print as an adjective in English in 1664; the noun has been with us since the early 20th century.

My sentence:
"For a panoramic view of the Riviera and the old forts surrounding the city, take the funicular from Largo della Zecca up to Monte Righi."
-- The Washington Post, August 25, 2002

Based on Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 10th Edition.

Next sentence?

The American pilot who clipped the cable to the funicular in Alps by hotdogging through the pass were tried for manslaughter.

In Japan, we took the famous funicular over the awesome and mysterious fog-shrouded Mt Fuji.

This is my last warning, funicular again, I’ll have to find another hairdresser.

The view of the mountain as they ascended in the funicular was spectacular.

Word of the day May 19
 

The Word of the Day for May 19 is:

myrmidon • \MER-muh-dahn\ • (noun) a loyal follower; especially, a subordinate who executes orders unquestioningly or unscrupulously

A little more information about today’s word:
The Myrmidons, legendary inhabitants of Thessaly in Greece, were known for their fierce devotion to their king, Achilles, who led them in the Trojan War. "Myrmex" means "ant" in Greek, an image that evokes small and insignificant workers mindlessly fulfilling their duty. Whether the original Myrmidons were given their name for that reason is open to question. The "ant" association is strong, however. Some say the name is from a legendary ancestor who once had the form of an ant; others say the Myrmidons were actually transformed from ants. In any case, since the 1600s, we've employed "myrmidon" in its not-always-complimentary, ant-evoking, figurative sense.

My sentence:
When DeVour, Inc. was accused of unsavory dealings, even company myrmidons like Bruce were held accountable.

Based on Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 10th Edition.

Next sentence?

Is Cheny Bush's myrmidon or is it the other way round?

Because he had stepped on a lot of toes, there was a myrmidon on the streets that that drug dealer's days were numbered.

I sent my myrmidons in to attack the berzerks.



Whoo.

The cult leader's MYRMIDONS drank the Kool-Aid.

Charles Manson had myrmidons who commited heinous acts for him.

Go forth, my myrmidons, GO FORTH!!!

Word of the day May 20
 

The Word of the Day for May 20 is:

qua • \KWAH\ • (preposition) in the capacity or character of; as

A little more information about today’s word:
Which way? Who? No, we’re not paraphrasing lines from the old Abbott and Costello routine "Who’s on First"; we’re referring to the etymology of "qua," a term that comes to us from Latin. It can be translated as "which way" or "as" and it is a derivative of the Latin "qui," meaning "who." "Qua" has been serving English in the capacity of a preposition since the 17th century. It’s a learned but handy little word that led one 20th-century usage writer to comment: "Qua is sometimes thought affected or pretentious, but it does convey meaning economically."

My sentence:
My physician qua friend suggested that a sabbatical would be good for both my mental and physical health.

Based on Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 10th Edition.

Next sentence?

My coworkers qua councilors often give supportive and useful advice.

His wife qua boss often informed him of the best decisions to make.

I felt betrayed and qua surprised to discover that she knew our dark secret.

Jane was upset that she was being underpaid while working qua three separate jobs.

Word of the day May 21
 

The Word of the Day for May 21 is:

tempestuous • \tem-PESS-chuh-wus\ • (adjective) of, relating to, or resembling a tempest; turbulent, stormy

A little more information about today’s word:
Time is sometimes marked in seasons, and seasons are associated with the weather. This explains how "tempus," the Latin word for "time" could have given rise to an English adjective for things turbulent and stormy. "Tempus" is the root behind the Old Latin "tempestus," meaning "season," and the Late Latin "tempestuosus," the direct ancestor of "tempestuous." As you might expect, "tempus" is also the root of the noun "tempest"; it probably played a role in the history of "temper" as well, but that connection isn't as definite.

My sentence:
Howard and Donna have always had a tempestuous relationship—one minute fast friends, the next snarling and at each other's throats.

Based on Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 10th Edition.

Next sentence?

The boss was well known for his tempestous management style and had a hard time keeping employees.

If we can’t eradicate tempestuous and everybody else are going to be totally run over by them.

To say this week was tempestuous would be an understatement.

Word of the day May 22
 

The Word of the Day for May 22 is:

meritorious • \meh-ruh-TOR-ee-us\ • (adjective) worthy of reward, gratitude, honor, or esteem

A little more information about today’s word:
People who demonstrate meritorious behavior certainly "earn" our respect, and you can use that fact to remember that "meritorious" ultimately traces to the Latin verb "merere," which means "to earn." Nowadays, the rewards earned for meritorious acts are likely to be of an immaterial nature: gratitude, admiration, praise, etc. But that wasn't always so. The history of "meritorious" recalls a reward more concrete in nature: money. The Latin word "meritorius," an ancestor of the English "meritorious," literally means "bringing in money."

My sentence:
Each year, the city presents a Citizen of the Year award to the person who local officials feel has done the most meritorious work on behalf of the community.

Based on Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 10th Edition.

Next sentence?

Why she was wearing them nobody knows, but while scrambling over the fence meritorious pants beyond repair.

Teenagers are often disparaged but many display behavior that is meritorious.

After finishing first in his class, John was meritorious of being the valedictorian.

I suggested a lite dinner and a movie and she considered those ideas meritorious.

Word of the day May 23
 

The Word of the Day for May 23 is:

variegated • \VAIR-ee-uh-gay-tid\ • (adjective) 1. having discrete markings of different colors; 2. varied

A little more information about today’s word:
"Variegated" has been adding color to our language since the mid-17th century. It has been used in botany to describe the presence of two or more colors in the leaves, petals, or other parts of plants, and it also appears in the names of some animals ("variegated cutworm"). It can be used by the general speaker to refer to anything marked with different colors ("a variegated silk robe") or to things that are simply various and diverse ("a variegated collection"). "Variegated" has a variety of relatives in English—it's ultimately derived from the Latin root "varius," meaning "varied," which also gave us "vary," "various," and "variety."

My sentence (using definition #1):
The variegated flower petals glistened in the puddle—brilliant splotches and splashes of color shining on the dark, wet sidewalk.

Based on Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 10th Edition.

Next sentence?

Little Johhny's Skin was extremely variegated one hour after he lost the fight.

As i looked down at my variegated penis, I postulated that i really should've said yes to that condom when i railed that stripper...

One time I gave my friend Varieg an apple, but then variegated it.

The cats fur was of variegated colors from plain gray to a tawney gold.

The lunar moth has variegated wings, but don't let this fool you; not all moths are variegated.

If you’re so overly concerned about security, why not just move into a variegated community?

The variegated sunset we watched from our deck put romance in the air with all of its warm tones.

People often have passionate and variegated views regarding theology.

The painting used a variegated palette.

Man, a lot of people are using variegated sentences just to prove they can use the word "variegated"...

sadness*grin*

Word of the day May 26
 

The Word of the Day for May 26 is:

bravado • \bruh-VAH-doh\ • (noun) 1a. blustering swaggering conduct; b. a pretense of bravery; 2. the quality or state of being foolhardy

A little more information about today’s word:
"Bravado" ultimately traces to the Old Italian adjective "bravo," meaning "courageous" or "wild." Nowadays, the wildness once associated with "bravado" has been tamed to an overbearing boldness that comes from arrogance or a position of power. Celebrities, political or corporate giants, and the schoolyard bully may all show "bravado" (though they often turn out to be not so tough after all). "Bravado" is also used for show-offish, daring acts that seem reckless and inconsistent with good sense, but might, nonetheless, be applauded with shouts of "Bravo!" when successful. The spectacular feats of stuntmen come to mind, for example.

My sentence (using definition #2):
The student’s bravado in playing an April Fools’ joke on the teacher caused an outburst of laughter, but it also landed the prankster in detention.

Based on Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 10th Edition.

Next sentence?

Since I have not slept, there shall be no acts of bravado coming from me, unless it is amazing to sleep for multiple hours in a single sitting.

The general's bravado was enough to inspire the rest of his troops.

Bully's have a great deal of bravado until someone actually stands up to them.

Word of the day May 27
 

The Word of the Day for May 27 is:

vinaceous • \vye-NAY-shuss\ • (adjective) of the color wine; dark red

A little more information about today’s word:
The first recorded evidence of "vinaceous" in English dates from 1688, about the time of the accession of Mary II. If ever the queen used "vinaceous," she was probably in the confines of her landscaped garden, admiring the vinaceous shades of petals or looking indifferently at the vinaceous cap of a mushroom; since its beginning, "vinaceous" has flourished in the earthy lexicon of horticulture and mycology. It has also taken flight in the ornithological world as a descriptive word for the unique dark-red coloring of some birds, like the vinaceous amazon or vinaceous rosefinch. You probably won’t encounter these exotic birds while enjoying the spring weather in your neighborhood, but you might see someone tossing a vinaceous Frisbee or jogging by in a vinaceous T-shirt.

My sentence:
At the art museum, we saw a portrait of Mary II wearing a magnificent vinaceous dress befitting her royal splendor.

Based on Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 10th Edition.

Next sentence?

Think you about covered it all Jazi.. Well maybe except for that vinaceous shirt your voluptuous avatar is wearing :)


*edit: added a word*

I vant to know vinaceous like Israel and Palestine can’t settle their differences peacefully.

After stomping grapes all afternoon Shelly's feet were vinaceous.

My car is a vinaceous Jeep.

Word of the day May 28
 

The Word of the Day for May 28 is:

nonplus • \nahn-PLUSS\ • (verb) to cause to be at a loss as to what to say, think, or do; perplex

A little more information about today’s word:
Does "nonplus" perplex you? You aren't alone. Some people believe the "non" in "nonplus" means "not" and assume that to be "nonplussed" is to be calm and poised when just the opposite is true. If you are among the baffled, the word's history may clarify things. In Latin, "non plus" means "no more." When "nonplus" debuted in English in the 16th century, it was used as a noun synonymous with "quandary." Someone brought to a nonplus had reached an impasse in an argument and could say no more. Within 10 years of the first known use of the noun, people began using "nonplus" as a verb, and today it is often used in participial form (as in "Joellen's nasty remark left us utterly nonplussed").

My sentence:
It was unusual for anything to nonplus Phil, but Paulette's question caught him so completely by surprise that it left him utterly speechless.

Based on Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 10th Edition.

Next sentence?

The politicians convoluted explanation for his seemingly hypocritical position of being a peon of virtue and losing millions gambling left me nonplussed.

Non was proud of her performance in math class. Nonplussed three and three and got six!

In blackjack, twelve is a bad hand, but if you take a hit and get a nonplus that lousy twelve, you are usually a winner.

I was completely nonplussed when I saw Mr. Halx's work thread in exhibition.

John's foolish actions nonplussed Nancy.

Word of the day May 29
 

The Word of the Day for May 29 is:

artless • \ART-luss\ • (adjective) 1. lacking art, knowledge, or skill; uncultured; 2a. made without skill; crude; 2b. free from artificiality; natural; 3. free from guile or craft; sincerely simple

A little more information about today’s word:
"Artless," "ingenuous," "unsophisticated," "natural," and "naive" all refer to freedom from pretension or calculation, but there are subtle differences in their use. "Ingenuous" implies an inability to disguise or conceal one’s feelings, while "unsophisticated" suggests a lack of experience and training necessary for social ease and adroitness. "Naive" suggests a credulous lack of worldly wisdom, and "natural" implies spontaneity and a lack of artificiality or cultivation. "Artless" generally indicates an utter naturalness, one in which a person is innocent of the effect of his or her speech or behavior on others.

My sentence (using definition #2b):
Daryl found Jennie’s open and artless chatter to be a refreshing change from the affected mannerisms and feigned friendship of his other coworkers.

Based on Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 10th Edition.

Next sentence?

I think it is relatively safe to say that the Republicans, more artless, haven’t learned their lesson about fighting dirty from the Democrats.

I sometimes get sad in chat when we are artless , but I know he'll return soon!

When he left for work, Mimi & Sus were left artless.

My attempts to approach woman are usually clumsy and artless, luckily for me Jadzia found me interesting anyway.

Using definition 2b:

A lot of the members on the board prefer artless tits.

Word of the day May 30
 

The Word of the Day for May 30 is:

fructuous • \FRUK-chuh-wus\ • (adjective) fruitful

A little more information about today’s word:
Most people enjoy a good piece of fruit, and it seems that this was also true in ages past. In fact, the connection of fruit with "enjoyment" was so strong in ancient Rome that Latin used the same word, "fructus," to mean both "fruit" and "enjoyment" or "use." A rich crop of English derivatives grew from that root, including "fructuous," "fructose" (a sugar found in fruits), "fruition" ("the state of bearing fruit"), "usufruct" (the right to use or enjoy something), and even "fruit" itself. "Fructuous" comes from the Middle French adjective "fructueux" and the Latin adjective "fructuosus," both ultimately derived from "fructus."

My sentence:
Rich, fructuous lands in the Magelang region of Java provide rice, tobacco, sugar, and a wealth of other crops for export and domestic use.

Based on Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 10th Edition.

Next sentence?

The business trip was very lucrative, but luckly it also was quite fructuous.

Not knowing Spanish, I really didn’t have a clue as to what the fructuous talking about.

Alaska is fructuous with natural resources (sadly just not much fruit).

For the farmer, this year's harvest was fructuous.

The farmers of the Midwest gave thanks for their fructuous bounty.

I need to participate in the Word of the Day more often. Yesterday, I watched some little kid spell words I didn't even know existed in the Scripts Howard Spelling Bee. And he was nine.

If I don't step it up, this kid is gonna have my job.

The fructuous winery lands produced some of the best Merlot around.

Be fructuous and multiply.