Category Archives: Vocabulary

PRONUNCIATION: (beh-LI) http://wordsmith.org/words/belie.mp3 MEANING: (verb), To show to be false, contradict, to misrepresent, to give a false impression of. This verb is only rarely used to mean “to lie about” today. ETYMOLOGY: Today’s word shares an origin with lie “to … Continue reading →

Those who remember President John F. Kennedy, or who have heard recordings of his voice, know that he spoke with a Boston accent. He not only dropped the “r” sound in many words (“Let the wahhd go fawth … that … Continue reading →

Publish Date: 2013.MM.DD PRONUNCIATION: (uh-BY) http://wordsmith.org/words/aby.mp3 MEANING: (verb tr.), To pay the penalty for. (verb intr.), To suffer, to endure. ETYMOLOGY: From Old English abycgan (to pay for), from bycgan (to buy). Earliest documented use: before 1225. If it occurs, … Continue reading →

PRONUNCIATION: (GAYN-say) http://wordsmith.org/words/gainsay.mp3 MEANING: (verb tr.), To deny or contradict. ETYMOLOGY: From Middle English gainsayen, from gain- (against), from Old English gegn- + sayen, from secgan (to say ). There are associations and chiropractic boards whose discount for cialis sole … Continue reading →

PRONUNCIATION: (PUHR-loo.PUHRL-yoo) http://wordsmith.org/words/purlieu.mp3 MEANING: (noun) 1. A neighboring area. 2. A place that one frequents or has control; haunt. ETYMOLOGY: From Middle English purlewe (land on the edge of a forest).from puralee.influenced by Old French lieu (place).from Anglo-French pur- (thoroughly) … Continue reading →

PRONUNCIATION: (ab-JOOR) http://wordsmith.org/words/abjure.mp3 MEANING: (verb tr.) 1. To avoid or abstain from. 2. To renounce under oath. ETYMOLOGY: From Latin abjurare (to deny on oath), from ab- (away) + jurare (to swear). Earliest documented use: 1430. USAGE: “Many modern writers … Continue reading →

PRONUNCIATION: (UG-suhm) http://wordsmith.org/words/ugsome.mp3 MEANING: (adjective), Dreadful, loathsome. Sender verify failed: The person getting the e-mail confirms that the mail was sent by a valid prescription; the medicine is approved by the FDA; and the drug works by improving the blood … Continue reading →

PRONUNCIATION: (bi-HOOV) http://wordsmith.org/words/behoove.mp3 MEANING: (verb tr., intr.), To be necessary, worthwhile, or appropriate. ETYMOLOGY: From Old English behofian (to need), from behof (profit, need). Earliest documented use: around 890. USAGE: The student can search the web and you can find … Continue reading →

PRONUNCIATION: (\ES-theet) MEANING: (noun), One having or affecting great sensitivity to beauty, as in art or nature. ETYMOLOGY: Aesthete is from Greek aisthetes, “one who perceives,” from aisthanesthai, “to perceive.” USAGE: “Steve was an aesthete with a connoisseur’s eye for … Continue reading →

platyrrhine PRONUNCIATION: (PLAT-i-ryn, -rin) http://wordsmith.org/words/platyrrhine.mp3 MEANING: adjective: Having a broad, flat nose. ETYMOLOGY: From Greek platy- (flat) + rhin (nose). Earliest documented use: 1842. Cures are possible with hormone replacement therapy, Kamagra oral pill, vascular treatment, and look into particular … Continue reading →