Good evening, Netizens... February 26, 2013 Words of the Day pugilism \PYOO-juh-liz-um\ DEFINITION noun : boxing EXAMPLES Long fascinated by the art and science of pugilism, Shane has collected biographies of noted boxers such as Muhammad Ali, Jack Dempsey, and Sonny Liston. "At 48, Cyr…
Good evening, Netizens... I am cracking up over hearing how City Councilman Mike Fagan called Governor Inslee a “lying whore”. Perhaps that is because most of the whores I have met on East Sprague Avenue are more honest than your typical politician, including Mr. Fagan.…
Good evening Netizens February 25, 2013 Word of the Day idiopathic \id-ee-uh-PATH-ik\ DEFINITION adjective 1 : arising spontaneously or from an obscure or unknown cause 2 : peculiar to the individual EXAMPLES "Some dogs have idiopathic epilepsy, which means there's no real explanation for their…
Good evening, Netizens... February 24, 2013 Word of the Day roseate \ROH-zee-ut\ DEFINITION adjective 1 : resembling a rose especially in having a pink color 2 : overly optimistic : viewed favorably EXAMPLES Her memories of her childhood are pleasant, bordering on roseate; some of…
Good evening, Netizens... February 23, 2013 Word of the Day manifesto \man-uh-FESS-toh\ DEFINITION noun : a written statement declaring publicly the intentions, motives, or views of its issuer EXAMPLES On the day of his sudden departure from the company, Rick posted an angry manifesto on…
Good morning, Netizens... February 22, 2013 Word of the Day recuse \rih-KYOOZ\ DEFINITION verb : to disqualify (oneself) as a judge in a particular case; broadly : to remove (oneself) from participation to avoid a conflict of interest EXAMPLES The judge recused herself because she…
Good morning, Netizens... February 21, 2013 Words of the Day ephemeral \ih-FEM-uh-rul\ DEFINITION adjective : lasting a very short time EXAMPLES The young pop star's fame turned out to be ephemeral. "During the creation of the ephemeral show—the walls will be erased for a new…
Good morning Netizens... February 20, 2013 Words of the Day trousseau \TROO-soh\ DEFINITION noun : the personal possessions of a bride usually including clothes, accessories, and household linens and wares EXAMPLES I am fortunate to be in possession of various family heirlooms, including several items…
Good afternoon Netizens... February 19, 2013 Words of the Day white elephant \WYTE-EL-uh-funt\ DEFINITION noun 1 : a property requiring much care and expense and yielding little profit 2 : an object no longer of value to its owner but of value to others 3…
Good evening, Netizens... February 18, 2013 Word of the Day portend \por-TEND\ DEFINITION verb 1 : to give an omen or anticipatory sign of 2 : indicate, signify EXAMPLES In the short story, the appearance of a black cat portends danger for the protagonist. "These…
Good morning, Netizens... By now you no doubt have heard the incredible tale of the stinky Carnival Triumph cruise liner from Hell that broke down in the tropics, leaving its passengers to fend for themselves for five days, for such necessities as food, water and…
Good morning, Netizens... February 17, 2013 Word of the Day clamant \KLAY-munt\ DEFINITION adjective 1 : clamorous, blatant 2 : demanding attention : urgent EXAMPLES Clamant students gathered outside the college president's office, protesting the denial of tenure for the popular professor. "My clamant desire,…
Good morning, Netizens... February 16, 2013 Word of the Day espouse \ih-SPOWZ\ DEFINITION verb 1 : marry 2 : to take up and support as a cause : become attached to EXAMPLES The new theory has been espoused by many leading physicists. "[The food collection…
Good morning, Netizens... I have been more than a bit remiss in posting in Community Comment lately, for a number of personal reasons. However, now that I have once again caught up my job list, completing a number of fairly complex tasks for a diverse…
Good jmorning, Netizens... February 15, 2013 Word of the Day intemperate \in-TEM-puh-rut\ DEFINITION adjective 1 : not moderate or mild : severe 2 : lacking or showing lack of restraint 3 : given to excessive use of alcoholic beverages EXAMPLES The journalist eventually apologized for…
Good morning, Netizens... February 14, 2013 Word of the Day heartstring \HAHRT-string\ DEFINITION noun : the deepest emotions or affections — usually used in plural EXAMPLES "Thou touchest my inmost centre, boy; thou art tied to me by cords woven of my heart-strings." — From…
Good morning, Netizens... February 13, 2013 Word of the Day companionable \kum-PAN-yuh-nuh-bul\ DEFINITION adjective : marked by, conducive to, or suggestive of companionship : sociable EXAMPLES I've come to enjoy sharing a dorm room with Brad; he's a companionable roommate and we get along well…
Good morning, Netizens... According to the Associated Press, North Korea has said it successfully detonated a miniaturized nuclear device at a northeastern test site Tuesday, defying U.N. Security Council orders to shut down atomic activity or face more sanctions and international isolation. The atomic test,…
Good morning, Netizens... February 12, 2013 Word of the Day aegis \EE-jus\ DEFINITION noun 1 : a shield or breastplate 2 a : protection b : controlling or conditioning influence 3 : auspices, sponsorship b: control or guidance especially by an individual, group, or system…
Good evening Netizens... February 11, 2013 Words of the Day meretricious \mair-uh-TRISH-us\ DEFINITION adjective 1 : of or relating to a prostitute : having the nature of prostitution 2 a : tawdrily and falsely attractive b : superficially significant : pretentious EXAMPLES The critic panned…
Good evening Netizens... February 10, 2013 Words of the Day reprove \rih-PROOV\ DEFINITION verb 1 : to scold or correct usually gently or with kindly intent 2 : to express disapproval of : censure 3 : to express rebuke or reproof EXAMPLES "Remember to say…
Good afternoon, Netizens... February 08, 2013 Word of the Day métier \MET-yay\ DEFINITION noun 1 : vocation, trade 2 : an area of activity in which one excels : forte EXAMPLES Within a short time of Sonia's first piano lessons, it was clear to her…
Good morning, Netizens... February 07, 2013 Words of the Day lackluster \LAK-luss-ter\ DEFINITION adjective : lacking in sheen, brilliance, or vitality : dull, mediocre EXAMPLES In spite of its owner's hard work, the little shop was forced to close due to lackluster sales. "After a…
February 06, 2013 Word of the Day factotum \fak-TOH-tuhm\ DEFINITION noun 1 : a person having many diverse activities or responsibilities 2 : a general servant EXAMPLES After graduating from college, Jerry worked for several years as an office factotum. "It also was in contrast…
Good aternoon Netizens... February 05, 2013 Words of the Day sangfroid \SAHNG-FRWAH\ DEFINITION noun : self-possession or imperturbability especially under strain EXAMPLES The lecturer's sangfroid never faltered, even in the face of some tough questions from the audience. "Daniel Craig portrays a vulnerability far removed…
Spokesman-Review readers blog about news and issues in Spokane written by Dave Laird.
