Word of the Day

Gauche (adj) gow-sh Unsophisticated and socially awkward. Mid 18th century: French, literally ‘left’. (more…)

Stria (noun) st-ry-a A linear mark, slight ridge, or groove on a surface, often one…

Morphometry (noun) mor-fom-e-tree The process of measuring the external shape and dimensions of landforms, living…

Arcana (noun) ar-kay-na Secrets or mysteries. Mid 16th century: from Latin, neuter plural of arcanus…

Acosmism (noun) ok-oz-miz-m The doctrine that the universe does not exist, or that there is…

Dandiacal (adj) dan-dai-ak-al Relating to or characteristic of a dandy. From Dandy, Late 18th century:…

Perspicacity (noun) pur-spik-as-it-ee The quality of having a ready insight into things; shrewdness. Early 17th…

Ossify (verb) os-if-ai Turn into bone or bony tissue. Early 18th century: from French ossifier,…

Scansion (noun) skan-shun The rhythm of a line of verse. Mid 17th century: from Latin…

Clowder (noun) klow-duh A group of cats. Early 19th century: from dialect cludder ‘clutter’, probably…