Word of the Day

Ootheca (noun) o-eth-ee-ka The egg case of cockroaches, mantises, and related insects. Mid 19th century:…

Vajra (noun) vaj-ra (in Buddhism and Hinduism) a thunderbolt or mythical weapon, especially one wielded…

Abscission (noun) ab-si-shun The natural detachment of parts of a plant, typically dead leaves and…

Perforce (adverb) pur-fors Used to express necessity or inevitability. Middle English: from Old French par…

Polemic (noun) pol-em-ik A strong verbal or written attack on someone or something. Mid 17th…

Aestivation (noun) ee-stiv-ay-shun Prolonged torpor or dormancy of an insect, fish, or amphibian during a…

Brigand (noun) brig-und A member of a gang that ambushes and robs people in forests…

Skeeter (noun) skee-ta A mosquito. Mid 19th century: shortened form, representing a casual pronunciation. (more…)

Moochi (noun) moo-chee A loincloth made of animal tails or leather strips, worn in South…

Antipathy (noun) an-tip-ath-ee A deep-seated feeling of aversion. Late 16th century (in the sense ‘opposition…