English Words

Perennial (adj) pe-ren-ee-al perpetual; everlasting; continuing; recurrent. Perennial, “perpetual, continuing,” comes from Latin perennis, “lasting…

Incubus (noun) in-koo-bus an imaginary demon or evil spirit supposed to descend upon sleeping persons,…

Zophorus (noun) zo-fo-rus a frieze having representations of people or animals. 1555–65; Latin zōphorusGreek zōiophóros.See…

Trill (verb) t-ril To sing or play with a vibratory or quavering effect. First recorded…

Divvy (verb) div-ee to divide; distribute (often followed by up) 1870–75 shortening of divide. (more…)

Calash (noun) ku-lash a light vehicle pulled by one or two horses, seating two to…

Oneironaut (noun) on-er-oh-nawt A person with the ability to travel within a dream on a…

Xocolatophobia (noun) ko-ko-lay-to-fo-bee-a an irrational or disproportionate fear of chocolate. Xocolatophobia “fear of chocolate” is…

Emcee (verb/noun) em-see Master of ceremonies / to act as master of ceremonies. 1935–35, Americanism;…

Cathexis (noun) kath-eks-is the investment of emotional significance in an activity, object, or idea. First…