English Words

Inane (adj) in-ayn Lacking sense or meaning; silly. Mid 16th century from Latin inanis ‘empty,…

Oche (noun) ok-ee (British) The line behind which darts players stand when throwing. 1930s perhaps…

Prosecutrix (noun) pros-e-kew-triks A female plaintiff; a woman who brings a charge against someone in…

Panegyric (noun) pan-e-jir-ik A public speech or published text in praise of someone or something.…

Hackneyed (adj) hak-need (of a phrase or idea) having been overused; unoriginal and trite. Mid…

Overage (noun) ov-er-ij An excess or surplus, especially the amount by which a sum of…

Cathartic (adj) kath-ar-tik Providing psychological relief through the open expression of strong emotions; causing catharsis.…

Lurcher (noun) lur-cha (British) A cross-bred dog, typically a sighthound (typically greyhound, whippet, or wolfhound)…

Phenology (noun) fen-ol-o-jee The study of cyclic and seasonal natural phenomena, especially in relation to…

Vitrine (noun) vit-reen A glass display case. French, from vitre ‘glass pane’. (more…)