English Words

Libation (noun) li-bay-shun A drink poured out as an offering to a deity. Late Middle…

Obviate (verb) ob-vee-ayt Remove (a need or difficulty) Late 16th century from late Latin obviat-…

Sardonic (adj) saa-don-ik Grimly mocking or cynical. Mid 17th century from French sardonique, earlier sardonien,…

Ostensibly (adverb) os-ten-sib-lee As appears or is stated to be true, though not necessarily so;…

Divest (verb) dai-vest Deprive someone of (power, rights, or possessions) Early 17th century alteration of…

Seminal (adj) sem-in-ul Strongly influencing later developments. Late Middle English (in seminal (sense 2)): from…

Shebeen (noun) she-been (especially in Ireland, Scotland, and South Africa) an unlicensed establishment or private…

Travesty (noun) trav-es-tee A false, absurd, or distorted representation of something. Mid 17th century (as…

Punditry (noun) pun-dit-ree The expression of expertise in a particular subject or field. Mid 17th…