Word of the Day Thread 2007

[schmicko]

Peripatetic


Pronunciation: [per-uh-puh-tet-ik]
Function: adjective
Etymology: Of or pertaining to Aristotle, who taught philosophy and conducted discussions while walking in the Lyceum of ancient Athens.


1: Itinerant
2: Nomadic
3: Walking or traveling about from place to place

[AYHJA]

Convivial

Pronunciation: \kuhn-VIV-ee-uhl\

Function: adjective

Etymology: Convivial comes from Latin convivium, "a feast, entertainment, a banquet," from conviva, "a table-companion, a guest," from convivere, "to live with, hence to feast with," from com-, con-, with + vivere, "to live."

1: Relating to, occupied with, or fond of feasting, drinking, and good company; merry; festive.

[schmicko]

Ignominious

Pronunciation: [ig-no-mi-ne-us]

Function: adjective

1 : marked with or characterized by disgrace or shame : DISHONORABLE
2 : deserving of shame or infamy : DESPICABLE
3 : HUMILIATING, DEGRADING "suffered an ignominious defeat"
- ig·no·min·i·ous·ly adverb
- ig·no·min·i·ous·ness noun

Etymology: 1526, from French. ignominieux (14c.), from Latin. ignominiosus "disgraceful, shameful," from ignominia "loss of a (good) name," from in- "not" + nomen (gen. nominis) "name." Influenced by Old Latin. gnoscere "come to know."

[AYHJA]

Levity

Pronunciation: \LEV-uh-tee\

Function: noun

Etymology: Latin levitat-, levitas, from levis light in weight

1. Lightness of manner or speech, especially when inappropriate or excessive; frivolity.
2. Lack of steadiness or constancy; changeableness.

[AYHJA]

Cozen

Pronunciation: \KUZ-un\

Function: Transitive Verb

Etymology: Cozen perhaps derives from Early Modern French cousiner, "to defraud; literally to treat as if a cousin (hence to claim to be a cousin in order to defraud)," from Old French cosin.

1. To cheat; to defraud; to deceive, usually by petty tricks.
2. To obtain by deceit.
3. To act deceitfully

[AYHJA]

Sciolism

Pronunciation: \SY-uh-liz-uhm\

Function: Noun

Etymology: Late Latin sciolus smatterer, from diminutive of Latin scius knowing, from scire to know

1. Superficial knowledge; a superficial show of learning.

[AYHJA]

Flaneur

Pronunciation: \flah-NUR\

Function: noun

Etymology: Flaneur comes from French, from flâner, "to saunter; to stroll; to lounge about."

1. One who strolls about aimlessly; a lounger; a loafer.

[¡ñ±£¿®∆L Ф¶†ïς@п]

odeum

Pronunciation: \ō-dē'əm\

Function: noun

Etymology: Comparatively small, often semicircular roofed theater of ancient Greece and Rome used for musical performances. One still in use was built by Herodes Atticus at the base of the Athenian Acropolis (AD 161). Odea were constructed in most cities of the Roman empire for use as assembly halls as well as for performances.

1. A small building of ancient Greece and Rome used for public performances of music and poetry.
2. A contemporary theater or concert hall.

[AYHJA]

Callow

Pronunciation: \KAL-oh\

Function: adjective

Etymology: Callow is from Old English calu, "featherless, bald."

1. Immature; lacking adult perception, experience, or judgment.