inspired by Merriam-Webster's "Word of the Day"

June 30

Wellerism • \WELL-uh-riz-um\ • noun

: an expression of comparison comprising a usually well-known quotation followed by a facetious sequel

inspired by Merriam-Webster's "Word of the Day"

June 29

chary • \CHAIR-ee\ • adjective

1 a : discreetly cautious : as *b : hesitant and vigilant about dangers and risks c : slow to grant, accept, or expand

inspired by Merriam-Webster's "Word of the Day"

June 28

sepulchre • \SEP-ul-ker\ • noun

*1 : a place of burial : tomb

2 : a receptacle for religious relics especially in an altar

inspired by Merriam-Webster's "Word of the Day"

June 27

circadian • \ser-KAY-dee-un\ • adjective

: being, having, characterized by, or occurring in approximately 24-hour periods or cycles (as of biological activity or function)

inspired by Merriam-Webster's "Word of the Day"

June 26

gasconade • \gas-kuh-NAYDE\ • noun

: bravado or exaggerated boasting

inspired by Merriam-Webster's "Word of the Day"

June 25

scuttlebutt • \SKUTT-ul-butt\ • noun

: rumor, gossip

inspired by Merriam-Webster's "Word of the Day"

June 24

winkle • \WINK-ul\ • verb

*1 chiefly British : to displace, remove or evict from a position—usually used with out

2 chiefly British : to obtain or draw out by effort—usually used with out

inspired by Merriam-Webster's "Word of the Day"

June 23

chatelaine • \SHAT-uh-layn\ • noun

1a : the wife of a castellan : the mistress of a château * b : the mistress of a household or of a large establishment

2 : a clasp or hook for a watch, purse, or bunch of keys

inspired by Merriam-Webster's "Word of the Day"

June 22

abdicte • \AB-dih-kayt\ •verb

*1 : to cast off : discard

2 : to relinquish (as sovereign power) formally

3 : to renounce a throne, high office, dignity, or function

inspired by Merriam-Webster's "Word of the Day"

June 21

macerate • \MASS-uh-rayt\ • verb

1 : to cause to waste away by or as if by excessive fasting

*2 : to cause to become soft or separated into constituent elements by or as if by steeping in fluid; broadly : steep, soak

3 : to soften or wear away especially as a result of being wetted or soaked

inspired by Merriam-Webster's "Word of the Day"

June 20

compadre • \kum-PAH-dray\ • noun

: a close friend : buddy

inspired by Merriam-Webster's "Word of the Day"

June 19

auspicious • \aw-SPISH-us\ • adjective

*1 : promising success : favorable

2 : fortunate, prosperous

inspired by Merriam-Webster's "Word of the Day"

June 18

waterloo • \waw-ter-LOO\ • noun

: a decisive or final defeat or setback

inspired by Merriam-Webster's "Word of the Day"

June 17

asperity • \uh-SPAIR-uh-tee\ • noun

: roughness

*2 : harshness of manner or temper

inspired by Merriam-Webster's "Word of the Day"

June 16

guttersnipe • \GUTT-er-snype\ • noun

1 : a homeless vagabond and especially an outcast boy or girl in the streets of a city

*2 : a person of the lowest moral or economic station

inspired by Merriam-Webster's "Word of the Day"

June 15

edify • \ED-uh-fye\ • verb

: to instruct and improve especially in moral and religious knowledge : uplift, also : enlighten, inform

inspired by Merriam-Webster's "Word of the Day"

June 14

vexillology • \vek-suh-LAH-luh-jee\ • noun

: the study of flags

inspired by Merriam-Webster's "Word of the Day"

June 13

flagitious • \flah-JISH-us\ • noun

: marked by scandalous crime or vice : villainous

inspired by Merriam-Webster's "Word of the Day"

June 12

polyonymous • \pah-lee-AH-nuh-mus\ • adjective

: having or known by various names

inspired by Merriam-Webster's "Word of the Day"

June 11

argy-bargy • \ahr-gee-BAHR-jee\ • noun

: a lively discussion : argument, dispute

inspired by Merriam-Webster's "Word of the Day"

June 10

ambuscade • \AM-buh-skayd\ • noun

: a trap in which concealed persons lie in wait to attack by surprise; also : the persons so concealed or their position

inspired by Merriam-Webster's "Word of the Day"

June 9

delegate • \DEL-uh-gayt\ • verb

*1 : to entrust to another

2 : to appoint as one's representative

3 : to assign responsibility or authority

inspired by Merriam-Webster's "Word of the Day"

June 8

obstreperous • \ub-STREP-uh-rus\ • adjective

1 : marked by unruly or aggressive noisiness : clamorous

*2 : stubbornly resistant to control : unruly

inspired by Merriam-Webster's "Word of the Day"

June 7

balletomane • \ba-LET-uh-mayn\ • noun

: a devotee of ballet

inspired by Merriam-Webster's "Word of the Day"

June 6

olla podrida • \ah-luh-puh-DREE-duh\ • noun

1 : a rich seasoned stew of slowly simmered meat and vegetables that is a traditional Spanish and Latin-American dish

*2 : hodgepodge

inspired by Merriam-Webster's "Word of the Day"

June 5

ferret • \FAIR-ut\ • verb

1 : to hunt game with ferrets

2 : to drive out of a hiding place

*3 : to find and bring to light by searching--usually used with out

inspired by Merriam-Webster's "Word of the Day"

June 4

gretna green • \gret-nuh-GREEN\ • noun

: a place where many eloping couples are married

inspired by Merriam-Webster's "Word of the Day"

June 3

apotheosis • \uh-pah-thee-OH-sis\ • noun

*1 : being elevated to divine status : deification

2 : the perfect example : quintessence

inspired by Merriam-Webster's "Word of the Day"

June 2

nidifugous • \nye-DIFF-yuh-gus\ • adjective

: leaving the nest early

inspired by Merriam-Webster's "Word of the Day"

June 1

brainiac • \BRAY-nee-ac\ • noun

: a very intelligent person

inspired by Merriam-Webster's "Word of the Day"

May 31

callithump • \KAL-uh-thump\ • noun

: a noisy boisterous band or parade

May 30

qui vive • \kee-VEEV\ • noun

: alert, lookout