Monday, February 28, 2011

#424 epitaph

epitaph- a commemorative inscription on a tombstone or monument; a speech or written passage composed in commemoration of a dead person; a final judgement on a person or thing

C14 via Latin from Greek epitaphios over a tomb

An epitaph is the inscription found on a tombstone that summarizes and memorializes the deceased.

Companion site: quoteflections- a regular, eclectic mind fix

Tags: word of the day, best words, etymology, spelling, vital, useful, expressive, emotional, strategic, onomatopoeic, connotation, how to, English usage, language, learning, mnemonic devices, vocabulary, quoteflections, quotation, quotes

Sunday, February 27, 2011

#423 epistemology

epistemology- the theory of knowledge, especially the critical study of its validity, methods and scope

C19 from Greek episteme knowledge

The early Tanzanians embedded in epistemology a fundamental metaphysical component whose ultimate function was to provide a framework and strategies for creating well-being in society.

Companion site: quoteflections- a regular, eclectic mind fix

Tags: word of the day, best words, etymology, spelling, vital, useful, expressive, emotional, strategic, onomatopoeic, connotation, how to, English usage, language, learning, mnemonic devices, vocabulary, quoteflections, quotation, quotes

Saturday, February 26, 2011

#422 epiphany

epiphany- the manifestation of a supernatural or divine reality; any moment of great or sudden revelation

C17 from Latin from Greek epiphaneia an appearing

His epiphany or giant realization came in a dream.

Companion site: quoteflections- a regular, eclectic mind fix

Tags: word of the day, best words, etymology, spelling, vital, useful, expressive, emotional, strategic, onomatopoeic, connotation, how to, English usage, language, learning, mnemonic devices, vocabulary, quoteflections, quotation, quotes

Friday, February 25, 2011

#421 epigraph

epigraph- a quotation at the beginning of a book, chapter suggesting its theme; an inscription on a monument or building

C17 from Greek epigraphe

Companion site: quoteflections- a regular, eclectic mind fix

Tags: word of the day, best words, etymology, spelling, vital, useful, expressive, emotional, strategic, onomatopoeic, connotation, how to, English usage, language, learning, mnemonic devices, vocabulary, quoteflections, quotation, quotes

Thursday, February 24, 2011

#420 epigram

epigram- a witty, often paradoxical remark, concisely expressed; a short, pungent, and often satirical poem,

from Latin epigramma, from graphein to write

I'm not young enough to know everything is an epigram written by Oscar Wilde.

Companion site: quoteflections- a regular, eclectic mind fix

Tags: word of the day, best words, etymology, spelling, vital, useful, expressive, emotional, strategic, onomatopoeic, connotation, how to, English usage, language, learning, mnemonic devices, vocabulary, quoteflections, quotation, quotes

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

#419 ephemeral

ephemeral- lasting for only a short time; transitory; short-lived

C16 from Greek ephemeros lasting only a day, from hemera day

The sunset over the sparkling bay provided ephemeral beauty.

Companion site: quoteflections- a regular, eclectic mind fix

Tags: word of the day, best words, etymology, spelling, vital, useful, expressive, emotional, strategic, onomatopoeic, connotation, how to, English usage, language, learning, mnemonic devices, vocabulary, quoteflections, quotation, quotes

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

#418 entice

entice- to attract or draw towards oneself by exciting hope or desire; tempt; allure

C13 from Old French enticier, from Latin intitiare to incite, from Latin titio firebrand

The government initiative may entice more students into the social justice field.

Companion site: quoteflections- a regular, eclectic mind fix

Tags: word of the day, best words, etymology, spelling, vital, useful, expressive, emotional, strategic, onomatopoeic, connotation, how to, English usage, language, learning, mnemonic devices, vocabulary, quoteflections, quotation, quotes

Monday, February 21, 2011

#417 ennui

ennui- a feeling of listlessness and general dissatisfaction resulting from lack of activity or excitement

C18 from French apathy, from Old French enui annoyance, vexation

It's like all the empty time is both a blessing and a curse, and some years I've had a severe kind of ennui that lasts for weeks.

Companion site: quoteflections - a regular, eclectic mind fix

Sunday, February 20, 2011

#416 enmity

enmity- a feeling of hostility or ill will, as between enemies; antagonism

C13 from Old French enemistie, from enemi enemy

The two competing for the promotion clashed immediately solidifying their enmity.

Companion site: quoteflections- a regular, eclectic mind fix

Tags: word of the day, best words, etymology, spelling, vital, useful, expressive, emotional, strategic, onomatopoeic, connotation, how to, English usage, language, learning, mnemonic devices, vocabulary, quoteflections, quotation, quotes

Saturday, February 19, 2011

#415 enigma

enigma-a person, thing, or situation that is mysterious, puzzling, or ambiguous

C16 from Latin aenigma, from Greek ainigma to speak in riddles, from ainos fable, story

His conduct at the meeting and speech later is an enigma.

Companion site: quoteflections- a regular, eclectic mind fix

Tags: word of the day, best words, etymology, spelling, vital, useful, expressive, emotional, strategic, onomatopoeic, connotation, how to, English usage, language, learning, mnemonic devices, vocabulary, quoteflections, quotation, quotes

Friday, February 18, 2011

#414 enfranchise

enfranchise- to grant the power of voting to, especially as a right of citizenship; to liberate, as from servitude

The government plans to enfranchise prisoners serving up to a period of four years.

Companion site: quoteflections- a regular, eclectic mind fix

Thursday, February 17, 2011

#413 endorphin

endorphin- any of a class of polypeptides including enkephalin, occurring naturally in the brain, that bind to pain receptors and block pain sensation

C20 from endo + morphine

Endorphins can be created through laughter and exercise.

Companion site: quoteflections- a regular, eclectic mind fix

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

#412 endo (prefix)

endo- (prefix, combining form) inside, within

from Greek endon within

endomorph- a type of person having a body build characterized by roundness, fatness, and heaviness, said to be correlated with a character type that is easy-going, hedonistic, and relaxed

Companion site: quoteflections- a regular, eclectic mind fix

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

#411 endemic

endemic- present within a localized area or peculiar to persons in such an area

C18 from New Latin endemicus, from Greek endemos native, demos the people

The invasive weed became endemic in the pristine valley.

Companion site: quoteflections- a regular, eclectic mind fix

Monday, February 14, 2011

#410 encyclopedia

encyclopedia- a book, often in many volumes, containing articles on various topics arranged in alphabetical order

C16 from New Latin encyclopaedia, erroneously for Greek enkuklios paideia general education, from enkuklios general paideia education, from pais child

Companion site: quoteflections - a regular, eclectic mind fix

Sunday, February 13, 2011

#409 enamour

enamour- to inspire with love; captivate; charm

C14 from Old French enamourer, from amour love, from Latin amor

The painter enamoured audiences with her passion for art.

Companion site: quoteflections - a regular, eclectic mind fix

Saturday, February 12, 2011

#408 emulate

emulate- to attempt to equal or surpass, especially by imitation; to rival or compete with

C16 from Latin aemulari competing with, related imitari to imitate

Students wanted to emulate their engaging science teacher through their projects.

Companion site: quoteflections - a regular, eclectic mind fix

Tags: quote of the day, reflection, quoteflections, life, renewal, self-help, 365 blogs, how to, forum, blogging, writing tips, social media, searching, truth, enrichment, application, questions, answers, quest,

Friday, February 11, 2011

#407 empathy

empathy- the power of understanding and imaginatively entering into another person's feelings

C20 from Greek empatheia affection, passion, intended as a rendering of German Einfuhlung, a feeling in

Empathy involves much more emotional involvement than sympathy.

Companion site: quoteflections - a regular, eclectic mind fix

Thursday, February 10, 2011

#406 emollient

emollient-adj; emollience-noun softening or soothing, especially to the skin

C17 from Latin emollire to soften, from mollis soft

The emollient suave reduced the inflammation.

Companion site: quoteflections - a regular, eclectic mind fix

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

#405 emeritus

emeritus- retired or honourably discharged from full-time work, but retaining one's title on an honorary basis: a professor emeritus

C19 from Latin, from merere to deserve

Companion site: quoteflections - a regular, eclectic mind fix

Tags: quote of the day, reflection, quoteflections, life, renewal, self-help, 365 blogs, how to, forum, blogging, writing tips, social media, searching, truth, enrichment, application, questions, answers, quest,

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

#404 embrocate

embrocate- to apply a liniment or lotion to a part of the body

C17 from Medieval Latin embrocare, from embrocha poultice, from Greek embrokhe lotion, infusion

She ordered her to bed, and said he would send her something to embrocate the infected area.

Companion site: quoteflections- a regular, eclectic mind fix

Tags: word of the day, best words, etymology, spelling, vital, useful, expressive, emotional, strategic, onomatopoeic, connotation, how to, English usage, language, learning, mnemonic devices, vocabulary, quoteflections, quotation, quotes

Monday, February 7, 2011

#403 embellish

embellish- to improve or beautify by adding detail or ornament; adorn; to make a story more interesting by adding detail

C14 from Old French embelir, from bel beautiful, from Latin bellus

The different musical styles can not only co-exist, but punctuate and underscore and embellish one another.

Companion site: quoteflections- a regular, eclectic mind fix

Tags: word of the day, best words, etymology, spelling, vital, useful, expressive, emotional, strategic, onomatopoeic, connotation, how to, English usage, language, learning, mnemonic devices, vocabulary, quoteflections, quotation, quotes

Sunday, February 6, 2011

#402 emancipate

emancipate- to free from restriction or restraint, especially social or legal restraint; to free from inhibitions; to liberate

C17 from Latin emancipare to give independence

The new technological devices did not so much "emancipate" workers, as "evict" them.

Companion site: quoteflections- a regular, eclectic mind fix

Tags: word of the day, best words, etymology, spelling, vital, useful, expressive, emotional, strategic, onomatopoeic, connotation, how to, English usage, language, learning, mnemonic devices, vocabulary, quoteflections, quotation, quotes

Saturday, February 5, 2011

#401 emaciate

emaciate- to become or cause to become abnormally thin

C17 from Latin emaciare to make lean, from macer thin

emaciated, emaciation

Run way models often look emaciated to satisfy designer visions?

Companion site: quoteflections - a regular, eclectic mind fix

Tags: quote of the day, reflection, quoteflections, life, renewal, self-help, 365 blogs, how to, forum, blogging, writing tips, social media, searching, truth, enrichment, application, questions, answers, quest, caring, meditation, self-discovery, philanthropy, health, wellness,

Friday, February 4, 2011

#400 elocution

elocution- the art of public speaking, especially of voice production, delivery, and gesture

C15 from Latin elocutio a speaking out , from eloqui, from loqui to speak

The provost at University of Michigan claims that they are too keeping up with changing times, after all - they have recently stopped offering majors in elocution and animal husbandry.

Companion site: quoteflections - a regular, eclectic mind fix

Tags: quote of the day, reflection, quoteflections, life, renewal, self-help, 365 blogs, how to, forum, blogging, writing tips, social media, searching, truth, enrichment, application, questions, answers, quest, caring, meditation, self-discovery, philanthropy, health, wellness,

Thursday, February 3, 2011

#399 elegy

elegy- a mournful or plaintive poem or song, especially a lament for the dead

C16 via French and Latin from Greek elegeia, from elegos lament sung to flute accompaniment

elegiac, elegize

Companion site: quoteflections - a regular, eclectic mind fix

Tags: quote of the day, reflection, quoteflections, life, renewal, self-help, 365 blogs, how to, forum, blogging, writing tips, social media, searching, truth, enrichment, application, questions, answers, quest, caring, meditation, self-discovery, philanthropy, health, wellness,

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

#398 electric

electric- of, derived from, produced by, transmitting, or powered by electricity

(Again, fascinating word etymology.) C17 from New Latin electricus amber-like (because friction causes amber to become charged) from Latin electrum amber, from Greek elektron

many electric, electro words...electroanalysis, electromagnetic...

Companion site: quoteflections - a regular, eclectic mind fix

Tags: quote of the day, reflection, quoteflections, life, renewal, self-help, 365 blogs, how to, forum, blogging, writing tips, social media, searching, truth, enrichment, application, questions, answers, quest, caring, meditation, self-discovery, philanthropy, health, wellness,

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

#397 elation

elation- joyfulness or exaltation of spirit, as from success, pleasure, or relief; high spirits

Some fans danced on cars in elation.

Companion site: quoteflections - a regular, eclectic mind fix

Tags: quote of the day, reflection, quoteflections, life, renewal, self-help, 365 blogs, how to, forum, blogging, writing tips, social media, searching, truth, enrichment, application, questions, answers, quest, caring, meditation, self-discovery, philanthropy, health, wellness,