#120 bane

bane- a person or thing that causes misery or distress; something that causes death or destruction; a fatal poison

-baneful (adj.)

- Old English bana related to Old Norse bani- death; Old High German bano- destruction

Suspicion is the companion of mean souls, and the bane of all good society. ~ Thomas Paine

The disease of mutual distrust among nations is the bane of modern civilization. ~ Franz Boas

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

#119 banal

banal- (adj.) lacking force or originality; trite; commonplace

- C18 from Old French- relating to compulsory feudal service, hence, common to all

In science, all facts, no matter how trivial or banal, enjoy democratic equality. ~ Mary McCarthy

To some, the '50s were a decade marked by the banal, the predictable. ~ Annette Funicello

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

#118 balm

balm- various oily aromatic resinous substances obtained from certain tropical trees and used for healing and soothing

- C13 from Old French basme, from Latin balsamum

Friendship is the finest balm for the pangs of disappointed love. ~ Jane Austin

For the mind disturbed, the still beauty of dawn is nature's finest balm. ~ Edwin Teale

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

#117 ballyhoo

ballyhoo (informal)- a noisy, confused, or nonsensical situation or uproar; sensational or blatant advertising or publicity

-C19 of uncertain origin

It was you who nabbed that red trailer all the radio ballyhoo is about.

We are here to detach the ballyhoo from the hopefulness.

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

#116 ballista

ballista- an ancient catapult for hurling stones; an ancient form of large crossbow used to propel a spear

- C16 from Latin, Greek ballein- to throw

He looked at the tip of his finger, as if it were a bow or a ballista through which he shot his curses.

His classroom was filled with a beckoning assortment of models of bridges and embankments, topography of famous battle sites, ancient ballista, pontoons, carts, and earthworks of all sorts.

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

#115 baklava or baclava

baklava or baclava- a rich cake of Middle Eastern origin consisting of thin layers of pastry filled with nuts and honey

- from Turkish

Save plenty of room for Arabic pastries called batlawa (the Greeks call it baklava) from Shatila in Dearborn, as much a bakery as a local gathering spot for families.

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

#114 baguette or baguet

baguette or baguet- a small gem cut as a long rectangle; the shape of such a gem; a narrow French stick loaf

- C18 from French, from Italian bacchetta, from Latin baculum- walking stick

Omelettes and crepes, sweet and savory, dominate the menu but for a lighter and classic French pairing, there is the café au lait with either a croissant or baguette.

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