dispense – Ultimately from Latin dispendere, “weigh out.” More…
expend – Comes from ex-, “out,” and pendere, “weigh; pay”; originally, it referred to spending money, with the root sense being “to weigh out money.” More…
preponderate – Once meant “weigh more” and “have greater intellectual weight.” More…
spend – A blend of Latin pendere, “pay, weigh,” and expendere, “pay out.” More…
The Carriacou Parang Festival has been held annually since 1977 to sustain the musical tradition of house-to-house serenading by acoustic string bands at Christmas time. Organized parang groups from villages throughout Carriacou, its neighboring island Petit Martinique, and Grenada compete for cash prizes and a challenge trophy. Groups comprise not more than eight members, all dressed in colorful outfits to reflect the festive season. Some of the instruments used include the bass drum, guitar, violin, marack (shack-shack), mandolin, saxophone, and others. Discuss
business jargon The number units of a particular product or service that are currently in use, especially software or an internet or computing platform. (Also referred to as “install(ed) user base” or simply “install(ed) base.”) Watch the video
Elam was an ancient country situated in what is today western Iran. The Elamite population was neither Sumerian nor Semitic, and their language—unrelated to any other—survives in a copious cuneiform literature. Elam seems to have maintained its independence through numerous invasions and counter-invasions, and a distinct Elamite culture flourished from the 13th century BCE. Though Elam was eventually absorbed in the rise of Persia, its culture persisted. What religion did the Elamites practice? Discuss
macrograph – A life-size drawing or representation. More…
simulacrum – In the original sense of the word, it was simply a representation of something, such as an oil painting or marble statue. More…
representational art – Art that seeks to depict the physical appearance of reality; also called objective art and figurative art. More…
logogram, logograph, grammalogue – A logogram or logograph is the same as a grammalogue, a word represented by a single sign, like $. More…
To such an extent that; to the degree that. Watch the video
Though the earliest guns were developed in the 14th century, they did not immediately replace all other weapons. Rather, the armies of Europe began using combined formations in which troops armed with newfangled firearms—”shot”—fought alongside those with large, reliable spears—”pike.” Known as “pike and shot,” the technique represented a transitional period in the history of warfare. By the end of the 17th century, pikes had been replaced by bayonets. When did US troops carry pikes into battle? Discuss
Definition: (noun) Small, usually ornamental objects valued for their antiquity, rarity, originality, or sentimental associations.
Synonyms: knickknackery, whatnot.
Usage: The realtor recommended that I pack away some of my bric-a-brac before showing the apartment to potential buyers.
Discuss
causeway – A raised path, road, or way across a wet place or stretch of water—based on causey, “a mound, embankment, or dam to retain water.” More…
tumulus, barrow – A tumulus is the mound of earth placed over a tomb, synonymous with barrow. More…
hill of beans – Refers to the planting practice of placing the seeds in clumps in a little mound (hill) of soil. More…