shock – An encounter between two charging hostile forces. More…
enfant terrible – Actually applies to young adults (generally male) who go out of their way to shock or embarrass but at the same time are considered talented. More…
perculsive – Describing something that gives you a shock. More…
ay, chihuahua – This interjection expresses surprise or shock—even dismay, annoyance, or resignation. More…
Sant’ Agata (St. Agatha) is especially revered in Catania, Sicily, where her relics are preserved in a silver casket. On February 3, 4, and 5 each year, a silver bust of St. Agatha wearing a jewel-encrusted crown is carried in procession from the cathedral to Catania’s various churches. Included in the procession are the ceri, huge wooden replicas of candlesticks that are carved with episodes from the saint’s martyrdom. The streets are lined with streamers and flowers, and illuminated by strings of colored lights after dark. The festival ends with a fireworks display in the piazza. Discuss
To attempt continuously and fruitlessly to accomplish some task or achieve some goal that is or seems ultimately hopeless. Watch the video
A spark gap consists of two electrodes that are separated—usually by air—to allow a spark to form between them. Small spark gaps are used to ignite combustion in engines, and huge spark gaps are used in high-voltage switches at electrical substations. Spark gaps can also be used in novelty devices such as the “Jacob’s ladder,” in which electric arcs continuously stream upward between two wires. How are such toys dangerous to houseplants? Discuss
Definition: (noun) A medicine used to relieve pain.
Synonyms: anodyne, painkiller.
Usage: An over-the-counter analgesic is not going to suffice for this pain.
Discuss
box social – A social event at which boxes of food are auctioned to male bidders, who win the privilege of eating and dancing with the woman who prepared the box lunch. More…
privilege, prerogative – A privilege is a right that may be extended to a group or a number of people; a prerogative is a right that, customarily, is vested in a single person. More…
munity – A granted right or privilege. More…
prerogative – Comes from Latin praerogare, “ask before others,” and came to mean “right to precedence, privilege.” More…
To be dying; to be approaching or very close to death (i.e., about to be admitted into the afterlife). Watch the video
As the dominant fish species in the perpetually cold waters surrounding Antarctica, icefish are notable for the unique physical adaptations that allow them to live where they do. The temperature of saltwater can drop below the freezing point of freshwater without solidifying, so icefish have evolved a type of glycoprotein antifreeze in their bodily fluids. Some icefish have demineralized bones that make them more buoyant than others. How are some icefish able to survive without red blood cells? Discuss
crust – From French crouste, from Latin crusta, “rind, shell; incrustation.” More…
pith – First referred to the spongy cellular tissue in the stems and branches of many plants, and also the spongy white tissue lining the rind of citrus fruits. More…
rind, peel – The rind is the hard or tough covering on oranges, grapefruit, and watermelon; once removed, skin or rind is usually known as peel. More…