Category: Word of the Day

Definition: (noun) A metal ring or cap placed around a pole or shaft for reinforcement or to prevent splitting.

Synonyms: collet.

Usage: The walking stick was quite old, and the large brass ferrule at its tip was worn down and dented.

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Definition: (noun) A structure in the form of a network, especially of nerves, blood vessels, or lymphatics.

Synonyms: rete.

Usage: The bullet missed his cardiac plexus by an inch, leaving all the nerves intact.

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Definition: (adjective) Marked by low spirits; showing no enthusiasm.

Synonyms: dispirited.

Usage: A subtle change had transformed her from the listless woman he had known into a being who, for the moment, seemed palpitant with the forces of life.

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Definition: (noun) A monster able to change appearance from human to wolf.

Synonyms: werewolf, wolfman, loup-garou.

Usage: She thought the novel about the lycanthrope would be silly, but the sad tale about the werewolf’s struggles to regain control of his life moved her to tears.

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Definition: (noun) Outer tissue of bark; a protective layer of dead cells.

Synonyms: cork.

Usage: Joe carefully harvested the phellem from the tree, excited at the prospect of using the buoyant material to make his very own toy boat.

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Definition: (noun) A symptom consisting of the involuntary expulsion of air from the nose.

Synonyms: sneeze, sneezing.

Usage: John complained that every time he came to visit, my dusty carpet would send him into fits of sternutation.

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Definition: (noun) Equipment, such as clothing, tools, or instruments, used for a specific purpose or task.

Synonyms: paraphernalia, gear.

Usage: He had half expected that she would drive up to the side door in a hansom, would wear a thick veil, and adopt the other appurtenances of a clandestine meeting.

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Definition: (noun) The philosophy or science of law.

Synonyms: legal philosophy, law.

Usage: Because he hoped to one day run for office, he decided to delve into the study of jurisprudence.

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Definition: (noun) Denunciatory or abusive language.

Synonyms: vituperation, vitriol.

Usage: Bartle had become so excited and angry in the course of his invective that he had forgotten his supper.

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Definition: (noun) A card game in which the winner is the player who holds two or three cards totaling closest to nine.

Synonyms: chemin de fer.

Usage: Because baccarat attracts wealthy players who place enormous bets, a casino can win or lose millions of dollars a night on the game.

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