Word of the day

Tribology (noun)

1. (physics, engineering) The science and technology of friction, lubrication, and wear.

blandiloquence (noun)

1. Complimentary speech; flattery.

cryptomnesia (noun)

1. The phenomenon of the reappearance of a long-forgotten memory as if it were a new experience; an instance of this.

avast interj (nautical)

1. Hold fast!; cease!; stop!
2. In imitation of pirates: listen!; pay attention!

zule (noun)

1. One of the three stylized pillars (often considered chess rooks) in the canting arms of Frederick Nassau de Zuylestein.

lemures (noun)

1. The spirits or ghosts of the dead, considered as malignant.

Nintendocore (noun)

1. An aggressive genre of modern rock music influenced by chiptunes (“music that samples or emulates the audio capabilities of older sound chips”) and video game music.

gyron (noun)

1. A triangular form having an angle at the fess point and the opposite side at the edge of the escutcheon.

lapsus oculi (noun)

1. An error that results from looking in the wrong place, especially one that occurs while copying or translating a body of text.

unsinew (verb)

1. To deprive of sinews or strength.

zeitgeber (noun)

1. A rhythmically occurring cue given by the environment, such as a change in light or temperature, to reset the internal body clock.

ansate (adj)

1. That has a handle or a part that resembles a handle.

palindromic number (noun)

1. A number that remains the same when its digits are reversed.

berceuse (noun)

1. A composition that resembles a lullaby, often in 6/8 time.

grimdark (adj)

1. Of a film, television program, video game, written work, etc.: having a gloomy, dystopian atmosphere.

grimdark (noun)

1. The literary genre of speculative fiction that is amoral, dystopian, or violent.

paroxysm (noun)

1. A period (especially one of several recurring periods) during the course of an illness when symptoms worsen; a sudden attack of a disease symptom, such as a bout of coughing or a seizure.
2. Chiefly followed by of: a sudden outburst of violent activity or feeling; also, the most severe part of an activity or incident; the climax.
3. An outburst of a violent argument or disagreement.
4. A violent occurrence of a natural phenomenon, such as an earthquake, thunderstorm, or volcanic eruption; specifically (volcanology), the most explosive event during a series of volcanic eruptions.
5. Disastrous or sudden change.

nimiety (noun)

1. State of being in excess, more than is needed.

draconite (noun)

1. A mythical gemstone taken from the head of a live dragon and believed to have magical properties.

misprise (verb)

1. To despise or hold in contempt; to undervalue.
2. To scorn; to slight.

mortmain (noun)

1. The perpetual, inalienable possession of lands by a corporation or non-personal entity such as a church.
2. A strong and inalienable possession.

divinity (noun)

1. The state, position, or fact of being a god or God.
2. Synonym of deity.
3. A celestial being inferior to a supreme God but superior to man.
4. The study of religion or religions.
5. A type of confectionery made with egg whites, corn syrup and white sugar.

secular arm (noun)

1. The lay or temporal authority of a secular court to pronounce punishment (particularly capital punishment) of an offender tried by an ecclesiastical court.

Heinz 57 (noun)


1. A steak sauce who's name comes from the historical advertising slogan "57 Varieties" by the H. J. Heinz Company located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States.
2. A thing comprising parts from many different sources; a complete mix; a hodgepodge, a mishmash.
3. An animal (chiefly a dog) of mixed breed or uncertain origin; a mongrel, a mutt.
4. A person of mixed ethnic or racial ancestry.
5. A variety of draw poker in which the five and seven playing cards are wild cards.

rasorial (adj)

1. Scratching the ground for food, as domestic fowl or other gallinaceous birds.
2. Pertaining to the now obsolete order Rasores.

obstreperous (adj)

1. Attended by, or making, a loud and tumultuous noise; boisterous.
2. Stubbornly defiant; disobedient; resistant to authority or control, whether in a noisy manner or not.

anacampserote (noun)

1. A mythical plant that was once believed to have the power to restore a lost romance.