Word of the Day

[Owlet]

revenant - A person who has returned, esp. supposedly from the dead.

Pshh, this one was easy. You need to play more video games.

Not to mention Fablehaven! I didn't realize that was a real word. Fantasy books (and video games) mess with my vocabulary sometimes.

[Cindy]

Not to mention Fablehaven! I didn't realize that was a real word. Fantasy books (and video games) mess with my vocabulary sometimes.

That's where I knew it from! I was trying to figure that out.

[Yarjka]

chelonian - turtle
This is one of those words that I almost knew - where I figured out the meaning easily from context and it felt natural and fine, but I don't think I've ever actually seen the word used before.

This one turned up in Nabokov's King, Queen, Knave, for the record.

[C is for]

n. surcease: stopping. cessation.

I could tell what the word was but had never seen it before. I came across it during Tarzan of the Apes

[Katya]

charrette - An intense period of design or planning activity.

Source: An article on urban development.

[Laser Jock]

anorak - waterproof, hooded, pull-over jacket without a front opening, and sometimes drawstrings at the waist and cuffs (similar to a parka)

Source: this story on a notorious group of hackers that got sentenced recently. (An incriminating note was found in an anorak that belonged to one of them.)

[Katya]

anorak - waterproof, hooded, pull-over jacket without a front opening, and sometimes drawstrings at the waist and cuffs (similar to a parka)

Source: this story on a notorious group of hackers that got sentenced recently. (An incriminating note was found in an anorak that belonged to one of them.)

The word "anorak" is of Inuit origin, which is rare for an English word. (Other English words of Inuit origin include "igloo" and "kayak.")

[Laser Jock]

The word "anorak" is of Inuit origin, which is rare for an English word. (Other English words of Inuit origin include "igloo" and "kayak.")

I love how English adopts words from such a wide range of other languages. James Nicoll described it amusingly:

The problem with defending the purity of the English language is that English is about as pure as a cribhouse whore. We don't just borrow words; on occasion, English has pursued other languages down alleyways to beat them unconscious and riffle their pockets for new vocabulary.

[S.A.M.]

Anthrosol - a type of soil that has been formed or heavily modified due to long-term human activity.

The presence of anthrosols can be used to detect long-term human habitation, and has been used by archaeologists to identify sites of interest.

[Digit]

Anthrosol - a type of soil that has been formed or heavily modified due to long-term human activity.

The presence of anthrosols can be used to detect long-term human habitation, and has been used by archaeologists to identify sites of interest.

That word ought to return more than zero results on the search at anthropocene.info, a "website designed to improve our collective understanding of humanity's impact on Earth" according to them.

[Yarjka]

inutile (adj.) - of no use or service.

Found in Nabokov. Seems like a good enough word - I guess the word 'useless' just won out over time. Looks like 'inutile' remains in use in French, though.

[Marduk]

Same with Spanish, "un inutil"

[Katya]

I love how English adopts words from such a wide range of other languages. James Nicoll described it amusingly:

The problem with defending the purity of the English language is that English is about as pure as a cribhouse whore. We don't just borrow words; on occasion, English has pursued other languages down alleyways to beat them unconscious and riffle their pockets for new vocabulary.

That is a fabulous quote.

[Katya]

jejune - 1. Naive, simplistic, and superficial. 2. (of ideas or writings) Dry and uninteresting.

This is a word that I have come across several times, but I always forget its meaning after I look it up. Hopefully it sticks, this time.

[Yarjka]

poltroon (n.) - an abject or contemptible coward

I think I'll start using this one.

[Katya]

grandee - A person of high rank or eminence.

[Tally M.]

chandler - A chandler was the head of the chandlery in medieval households, responsible for wax, candles, and soap.

Fun fact #1: I have a friend whose last name is Chandler.
Fun fact #2: The word chandelier is related. I guess I'd never really thought about it.

More if you're curious

[Imogen]

Same with Spanish, "un inutil"

There's a whole song surrounding this word/concept in In the Heights. Saddest song ever.

[Katya]

expiate - to atone for (guilt or sin)

[Portia]

expiate - to atone for (guilt or sin)

Learned this one in the MTC's TRC.