Portmanteau Noun: A word blending the sounds and combining the meanings of two others. This is a very useful word. Example: Podcast is a portmanteau of iPod and Broadcast. I suspect that cowboy is a p...Read More
Synoptic Adjective: Affording a general view of a subject. Example: “The Cactus Garden at the Huntington gives a synoptic view of the genus cacti.” ...Read More
Titillate Verb: to stimulate or excite someone in a positive way. Often has a sexual connotation. Example: “The photo was intended to titillate the viewers and make them click the link.” &...Read More
Penultimate Adjective: Last but one in a series of things; second to last. Example: Thomas is the penultimate brother. Only Matthew comes after him....Read More
Sanguinarian Noun: A person who is optimistic or positive, especially in an apparently bad or difficult situation. From Sanguine. Example: “Simon the sanguinarian didn’t seem upset by th...Read More
Enigmatic Adjective: A mysterious or puzzling person, situation or statement. From enigma. Example: “Russia is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma.” Winston Churchill ...Read More
Shibboleth Noun: A peculiarity of pronunciation, behavior, mode of dress, etc., that distinguishes a particular class or set of persons. Example: “When she said: “I’ll have a pop....Read More
Dungarees Noun: Pants made of blue denim. (regional and dated) Example: “She was wearing trendy designer jeans. Her grandfather referred to them as new dungarees.”...Read More
Vulcanize Verb: To harden rubber with heat and sulfur. The process was invented by Charles Goodyear. Sometimes used without reference to rubber. Example: “The General exhorted the men to vulcani...Read More
Smollett Noun: To be arrested, indicted by a Grand Jury and then have all charges dropped because of your connections and politics. Example: “Justice is blind unless someone has a smollett card ...Read More