Word of the Day Archives
A list of the past entries in our "Word of the Day" feature:
| 03-Feb-12 | Facultative[fak-uhl-tey-tiv]
adjective:
1. conferring a faculty, privilege, permission, or the power of doing or not doing something: a facultative enactment.
2. left to one's option or choice; optional: The last questions in the examination were facultative.
3. Biology . having the capacity to live under more than one specific set of environmental conditions, as a plant that can lead either a parasitic or a nonparasitic life or a bacterium that can live with or without air ( opposed to obligate).
4. of or pertaining to the faculties.
example:
It is interesting how this facultative parasite can survive independently of a host organism if it chooses.
Credit: Dictionary.com / Stedman's Medical Dictionary | | 02-Feb-12 | Claptrap[klap-trap]
noun:
1. insincere or pretentious talk, nonsense. Empty language.
2. archaic language used or feelings expressed only to gain applause. Any artifice or expedient used for winning applause or impressing the public.
example:
He responded to his critics who mocked his use of ‘simple’ language by reproaching them as egomaniacs who feign true understanding preferring instead to impress others with mere pseudointellectual claptrap.
Credit: Dictionary.com/Canadian Oxford Dictionary | | 01-Feb-12 | Gagpronounciation: gag
verb:
1. To retch; to cause to retch or heave.
2. To prevent from talking.
noun:
3. An instrument adjusted between the teeth to keep the mouth from closing during operations on the mouth or throat.
4: A joke.
Example:
To prevent a mistrial a gag order was placed on newspaper reporters covering the trial.
Credit: | | 31-Jan-12 | Zoonosispronouciation: zo-o-no-sis
noun:
An infection or infestation shared in nature by humans and other animals that are the normal or usual host; a disease of humans acquired from an animal source.
Example: The unusual summer outbreak of the flu made public health officials concerned that a previously unknown zoonosis was spreading.
Credit: | | 30-Jan-12 | Niceadj.
1. Pleasing and agreeable in nature.
2. Having a pleasant or attractive appearance.
3. Exhibiting courtesy and politeness.
4. Of good character and reputation; respectable.
5. Overdelicate or fastidious; fussy.
6. Showing or requiring great precision or sensitive discernment; subtle.
7. Done with delicacy and skill.
8. Used as an intensive with 'and': nice and warm.
example:
Library staff are such nice people.
Credit: FreeDictionary | | 27-Jan-12 | Sustainable[suh-stey-nuh-buhl]
adjective:
1. capable of being supported or upheld, as by having its weight borne from below.
2. pertaining to a system that maintains its own viability by using techniques that allow for continual reuse: sustainable agriculture. Aquaculture is a sustainable alternative to overfishing.
3. able to be maintained or kept going, as an action or process: a sustainable negotiation between the two countries.
4. able to be confirmed or upheld: a sustainable decision.
5. able to be supported as with the basic necessities or sufficient funds: a sustainable life.
example:
Learning to be sustainable is a lifelong endeavour.
Credit: Dictionary.com/Canadian Oxford Dictionary | | 26-Jan-12 | Debilitatingadjective:
de-bil-i-tat-ing
Tending to weaken or enfeeble. Denoting or characteristic of a morbid process that causes weakness.
example:
The strain of shovelling snow was debilitating enough to lead him to purchase a snow blower.
Credit: | | 25-Jan-12 | Quadriparesisquad·ri·pa·re·sis
noun:
Neurology. Weakness of both arms and both legs, as seen in muscular dystrophy.
Though not completely paralyzed, the quadriparesis he experiences is very debilitating.
Credit: McGraw-Hill Concise Dictionary of Modern Medicine. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. | | 24-Jan-12 | Convulsionpronounciation: (kon-vul-shun)
noun:
A violent spasm or series of jerkings of the face, trunk, or extremities.
Example:
Without warning the man bent over in what appeared to be a severe convulsion and then fell to the floor.
Credit: | | 23-Jan-12 | Squamouspronounciation: (skwa-mus)
Relating to or covered with scales.
The development of squamous, itchy skin was the first symptom of an allergic reaction.
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