GAME: Word of the Day (WOTD)

[Algot Runeman]

tempestuous

adjective
tem·​pes·​tu·​ous | \ tem-ˈpes-chə-wəs, -ˈpesh- \
of, relating to, or resembling a tempest : turbulent, stormy

-=====-

Yesterday's local, mid-March, two inch snow was not notably tempestuous, but it is very pretty on the branches this sunny morning.

[Algot Runeman]

sealant

noun
seal·​ant | \ ˈsē-lənt \
1 a sealing agent a radiator sealant
2 a plastic material applied to parts of teeth with imperfections (such as pits and fissures) to prevent dental decay

-=====-

Bob was not really surprised when he learned that sealant did not have anything to do with ants having fins.



These bad puns are only avoidable if you make the unfortunate decision to skip reading these posts altogether.

[Algot Runeman]

elucidate

verb
elu·​ci·​date | \ i-ˈlü-sə-ˌdāt \
elucidated; elucidating
transitive verb
to make lucid especially by explanation or analysis elucidate a text
intransitive verb
to give a clarifying explanation

-=====-

Sam's attempt to explain did not clarify, nor did it elucidate anything for anybody.

[Algot Runeman]

tamper

verb
tam·​per | \ ˈtam-pər \
tampered; tampering\ ˈtam-​p(ə-​)riŋ \; tampers
intransitive verb
(commonly tamper with)
1a to interfere so as to weaken or change for the worse
1b to try foolish or dangerous experiments
1c to render something harmful or dangerous by altering its structure or composition was charged with tampering with consumer products
2a to carry on underhand or improper negotiations (as by bribery)
2b to inflict physical harm, threats, intimidation, or corrupt persuasion with the goal of influencing or preventing a witness's testimony
tamper noun
tamp·​er | \ ˈtam-pər \
plural tampers
a tool for tamping

-=====-

Borrowing tools may be tempting,
But, Tom's, please be exempting.
No matter how strong your desire,
You don't want to raise his ire.
Do not seek to tamper
With is very favorite tamper.

[Algot Runeman]

quizzical

adjective
quiz·​zi·​cal | \ ˈkwi-zi-kəl \
1 comically quaint
2 : mildly teasing or mocking
3 : expressive of puzzlement, curiosity, or disbelief raised

-=====-

Bob has always been quizzical about double letters in words. The short vowel is the cause since we don't want to pronounce it qu-eye-zical.

[E Pericoloso Sporgersi]

quizzical
Bob has always been quizzical about double letters in words. The short vowel is the cause since we don't want to pronounce it qu-eye-zical.

There's also the double u that we hear but don't see, to make it doubly quizzical.

[Algot Runeman]

intersperse

verb
in·​ter·​sperse | \ ˌin-tər-ˈspərs \
interspersed; interspersing
transitive verb
1 to insert at intervals among other things
2 to place something at intervals in or among

-=====-

*A Minor Miner*

At the edge of a stream
Begin, at once, your get rich scheme.
Look for nuggets in the pan.
Try to find them, if you can.
Begin, just find the first.
They'll be, with gravel, interspersed,
Unless you turn out just a schmuck
And all you have is awful luck.

[E Pericoloso Sporgersi]

intersperse

I think these days the gravel would be interspersed with wads of discarded chewing gum.

[Algot Runeman]

limerick

noun
lim·​er·​ick | \ ˈli-mə-rik, ˈlim-rik \
a light or humorous verse form of five chiefly anapestic verses of which lines 1, 2, and 5 are of three feet and lines 3 and 4 are of two feet with a rhyme scheme of aabba

-=====-

There once was a limerick format
But over time, for me, it just fell flat.
I tried for the flow,
But here I shall show
I simply don't know how to do that.

[Algot Runeman]

nascent

adjective
na·​scent | \ ˈna-sᵊnt, ˈnā- \
coming or having recently come into existence

-=====-

Though seeds may have been in the soil all winter, their nascent growth in spring is what makes us notice them.

[Algot Runeman]

outcast

noun
out·​cast | \ ˈau̇t-ˌkast \
1 one that is cast out or refused acceptance (as by society) : pariah
2 [Scots cast out to quarrel] Scotland : quarrel
adjective
1 rejected or cast out by society
2 thrown aside : discarded

-=====-

Nobody wishes to be an outcast.

[Algot Runeman]

generosity

noun
gen·​er·​os·​i·​ty | \ ˌje-nə-ˈrä-sə-tē, -ˈrä-stē \
plural generosities
1a the quality or fact of being generous
1b a generous act
2 abundance

-=====-

If largess, benignity and being magnanimous, openhanded are insufficient, one can always attempt generosity.



[We surely have generously explored words of giving, here in this topic!]

[Algot Runeman]

reflect

verb
re·​flect | \ ri-ˈflekt \
reflected; reflecting; reflects
transitive verb
1 : to prevent passage of and cause to change direction
2 : to give back or exhibit as an image, likeness, or outline : mirror
3 : to bring or cast as a result his attitude
4 : to make manifest or apparent : show
5 : realize, consider
6 : to bend or fold back
7 archaic : to turn into or away from a course : deflect
intransitive verb
1 : to throw back light or sound
2a : to think quietly and calmly
b : to express a thought or opinion resulting from reflection
3a : to tend to bring reproach or discredit
b : to bring about a specified appearance or characterization
c : to have a bearing or influence

-=====-

Sometimes, at the end of the day, we reflect on what we might have accomplished.

[Algot Runeman]

henchman

noun
hench·​man | \ ˈhench-mən \
plural henchmen
1a a trusted follower : a right-hand man
1b a political follower whose support is chiefly for personal advantage
1c a member of a gang
2 obsolete : a squire or page to a person of high rank

-=====-

Harold, the foreman, told Hank and the rest of the crew what jobs to do. Hank had a hunch he was Harold's henchman.

[Algot Runeman]

accede

verb
ac·​cede | \ ak-ˈsēd, ik- \
acceded; acceding
intransitive verb
1a formal - to express approval or give consent : to agree to a request or demand —usually + to
1b : to become a party to something (such as an agreement) —usually + to
2 formal : to enter upon an office or position —usually + to
3 archaic, formal : approach

-=====-

After lead dancer, Wanda, broke her leg, Ludmilla acceded to the role. As a side note, she once had been an operatic prima donna.

[Algot Runeman]

distract

verb
dis·​tract | \ di-ˈstrakt \
distracted; distracting; distracts
1a to draw or direct (something, such as someone's attention) to a different object or in different directions
1b to turn aside : divert
2 to stir up or confuse with conflicting emotions or motives

-=====-

Do not let me distract you while you study this definition.



To be fair, you were spared the distraction of a flashing GIF image, pulsing behind the ballerina.

[Algot Runeman]

bastion

noun
bas·​tion | \ ˈbas-chən \
1 a projecting part of a fortification
2 a fortified area or position
3 stronghold

-=====-

My friends and family form all the bastions I need in life. I hope I can keep it that way.

[Algot Runeman]

compose

verb
com·​pose | \ kəm-ˈpōz \
composed; composing
transitive verb
1a to form by putting together
1b to form the substance of : constitute composed of many ingredients
1c to produce (columns, pages of type, etc.) by composition
2a to create by mental or artistic labor
2b to formulate and write (a piece of music)
3 to deal with or act on so as to reduce to a minimum
4 to arrange in proper or orderly form
5 to free from agitation : calm, settle composed himself
intransitive verb
to practice composition (as of literary, musical, or typographical work)

-=====-

I feel comfortably composed, having composed yet another word of the day post today.

[Algot Runeman]

slipshod

adjective
slip·​shod | \ ˈslip-ˈshäd \
1a wearing loose shoes or slippers
1b down at the heel : shabby
2 careless, slovenly

-=====-

Some language use is slipshod.
Do you not think it's odd?
Nonplussed once meant "confused, unsure".
Today, that meaning's lost allure.
Some folks use it as "unruffled".
The meaning's been well shuffled.
Language change is at stake.
Though I still feel it's a mistake.

[Algot Runeman]

decimate

verb
dec·​i·​mate | \ ˈde-sə-ˌmāt \
decimated; decimating
transitive verb
1 to select by lot and kill every tenth man of decimate a regiment
2 to exact a tax of 10 percent
3a to reduce drastically especially in number
3b to cause great destruction or harm to

-=====-

What's the point of the decimal point?
Just give it a shift to quickly gain a lift.
It's not some random drift, a jump, gives/takes a gift.
Just one single move can decimate your groove.

[Algot Runeman]

palatable

adjective
pal·​at·​able | \ ˈpa-lə-tə-bəl \
1 agreeable to the palate or taste
2 agreeable or acceptable to the mind

-=====-

If you would write as a profession,
Prepare well for every session.
Bring as many skills as you're able,
Seeking words more than just palatable.

If you work well in your craft,
Seek great words for your first draft.
Though it is surely just a hunch
I'd guess you know a bunch.

[Algot Runeman]

afflict

verb
af·​flict | \ ə-ˈflikt \
afflicted; afflicting; afflicts
transitive verb
1a to cause pain or suffering to : to distress so severely as to cause persistent suffering or anguish
1b trouble, injure
2a obsolete : to humble
2b to overthrow

-=====-

It is the rule to not afflict followers of WotD with words previously used. Burdening you with "new" ones is, however, totally fine!



[Merriam-Webster is not entirely responsible for my WotD troubles or yours. They offered chagrin for today which we have used in the past. I have not been using M-W as our definition source for long enough to decide that they are repeating their random words as Lexico/OxfordDictionariesOnline used to do. These meta comments may never be important to the state of the world, but it comforts me to unburden myself to the loyal followers of this forum topic. (My comfort is important, right?)]

[E Pericoloso Sporgersi]

afflict
... (My comfort is important, right?)]

Oh, you have no *idea* how important *your* comfort is to *us*!
We shall not ever afflict you with ... with ... with any affliction.
[/sarcasm]

[Algot Runeman]

inspect

verb
in·​spect | \ in-ˈspekt \
inspected; inspecting; inspects
transitive verb
1 to view closely in critical appraisal : look over
2 to examine officially

-=====-

Jennifer carefully inspected her shoes, forcefully rapping each of them upside down to ensure there were no scorpions inside.

[Algot Runeman]

convoluted

adjective
con·​vo·​lut·​ed | \ ˈkän-və-ˌlü-təd \
1 having convolutions
2 involved, intricate

-=====-

Convoluted explanations can be made
About why a person may have strayed,
But by total honesty they get betrayed
As nothing more than a pure excuse,
Both stark and clear, not weird, abstruse,
For a life lived fast and loose.