GAME: Word of the Day (WOTD)

[Algot Runeman]

commemorate

verb
com·​mem·​o·​rate | \ kə-ˈme-mə-ˌrāt \
commemorated; commemorating
transitive verb
1 to call to remembrance
2 to mark by some ceremony or observation : observe
3 to serve as a memorial of

-==0==-

"Word of the Day"

Perhaps it's officially early or late
Though never really a wrong time to commemorate
The origin of this list of words.
Enjoyed for years by so many language nerds.

[Algot Runeman]

inquisitive

adjective
in·​quis·​i·​tive | \ in-ˈkwi-zə-tiv \
1 given to examination or investigation
2 inclined to ask questions especially : inordinately or improperly curious about the affairs of others

-==0==-

Fred seems cluelessly inquisitive at the least appropriate times.

[Algot Runeman]

behest

noun
be·​hest | \ bi-ˈhest, bē- \
1 : an authoritative order : command
2 : an urgent prompting

-==0==-

At the behest of many, Bob kept his remarks short.

[Algot Runeman]

farce

noun
\ ˈfärs \
farced; farcing
1 : a savory stuffing : forcemeat
2 : a light dramatic composition marked by broadly satirical comedy and improbable plot
3 : the broad humor characteristic of farce
4 : an empty or patently ridiculous act, proceeding, or situation

-==0==-

There is no farce here. This is serious business. Of course you may still snigger.

[Algot Runeman]

indifferent

adjective
in·​dif·​fer·​ent | \ in-ˈdi-fərnt, -f(ə-)rənt \
1a marked by a lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern for something : apathetic
1b marked by no special liking for or dislike of something
2a being neither good nor bad : mediocre
2b being neither right nor wrong
3 being neither excessive nor inadequate : moderate
4 marked by impartiality : unbiased
5a that does not matter one way or the other
5b of no importance or value one way or the other
6 characterized by lack of active quality : neutral
7a not differentiated
7b capable of development in more than one direction especially : not yet embryologically determined

-==0==-

Bob was not indifferent. He really did care, but didn't have the emotional capacity to engage.

[Algot Runeman]

regress

noun
re·​gress | \ ˈrē-ˌgres \
1a an act or the privilege of going or coming back
1b reentry
2 movement backward to a previous and especially worse or more primitive state or condition
3 the act of reasoning backward
verb
re·​gress | \ ri-ˈgres \
regressed; regressing; regresses
intransitive verb
1a to make or undergo regress : retrograde
1b to be subject to or exhibit regression
2 to tend to approach or revert to a mean
transitive verb
to induce a state of psychological regression in

-==0==-

Sarah admits she's in distress.
Too quickly, all her days progress.
Her life has become a total mess.
All her hopes suffer and regress.
So she must make do with less.

[Algot Runeman]

fidelity

noun
fi·​del·​i·​ty | \ fə-ˈde-lə-tē, fī- \
plural fidelities
1a the quality or state of being faithful
1b accuracy in details : exactness
2 the degree to which an electronic device (such as a record player, radio, or television) accurately reproduces its effect (such as sound or picture)

-==0==-

Do not jump to conclusions about a person's fidelity. They will show themselves, one way or another, in time.

[Algot Runeman]

relationship

noun
re·​la·​tion·​ship | \ ri-ˈlā-shən-ˌship \
1 : the state of being related or interrelated
2 : the relation connecting or binding participants in a relationship: such as
a : kinship
b : a specific instance or type of kinship
3a : a state of affairs existing between those having relations or dealings
3b : a romantic or passionate attachment

-==0==-

Be thoughtful as you develop and maintain your relationships.

[Algot Runeman]

beauty

noun
beau·​ty | \ ˈbyü-tē \
plural beauties
1 the quality or aggregate of qualities in a person or thing that gives pleasure to the senses or pleasurably exalts the mind or spirit : loveliness
2 a beautiful person or thing His new car's a real beauty. especially : a beautiful woman
3 a particularly graceful, ornamental, or excellent quality
4 a brilliant, extreme, or egregious example or instance

-==0==-

The fading sounds of the highway
The further from it that we stray,
Let us move some more, say beyond that fence
To arrive at the calming beauty of silence.



[We have talked around beauty fifty-four times in the forum topic. Using the word for focus is long overdue, I'd say.]

[Algot Runeman]

fatigue

noun
fa·​tigue | \ fə-ˈtēg \
1a : labor
1b : manual or menial work (such as the cleaning up of a camp area) performed by military personnel
1c fatigues plural : the uniform or work clothing worn on fatigue and in the field
2a : weariness or exhaustion from labor, exertion, or stress We were overcome by fatigue after the long hike.
2b : the temporary loss of power to respond that is induced in a sensory receptor (see receptor sense a) or motor (see motor entry 2 sense 1) end organ by continued stimulation
2c : a state or attitude of indifference or apathy brought on by overexposure (as to a repeated series of similar events or appeals)

-==0==-

Sandy was surprised by the level of fatigue she felt after only a mile run.

[Algot Runeman]

firth

noun
\ ˈfərth \
estuary

-==0==-

Arrive at the firth on the fourth.
Come in from the south, heading north.
As you may have guessed
Walking west is not best.
Don't take that bet.
You'll surely get wet.

[Algot Runeman]

girth

noun
\ ˈgərth \
1 a band or strap that encircles the body of an animal to fasten something (such as a saddle) on its back
2a a measure around a body a man of more than average girth the girth of a tree
2b size, dimensions

-==0==-

Horses typically swell their lungs when a saddle is put on. You may need to knee their belly in order to properly tighten the girth.

[Algot Runeman]

headlong

adverb
head·​long | \ ˈhed-ˈlȯŋ \
1 headfirst sense 1
2 without deliberation : recklessly rushes headlong into danger
3 without pause or delay
adjective
head·​long | \ ˈhed-ˌlȯŋ \
1 archaic : steep, precipitous
2 lacking in calmness or restraint : precipitate a headlong torrent of emotion
3 plunging headfirst

-==0==-

Joseph was considered headstrong,
By going places he didn't belong.
Sometimes he wound up getting
thrown out of the door, headlong.

[Algot Runeman]

intermission

noun
in·​ter·​mis·​sion | \ ˌin-tər-ˈmi-shən
an interval between the parts of an entertainment (such as the acts of a play)

I do deserve a slap
For allowing such a gap.
I fell in a somnolent trap
And took a day-long nap.

Now I find myself wishin'
I had not caused an intermission,
The Sunday word went missin'
Though I did not go out fishin'.

So, let us begin here, this week.
Looking to find that which we seek
At some new words, please let us take a peek.
Allowing only breaks to take a leak.

[Algot Runeman]

festoon

verb
festooned; festooning; festoons
transitive verb
1 to hang or form festoons on
2 to shape into festoons
3 decorate, adorn also : cover

-==0==-

"Four Festive Lines"

Here in the month of June
We lack events which we festoon.
Next month, it is July.
A festive month, oh, my!

[Algot Runeman]

ridiculous

adjective
ri·​dic·​u·​lous | \ rə-ˈdi-kyə-ləs \
arousing or deserving ridicule : extremely silly or unreasonable : absurd, preposterous

-==0==-

Being completely objective
Can be hard with this adjective.
So, I'll be foolish and conspicuous
While dealing with ridiculous.

[Algot Runeman]

excessive

adjective
ex·​ces·​sive | \ ik-ˈse-siv \
exceeding what is usual, proper, necessary, or normal

-==0==-

A sumptuous feast
To say the least
May be excessive,
Indeed, repressive...
Unless it's prepared
To be widely shared.

[Algot Runeman]

oblige

verb
\ ə-ˈblīj \
obliged; obliging
1 to constrain by physical, moral, or legal force or by the exigencies of circumstance
2a to put in one's debt by a favor or service
2b to do a favor for
3 to do something as or as if as a favor

-==0==-

Mark did not feel obliged to hang around any longer while his parents argued, so he went out.



[I am also obliged to remind visitors to this forum that this is just marginally a new word of focus. We have used obligation before. This word may skirt the acceptable limits of repeated words.]

[Algot Runeman]

exude

verb
ex·​ude | \ ig-ˈzüd \
exuded; exuding
intransitive verb
1 to ooze out
2 to undergo diffusion
transitive verb
1 to cause to ooze or spread out in all directions
2 to display conspicuously or abundantly

-==0==-

We offer words abundantly
Avoiding most redundancy.
We share words, seeking to exude
And sometimes add an attitude.

[Algot Runeman]

aphasia

noun
apha·​sia | \ ə-ˈfā-zh(ē-)ə \
medical : loss or impairment of the power to use or comprehend words usually resulting from brain damage (as from a stroke, head injury, or infection)

-==0==-

May you, as a word lover, never suffer from aphasia.

[Algot Runeman]

surround

verb
sur·​round | \ sə-ˈrau̇nd \
surrounded; surrounding; surrounds
transitive verb
1a(1) to enclose on all sides : envelop
(2) to enclose so as to cut off communication or retreat
1b to form or be a member of the entourage of flatterers who surround the king
1c to constitute part of the environment of
1d to extend around the margin or edge of : encircle
2 to cause to be surrounded by something
noun
something (such as a border or ambient environment) that surrounds

-==0==-

That which surrounds us need not be round.

[Algot Runeman]

circumstance

noun
cir·​cum·​stance | \ ˈsər-kəm-ˌstan(t)s, -stən(t)s \
1a a condition, fact, or event accompanying, conditioning, or determining another : an essential or inevitable concomitant
1b a subordinate or accessory fact or detail
1c a piece of evidence that indicates the probability or improbability of an event (such as a crime)
2a the sum of essential and environmental factors (as of an event or situation)
2b state of affairs : eventuality — often used in plural a victim of circumstances
2c circumstances plural : situation
3 attendant formalities and ritualistic display especially as contrasted with essential procedure
4 an event that constitutes a detail (as of a narrative or course of events)

-==0==-

It was an inevitable circumstance that Julie would find out about Benny's philandering. They shared too many "friends". She worried that she might not find a better man, but decided that Benny was not good enough for the long haul. Her mother supported the decision. Julie packed her essentials and left Benny a short note wishing him a life full of broken dreams and hard-to-cure STDs.

[Algot Runeman]

ingenuous

adjective
in·​gen·​u·​ous | \ in-ˈjen-yə-wəs, -yü-əs \
1a showing innocent or childlike simplicity and candidness
1b lacking craft or subtlety

-==0==-

It is rare for an adult to be ingenuous. Childlike simplicity is generally outgrown, and not always to our benefit.



[After, once again, after failing to post yesterday, I'm trying to sneak in a word. You are welcome to chide me for conveniently ignoring that the topic has previously used disingenuous. But this post is an attempt to offer a more simple version, straightforward and plain, maybe even innocent. As always, you must be the judge.]

[Algot Runeman]

scour

verb
\ ˈskau̇(-ə)r \
scoured; scouring; scours
transitive verb
1a to rub hard especially with a rough material for cleansing
1b to remove by rubbing hard and washing
2 archaic : to clear (a region) of enemies or outlaws
3 to clean by purging : purge
4 to remove dirt and debris from (something, such as a pipe or ditch)
5 to free from foreign matter or impurities by or as if by washing
6 to clear, dig, or remove by or as if by a powerful current of water
intransitive verb
1 to perform a process of scouring
2 to suffer from diarrhea or dysentery
3 to become clean and bright by rubbing

-==0==-

The stuck on rind was bitter.
It made Bob feel quite sour.
He used a rough cloth to scour
So the glasses could shine and glitter.

[Algot Runeman]

noisome

adjective
noi·​some | \ ˈnȯi-səm \
1 noxious, harmful a noisome pestilence
2a offensive to the senses and especially to the sense of smell noisome
2b highly obnoxious or objectionable

-==0==-

Joey was in a funk
Because he was a skunk.
Neighbors thought him noisome.
He just wanted to enjoy some
Time together, like good friends,
But on tomato baths, that depends.



[Noisome offense #2: providing a Word of the Day only every other day. Bah!]