GAME: Word of the Day (WOTD)

[Algot Runeman]

transform

verb
trans·​form | \ tran(t)s-ˈfȯrm \
transformed; transforming; transforms
transitive verb
1a to change in composition or structure
1b to change the outward form or appearance of
1c to change in character or condition : convert
2 to subject to mathematical transformation
3 to cause (a cell) to undergo genetic transformation
intransitive verb
to become transformed : change

-==0==-

We often wish to change
It's not always easy to arrange,
And if you are a lycanthrope,
The result is really strange.

[Algot Runeman]

shallow

adjective
shal·​low | \ ˈsha-(ˌ)lō \
1 having little depth
2 having little extension inward or backward
3a penetrating only the easily or quickly
3b lacking in depth of knowledge, thought, or feeling
4 displacing comparatively little air : weak

-==0==-

Immature Gourmand

Bob was feeling callow,
Childlike, almost shallow.
His favorite meal dream:
A sandwich, peanut butter and marshmallow cream.

[Algot Runeman]

fustigate

verb
fus·​ti·​gate | \ ˈfə-stə-ˌgāt \
fustigated; fustigating
transitive verb
1 cudgel
2 to criticize severely

-==0==-

Do not Nor mercilessly berate.
Nor, each other, fustigate.
Learn to live together.
Hate is not innate.

[Algot Runeman]

scallion

noun
scal·​lion | \ ˈskal-yən \
1 shallot
2 leek
3 an onion forming a thick basal portion without a bulb also : green onion

-==0==-

You don't have to row a galleon.
To go to get a scallion...
Walk, ride, take a train.
Or if that's too much a pain,
It has long been known,
You can even grow your own.

[E Pericoloso Sporgersi]

scallion

yummy!

[Algot Runeman]

kitty-corner

adverb or adjective
kit·​ty-cor·​ner | \ ˈki-tē-ˌkȯr-nər, ˈka-tē-, ˈka-tə- \
variants: or less commonly catty-corner \ ˈki-​tē-​ˌkȯr-​nər, ˈka-​tē-​, ˈka-​tə-​ \ or catercorner \ ˈki-​tē-​ˌkȯr-​nər, ˈka-​tē-​, ˈka-​tə-​ \ or kitty-cornered \ ˈki-​tē-​ˌkȯr-​nərd, ˈka-​tē-​, ˈka-​tə-​ \ or catty-cornered \ ˈki-​tē-​ˌkȯr-​nərd, ˈka-​tē-​, ˈka-​tə-​ \ or catercornered \ ˈki-​tē-​ˌkȯr-​nərd, ˈka-​tē-​, ˈka-​tə-​ \
in a diagonal or oblique position

-==0==-

It is common in my suburban town for people to take a kitty-corner crossing when the pedestrian walk sign goes on.

[Algot Runeman]

abandon

verb
aban·​don | \ ə-ˈban-dən \
abandoned; abandoning; abandons
transitive verb
1a to give up to the control or influence of another person or agent
1b to give up with the intent of never again claiming a right or interest in abandon property
2 to withdraw from often in the face of danger or encroachment
3 to withdraw protection, support, or help from
4 to give (oneself) over unrestrainedly
5a to cease from maintaining, practicing, or using
5b to cease intending or attempting to perform
noun
a thorough yielding to natural impulses especially : enthusiasm, exuberance

[Algot Runeman]

immense

adjective
im·​mense | \ i-ˈmen(t)s \
1 marked by greatness especially in size or degree especially : transcending ordinary means of measurement the immense universe
2 supremely good

-==0==-

Bob sometimes presents
As having intellect immense.
But the stark, bald reality
Is strikingly less you see.

Most of his thoughts are brief
To the audience's great relief.
And while they may seem witty
The truth is not so pretty.

His wit and wisdom are a joke
Writ with but passing smoke.
Much as a legacy he may desire
Impact quickly gone, a match-flare fire.

[Algot Runeman]

disguise

verb
dis·​guise | \ də-ˈskīz, dis-ˈgīz also diz- \
disguised; disguising
transitive verb
1a to change the customary dress (see dress entry 2 sense 1) or appearance of disguised herself in a wig and glasses
1b to furnish with a false appearance or an assumed (see assume sense 3) identity disguised as a beggar
2 obsolete : disfigure
3 to obscure the existence or true state or character of : conceal unable to disguise his true feelings
noun
1 apparel assumed to conceal one's identity or counterfeit another's The bank robber was wearing a disguise.
2 the act of disguising
3a form misrepresenting the true nature of something blessings in disguise
b an artificial manner : pretense

-==0==-

Harold tries to disguise his hubris as expertise. His arrogance is difficult to mask.

[Algot Runeman]

encapsulate

verb
en·​cap·​su·​late | \ in-ˈkap-sə-ˌlāt, en- \
encapsulated; encapsulating
transitive verb
1 to enclose in or as if in a capsule
2 epitomize, summarize encapsulate an era in an aphorism
intransitive verb
to become encapsulated

-==0==-


The famous equation E=MC² succinctly encapsulates the atomic energy/mass relationship.

[Algot Runeman]

bilious

adjective
bil·​ious ˈbil-yəs
1a biology : of or relating to a yellow or greenish fluid that is secreted by the liver and that aids especially in the emulsification and absorption of fats : of or relating to bile (see bile sense 1b)
1b biology : marked by or suffering from liver dysfunction and especially excessive secretion of bile
1c appearing as if affected by a bilious disorder
2 of or indicative of a peevish ill-natured disposition
3 sickeningly unpleasant

-==0==-

Here and now a simple fact,
As I write this meager tract,
I must make a silly fuss
Because I am feeling bilious.

[Algot Runeman]

remark

noun
re·​mark ri-ˈmärk
1 the act of remarking : notice
2 an expression of opinion or judgment
3 mention of that which deserves attention or notice
verb
remarked; remarking; remarks
transitive verb
1 to take notice of : observe
2 to express as an observation or comment : say
intransitive verb
to notice something and comment thereon
—used with on or upon

-==0==-

You may remark that many gravestones had worn almost smooth over the years. Tom took it upon himself to re-mark the names and dates on the least legible stones. That he was an expert lapidary engraver also helped.

[E Pericoloso Sporgersi]

remark

Some unknown person made the idle remark that Tom never refreshed "John Doe" or "Jane Doe"and just let those slowly erode in oblivion.

[Algot Runeman]

determine

verb
de·​ter·​mine di-ˈtər-mən dē-
determined; determining
transitive verb
1a to fix conclusively or authoritatively
1b law : to decide by judicial sentence
1c to settle or decide by choice of alternatives or possibilities
1d resolve
2a to fix the form, position, or character of beforehand : ordain
2b to bring about as a result : regulate
3a to fix the boundaries of
3b to limit in extent or scope
3c to put or set an end to : terminate
4 to find out or come to a decision about by investigation, reasoning, or calculation
5 biology : to bring about the determination (see determination sense 7) of
intransitive verb
1 to come to a decision
2 to come to an end or become void

-==0==-

Deborah was determined to derive pleasure from her work. The pleasure happened right at the end, a Friday. It was the day she told off her sleazy boss on her way out the door. Having a better job lined up for Monday made it all the more satisfying.

[E Pericoloso Sporgersi]

determine

With stubborn determination his team kept observing, analysing and calculating, until finally they got 99 % confidence that it was indeed a sleeping black hole.

[Algot Runeman]

intoxicate

verb
in·​tox·​i·​cate in-ˈtäk-sə-ˌkāt
intoxicated; intoxicating
transitive verb
1a to excite or stupefy by alcohol or a drug especially to the point where physical and mental control is markedly diminished
1b to excite or elate to the point of enthusiasm or frenzy
2 poison

~-/\_~*_____

The intoxicating scent of her drew the prince through the manor's halls and staircases to her room at the far corner of the top floor.

[E Pericoloso Sporgersi]

intoxicate

The delicate aroma wafting from the open kitchen could intoxicate even already sated people.

[Algot Runeman]

crucible

noun
cru·​ci·​ble ˈkrü-sə-bəl
1 a vessel of a very refractory material (such as porcelain) used for melting and calcining a substance that requires a high degree of heat
2 a severe test
3 a place or situation in which concentrated forces interact to cause or influence change or development

-==0==-

During his graduate studies, Bob used porcelain crucibles in a high-temperature oven to prepare diatom specimens for microscopic study. The hard shells remained after the living tissue was burned away.

[Algot Runeman]

attitude

noun
at·​ti·​tude ˈa-tə-ˌtüd -ˌtyüd
1 the arrangement of the parts of a body or figure : posture
2 a position assumed for a specific purpose
3 a ballet position similar to the arabesque in which the raised leg is bent at the knee
4a a mental position with regard to a fact or state
4b a feeling or emotion toward a fact or state
5 the position of a craft (such as an aircraft or spacecraft) determined by the relationship between its axes and a reference datum (such as the horizon or a particular star)
6 a bodily state of readiness to respond in a characteristic way to a stimulus (such as an object, concept, or situation)
7a a negative or hostile state of mind
7b a cool, cocky, defiant, or arrogant manner

-==0==-

Even with the right attitude, finishing strong may not prevent a post race slump or even a fall to the ground.

[Algot Runeman]

decor

noun
de·​cor dā-ˈkȯr di-ˈkȯr ˈde-ˌkȯr,ˈdā-ˌkȯr variants or décor
1 a stage setting
2 decoration sense 2
2b the style and layout of interior furnishings

-==0==-

Bob's house has no unified decor. "Early eclectic" might be a good euphemism.

(Imagine the look. It's good for the mind.)

[Algot Runeman]

wharf

noun
ˈ(h)wȯrf
plural wharves ˈ(h)wȯrvz
also wharfs
1 a structure built along or at an angle from the shore of navigable waters so that ships may lie alongside to receive and discharge cargo and passengers
2 obsolete : the bank of a river or the shore of the sea

-==0==-

The crew is finally all aboard
From the wharf, they are restored.
The ship's crew rushes to make the tide
Releasing hawsers from their side,
Easing themselves off from the quay
So they can quickly slip away.



[A peek at the etymology is worth doing.]

[E Pericoloso Sporgersi]

wharf

I've read and heard (in movies and TV-shows) that Fisherman's Wharf is famous for its eateries with seafood, especially clam chowder.

[Algot Runeman]

I've read and heard (in movies and TV-shows) that Fisherman's Wharf is famous for its eateries with seafood, especially clam chowder.

My St. Bernard often said "Wharf, wharf!" (even though seafood wasn't a particular favorite).
[It is a shame I waste your time, not bothering to make remotely useful responses to your regular comments.]

[Algot Runeman]

responsible

adjective
re·​spon·​si·​ble ri-ˈspän(t)-sə-bəl 
1a liable to be called on to answer
1b(1) liable to be called to account as the primary cause, motive, or agent
1b(2) being the cause or explanation
1c liable to legal review or in case of fault to penalties
2a able to answer for one's conduct and obligations : trustworthy
2b able to choose for oneself between right and wrong
3 marked by or involving responsibility or accountability

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It would not be responsible of me to rush through today's word post, but there it is...

[Algot Runeman]

pell-mell

adverb
ˌpel-ˈmel 
1 in mingled confusion or disorder
2 in confused haste

-==0==-

Don't work in haste,
Usually a waste.
Rushing pell-mell
Doesn't end well.