Wordsmith Word A Day Sept 2005

Front 1

fomites (defn)

Back 1

plural noun

Any inanimate object, such as a book, money, carpet, etc. that can transmit germs from one person to another.

Front 2

styptic (defn)

Back 2

adjective

1. Able to check bleeding, whether by contracting the tissues or by promoting clotting.

2. Tending to contract organic tissues.

noun

A substance that stops bleeding of minor cuts.

Front 3

Madison Avenue (defn)

Back 3

adjective

1. Glitzy; insincere; deceptive.

2. Representing values and practices of the advertising and public relations industries.

noun

US advertising industry.

Front 4

tenderloin (defn)

Back 4

noun

The part of a city notorious for vice and corruption.

Front 5

Tin Pan Alley (defn)

Back 5

noun

Popular music industry; composers, songwriters, and music publishers considered collectively.

Front 6

Bronx cheer (defn)

Back 6

noun

1. A rude sound indicating disapproval, made by sticking the tongue partly out between the lips and blowing air out in a simulation of flatulence.

2. Any expression of derision or contempt.

Front 7

Wall Street (defn)

Back 7

noun

US financial world.

Front 8

sounder (defn)

Back 8

noun

1. A person or thing that makes sound.

2. A group of wild boars.

Front 9

covey (defn)

Back 9

noun

1. A small flock of birds such as partridge or quail.

2. A group or a set.

Front 10

skein (defn)

Back 10

noun

1. A length of yarn wound around a reel.

2. A flock of geese, ducks, or other similar birds in flight.

3. Something suggesting complex twists and tangles.

Front 11

bevy (defn)

Back 11

noun

1. A group of birds or animals, especially larks, quail, or roe buck.

2. A group or collection.

Front 12

skulk (defn)

Back 12

verb intr.

1. To hide, evade, or move stealthily.

noun

1. Someone who lies in hiding, evades, or lurks.

2. A pack of foxes.

Front 13

autonym (defn)

Back 13

noun

1. A person's own name, as distinguished from a pseudonym.

2. A work published under the real name of the author.

Front 14

backronym (defn)

Back 14

noun

A word re-interpreted as an acronym

Front 15

ananym (defn)

Back 15

noun

A name formed by reversing letters of another name, often used as a pseudonym.

Front 16

charactonym (defn)

Back 16

noun

A name of a fictional character that suggests the personality traits of that character.

Front 17

aptronym (defn)

Back 17

noun

a name that's especially suited to one's profession

Front 18

anonym (defn)

Back 18

noun

1. A false or assumed name.

2. An anonymous person or book

Front 19

filemot (defn)

Back 19

noun, adjective

The color of a dead or faded leaf: dull brown or yellowish brown.

Front 20

incarnadine (defn)

Back 20

adjective

Flesh-colored; blood-red.

noun

An incarnadine color.

verb tr.

To make incarnadine.

Front 21

fuscous (defn)

Back 21

adjective

Of a brownish-gray color; dusky.

Front 22

glaucous (defn)

Back 22

adjective

1. Of a grayish or bluish green or white color.

2. Covered with a powdery coating of such colors, as on grapes, plums, etc.

Front 23

taupe (defn)

Back 23

noun

A brownish gray, similar to the color of moleskin.