Merriam-Webster's Daily Buzzword

couch

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST

The Buzzword of the Day for 02/13/2012 is:

couch (verb)

\KOUCH\

What does it mean?

1 : to lie down for rest or sleep

2 : to place or hold level and pointed forward ready for use

3 : to phrase in a specified manner

How do you use it?

The student council received a letter about how to encourage bike licensing, but the procedure was couched in so much jargon and gobbledygook that no one understood what to do.

Are you a word wiz?

As you can see, there is a verb "couch" as well as a noun "couch." Which of these words does NOT function as both a noun and a verb?

A. table

B. desk

C. mirror

D. chair

Check your answer on Word Central.

nickname

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST

The Buzzword of the Day for 02/12/2012 is:

nickname (noun)

\NIK-naym\

What does it mean?

1 : an often descriptive name (as "Shorty" or "Buddy") given in addition to the one belonging to an individual

2 : a form of a proper name (as "Billy" for "William") used by family or friends

How do you use it?

Abraham Lincoln, the sixteenth president of the United States who is often called by the nickname Honest Abe, was born on this day in 1809.

Are you a word wiz?

The word "nickname" traces to the older word "ekename." The meaning of the "name" part of "ekename" is clear, but what do you think "eke-" meant?

A. something added on

B. less of everything

C. familiar friend

D. shorter path

Check your answer on Word Central.

allegory

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST

The Buzzword of the Day for 02/11/2012 is:

allegory (noun)

\AL-uh-gor-ee\

What does it mean?

: a story in which the characters and events are symbols that stand for truths about human life

How do you use it?

The medieval play "Everyman" is an allegory that has characters with names like Knowledge, Beauty, Strength, and Death.

Are you a word wiz?

"Allegory" comes from the Greek word "allegorein," meaning "to speak figuratively." This word traces back to the root "egorein." What do you think "egorein" means?

A. to pretend to be something else

B. to tell a story

C. to stand in a bent position

D. to speak publicly

Check your answer on Word Central.

mull

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST

The Buzzword of the Day for 02/10/2012 is:

mull (verb)

\MUL\

What does it mean?

: to think about slowly and carefully : ponder

How do you use it?

I asked Grandpa if I could go boating with him, and after he mulled it over for a bit, he finally said "yes."

Are you a word wiz?

After you've had a chance to mull it over, answer today's quiz: what do you think the verb "mull" first meant when it came into English?

A. to think about carefully

B. to grind into a powder

C. to boil with sweetened spices

D. to run at full speed with your eyes closed

Check your answer on Word Central.

prologue

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST

The Buzzword of the Day for 02/09/2012 is:

prologue (noun)

\PROH-lawg\

What does it mean?

1 : an introduction to a book or play

2 : an act or event that comes before or introduces something

How do you use it?

Even though the prologue hinted at how the novel would end, I was still surprised by the turn of events.

Are you a word wiz?

One of the following words comes from the same root word as "prologue." Which one do you think it is?

A. "lexicon," meaning "a book containing an alphabetical arrangement of the words in a language and their definitions, dictionary"

B. "logy," meaning "sluggish, tired"

C. "proletariat," meaning "the lowest social or economic class of a community"

D. "prolific," meaning "producing young or fruit in large numbers"

Check your answer on Word Central.

inert

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST

The Buzzword of the Day for 02/08/2012 is:

inert (adjective)

\ih-NERT\

What does it mean?

: unable or slow to move, act, or react

How do you use it?

When he tried to empty the laundry basket, Theo discovered the inert body of his snoozing cat, who used it daily for a five-hour catnap.

Are you a word wiz?

Which one of these words do you think is a synonym of "inert"?

A. energetic

B. annoying

C. passive

D. mysterious

Check your answer on Word Central.

clairvoyance

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST

The Buzzword of the Day for 02/07/2012 is:

clairvoyance (noun)

\klair-VOY-unss\

What does it mean?

: the power of seeing or knowing about things that are not present to the senses

How do you use it?

My mom always says, "If you want something, you have to actually tell me. I'm not gifted with clairvoyance, you know."

Are you a word wiz?

"Clairvoyance" comes to us from two French words, "clair" and "voyant," that were sandwiched together. What do you think those French words mean?

A. "not knowing"

B. "knowing everything"

C. "being a tired mother"

D. "clear seeing"

Check your answer on Word Central.

uneasy

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST

The Buzzword of the Day for 02/06/2012 is:

uneasy (adjective)

\un-EE-zee\

What does it mean?

1 : not easy in manner : awkward

2 : disturbed by pain or worry : restless

How do you use it?

Everything about the situation made us uneasy: . . .

Are you a word wiz?

Complete the sentence! Which answer below best finishes the sentence to illustrate the meaning of "uneasy"?

A. . . . the soothing music, the warm sun, and the tropical breeze.

B. . . . the sound of the roller coaster, the anticipation of riding, and the shrieks coming from the car as it raced by.

C. . . . the flickering flashlight, the unmarked path, and the spooky creak of the trees around us.

D. . . . the bags of soil, the gardening tools, and the colorful flowers for planting.

Check your answer on Word Central.

neglect

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST

The Buzzword of the Day for 02/05/2012 is:

neglect (verb)

\nih-GLEKT\

What does it mean?

1 : to give little attention or respect to

2 : to leave undone or not attended to especially through carelessness

How do you use it?

Since I neglected to include any information in my essay about the region's climate, my geography teacher took five points off my grade.

Are you a word wiz?

Which word do you think is a synonym of "neglect"?

A. congregate

B. disregard

C. remember

D. preserve

Check your answer on Word Central.

rhetoric

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST

The Buzzword of the Day for 02/04/2012 is:

rhetoric (noun)

\RET-uh-rik\

What does it mean?

1 : the art of speaking or writing effectively

2 : the study or use of the principles and rules of composition

3 a : skill in the effective use of speech b : language that is not honest, sincere, or meaningful

How do you use it?

In English class this semester, students will be learning rhetoric through a series of essays they will be writing.

Are you a word wiz?

Now that you've learned the word "rhetoric," let's take a look at its close relative, "rhetorical." One of the meanings of "rhetorical" is "of, relating to, or dealing with rhetoric." Which of the following do you think is another meaning of "rhetorical"?

A. used only for colorful effect and not expected to be answered

B. having or showing great skill or cleverness

C. clearly and succinctly told or described

D. done or continued in a firm and determined manner

Check your answer on Word Central.

savage

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST

The Buzzword of the Day for 02/03/2012 is:

savage (adjective)

\SAV-ij\

What does it mean?

1 : not tamed

2 : very cruel and unrestrained

3 : not cultivated : wild

4 : not civilized

How do you use it?

In spite of savage reviews from most of the critics, the movie is popular with audiences and has become a surprise hit.

Are you a word wiz?

Take a "wild" guess at today's quiz. Which one of these root words do you think is the source of the adjective "savage"?

A. Greek "sauros," meaning "lizard"

B. Old English "sagu," meaning "saw"

C. Latin "silva," meaning "forest"

D. Latin "saxum," meaning "rock"

Check your answer on Word Central.