chimerical [ki-mer-i-kuhl, -meer-, kahy-]
–adjective
1. unreal; imaginary; visionary: a chimerical terrestrial paradise.
2. wildly fanciful; highly unrealistic: a chimerical plan.
Also, chimeric.
Origin:
1630–40; chimer(a) + -ical
Related forms:
chimerically, adverb
Synonyms:
1. illusory, fantastic.
Antonyms:
1. real.
Showing posts with label Words. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Words. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
Words: Dilettante
[dil-i-tahnt, dil-i-tahnt, -tahn-tey, -tan-tee] noun, plural -tantes, -tanti
[-tahn-tee] adjective
–noun
1. a person who takes up an art, activity, or subject merely for amusement, esp. in a desultory or superficial way; dabbler.
2. a lover of an art or science, esp. of a fine art.
–adjective
3. of or pertaining to dilettantes.
Origin:
1725–35; < It, n. use of prp. of dilettare < L dēlectāre to delight
Related forms:
dilettantish, dilettanteish, adjective
Synonyms:
1. amateur.
[-tahn-tee] adjective
–noun
1. a person who takes up an art, activity, or subject merely for amusement, esp. in a desultory or superficial way; dabbler.
2. a lover of an art or science, esp. of a fine art.
–adjective
3. of or pertaining to dilettantes.
Origin:
1725–35; < It, n. use of prp. of dilettare < L dēlectāre to delight
Related forms:
dilettantish, dilettanteish, adjective
Synonyms:
1. amateur.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Words: Lurid
This is the first post from a list of words I've been compiling, that I like (some of which I don't know the meaning). Most definitions courtesy of dictionary.com
lurid
[loor-id]
–adjective
1. gruesome; horrible; revolting: the lurid details of an accident.
2. glaringly vivid or sensational; shocking: the lurid tales of pulp magazines.
3. terrible in intensity, fierce passion, or unrestraint: lurid crimes.
4. lighted or shining with an unnatural, fiery glow; wildly or garishly red: a lurid sunset.
5. wan, pallid, or ghastly in hue; livid.
Origin:
1650–60; lūridus sallow, ghastly
Related forms:
luridly, adverb
luridness, noun
Synonyms:
dismal, pale, murky.
lurid
[loor-id]
–adjective
1. gruesome; horrible; revolting: the lurid details of an accident.
2. glaringly vivid or sensational; shocking: the lurid tales of pulp magazines.
3. terrible in intensity, fierce passion, or unrestraint: lurid crimes.
4. lighted or shining with an unnatural, fiery glow; wildly or garishly red: a lurid sunset.
5. wan, pallid, or ghastly in hue; livid.
Origin:
1650–60; lūridus sallow, ghastly
Related forms:
luridly, adverb
luridness, noun
Synonyms:
dismal, pale, murky.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Words: Beguile
beguile
[bi-gahyl]
–verb (used with object), -guiled, -guiling.
1. to influence by trickery, flattery, etc.; mislead; delude.
2. to take away from by cheating or deceiving (usually fol. by of): to be beguiled of money.
3. to charm or divert: a multitude of attractions to beguile the tourist.
4. to pass (time) pleasantly: beguiling the long afternoon with a good book.
Origin:
1175–1225; ME bigilen. See be-, guile
Related forms:
beguilement, noun
beguiler, noun
Synonyms:
1. deceive, cheat. 3. amuse, entertain.
[bi-gahyl]
–verb (used with object), -guiled, -guiling.
1. to influence by trickery, flattery, etc.; mislead; delude.
2. to take away from by cheating or deceiving (usually fol. by of): to be beguiled of money.
3. to charm or divert: a multitude of attractions to beguile the tourist.
4. to pass (time) pleasantly: beguiling the long afternoon with a good book.
Origin:
1175–1225; ME bigilen. See be-, guile
Related forms:
beguilement, noun
beguiler, noun
Synonyms:
1. deceive, cheat. 3. amuse, entertain.
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