gadfly \GAD-fly\ (noun) - 1 : One who persistently annoys. 2 : Any of the various types of flies that bite livestock.

"Despite his stern image, Frederic loved gossip and bawdy, silly jokes and became close friends with ...Read More

magisterial \maj-uh-STEER-ee-uhl\ (adjective) - 1 : Having the characteristics of a master or teacher; authoritative. 2 : Domineering or overbearing. 3 : Of or relating to a magistrate.

"Everyone agreed that Jason's ...Read More

gordian \GOR-dee-uhn\ (adjective) - Highly intricate; extremely difficult to solve.

"All agreed that coming up with a solution to the gordian problem of where to locate the company's new branch office was certain to ...Read More

laconic \luh-KON-ik\ (adjective) - Sparing with words, concise, terse.

"Lana's laconic way of speaking was completely at odds with her wordy, rambling prose style."

From Latin Laconicus, from Greek Lakonikos, from Lakon,...Read More

simonize \SY-muh-nyz\ (verb tr.) - To shine or polish to a high sheen, especially with wax.

"Far beyond merely polishing it up, Susan simonized her personal profile for the online dating site until it gleamed like a ...Read More

quean \kween\ (noun) - A bold, impudent, or ill-behaved woman, even a hussy or a strumpet.

"Jean is a keen dean at school but a mean quean on the neighborhood scene."

Today's word originated as Old English cwene [kwene]...Read More