im·bro·glio [im-brohl-yoh]
noun
1. A misunderstanding, disagreement, etc. of a complicated or bitter nature, as between persons or nations.
2. An intricate and perplexing state of affairs.
3. A confused heap.
Origin: 1740–50; < Italian, derivative of imbrogliare to embroil
Sentence: The attempt at diplomacy quickly became an imbroglio of epic proportions.
Note: May also be spelled embroglio.
in·vei·gle [in-vey-guhl]
verb (transitive)
1. To entice, lure, or snare by flattery or artful talk or inducements (usually followed by “into”)
2. To acquire, win, or obtain by beguiling talk or methods.
Origin: 1485–95; variant of envegle < Anglo-French enveogler, equivalent to en- en-1 + Old French ( a ) vogler toblind, derivative of avogle blind < Vulgar Latin *aboculus eyeless, adj. derivative of phrase *ab oculīs withouteyes. See ab-, ocular
Sentence:
1. Professor Hill inveigled the town into buying band instruments.
2. She plans to inveigle the keys from her jailor.
Apparently the queue has not been posting. I apologize. A word for today will be posted shortly.
leg·er·de·main [lej-er-duh-meyn]
noun
1. sleight of hand
2. trickery; deception
3. any artful trick
Origin: 1400–50; late Middle English legerdemeyn, lygarde de mayne < Middle French: literally, light of hand
Sentence: We watched the magician perform remarkable feats of legerdemain.
fu·nam·bu·list [fyoo-nam-byuh-list]
noun
A tightrope walker.
Origin: 1785–95; < Latin fūnambul ( us ) ropedancer + -ist
Sentence: Our favorite part of the circus was the funambulist.
bruit [broot]
verb (transitive)
To voice abroad, to rumor (usually used in the passive voice and followed by “about”).
Origin: 1400–50; late Middle English (noun) < Anglo-French, Old French, noun use of past participle of bruire toroar < Vulgar Latin *brūgere, a conflation of Latin rūgīre to bellow and Vulgar Latin *bragere; see bray1
Sentence: In no time at all, the tale was bruited about the town.
terp·si·cho·re·an [turp-si-kuh-ree-uhn]
adjective
Pertaining to dancing.
noun
A dancer.
Origin: Terpsichore + -an
Sentence: She was a runner and amateur terpsichorean.
al·i·men·ta·ry [al-uh-men-tuh-ree]
adjective
1. Concerned with the function of nutrition.
2. Pertaining to food.
3. Providing sustenance or maintenance.
Origin: 1605–15; < Latin alimentārius. See aliment, -ary
Sentence: “What was the cause of death, Holmes? Respiratory failure?”
“Alimentary, my dear Watson.”
This is the first installment of our weekly Wednesday grammar discussion. I’ll be using this segment to go over grammar points that many people seem confused on or that I think are not taught very clearly (or at all) in school. This week, we’ll be talking about why the English language is such a bastard and taking some grammatical constructs usually applied to other languages to better make sense of English.
em·bon·point [ahn-bawn-pwan]
noun
excessive plumpness or stoutness
Origin: 1655–65; < French, literally, in good condition
Sentence: The new mayor is possessed of a certain embonpoint.
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