SKLONKLISH

hiatus \hī-ˈā-təs\ noun : 1 a. a break in or as if in a material object; gap {the hiatus between the theory and the practice of the party...

flexure \ˈflek-shər\ noun : 1. the state or quality of being flexed, 2. the act of flexing or bending, 3. a turn, bend or fold, 4. a curve...

métier \ˈme-ˌtyā\ noun : 1. vocation, trade, 2. an area of activity in which one excels; forte Etymology: French, from Old French mestie...

blet \ˈblet\ intransitive verb : to decay internally when overripe (said of fruit) Etymology: neologism of 19th-century botanist John Li...

shibboleth \ˈshi-bə-ləth\ noun : 1 a. a word or saying used by adherents of a party, sect or belief and usually regarded by others as empt...

vernal \ˈvər-nəl\ adjective : 1. of, relating to, or occurring in the spring { vernal equinox} { vernal sunshine},
2. fresh or new like ...

venal \ˈvē-nəl\ adjective : 1. capable of being bought or obtained for money or other valuable consideration; purchasable, 2. open to corr...

tattoo \ta-ˈtü\ noun : 1. a rapid rhythmic rapping,
2. a call sounded shortly before taps as notice to go to quarters, 3. outdoor military...

oxter \ˈäk-stər\ noun : (chiefly Scottish & Irish) 1. armpit, 2. arm Etymology: Middle English (Scots), alteration of Old English ō...

wing nut \ˈwiŋ-ˌnət\ noun : 1. a nut with wings that provide a grip for the thumb and finger,
2. (slang) a mentally deranged person,
3. (...

profligate \ˈprä-fli-gət\ adjective : 1. completely given up to dissipation and licentiousness,
2. wildly extravagant; prodigal noun : a ...

trenchant \ˈtrent-chənt\ adjective : 1. keen; sharp, 2. vigorously effective and articulate {a trenchant analysis}; caustic { trenchant ...

sclera \ˈskler-ə\ noun : the dense fibrous opaque white outer coat enclosing the eyeball except the part covered by the cornea Etymology...

platypus \ˈpla-ti-pəs\ noun : an egg-laying, duck-billed, beaver-tailed, otter-footed mammal of Australia whose males possess a venomous h...

phosphene \ˈfäs-ˌfēn\ noun : a luminous impression due to mechanical, electrical or magnetic stimulation of the retina Etymology: Greek ...

nematode \ˈne-mə-ˌtōd\ noun : any of a phylum (Nematoda or Nemata) of elongated cylindrical worms parasitic in animals or plants or free-l...

griseous  \grĭz'ē-əs\ adjective : gray, pearl-gray or mottled with gray Etymology: Medieval Latin grīseus , of Germanic origin Skil...

popliteal \ˌpä-plə-ˈtē-əl or pä-ˈpli-tē-əl\ adjective : of or relating to the back part of the leg behind the knee joint Etymology: New...

axillary \ˈak-sə-ˌler-ē\ adjective : of, relating to, or located near the armpit Etymology: Latin, diminutive of ala wing, upper arm, a...

gavial \ˈgā-vē-əl\ noun : gharial, i.e. a large long-snouted crocodilian ( Gavialis gangeticus of the family Gavialidae) of India Etymo...

abstemious \ab-ˈstē-mē-əs\ adjective : marked by restraint especially in the consumption of food or alcohol; also: reflecting such restrai...

larker \ˈlär-kər\ noun : : one who engages in harmless fun or mischief Etymology: see yesterday’s post You have your larkers and you h...

larksome \ˈlärk-səm\ adjective : playful Etymology: probably alteration of English dialect lake , laik to frolic, play Wikipedia sugg...

darksome \ˈdärk-səm\ adjective : gloomily somber; dark Etymology: English dark + some Why, yes, there has been a theme to the entries...

darkling \ˈdär-kliŋ\ adverb : in the dark adjective : 1. dark, 2. done or taking place in the dark Etymology: Middle English derkelyng ...

darkle \ˈdär-kəl\ intransitive verb : 1. to become clouded or gloomy, 2. to grow dark,
3. to become concealed in the dark Etymology: bac...

valise \və-ˈlēs\ noun : suitcase Etymology: French, from Italian valigia I don’t want to sound like a curmudgeon, but what does valise...

gravid \ˈgra-vəd\ adjective : 1. pregnant, 2. distended with or full of eggs {a gravid fish} Etymology: Latin gravidus , from gravis h...

Götterdämmurung /ˌgah-təˈdæm-ə-rung/ noun : 1. apocalypse, 2. any cataclysmic downfall or momentous, apocalyptic event, especially of a re...

Ouroboros \ôr-rŏb'-ôr-rŭs\ noun : 1. a snake or serpent that forms the shape of a circle by eating its own tail (representing cyclical...

cynosure \ˈsī-nə-ˌshur or ˈsi-nə-ˌshur\ noun : 1 a. (capitalized) the northern constellation Ursa Minor, b. North Star, 2. one that serv...