As Yet Untitled

Happy 2012! Enjoy two new words for the price of one to kickstart a new year of dedicated blogging!  First up: PORTENTOUS por·ten·tous adj \pȯr-ˈten-təs\ 1 : of, relating to, or constituting a portent portentous foreshadowing, hints of sinister and violent mysteries — Francine Prose> 2 : eliciting amazement or wonder : prodigious 3 a : being a grave or serious matter < portentous decisions> b : self-consciously solemn or important : pompous < portentous declamation unsalted by the least trace of humor — W. H. Pritchard> c : ponderously excessive portentous phrases — R. M. Coles> — por·ten·tous·ly adverb — por·ten·tous·ness noun Use this word in a sentence!  The dead bird in the middle of the yard was portentous of much doom .  The extra weight I am carrying in my thighs is portentous of a rigorous New Year's exercise program. This word is also associated with the word PORTENT, which is synonymous with omen, or sign. Some might be...

per·spi·ca·cious adj \ˌpər-spə-ˈkā-shəs\ Definition of PERSPICACIOUS : of acute mental vision or discernment : keen — per·spi·ca·cious·ly adverb — per·spi·ca·cious·ness noun — per·spi·cac·i·ty noun Origin of PERSPICACIOUS Latin perspicac-, perspicax, from perspicere First Known Use: 1640 Use it in a sentence! People who don’t enjoy Harry Potter obviously lack perspicacity. I might kill myself if my children aren’t perspicacious. People with telepathy absolutely possess great amounts of perspicaciousness. Incidentally, Word’s spellchecker doesn’t recognize perspicaciousness as a word. I hate when it tells me I’m wrong when I know I have spelled something right. It makes me feel like I am going crazy and then I end up typing, deleting, and re-typing the same word about ten times before deciding to move on. I received this word in a “Word of the Day” email a loooong time ago. It has always stuck with me because it sounds so much like a really sophisticated insult. It’s ...

quix·ot·ic adj \kwik-ˈsä-tik\ Definition of QUIXOTIC 1 : foolishly impractical especially in the pursuit of ideals; especially : marked by rash lofty romantic ideas or extravagantly chivalrous action 2 : capricious , unpredictable — quix·ot·i·cal adjective — quix·ot·i·cal·ly adverb See quixotic defined for English-language learners » See quixotic defined for kids » Origin of QUIXOTIC Don Quixote First Known Use: 1718 Related to QUIXOTIC Synonyms: idealist , idealistic , quixotical , romantic , starry , starry-eyed , utopian , visionary Antonyms: clear-eyed , clear-sighted Use it in a sentence! “Watch as I start a juice fast when I write a part-time food blog!” she said quixotically one day. Her quixotic attitude toward life was beginning to wear on him. He was a more staid, button-wearing type person. I have found that this word can also be used to express surprise at someone’s suddenly changed behavior.  My favorite example of this is in The Importance of Be...

fe·lic·i·tous adj \fi-ˈli-sə-təs\ Definition of FELICITOUS 1 : very well suited or expressed : apt felicitous remark> 2 : pleasant , delightful < felicitous weather> — fe·lic·i·tous·ly adverb — fe·lic·i·tous·ness noun See felicitous defined for English-language learners » See felicitous defined for kids » Examples of FELICITOUS a felicitous combination of flavors felicitous accompaniment to dinner is provided by a harpist on weekends at the restaurant> First Known Use of FELICITOUS 1789 Related to FELICITOUS Synonyms: agreeable , blessed ( also blest ), congenial , darling , delectable , delicious , delightful , delightsome , dreamy , dulcet , enjoyable , pleasant , good , grateful , gratifying , heavenly , jolly , luscious , nice , palatable , pleasing , pleasurable , pretty , satisfying , savory ( also savoury ), sweet , tasty , welcome Antonyms: disagreeable , pleasureless , unpalatable , unpleasant , unwelcome Use it in a s...