caterwaul \KAT-uhr-wawl\, intransitive verb:
1. To make a harsh cry.
2. To have a noisy argument.

noun:
1. A shrill, discordant sound.

Caterwaul is from Middle English caterwawen, "to cry as a cat," either from Medieval Dutch kater, "tomcat" + Dutch wauwelen, "to tattle," or for catawail, from cat-wail, "to wail like a cat."

Example"Hugh, my ( Read more... )

disheveled \dih-SHEV-uhld\, adjective;
also dishevelled:

In loose disorder; disarranged; unkempt

Disheveled is from Old French descheveler, "to disarrange the hair," from des-, "apart" (from Latin dis-) + chevel, "hair," from Latin capillus.

ExampleHugh pawed with pleasure at Stephen's disheveled hair as Stephen sucked him off in a public ( Read more... )

nolens volens \NO-lenz-VO-lenz\:

Whether unwilling or willing.

Nolens volens is from the Latin, from nolle, "to be unwilling" + velle, "to wish, to be willing."

Example

Since starring in "House, M.D.", Hugh Laurie has acquired great popularity in the States, nolens volens.

effusive \ih-FYOO-siv\, adjective:

Excessively demonstrative; giving or involving extravagant or excessive emotional expression; gushing.

Effusive, at root meaning "pouring out," comes from Latin effusus, past participle of effundere, "to pour out," from ex-, "out" + fundere, "to pour."

Example"Get that ARSE!" ejaculated Major Donaldson with ( Read more... )

permeate \PUR-mee-ayt\, transitive verb:

1. To spread or diffuse through.
2. To pass through the pores or openings of.
3. To spread through or penetrate something.

Permeate is from Latin permeare, "to go through, to pass through," from per-, "through" + meare, "to go, to pass."

ExampleThe smell of sex and lollipops permeated Stephen's dressing ( Read more... )

callow \KAL-oh\, adjective:
Immature; lacking adult perception, experience, or judgment.

Callow is from Old English calu, "featherless, bald."

Example

The movie Old Flames starred Stephen Fry and Simon Callow.

adventitious \ad-ven-TISH-uhs\, adjective:
1. Added extrinsically; not essentially inherent.
2. (Biology) Out of the proper or usual place; as, "adventitious buds or roots."

Adventitious comes from Latin adventicius, "coming from without, from outside sources," from the past participle of advenire, "to come towards or to; (of events) to happen," ( Read more... )

quietus \kwy-EE-tuhs\, noun:
1. Final discharge or acquittance, as from debt or obligation.
2. Removal from activity; rest; death.
3. Something that serves to suppress or quiet.

Example

The backstabbing (literally) Jack had put a quietus on Neddy's term as Prime Minister.

stoic \STOH-ik\, noun ( Read more... )

upbraid \uhp-BRAYD\, transitive verb:

To scold or criticize harshly.

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