WORDMASTERS BLUE LIST I

 

1. huck·ster Listen to the pronunciation of 1huckster Pronunciation: \ˈhək-stər\  Function:  noun  Etymology:  Middle English hukster, from Middle Dutch hokester, from hoeken to peddle  Date:  13th century  1 : hawker, peddler 2 : one who produces promotional material for commercial clients especially for radio or television  — huck·ster·ism Listen to the pronunciation of hucksterism\-stə-ˌri-zəm\ noun  huckster  Function: verb  Inflected Form(s):  huck·stered; huck·ster·ing Listen to the pronunciation of huckstering\-st(ə-)riŋ\ Date: 1592  intransitive verb : haggle transitive verb 1 : to deal in or bargain over 2 : to promote by showmanship

 

1fuse Listen to the pronunciation of 1fuse Pronunciation:  \ˈfyüz\  Function:  verb  Inflected Form(s):  fused; fus·ing Etymology:  Latin fusus, past participle of fundere to pour, melt — more at found Date:  1592  transitive verb1: to reduce to a liquid or plastic state by heat2: to blend thoroughly by or as if by melting together : combine3: to stitch by applying heat and pressure with or without the use of an adhesiveintransitive verb1 a: to become fluid with heat bBritish : to fail because of the blowing of a fuse2: to become blended or joined by or as if by melting together  synonyms see mix   2fuse Function: noun Date: 1868 : an electrical safety device consisting of or including a wire or strip of fusible metal that melts and interrupts the circuit when the current exceeds a particular amperage   3fuse Function: noun Etymology: Italian fuso spindle, from Latin fusus, of unknown origin Date: 1644 1: a continuous train of a combustible substance enclosed in a cord or cable for setting off an explosive charge by transmitting fire to it2also fuze : a mechanical or electrical detonating device for setting off the bursting charge of a projectile, bomb, or torpedo  4fuse Listen to the pronunciation of 4fuseVariant(s): also fuze Listen to the pronunciation of fuze\ˈfyüz\ Function: transitive verb Inflected Form(s): fused also fuzed; fus·ing also fuz·ing Date: 1802 : to equip with a fuse

 

3. pi·quant Listen to the pronunciation of piquantListen to the pronunciation of piquantPronunciation: \ˈpē-kənt, -ˌkänt; ˈpi-kwənt\ Function: adjective Etymology: Middle French, from present participle of piquer Date: 1630 1: agreeably stimulating to the palate; especially : spicy2: engagingly provocative; also : having a lively arch charm synonyms see pungent— pi·quant·ly adverb — pi·quant·ness noun

 

4. war·mon·ger Listen to the pronunciation of warmongerListen to the pronunciation of warmongerPronunciation: \ˈwȯr-ˌməŋ-gər, -ˌmäŋ-\ Function: noun Date: 1817 : one who urges or attempts to stir up war — war·mon·ger·ing Listen to the pronunciation of warmongeringListen to the pronunciation of warmongering\-g(ə-)riŋ\ noun

 

5. stint Listen to the pronunciation of 1stintPronunciation: \ˈstint\ Function: verb Etymology: Middle English, from Old English styntan to blunt, dull; akin to Old Norse stuttr scant Date: 13th century intransitive verb1archaic : stop, desist2: to be sparing or frugal <not stinting with their praise>transitive verb1archaic : to put an end to : stop2 aarchaic : to limit within certain boundaries b: to restrict with respect to a share or allowance <stinted herself of luxuries>— stint·er noun 2stint Function: noun Date: 1593 1 a: a definite quantity of work assigned b: a period of time spent at a particular activity <served a brief stint as a waiter>2: restraint, limitation   synonyms see task

3stint Function: noun Inflected Form(s): plural stints also stint Etymology: Middle English stynte Date: 15th century : any of several small sandpipers (genus Calidris)

 

6. la·con·ic Listen to the pronunciation of laconicPronunciation: \lə-ˈkä-nik\ Function: adjective Etymology: Latin laconicus Spartan, from Greek lakōnikos; from the Spartan reputation for terseness of speech Date: 1589 : using or involving the use of a minimum of words : concise to the point of seeming rude or mysterious synonyms see concise— la·con·i·cal·ly Listen to the pronunciation of laconically\-ni-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

 

7. vas·sal Listen to the pronunciation of vassalPronunciation: \ˈva-səl\ Function: noun Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin vassallus, from vassus servant, vassal, of Celtic origin; akin to Welsh gwas young man, servant Date: 14th century 1 : a person under the protection of a feudal lord to whom he has vowed homage and fealty : a feudal tenant 2 : one in a subservient or subordinate position — vassal adjective

 

8.  mol·li·fy Listen to the pronunciation of mollifyPronunciation: \ˈmä-lə-ˌfī\ Function: verb Inflected Form(s): mol·li·fied; mol·li·fy·ing Etymology: Middle English mollifien, from Middle French mollifier, from Late Latin mollificare, from Latin mollis soft; akin to Greek amaldynein to soften, Sanskrit mṛdu soft, and probably to Greek malakos soft, amblys dull, Old English meltan to melt Date: 15th century transitive verb1: to soothe in temper or disposition : appease <mollified the staff with a raise>2: to reduce the rigidity of : soften3: to reduce in intensity : assuage, temperintransitive verbarchaic : soften, relent  synonyms see pacify— mol·li·fi·ca·tion Listen to the pronunciation of mollification\ˌmä-lə-fə-ˈkā-shən\ noun

 

9. ver·bose Listen to the pronunciation of verbosePronunciation: \(ˌ)vər-ˈbōs\ Function: adjective Etymology: Latin verbosus, from verbum Date: 1672 1: containing more words than necessary : wordy <a verbose reply>; also : impaired by wordiness <a verbose style>2: given to wordiness <a verbose orator> synonyms see wordy— ver·bose·ly adverb — ver·bose·ness noun — ver·bos·i·ty Listen to the pronunciation of verbosity\-ˈbä-sə-tē\ noun

 

10. pac·i·fist Listen to the pronunciation of pacifistPronunciation: \ˈpa-sə-fist\ Variant(s): or pac·i·fis·tic Listen to the pronunciation of pacifistic\ˌpa-sə-ˈfis-tik\ Function: adjective Date: 1908 1 : of, relating to, or characteristic of pacifism or pacifists 2 : strongly and actively opposed to conflict and especially war — pac·i·fis·ti·cal·ly Listen to the pronunciation of pacifistically\ˌpa-sə-ˈfis-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb pac·i·fism Listen to the pronunciation of pacifismPronunciation: \ˈpa-sə-ˌfi-zəm\ Function: noun Etymology: French pacifisme, from pacifique pacific Date: 1902 1: opposition to war or violence as a means of settling disputes; specifically : refusal to bear arms on moral or religious grounds2: an attitude or policy of nonresistance — pac·i·fist Listen to the pronunciation of pacifist\-fist\ noun

 

11. 1hawk Listen to the pronunciation of 1hawkPronunciation: \ˈhȯk\ Function: noun Etymology: Middle English hauk, from Old English hafoc; akin to Old High German habuh hawk, Russian kobets a falcon Date: before 12th century 1: any of numerous diurnal birds of prey belonging to a suborder (Falcones of the order Falconiformes) and including all the smaller members of this group; especially : accipiter  2: a small board or metal sheet with a handle on the underside used to hold mortar3: one who takes a militant attitude and advocates immediate vigorous action; especially : a supporter of a war or warlike policy — compare dove— hawk·ish Listen to the pronunciation of hawkish\ˈhȯ-kish\ adjective — hawk·ish·ly adverb — hawk·ish·ness noun  2hawk Function: verb Date: 14th century intransitive verb 1 : to hunt birds by means of a trained hawk 2 : to soar and strike like a hawk transitive verb : to hunt on the wing like a haw 3hawk Function: verb Etymology: imitative Date: 1581 transitive verb : to raise by trying to clear the throat <hawk up phlegm> intransitive verb : to utter a harsh guttural sound in or as if in hawking  4hawk Function: noun Date: 1604 : an audible effort to force up phlegm from the throat  5hawk Function: transitive verb Etymology: back-formation from 2hawker Date: 1713  : to offer for sale by calling out in the street <hawking newspapers>; broadly : sell

 

12. poi·gnant Listen to the pronunciation of poignantPronunciation: \ˈpȯi-nyənt sometimes ˈpȯi(g)-nənt\ Function: adjective

Etymology: Middle English poynaunt, from Anglo-French poinant, poignant, present participle of poindre to prick, sting, from Latin pungere — more at pungent Date: 14th century 1: pungently pervasive <a poignant perfume>2 a (1): painfully affecting the feelings : piercing (2): deeply affecting : touching b: designed to make an impression : cutting <poignant satire>3 a: pleasurably stimulating b: being to the point : apt synonyms see pungent, moving— poi·gnant·ly adverb

 

13. fire·brand Listen to the pronunciation of firebrandPronunciation: \-ˌbrand\ Function: noun Date: 13th century 1 : a piece of burning wood 2 : one that creates unrest or strife (as in aggressively promoting a cause) : agita

 

14. 1hag·gle Listen to the pronunciation of 1hagglePronunciation: \ˈha-gəl\ Function: verb Inflected Form(s): hag·gled; hag·gling Listen to the pronunciation of haggling\-g(ə-)liŋ\ Etymology: frequentative of hag to hew Date: 1599 transitive verb1: to cut roughly or clumsily : hack 2 archaic : to annoy or exhaust with wrangling intransitive verb: bargain, wrangle <haggling over the price>— hag·gler Listen to the pronunciation of haggler\-g(ə-)lər\ noun  2haggle Function: noun Date: 1858 : an act or instance of haggling

 

15. gar·ru·lous Listen to the pronunciation of garrulousPronunciation: \ˈger-ə-ləs, ˈga-rə- also ˈger-yə-\ Function: adjective Etymology: Latin garrulus, from garrire to chatter — more at care Date: circa 1611 1 : given to prosy, rambling, or tedious loquacity : pointlessly or annoyingly talkative 2 : wordy 1 <garrulous speeches> synonyms see talkative— gar·ru·lous·ly adverb — gar·ru·lous·ness noun

 

16. dip·lo·mat Listen to the pronunciation of diplomatPronunciation: \ˈdi-plə-ˌmat\ Function: noun Etymology: French diplomate, back-formation from diplomatique Date: 1813 : one employed or skilled in diplomacy diplomatic

 

17. 1rouse Listen to the pronunciation of 1rousePronunciation: \ˈrau̇z\ Function: verb Inflected Form(s): roused; rous·ing Etymology: Middle English, to shake the feathers Date: 1531 transitive verb1archaic : to cause to break from cover2 a: to stir up : excite <was roused to fury> b: to arouse from or as if from sleep or repose : awakenintransitive verb1: to become aroused : awaken2: to become stirred— rouse·ment Listen to the pronunciation of rousement\ˈrau̇z-mənt\ noun — rous·er noun   2rouse Function: noun Date: 1824 : an act or instance of rousing; especially : an excited stir    3rouse Function: noun Etymology: alteration (from misdivision of to drink carouse) of carouse Date: circa 1601 1obsolete : drink, toast2archaic : carousal

 

18. af·fa·ble Listen to the pronunciation of affablePronunciation: \ˈa-fə-bəl\ Function: adjective Etymology: Middle English affabyl, from Anglo-French, from Latin affabilis, from affari to speak to, from ad- + fari to speak — more at ban Date: 15th century 1 : being pleasant and at ease in talking to others <an affable host> 2 : characterized by ease and friendliness <an affable manner> synonyms see gracious— af·fa·bil·i·ty Listen to the pronunciation of affability\ˌa-fə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun — af·fa·bly Listen to the pronunciation of affably\-blē\ adverb

 

19. cru·sad·er noun : to engage in a crusade, any of the military expeditions undertaken by Christian powers in the 11th, 12th, and 13th centuries to win the Holy Land from the Muslims  2: someone who undertakes a remedial enterprise with zeal and enthusiasm

 

20. rile Listen to the pronunciation of rilePronunciation: \ˈrī(-ə)l\ Function: transitive verb Inflected Form(s): riled; ril·ing Etymology: variant of roil Date: 1624 1 : to make agitated and angry : upset 2 : roil 1 synonyms see irritate

 

21. joc·u·lar Listen to the pronunciation of jocularPronunciation: \ˈjä-kyə-lər\ Function: adjective Etymology: Latin ocularis, from joculus, diminutive of jocus Date: 1626 1 : given to jesting : habitually jolly or jocund 2 : characterized by jesting : playful synonyms see witty — joc·u·lar·i·ty Listen to the pronunciation of jocularity\ˌjä-kyə-ˈler-ə-tē, -ˈla-rə-\ noun — joc·u·lar·ly Listen to the pronunciation of jocularly\ˈjä-kyə-lər-lē\ adverb

 

22. pro·pri·e·tor Listen to the pronunciation of proprietor Pronunciation:  \prə-ˈprī-ə-tər\  Function:  noun  Etymology:  alteration of 1proprietary  Date:  1637  1: one granted ownership of a colony (as one of the original American colonies) and full prerogatives of establishing a government and distributing land2 a: a person who has the legal right or exclusive title to something : owner b: one having an interest (as control or present use) less than absolute and exclusive right — pro·pri·e·tor·ship Listen to the pronunciation of proprietorship\-ˌship\ noun

 

23. 1wran·gle Listen to the pronunciation of 1wranglePronunciation: \ˈraŋ-gəl\ Function: verb Inflected Form(s): wran·gled; wran·gling Listen to the pronunciation of wrangling\-g(ə-)liŋ\ Etymology: Middle English; akin to Old High German ringan to struggle — more at wring Date: 14th century intransitive verb1: to dispute angrily or peevishly : bicker2: to engage in argument or controversytransitive verb1: to obtain by persistent arguing or maneuvering : wangle2[back-formation from wrangler] : to herd and care for (livestock and especially horses) on the range

2wrangle Function: noun Date: 15th century 1 : an angry, noisy, or prolonged dispute or quarrel 2 : the action or process of wrangling  synonyms see quarrel

 

24. flor·id Listen to the pronunciation of floridPronunciation: \ˈflȯr-əd, ˈflär-\ Function: adjective Etymology: Latin floridus blooming, flowery, from florēre Date: 1651 1 aobsolete : covered with flowers b: very flowery in style : ornate <florid prose> <florid declamations>; also : having a florid style <a florid writer> c: elaborately decorated <a florid interior>2 a: tinged with red : ruddy <a florid complexion> b: marked by emotional or sexual fervor <a florid secret life> <a florid sensibility>3archaic : healthy4: fully developed : manifesting a complete and typical clinical syndrome <the florid stage of a disease>— flo·rid·i·ty