Tuesday 25 May 2010

WoD - suspire

suspire\suh-SPAHY-uhr\ ,
verb;
1.To utter with long, sighing breaths.

Origin:
Suspire's origin is in the Latin suspirare, "to draw a long breath."

Monday 17 May 2010

WoD - eristic

eristic\e-RIS-tik\ , adjective;
1.Pertaining to controversy or disputation; controversial.
2.Of argument for the sole purpose of winning, regardless of the reason.
noun:
1.Argument for the sole purpose of winning, regardless of the reason.
2.The art of disputation.
Origin:
Eristic relates both to Eris, the Greek goddess of strife, as well as what Plato called eristic dialogue, a type of discourse with no reasonable goal beyond winning the argument.

Friday 14 May 2010

WoD - malapert

malapert\MAL-uh-purt\ , adjective;
1.Unbecomingly bold or saucy.
noun:
1.A malapert person.
Origin:
Malapert relates to the Old French mal apert, "ill-skilled," which means malapert and expert share a common ancestor.