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Definition
rule; especially often capitalized : the former British rule of the Indian subcontinent
In 1930, Mahatma Gandhi launched a spectacular and highly successful campaign against the Raj, but despite all such efforts, India did not gain independence from British rule until 1947. |
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evanescent • \ev-uh-NESS-unt\ |
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Definition
tending to vanish like vapor
"Dance is the most evanescent of the arts, evaporating into memory the instant it's completed." (Jordan Levin, The Miami Herald, November 13, 2008) |
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Term
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to call forth or draw out (as information or a response)
The announcement of the total amount of money that the charity walk raised for the children’s hospital elicited many cheers from the crowd. |
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vulnerary • \VUL-nuh-rair-ee\ |
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Definition
: used for or useful in healing wounds
Aloe vera is a vulnerary plant whose extract is widely used to soothe and heal burns. |
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Definition
: below
"Then, with all her sails, light and heavy, and studding sails on each side, alow and aloft, she is the most glorious moving object in the world." (Noel Perrin, The New York Times, May 30, 1982) |
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comptroller • \kun-TROH-ler\ |
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Definition
: the chief accounting officer of a business enterprise or an institution (as a college)
The comptroller verified and approved the financial information of the grant proposal. |
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Definition
: a Eurasian biennial herb (Pastinaca sativa) of the carrot family with large pinnate leaves and yellow flowers that is cultivated for its long tapered edible root which is cooked as a vegetable; also : the root
"A sweet tender treat awaits my taste buds whenever I prepare parsnips. Parsnips are truly one of my favorite vegetables that I first enjoyed as a young child." (Dianne Lamb, Brattleboro Reformer, April 25, 2009) |
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Definition
to hold spellbound : charm
"For 40 years, the Romero Quartet has enthralled audiences with superb classical guitar playing." (David Stabler, The Oregonian[Portland Oregon], January 8, 2010) |
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kapellmeister • \kuh-PELL-mye-ster\ |
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Definition
: the director of a choir or orchestra
From 1717 to 1723, Johann Sebastian Bach served as the Kapellmeister for Prince Leopold of Anhalt-Köthen of the Holy Roman Empire. |
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effulgence • \ih-FULL-junss\ |
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Definition
radiant splendor : brilliance
The effulgence of the moon in the clear midnight sky provided enough light to help us safely make our way home. |
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Panglossian • \pan-GLAH-see-un\ |
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Definition
marked by the view that all is for the best in this best of possible worlds : excessively optimistic
Even the most Panglossian temperament would have had trouble finding the good in this situation. |
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Term
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Definition
not genuine or real: as a *(1) : intended to deceive or mislead (2) : intended to defraud : counterfeit b : arousing suspicion :probably dishonest c : having no basis in fact : fictitious d : false, sham e : making a false show: as (1) : hypocritical (2) : specious
"Digital tricksters increasingly place phony footage, facts and press releases on Web sites and video-sharing sites to see how quickly the falsehoods will spread through traditional and new media alike." (Sandy Cohen, The Associated Press State and Local Wire, January 1, 2010) |
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prescience • \PRESH-ee-unss\ |
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Definition
a : foreknowledge of events: b : divine omniscience * c : human anticipation of the course of events : foresight
Stacy had the prescience to know that the stock’s value wasn’t going to remain high forever, so she sold it before it decreased. |
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Definition
*a : to act playfully; especially : to play amorously b : to deal lightly : toy
"There's nothing like dallying with your sweetie at an exquisite restaurant on Valentine's Day." (Suzanne Podhaizer, Seven Days[Burlington, Vermont], February 13-20, 2008) |
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astrolabe • \A-struh-layb\ |
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Definition
a compact instrument used to observe and calculate the position of celestial bodies before the invention of the sextant
With a rotating plate and pointers that marked the positions of stars, the astrolabe could reproduce the daily motions of the stars on the celestial sphere. |
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