Tag Archives: word of the day

Word of the Day

Stubborn Words

June 19, 2014 Miss Benison 3 Comments

Think you know too many “stubborn words”? Well, I have a few for you to add to your list.

Obdurate

1. unmoved by persuasion, pity, or emotion; stubborn, unyielding.

2. stubbornly resistant to moral influence.

Example:

He was obdurateand cantankerous, but there was one thing that could break him.

Obstinate [ob-stuh-nit] (adj.):

1. firmly adhering to ones ideas; unyielding to argument.

2. characterized by an inflexible attitude.

Example:

No matter how much sense her parents tried to put into her, Emily was obstinate.

Inexorable [in-ek-ser-uh-buhl] (adj.):

1. unyielding; unaltered.

2. not to be moved, persuaded, or affected by prayers or entreaties.

Example:

One inexorable rule of leading a positive life is to rid yourself of negative-minded people.

Got any more stubborn words? Share them with me!

Word of the Day

Words that Make You Weak

June 5, 2014 Miss Benison 4 Comments

Today I bring you three words designed to make you weaker.

Debilitate [dih-bil-i-teyt] (verb):

to make weak or feeble.

Example:

Excessive use of adverbs will debilitate your writing.

Emaciate [ih-mey-shee-eyt] (verb):

to make abnormally lean or thin by wasting away flesh.

Example:

Yes, he fed her. He fed her the food infused with poison, to strengthen then emaciate her, till there was no hope of her survival.

Etiolate [ee-tee-uh-leyt] (verb):

1. to cause (a plant) to wither or grow white by excluding light.

2. to cause to become weak and sickly; drain of color and vigor.

Example:

The curtains had an etiolated, square spot where the sun penetrated from the window in the afternoon and ate its way through the curtain’s soft fabric.

Word of the Day

Confused Words: Seize vs Cease

May 27, 2014 Miss Benison 8 Comments

A few days ago, I asked a friend to read a story I wrote. I had edited the story over ten times, yet failed to spot a fatal mistake. I have misplaced the word seized with ceased, twice! So today, I’m helping you, and myself, never forget the difference.

Seize [seez] (verb):

1. to take hold by force; grasp.

2. to grasp mentally.

3. to take possession or control by suddenly laying hold.

Example:

Panic seized the crowd when the lights in the theater went out.

Cease [sees] (verb):

1. to stop or discontinue; to come to an end.

2. to pass away; die out.

Example:

I was about to walk into my house when I ceased . Something was staring at me from my bedroom window.

I noticed that the sentences I write as examples can well serve as writing prompts. So I suggest you pick one, write a story — no longer than 500 words — about it, and send it to me on the email I posted on “Contact me” page. I will pick the ones I like the most, post them and link back to the bloggers. Start writing! 🙂

Word of the Day

Word of the Day: Cantankerous

May 24, 2014 Miss Benison 10 Comments

I have been busy for a while writing for new stories and poems. Have you missed me? 🙂

I am back for a little while and have brought a few new words, posts, and encouraging quotes with me. Today’s word is a difficult one to deal with.

Cantankerous [kan-tang-ker-uhs] (adj.):

disagreeable to deal with, contentious, peevish.

Example:

As cantankerous as he was, his friends couldn’t imagine arranging a gathering without him.

Word of the Day

Confused Words: Ensure Vs. Insure

May 18, 2014 Miss Benison 6 Comments

Today, I’m posting the differences between another set of commonly confused words.

Ensure [en-shoor, –shur] (verb):

1. to secure, or guarantee.

2. to make secure or safe.

Note: The prefix “en” means “to cause” or “to make”.

Example:

He took all the necessary precautions to ensure that his heist would go undisturbed.

Insure [in-shoor, –shur] (verb):

1. to secure against loss of harm.

2. to secure indemnity in case of loss, or damage.

3. to issue or process an insurance policy.

Note: Think “insurance”.

Example:

The only ones who care about your health are the ones who pay to insure it.

What are some other words your are confused about?

Word of the Day

Word of the Day: Matrifocal

May 11, 2014 Miss Benison 9 Comments

Matrifocal [ma-truh-FOH-kuhl, mey] (adj.):

1. focused or centered on the mother or woman.

2. family unit or structure lacking a father and headed by a mother.

Example:

Can a matrifocal society survive in today’s heartless world?

Word of the Day

Word of the Day: Contrite

May 6, 2014 Miss Benison 8 Comments

Glad to be back after a few days away. I’m afraid I was terribly ill this past week. Even when the weather was hot, apparently, I should not have worn my summer clothes as my body wasn’t ready to be bear just yet. I had a fever for a couple of days, and couldn’t leave bed the whole time. Thankfully, I’m feeling much better, and I’m back to blogging with a word that describes my current feelings.

Contrite [kuhn-trahyt, kon-trahyt] (adj.):

1. caused by or showing great remorse.

2. filled by a sense of guilt and desire for atonement; penitent.

Example:

After getting a fever, I am contrite that I slipped into my summer clothes a bit too soon.

Word of the Day

Word of the Day: Fixes of Pug

April 28, 2014 Miss Benison 12 Comments

Today, I’m exploring two words that have pug in them. They are not the word “pug” with a suffix or a prefix, they are not derivatives of each other, nor are they related to the pug dog breed. However, I thought I would share them with you anyway along with this adorable photo.

Repugnant [ri-puhg-nuhnt] (adj.):

1. distasteful, repellant, or offensive.

2. making opposition; contrary.

Example:

It was rather repugnant of him to arrive at church foully smelling of weed.

Pugnacious [puhg-ney-shuhs] (adj.):

inclined to quarrel; ready to fight.

Example:

I have no intention of putting up with your pugnacioustemperament tonight!