GAME: Word of the Day (WOTD)

[Algot Runeman]

adjust

transitive verb
1a to bring to a more satisfactory state:
(1) settle, resolve
(2) rectify
1b to make correspondent or conformable : adapt
1c to bring the parts of to a true or more effective relative position
2 to reduce to a system : regulate
3 to determine the amount to be paid under an insurance policy in settlement of (a loss)

-==0==-

At work, Ben always felt rushed.
But never satisfied, He often fussed
Over anything which he might adjust,
And office mates frequently cussed.



[Today's offered word from Merriam-Webster was hiatus, but we've already taken one, so we don't want to repeat. (Rules)]

[Algot Runeman]

foray

noun
for·​ay ˈfȯr-ˌā ˈfär-, also fȯ-ˈrā, or fə-ˈrā
plural forays
1 a sudden or irregular invasion or attack for war or spoils : raid
2 an initial and often tentative attempt to do something in a new or different field or area of activity

-==0==-

We attempt a foray into developing "mobile first" web pages.

[Algot Runeman]

foolhardy

adjective
fool·​har·​dy ˈfül-ˌhär-dē
foolishly adventurous and bold : rash

-==0==-

Though these posts are often tardy
Please don't think them too foolhardy.
A fair amount of thought goes in
To giving you a chance to grin.

[Algot Runeman]

dysfunction

noun
dys·​func·​tion (ˌ)dis-ˈfəŋ(k)-shən
variants or less commonly disfunction
1 impaired or abnormal functioning
2 abnormal or unhealthy interpersonal behavior or interaction within a group

-==0==-

Day after day, there's been a delay.
Pushing things back, still further away.
Admitting the facts with no compunction,
In the working agenda, there's been much dysfunction.

[Algot Runeman]

subsequent

adjective
sub·​se·​quent ˈsəb-si-kwənt -sə-ˌkwent
following in time, order, or place

Word Source: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subsequent

-==0==-

"Followers"

While it may seem insignificant,
And knowing it will not pay the rent,
After all the word-time we have spent,
That today came after yesterday,
But that does mean: Today is subsequent.
On the flow of time it's consequent.
And, I hope you see that's relevant.

[Algot Runeman]

cahoot

noun
ca·​hoot kə-ˈhüt
plural cahoots
informal
partnership, league
—usually used in plural
—usually used in phrase like in cahoots

Word Source: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cahoot

-==0==-

I try to be generally out of cahoots,
Not partnered with those in expensive suits,
Whose works seem to bear just sour fruits
For those of us with humble roots.

[Algot Runeman]

incredulous

adjective
in·​cred·​u·​lous (ˌ)in-ˈkre-jə-ləs -dyə-ləs
1 unwilling to admit or accept what is offered as true : not credulous : skeptical
2 expressing incredulity

-==0==-

No, I just don't believe it!
Honestly, it makes me want to spit.
How could someone cause such a fuss?
You clearly see. I am incredulous.

Word Source: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incredulous

[Algot Runeman]

know-it-all

noun
ˈnō-ət-ˌȯl
one who claims to know everything
also : one who disdains advice

Source: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/know-it-all

-==0==-

"Repetition"

I am not a know-it-all.
I would not dare to have the gall.
But when today we're offered "factotum"
I refuse to just be silently glum.

Instead, I find a substitute
And hope that I can make it suit
The needs of eager readers,
Even those who're verbal speeders.

"Why don't you just keep this short?"
To that I feel I must retort:
Rhymes scroll out through the finger tips
After also mumbling between my lips.

Trying to get the rhythm right,
I work along (sometimes it's a fight).
In the end, the job is done,
And maybe both of us had fun.

[Algot Runeman]

crease

noun
ˈkrēs
1 a line, mark, or ridge made by or as if by folding a pliable substance
2 a specially marked area in various sports
especially : an area surrounding or in front of a goal (as in lacrosse or hockey)
verb
creased; creasing
transitive verb
1 to make a crease in or on : wrinkle
2 to wound slightly especially by grazing

Source: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crease

-==0==-

Of all the things that I've been told
Some must always be controlled.
If you'll allow me to be so bold
A crease, my dears, is just a fold.

If a concept you must increase,
Do not engage in wild caprice.
Try to provide limited release.
Allow most of us to stay at peace.



I shall also freely divulge that we have previously used the offered M-W WotD.

[Algot Runeman]

gallivant

verb
gal·​li·​vant ˈga-lə-ˌvant
variants or less commonly galavant
gallivanted also galavanted; gallivanting also galavanting; gallivants also galavants
intransitive verb
1 informal : to travel, roam, or move about for pleasure
2 dated, informal : to go about usually ostentatiously or indiscreetly with members of the opposite sex

source:https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gallivant


-==0==-

All together, let us chant,
And deeply breathe, so you won't pant.
(If you're grumpy, you can rant.)
"All around town, let's gallivant!"

If it's more excitement that you crave,
And you decide you're really brave,
You can choose to attend a rave,
Though even there you must behave.

[E Pericoloso Sporgersi]

gallivant

Some whispered and a very few bigots even dared say out loud, that my grandma used to have affairs galore with male friends. Though I'll grant she was often flirtatious, she most definitely did not gallivant around. Nothing could be farther from the truth, except when it concerned her husband, always her favourite and only target for romantic seduction.

[Algot Runeman]

amuse

verb
ə-ˈmyüz
amused; amusing
transitive verb
1a to entertain or occupy in a light, playful, or pleasant manner
1b to appeal to the sense of humor of

source: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/amuse

-==0==-

Each day I seek to amuse,
But you may personally choose
To skip the chance for pleasure,
Not seeing these lines as treasure.



Yesterday, you got the carnival ticket. Today, you choose whether you want to go on the Ferris wheel.

[Algot Runeman]

opinion

noun
opin·​ion ə-ˈpin-yən
1a a view, judgment, or appraisal formed in the mind about a particular matter
1b approval, esteem
2a belief stronger than impression and less strong than positive knowledge
2b a generally held view
news programs that shape public opinion
3a a formal expression of judgment or advice by an expert
3b the formal expression (as by a judge, court, or referee) of the legal reasons and principles upon which a legal decision is based

Source: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/opinion

-==0==-

It is my opinion (which may be considered a heterodox view), finding an alternate word for the daily offering is entirely appropriate.



[M-W offered heterodox today, but we've used it before.]

[Algot Runeman]

catamount

noun
cat·​a·​mount ˈka-tə-ˌmau̇nt
any of various wild cats: such as cougar or lynx

Source: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/catamount

-==0==-

Though I'm sometimes wild like a catamount,
I have never been called a "no account".
In the bank is an adequate amount,
Because being fiscally sound is paramount.

[Algot Runeman]

periphery

noun
pe·​riph·​ery pə-ˈri-f(ə-)rē
plural peripheries
1 the perimeter of a circle or other closed curve
also : the perimeter of a polygon
2 the external boundary or surface of a body
3a the outward bounds of something as distinguished from its internal regions or center : confines
3b an area lying beyond the strict limits of a thing

source: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/periphery

-==0==-

Some things seem mere frippery
And get shoved to life's periphery.
Not all things need to be our center.
We can still value the joy they render.

[Algot Runeman]

submissive

adjective
sub·​mis·​sive səb-ˈmi-siv
submitting to others

-==0==-

I submit that being submissive
Is different from sending a missive
From a bunkbed on a submarine,
Though, I agree, that would be keen.

[Algot Runeman]

duplicitous

adjective
du·​plic·​i·​tous du̇-ˈpli-sə-təs also dyu̇-
marked by duplicity : deceptive in words or action

-==0==-


Whatever else you do on this spring equinox, don't be duplicitous by trying to cash the check of today's illustration.



[[It would be duplicitous of me if I overlooked the near duplication of the WotD duplicity from 2010.]]

[E Pericoloso Sporgersi]

duplicitous

My grandma never was duplicitous about who her one-and-only bed-warmer was.

[Algot Runeman]

impervious

adjective
im·​per·​vi·​ous (ˌ)im-ˈpər-vē-əs
1a not allowing entrance or passage : impenetrable
1b not capable of being damaged or harmed
2 not capable of being affected or disturbed

source: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impervious

-==0==-

Power

Secure in his perverse perspective,
Impervious to scrutiny, reflective,
He issued many a wide directive
With results too often defective,
But for his wishes, they were effective.

[E Pericoloso Sporgersi]

impervious

One of the freshmen's basic defensive spells in Hogwarts' introductory curriculum is Impervioso.

It is executed without wand and at least one hand raised, palm facing the opponent.
Raising two hands doubles the imperviosity.

[Algot Runeman]

attain

verb
at·​tain ə-ˈtān
attained; attaining; attains
transitive verb
1 to reach as an end : gain, achieve
2 to come into possession of : obtain
3 to come to as the end of a progression or course of movement

-==0==-

When we set out to attain
A goal worth the reach,
Routines we also hope to maintain
Not letting them halt with a screech.



[Sometimes tasks we think might take minutes stretch to become hours, and hours become days, and routines get sidelined. Apologies to anyone who expected better of the WotD selector.]

[Algot Runeman]

restructure

verb
re·​struc·​ture (ˌ)rē-ˈstrək-chər
restructured; restructuring; restructures
transitive verb
to change the makeup, organization, or pattern of
intransitive verb
to restructure something

-==0==-

There's need to restructure, avoiding delays,
To reserve enough minutes out of my days,
In hopes of reordering some slots of my time,
So the result can be something like this rhyme.

It really seems quite silly
That something that's this frilly
Should need more than a moment
To percolate and ferment.

But when one's mind is busy
And life seems in a tizzy,
The result is filled-up hours,
Replacing crumbling towers.

[Algot Runeman]

parlance

noun
par·​lance ˈpär-lən(t)s
1 speech
especially : formal debate or parley
2 manner or mode of speech : idiom

-==0==-

In my typical parlance
I rhyme, given the chance.
What that does for you,
I haven't a clue.

[Algot Runeman]

glade

noun
ˈglād
an open space surrounded by woods

-==0==-

A scent for a cent
May be money well spent,
But if that's all you paid,
It may not be Glade™.



What was that question about what bears do in the woods?

[Algot Runeman]

key

source: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/key

There are five different primary definitions of key. I suppose the key question is what your favorite one is.



[Visitors are encouraged to verify how much space was saved here by going to the source to find out how the simplest of words can have the most meanings.]