GAME: Word of the Day (WOTD)

[Algot Runeman]

malefactor

Pronunciation /ˈmalɪˌfaktə/
noun
formal
A person who commits a crime or some other wrong.

Origin
Late Middle English from Latin, from malefact- ‘done wrong’, from the verb malefacere, from male ‘ill’ + facere ‘do’.

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He was a farmer malefactor
An inadvertent bad actor.
He failed at planting crops
And could not establish his chops
He went deep into debt, quite stressfully,
In the end he tried, unsuccessfully,
To escape the cops on his tractor.

[Algot Runeman]

reproof

Pronunciation /rɪˈpruːf/
noun
An expression of blame or disapproval.

Origin
Middle English from Old French reprove, from reprover ‘reprove’. Early senses included ‘ignominy, personal shame’ and ‘scorn’.

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Hank was totally aloof
While receiving his reproof.
He merely deflects all blame.
Never feeling any shame.
Because he is a jerk
And doesn't care about the work.

[Algot Runeman]

outlay

Pronunciation /ˈaʊtleɪ/
noun
An amount of money spent on something.
verb
past participle verb outlaid
[with object]
Expend (an amount of money) on something.

Origin
Mid 16th century (originally Scottish, in sense ‘outlying place’): from out- + lay.

==========

It is the best of all, hooray!
It costs naught with words to play.
So, once again, today,
Play...with no outlay.

[E Pericoloso Sporgersi]

outlay

Would outlayless be synonymous to penniless?

[Algot Runeman]

Yes, indeed, E.P.S. penniless and skint.

[Algot Runeman]

unify

Pronunciation /ˈjuːnɪfʌɪ/
verb unifies, unifying, unified
Make or become united, uniform, or whole.

Origin
Early 16th century from French unifier or late Latin unificare ‘make into a whole’.

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Let us, here, unify.
Together, let's defy.
Convention, we decry.
Caution does not apply.

[Algot Runeman]

rotate

Pronunciation /rə(ʊ)ˈteɪt/
verb
1 Move or cause to move in a circle round an axis or centre.
2 no object - Pass to each member of a group in a regularly recurring order.
2.1 with object - Grow (different crops) in succession on a particular piece of land to avoid exhausting the soil.
2.2 with object - Change the position of (tyres) on a motor vehicle to distribute wear.

Origin
Late 17th century from Latin rotat- ‘turned in a circle’, from the verb rotare, from rota ‘wheel’.

==========

Beyond merely rotating a list words, the word of the day attempts to adhere to the NO REPEAT rule.

[voralfred]

Although all the WOTDs are at my disposition (meaning 4) to invent an amusing sentence, my lazy disposition (meaning 1) induces me to unify many words in a single post instead.

Am I a malefactor ?
Will you express reproof towards me ?

[Algot Runeman]

Am I a malefactor ?
Will you express reproof towards me ?

Nay, nay, sir.
No reproof.
We're really glad
You're not aloof.
--
It's a regular response
You've done more than once.

[Algot Runeman]

tippet

Pronunciation /ˈtɪpɪt/
noun
1 A woman's long fur scarf or shawl worn around the neck and shoulders.
1.1 A long scarf or shawl worn as a ceremonial garment, especially by the clergy.
1.2 historical A long, narrow strip of cloth forming part of or attached to a hood or sleeve.

Origin
Middle English probably from an Anglo-Norman derivative of the noun tip.

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Tanya's red wool tippet kept the cold wind off her neck as she hurried towards home.

[Algot Runeman]

bleary

Pronunciation /ˈblɪəri/
adjective blearier, bleariest
(of the eyes) looking or feeling dull and unfocused from sleep or tiredness.

==========

Three American football night games on TV in a row, a bleary-eyed day on Wednesday, before the Thursday game.

[Algot Runeman]

disunity

Pronunciation /dɪsˈjuːnɪti/
noun
mass noun
Disagreement and conflict within a group.

==========

Okay, here's the scoop:
The larger the group,
The more chance for disunity
And sowing unrest with impunity.

[Algot Runeman]

override

verb overrode/əʊvəˈrəʊd/ , overridden
[with object]
1 Use one's authority to reject or cancel (a decision, view, etc.)
1.1 Be more important than.
2 Interrupt the action of (an automatic device), typically in order to take manual control.
3 technical Extend over; overlap.
4 Travel or move over.

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Alex overrode his mother's warning and overrode the river's rushing rapids on the old bridge, condemned for traffic.



[From a personal perspective, this word is problematic. Yesterday, I made this entry, shared it in other locations, and totally forgot to post it here at the home base of WotD. Sorry! So, two posts in one day.]

[Algot Runeman]

tunable

Pronunciation /ˈtjuːnəb(ə)l/
adjective
(also tuneable)
1 (of a musical instrument) able to be adjusted to the correct or uniform pitch.
2 (of a receiver circuit such as a radio or television) able to be adjusted to the frequency of the required signal.
3 (of an engine or mechanical parts) able to be adjusted so that a vehicle runs smoothly and efficiently.
4 mainly technical - Able to be adjusted or adapted.

==========

Let's make this easy, get a pitch source and use it. Your guitar is tunable to make it sound good. Of course, you'll then also need to play well, too.



An astute observer might note that the guitar is from 2016, and you may have seen it before. The tuning tool is today's effort. Mixing clipart is one of my many sneaky tricks. The tuner is a remake from a photo of a Fender product. I wonder if it is conflicted by being used to tune a Gibson guitar.

[Algot Runeman]

spectrum

Pronunciation /ˈspɛktrəm/
noun plural noun spectra/ˈspɛktrə/ , plural noun spectrums
1 A band of colours, as seen in a rainbow, produced by separation of the components of light by their different degrees of refraction according to wavelength.
1.1 the spectrum - The entire range of wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation.
1.2 A characteristic series of frequencies of electromagnetic radiation emitted or absorbed by a substance.
1.3 The components of a sound or other phenomenon arranged according to such characteristics as frequency, charge, and energy.
2 Used to classify something in terms of its position on a scale between two extreme points.
2.1 A wide range.
Phrases
on the spectrum
1 Diagnosed with or having the characteristics of an autistic spectrum disorder.
1.1 often offensive - Displaying traits such as awkwardness in social situations, restricted interests, or repetitive patterns of behaviour.

Origin
Early 17th century (in the sense ‘spectre’): from Latin, literally ‘image, apparition’, from specere ‘to look’.

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A rainbow is our most well-known view of the visual section of the electromagnetic spectrum.

[Algot Runeman]

sedentary

Pronunciation /ˈsɛd(ə)nt(ə)ri/
adjective
1 (of a person) tending to spend much time seated; somewhat inactive.
1.1 (of work or a way of life) characterized by much sitting and little physical exercise.
1.2 (of a position) sitting; seated.
1.3 Zoology Anthropology - Inhabiting the same locality throughout life; not migratory or nomadic.
1.4 Zoology (of an animal) sessile.

Origin
Late 16th century (in the sense ‘not migratory’): from French sédentaire or Latin sedentarius, from sedere ‘sit’.

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For those who did not travel for the holidays, happy sedentary day!

[E Pericoloso Sporgersi]

sedentary

With advancing age, I've become more and more sedentary.

Of course my computer is partly to blame.

Maybe some manufacturer should recognise the niche in the market and build a very large keyboard, like they do with chess boards. You know, walk or run to the key of the next character, once there stand on the key and jump in place for a single character input, jump twice for a double character and then proceed to the next key.
I'm sure weight-watchers would be enthusiastic customers.

[Algot Runeman]

tomorrow

Pronunciation /təˈmɒrəʊ/
adverb
1 On the day after today.
1.1vUsed in reference to a particular time period on the day after today.
1.2 In the future, especially the near future.
noun
1 The day after today.
1.1 The future, especially the near future.

Origin
Middle English (as two words): from the preposition to+ morrow. Compare with today and tonight.

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Yesterday, this day was tomorrow,
But it is no longer true.
Today, we search with sorrow
For the promise, which once seemed due.

The present, that's today,
Former hopes all dashed,
The present with which we hoped to play
Broke immediately and was trashed.

[E Pericoloso Sporgersi]

tomorrow

You remind me of
"More than yesterday, less than tomorrow."

"Plus qu'hier, moins que demain."

[Algot Runeman]

pizzelle

Pronunciation
/piːˈtsɛleɪ/ /piːˈtsɛl/
noun
(also pizelle)
Cooking
1 A type of fried, often stuffed, dumpling.
2 US A crisp, waffle-like sweet biscuit which is cooked between two hinged iron plates and is typically served on festive occasions.

Origin
Early 20th century; earliest use found in The Washington Post. From Italian pizzelle, plural of pizzella small pizza or pie, fritter (not dated in dictionaries of Italian; also as pezzella) from pizza + -ella.

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One treat not on our holiday party table was a plate of pizzelles. Don't let it trouble you, though, we had plenty of other goodies and will be dealing with them over the next several days, at least. And of course, there is more party time just ahead!

[Algot Runeman]

cabby

Pronunciation /ˈkabi/
noun
plural noun cabbies
(also cabbie)
informal
A taxi driver.

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I sense that being a cabbie these days is confused by ride share companies and limo services competing for essentially the same work.

[Algot Runeman]

station

Pronunciation /ˈsteɪʃ(ə)n/
noun
1 A place on a railway line where trains regularly stop so that passengers can get on or off.
1.1 A bus or coach station.
2 usually with modifier A place or building where a specified activity or service is based.
2.1 A small military base, especially of a specified kind.
2.2 North American A subsidiary post office.
2.3 Australian, New Zealand A large sheep or cattle farm.
3 with modifier A company involved in broadcasting of a specified kind.
4 The place where someone or something stands or is placed on military or other duty.
4.1 dated count noun One's social rank or position.
5 Botany A site at which a particular species, especially an interesting or rare one, grows or is found.
6 short for Stations of the Cross

verb
with object and adverbial of place
Put in or assign to a specified place for a particular purpose, especially a military one.

Origin
Middle English (as a noun): via Old French from Latin statio(n-), from stare ‘to stand’. Early use referred generally to ‘position’, especially ‘position in life, status’, and specifically, in ecclesiastical use, to ‘a holy place of pilgrimage (visited as one of a succession’). The verb dates from the late 16th century.

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Suburban souls get rides to the commuter rail station, and for a while, there was even a type of car designed with that job in mind, the station wagon (though it had formerly been deemed the 'beach wagon').

[Algot Runeman]

significant

Pronunciation /sɪɡˈnɪfɪk(ə)nt/
adjective
1 Sufficiently great or important to be worthy of attention; noteworthy.
2 Having a particular meaning; indicative of something.
2.1 Suggesting a meaning or message that is not explicitly stated.
3 Statistics - Relating to or having significance.

Origin
Late 16th century (in significant (sense 2)): from Latin significant- ‘indicating’, from the verb significare (see signify).

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Is it significant to you that *Winnie-the-Pooh* by A.A. Milne is about to enter the public domain?

[Algot Runeman]

sergeant

Pronunciation /ˈsɑːdʒ(ə)nt/
noun
1 A rank of non-commissioned officer in the army or air force, above corporal and below staff sergeant.
1.1 British A police officer ranking below an inspector.
1.2 US A police officer ranking below a lieutenant.

Origin
Middle English from Old French sergent, from Latin servient- ‘serving’, from the verb servire. Early use was as a general term meaning ‘attendant, servant’ and ‘common soldier’; the term was later applied to specific official roles.

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Stanley enlisted in the army after high school and made a career in the service, retiring after 30 years as a master sergeant.

[Algot Runeman]

rationalize

Pronunciation /ˈraʃ(ə)n(ə)lʌɪz/
verb
(also British rationalise)
[with object]
1 Attempt to explain or justify (behaviour or an attitude) with logical reasons, even if these are not appropriate.
2 British Make (a company, process, or industry) more efficient, especially by dispensing with superfluous personnel or equipment.
2.1 Reorganize (a process or system) so as to make it more logical and consistent.
3 Mathematics
Convert (a function or expression) to a rational form.


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Sam rationalized his behavior but lacked the necessary logic to convince anyone.