Daily Word Quiz
 
HECCO
a) an icicle
b) the game of hopscotch
c) the woodpecker
d) a hag, a witch
  
Today's Featured Word
BOURDFUL
 
ADJ.
full of jesting or sport; jocular, jocose, sportive ...1388 obs.
 
ETYMOLOGY
from bourd (n.) an idle tale, a jest, a joke + -ful
 
FIRST DOCUMENTED USE
1388 - see EXAMPLE below
 
EXAMPLE
"...This vndurstandun of a dedly leesing, not of a bourdeful leesing..."
From: The Holy Bible: Wisdom
By: John Wycliffe, 1388
 

Daily Word Quiz Answer
 
HECCO
​c) the woodpecker ...1604 obs.
 

Daily Word Quiz
 
DERRYBOUNDER
a) a prospector in the desert
b) the noise made by an object in collision
c) a great rage
d) an old term for a hare
 
Today's Featured Word
TURVEYDROP
 
NOUN
one who poses as a perfect model of deportment; an affected person
...1877
 
ETYMOLOGY
from the surname of a character in Charles Dicken's 'Bleak House' (1852)
 
FIRST DOCUMENTED USE
1877 - see EXAMPLE below
 
EXAMPLE
"...The maintenance of that staid deportment which the Oriental
Turveydrop considers the best proof of high State and regal dignity..."
From: The Prince of Wales Tour
By: William Howard Russell, 1877

 
Daily Word Quiz Answer
 
DERRYBOUNDER
​b) the noise made by an object in collision ...1876 Eng. dial.
 

Daily Word Quiz
 
BUBBLEABLE
a) vivacious, full of life, energetic
b) remarkable, extraordinary
c) fit to be boasted about
d) capable of being duped, gullible
  
Today's Featured Word
OUTLASH
 
NOUN
the act of lashing out; a sudden, quick outward stroke ...1876
 
VERB
1. to squander, to be extravagant or prodigal ...1611 obs.
2. to strike out violently ...1614 obs.
3. to exaggerate ...1620 obs.
 
ETYMOLOGY
from out- + lash (vb.) to strike or beat
 
FIRST DOCUMENTED USE
1611 - A French and English Dictionary
By: M. Randle Cotgrave
Bobancer, to riot, squander, waste, outlash
 
EXAMPLE
"...Against his new bank; and with Waighty Waves
Waighty and strong, bears down at last the Bay.
And for a time out-lashing every-way.
Tears over-turns, and undermines, much worse
Then when hee freely hath his native Course."
 From: Bethulia's Rescue
By: Josuah Sylvester, 1614

 
Daily Word Quiz Answer
 
BUBBLEABLE
​d) capable of being duped, gullible ...1669 obs. rare
 

Daily Word Quiz
 
WHISTERCLISTER
a) a smart blow on the ear or side of the head
b) a nickname for a self-important person
c) a small, unimportant, remote town
d) a sign of something about to happen
 
 Today's Featured Word
LINQUISH
 
VERB
to abandon, to forsake ...1591 obs.
 
ETYMOLOGY
from Latin linquere to leave + -ish, after relinquish
 
FIRST DOCUMENTED USE
1591 - see EXAMPLE below
 
EXAMPLE
"...but now awhile I linquish this conflict..."
From: Ariosto's Orlando Furioso in English
By: John Harington, 1591

 
Daily Word Quiz Answer
 
WHISTERCLISTER
a) a smart blow on the ear or side of the head ...1787 Eng. dial.

Daily Word Quiz
 
SLIVERLY
a) thin, skinny
b) evasive, slippery
c) excellent, first-rate
d) cunning, crafty, deceitful
 
 Today's Featured Word
ASSERTIONATE
 
VERB
to make assertion; to assert, to affirm ...1593 obs. rare
 
ETYMOLOGY
from Latin assertionem, n. of action from asserere to assert
 
FIRST DOCUMENTED USE
1593 - see EXAMPLE below
 
EXAMPLE
"...But, as before, so once more I will assertionate,
vertue hath no enimy but pryde."
From: Christ's Tears over Jerusalem
By: Thomas Nashe, 1593

 
Daily Word Quiz Answer
 
SLIVERLY
​d) cunning, crafty, deceitful ...1674 Eng. dial. rare
 

Daily Word Quiz
 
QUOMODOCUNQUIZE
a) to call out loudly but inarticulately
b) to make mental note of, to observe
c) to make money in any way possible
d) to quiver like jelly; to throb
 
 Today's Featured Word
OUBLIANCE
 
NOUN
forgetting, forgetfulness, oblivion ...c1477 obs.
 
ETYMOLOGY
from Old French oubliance, -ience
from oublier to forget
 
FIRST DOCUMENTED USE
c1477 - see EXAMPLE below
 
EXAMPLE
"...is expedient that she be put with the synnes in oubliance..."
 From: The History of Jason
By: William Caxton, c1477

 
Daily Word Quiz Answer
 
QUOMODOCUNQUIZE
​c) to make money in any way possible ...1652 nonce word obs.

Daily Word Quiz
 
NUSH
a) breast milk
b) the mouth
c) a little man, a dwarf
d) a privy
  
Today's Featured Word
KNAPPISH
 
ADJ.
rudely abrupt or forward, testy, snappish, sharp-tongued, spiteful
...1513 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
 
ETYMOLOGY
from knap (vb.) to bite in a short or abrupt way + -ish
 
FIRST DOCUMENTED USE
1513 - see EXAMPLE below
 
EXAMPLE
"...that he rejected the Dukes request with many spitefull
and knappishe wordes..."
 From: Grafton's Chronicle, Or History of England
By: Richard Grafton, 1513

 
Daily Word Quiz Answer
 
NUSH
b) the mouth ...1859 Amer. sl.

Daily Word Quiz
 
GWIDGY-GWEE
a) a close female friend
b) a female breast
c) a small black spot caused by a pinch or bruise
d) a small stone or pebble
 
 Today's Featured Word
DISSIDY
 
NOUN
disagreement, difference, disharmony ...1657 obs. rare
 
ETYMOLOGY
from Latin dissidium (now held to be an error for discidium)
from dissidere to disagree
 
FIRST DOCUMENTED USE
1657 - see EXAMPLE below
 
EXAMPLE
"...Yet barbarism in speech doth not so much move me,
as their dissidy in the very thing..."
From: A Medicinal Dispensatory: Containing the Whole Body of Physick,
Composed by the Illustrious Renodaeus.
Chief Physician to the Monarch of France,
Translated by: Richard Tomlinson of London, 1657

 
Daily Word Quiz Answer
 
 GWIDGY-GWEE
​c) a small black spot caused by a pinch or bruise ...1895 Eng. dial.
 

Daily Word Quiz
 
VORUS-NORUS
a) at random, negligently
b) in vain, vainly
c) clearly, vividly
d) rapidly, swiftly
 
 Today's Featured Word
WEATHERCOCKY
 
ADJ.
fickle, changeable, inconstant ...1886
 
ETYMOLOGY
from weathercock (n.) a changeable or inconstant person
 
FIRST DOCUMENTED USE
1886 - see EXAMPLE below
 
EXAMPLE
"...She is cordial, kind, and in her way sincere; but she is what
her husband characterises as 'weathercocky'."
 From: A House Party
By: Ouida (Louise de la Ramée), 1886

 
Daily Word Quiz Answer
 
VORUS-NORUS
a) at random, negligently ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
 

Daily Word Quiz
 
ROW OF PEAS
a) cheese
b) a punishment in store; discipline
c) a thing of very little value
d) a small crowd of people
 
 Today's Featured Word
STATUMINATE
 
VERB
to support; to establish ...a1628 obs.
 
ETYMOLOGY
from Latin statuminat- ppl. stem of statuminare
from statumin- statumen prop, support
 
FIRST DOCUMENTED USE
a1628 - see EXAMPLE below
 
EXAMPLE
"...those eminent plants of our soyl, which blast, or bite not,
but rather statuminate, and refresh the Vines, Corn, Fruits,
or whatsoever groweth under their shaddows."
 From: Sir Fulke Greville's Life of Sir Philip Sidney
By: Fulke Greville, a1628

 
Daily Word Quiz Answer
 
ROW OF PEAS
​c) a thing of very little value ...1965 Amer. dial.

Daily Word Quiz
 
LETIFY
a) to delay, to tarry, to wait
b) to abase, to humiliate
c) to affect with lethargy
d) to make glad, to rejoice

Answer below
 
Today's Featured Word
GOKY
 
NOUN
a fool, a simpleton ...1377 obs. rare
 
ETYMOLOGY
? from goke, gowk a fool (chiefly Sc.)
 
FIRST DOCUMENTED USE
1377 - see EXAMPLE below
 
EXAMPLE
"...The gome that gloseth so chartres, for a goky is holden. So is it a goky, by god, that in his gospel failleth..."
 From: The Vision of William Concerning Piers the Plowman
By: William Langland, 1377
 
Daily Word Quiz Answer
 
LETIFY
​d) to make glad, to rejoice ...1579 obs.

Daily Word Quiz
 
FAZZLED
a) afraid, fearful
b) tired
c) anxious, concerned
d) light-headed, brainless
 
Today's Featured Word
CORDILOQUY
 
NOUN
a speaking from the heart, a heartfelt speech ...1642 nonce word obs.
 
ETYMOLOGY
from Latin cor, cordi- heart, after ventriloquy
 
FIRST DOCUMENTED USE
1642 - see EXAMPLE below
 
EXAMPLE
"...Some have questioned ventriloquie, when men strangely speak out of their bellies, whether it can be done lawfully or no: might I coin the word cordiloquie, when men draw the doctrines out of their hearts..."
From: The Holy State and the Profane State
By: Thomas Fuller, 1642

 
Daily Word Quiz Answer
 
FAZZLED
​b) tired ...1914 Amer. dial.

Daily Word Quiz
 
AXIOPISTICAL
a) sickly, unhealthy
b) trustworthy
c) cunning, clever
d) doubtful, uncertain
 
Answer below.
 
Today's Featured Word
VIATORY
 
ADJ.
of the nature of wayfaring; pert. to travel ...1629 obs. rare
 
ETYMOLOGY
from Latin viatorius of journey, travelling
 
FIRST DOCUMENTED USE
1629 - see EXAMPLE below
 
EXAMPLE
"...In a word, this is our viatory, our preparatory, our initiatory, and inchoative blessedness..."
 From: Sermon CXXV
Preached at St. Paul's Cross, November 22, 1629
By: John Donne
 

Daily Word Quiz Answer
 
AXIOPISTICAL b) trustworthy ...1611 obs.
 

​Daily Word Quiz
 
UXORIOUS
a) customary, usual
b) nauseated, queasy
c) excessively or submissively fond of a wife
d) excellent, splendid
 
Answer below.
 
 Today's Featured Word
PHYSBUTTOCKE
 
NOUN
a term of contempt for a showily vain or fashionable person;
a coxcomb, a dandy ...1570 obs.
 
ETYMOLOGY
from fise, fizz + buttock
 
FIRST DOCUMENTED USE
Manipulus Vocabulorum: A Dictionary of English and Latin Words
By: Peter Levins, 1570
Physbuttocke, sb. trossulus
 
 
Daily Word Quiz Answer
 
UXORIOUS c) excessively or submissively fond of a wife ...1598

Daily Word Quiz
 
PEBBLE-BEACHED
a) utterly penniless, very poor, in want of money
b) neglected, ignored
c) sickly; listless
d) slow-witted, unintelligent
 
Answer below.
  
Today's Featured Word
MUMMYDIDDLE
also MUMMYDIDDY
 
NOUN
a stupid, silly person; a foolish person ...Bk1903 Eng. dial. (Suffolk)
 
ETYMOLOGY
unknown
 
FIRST DOCUMENTED USE
? The English Dialect Dictionary
By: Joseph Wright, 1903
 
 
Daily Word Quiz Answer
 
PEBBLE-BEACHED
​a) utterly penniless, very poor, in want of money ...1886 sl.

Daily Word Quiz
 
MOGGANS
a) tortoiseshell cats
b) amulets to ward against evil
c) odds and ends
d) the legs
 
Answer below.
  
Today's Featured Word
INDOCIBLE
 
ADJ.
1. incapable of being taught or instructed; unteachable ...1555 obs.
2. disobediently stubborn ...1555 obs.
 
ETYMOLOGY
from Latin indocibilis unteachable
or from in- + docible teachable
 
FIRST DOCUMENTED USE
1555 - see EXAMPLE below
 
EXAMPLE
"...Be not indocible lyke Tygers and dragons, and such other monsters noyous to man kynde."
From: The Decades of the Newe Worlde or West India Conteynyng the Nauigations and Conquestes of the Spanyardes
Written in Latin by: Peter Martyr of Angleria
Translated by: Richard Eden, 1555
 
 
Daily Word Quiz Answer
 
MOGGANS
d) the legs ...1780 obs. exc. Sc.

Daily Word Quiz
 
JABART
a) the jaw
b) nonsense; unintelligible language
c) a term of contempt for a person
d) a bugbear used to frighten children
 
Answer below.
  
Today's Featured Word
TEMERARY
 
ADJ.
rash, reckless, heedless, careless, overbold, headstrong ...c1410 obs.
 
ETYMOLOGY
from Latin temerarius fortuitous, rash
 
FIRST DOCUMENTED USE
c1410 - see EXAMPLE below
 
EXAMPLE
"...or elles a presumptuouse and temerarie demere of othere men."
 From: Mirrour of the Blessed Lyf of Jesu Christ:
A Translation of the Latin work entitled Meditationes Vitæ Christi : attributed to Cardinal Bonaventura
By; Nicholas Love, c1410
 
 
Daily Word Quiz Answer
 
JABART
​c) a term of contempt for a person ...1949 Sc.

​Daily Word Quiz
 
EFFOCATE
a) to dig out of the ground, to dig up
b) to choke, to strangle
c) to be disclosed or revealed
d) to make cheerful and lively
 
Answer below
  
Today's Featured Word
ROINOUS
 
ADJ.
1. coarse, mean, paltry, base, nasty, contemptible ...c1366 obs.
2. covered with scale or scurf; scabby, scurvy ...1377 obs.
 
ETYMOLOGY
from old French roigneux,
from Middle English roinous, roignous mangy, scabby
 
FIRST DOCUMENTED USE
c1366 - see EXAMPLE below
 
EXAMPLE
"...The foule croked bowe hidous.
That knotty was, and al roynous."
From: The Romaunt of the Rose
By: Geoffrey Chaucer, c1366

 
Daily Word Quiz Answer
 
EFFOCATE
​b) to choke, to strangle ...1656 rare
 
​

Daily Word Quiz
 
CHAWSWIZZLED
a) celebrated; famous
b) infected with lice
c) bamboozled, confounded
d) very drunk on wine
 
Answer below.
 
 Today's Featured Word
HERRING-POND
 
NOUN
the sea or ocean, esp. the North Atlantic ocean ...1686 humorous
 
FIRST DOCUMENTED USE
1686 - see EXAMPLE below
 
EXAMPLE
"...I'le send an account of the wonders I meet on the Great Herring-Pond and a Particular Character of it."
From: Letters Written From New-England
By: John Dunton, 1686

 
Daily Word Quiz Answer
 
CHAWSWIZZLED
​c) bamboozled, confounded ...1905 Amer. dial.
 

Daily Word Quiz
 
ZWODDER
a) drowsy and dull
b) sugary, sweet
c) eager, keen, enthusiastic
d) funny-looking, odd, strange
 
Answer below.
 
Today's Featured Word
BLUNDERHEAD
 
NOUN
1. a blundering, confused, muddle-headed fellow ...1697
2. an error; a mistake; a blunder ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
 
ETYMOLOGY
from blunder (n.) or (vb.) + -head
probably an alteration of the earlier dunderhead,
as blunderbuss represents donderbus
 
FIRST DOCUMENTED USE
1697 - see EXAMPLE below
 
EXAMPLE
"...I would let my servant acquaint you with it, that you might
not expect him: but my fellow's a blunderhead..."
From: The Relapse: Or, Virtue in Danger
By: John Vanbrugh, 1697

 
Daily Word Quiz Answer
 
ZWODDER
​a) drowsy and dull ...1847 Eng. dial.