gaucherie \goh-shuh-REE\ (noun) - 1 : A socially awkward or tactless act. 2 : Lack of tact; boorishness; awkwardness.

"I went to our table, looking straight before me, and immediately paid the penalty of gaucherie by ...Read More

debouch \dih-BOWCH; -BOOSH\ (intransitive verb) - 1 : To march out (as from a wood, defile, or other narrow or confined spot) into the open. 2 : To emerge; to issue.

(transitive verb) - To cause to emerge or issue; to ...Read More

neologism \nee-OLL-uh-jiz-um\ (noun) - 1 : A new word or expression. 2 : A new use of a word or expression. 3 : The use or creation of new words or expressions. 4 : (Psychiatry) An invented, meaningless word used by a ...Read More

opportune \op-uhr-TOON; -TYOON\ (adjective) - Suitable for a given purpose or occasion; timely.

"O lesson opportune, O how I welcome thee!" -- Walt Whitman, 'Leaves of Grass'

Opportune is from Latin opportunus, from ob ...Read More

Q: The word "proven" seems to have disappeared completely. Every book, magazine article or newspaper report I read says "has proved" instead of "has proven." When did this change take place? -- Marcia Archambeault, ...Read More

multifarious \muhl-tuh-FAIR-ee-uhs\ (adjective) - Having great diversity or variety; of various kinds; diversified.

"...I was occupied by exploded systems, mingling, like an unadept, a thousand contradictory theories, and...Read More