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#define aliquot
Pronunciation: ‘a-l&-“kwat, -kw&t Function: adjective Etymology: Medieval Latin _aliquotus, _from Latin _aliquot _some, several, from _alius _other + _quot _how many 1 : contained an exact number of times in something else – used of a divisor or part <5 is an aliquot part of 15> 2 : fractional [Source]
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#define scion
Pronunciation: ‘sI-&n Function: noun Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French _cion, _of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German _chInan _to sprout, split open, Old English _cInan _to gape 1 : a detached living portion of a plant joined to a stock in grafting and usually supplying solely aerial parts to a graft 2 : descendant, child [Source]
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#define seneschal
Pronunciation: ‘se-n&-sh&l Function: noun Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, of Germanic origin; akin to Gothic _sineigs _old and to Old High German _scalc_servant 1 : an agent or steward in charge of a lord’s estate in feudal times [Source]
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#define McGuffin
McGuffin (aka: MacGuffin or maguffin) is a term for a plot enabling device, i.e. a device or plot element in a movie that is deliberately placed to catch the viewer’s attention and/or drive the logic of the plot, but which actually serves no further purpose - it won’t pop up again later, it won’t explain the ending, it won’t actually do anything except possibly distract you while you try to figure out its significance.
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#define moxie
1 : ENERGY, PEP 2 : COURAGE, DETERMINATION 3 : KNOW-HOW, EXPERTISE [Source] Pronunciation: ‘mak-sE Function: noun Etymology: from _Moxie, _a trademark for a soft drink
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#define grok
From the novel “Stranger in a Strange Land”, by Robert A. Heinlein, where it is a Martian word meaning literally “to drink” and metaphorically “to be one with”. [Source] To understand, usually in a global sense. Connotes intimate and exhaustive knowledge. Contrast zen, which is similar supernal understanding experienced as a single brief flash. See also glark. Used of programs, may connote merely sufficient understanding. “Almost all C compilers grok the “void” type these days.
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#define glibbet
According to BJ, a glibbet is a small, weasel-like animal. Unfortunately, I have been unable to confirm this is a legit word. Most of the references I have found on the web state that it’s a nonsense, made-up word. BJ’s convinced it’s legit, but I suspect it’s just a word his favorite author made up for one of his books. I could be wrong though. I’ll have to ask Amanda’s mom and see if she actually confirmed this word somewhere, or if BJ just showed it to her in one of his books.
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#define sinew
1 : TENDON; especially : one dressed for use as a cord or thread 2 obsolete : NERVE 3 a : solid resilient strength : POWER b : the chief supporting force : MAINSTAY – usually used in plural [Source] Pronunciation: ‘sin-(")yu _also _‘si-(")nu Function: noun Etymology: Middle English _sinewe, _from Old English _seono; _akin to Old High German _senawa _sinew, Sanskrit _syati _he binds Date: before 12th century Scary tidbit: Amanda’s little 8 year old brother BJ used this in a story he wrote for school.
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#define blog
A frequent, chronological publication of personal thoughts and Web links. [Source] Background: A blog is often a mixture of what is happening in a person’s life and what is happening on the Web, a kind of hybrid diary/guide site, although there are as many unique types of blogs as there are people. People maintained blogs long before the term was coined, but the trend gained momentum with the introduction of automated published systems, most notably Blogger at blogger.
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#define ennui
A feeling of weariness and dissatisfaction, boredom [Source] Pronunciation: “an-‘wE Function: noun Etymology: French, from Old French _enui _annoyance, from _enuier _to annoy Date: 1732 Scary tidbit: Amanda’s little 8 year old brother BJ used this recently.