Word of the Day: vulpine Vulpine (adjective) VUL-pine Definition 1 : of, relating to, or resembling a fox 2 : foxy, crafty Examples “There is something Gatsby-esque about the whole story. [Bernie] Madoff is a clear proxy for Meyer Wolfsheim, the vulpine, self-satisfied criminal seducer.” — Daniel Gross, Newsweek, 12 Jan. 2009 “Flashing a vulpine grin,…
Word of the Day: wane Wane (verb) WAYN Definition 1 : to decrease in size, extent, or degree 2 : to fall gradually from power, prosperity, or influence Synonyms abate; atrophy; decrease; die down; die out; dim; dwindle; ebb; fade; peter out; shrink; slacken; subside; taper off; weaken; wither Antonyms brighten; develop; enhance; enlarge; expand;…
Word of the Day: thaumaturgy Thaumaturgy (noun) THAW-muh-ter-jee Definition : the performance of miracles; specifically : magic Examples “The place is still a favourite pilgrimage, but there seems to be some doubt as to which Saint John has chosen it as the scene of his posthumous thaumaturgy; for, according to a local guide-book, it is equally…
Word of the Day: soporific Soporific (adjective) sah-puh-RIFF-ik Definition 1 a : causing or tending to cause sleep b : tending to dull awareness or alertness 2 : of, relating to, or marked by sleepiness or lethargy Examples The soporific effects of the stuffy classroom and the lecturer’s droning voice left more than one student…
Gifts for readers like you If you liked my books, your friends and relatives may like them too. All of them are available on my website, richardverry.com, Amazon.com, or from your favorite eBook store. Most are available to read for free with Amazon Unlimited. Several are also available in paperback; perfect for under the tree….
Word of the Day: cabbage Cabbage (verb) KAB-ij Definition : steal, filch Examples “When these ruffians were in a relatively mild mood they were content to chase us off the diamond, but when their glands were flowing freely they also cabbaged our bats, balls and gloves.” — H. L. Mencken, Happy Days, 1940 “More and…
New Novel finish and publishing soon Hello, all my fans and followers. Over the past few weeks, I’ve mentioned that I’ve worked on getting a story out of my head and written down. I’m happy to announce that I finished it yesterday. At 92,000 words, it’s an interesting commentary on the human condition. I hope…
Word of the Day: vicissitude Vicissitude (noun) vuh-SISS-uh-tood Definition 1 : the quality or state of being changeable : mutability 2 a : a favorable or unfavorable event or situation that occurs by chance : a fluctuation of state or condition b : a difficulty or hardship usually beyond one’s control Examples “The vicissitudes of…
Word of the Day: dynasty Dynasty (noun) DYE-nuh-stee Definition 1 : a succession of rulers of the same line of descent 2 : a powerful group or family that maintains its position for a considerable time Examples “A scion of the Patterson-Medill publishing dynasty (her great-grandfather and her father founded the Chicago Tribune and the New…
Word of the Day: wistful Wistful (adjective) WIST-ful Definition 1 : full of yearning or desire tinged with melancholy; also : inspiring such yearning 2 : musingly sad : pensive Examples As the car pulled away, Lea cast one last wistful glance at the house where she’d spent so many happy years. “The book left…
