Read The Highly Selective Dictionary for the Extraordinarily Literate for Free Online Page A
Authors: Eugene Ehrlich
cacographic ( KAK - e -GRAF-ik) and cacographical both adjectives .
cacology (k e -KOL- e -jee) noun
1. bad choice of words.
2. poor pronunciation.
cairn (kairn) noun
a heap of stones arranged as a memorial or as a landmark.
Related words: cairned and cairny both adjectives .
callipygian ( KAL -i-PIJ-ee- e n) adjective , also given as callipygous ( KAL -i-P I -g e s)
having shapely buttocks.
callosity (k e -LOS-i-tee) noun, plural callosities
an abnormal hardness and thickness of the skin; a callus.
callous (KAL- e s) adjective
1. insensitive, unsympathetic, indifferent.
2. hardened, hard.
In rigorous adherence to the principle of descriptiveness, most conventional dictionaries have become guilty of attempted verbicide by indicating that callus (which see) is a noun meaning of callous , an adjective. In time, therefore, we can expect that most writers will be ignorant of the clear distinction between the two words that is maintained today by careful writers. Consider that until recently dictionaries identified this noun use of callous as a mistake in spelling, and that is how editors and writers should continue to regard it. Avoid calluses by learning how to type properly, not by callous disregard of good typing techniques.
Related words: callously adverb , callousness noun .
callus (KAL- e s) noun, plural calluses
1. a thickened part of the skin; a callosity.
2. ( verb ) form or produce a callus.
See the discussion at callous for guidance in differentiating the noun callus and the adjective callous .
calumniate (k e -LUM-nee- AYT ) verb
make false and malicious statements about; slander, traduce.
Related words: calumniation (k e - LUM -nee-AY-sh e n) and calumniator (k e -LUM-nee- AY -t e r) both nouns .
calumny (KAL- e m-nee) noun, plural calumnies
1. a slander; a defamation.
2. the act of slandering.
Related words: calumniate (k e -LUM-nee- AYT ) verb , calumniation (k e - LUM -nee-AY-sh e n) and calumniator (k e -LUM-nee- AY -t e r) both nouns , calumnious (k e -LUM-nee- e s) and calumniatory (k e -LUM-nee- e - TOR -ee) both adjectives .
canard (k e -NAHRD) noun
a false report; a hoax.
cant (kant) noun
1. insincere use of words, especially conventional expressions of piety.
2. hypocrisy.
3. ( derogatory ) the language peculiar to a party, class, profession, or the like; jargon.
4. the private language of the underworld.
capricious (k e -PRISH- e s) adjective
1. subject to or indicative of whim.
2. erratic.
Related words: capriciously adverb , caprice (k e -PREES) and capriciousness both nouns .
captious (KAP-sh e s) adjective
1. apt to raise objections to trivial faults or defects.
2. difficult to please.
Related words: captiously adverb , captiousness noun .
carabao ( KAR - e -BAH-oh) noun, plural carabaos
in the Philippines, the water buffalo.
The noun carabao is often mispronounced by people who confuse it with the more familiar noun caribou , the magnificent North American deer, which is pronounced KAR- e - BOO .
careen (k e -REEN) verb
said of a vehicle in motion: lean, sway, or tip to one side.
Many speakers and writers confuse the verb career , meaning proceed at full speed , with the verb careen . So prevalent is this confusion that modern dictionaries commonly identify the two verbs as synonyms, thus shrinking the scope of the American language and inviting ambiguity. Fully trained editors do not encourage this confusion. Nor should you.
Related word: careener verb .
career (k e -REER) verb
See careen .
caribou (KAR- e - BOO ) noun
See carabao .
carminative (kahr-MIN- e -tiv)
cacology (k e -KOL- e -jee) noun
1. bad choice of words.
2. poor pronunciation.
cairn (kairn) noun
a heap of stones arranged as a memorial or as a landmark.
Related words: cairned and cairny both adjectives .
callipygian ( KAL -i-PIJ-ee- e n) adjective , also given as callipygous ( KAL -i-P I -g e s)
having shapely buttocks.
callosity (k e -LOS-i-tee) noun, plural callosities
an abnormal hardness and thickness of the skin; a callus.
callous (KAL- e s) adjective
1. insensitive, unsympathetic, indifferent.
2. hardened, hard.
In rigorous adherence to the principle of descriptiveness, most conventional dictionaries have become guilty of attempted verbicide by indicating that callus (which see) is a noun meaning of callous , an adjective. In time, therefore, we can expect that most writers will be ignorant of the clear distinction between the two words that is maintained today by careful writers. Consider that until recently dictionaries identified this noun use of callous as a mistake in spelling, and that is how editors and writers should continue to regard it. Avoid calluses by learning how to type properly, not by callous disregard of good typing techniques.
Related words: callously adverb , callousness noun .
callus (KAL- e s) noun, plural calluses
1. a thickened part of the skin; a callosity.
2. ( verb ) form or produce a callus.
See the discussion at callous for guidance in differentiating the noun callus and the adjective callous .
calumniate (k e -LUM-nee- AYT ) verb
make false and malicious statements about; slander, traduce.
Related words: calumniation (k e - LUM -nee-AY-sh e n) and calumniator (k e -LUM-nee- AY -t e r) both nouns .
calumny (KAL- e m-nee) noun, plural calumnies
1. a slander; a defamation.
2. the act of slandering.
Related words: calumniate (k e -LUM-nee- AYT ) verb , calumniation (k e - LUM -nee-AY-sh e n) and calumniator (k e -LUM-nee- AY -t e r) both nouns , calumnious (k e -LUM-nee- e s) and calumniatory (k e -LUM-nee- e - TOR -ee) both adjectives .
canard (k e -NAHRD) noun
a false report; a hoax.
cant (kant) noun
1. insincere use of words, especially conventional expressions of piety.
2. hypocrisy.
3. ( derogatory ) the language peculiar to a party, class, profession, or the like; jargon.
4. the private language of the underworld.
capricious (k e -PRISH- e s) adjective
1. subject to or indicative of whim.
2. erratic.
Related words: capriciously adverb , caprice (k e -PREES) and capriciousness both nouns .
captious (KAP-sh e s) adjective
1. apt to raise objections to trivial faults or defects.
2. difficult to please.
Related words: captiously adverb , captiousness noun .
carabao ( KAR - e -BAH-oh) noun, plural carabaos
in the Philippines, the water buffalo.
The noun carabao is often mispronounced by people who confuse it with the more familiar noun caribou , the magnificent North American deer, which is pronounced KAR- e - BOO .
careen (k e -REEN) verb
said of a vehicle in motion: lean, sway, or tip to one side.
Many speakers and writers confuse the verb career , meaning proceed at full speed , with the verb careen . So prevalent is this confusion that modern dictionaries commonly identify the two verbs as synonyms, thus shrinking the scope of the American language and inviting ambiguity. Fully trained editors do not encourage this confusion. Nor should you.
Related word: careener verb .
career (k e -REER) verb
See careen .
caribou (KAR- e - BOO ) noun
See carabao .
carminative (kahr-MIN- e -tiv)
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