Verb – Blaze (no object) 1 : to burn very brightly and intensely A fire blazed in the stove. 2 a : to shine very brightly The sun blazed down on us. 2 b : to be extremely bright or Read More …
Verb – Blaze (no object) 1 : to burn very brightly and intensely A fire blazed in the stove. 2 a : to shine very brightly The sun blazed down on us. 2 b : to be extremely bright or Read More …
Here’s one of those basic verbs we all know, one that could be put to good use more often. “Fabric” and “fabricate” trace back to a Latin word meaning “artisan: person who creates things out of materials.” To fabricate things Read More …
Verb – Excoriate This word has Latin roots that mean “to strip off the hide or skin.” To excoriate people and things literally is to strip off their skin. And to excoriate people and things figuratively is to talk so Read More …
Verb – Clamber This word probably comes from “climb,” in the same way that “chatter” comes from “chat” and “glimmer” comes from “gleam.” To clamber, literally, is to climb in an awkward, effortful way, often with hands and feet. And Read More …
Verb – Swipe 1 : to reach toward and try to hit (something) with a swinging motion [+ object] The cat swiped the dog across the nose. — usually + at The cat swiped at the dog. 2 [+ object] Read More …
Noun – Pigeonhole Above are literal pigeonholes: little compartments for pigeons to rest in. These have been around since the 1500s. And, since the 1600s, we’ve also referred to compartments like the ones below as pigeonholes, even though they’re not Read More …
Verb – Disembark 1 (no object) : to leave a ship or airplane The plane’s crew members were the last ones to disembark. Passengers disembarked (=debarked) from the ship. — opposite EMBARK 2 (+ object) : to remove (something or Read More …
Verb – Wade 1 : to walk through water (no object) We waded into the ocean. I jumped off the boat and waded back to shore. (US) They took off their sandals and waded (=(British) paddled) at the edge of Read More …
Verb – Instigate To instigate something–usually something bad–is to cause it or to stir it up, often by persuading people or by firing up their emotions. Pronunciation: IN stih gate Part of speech: Verb, the transitive kind: people and their Read More …
Verb – Dissolve 1 of something solid : to mix with a liquid and become part of the liquid (no object) Sugar/salt dissolves in water. (+ object) Dissolve the tablet in water. 2 (+ object) formal : to officially end Read More …