Mordant

Pronounced < more-dent >

It means:  a sarcastic cruel and biting wit

Daily use:  The bully once had a mordant sense of humor.  He was very nice now.

Memory trick: 

mordant

mord (reminds of)  =  mortified or shocked surprise

ant (reminds of)  =  a small bug or very little

 Mortifying words will make someone feel very small

Listen: Mordant

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Misnomer

 

Pronounced:
<mis-nohm-er>

An error in naming something.  A wrong name for a person.

 

My use:
It is a misnomer to call it work when you like what you do.  It should be called play.

 

Literary use:
By Whately
The word "synonym" is fact a misnomer.

 

Memory trick:
Mis - nome - r

mis (reminds of) = miss or not right
nome (reminds of) = name
r (reminds of) = are
not right name are

 

Listen: Misnomer

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Mien

Pronounced:
<meen>

Manner. Demeanor.

 

My use:
You have a very pleasant mien.  Your parents must have taught you good manners.

 

Literary use:
By Alexander Pope
 Vice is a monster of so frightful mien,  As, to be hated, needs but to be seen.

 

Memory trick:
mien

mien (sounds like) = mean or average or usual
the average way you are 

Listen: Mien

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Nexus

Pronounced:
< Nex-uh-sss >

 

It means: 
A link between to things.  A connected group.

Daily use: 
The nexus between our two groups is very strong. We are almost like one group.

Memory trick: 

nexus

nex (reminds of)  =  next

us (sounds like)  =  us or we

next to us

Listen: Nexus

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Mien

Pronounced:
<meen>

Manner. Demeanor.

My use:
You have a very pleasant mien.  Your parents must have taught you good manners.

Literary use:
By Alexander Pope
 Vice is a monster of so frightful mien,  As, to be hated, needs but to be seen.

Memory trick:
mien

mien (sounds like) = mean or average or usual
the average way you are

Listen: Mien

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Email: WebMaster@NewWordADay.com
© 2011 New Word A Day