A diagram is an illustration that describes or explains. It is not simply a picture, but it carries instructions or conveys information about something. It is commonly used in science and mathematics. In British English, diagram may also mean a railway schedule. There are three adjective forms: diagrammable, diagrammatic, and diagrammatical. The middle form is the most …
Candor is a noun meaning complete honesty or fairness. Sometimes it is used in the construction complete candor, but this is redundant. It is not pejorative or carry the connotation that candor is harsh, simply that what is said or done can be believed. The negative formation is usually having a lack of candor. Candor is …
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Behoove is a verb used with an object. It means to be essential or dutiful. The formal construction is it behooves (someone) to do (something). However, most often the word is misused to mean the action benefits or gives gain to a person. Because this misuse is so prevalent, at least one …
Agog is an adjective used to describe oneself as very enthusiastic or interested because of something or someone. It comes from French en gogues or in mirth. A synonym for agog is agape. Agape can be a noun, which comes from Greek, and literally means love. This noun form is sometimes used as part of a name …
Sorbet is a frozen dessert made from fruit or juice. Sherbet is also made from fruit and is a frozen dessert; however, sherbet typically includes dairy. Sorbet does not. Both words do come from the same word base tracing back to the Arabic sharba or drink. Sorbet can be pronounced (sor bay) or (sor bet). The plural is made …
Do you accept or except an apology? These two words can be frustrating to use because of their similar pronunciation. But they are entirely different in meaning and category. Learn the difference between accept vs. except so you can avoid this common writing mistake. Accept vs. Except The verb accept …
Guess what? Today, I’m going over the details about a word that can have multiple meanings depending on the context in which it’s used: sanction. You can use it as a noun and a verb and even apply it to many different situations. So, what does sanction mean exactly? Hang …
Synchronize is a verb meaning to make two or more objects or actions happen in the same moment. Outside the United States it is spelled synchronise. The verb can be conjugated through all its forms, such as, synchronized, synchronizing, synchronised, and synchronising. A person or object which creates synchronization is a synchronizer. Examples Based on those statistics and …
Lilliputian is an adjective describing something or someone as being similar to the people of the island of Lilliput. Lilliput is a fictional island in Jonathan Swift’s novel Gulliver’s Travels. Lilliputians were extremely small compared to Gulliver. So if something is Lilliputian then it is small. Even though the dictionary lists the term with …
As an adjective vested means to be absolutely promised as a benefit or legal right. To be vested in a company is to have been given certain benefits or privileges. It can also mean having a vest, which is a sleeveless garment worn over the torso. A related phrasal noun is vested interest. Vested interest means an additional …