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euphemistic

Something that's euphemistic fills in, in a polite or gentle way, for a difficult or offensive word. A euphemistic way to say "pregnant," for example, is "in the family way."

People often use euphemistic expressions when they're afraid of offending or upsetting someone. You might refer to pornography as "adult material," or instead of saying, "You're going bald," say "You're looking a little thin on top." Euphemism comes from the Greek euphemismos, "use of a favorable word in place of an inauspicious one," from the roots eu-, "good," and pheme, "speaking."

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willer
willer
Nov 24, 2018

To be insane is to be mentally ill. This is also a slang word for acting wacky or wild.

This word has two closely related meanings. People who are insane are suffering from mental illness, which is very serious. When someone commits a crime, it's important to know if they were sane or insane. If they're insane, the penalty is different. Many uses of the word are not so serious. A wild party is called insane, and car salesmen say their prices are insane. A teacher assigning six hours of homework might be told "That’s insane!"

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willer
willer
Nov 24, 2018

A ripple is a small wave on the surface of something, such as a ripple that forms a ring around the spot where you threw a pebble into the pond.

Ripple can also be a verb. For example, you might see raindrops ripple on top of a puddle. Ripple was first used in the 1670s to describe something that causes a ruffled surface, sort of like how water seems to momentarily gain texture as it's stirred. Ripple later came to describe a very small wave, but you've probably heard of the "ripple effect" in which tiny waves spread, setting off more and more waves.


1.nv a small wave on the surface of a liquid

2.n (electronics) an oscillation of smal…

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willer
willer
Nov 24, 2018

To entangle is to snarl, intertwine with, or get caught in. Too often, dolphins entanglethemselves in large fishing nets meant to catch tuna or swordfish.

If you mean to trip your brother, you can entangle your leg around his, and when long-haired people don't brush it for days, it will snarl and entangle itself. A figurative way to entangle is to get caught up in a complicated situation: "I didn't mean to entangle you in this mess with my roommates!" Entangle's roots are en-, "put in" or "cause to be" and tangle, or "snarl."

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willer
willer
Nov 24, 2018

Seclusion means being separate, and apart from others, in a quiet kind of way. If you want seclusion, try a private island.

The word seclusion implies privacy as well as separateness. An island with no other islands around it or a cabin in the middle of a forest will offer you seclusion if you need to get away from other people. Some nations have a policy of seclusion — they do not allow people, products, or ideas to cross their borders and enter the country.

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