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Tuesday, August 12, 2008

malapropism
Pronunciation: \ˈma-lə-ˌprä-ˌpi-zəm\
Function: noun
Etymology:
Mrs. Malaprop, character noted for her misuse of words in R. B. Sheridan's comedy The Rivals (1775)
Date: 1849
1: the usually unintentionally humorous misuse or distortion of a word or phrase; especially : the use of a word sounding somewhat like the one intended but ludicrously wrong in the context
2: malaprop
— mal·a·prop·ist \-ˌprä-pist\ noun

from Ben Lim

Monday, August 11, 2008

an·i·mus
Pronunciation: \ˈa-nə-məs\
Function: noun
Etymology: Latin, spirit, mind, courage, anger
Date: 1816
1 : basic attitude or governing spirit : disposition, intention
2 : a usually prejudiced and often spiteful or malevolent ill will
3 : an inner masculine part of the female personality in the analytic psychology of C. G. Jung — compare anima

synonyms see enmity

from TV "The O.C."

hemophilia
Pronunciation: \ˌhē-mə-ˈfi-lē-ə\
Function: noun
Etymology: New Latin
Date: 1872
: a sex-linked hereditary blood defect that occurs almost exclusively in males and is characterized by delayed clotting of the blood and consequent difficulty in controlling hemorrhage even after minor injuries

from TV "The O.C."