Word of the Week (WOW)
May 12-16, 2008

posthaste (adverb)

  with all possible speed

  "With the end of the school year rapidly approaching, students should complete all assignments posthaste. "

 

Word of the Week (WOW)
May 5 - 9, 2008

anneal (verb)

  to make (as steel or glass) less brittle by heating and then cooling; to strengthen or toughen  

  The glassmaker shaped the vase with quick, fluid movements and then placed it in the oven to anneal the glass.

Word of the Week (WOW)
April 28-May 2, 2008

commensurate (adjective)

  corresponding in degree, number, or size; in proportion

 

  "Most students who work hard will eventually see results commensurate with their efforts. "

Word of the Week (WOW)
April 21-25, 2008

perennial (noun)

  a plant lasting for three seasons or more  

  Perennial plants, such as irises, tulips and daffodils, usually stop growing during the winter and return in the spring.

Word of the Week (WOW)
April 14-18, 2008

anthropomorphic (adjective)

  giving human characteristics to nonhuman things  

  To encourage healthy eating habits, the children's TV show featured anthropomorphic fruits and vegetables that talked about good nutrition.

Word of the Week (WOW)
April 7-11, 2008

copacetic (adjective)

  very satisfactory; excellent  

  If something is copacetic, then it's better than okay; it's positively excellent or first rate.

Word of the Week (WOW)
March 31 – April 4, 2008

netiquette (noun)

  etiquette governing communication on the Internet  

  "When you avoid using all caps in your message or sending lots of pictures in an email, you are practicing good netiquette. "

Word of the Week (WOW)
March 24-28 2008

pneumatic (adjective)

  moved or worked with air pressure  

  "The mechanic used a pneumatic tool to remove the tires from the car. "

Word of the Week (WOW)
March 3-7, 2008

delve (verb)

  to make a careful or detailed search for information

  The deeper we delve in search of the cause, the more answers we find.

Word of the Week (WOW)
February 25-29, 2008

caldera (noun)

  a large volcanic crater  

"The geologist spent a long career studying calderas, some of which were still volcanically active."

Word of the Week (WOW)
February 19-22, 2008

esplanade (noun)

  a level open stretch of paved or grassy ground, especially one designed for walking or driving along a shore

    "While walking along the esplanade, we stopped to enjoy yet another gorgeous ocean sunset."

Word of the Week (WOW)
February 11-15, 2008

biofuel (noun)
 

  a fuel (such as wood or ethanol)  composed of or produced from biological raw materials  

  Many people have begun to push for more research into biofuels, which they say would burn cleaner and be more sustainable than fossil fuel sources.

Word of the Week (WOW)
February 4-8, 2008

albeit (conjunction)

  conceding the fact that; even though; although  

  He finally landed a part in a Broadway play, albeit as a minor character.

Word of the Week (WOW)
January 28-February 1, 2008

rambunctious (adjective)

  marked by uncontrollable exuberance; unruly

  By the time she finally got the three rambunctious children to bed, the babysitter was exhausted.

Word of the Week (WOW)
January 22-25, 2008

voracious (adjective)

  excessively eager : insatiable  

  "My father is a voracious reader who whips through three or four books each week."

Word of the Week (WOW)
January 14-18, 2008

prerogative (noun)

  an exclusive or special right, power, or privilege

  "How my aunt spends her money is none of our business, and if she wants to use all her savings to buy that sports car, it's her prerogative."

Word of the Week (WOW)
January 8-11, 2008

lavish (verb)

  to expend or give freely

  "Graduation is a time when family and friends may lavish gifts on the graduates."

Word of the Week (WOW)
December 17-20, 2007

hypnotic (adjective)

  Inducing or tending to induce sleep 

  "Some music can seem hypnotic.  While listening to it, you feel relaxed and somewhat sleepy. "

Word of the Week (WOW)
December 10-14, 2007

nitroglycerin (noun)

  A heavy, colorless, oily liquid, C3H5N3O9, that is used in the production of dynamite and as a vasodilator in medicine.

  "The compound nitroglycerin has both medical and demolition uses."

 Word of the Week (WOW)
December 3-7, 2007

cartel (noun)

  a combination of independent commercial or industrial enterprises designed to limit competition or fix prices. 

    "Identifying and breaking up cartels is an important part of the competition policy in most countries."

Word of the Week (WOW)
November 26-30, 2007

über (adjective)
from the German language meaning super or very much
 
"The über geek is one whose preoccupation with technology goes above and beyond that of the average computer geek. "
 

Word of the Week (WOW)
November 19-20, 2007

relent (verb)

  to become less severe or harsh; to slacken or yield

"As the end of the semester approaches, students should continue to keep up with their school work and not relent."

 

Word of the Week (WOW)
November 12-16, 2007

shenanigan (noun)

  a deceitful trick or a playful or mischievous act

 

  Shenanigans differ from the mainstream usage of "practical jokes" or "pranks" in that they are, above all, often harmless..

Word of the Week (WOW)
November 5-9, 2007

masquerade (noun)

  a false or outward show; a pretense

  "Some students present a masquerade towards others.  They are actually quite smart but appear otherwise."

Word of the Week (WOW)
October 29-November 2, 2007

contemplate (verb)

  To consider carefully and at length 

  "Students should begin to contemplate potential future careers while in high school. "

Word of the Week (WOW)
October 22-26, 2007

oblivious (adjective)

  unaware; failing to notice  

  "Being oblivious to road conditions and traffic while driving can cause a serious accident." 

Word of the Week (WOW)
October 15-19, 2007

debacle (noun)

  a great defeat, upset, or failure

  Creek Wood’s win at our homecoming game will be a crushing debacle for the opposing team. 

Word of the Week (WOW)
September 24-28, 2007

industrious (adjective)

  characterized by hard work and perseverance.

    Industrious students often receive better grades in school, along with scholarships and the best job offers after graduation. 

Word of the Week (WOW)
September 17-21, 2007

intuitive (adjective)
known or perceived by intuition; able to sense or know something without reasoning.
 
She had an intuitive “gut” feeling that she was being watched.

Word of the Week (WOW)
September 10-14, 2007
jabot (noun)

  1. an ornamental cascade of ruffles or frills down the front of a shirt, blouse, or dress.

  "Pirate costume shirts often include a jabot at the neck as well as big puffy sleeves. "

Word of the Week (WOW)
September 5-7, 2007

repertoire
(noun)

  the complete list or supply of skills, devices, or ingredients used in a particular field, occupation, or practice.

    "All teachers have in their repertoire a variety of techniques and activities that they use regularly. "

Word of the Week (WOW)
August 27-31, 2007

innuendo
(noun)

  An indirect (and usually malicious) implication.  

  "Most gossip is full of rumors and innuendos and is rarely true."

 

Word of the Week (WOW)
August 20-24, 2007

crescendo (noun)

  A gradual increase in loudness, intensity, or force.

  "A crescendo of cheers came from the crowd as the football team took the field. "

Word of the Week (WOW)
August 13-17, 2007

conducive (adjective)

  tending to promote or assist  

  "Creek Wood teachers promote an atmosphere conducive to learning."

Word of the Week (WOW)
August 6-10, 2007

pledge (verb)

  to promise or vow

I pledge to Drive it Right. "