Thursday, January 7, 2010

Dictionary Highlights : Day 7

ambergris - an opaque, ash-colored secretion of the sperm whale intestine, usually found floating on the ocean or cast ashore: used in perfumery.

And now you know where these perfumes come from

ambisinister - clumsy or unskillful with both hands.

The expected antonym of ambidextrous

ambisextrous - held in common by both sexes, especially sexual characteristics.

The expected neologism of ambidextrous

amen corner - a place in some Protestant churches, usually at one side of the pulpit, occupied by worshipers leading the responsive amens of the congregation.

And I thought it was the 12th hole at Augusta National

American Legion - a society, organized in 1919, composed of veterans of the armed forces of the U.S.

Why did I keep thinking that this was the name of some sort of white supremacy group?

American plan - (in hotels) a system of paying a single fixed rate that covers room and all meals.

American twist - In tennis, a service in which the ball is spun so as to bounce high and to the left of the receiver.

A term that should be imported into bartending

Ammonium nitrate - a white, crystalline, water-soluble powder, NH4NO3, usually produced by reacting nitric acid with vaporous ammonia: used chiefly in explosives, fertilizers, freezing mixtures, and in the manufacture of nitrous oxide.

That's why fertilizer bombs work

amphetamine - a racemic drug, C9H13N, that stimulates the central nervous system: used chiefly to lift the mood in depressive states and to control the appetite in cases of obesity. a(lpha) + m(ethyl) + ph(enyl) + et(hyl) + AMINE

amphotericin - an amphoteric antibiotic produced by the bacterium Streptomyces nodosus and used in the treatment of fungal infections.

It's the opposite of penicillin

1 comment:

Doug Mazanec said...

Enjoying the lexigraphical tour, as well as your sly commentary.