Word Dictionary [311014]

Word of the day: promiscuous
Definition: adj. of mixed and indiscriminate composition or kinds; indiscriminate.
Synonyms: easy, light, loose, sluttish, wanton,
Etymology: L promiscuus (as PRO-(1), miscere mix) (more…)

pronunciation: prəˈmɪskjuəs

from Oxford: promiscuous

adj.
1 a (of a person) having frequent and diverse sexual relationships, esp. transient ones. b (of sexual relationships) of this kind.
2 of mixed and indiscriminate composition or kinds; indiscriminate (promiscuous hospitality).
3 colloq. carelessly irregular; casual.
Derivatives: promiscuity n. promiscuously adv. promiscuousness n.
Etymology: L promiscuus (as PRO-(1), miscere mix)

from Wordnet: promiscuous

adj 1: not selective of a single class or person; “Clinton was criticized for his promiscuous solicitation of campaign money”
2: casual and unrestrained in sexual behavior; “her easy virtue”; “he was told to avoid loose (or light) women”; “wanton behavior” [syn: easy, light, loose, sluttish, wanton]

Quote of the day: A library doesn’t need windows. A library is a window. by Stewart Brand

Birthday of the day: Philippe de Vitry; Philippe de Vitry (31 October 1291 – 9 June 1361) was a French composer, music theorist and poet. He was an accomplished, innovative, and influential composer, and may also have been the author of the Ars Nova treatise.

Joke of the day: A fellow bought a new Mercedes and was out on the interstate for a nice evening drive. The top was down, the breeze was blowing through what was left of his hair and he decided to go faster. As the needle jumped up to 80 mph, he suddenly saw flashing red and blue lights behind him. ‘There’s no way they can catch a Mercedes,’ he thought to himself and went faster. The needle hit 90, 100…. Then the reality of the situation hit him. ‘What am I doing?’ he thought and pulled over. The cop came up to him, took his license without a word and examined it and the car. ‘It’s been a long day, this is the end of my shift and it’s Friday the 13th. I don’t feel like more paperwork, so if you can give me an excuse for your driving that I haven’t heard before, you can go.’ The guy thinks for a second and says, ‘Last week my wife ran off with a cop. I was afraid you were trying to give her back!’ ‘Have a nice weekend,’ said the officer.

Thought of the day: Opportunities are usually disguised as hard work, so most people don’t recognize them.

Fact of the day: 475 – Romulus Augustulus is proclaimed Western Roman Emperor.

Biography of the day: Dana Andrews; Dana Andrews (1 Jan. 1909-17 Dec. 1992), actor, was born Carver Dana Andrews in Collins, Mississippi, to Charles Forrest Andrews, a Baptist minister, and Annis Speed. During his years as a Hollywood star, studio publicists listed his birth date as 1912. The third of nine children, he was named after professors his father had studied under at a theological seminary and was known as Dana. One of his brothers also became an actor, performing under the name Steve Forrest.

Article of the day; Resurrectionists; Resurrectionists (depicted in action) were commonly employed by anatomists in the United Kingdom during the 18th and 19th centuries to disinter the bodies of the recently deceased for anatomical research. Between 1506 and 1752 only a very few cadavers were available each year. The supply was increased when, in an attempt to intensify the deterrent effect of the death penalty, the allowed executed criminals to be dissected—a fate generally viewed with horror—in place of gibbeting. The change was insufficient to meet the needs of hospitals and teaching centres. Corpses and their component parts became a commodity, but although the practice of disinterment was hated by the general public, bodies were not legally anyone’s property. Resurrectionists caught plying their trade ran the risk of attack. Measures taken to stop them included increased security at graveyards, secure coffins, and physical barriers. Matters came to a head following the Burke and Hare murders of 1828. Although it did not make body snatching illegal, the Anatomy Act 1832 effectively put an end to the work of the resurrectionists by allowing anatomists access to the workhouse dead.

Did you know: a) that Mrs. Pack was selected as wet nurse for William, Duke of Gloucester by his father because of her breasts, which were ‘gigantic’? b) that it has been said that the opening chorus of Bach’s cantata Was Gott tut, das ist wohlgetan, BWV 99, ‘would still work perfectly well if the vocal parts were entirely removed’? c) that Chichester Castle was built in the Rape of Chichester in the 11th century? d) that at the same time Francis ‘Mother’ Dunn was coaching Dickinson College’s football team, he was also playing professional football for the Canton Bulldogs under Jim Thorpe?

Source: http://worddictionary.com.au/