etymology--Isabella

et·y·mol·o·gy  (t-ml-j)

n. pl. et·y·mol·o·gies

1. The origin and historical development of a linguistic form as shown by determining its basic elements, earliest known use, and changes in form and meaning, tracing its transmission from one language to another, identifying its cognates in other languages, and reconstructing its ancestral form where possible.

2. The branch of linguistics that deals with etymologies.

Context

Learning to speak Spanish enhanced Isabella's vocabulary because so many English words have the Spanish cognate as part of their etymology: "Quixotic," from Don Quixote, became one of her favorite words.

sockdologer--Jack

sock·dol·a·ger also sock·dol·o·ger (sk-dl-jr)

n. Slang

1. A conclusive blow or remark.

2. Something outstanding


Jack's sockdologer on the tennis court was as crisp as his sockdologer in the debate.

avuncular--Brother Matt's birthday word

a·vun·cu·lar/əˈvəNGkyələr/

Adjective:

Of or relating to an uncle. Kind and friendly toward a younger or less experienced person: "an avuncular manner".

Uncle Matt gazed at little Isabella with avuncular affection.

penultimate--Sam and Lucie

pe·nul·ti·mate  (p-nlt-mt)

adj.

1. Next to last.

2. Linguistics Of or relating to the penult of a word: penultimate stress.

n.

The next to the last.


Context:
Sam is the penultimate Turchetta child, just as Lucie is the penultimate Edwards child.

Agathokakological--Willie's birthday word

Agathokakological  means  Made up of Both Good and Evil

When the other kids complain that Auntie Mary is evil, Willie stands up for her: "She's not evil," he says. "She's agathokakological!" That stops 'em.

Thanks to http://www.factacular.com/subjects/Interesting_Words for the excellent word.

Antediluvian--Willie

an·te·di·lu·vi·an (nt-d-lv-n)

adj.

1. Extremely old and antiquated. See Synonyms at old.

2. Bible Occurring or belonging to the era before the Flood

 

Willie got in trouble when he called his grandpa "Mr. Antediluvian."  (He didn't really say that.I'm just teaching vocabulary..)

maven--Hayden

ma·ven also ma·vin  (mvn)

n.

A person who has special knowledge or experience; an expert.


When the Turchettas can't work their X-Box, they call their techology maven, Hayden.

whelm--Lucie

whelm  (hwlm, wlm)

tr.v. whelmed, whelm·ing, whelms

1. To cover with water; submerge.

2. To overwhelm

Whelmed by the ski-boats wake, Lucie sputtered to the surface and then tried to ski again.

genial--Gretchen and Dad

gen·ial ¹  (jnyl)

adj.

1. Having a pleasant or friendly disposition or manner. See Synonyms at gracious.

2. Conducive to life, growth, or comfort; mild: "the genial sunshine . . . saturating his miserable body with its warmth" (Jack London).


Gretchen is a genial young soul, and Dad is a genial old soul.

x--Sister Jen's Birthday word

x ¹ or X  (ks)

n. pl. x's or X's also xs or Xs

1. The 24th letter of the modern English alphabet.

2. Any of the speech sounds represented by the letter x.

3. The 24th in a series.

4. Something shaped like the letter X.

5. A mark inscribed to represent the signature of one who is unable to sign one's name.

6. An unknown or unnamed factor, thing, or person.

tr.v. x'd or X'd, x'ing or X'ing, x's or X's

1. To mark or sign with an X.

2. To delete, cancel, or obliterate with a series of X's. Often used with out.

Context
According to Roy Blount Jr. in his book Alphabetter Juice (which Sister Mary gave Sister Jen for Xmas), "x" is the shortest verb in the English language; the baseball word k and the work t, as in "teed off" are both generally used in the past tense.

perambulate--Gretchen

per·am·bu·late  (p-rmby-lt)

v. per·am·bu·lat·ed, per·am·bu·lat·ing, per·am·bu·lates

v.tr.

1. To walk through.

2. To inspect (an area) on foot.

v.intr.

To walk about; roam or stroll.

Gretchen perambulated about the park, stopping to do a little dance from time to time.

Addubitation--Dad

addubitation - The suggestion of a doubt

Dad's addubitation about Mary's facts sparked her ire, and she went off to prove him wrong.

detritus--Mom

de·tri·tus  (d-trts)

n. pl. detritus

1. Loose fragments or grains that have been worn away from rock.

2.

a. Disintegrated or eroded matter: the detritus of past civilizations.

b. Accumulated material; debris: "Poems, engravings, press releaseshe eagerly scrutinizes the detritus of fame" (Carlin Romano).

Weary of cleaning up Christmas detritus, Mom started the tradition of not wrapping Christmas gifts.

mnemonic--Ann

mne·mon·ic  (n-mnk)

adj.

Relating to, assisting, or intended to assist the memory.

n.

A device, such as a formula or rhyme, used as an aid in remembering.

The mnemonic FOIL (first, outer, inner, last) helps Ann's math students remember the order of operations.