gastropod -- Ann

gas·tro·pod  (gstr-pd) n. Any of various mollusks of the class Gastropoda, such as the snail, slug, cowrie, or limpet, characteristically having a single, usually coiled shell or no shell at all, a ventral muscular foot for locomotion, and eyes and feelers located on a distinct head. adj. Of or belonging to the class Gastropoda. [From New Latin Gastropoda, class name : gastro- + -poda, -pod.] gas·tropo·dan (g-strp-dn), gas·tropo·dous (-ds) adj.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

Though Ann loves the geometry of a gastropod's shell, she does not relish the slimy creature's taste. 

synergy -- Todd

syn·er·gy (snr-j) n. pl. syn·er·gies 1. The interaction of two or more agents or forces so that their combined effect is greater than the sum of their individual effects. 2. Cooperative interaction among groups, especially among the acquired subsidiaries or merged parts of a corporation, that creates an enhanced combined effect. [From Greek sunergi, cooperation, from sunergos, working together; see synergism.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

 

Todd could not get excited about the synergy of a large investment firm.

gallinaceous -- Sister Jen

relating to or similar to chickens or pheasants

Sister Jen likes gallinaceous art.

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

glabrous -- Little Brother Matt

smooth and bald

I wonder if Little Brother Matt's head will ever be glabrous.

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

noceur -- Kristin

a late night person

Kristin is both a noceur and an early riser: where does she get all of that energy?

Thanks for the word and the definition to http://www.factacular.com/subjects/Interesting_Words/1

intrinsic -- Isabella

in·trin·sic (n-trnzk, -sk) adj. 1. Of or relating to the essential nature of a thing; inherent. 2. Anatomy Situated within or belonging solely to the organ or body part on which it acts. Used of certain nerves and muscles. [Middle English intrinsique, inner, from Old French intrinseque, from Late Latin intrnsecus, inward, from Latin, inwardly; see en in Indo-European roots.] in·trinsi·cal·ly adv.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

 

I hope Isabella does something that is intrinsically interesting to her this summer rather than focusing on doing something to impress college admissions officers.

jokoserious -- Jack

half serious and half joking

Jack's sharp intelligence and dry humor mean that he is often jokoserious.

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

Scunner -- Sam

an aversion

Sam has a scunner to edible green things.

Thanks for the word and the definition to http://www.factacular.com/subjects/Interesting_Words/2

sabulous -- Hayden and Willie

sandy

When Hayden was little, he loved to get into the sand, but when Willie was little, he'd cry if his feet touched the sabulous shore.

Thanks for the word and the definition to http://www.factacular.com/subjects/Interesting_Words/2

lackadaisical -- Lucie

without enthusiasm

Lucie is no lackadaisical athlete; she's energetic and enthusiastic.

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

gallimaufry -- Gretchen, Sister Jen, Auntie Mary

a jumble

I'm not sure if Gretchen is tidy or not, but I know that her fraternal aunts' rooms had a gallimaufry of clothes and books and such on the floors of their rooms.

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

panoply -- Dad

pan·o·ply (pn-pl) n. pl. pan·o·plies 1. A splendid or striking array: a panoply of colorful flags. See Synonyms at display. 2. Ceremonial attire with all accessories: a portrait of the general in full panoply. 3. Something that covers and protects: a porcupine's panoply of quills. 4. The complete arms and armor of a warrior. [Greek panopli : pan-, pan- + hopla, arms, armor, pl. of hoplon, weapon.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

 

Dad lies on the couch surrounded by his old-school panoply of technology tools: a telephone, a television, a lamp, and--most advanced of all--a remote control.

hibernaculum -- Mom and Mary

hi·ber·nac·u·lum  (hbr-nky-lm) n. pl. hi·ber·nac·u·la (-l) Biology 1. A protective case, covering, or structure, such as a plant bud, in which an organism remains dormant for the winter. 2. The shelter of a hibernating animal. [Latin hbernculum, winter residence, from hbernre, to winter, from hbernus, relating to winter; seeghei- in Indo-European roots.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

When Mom returns in her next life as a bear, do not disturb her hibernaculum; Auntie Mary will be a flower: don’t disturb her hibernaculum either.

hermaneutic -- Todd and Ann

her·me·neu·tic (hûrm-ntk, -ny-) also her·me·neu·ti·cal (-t-kl) adj. Interpretive; explanatory. [Greek hermneutikos, from hermneuts, interpreter, from hermneuein, to interpret, from hermneus, interpreter.] herme·neuti·cal·ly adv.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

 

Sometimes engineers like Todd and others with mathematical intelligence like Ann leave out hermaneutic sentences that would help others of us understand their formulas.