aphorism -- Dad

aphorism
aph·o·rism ( f -r z m). n. 1. A tersely phrased statement of a truth or opinion; an adage. See Synonyms at saying. 2. A brief statement of a principle.

Dad's favorite aphorism is "If left is not right, then only right is left." Brilliant.

Fleeten -- Mom

Fleeten means the color of skimmed milk
Adj.
Mother turned fleeten when she realized that the pretty young girl in the photograph was her son.

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

epiphenomenon -- Ann

ep·i·phe·nom·e·non (p-f-nm-nn) n. pl. ep·i·phe·nom·e·na (-n) 1. A secondary phenomenon that results from and accompanies another: "Exploitation of one social class or ethnic group by another [is] an epiphenomenon of real differences in power between social groups" (Harper's). 2. Pathology An additional condition or symptom in the course of a disease, not necessarily connected with the disease. epi·phe·nome·nal adj. epi·phe·nome·nal·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.

 

The epiphenomena of Mary's brain tumors, like fatigue, affect Ann's life, too.

panoply -- Todd

panoply [ˈpænəplɪ]

n pl -plies

1. a complete or magnificent array

2. (Military / Arms & Armour (excluding Firearms)) the entire equipment of a warrior

[via French from Greek panoplia complete armour, from pan- + hopla armour, pl of hoplon tool]

panoplied adj

 

In the Middle Ages, Todd might have gone to work in the panoply of the time, but today he goes dressed in coat and tie for a different kind of battle.

syncretism--Sister Jen

syn·cre·tism (sngkr-tzm, sn-)

n.

1. Reconciliation or fusion of differing systems of belief, as in philosophy or religion, especially when success is partial or the result is heterogeneous.

2. Linguistics The merging of two or more originally different inflectional forms.

---

[Greek sunkrtismos, union, from sunkrtizein, to unite (in the manner of the Cretan cities) : sun-, syn- + Krs, Krt-, Cretan.]

---

syn·cretic (-krtk), syncre·tistic (-kr-tstk) adj.

syncre·tist n.

 

Sister Jen speaks Teenspeak, a syncretic language derived from English and the linguistic demands of teenage culture.

Funambulate -- Little Brother Matt

Funambulate means to walk on ropes; to tight-rope walk.
verb

Little Brother Matt can juggle three apples, taking a bite out of one, so if he can learn to funambulate, he can take his show on the road.

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

Fescennine --Kristin

Fescennine means extremely rude.
Adj

Raised a Southern girl, Kristin does not tolerate fescennine behavior.

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

defunct--Isabella

de·funct  (d-fngkt)

adj.

Having ceased to exist or live: a defunct political organization.

Isabella defenestrated her defunct cell phone.

Floccinaucinihilipilification--Jack

Floccinaucinihilipilification is the concept that something is worthless.
noun

Flok-sih-noh-see-Nee-hee-lee-Pee-lih-fih-Kay-shun

Jack does not create art from junk: floccinaucinihilipilification gives him the strength to throw junk away.

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

Equipoise--Sam

Equipoise means a state of balance; equilibrium
noun

Sam's working towards equipoise in his life and in his tennis.

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

Floccinaucinihilipilification--Willie

Floccinaucinihilipilification means the concept that something is worthless.

Flok-sih-noh-see-Nee-hee-lee-Pee-lih-Kay-shun

Willie, who has  positive way of looking at the world, does not accept floccinaucinihilipilification.

Thanks for the word and the definition to

http://www.factacular.com/subjects/Interesting_Words

Erudite--Hayden

Erudite: Scholarly, especially with knowledge gained from books

If Hayden reads and studies voraciously, he may be as erudite as his dad's sisters.

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

Discombobulate--Lucie

Discombobulate means to throw into a state of confusion
verb
Lucie discombobulates her opponent when she fakes left and goes right.

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

Felicificability--Gretchen

Felicificability means capacity for happiness.
Gretchen has a high felicificability, and she shares her joy with others.

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

Favonian--Dad

Favonian means of or relating to the West Wind

Dad likes Shelley's favonian ode.
thanks for the word and the defnition to
http://www.factacular.com/subjects/Interesting_Words

Epizeuxis --Mom

Epizeuxis means the repetition of words with vehemence or emphasis

Mom's style is more one quick "blast" instead of epizeuxis: I never heard her say, "Fiddlesticks, fiddlesticks, fiddlesticks," probably because it becomes funny rather than vehement in repetition.

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

soporific--Ann

soporific [ˌsɒpəˈrɪfɪk]

adj also archaic soporiferous

1. inducing sleep

2. drowsy; sleepy

n

(Medicine) a drug or other agent that induces sleep

soporifically adv

 

For Ann, sitting down and listening to anything (music, sermon, television) is a soporific.

Elemunctory--Todd

Elemunctory means relating to nose blowing

Todd, being well-groomed, knows not to make elemunctory noises during church.

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

Erinacious--Sister Jen

Erinacious
Relating to or resembling hedgehogs

Sister Jen's giant dogs, Ranger and Rosie, attack any erinacious animals that wander onto their property. (Nope, not a mistake. The dogs own property. Just ask them.)

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

Eclogue--LIttle Brother Matt

Eclogue
noun
A poem in the form of a conversation between shepherds, In classical literature, a poem featuring rural themes and structured as a dialogue among shepherds

Little brother Matt has loved rap since his junior high school days in the 1970s, but if he'd lived in Homer's place and time, I bet he would have loved eclogues.

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

perspicacity--Sister Jen

per·spi·cac·i·ty  (pûrsp-ks-t)

n.

Acuteness of perception, discernment, or understanding.

Known for her perspicacity, Sister Jen calls 'em like she sees 'em.

aegis--Little Brother Matt

ae·gis also e·gis (js)

n.

1. Protection: a child whose welfare is now under the aegis of the courts.

2. Sponsorship; patronage: a concert held under the aegis of the parents' association.

3. Guidance, direction, or control: a music program developed under the aegis of the conductor.

4. Greek Mythology The goatskin shield or breastplate of Zeus or Athena. Athena's shield carried at its center the head of Medusa

Little Brother Matt is under the aegis of his own innate goodness.

Eleemosynary--Kristin

Eleemosynary
Related to charity, alms, or almsgiving


Kristin volunteered for the eleemosynary fundraiser Art for Animals, which combined two of her favorite things.

Thanks for the word and the definition to

http://www.factacular.com/subjects/Interesting_Words

sartorial--Isabella

sar·to·ri·al (sär-tôr-l, -tr-)

adj.

Of or relating to a tailor, tailoring, or tailored clothing: sartorial elegance


Grandpa wasn't attuned to Isabella's sartorial needs when they traveled in Greece and Turkey.