Sinciput

Well, who would have known? We all have a sinciput. Well, that's unless you've had pretty major surgery. Your sinciput, dear friends, is the part of your head from the forehead to the tippy top. I can't give any particulars about the derivation - but I hope you'll find this word an unusual and exciting one to drop into conversation when things need a bit of livening up. Kathy's invented meaning won on the poll. Well done, Kathy.

Lycanthropy

Lycanthropy is when a witch transforms into a wolf or - just to keep you on your toes - it's also a mental affliction whereby the patient thinks he or she is a beast and exhibits the characteristics of that beast. Grrrrr. Best stop there, I think. Great meanings on the blog for lycanthropy. The winner was Sonnjea B. Great work once again, Sonnjea.

Razzia

A razzia is actually a slave collecting expedition which, admittedly, is a pretty good meaning. However, I thought the invented meanings on the poll were outstanding today. Most outstanding of all, according to the voters, was the meaning from 3 Elements. Great work!

Chittack

A chittack is an Indian weight equalling an ounce. Thanks for your meanings on the blog today. I enjoyed them. The winner on the poll was invented by Eve's Lungs. Well done!

Saxatile

If something is saxatile, it's living among rocks - a snippet of information I may well have a use for on my next trip to the beach. Thanks for invented meanings. It's a slow time for blogging over the weekend so I left it on a bit longer. Sonnjea B's invented meaning found favour with the judges. Well done, Sonnjea.

Horripilation

Many of the word imps were a lot closer to the real meaning for horripilation than they probably imagined. Horripilation is the correct term for what's commonly known as goose bumps. I loved the meanings and found it tricky only choosing three. However, I did, and the winner on the poll was Floribunda, again! Keep up the creative work, Floribunda.

Nyctalopia

Nyctalopia, as Shari pointed out, is night-blindness. My dictionary, oddly enough, also describes it as "the inability to see clearly, except at night". That seems like the opposite to me, but who knows. Some effort obviously went into today's blog meanings. Well done, word imps. Floribunda's meaning took the voters' fancy and is pronounced winner on the day. Great work, Floribunda.

Nutation

Nutation is what a spinning top does as it oscillates. It's also the curve in the stem of a growing plant. And it's nodding. So, lots of choices there. But none as interesting as the invented ones. Gergory's was the winner on the poll. Thanks for that, Gregory.

Spiracle

A spiracle is a zoological term. It's a whale's blow hole. And it's the outer orifice of an insect's trachea. Scarey, I agree. So I'm moving quickly to the invented meanings which are delightful. Thanks for your inventiveness. Well done to Sophie 9, the winner on the poll.

Pettifogger

A pettifogger is a rascally attorney with inferior legal abilities. So, quite a handy word for us word imps to add to our arsenal. For once, the real meaning stands up to scrutiny. The pollsters, however, have chosen Shari's meaning as their favourite. Well done, Shari.

Lawrencium

Lawrencium is a man-made radioactive element. It's named after someone, just not Lawrence of Arabia. The famous Lawrence in question was actually E.O. Lawrence, an American physicist. I think the invented meanings, as usual, suit the word much better of course. Amalia's meaning is the favourite among pollsters. Well done and welcome back, Amalia. Good to see you again.

Catachresis

Catachresis is what we do! It's improper use of words. Go, catachresis. It's one of my favourite things and I didn't even realise it. Anyway, the catachresis for catachresis was great, as usual. Thanks for your efforts. Realityjunkie takes top place on the poll today. Congrats, RJ.

Pelf

Pelf is money. I never knew that. Perhaps people who have more money than me know more words to describe their wealth. However, now I know. And so do you. Thanks for the blog meanings today. The winner on the blog was The Mad Fishicist. Clever man, TMF!

Ballonet

A ballonet is the air compartment in a balloon or airship. Not nearly as interesting as some of the meanings on the blog for this word. Thanks for your contributions over Easter. Back to a word a day again now - and congrats to Albow for the winning meaning on the poll.

Pellagra

Pellagra is a disease which starts with cracked skin and ends with insanity. So get that moisturiser out, people! Sadly, I do have cracked heels. However, my insanity is completely unrelated. Thanks for your wide ranging meanings on the blog. Wonderful! Ron was the favourite on the poll. Congratulations on your success, Ron.

Dolose

Dolose describes a person with criminal intent. Mmmmm. I'm sure none of the word imps could be described as dolose. Especially not Sonnjea B, who's the winner on the poll for this word. Congrats, Sonnjea.

Palafitte

A palafitte isn't quite as palatial as I had imagined. It's actually the name for a prehistoric hut on piles over a Swiss or Italian lake. Well, if you have to live in a prehistoric hut, I guess that's the spot. Give me a palafitte over suburbia any day. However, I digress... I genuinely loved all the invented meanings on the blog today. Thanks for such superb work, word imps. I'm very happy to say that my favourite invented meaning, the one written by Madame C, was the winner with the voters as well. Good work, Madame C. You had some strong competition.

Toccata

A toccata is described in my dictionary as a rapid, brilliant composition for piano or organ. So not a tasty morsel after all. Anyway, the word imps have done their bit as usual and the voters have had their say. The winner is Realityjunkie. Great work, RJ.

Darg

A darg is a day's work. The meanings on the blog showed a good variety of inventiveness and the winner on the day was Sonnjea B. Congratulations and welcome back, Sonnjea.