Eudiometer

A eudiometer is used in chemical experiments. Apparently, it's a graduated glass tube which somehow causes an electric spark in its metallic terminals. Something to do with combining gases. I know that's hopeless, but so is my understanding of chemistry. The blogging chemists out there are welcome to provide a clearer description of the word than that. However, I think I'll stick with the invented meanings which were, in the main, much easier to understand. Stephen's invented meaning was a big favourite on the poll. Congrats, Stephen.

Aboulia

Aboulia is loss of willpower. You'd think I would have heard of that at some stage in my life, but I can't say it rings a bell. However, loss of willpower is something I'm familiar with, for sure. The invented meanings were wonderful as always. I'm happy to report that the winning invented meaning on the poll came from Wunx~. Welcome to the game and well done!

Incubus

I might have bitten off more than was chewable with today's word. I had no idea of the implications of choosing the word "incubus". I'd never heard of it before and my dictionary didn't mention the specific details which I've just discovered on dictionary.com thanks to the heads up from Pastor Phil. I didn't know anything about it also being the name of a band - but then I'm not up with the play as far as music goes. So, apologies for any offence caused to anyone. Let's just say the simplest dictionary meaning for incubus is that it's an evil spirit believed to descend on sleepers. It can also be used to describe an oppressive nightmare or an oppressive burden or person. Enough said. The invented meanings were great. Alex Beech took the cake and most of the votes with her cuddly invented meaning. Well done, Alex.

Feretory

A feretory is a shrine for the relics of a saint or the chapel in which shrines were kept. No ferrets at all, strangely enough. Lots of fun had by all on the blog today, though. And I'm proud to say that I have even used the real meaning of feretory in a conversation today! The best invented meaning according to the poll was a runaway winner. Well done, Auntibeck! We're impressed.

Moxa

Moxa is fascinating. It's anything used as a counter-irritant for gout. Specific remedies are mentioned in my dictionary but I'll leave that up to any potential gout sufferers to follow up. I have other, more pressing issues to address. As does Raelha, who needs to celebrate her win on the poll today. Well done, Raelha.

Holothurian

Oddly enough, holothurian describes animals of the sea slug type. Not something I would ever have guessed, but there you go. The invented blog meanings took a different tack completely, as is usually the case, and provided me with some happy moments. The favourite among pollsters was written by Brian O Vretanos. Congratulations BOV.

Crambo

Crambo is a word game. It's different to our word imperfect game though. Here's how to play. One player says a word. Each of the other players must find a rhyme for that word. There seem to be some other versions which could be more interesting but I'll leave you to follow that up in your own time. Sandra Dodd's definition made it to the top of the poll today, followed closely by her rivals. Well done, Sandra.

Tortile

Tortile means twisted, curved or coiled. I probably could have figured that out if I'd thought about it hard enough. But I'd rather read the hilarious invented meanings on the blog instead. Aviva's meaning was a runaway winner on the poll. Well done, again Aviva.

Limbate

Limbate is a botanical or biological term which describes something with a distinct border. I've seen leaves like that. Now I'll be able to describe them correctly and wow my friends on garden rambles... Anyway, back to reality. Thanks for a wide variety of interesting meanings for limbate. I just thought of another one - someone who can't think of the last line for a limerick! However, it's too late. The winner's been chosen and it's Bee. Thanks for your wonderful invented meaning, Bee.

Squacco

A squacco is a small, crested heron. Perhaps some of you knew that but were humouring me for the purposes of the word game. Thanks for that. The meanings were squishy and squeamish but lots of fun. Ingrid got the most votes on the poll, which makes her a very happy winner indeed. Well done, Ingrid!

Abbacy

An abbacy is the office of an abbot. Today's range of ideas was impressive. Thanks again for visiting and being part of the game. Aviva won a close battle on the poll. Well done, Aviva.

Tierce

A tierce is a third of a pipe and was used as an old wine measure. Interestingly, it's also a sequence of three cards and the third position in fencing as well as a few other obscure things to do with the number three. Lots of great invented meanings made their way to the blog again today, with the winner entry written by Elle4loser. Well done to you.

Wivern

Yes, a wivern (also spelled wyvern) is a winged, two legged dragon with a barbed tail. The invented meanings were wonderful again. I was amazed at the huge variety and had lots of fun reading them. Well done to Somegirl for a great meaning and a well deserved win on the poll today!

Pilose

Pilose means covered with hair. I feel like I should have known that but, sadly, I didn't. Maybe I'll remember it now but I'm not making any promises. My memory isn't what it used to be. I hope some of the word imps out there are gaining a fabulous vocabulary through this game though! Voting on the poll was very tight between Stephen and Melissa today - so tight in fact that I've declared them both winners. Wonderful meanings, both of you. Thanks for your creativity.

Splenius

The splenius is actually a neck muscle which is used to pull back the head. Fancy that! Once again, the invented meanings were lots of fun to read. The winner on the poll came from Brian O Vretanos. Thanks, Brian. Great work.

Kymograph

A kymograph is an instrument, as many of you figured out. It's used to record variations in pressure, with sound waves being the example given in my dictionary. Lots of fun was had by all with today's meanings and the winning entry on the poll was supplied by J Morgetron. Congratulations and thanks to everyone for dropping by.

Jobation

A jobation is a lengthy reprimand. I have a tendency to enter a period of jobation every now and again with my children. However, they soon let me know when I've made my point and the jobation is complete. Now I know what to call it. Cool! Loved the meanings on the blog today. And great to see we're still getting new players as a result of the blog of note status which is over a week old. Williminator took the honours with today's invented meanings in a very tight race. Congratulations.

Nonage

Nonage actually describes being under age, a minor or immature. Quite the opposite of some of today's invented meanings. But that's a good thing in my book. I always enjoying perusing the "funnies" I've spawned through this word game. Thanks for the giggles as always. And well done to Irene Grumman, winner on the poll today.

Mattoid

A mattoid is a thoroughly fascinating creature. It's a person who swings erratically between genius and fool. I like that. And I loved the array of meanings added by generous word imps who visited the blog today. Thanks again for coming back. You are very kind. And congratulations to Karoline whose meaning gained the most votes on the poll today.

Horopter

The actual meaning of horopter is actually something that my brain can't fathom. So I'll have to just leave it with you and see if you can make sense of it. Apparently, it's the aggregate of points which are seen singly by the eyes in any given position. Sorry I can't make that any clearer. Science wasn't my strong point. Fortunately, the invented meanings were much easier to figure out. Shari's was one that took my fancy and it went down well with the voters as well. Great work, Shari.

Asperity

Asperity seems quite a flexible word. It means roughness, harshness, severity of weather and sharpness of temper. The blog meanings, as always, held my interest all day. Winner on the poll was Orange Strings. Great work, OS.

Bleb

A bleb is actually a small blister or bubble found on skin, water or glass. I've seen those blebs in glass before. Now I know what they're called. Once again a wonderful array of invented meanings have made it to the blog today. Winners on the poll, with exactly the same number of votes, were Pirate Jim and Fz. Both well deserved!

Quaquaversal

Quaquaversal means pointing in every direction. It's a word I can't imagine using very often in that context. However, some of the invented meanings could be very useful. Thanks for all your imaginative writings, fellow word imps. Your expertise makes it very hard to choose three for the poll. Elle4loser gained the most votes today. Congrats.

Orlop

The orlop is the lowest deck on a ship which has three or more decks. It's certainly tough choosing only three invented meanings for the poll when there are over 50 to choose from! I thoroughly enjoyed reading through the list and was amazed at the ingenuity of the blogging world. Congratulations to Mandy for the winning meaning on the poll today.

Francolin

A francolin is actually a bird. It's a type of partridge which looks like a pheasant. What a fabulous array of invented meanings on the blog today! Thanks so much to everyone who has found this site via Blogs of Note. A big welcome to you all. Hopefully many of you will enjoy playing and visit again soon. And congratulations to Scallywagger, who was the very clear winner on the voting poll today.

Reliquary

A reliquary is a receptacle for relics. Many of today's invented meanings were close to the real meaning - which I suspected might happen. Nevertheless, there was still a good range of meanings which had nothing to do with relics at all. I enjoyed each of the meanings and was very happy to see that a few new people have been joining the game. Welcome to you all. I hope you keep coming back. The Mad Fishicist received lots of votes on the poll today, thanks to the new "Blog of Note" status. Well done, TMF!

Graminaceous

Graminaceous is nowhere near as interesting as it sounds, sadly. It means grassy or like grass. I'm sure it's one of those words we'll all be able to drag into conversation some day soon. Interesting indeed were the invented meanings from a plethora of word imps today. Great work everyone. I'm impressed. Pirate Jim was the runaway winner in the voting on the poll. Great work, PJ. I hope you join us again soon.