Etiolate

To etiolate a plant or person is to deprive them of light until they develop a sickly hue. Not something I recommend. I'm a person who likes a lot of light myself. Anyway, it's a word that got the word imps thinking hard and that's always worthwhile. Shari and Auntibeck were both equally favoured by the voters. So, yet another tie on the poll. Well done, you two.

Quadroon

A quadroon is actually a person of quarter Negro blood. As always, there were some interesting suggestions on the blog. The winning suggestion was that of The Chindo. Well done, TC.

Rhotacize

To rhotacize, you need to speak with a lot of emphasis on the letter "r". It's also the term for converting other sounds into "r", as small children sometimes do. In New Zealand, people who live in Southland (particularly around a place called Gore) are reknowned for their rhotacism. The Maori language puts emphasis on the letter "r" as well, so I guess that's rhotacism too. However, I didn't know there was a name for it. Now I do, and so do you. Go forth and educate. Alternatively, think erotic thoughts about soft fruit, as suggested by Squishy Mama - today's winner on the poll. Well done, Squishy Mama! You go girl!

Oxter

Your oxter is your armpit. Who knew? Not me, that's for sure. As always, I enjoyed the meanings contributed by today's participants and particularly those of the joint winners - Haberman's Habits and Molly Malone. Excellent work, both of you.

Cachinnate

To cachinnate actually means to laugh loudly. I do it often - particularly when I'm on holiday with my sisters which I have been for the last couple of days. Thanks for the inventive meanings. The Mad Fishicist was today's winner. Good work, TMF.

Fatidical

Fatidical actually means gifted with prophetic power. So, nothing like the invented meanings at all - but that's always a good thing. Today's favourite on the poll was suggested by Sonnjea B. Well done, Sonnjea.

Lobscouse

Lobscouse is a delicious meal for sailors consisting of meat stewed with vegetables and ship's biscuit. Mmmmmm. I think I'll stick to being a landlubber for now. I loved the meanings on the blog for this word. Very inventive indeed. Two people shared the honours again. Calamity Jane and Realityjunkie were the winners. Great work, you two.

Jannock

A jannock is actually a synonym for straight up, honest and genuine. Basically, a good sort of person to be around. Two people were tied on the poll today(sounds painful, doesn't it?). But fortunately for them, this kind of poll means they're both winners. Congratulations to The Chindo and Belle Etoile (both new and dedicated players).

Xyster

A xyster is pretty frightening. It's a surgical instrument for scraping bones. All the nurse and doctor bloggers out there would have known that one, of course. "Pass the xyster, nurse." "Of course, doctor. Right away." The thought of scraping bones is one I've decided not to dwell on, though. One of the reasons I wasn't keen to follow a career in medicine. I really liked Shari's meaning and it was the favourite on the poll too, so there you go. Full points to you, Shari.

Taradiddle

A taradiddle is a fib or a lie. My children were reluctant to think up meanings for taradiddle as it sounded "rude". Not so the word imps. There were plenty of bloggers willing to stretch their brain matter on this one - with a large percentage mentioning Ireland. Winner on the poll was Realityjunkie. A first win too, so great work.

Wayzgoose

A wayzgoose is the annual festivity of a printing house. Origin unknown. Perhaps someone in the printing trade can enlighten us on that one! Being a writer, perhaps one day I'll be invited to a wayzgoose. There were certainly some interesting meanings on the blog today, with a deserved win on the poll to Sara. Well done, Sara.

Vomer

A vomer is a small thin bone between your nostrils. Bet you didn't know it even had a name! Well, I didn't, anyway. Hopefully I'll be able to remember it one day when I need to be a scintillating conversationalist. There was another tie on the voting poll today. This time it's Belle Etoile and The Mad Fishicist who take the honours.

Tapotement

Tapotement is percussion used as part of a massage. I'm pretty sure it's percussion with the massager's hands rather than drumsticks, but I'm happy to be corrected on that. I am jealous of those who get regular tapotement. I don't seem to have the time, money or temperament to make it a priority. The invented meanings of Gregory and Madame C both achieved the same scores on the poll. Well done, you two. I loved both meanings.

Scatology

As suggested by Amalia, scatology is the study of excrement. It also describes the study of swearing, I believe. There was a variety of entries on the blog today, which I always like, and the voting for the final three was fairly evenly spread. However, Sonnjea B won out in the end. Well done, Sonnjea.

Geminate

To geminate is to arrange things in pairs. Some of the word imps got the "gemini" connection there. The meaning put forward by Haberman's Habits was chosen by voters as the best today. Well done, HH.

Lucubrate

It seems that lucubrating is something a lot of bloggers are doing right now. It's expressing your meditative thoughts in writing! Fascinating, isn't it? I love learning new stuff. The meaning invented by Odalisque was the favourite on the poll. Well done again, Odalisque.

Solatium

Solatium is something given as compensation or consolation. Interesting. I hope I remember that, as it could be very impressive in a sentence. There was a wide range of invented meanings today, with the poll winner being Clare. Thanks to everyone who joined in once again.

Poussette

A poussette is something couples do as part of a country dance. It's when they dance around one another holding hands. There were some very appropriate meanings, and the winner on the poll was Odalisque which - interestingly - was the word of the day for word imps on November 20 last year. Well done, Odalisque.

Cannikin

A cannikin is a small can. I only buy a cannikin of spaghetti because my son is the only one who eats canned spaghetti in our house. And he doesn't each much. So, a cannikin is just the right size for him. Nice to know it actually has a name. I hope you find that information useful. Rainbowspirit received the most votes on the poll today. Congratulations!

Haplography

Haplography is weird. It's the mistake of writing something once when it should be written twice. The example given in my dictionary is writing philogy instead of philology. Philology, by the way, is the science of language. There you go, two meanings for the price of one! Organic Mama was the winner on the poll today. Well done! I loved your meaning.

Poteen

Poteen is Irish whiskey from an illegal still. What a wonderful variety of entries today! Laura and The Mad Fishicist tied in the poll. Great work, you two.

Nunatak

Nunatak is an Eskimo word for an isolated peak of rock sticking out above the ice or snow. Sonnjea B's simple entry gained the most votes. I loved it too, Sonnjea.

Rathskeller

A rathskeller is actually a beer hall or restaurant situated in a basement. The word imps got a lot of mileage out of rathskeller. But that made it very hard for me today. I loved every single meaning! The voters had three to choose from, as usual, and Belle Etoile was the chosen one. Thanks for joining us Belle Etoile. Hope you'll be back soon.

Mahlstick

A mahlstick (also known as maulstick) is used by painters. It is a stick held in the left hand to help support the right hand and has a padded leather ball at one end. Clear as mud? My husband reckons he's seen a painter using one, but it makes painting sound even more complicated than normal to me. The word imps came up with plenty of great alternative meanings for mahlstick today. Madame C was the favoured one on the poll. The honours are yours Madame C.

Balneology

Balneology is the scientific study of bathing and medicinal springs. I had no idea anyone cared enough to study such a thing. However, as I've been finding out while doing this blog, there's a lot I don't know. There were many well-honed meanings on the blog today. And the honours go to Kathy who got the most votes on the poll. Congratulations Kathy. Play again soon.

Periapt

Periapt is actually a noun. It's the word to describe something worn to ward off evil. I'm glad to know that. Sara's invented meaning, which had nothing to do with evil, took first place with the voters.

Presbyopia

Presbyopia is long-sightedness associated with old age. I think I may be suffering from it actually. Some great meanings again today. Greta kept her nose in front of the others on the poll to the very end. Well done, Greta. You had some tough competition.

Geophagist

A geophagist eats dirt. So most toddlers go through the geophagy phase - well those who haven't got an early dose of OCD of course. Apparently I took a liking to sand as a toddler. One of my sisters preferred snails. I think there was a geophagist among us as well. Any word imps out there with toddlers can increase their children's vocabulary now, thanks to Word Imperfect! Shari's invented meaning was the winner on the day. Good for you, Shari!

Fovea

A fovea is actually a small pit or depression. I liked the blog meanings much better than the real one. The invented meaning suggested by Eve's Lungs was the favourite with today's voters. Well done!

Luculent

Luculent actually means clear, concise and lucid. Funny, that. By the way, here's something weird... When I'm looking for the next word of the day for my blog, I have the strangest experience. I keep coming across words which look odd. My first reaction is, oh there's a good one. But then it turns out to be something that I already know the meaning of - like pontiff or foundling. So, for a few seconds, I think I've found a good word for the blog. Then I get a metaphorical slap when I realise it's actually not a very unusual word after all. I guess this blog game has me looking at words a little differently. Just thought I'd share that with you in case anyone found it interesting or had experienced something similar. I'm sorry if my explanation wasn't very luculent! Anyway, Sonnjea B was a runaway winner on the poll with her invented meaning. Congratulations Sonnjea. You've still got it.