Conterminal

Conterminal means sharing a boundary. Nothing like as interesting as the meanings suggested by our faithful word imps. It certainly sounded more like a word to describe my behaviour as an absent Word Imp. Well done to Raelha for her winning meaning.

Drail

A drail is the combo of fish hook and line which is weighted with lead and dragged through the depths - presumably with the hope of catching the unsuspecting big one. Your meanings were superb and the winner on the day was The Encourager. Great work, TE.

Raspatory

A raspatory is a rasp used for surgical procedures. Sounds gory. I am happy to announce that Magdalene is the poll winner for today. Well done!

Volapuk

Volapuk was an international language invented in 1879. I can't throw any light on how successful it was, though. Perhaps the linguists out there could enlighten us. The invented meanings were fabulous as always. Well done to Greedy Biscuit Baron who had a runaway win on the poll.

Minacious

Minacious means threatening. Your invented meanings were far better. Thanks for joining in. The winner on today's poll was silver_flight. Great work!

Swarf

In reality, swarf describes a group of pilings or chips of wood or metal. The kind of stuff that I usually call sawdust, perhaps. Your invented meanings were many and varied and I enjoyed them all. Congratulations to Winiata for his excellent invented meaning. I agree with the pollsters.

Cringle

A cringle might be found on a rue-raddy, funnily enough. It's the part of a rope called the eye where there is a metallic thimble looking thingy so that another rope can pass through the eye. I enjoyed your various invented meanings and am pleased to announce that Iota was the winner in the voting stakes. Great work, Iota.

Rue-raddy

A rue-raddy is handy. It's a belt or rope which you throw over your shoulder to help you drag something along. Not sure if they do that at the Olympics. We're all very excited in New Zealand to have finally won some medals. Go the Kiwis! Hope you're all enjoying the coverage as much as we are. Great work Sandra Dodd! You received the gold medal in today's vote.

Geostrophic

Geostrophic means depending on the earth's rotation. I guess our existence on this planet, therefore, is somewhat geostrophic. What a wonderful array of invented meanings from the serious to the utterly bewildering - and everything in between. I'm glad I'm back with the game. Well done to Mandy, our poll winner today.

Snickersnee

A snickersnee is really a knife which is used as a weapon. Hopefully not something any of the word imps will encounter any time soon. The meanings invented by The Encourager and Livelyclamor polled equally and are hereby declared dual winners - without so much as a snickersnee in sight.

Word Imp is Back!

Hi everyone. My squillions of apologies for being so absent for all these months. Thanks for wondering and worrying. I'm fine. No visible wounds. No horrible diseases. Just so busy that something had to give. Sadly, it was this blog for the time being. A huge part of me wants to keep going with it. I wonder how easy (or difficult) it will be for me to start it up again. Let me know through your comments whether you are still keen. Thanks for your interest.

Nepenthe

After what has been too long to admit, I am finally able to reveal the true meanings of nepenthe to those of you who haven't already looked in the dictionary. Funnily enough, nepenthe is a drug which allows you to forget your grief. I shall now sprinkle all my trusty word imps with a healthy dose of nepenthe so they will rush back to this blog with no feelings of sadness over our temporary parting. Things are sooo back to normal that I am also happy to report that we have finally voted for a winner for this intriguing word. Thanks to Greedy Biscuit Baron for a fabulous meaning - I fully agree with the voting public.

Desquamatory

Desquamatory actually means coming off in scales. I'm glad I know that now, as I'm sure it will come in useful some day. Your invented meanings were all even more wonderfully crafted than usual. Thanks for working so hard to come up with originality and creativity galore. After a very long wait, I'm happy to announce Lydia as the winner on this occasion. Well done, Lydia.

Sternutative

Sternutative describes something which causes you to sneeze. Useful, I'm sure you'll agree. Thanks for your excellent invented meanings. I enjoyed them very much. Congratulations to Thinks! who has come up trumps again with the voters.

Noetic

I can be described as noetic, even though I wasn't aware of it until now. A noetic person is given to intellectual pursuits. It refers to anything related to the intellect. And if anything relates to the intellect, it's this blog. So we're all noetic. Thanks for your noetic invented meanings. The winner on the poll was Yaamyn. Well done, Yaamyn.

Phillumenist

A phillumenist, for those who haven't already cheated by looking it up in the dictionary, is a collector of match box labels. Probably an old school hobby since I'm not sure there are that many match boxes produced these days. Feel free to prove me wrong, though. I'm hoping that little gem will be of use some time when one of us is on 'who wants to be a millionaire?' Anyway, I digress. Your invented meanings were exceptional, as usual. The votes were well spread, but Thinks! came away with a good win. Well done!

Clumber

Oddly enough, a clumber is a type of spaniel. I was thoroughly impressed with your invented meanings, as usual. The pollsters chose the meaning contributed by Sandy Feet as today's winner. Great work, SF.

Hierophant

The real meaning of hierophant (according to my dictionary) is an initiating priest or one who expounds on sacred mysteries. Doesn't mean a heck of a lot to me but I hope it helps someone. Our invented meanings were far easier to digest and much funnier. Well done to you all. Auntibeck received the highest number of votes on the poll. Great work.

Goniometer

A goniometer measures angles. Quite boring really. I always called that a protractor at school. Perhaps a goniometer won't fit in a pencil case. Your invented meanings were intriguing. The poll winner was The Encourager. Congrats and keep up the great work.

Thremmatology

Thremmatology is the science of breeding animals and plants. Not very scientific, I would have thought. Not with animals anyway. They seem to manage it quite well without scientific intervention. However, I digress. Your invented meanings for thremmatology wowed me. I can't believe how many invented meanings are still out there waiting for words. Thanks to all the word imps who are participating in this journey. It's a happy diversion. And thanks also to Magdalene for providing us for a winning meaning for thremmatology. Great work.

Clunch

I knew clunch would draw in the word imps. Its real meaning, however, is less than fascinating. Clunch is soft limestone used in carving. My dictionary says it's white and the carving work is internal which might mean indoors. Not sure about that. A carver out there might be able to throw some light on it. Your invented meanings for clunch, however, were fabulous. Exemplary. I loved them all. And well done to Thesaurus Rex who had a runaway win on the poll. Well deserved.

Scansorial

Scansorial is about climbing. It either seems to refer to the action of climbing or the part of the anatomy of an animal which has been adapted for climbing. Your invented meanings, of course, were far more interesting and complicated. Well done to Sandy Feet who got most of the votes on the poll. Great meaning.

Clypeus

Clypeus describes the shield like section of an insect's head. I don't recall learning that in science classes but it wasn't my strong point. Thanks for your wonderful invented meanings. I enjoyed them immensely and am happy to report that we've had a tie no the poll. So congratulations go to Scaredy Cat and Greedy Biscuit Baron. Well done, both of you.

Deutzia

Deutzia is nowhere near as interesting as our word imps imagined. It's a white flowered shrub. Plain and simple. Hope that's not too disappointing! Your meanings, on the other hand, were far from disappointing. Congrats to realityjunkie for her winning meaning on the poll. Great work!

Ticpolonga

A ticpolonga isn't as nice as it sounds. It's a venomous Indian serpent. Also found in Sri Lanka. Your meanings were much more manageable. Well done to Magdalene, with a win on the poll today. Great work!

Securiform

Securiform means (wait for it, this is odd) "axe shaped". How or why, I don't know. I much prefer the incredible array of invented meanings from the in-form word imps. Well done to Thinks! whose meaning won the hearts of the voters.

Litotes

A litotes is an ironical understatement, especially using a negative to express a positive. My dictionary gives the example "no small feat" meaning "huge feat". There you go. I'm a writer and I didn't know that. Congrats to Sandy Feet for a great invented meaning.

Gestatorial chair

The gestatorial chair is used for carrying the Pope on certain occasions. Not sure which ones, but presumably pretty special occasions. What an exciting day on the blog. I thoroughly enjoyed reading all your meanings. Well done, everyone. You all deserve back pats. And especially well done to Scriptor Senex, today's poll winner.

Tachymeter

A tachymeter is rather more boring than your fabulous invented meanings would suggest, I'm sorry to say. It's an instrument used in surveying and has the job of locating points rapidly. I'm not a surveyor so that holds little meaning for me. Congratulations to Greedy Biscuit Baron for a good win on the poll - just edging out the competitors.

Idiopathy

Idiopathy refers to a disease without any known cause. I suspect it's closely related to hypochondria but not sure if the medical fraternity would agree. Your creative meanings were on the ball as always. Very enjoyable. And well done to Lydia B for her win on the poll. Keep 'em coming, Lydia.

Coronoid

Coronoid describes something (usually bones) which is curved like the beak of a crow! Who would have thought? And the invented meanings were so good. I loved them all. I big congrats to Chris for a fabulous meaning and well deserved win on the poll. Great work!

Omentum

So yes, the omentum is that ghastly stomach thing mentioned by Mandy. Or, as my dictionary puts more politely, the fold of the peritoneum connecting the stomach with other viscera. Not sure what viscera is but the doctor types will know. Well done to silver_flight and lorenzothellama for tying on the poll today. Great meanings, as always.

Bottomry

Bottomry is a money lending system. It's particularly to do with ships. The lender loans money to a shipowner so he can make a voyage. The ship is the security. Sadly, if the ship goes down, so does the lender's security. There you go. Your invented meanings, I have to say, were completely and utterly wonderful. I was in awe. And well done to Flamingo for being the best of the best according to the poll votes.

Commoney

A commoney is an inferior playing marble. Mmmm. Bet you never guessed that without cheating. Unless you were (or still are) a fan of playing marbles. Your invented meanings, on the other hand, were superb. I was very impressed with them all and had a good laugh too, which is always a bonus. Well done to Thinks! for a tightly fought win on the poll.

Thanatoid

Thanatoid is, of course, deathlike or deadly. Thanks for bearing with me after my first time of repeating a word that's been used before on this blog. My checks and balances were obviously non-operational. However, it won't happen again any time soon, I hope. Your meanings were great. I enjoyed them all and agreed with the pollsters' choice of Sara for the win. Great work, Sara. Join us again soon.

Longanimity

Longanimity is long suffering with a view to revenge in the future. Nasty. Good to have a word for it though. Loved your invented meanings for longanimity and big congrats to Loonilidi who outdid herself with lots of votes today. Great work!

Diathesis

Diathesis is a predisposition to ill health. Thanks for your meanings. Sandra Dodd got the most votes on the poll, which makes her today's winner. Congrats, SD!

Binnacle

A binnacle is useful. It's a case for holding a ship's compass. I bet it doesn't help the owner to figure out how to read the compass though. As you can tell, my technophobia extends to compasses. Or is that compii? Well done to Thesaurus Rex who was the first winner on our new poll.

Agrestic

Agrestic describes an uncouth rural character. I came across a few of those down at the rugby sevens last weekend, that's for sure. Their tendency towards agrestic behaviour was directly in relation to how much beer they had consumed. But that's half the fun of it, I guess. Your meanings for agrestic were interesting and if I had a poll I'd choose Merriam, Sandra Dodd and Stephen. I'll see if I can find another poll then.

Scammony

Scammony is actually an Asian plant which yields a gum resin used as a "drastic purgative". Scary. Your meanings were slightly less frigtening, but I still don't have a poll so I can't get people to vote. However, I would have chosen these three for the poll: Scriptor Senex, Empath and Chris.

Mesial

Mesial actually means in the middle line of the body. Our tummy buttons are mesial then. And so are our noses. Perhaps a medical person can correct me if I've got that wrong. I could use that word now and again to good effect. The poll still seems to be "encountering problems" so I'll just say that my favourite three of some great meanings were from Thinks!, Lorenzothellama and Sandra Dodd.

Sinistral

Sinistral means on the left, with particular reference to the spirals on certain shells which have whorls going towards the left as opposed to the more normal right hand direction. Can't say I've noticed that myself but I'll have a look next time I'm down at the beach. A couple of our clever word imps found ways of including the real meaning with their invented meanings. That's always fun. Thanks for all of today's contributions - it was good to see a wide variety of meanings. Because the poll wouldn't work, I had to rely on guesswork. I've made Stephen and Empath joint winners - mainly because I can. Thanks, both of you.

Opisometer

An opisometer apparently measures curved lines like the ones on a map. It's a wheel running on a screw, or so my dictionary puts it. I don't have a need for an opisometer at this stage, but I enjoyed the ideas of our word imps and have put three on the poll for voters. As the poll isn't working at the moment, I'm not sure who our winner is. You'll know as soon as I do, or vice versa!

Ingravescent

Ingravescent is medical term which means getting worse. Scary, eh? I hope none of the word imps have to hear that from a doctor any time soon. Fortunately, the infection at the bottom of my foot (from playing in a river) is not ingravescent any more. It's the opposite, at last. By the way, your invented meanings were appreciated. Thanks and congratulations to Maalie for a winning entry on the poll. Great work.

Jink

To jink is to dodge something. It's also a slang term for an aircraft manoevre which dodges enemy fire. So if you spot someone in the street who you'd rather not speak to, you can jink them by turning into the nearest shop. However, they've more than likely seen you anyway. Happy jinking. And well done to Richard who got the most votes on today's poll. Excellent work, Richard.

Crapulent

When you are unfortunate enough to be crapulent, you are suffering the ill effects of an overindulgence in food and/or alcohol. I think some people shorten it to saying they "feel like crap". Now we know. Great word. Wonderful meaning. Use it well. Your meanings were equally wonderful and the voters chose the meaning suggested by The Chindo as today's favourite. Great work, TC and welcome back.

Suffragan

A suffragan is an assistant bishop. Not sure how much suffering is involved there. Perhaps some suffragans out there will be able to throw a bit of light on that. Well done to The Encourager for winning on the poll today.

Keek

A keek is a Scottish peep. Strangely close to the meaning suggested by Lorenzo. Perhaps it was too easy for some of my Brit word imps. Nevertheless, the meanings were fun and frivolous which is always a good thing. And you won't believe it, but Magdalene has scooped the poll again. You're on form this year Magdalene.

Reddle

Reddle is red ochre. Your creative meanings for reddle were far more interesting. Thanks for that. Magdalene is a winner again. Great work, M.

Brobdingnag

Brobdingnag, as Gulliver's Travels fans would know, is the Land of the Giants. I won't be going there any time soon. Thanks for your wonderful range of entries. Scaredy Cat will be pleased to have made it to the top of the poll. Great work, Scaredy Cat.

Clerihew

A clerihew is a short, funny verse which usually contains four lines. You'd think I would know that, considering I'm an author. But I didn't. I enjoyed your invented meanings for clerihew very much. Thanks for your participation. Flamingo is today's poll topster. Is that a new word? Great work anyway, Flamingo.

Saloop

Saloop is a actually a dubious sounding but apparently nutritious coffee substitute formerly sold at London street stalls. Perhaps the London word imps can enlighten us further. Your invented meanings were interesting and various. Thanks for contributing. Magdalene kept her place on the top seven by winning today's poll. Great work, Magdalene.

Knurl

A knurl is apparently the knob on a typewriter for turning the platen. My dictionary says it's also a ridge in metalwork although that's not something I can really relate to. I admired the creativity which went into the invented meanings on the blog today. Great work, word imps. And special congrats to Sandra Dodd who's been particularly diligent these last few days and has finally won on the poll. Great work.

Transuranic

How silly we were! Of course, transuranic means having a higher atomic number than uranium. Doh! Well, science was never my strong point. I kept getting distracted by the science teacher's knobbly knees. I enjoyed the range of invented meanings on the blog for transuranic and am happy to announce Thesaurus Rex as the decisive winner on today's poll. Welcome back T Rex.

Pasquinade

A pasquinade is a scurrilous piece of written satire posted in a public place - presumably to cause the most embarrassment possible. Unsurprisingly, none of the invented meanings were close to that. However, they were all delightful and each had a certain ring of truth. Well done to Lorenzothellama who wowed the most voters on the poll. Great work, Lorenzo.

Darkle

Darkle does mean to grow dark. It also means to lie concealed somewhere. So darkle is just as mysterious as it sounds. Thanks for the meanings today. It was good to arrive at our holiday destination after a four hour drive and discover that the word imps had been happily beavering away as always. Congratulations and welcome back to Raelha who was today's poll winner. Great meaning!

Udometer

An udometer is a rain gauge. Wonderful. I have an udometer at home. Thanks for your interesting meanings. I enjoyed the variety and am pleased to announce that The Encourager was the winner on today's poll. Well done.

Tomalley

Tomalley is apparently a Caribbean term for a sauce which is made from the liver of a lobster. Surely that can't be right but it's my interpretation of the dictionary definition. Sounds weird anyway. And nothing much to do with cats, oddly. Your invented definitions, however, conjured up weirdness of a different nature, mainly rancid and fetid smells. Thanks for that. And thanks to Merriam for the diligence required to win on the poll. Great work!

Blottesque

A blottesque, funnily enough, is a painting featuring heavily blotted touches. Quite accidentally almost the same meaning as the one invented by Lorenzothellama. Thanks to everyone for coming back and playing the game again. I'm buoyed by the increased numbers and feeling happy again. And I'm sure Magdalene will be over the moon due to yet another win on the poll. Just too good. Speaking of too good, where's The Mad Fishicist these days anyway?

Bezonian

A bezonian is actually a rascally beggar. Intriguing. I enjoyed the small number of invented meanings for bezonian. Our runaway winner was Thinks! who was obviously living up to his (or her) name. Well done, Thinks!

Hellbox

A hellbox is harmless really. It's a box used by printers in former times for holding broken or discarded type. Not sure why it received such a fraught name but perhaps someone with knowledge of the printing industry will enlighten us through the blog. The idea of a hellbox certainly opened up a can of worms among our word imps today. Hope you're all feeling a lot happier by now. Sara will be pleased to know that her invented meaning drew the most votes and took her to the top of the poll today. Great work!

Narthex

A narthex is the lobby of an early church. Thanks for your interesting invented meanings for narthex. They were very well crafted, if completely false. Richard's took the cake - and the poll votes - for being so technically complicated that it was a sure winner. Well done, Richard - and welcome to the game.

Spiflicate

Spiflicate is apparently the slang word used by Brit school kids for destroy or annihilate. Thanks to Thinks! for the further information on spiflicate. I enjoyed the invented meanings. Thanks for making the time to play. We have yet another tie on the poll. Today it's Floribunda and Thinks! Great work.

Fascicle

A fascicle is a bundle. It's also an installment of a book. Interesting. I shall keep that up my sleeve for future reference. If only I could figure out the pronunciation. Oh, here it is. Fassicle. Moving right along now. Two word imps received equal votes on the poll today. Congratulations (and welcome back) to Raelha and The Encourager. Great work, both of you.

Quebracho

Quebracho is a South American tree with hard wood and medicinal properties. Thanks for your invented meanings. I appreciated your dedication at holiday time. That dedication paid off for dual winners on the poll today, Thinks! and Magdalene. Great work, both of you.