English Words in Action, Group A

1. An alert or watchful person; a guardian who protects others: The first child of Mark and Nadine, now three years old, needed an argus as a babysitter who would be attentive and perceptive and keep little Tommy out of trouble when his parents were at work.
2. In Greek Mythology, a giant with 100 eyes who was the guardian of Io and was later slain by Hermes: When Jill was reading about Argus, she found out that after Argus died, Hera transplanted the monster's eyes into a peacock's tail. © ALL rights are reserved.

Go to this Word A Day Revisited Index
so you can see more of Mickey Bach's cartoons.

1. Relating to being vigilantly observant and watchful with visual perception: Toby, the Argus-eyed cat, was out in the garden looking for a mouse to appear for his snack.
2. Characteristic of someone who is carefully observant and on the lookout for possible danger: Jane, as a young mother of a toddler, was an Argus-eyed parent for anything hazardous that might be lying around in the house. © ALL rights are reserved.

Go to this Word A Day Revisited Index
so you can see more of Mickey Bach's cartoons.

1. A tall wardrobe or cabinet that was originally used as a place to store weapons: Ruth and Ed have two armoires that have two doors each and which they use to store their clothes and other items.
2. Etymology: from French armoire, from Old French armarie, "cupboard, bookcase, reliquary (a place where religious relics are stored or displayed; especially, the relics of saints); from Latin armarium, "a closet, a chest, a place for tools". © ALL rights are reserved.

Go to this Word A Day Revisited Index
so you can see more of Mickey Bach's cartoons.

1. A display or presentation of something in an attractive manner: Various stores have set out their array of summer merchandise.
2. Items of festive or formal clothing and garments.: The students were decked out in their best array for the graduation dance.
3. A spectrum, range, group or variety of something: The new cars are available in an array of colors.

The house was being installed with an array of solar panels on the roof.

1. To group, to exhibit, or to display items in an accessible and pleasing manner: The artist was arraying his paintings so everyone could see them.
2. To dress or to be attired, often for a formal or festive occasion: Latonya was arrayed in silk and lace for her singing competition.
3. To set out or to present something: The table was arrayed with all sorts of delicacies for Jane's birthday party.

Not straight; such as, something which exists at an angle or is crooked: The picture was hanging askew on the wall with the right side being lower than the left side. © ALL rights are reserved.

Go to this Word A Day Revisited Index
so you can see more of Mickey Bach's cartoons.

Not straight or descriptive of something that is at an angle: Karl's tie was askew in a picture that was taken for the family album.

When Kent's wife told her friend that when her husband's hat is askew, she means that he's had his "nose in the sauce", a slang term for the excessive consumption of liquor.

© ALL rights are reserved.

Go to this Word A Day Revisited Index
so you can see more of Mickey Bach's cartoons.

1. Any of several poisonous snakes of Egypt, Africa, and Europe and connecting countries whose bite is usually fatal or kills those who are bitten: An asp, or a cobra, was used by the Pharaohs of Egypt as a symbol of their power over life and death.

It is believed by some that Cleopatra was bitten several times by an asp when she committed suicide.

2. Etymology: from old French aspe, "asp"; or directly from Latin aspidem, aspis which came from Greek aspis, "an asp, a snake".

To cause a feeling of great surprise, wonder, or amazement: Helena's flower garden astonishes everyone who sees it.

The magician's trick astonished the audience because it was so amazing and unbelievable.

Conveying a feeling of great surprise and confusion: The very small store had an astonishing selection of watches for sale.

Jaden gave an astonishing performance in his first dramatic film.

A feeling of being amazed or very surprised: People watched in astonishment as Dorothy Custer, 102 years young, jumped off a bridge in Idaho to celebrate her recent birthday.

Shanna and Karl were told to their astonishment that their car had been stolen during the night.

To cause someone to have a feeling of great wonder or surprise; to amaze another person or people: The juggler was astounding people with his entertaining skills.

Jason and Kelsey were astounded that there were so few people at the fitness studio.

© ALL rights are reserved.

Go to this Word A Day Revisited Index
so you can see more of Mickey Bach's cartoons.

Relating to something that is amazing or incredible; so surprisingly impressive as to stun or overwhelm: Even in Uncle Jim's old age and failing health, his astounding persistence in going to the fitness studio to work out at least three times a week is admired by his trainer and those who know him.

As a high school student, Marco's astounding knowledge of computer technology constantly amazes his teachers.

© ALL rights are reserved.

Go to this Word A Day Revisited Index
so you can see more of Mickey Bach's cartoons.

1. Gone in the wrong direction, disoriented: Damian and Sherie went astray in town and arrived late for their appointment.
2. Following misinformation, gone off track: During their investigation, the police were led astray with false data.
3. Etymology: astray is finally derived from Latin extra-, "out of bounds" + vagari, "to wander". Other English words; such as, vague and vagrant are also related to Latin vagari.

A studio or workshop where artists, craftsmen, or designers produce their creations: Sally wanted to have an atelier for her projects as a painter with lots of light and space, but also with the privacy she desired. © ALL rights are reserved.
© ALL rights are reserved.
© ALL rights are reserved.

Go to this Word A Day Revisited Index
so you can see more of Mickey Bach's cartoons.