English Words in Action, Group B

Foolish and senseless talk, nonsense, gibberish: Joe's blathers lacked coherent meanings and was considered ridiculous as he was talking to those around him. © ALL rights are reserved.

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

1. Descriptive of a situation in which there is no reason to feel happy or hopeful: For some countries, there is a bleak likelihood that economic conditions will improve.
2. Regarding something which conveys no encouragement and is depressing:: There was a bleak prospect that Jane would accept Richard's proposal of marriage.
3. Characterizing the weather as being very cold and miserable: A bleak wind was blowing from the north causing a freezing condition in the area. © ALL rights are reserved.

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

The sounds made by sheep and goats, or any sounds that are similar: It was the time of year when the shepherd heard a lot of bleats from the lambs that were recently born.

1. To make the sound of or to utter the characteristic cry that sheep or goats make: The little lambs were bleating as the farmer approached his flock of sheep.
2. To utter a sound similar to this cry; especially, to complain about something in a weak voice or in an annoying way: "I want to go, too", the little girl bleated.

A member of the staff accused the labor union of always bleating about the company's wage scale.

The mother told her father that her son bleated too much. When he asked her what she meant, she explained that her little boy complained, showed discontent, and displeasure too often.

Something or an idea that is the result of mixing or combining different substances or ideas: Devon sang blends of traditional and modern songs.

The family ate a blend of eggs, cheese, and ham for breakfast.

1. To gradually become the same as or a part of something else: Damien was blending three colors of paint into one.
2. To mix things thoroughly and usually with good results: Salina often blended fresh fruit and yogurt together for an afternoon snack.
3. To exist together as a combination: Two or more words are blended together to create the word “portmanteau”.

One example of a portmanteau is when "slang and language" are blended into "slanguage".

1. Descriptive of that which is made from two or more kinds of a particular substance: Nena wore a new dress made of blended fabrics.
2. Illustrative of something that is made by mixing substances together: Blaine and Cherly drank blended fruit juices with their lunch.

1. To make a person or something holy by saying a special prayer: The minister blessed Loren's and Rodger's marriage at the wedding ceremony.
2. To request God to care for and to protect someone or something: The priest is blessing the little baby Elouise is holding her arms.
3. To provide a place or people with something good or desirable: God has blessed the family with good health, adequate living conditions, and friends who are willing to help them when it is needed.

Very welcome, appreciated, and pleasant: John received blessed help with his project from friends and guidance from God regarding things that were neither known nor understood.

1. An approval that permits or helps someone to do something: Monroe gave his blessing or encouragement for the project.
2. Help and favorable regard from God: Ethan asked the Lord's blessing on the project that would help students around the world to understand English words more easily.

1. Pertaining to being happy, merry and cheerful in mentality and behavior: Marjory's little boy has a wonderfully blithe personality.

Frank was ready to scold Sally for being late for their meeting; however, her blithe spirit somehow made him forget all about doing that.

2. A reference to showing a lack of concern or care; unconscious, uncaring: A blithe person is not bothered about petty worries, burdens, or problems.

Jim told his son not to act with such a blithe disregard for his sister whenever they play together out in their backyard.

© ALL rights are reserved.

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

Relating to someone who speaks or writes very foolish nonsense or stupid words: The students considered the book to have pages and pages of blithering nonsense.

A person who conveys blithering behavior is prone to discuss meaningless issues for extended periods of time.

© ALL rights are reserved.

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

A prevention of access or exiting with an organized objective or purpose of stopping people or goods from leaving or going into a place: Using a blockade is usually done for military reasons, most often with ships, in order to isolate an area to prevent the importation of weapons or commercial materials to weaken an enemy.

To stop people or supplies from entering or leaving a port, a city, or other area; usually, during a war, so a country cannot build up its military forces with more soldiers and weapons: Military tanks and soldiers were blockading any possible entries to the enemy position that might be trying to take in new materials, ammunition, and reinforcements.

1. An expression of a low opinion of someone's intelligence: The term blockhead is commonly directed towards anyone who demonstrates inadequate common sense.
2. Someone who is regarded as being very stupid or a fool: When Martin had to rush back home to get his homework before catching his bus to school, his mother said: "Don't be such a blockhead, think about it before you leave the house!" © ALL rights are reserved.

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