Words of French origin

1. A method used to hide something by painting it or covering it with leaves or branches to make it harder for others to see: The army tanks and other vehicles were painted brown and green for camouflage so enemy troops could not catch sight of them.
2. Something that protects an animal from attack by making the creature difficult to see in its environment: Some rabbits have white fur which functions as camouflage in the snow.
3. A behavior which is meant to hide something or to convince others of something that is not true: Herb's strong attitude functioned as camouflage for his insecurity.
4. Etymology: from French camoufier, "to disguise"; which came from Italian camuffare, "to trick, to disguise"; a contraction of capo muffare, "to make sounds quieter by covering the head". © ALL rights are reserved.

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To conceal something by making it harder to see or to detect: The business man tried to camouflage the negative economic conditions of his company so investors would not be aware of the real facts.

Permission to do something in any way that is determined by another person: Frank and Mary gave the decorator carte blanche to remodel their apartment. © ALL rights are reserved.

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An informal conversation or discussion regarding a significant subject: Joe's parents wanted to have a causerie with him about the grades he received in his report card from school. © ALL rights are reserved.

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The sturdy frame of a structure, such as of an automobile or of electronic equipment: The repair shop advised Mr. Wilkins that the chassis of his car was badly rusted due to the heavy salt used on the roads during the winter.

A light, thin, quality fabric typically used for dresses, scarves, etc.: Martha decided to wear her green chiffon to the St. Patrick's Day Party.

Descriptive of something that is light, fluffy, or of a transparent nature: Mrs. Anderson commented that the orange cake was the most chiffon she had ever tasted and gave the baker first prize in the baking contest.

The chiffon scarf which Sally tied around her summer hat matched the pink pattern in her skirt.

Applied to a person with reference to an office or a position which he or she no longer occupies: The school's ci-devant, or retired, principal is spending a lot of time traveling with his family. © ALL rights are reserved.

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A short rolled tube of fine paper containing tobacco which is lighted and smoked by people: The older boys at school gathered behind the fence so they could puff on cigarettes without being seen.

1. A group of people who are hired to applaud, or to heckle, a performer or public speaker and even to cheer certain performers: The claques provide acting artists with a guarantee of applause and in return they receive free passes to the ballet or dramatic presentations which have been allocated or distributed to the dancers or actors.
2. Sycophantic followers, or servile self-seekers, of a well-known person: The famous actor was often surrounded by a claque of adoring people who wanted him to notice them so they could take his picture; especially, when he would stand next to them in the photographs. © ALL rights are reserved.
© ALL rights are reserved.
© ALL rights are reserved.

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Professional fans who provide applause and ovations for certain dancers or performers: Roman emperors are said to have trained expert claqueurs to mingle with crowds to give roars of approval at specific times so the emperors appeared to have the support of the people.

Such behavior of people was refined in the theaters of 18th and 19th-century France, where the term claqueur, or someone who claps, was coined.

Why do performing artists need claqueurs? Some performers like to have a few extra seconds to catch their breaths between the end of an adagio and the beginning of a variation.

Dancers of the Bolshoi rarely talk in public about the existence of claqueurs for self-preservation even when the artist has confidence and doesn't feel the need for guaranteed applause any more; however, some of the Bolshoi's claqueurs are known as 'thin-skinned and vengeful', and they can come up with a variety of strategies for disturbing the performances of any uncooperative dancer.

An artistic creation made of a variety of materials, like fabric, foil, and paper, which are glued to a flat surface to develop a picture or scene: Using old photographs, Joanna designed a collage which represented the many generations of her family.

1. A small bouquet of flowers, ribbons, etc. that is worn as an accessory with women's clothing: Kitty was given a gardenia corsage to wear with her party dress when she went to the school dance.
2. The blouse or top half of a dress: The corsage of Mrs. Atkinson's dress, which she wore on somber occasions, was dark blue.

An action or an event that finally ends or destroys something that has been getting weaker or worse: The legislature's decision to stop funding the governor's proposal has administered the coup de grace to any further action on his part. © ALL rights are reserved.

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1, A piece of paper that allows one to get special consideration when purchasing an item: Sandra was an avid clipper of coupons from the newspaper which she took to the grocery store when she went shopping, coming home with good bargains.
2. A form, which, when completed and mailed to a company sponsoring a raffle or a competition, entitles the sender the opportunity to win a prize or to receive information: Jane often sent coupons to firms hoping to acquire useful gifts, such as a toaster or coffee maker!