English word of the day

Definition: (noun) The act of refusing an offer. Synonyms: nonacceptance. Usage: The turndown was polite but very firm, leaving no doubt that Roger thought our salary proposal was insufficient.

Definition: (adjective) Difficult to deal with. Synonyms: contrarious. Usage: Gabriel Grub was an ill-conditioned, cross-grained, surly fellow—a morose and lonely man, who consorted with nobody but himself.

Definition: (noun) An aircraft without wings that obtains its lift from the rotation of overhead blades. Synonyms: eggbeater, helicopter, chopper. Usage: The boy's remote-controlled whirlybird zipped across the lawn and over the backyard fence.