Shovel-Ready

Top New Words

Definition:

adj (1998): of a construction project or site: ready for the start of work.

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Top New Words The latest edition of Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary has been updated, adding some 100 new words to the widely referenced tome.

Here are some new entries that are making the news and drawing attention.

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Aha moment Definition:

n (1939): a moment of sudden realization, inspiration, insight, recognition, or comprehension.

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Brain Cramp Definition:

n (1982): an instance of temporary mental confusion resulting in an error or lapse of judgment.

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Bucket List Definition:

n (2006): a list of things that one has not done before but wants to do before dying.

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Cloud Computing Definition:

n (2006): the practice of storing regularly used computer data on multiple servers that can be accessed through the Internet.

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Copernicium Definition:

n (2009): a short-lived artificially produced radioactive element that has 112 protons.

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Craft Beer Definition:

n (1986): a specialty beer produced in limited quantities: MICROBREW.

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Earworm Definition:

n (1802)... 2 a song or melody that keeps repeating in one’s mind.

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Energy Drink Definition:

n (1904): a usually carbonated beverage that typically contains caffeine and other ingredients (as taurine and ginseng) intended to increase the drinker’s energy.

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E-Reader Definition:

n (1999): a handheld electronic device designed to be used for reading e-books and similar material.

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Flexitarian Definition:

n (1998): one whose normally meatless diet occasionally includes meat or fish.

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Game Changer Definition:

n (1993): a newly introduced element or factor that changes an existing situation or activity in a significant way.

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Gassed Definition:

adj (1919) ... 2 slang: drained of energy: SPENT, EXHAUSTED.

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Gastropub Definition:

n (1996): a pub, bar, or tavern that also offers meals of high quality.

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Geocaching Definition:

n (2000): a game in which players are given the geographical coordinates of a cache of items which they search for with a GPS device.

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Life Coach Definition:

n (1986): an advisor who helps people make decisions, set and reach goals, or deal with problems.

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Man Cave Definition:

n (1992): a room or space (as in a basement) designed according to the taste of the man of the house to be used as his personal area for hobbies and leisure activities.

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Mash-Up Definition:

n (1859): something created by combining elements from two or more sources: as a: a piece of music created by digitally overlaying an instrumental track with a vocal track from a different recording b: a movie or video having characters or situations from other sources c: a Web service or application that integrates data and functionalities from various online sources.

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Obesogenic Definition:

adj (1986): promoting excessive weight gain: producing obesity.

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Sexting Definition:

n (2007): the sending of sexually explicit messages or images by cell phone.

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Shovel-Ready Definition:

adj (1998): of a construction project or site: ready for the start of work.

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Systemic Risk Definition:

n (1982): the risk that the failure of one financial institution (as a bank) could cause other interconnected institutions to fail and harm the economy as a whole.

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Toxic Definition:

adj (1664) ... 4: relating to or being an asset that has lost so much value that it cannot be sold on the market.

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Underwater Definition:

adj (1672) ... 3: having, relating to, or being a mortgage loan for which more is owed than the property securing the loan is worth.

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