The Big Book of Words You Should Know to Sound Smart by Robert W. Bly

Author:Robert W. Bly
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: F+W Media

M

“The man who is in the MELEE knows what blows are being struck and what blood is being drawn.”

Woodrow Wilson, American president

macarism (mAA-ka-rih-zum), noun

The practice of making others happy.

Santa Claus engages in MACARISM for one day a year; the other days, he just sleeps.

macerate (MASS-err-ayt), verb

To soften or break down by placing in liquid.

I MACERATED the stale bagel by dunking it in my coffee.

machair (MAHK-eyr), noun

In Scotland, a strip of sandy, grassy land just above high tide.

Aye, I’ve herded the cattle onto the MACHAIR above the loch; they’ll be safe there for a wee while.

Machiavellian (mack-ee-uh-VEL-ee-uhn), adjective

A somewhat unscrupulous and self-centered individual who is always looking out for his or her own good.

We can hardly be called MACHIAVELLIAN simply because we do what we need to do to hold onto the luxurious lifestyle to which we have become accustomed.

machinations (mack-in-AYE-shins), noun

The plot of an evil scheme.

His boss saw through his MACHINATIONS to take over the company and promptly fired him.

mackinaw (MACK-in-awe), noun

A coat made of a heavy woolen cloth.

A MACKINAW to wear outside can keep you snug and cozy in winter.

macrobian (mah-KRO-bee-ihn), adjective

Long-lived.

Georgians, some of whom were said to live past 115, are a particularly MACROBIAN nation.

macropicide (mah-KRO-pih-side), noun

The killing of kangaroos.

The slaughter in the outback was evidently a MACROPICIDE, given the large number of kangaroo carcasses.

macrotous (MAK-roh-tus), adjective

Having large ears.

Barack Obama is, perhaps, our most MACROTOUS president, though he does not seem to have passed his ear size down to his children.

madid (MAD-did), adjective

Moist; wet.

“His large deep blue eye, MADID and yet piercing” —Benjamin Disraeli, British statesman, author

maelstrom (MAIL-struhm), noun

A situation marked by violence, turbulence, and uncertainty.

Many families who lost their fortunes during the MAELSTROM of the 1929 stock market crash are still trying to regain their social status today.

maenadic (men-AYE-dik), adjective

Frenzied, in a rage.

Hell hath no fury like a MAENADIC woman.

maffick (MAF-ik), verb

To celebrate with public events and demonstrations.

If the Red Sox win the pennant, the people of Boston intend to MAFFICK until the cows come home or the bars close—whichever comes first.

Magna Carta (MAG-nah-KAR-tah), noun

Any constitution that guarantees rights and liberties.

The club’s charter is a MAGNA CARTA that will ensure we are able to keep our tennis courts and swimming pools open only to our most significant social contacts.

magnanimous (mag-NAN-ih-mus), adjective

A kind and generous act.

“In a serious struggle there is no worse cruelty than to be MAGNANIMOUS at an inopportune time.” —Leon Trotsky, Bolshevik revolutionary and Marxist theorist

magnate (MAG-nayt), noun

A wealthy and prosperous business leader; a tycoon.

Oil MAGNATE T. Boone Pickens is now investing in wind power.

magniloquent (mag-NILL-uh-kwuhnt), adjective

Pompous, bombastic, and boastful.

The nouveau riche try to atone for their lack of polish with MAGNILOQUENT speech, but the result is ludicrous.

magnum (MAG-num), noun

An extra-large wine bottle twice the size of a regular wine bottle; a powerful handgun firing large bullets.

We doubted the taste of the event planner when we saw that the tables were filled with distasteful MAGNUMS of wines of questionable vintage.

magpiety (mag-PI-uh-tee), adjective

Loquaciousness; talkativeness.

The bar bore was distinguished by his misinformation and his MAGPIETY in spreading it.

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