Word of the Day : May 21, 2018

raillery \RAIL-uh-ree\ noun

Definition

1 : good-natured ridicule : banter

2 : an instance of joking or ridicule : jest

Did You Know?

Raillery is the anglicized form of the French word raillerie, which stems from the Middle French verb railler, meaning "to mock." Railler, which probably comes from Old French reillier ("to growl" or "to mutter") and ultimately from Late Latin ragere ("to neigh"), also gave us our verb rail. But rail and raillery are quite different in tone. Rail means "to revile or scold in harsh, insolent, or abusive language," whereas raillery usually suggests cutting wit that pokes fun good-naturedly.

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  Words Used by Nabokov Quiz








    Choose the best definition or synonym for the word in bold: "There are some eructations that sound like cheers—at least, mine did." Lolita




                                  a sneeze
                                  a clearing of the throat
                                  a belch
                                  a groan








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Aired May 21, 2018

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