noun a homeless or friendless person, esp. an orphaned or abandoned child.With no one to take them in, the orphaned children had become waifs begging in the streets. See the full entry
Word of the Day
Daily definitions and usage information for all who want to increase and hone their vocabulary.
encompass
transitive verb to surround or enclose.A large, new stadium encompasses the playing field.Several layers of atmosphere encompass the planet. See the full entry
divert
transitive verb to turn aside or away from something; deflect. intransitive verb to turn aside; deviate.He diverted from his usual custom. See the full entry
catastrophe
noun a calamity with widespread effects; disaster.Floods and earthquakes represent catastrophes not only for humans but for all forms of life. See the full entry
Weekly Quiz
With the Wordsmyth Vocabulary Center activities, you can study the words of the week, play games with them, and assess your knowledge of their meanings with a quiz. Go to the Vocabulary…