Tinhorn is a noun that refers to someone who pretends to have money and influence.

In the 19th century tin horns or cans were often used to shake dice. In time, our word of the day came to refer to people in the world of gambling who exaggerated their wealth and importance.

Brad was something a tinhorn. He claimed to own millions of dollars worth of property, but in reality, he owed millions of dollars.

Anneal is a verb that means to harden or strengthen.

Our word of the day has evolved from Old English and meant ‘to burn or bake.’ It usually describes a process that involved heating something up, then letting it cool down for the sake of having it harden.

In time, the word simply came to refer to the process of letting something harden. For example: I hope to anneal the posts on my children’s bunk beds. Having posts that aren’t sufficiently strong can be dangerous.

Adhocracy is a noun that refers to a structure, usually a temporary one, designed to be flexible.

The Latin term ad hoc, which translates into ‘to this’ is used to mean ‘when needed.’ So an ad hoc committee is a committee that was formed spontaneously because it was needed. The suffix C-R-A-C-Y is used to describe a form of rule — like democracy or autocracy. In the case of our word of the day, it refers to a ruling body that is flexible and able to do things in an ad hoc manner. For example: When faced with a challenge, our company formed an adhocracy. When we needed to make changes for the sake of adapting, that’s exactly what we did.

Quagmire is a noun that refers to an awkward or difficult situation.

Our word of the day combines two words ‘quag’ and ‘mire’ that refer to a boggy marsh. The word can be used to refer to an actual swamp into which a person may be in danger of sinking. Or it can refer to a metaphorical swamp that features the same danger. For example: the scandal became something of a quagmire for the Senator. With every step he took, there was a danger he could get swallowed up by it.

Mesmerism is a noun that refers to taking control of someone's personality.

An 18th century Austrian physician named Franz Anton Mesmer developed a system of hypnotism. Our word of the day is used to describe Dr. Mesmer’s system, but, centuries after his death, it’s also used to describe the control of someone’s personality in general. For example: It was strange to watch the rock star’s entourage wait on his every move. He seemed to have a mesmerism that made everyone cater to all his needs.

Satisfice is a verb that means to accept  or settle for any available option.

Our word of the day is an alteration of the word ‘satisfy,’ which means ‘to meet expectations or desires.’ But when a person satisfices they settle for something that doesn’t meet expectations. Instead, they accept the best available option.

When we were on the road, we often had only one run-down motel available to us as an option. So we had to satisfice for whatever was there for us.

Apace is an adverb that means quickly or swiftly.

Our word of the day has evolved from Middle English. A good way to understand its use is to say that it describes things happening ‘at a considerable pace.’ For example: With the deadline approaching, my work continued apace. Working quickly was the only way to get things done on time.

Aptonym is a noun that refers to a name that coincidentally describes a person’s profession.

The suffix N-Y-M has evolved from the Greek word for ‘name.’ Our word of the day combines this with the word apt, which means ‘fitting’ or ‘appropriate.’ So if a person were named James Farmer, his surname would be an aptonym if he made a living in agriculture.

One of the strangest things about the novel was all of the aptonyms. There was a police officer named Jimmy Cop, a vocalist named Frances Singer and a landscaper named Tori Gardener. When a character named Steve Lawless showed up, I knew things were going to get interesting.

Voluble is an adjective that means speaking rapidly or readily.

Volvere (vole VAR ay) is the Latin word for ‘roll’ or ‘revolve.’ The meaning of this root word evolved over time into a number of English words like ‘revolver’ and ‘revolution.’ It has also evolved and revolved into our word of the day, which is generally used to describe someone whose speech rolls along fluidly and quickly.

For example: That salesman’s patter was so voluble he persuaded me into buying a number of things I didn’t really need. But that’s what happens when dealing with a fast and smooth talker.

Pervicacious is an adjective that means obstinate or extremely willful.

The Latin word vincere (VEEN chair ay) means ‘win.’ Our word of the day combines this word with the prefix P-E-R, meaning ‘thoroughly.’ You could say that a pervicacious person is someone who is thoroughly committed to winning all the time. For example: Grandpa’s pervicacious rejection of new technology made it difficult to teach him a new language. It wasn’t easy to find a Spanish lesson that I could play on a gramophone.