werwolf, accoutrement, legerdemain, panjandrum, pediculicide: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from Word Ultra set 210. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. werwolf · noun/ˈwɜrˌwʊlf/

   a mythological creature capable of transforming into a wolf or having wolf-like characteristics

   Under the light of the full moon, the village warned its children to stay indoors, fearing that a werwolf lurked in the nearby woods.

   Synonyms: lycanthrope, wolfman, shapeshifter

   Origin: from Old English 'wer' meaning 'man' and 'wulf' meaning 'wolf'

2. accoutrement · noun/əˈkuːtərmənt/

   additional items or accessories used for a particular purpose

   The chef arranged his cooking accoutrements on the counter, readying himself for a night of culinary creations.

   Synonyms: accessory, equipment, gear

   Origin: French 'acoutrement', from the verb 'acoutrer' meaning 'to dress or equip'.

3. legerdemain · noun/ˌlɛdʒərdəˈmeɪn/

   sleight of hand or skillful trickery

   The magician's legerdemain left the audience in awe as he pulled a rabbit out of an empty hat.

   Synonyms: sleight, trickery, deception

   Origin: French 'léger de main', meaning 'light of hand' (adj + noun)

4. panjandrum · noun/ˈpænˌdʒændrəm/

   a person who has a great deal of power or authority

   The corporate panjandrum made all the final decisions without consulting anyone else in the company.

   Synonyms: important person, authority figure, bigwig

   Origin: The word 'panjandrum' is believed to have been coined in the 18th century by Samuel Foote, a British playwright, and it is thought to be a fanciful term with no specific origin, intended to sound impressive.

5. pediculicide · noun/pəˈdɪkjəˌsaɪd/

   a substance used to kill lice

   After noticing the signs of an infestation, she quickly applied a pediculicide to eliminate the lice from her child's hair.

   Synonyms: lice killer, louse insecticide, louse killer

   Origin: From Latin 'pediculus' meaning 'louse', and 'cida' which comes from the Latin 'caedere' meaning 'to kill'.