argentine

Because this is fun, here are some more words from AHD WAD 2007 calendar

argentine (AR-jen-TINE, AR-jen-TEEN) adj relating to or resembling silver; silvery | n 1. Silver. 2. Any of various silvery metals.

Not to be confused with Argentine, a synonym for Argentinean.

dishabille (DIS-a-BEEL or DIS-a-BEE) also deshabille (Des-) n 1. The state of being partially or very casually dressed. 2. Casual or lounging attire. 3. An intentionally careless manner.

So you can be dishabille while getting ready to put on dishabille in a display of dishabille.

estivation also aestivation (ES-ta-VAY-shun) n 1. The act of spending or passing the summer. 2. (zoology) A state of dormancy or torpor during the summer. 3. (botany) The arrangement of flower parts on a bud.

While I love the first definition and the applications it invites (e.g. "Class, write an essay on your estivation"), the zoological term is interesting. Is it the opposite of hibernation? library.thinkquest.com has a fun entry on The Deep Sleep. The page describes hibernation as sleeping during winter, estivation as sleeping during summer, torpor as short naps, and diapause as sleeping through growing up (the diapause page says that this is usually for insects, and their growth actually pauses during this sleeping time—which to me sounds very SF).

nocturne (KNOCK-turn) n 1. a painting of a night scene. 2. An instrumental composition of a pensive, dreamy mood, especially one for the piano.

This word is related to nocturnal, the opposite of which is diurnal.

adsorption (ad-SORP-shun or ad-ZORP-shun) n the accumulation of gases, liquids, or solutes on the surface of a solid or liquid.

The opposite of absorption? A sponge absorbs but a brick adsorbs?

penetralia (PEN-i-TRAY-lee-uh) pl.n. 1. The innermost parts of a building, especially the sanctuary of a temple. 2. The most private or secret parts; recesses: the penetrailia of the soul.

James Joyce edited: "I go to encounter for the millionth time the reality of experience and to forge in the penetralia of my soul the uncreated conscience of my race."