Word of the Day, January 16, 2023

January 16, 2023 [tfd]( Word of the Day [going-over]( [Discuss]( Definition: (noun) A severe scolding. Synonyms: [castigation]( [bawling out]( [chewing out]( [dressing down]( [upbraiding]( [earful]( Usage: When he was caught chewing gum in class, he knew he would have to endure a going-over from the teacher. Missing Idiom Contest The Free Dictionary has the largest collection of English idioms in the world. But we are always looking for more to add, and we want your help! Every so often we hear from users who have looked up an idiom on The Free Dictionary that it was not found in the database. Maybe it was some expression they heard at work, or some phrase they grew up hearing their grandmother say. If you know an idiom that isn't already defined on The Free Dictionary, [send it to us]( and you might win $150 USD. Complete English Punctuation Rules [Complete English Punctuation Rules] An Amazon Best Seller! The only punctuation guide with simple, easy-to-remember rules for how to use—and not use—every punctuation mark. ✔ Side-by-side examples of both correct and incorrect punctuation. ✔ Quizzes after every topic to help you retain what you learn. [Buy now]( Idiom of the Day [bad omen]( — A sign, either real or imagined, of ill fortune or catastrophe in the future. ["More...]( [Idiom video]( Article of the Day The Lyre [Discuss]( The lyre is a stringed instrument of the harp family that has two curved arms connected at the upper end by a crossbar. The strings are stretched between the crossbar and the sound box and are plucked with the fingers or with a plectrum. In ancient Greece, the lyre accompanied poetry and song. Ancient Greece had two lyres—the kithara, which was used by the professional musician, and the lyra, the smaller instrument of the amateur. The lyre is typically associated with which Greek god? [More...]( Daily Grammar Lesson Placement of Focusing Adverbs [Discuss]( Focusing adverbs are used to draw attention to a particular part of a clause. They can take the initial, middle, or final position in a sentence depending on what? [More...]( This Day in History Ivan the Terrible Crowned Tsar of Russia (1547) [Discuss]( Following his parents' deaths, Ivan IV became the first ruler of Russia to assume the title "czar" and to pursue a czarist autocracy by limiting the power of the Russian nobility. He also expanded Russian influence by conquering Kazan and Astrakhan, acquiring Siberia, and seeking better access to the Baltic Sea. A serious illness and the death of his wife, however, caused Ivan to become increasingly tyrannical and volatile. Why did Ivan murder his son—and only viable heir—in 1581? [More...]( Today's Birthday Aaliyah (1979) [Discuss]( Aaliyah was a popular American R&B singer, dancer, and actress. Her 1996 album, One in a Million, catapulted her to international stardom with hits like "If Your Girl Only Knew." She went on to make her big-screen debut in 2000's urban Shakespeare adaptation Romeo Must Die and was looking forward to a promising future in both the film and music industries when she was tragically killed in a plane crash at the age of 22. Which R&B star did she secretly marry when she was 15? [More...]( Today's Holiday Harbin Ice and Snow Festival [Discuss]( This extravaganza of ice sculptures takes place from January 5 to February 4 in the port city of [Harbin]( the second largest city of northeast China, located in Heilongjiang Province. The sculptures, using themes of [ancient legends]( and stories and modern historic events, depict pavilions, temples, and mythic animals and persons. Located in Zhaolin Park, they shimmer in the sun by day, and at night are illuminated in a rainbow of colors. Theatrical events, art exhibitions, and a photo exhibition mark festival time, and [wedding ceremonies]( are often scheduled at this time in the ice-filled park. [More...]( Quote of the Day [Discuss]( I desire no future that will break the ties with the past. [George Eliot]( (1819-1880) Mobile apps from TheFreeDictionary.com [The Free Dictionary Classic Free App] The classic free version, downloaded more than 6 million times! - Multiple dictionaries, encyclopedias, and thesauruses in one place. - 14 languages: English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Simplified Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch, Norwegian, Greek, Arabic, Polish, Turkish, and Russian. - Online translations of English into more than 40 languages, plus dozens of other translation options. 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