Word of the Day, February 12, 2023

February 12, 2023 [The Free Dictionary]( Word of the Day [firedrake]( [Discuss]( Definition: (noun) A fire-breathing dragon of Germanic mythology. Synonyms: [dragon]( Usage: Unlike other firedrakes, the dragon in this story liked to recite poetry and was a connoisseur of fine wines. 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. The Farlex Idioms & Slang Dictionary [The Farlex Idioms & Slang Dictionary] New! The most complete collection of idioms and slang in the English language. Thousands more words and phrases than the leading idioms dictionaries! ✔ 17,000+ entries covering idioms, slang, phrasal verbs, and more from throughout the English-speaking world. ✔ Example sentences for every definition showing how the term is used in real life by native speakers. [Buy now]( Idiom of the Day [barnburner]( — Any thing, event, or occasion that is especially exciting, impressive, and/or successful. ["More...]( [Idiom video]( Article of the Day Phrenology [Discuss]( Phrenology is the study of the shape of the human skull in order to draw conclusions about particular character traits and mental faculties. Phrenologists believe that traits like intelligence are mirrored through elevations in the skull overlying particular areas of the brain. German physiologist Franz Joseph Gall developed the theory around 1800, but modern neurology and physical anthropology regard phrenology as a form of quackery. What is the difference between phrenology and craniometry? [More...]( Daily Grammar Lesson Forming the Past Simple [Discuss]( The past simple tense is used to express completed actions. Why is it called the "past simple"? [More...]( This Day in History US President Bill Clinton Is Acquitted (1999) [Discuss]( In January 1998, President Clinton was questioned in a civil suit charging him with sexual harassment. Before the Grand Jury, he denied having an affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky, which turned out to be untrue. The US House of Representatives impeached Clinton on December 19, 1998, charging him with perjury and obstruction of justice. In 1999, two impeachment counts were tried in the Senate, which voted to acquit Clinton. Who is the only other US President to have been impeached? [More...]( Today's Birthday Charles Darwin (1809) [Discuss]( Darwin was an English naturalist who developed the modern theory of evolution. Along with naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace, he proposed the principle of natural selection: the mechanism by which advantageous variations are passed on to later generations and less advantageous traits slowly disappear. Darwin's intensely controversial theory of evolution aroused widespread argument and debate among scientists and religious leaders. How did Darwin view religion and God? [More...]( Today's Holiday Amazon & Galapagos Day [Discuss]( Two significant events happened in Ecuadoran history on the same date: the discovery of the Amazon River headwaters by explorer [Francisco de Orellana]( in 1542 and the incorporation of the [Galapagos Islands]( in 1832. The country established the Amazon & Galapagos Day holiday during the presidency of [Jaime Roldós Aguilera](. In observance of the anniversary, Ecuadoran presidents have visited the Amazon and paid homage to the expedition of 1542. Other activities include traditional dances, the presentation of folklore, and other cultural festivities. [More...]( Quote of the Day [Discuss]( We are willing enough to praise freedom when she is safely tucked away in the past and cannot be a nuisance. In the present, amidst dangers whose outcome we cannot foresee, we get nervous about her, and admit censorship. [E. M. Forster]( (1879-1970) 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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