Word of the Day, September 9, 2023

September 9, 2023 [The Free Dictionary]( Word of the Day [subterfuge]( [Discuss]( Definition: (noun) Something intended to misrepresent the true nature of an activity. Synonyms: [blind]( Usage: The manner in which he said this made Ned feel sure that Tom had had other thoughts, and that he had used a little subterfuge in his answer. 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 Spelling & Pronunciation Rules [Complete English Spelling & Pronunciation Rules] The latest volume in our best-selling Grammar Book series! Learn the rules and patterns that tell you exactly how any word should be spelled and pronounced. ✔ Go beyond "I before E except after C" and get all the rules and exceptions, all in one place, all explained in plain English. ✔ Simple tips and tricks to avoid the most common mistakes. [Buy now]( Idiom of the Day [Are you having a laugh?]( — An exclamation of disbelief or incredulity, like "Are you being serious?" or "Are you kidding me?" Primarily heard in UK. ["More...]( [Idiom video]( Article of the Day The Legendary Griffin [Discuss]( In ancient and medieval legend, the griffin is a creature with the head and wings of an eagle and the body of a lion. Some traditions also give it a serpent's tail. The griffin is thought to have originated in ancient Middle Eastern legend and is often found in Persian sculpture. Although its significance is obscure, the griffin is thought to have been a protective symbol, representing strength and vigilance. When is a griffin called an "alce" or "keythong"? [More...]( Daily Grammar Lesson Regular and Irregular Inflection [Discuss]( Regular inflection is governed by consistent, predictable rules. Irregular inflection doesn’t seem to follow any rules or conventions at all. What are some examples of irregular inflection? [More...]( This Day in History Tajikistan Gains Independence from the Soviet Union (1991) [Discuss]( Russia first took control of Tajik lands in the 1880s. In the aftermath of the 1917 Russian Revolution, the Tajiks rebelled against Russian rule, and the Red Army did not retake control until 1921. Tajikistan was made an autonomous republic within Uzbekistan in 1924 and joined the USSR in 1929. In 1991, at around the time the USSR was being dissolved, the Republic of Tajikistan declared its independence. Civil war broke out a year later. When was a peace agreement reached? [More...]( Today's Birthday William Bligh (1754) [Discuss]( Though he had a long and notable career in the British Royal Navy, Bligh is chiefly remembered for the 1787 mutiny on his ship, the HMS Bounty, during which he and those crew members who remained loyal to him were set adrift in a longboat. In a remarkable act of seamanship, with neither a map nor a compass, Bligh guided them across 3,618 mi (5,822 km) of ocean to the nearest European outpost, Timor. In the 1770s, Bligh served as the sailing master on what famous explorer's final voyage? [More...]( Today's Holiday Tajikistan Independence Day [Discuss]( On September 9, 1991, [Tajikistan]( officially declared its independence from the distintegrating [Soviet Union](. Independence Day is celebrated with parades, solomn services, theatrical events, and pageantry. July 22 is another national holiday, celebrating the [Tajik language](. [More...]( Quote of the Day [Discuss]( Heresies are experiments in man's unsatisfied search for truth. [H.G. Wells]( (1866-1946) 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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