A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z
10 years ago No Comments

(pronounced VAH-stu SHAH-struh, with the “t” in both words pronounced softly)

Along the lines of the more well-known Chinese-based feng shui, vaastu (also spelled “vastu”) is the ancient Indian-based science of architecture and buildings practiced

10 years ago No Comments

(pronounced VAK-yoo-wuss)

No, this isn’t a European style vacuum cleaner, but it does have a little something in common with your family’s old stand-up Hoover. It’s an adjective meaning lacking or empty of content,

10 years ago No Comments

(pronounced VAY-geh-ree OR VAG-eh-ree)

Love this word. You often hear its plural form – vagaries – more often than its singular. Vagaries are unpredictable and inconsistent notions or actions. A.K.A.: erratic thoughts and acts.

Example: Not accustomed to

10 years ago No Comments

(pronounced vayn-GLOR-ee-ehs)

As the less-often used word “vainglory” means unwarranted or pretentious arrogance, you can surmise that vainglorious means boastful and vain.

Example: Though he was

10 years ago No Comments

(pronounced veh-sehl-YAY)

This oo-la-la French term describes a tall storage piece consisting of a buffet / cupboard on the bottom and shallow, open shelves accompanied by railings on the top. In this way, decorative

10 years ago No Comments

(pronounced VAL-an(t)s)

A valance is a short drapery or any kind of horizontal element – such as a wood or metal frame – that is hung at the top of a window. Not only does

10 years ago No Comments

This term that people now use a verb sounds complicated because it has the word engineer in it, but it’s just a fancy term for “this project is too expensive so we’ve got to take out

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(pronounced VAL-yu prah-peh-ZIH-shun)

This is a popular (and kind of obnoxious) biz-speak term that you might hear someone throw out at you, and you need to at least have a vague notion of what they

10 years ago No Comments

(pronounced VAM-pIre ih-lehk-TRAH-nihks)

No, this term doesn’t refer to the iPod that would probably be found in the pocket of Edward, the modern, blood-sucking sex symbol of the insanely popular series Twilight. Rather, it

10 years ago No Comments

(pronounced VA-pehd or VAY-pehd)

You better hope that no one describes you as being vapid because it won’t be a compliment. Vapid means uninteresting, tedious, dull, and boring. Ouch!