1032 words found
Xenophobia is a noun describing an irrational fear or dislike of people from other countries or cultures. It refers to attitudes, biases, or behaviors that dismiss or vilify outsiders, often manifesting as prejudice, discrimination, or hostility. The term combines linguistic roots with a social-psychological concept and is used in academic, policy, and everyday discussions about inclusion and diversity.
Xenophon is a proper noun referring to an ancient Greek historian and student of Socrates, known for his writings on philosophy, virtue, and the history of Greece. It is also used as a given name. The term is of classical origin and is primarily encountered in academic or historical contexts, with occasional use in literature and biography.
Xenops is a noun referring to a small, insectivorous bird of the family Furnariidae, found in tropical forests of the Americas. It can also denote any genus or species within Xenopsia and related taxa in some classifications. The term is used mainly in ornithology, often in taxonomic contexts or field guides.
Xenopus is a genus of aquatic frogs widely used as model organisms in developmental biology and genetics. The name is of Greek origin and is pronounced with emphasis on the first syllable: Xen-o-pus. In scientific contexts it denotes an explicit taxonomic group, often encountered in literature on amphibian biology and embryology.
Xenos is a Greek-origin noun used in anthropology, biology, and science fiction to describe something foreign or unfamiliar, often referencing a person from another country or a different culture. It can also denote a foreign organism or outsider in various academic contexts. In modern usage, it frequently appears in discussions of xenophobia, cross-cultural interaction, and speculative fiction.
Xeon is a brand name used for a family of Intel server and workstation CPUs. It is pronounced as a two-syllable proper noun, typically /ˈzɛɒn/ or /ˈziːɒn/ depending on the speaker, and is treated as a coined term in tech contexts. The name is used primarily in professional settings, marketing materials, and technical documentation.
Xeriscaping is a form of landscaping that uses drought-tolerant plants and water-efficient design to minimize irrigation. The term blends xeric (dry) with landscaping, and it emphasizes planning, soil preparation, and seasonal maintenance to reduce water use while maintaining aesthetic appeal. It is commonly used in arid or drought-prone regions and environmental planning contexts.
Xeroderma is a medical noun referring to dryness of the skin or mucous membranes, typically as a symptom or condition. In practice, it is used in dermatology to describe chronic, abnormally dry skin, sometimes associated with aging or certain diseases. The term is often encountered in scholarly contexts and patient education materials.
Xerophthalmia is a medical term for severe dry eyes due to insufficient tear production or breakdown of the ocular surface. It denotes ocular surface keratopathy associated with vitamin A deficiency, and is used in clinical contexts to describe a range of corneal and conjunctival changes arising from dryness. The word is mainly encountered in ophthalmology and public health discussions rather than everyday language.
Xerophytes are plants adapted to dry environments, typically with features that minimize water loss. The term designates plants that survive with scarce moisture, often employing structural traits like reduced leaf area, thick cuticles, and deep or extensive root systems. In botany and ecology, xerophytes describe species thriving under arid or drought conditions. They are frequently contrasted with mesophytes and hydrophytes.
Xerosis is the medical term for abnormal skin dryness or loss of moisture. It denotes conditions where the skin becomes rough, cracked, or flaky due to insufficient hydration or impaired barrier function. In clinical use, xerosis can refer to dry skin on any part of the body and is often managed with emollients and barrier creams.
Xerostomia is a medical term for dry mouth, caused by reduced saliva production. It is used in clinical discussions of dental health and systemic conditions, as well as by patients describing symptoms. The word is often encountered in medical literature and exams, and precise pronunciation helps clear communication among healthcare professionals and students alike.
Xerox is a brand name used as a noun for a photocopier and, by metonymy, for photocopying in general. It originated as a trade name for the Xerox Corporation and has become a common noun in many languages, representing the act of copying. The word is widely recognized but is frequently treated as a proper noun in writing, despite its generic usage in speech.
Xerxes is a proper noun, most often referring to the ancient Persian king Xerxes I who ruled during the early 5th century BCE. In modern usage it names rulers or references to classical Persia, often in historical or literary contexts. The term carries a grand, archaic resonance and is pronounced with two stressed syllables in typical English usage, lending an emphatic, dramatic bearing to the name.
Xherdan Shaqiri is a Swiss professional footballer known for his agility and technique on the wing. The name itself reflects Albanian heritage and pronunciation idiosyncrasies that challenge non-native speakers. Proper articulation emphasizes distinct consonants and stress patterns, which can affect recognition in headlines, interviews, and casual chats about the player.
Xhosa is a Bantu language of southern Africa, spoken by the Xhosa people. In English, it refers to the language and to things related to Xhosa heritage. The term denotes a distinct language with its own phonology, grammar, and vocabulary and is often used as an adjective (Xhosa-speaking) or noun (a Xhosa).
Xi is a monosyllabic proper noun and a Chinese surname or an abbreviation for a political title, pronounced with a single syllable. In common English usage it may appear in reference to the Chinese leader or as a proper name in discourse. The term is typically spoken with a short vowel and a crisp final consonant, yielding a concise, clear syllable in most dialects.
Xi Jinping is a proper noun referring to the Chinese political leader who has served as General Secretary of the Communist Party of China and President of the People's Republic of China. The name combines the family name Xi with the given name Jinping; in Mandarin pronunciation the tones and syllable structure influence how the name is perceived in international contexts.
Xia is a proper noun used to refer to a person or place of Chinese origin; in English contexts, it often appears as a transliteration or transliterated name. It can denote individuals or cultural identifiers and may appear in various compound terms. The pronunciation is compact and relies on a single syllable with a voiceless initial and a high front vowel. Context determines whether it is a name, brand, or geographic reference.
Xiamen is a coastal Chinese city in Fujian Province, known for its ports, colonial architecture, and pleasant island scenery. As a proper noun referring to a place, its pronunciation is the focal point for foreign speakers, and accurate tones and segmental sounds help avoid misidentification in travel, academic, or business contexts.
Xian is a proper noun used as a name or label, often referring to a person or place. In linguistic contexts it denotes a specific, culturally anchored sound sequence rather than a common noun. The term is typically pronounced with a concise, single-syllable vowel and a clear onset, and it is important to differentiate it from similar-looking English words by attention to its precise vowel quality and consonant articulation.
Xiang is a monosyllabic noun of Chinese origin used in proper names and transliterations; in Mandarin it commonly represents the syllable xiang with a rising or neutral tone depending on context. The term appears in several Chinese compound terms and surnames, and can be encountered in academic, cultural, or geographic names. It conveys sound symbolism and often denotes association or direction in transliterated forms.
Xiaomi Mi Mix is not a single word but a brand name followed by a product line. As a proper noun, you pronounce it as two parts: the Chinese company name Xiaomi (pronounced approximately shao-mee) and the product line Mi Mix (pronounced mee mix). In standard usage, stress falls on the first syllable of Xiaomi and on Mi, giving: /ˈʃaʊ.mi ˈmiː mɪks/ in broad terms, depending on the speaker’s accent. It is typically treated as a proper noun in English discourse and used as the device’s model name in marketing and reviews.
Xiaosaurus is a fictional dinosaur name formed from the Chinese-inspired prefix 'Xiao-' and the English 'saurus' meaning lizard or reptile. It designates a small or diminutive dinosaur in a playful or educational context. The term combines cross-cultural morphemes and is used primarily in media, games, or informal science discussions.
