-
CAT AND MOUSE
- The act of toying with or tormenting something before destroying it; a contrived action involving constant pursuit, near captures, and repeated escapes (ex: "playing a game of cat and mouse"; "playing a cat-and-mouse game").
- Usage: Interview with former Washington, D.C., police detective; used to describe the relationship between the so-called Beltway Sniper and law enforcement agencies pursuing the shooter.
Source: Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, Tenth Edition.
-
MODUS OPERANDI
- A method of procedure.
- Usage: Interview with former FBI profiler, who attempted to describe the pattern of behavior of the so-called Beltway Sniper, who allegedly focuses on stationary targets, such as people pumping gas.
Source: Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, Tenth Edition.
-
RETICENCE
- Inclined to be silent or uncommunicative in speech; restrained in expression, presentation or appearance; reluctant.
- Usage: News update on status of debate and position of Security Council nations on a possible new U.N. resolution for disarming Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.
Source: Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, Tenth Edition.
-
SPATE
- A large number or amount, a sudden or strong outburst.
- Usage: Live coverage of manhunt for the so-called Beltway Sniper following a recent shooting.
Source: Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, Tenth Edition.
(NOTE: All links in usage and sources will open a new browser window.)
