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13 hours ago

Chevelure is a noun that refers to a head of hair.

Coming almost directly from French, our word of the day has been used as a sophisticated way of referring to a person’s hair since the 15th century. Here’s an example:

I have to admit that Genevieve looked stunning when she entered the ballroom. Not only was she decked out in a long, flowing evening gown, but that chevelure on top of her head made her look like royalty.

1 day ago

Commination is a noun that means the actin of threatening divine vengeance.

Derived from late Middle English, our word of the day combines the Latin prefix C-O-M, meaning expressing intensive force with the latin verb minari (me NAR ee) meaning to threaten.

Our word of the day is often used in a biblical or spiritual context in reference to a divine creature threatening to punish sinners, but it may also be used metaphorically. Here’s an example:

When our boss threatened to dock the pay of anyone who left work early, it seemed to come from the loudspeakers like the voice of God. One thing for sure: the commination kept everybody at work until the final whistle.

2 days ago

Prolegomenon is a noun that refers to an introduction to a book.

Coming from the 17th century, our word of the day combines the Latin prefix P-R-O which means ‘before’ and the Latin word legein (lay JEN) meaning ‘to read.’ Before you read the actual content of a book, you read its introduction, or its prolegomenon.

I loved that book I recently read on the modern problem of short attention spans, but I had to skip past that prolegomenon. I guess my attention span was just too short to endure a long, boring introduction.

3 days ago

Antidromic is an adjective that means traveling in a direction that is the opposite of normal.

Coming from Greek, our word of the day combines the prefix A-N-T-I, meaning ‘against.’ and the word dromos (DRO mose) which means ‘running.’ It’s a fairly recent addition to English, having just arrived in the early 20th century.

I often find that jogging in the opposite direction from my usual path is a good way to keep me on my toes. All that antidromic movement, if nothing else keeps things from getting boring.

4 days ago

Manuduction is a noun that refers to the act of guiding or leading as if by hand.

Our word of the day combines the Latin word manus (MAN oose) meaning ‘hand’ and ductio (DUCK she oh) which means ‘to lead.’ Together they get the word that means ‘to lead by hand.’ Here’s an example of manuduction in use:

I was completely lost on my first day of work at the toy store. I needed someone to lead me by hand through all the inventory, but unfortunately no such manuduction was available.

5 days ago

Disconsolate is an adjective that means without consolation or comfort.

Our word of the day is derived from the Latin word consolari (con so LAR ay) meaning, ’to console’ and the prefix D-I-S, which means ‘not.’ When someone is disconsolate, they cannot be consoled.

Fred was disconsolate after his team’s loss last Sunday. I tried to cheer him up with the news that at least my team won. But for some reason, that did nothing to ease his sadness.

6 days ago

Oppugn is a verb that means to call into question the truth or validity of.

Our word of the day combines the Latin prefix O-B which means ‘against,’ and the word pugnare (poog NAR ay) which means ‘to fight.’ To oppugn something means to oppose it, more specifically, to oppose the validity or truth of it. Example:

I didn’t mean to oppugn the judge’s decision last week, but anybody watching that pie-eating contest could clearly see that I was the winner.

Apr 7, 2023

Vellicate is a verb that means to twitch.

The Latin word vellicare (vel ee CAR ay) means ‘to pluck or pull.’ By the early 17th century the word was brought into English and had taken on the more specific meaning it has today. It now refers to an involuntary twitch. Here’s an example:

When my eye began to vellicate, I panicked immediately. The last time a twitch like that came to my eye, I would up having a very serious eye condition.

Apr 6, 2023

Agley is an adverb that means askew or wrong.

The precise origin of our word of the day is unknown, but we do know it comes from the Scottish word gley (GLAY) which means ‘squint.’ Here’s an example of agley in use:

I knew something was agley in the kitchen when I walked into the house. When I immediately caught the scent of baked cookies in the air, I knew exactly what was askew. Donna had made cookies earlier that day and failed to invite me!

Apr 5, 2023

Astern is an adverb that means ‘backwards.’

Coming from the Middle English word ‘stern,’ (STERN) which means ‘rear,’ our word of the day is typically — but not always — used within the context of a boat or an aircraft.

I have to admit that I can get a little seasick when I hang out on Steve’s yacht. Things are a little less scary on the back of the boat, so when we pick up speed, I usually start moving astern.

Apr 4, 2023

Dyad is a noun that refers to something consisting of two parts.

The Greek word duo (DOO oh) means two. By the late 17th century, our word of the day found its way into English and came to refer to anything divided into two parts. Example:

Chris and I made an impressive dyad as a folk band. With him on banjo and me on guitar and vocals were a two-part musical force to be reckoned with.

Apr 3, 2023

Ejecta is a noun that refers to something that is thrown out.

The Latin word ejectus (ee JEK toose) means ‘thrown out.’ Our word of the day is derived from ejectus and has landed in English in the late 19th century. Here’s an example of ejecta in use:

Eddie tends to make a mess when he goes canoeing. All that ejecta from his canoe winds up polluting the lake with beer cans, food wrappers and other nasty stuff he tosses in the water.

Apr 2, 2023

Gossamer is an adjective that means light and delicate.

Our word of the day dates back to Middle English and combines the words ‘goose’ and ‘summer,’ as a reference to the time of year when geese were eaten. The word soon came to refer to anything silky or filmy — just like the down of geese.

The gossamer substance of my sleeping bag makes sleeping in the woods a lot more comfortable than it would be otherwise. Now all I need is to do something about all those mosquitoes.

Apr 1, 2023

Titular is an adjective that means related to a title.

The Latin word titulus (TEA too loose) means name, and was morphed into the word title in late 16th century. Our word of the day is an adjective that came around soon after. Here’s an example of titular in use:

I love the Charles Dickens novel David Copperfield, but found the titular character kind of boring. You’d think if someone’s name was used as a title of a book, they’d be more dynamic and charismatic.

Mar 31, 2023

Cleave is a verb that means to separate or divide into parts.

Our word of the day comes from Old English and is ultimately derived from German. Here’s an example of it in use:

Looking back, it was kind of a waste of time to cleave that cake into eight pieces. I could have simply cut it in half and eaten half for breakfast and the other half for brunch.

Mar 30, 2023

Virescent is an adjective that means green-colored.

The Latin word virides (VEER ee dees) means green. Our word of the day emerged in the 19th century from this noun that became the adjective virescent. Here’s an example of it in use:

The virescent lawns we saw in the countryside were truly a stunning sight. On the other hand, the green colored smog we spotted in the distance was stunning in a different kind of way.

Mar 29, 2023

Sumptuary is an adjective that means relating to or denoting laws that limit private expenditure on food and personal items.

Dating back to the early 17th century, our word of the day is derived from the Latin word sumptus (SOOM toose) which means ‘cost.’ Sumptuary describes anything related to a limit on costs on food or personal items. Here’s an example:

I’ve heard that during the war, sumptuary laws limited the amount of chocolate a person could buy. Personally, it would have driven me insane to have someone cut off my regular chocolate supply.

Mar 28, 2023

Argent is an adjective that means silvery white colored.

If you’re familiar with the periodic table you’ll know that AG is the symbol for silver. The origin of this is the Latin word argentum (are GEN toom) meaning ‘silver.’ This word dating back to Middle English is also the origin of our word of the day. Here’s an example of argent in use:

That argent glow always catches people’s attention when they see me driving down the street. People say I look like a giant bullet racing through the highway.

Mar 27, 2023

Clade is a noun that refers to a group that comes from a common ancestor.

Our word of the day comes from the Greek word klados (KLA dose) which means ‘branch.’ It may help to think of members of the same clade as different branches from the same family tree. Clade has been with us since the 1950s and was originally used to refer to organisms. More recently, it’s come to refer to humans and is roughly a synonym of tribe or lineage.

My dad and I are proof that members of the same clade can be very different. He spends nearly all his time watching and playing sports, while I can’t dribble a basketball without accidentally breaking my jaw.

Mar 26, 2023

Aeneous is an adjective that means brass colored.

Dating back to the 17th century, our of the day is derived from the Latin word aes (EYE ess) which means ‘brass.’ Example:

Getting that beautiful aeneous desk as a birthday gift is a mixed blessing. People sure do love to gawk at its stunning appearance. But it takes a lot of work to keep it that brass-colored hue.

Mar 25, 2023

Annular is an adjective that means ring-shaped.

The Latin word annulus (ANN ooh loose) means ‘ring.’ Our word of the day can be used to describe anything shaped like a ring. Here’s an example of it in use:

The annular configuration of last night’s eclipse was a joy to behold. I could gaze at that ring-shaped solar phenomenon all day.

Mar 24, 2023

Annular is an adjective that means ring-shaped.

The Latin word annulus (ANN ooh loose) means ‘ring.’ Our word of the day can be used to describe anything shaped like a ring. Here’s an example of it in use:

The annular configuration of last night’s eclipse was a joy to behold. I could gaze at that ring-shaped solar phenomenon all day.

Mar 23, 2023

Substratum is a noun that refers to a foundation or basis of something.

The Latin prefix S-U-B means ‘below,’ while the root word stratum, also Latin in origin, refers to a layer. Something below a layer could be thought of as a foundation holding things up from beneath. Our word of the day began as a geological term that referred to the foundation beneath the earth’s surface. More recently, it’s been used to refer to any kind of foundation, for example:

The substratum of our business is good customer service. Without that firm foundation, we wouldn’t be the biggest shoe store in town.

Mar 22, 2023

Secern is a verb that means to discriminate in thought.

The Latin word cernere (sir NARE ay) means ‘to separate.’ Our word of the day is similar in meaning and origin to the word discern. A person able to secern things could be said to have discriminating tastes.

In order for the office to succeed we needed someone who would secern the good offers from the bad ones. The inability to distinguish them would be bad news for the company.

Mar 21, 2023

Brinkmanship is a noun that refers to the practice of pursuing a dangerous policy.

The word brink refers to something unwelcome that is about to occur. Our word of the day combines this word with the suffix M-A-N-S-H-I-P which means ‘skill.’ Originally coined during the cold war of the mid-twentieth century, it initially referred to the act of a nation putting itself on the brink of war for political gain. Here’s an example:

There was a great deal of brinkmanship at that point in history that later proved to be unpopular with the nation. Most people deeply resent being placed in peril for the sake of politics.

Mar 20, 2023

Doomscrolling is a verb that means seeking internet updates on bad news.

A recent addition to the English language, doomscrolling combines the English word ‘doom,’ meaning a terrible fate and scrolling, the act of moving a computer display screen to view material.

I’m no big fan of doomscrolling, but when boredom sets in I can move up and down on a screen in search of bad news like them best of them.

Mar 19, 2023

A linchpin is a person or thing vital to an enterprise or organization.

Our word of the day has its origin in the Middle English word ‘lync’ (LINK) which means axle and the word pin. Lynchpin was used to refer to a pin or bolt used to secure an axle in place, preventing the wheel from coming loose.

In time, the word came to be used metaphorically to refer to something or someone who needs to remain in place to keep something together. Here’s an example of linchpin in use:

My van was used so frequently in our company that it became something of a linchpin. Without it, we would have never been able to take care of so many transportation needs.

Mar 18, 2023

Fitful is an adjective that means sporadic or disrupted.

Our word of the day combines the Middle English word fit (meaning ‘appropriate’) with the suffix FUL (meaning ‘full of.’) Here’s an example of it in use:

My sleep last week was fitful. I’d have a good night here or a good night there, but overall it was too sporadic for me to feel well-rested.

Mar 17, 2023

Exurb is a noun that refers to a district beyond the suburbs.

Our word of the day was coined in 1955 by author A.C. Spectorsky in reference to regions that were far beyond the suburbs. The word combines The prefix E-X (meaning ‘out of’) with U-R-B (meaning city). Here’s an example of it in use:

Having grown up in an exurb, I wasn’t accustomed to crowded environments. Out there, our family would practically have entire blocks to ourselves.

Mar 16, 2023

Armipotent is an adjective that means strong in battle.

Our word of the day comes from the Latin words ‘arma’ (ARM uh) which means ‘arms’ and potent (POE tent) which means ‘powerful.’ Here’s an example of armipotent in use:

The king’s armipotent forces insured that the land would be protected for years to come. Without such a powerful army, the land would have been laid to waste very quickly.

Mar 15, 2023

Naif is a noun that refers to a naive person.

Our word of the day comes directly from the French word for ‘naive.’ The word conjures up images of a young, inexperienced person lost in a world too sophisticated for them to understand.

When it came to the political world, I was something of a naif for the first few years. I had no idea what kind of indecorous behavior went on in the corridors of power.

Mar 14, 2023

Ressentiment is a noun that refers to a psychological state arising from suppressed feelings of envy and hatred.

Our word of the day was first coined by German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche. The term is typically used in a philosophical or psychological context, but here’s an example of it being used in casual speech:

The feeling of resentment inside me made it difficult to express my feelings, but I’m sure it had something to do with my career frustrations. It’s not such a good idea to suppress those feelings instead of addressing them.

Mar 13, 2023

Querulous is an adjective that means complaining in a petulant or whining manner.

The Latin word queri (KWERE ee) means complain, and it serves as the origin of our word of the day. Querulous has been with the English language since the late 15th century. Here’s an example of it in use:

I’m not a fan of my kids acting in a querulous manner to get what they want. But I have to admit that after several minutes of whimpering and whining, the approach usually gets the results they want.

Mar 12, 2023

In medias res is an adjective that means ‘in the midst.’

Our word of the day comes directly from the Latin phrase ‘in the middle of things.’ Here’s an example of it:

The day was already chaotic enough, but then in medas res, a fire alarm went off, causing things to get more insane.

Mar 11, 2023

Prospero is a noun that refers to a person who is capable of influencing others’ behavior or perceptions.

Our word of the day gets its origin from the William Shakespeare play The Tempest. It features a character named Prospero who is a deposed Duke and magician. Named for this highly influential character, prospero may be used to describe anyone of great influence. Here’s an example:

My agent initially came across as some kind of prospero, but it soon became clear that he didn’t have nearly the influence he pretended to have.

Mar 10, 2023

Repristinate is a verb that means to restore to original state or condition.

The root word of repristinate is pristine, an adjective of Latin origin that means ‘spotless.’

When we repristinate an object, we return it to its original spotless condition. Here’s an example:

I like to repristinate old colonial furniture, but it sure is hard work. It takes a lot of scrubbing and sanding down to get those artifacts back to their original condition.

Mar 9, 2023

Cosh is a noun that refers to a thick heavy stick or bar used as a weapon. It’s also a verb that means to hit someone over the head with a cosh.

Our word of the day’s origin is unknown, but we know it’s been around since the 19th century. Here’s an example of cosh in use:

When walking in the woods, I usually carry a large, wooden cosh with me just in case I run into Bigfoot or something like that. I know it’s an unlikely thing to happen, but if it does I’ll be ready to strike that behemoth on the head in my defence.

Mar 8, 2023

Chaebol is a noun that refers to a large family-owned business conglomerate.

Coming from the Korean words chae (CHAY) which means ‘money,’ and bol (BALL) which means ‘faction,’ our word of the day has been with us since the 1970s. Here’s an example of it in use:

I had no idea the local comedy club scene was a chaebol. It didn’t take long to learn that seven of the ten clubs were owned by one man, and the other three were owned by his brothers.

Mar 7, 2023

Waggle is a verb that means to get by devious means.

Our word of the day comes from the Old English word wag. Before it referred to something a dog did to its tail, the word meant ‘to sway.’ When someone engages in excessive swaying to achieve their goals, they are waggling. Here’s an example:

I tried to waggle my way to the top at the movie theatre through a combination of flattery, hard work and grovelling. But in the end, I just didn’t have the sinister mind needed to rise beyond ticket usher.

Mar 6, 2023

Medicaster is a noun that refers to a fake doctor.

Our word of the day combines the prefix M-E-D-I, which means ‘medical,’ and A-S-T-E-R, which indicates something of inferior or low quality. You could think of medicaster as a synonym for quack. Here’s an example:

After spending thousands of dollars on supplements advertised on his show, I concluded that the guy on TV was a medicaster. It became pretty clear that he was a charlatan when my illness didn’t improve after years of gobbling up pills.

Mar 5, 2023

Indexical is an adjective that means varying depending on context. It can also be a noun that refers to a word whose meaning depends on context.

Derived from the Latin word index, which means ‘sign.’ our word of the day has been around since the early 19th century. Here’s an example of indexical in use:

When learning a new language, it’s helpful to understand the full context of every word you use. If you use an indexical word like ‘here’ it might help to know where here is, or the person you are talking to may get confused.

Mar 4, 2023

Trachle is a verb that means to fatigue or wear out.

Coming directly from Scottish, our word of the day may also be used as a noun that refers to the source of fatigue. Here’s an example of the former:

All that work I used to do on the weekends used to trachle me. But these days the only thing wearing me out is the work I do at my job during the week.

Mar 3, 2023

Aporia is a noun that refers to an internal contradiction.

Our word of the day comes from the Greek word aporos (uh POOR ose) which means ‘impassable.’ Aporias are commonly seen in philosophy. Here’s an example:

When my former roommate told me that everything he said was a lie, I wondered if he was aware that his statement was an aporia. This turned out to be one of many internal contradictions I’d find in his words.

Mar 2, 2023

Vulpine is an adjective that means like a fox.

The Latin word vulpes (VOOL pez) means ‘fox.’ When someone behaves like a fox — meaning sly or cunning — our word of the day is a great adjective to describe them. Here’s an example:

As a kid, I had my vulpine ways when I really wanted to play video games. The most cunning thing I did was pretend to do my homework when I was secretly playing my favorite game on my phone.

Mar 1, 2023

Sneakernet is a noun that refers to the transfer of electronic information by moving it physically.

A recent addition to the English language, our word of the day has been around for about a decade and gets its origin from the word ‘sneak’ and the suffix ’N-E-T.’ Here’s an example of it in use:

The world of tech features a great deal of secretive behavior. On more than one occasion, we’ve had to use sneakernet to get our intellectual property transferred without it getting stolen. All that cloak-and-dagger stuff can get pretty intense, but truth be told, it can also be lots of fun.

Feb 28, 2023

Prattle is a verb that means to talk at length in a foolish way.

Coming from the Low German word prate (PRATE) which has the same meaning as our word of the day, prattle is a word almost never used in a flattering way. Here’s an example:

After two hours of hearing the salesman prattle on about the car’s special features, I was fairly sure I had no interest in the new convertible. It wasn’t until he got beyond all the nonsense and onto the low discounted price that he actually had my interest.

Feb 27, 2023

Vendible is an adjective that means ‘able to be bought or sold.’ It is also a noun that refers to an item that can be bought or sold.

The Latin word vendere (ven DARE ay) means ‘to sell.’ This is the origin of our word of the day which has been around since the early 17th century. Here’s an example of its use:

As a kid, I enjoyed making and eating sloppy joes, but it never seemed to me that my creations were vendible. If I could have found a way to make a living selling my sloppy joes, I would have chosen that as my career path instead of accounting.

Feb 26, 2023

Nutate is a verb that means to nod the head.

Our word of the day comes from the Latin word nutare (new TAR ay) which means ‘to nod.’

In a general sense, it can refer to anything moving back and forth from a fixed point, but it’s most commonly used to indicate the nodding of a person’s head. Here’s an example:

When the waiter asked if I wanted fried scorpions with my meal, I was so taken aback, all I could do was nutate nervously. In the end, I’m glad I nodded ‘yes’ to this awkward question. It turns out fried scorpion meat isn’t half bad.

Feb 25, 2023

Unco is an adjective that means strange or unknown.

Coming directly from Scottish, our word of the day’s origin isn’t clear, although some believe it’s derived from the word ‘unkenned,’ which means ‘unknown.’ Here’s an example of unco in use:

During my trip to Spain, I found myself in a number of unco settings. Thankfully though, my Spanish was good enough to help me navigate back to the hotel whenever I got lost.

Feb 24, 2023

Mumpsimus is a noun that refers to someone who sticks to old erroneous ways.

Our word of the day is derived from a tale of a medieval priest who persistently used the word ‘mumpsimus’ instead of ‘sumpsimus’ in prayer, despite frequent corrections from his superior. The priest replied that he’d been saying it the wrong way for so long that it had become a tradition. Here’s an example of mumpsimus in use:

Call me a mumpsimus if you want, but I prefer to use my old high school ball when bowling even though I know it’s too light to get the job done. I’ve been using it so long now that I simply can’t kick the habit — despite the ways it brings my game down.

Feb 23, 2023

Hyperacusis is a noun that refers to a heightened sensitivity to sound.

You may recognize the Greek prefix H-Y-P-E-R from words like hyperactive or hyperdrive. It means ‘above normal.’ The Greek word aukusis (ah KOOSE is) is where we get words like ‘acoustic’ and it means ‘hearing.’ When combined, we get our word of the day which refers to a condition of hearing things more loudly or harshly than normal. Here’s an example:

At first I thought my neighbors’ reaction to my band playing in the garage indicated some form of hyperacusis. After all, why else would our music affect their ears so harshly? But it turned out they didn’t have any medical condition. It was just that our band wasn’t so good.

Feb 22, 2023

Recondite is an adjective that means unknown or abstruse.

Coming from the Latin word reconditus (ray con DEE toose) which means ‘hidden’ or ‘put away,’ our word of the day has been with us since the mid-17th century. In more recent years, it is likely to refer to knowledge or information that is not well known. Here’s an example:

Although I enjoyed the poetry class I took last year, it was a little tough to keep up with it without a familiarity of obscure texts from the past. Because I didn’t have much recondite knowledge, I wound up not learning much from the class.

Feb 21, 2023

Schmatte is a noun that refers to a ragged or shabby garment.

Our word of the day comes from the Yiddish word for ‘rag’ and has been part of the English language since the 1970s. Here’s an example of schmatte in use:

There’s nothing more embarrassing than having to attend a fancy dinner without any good clothes to wear. Here I was being honored by my peers and instead of a fresh tuxedo, I was clad in a schmatte.

Feb 20, 2023

Malinger is a verb that means to exaggerate or feign illness to escape work.

The French word malingre (MAL ange) means ‘sickly.’ But once the word was imported into English, its meaning shifted to mean pretending to be sick — specifically to avoid work. Here’s a sample:

With so much to complete at the office, I was tempted to malinger. But in the end, I just felt that faking illness would I would saddle my co-workers with too much to do, so I decided against it.

Feb 19, 2023

Rive is a verb that means to split or tear apart violently.

Our word of the day’s origin isn’t fully known, but we do know it comes from Old Norse and has been with us since the 14th century. Here’s an example of rive in use:

I was so angry at the tiny amount I was paid for my landscaping work that I decided to rive the check right in front of my boss. But when I realized I needed to pay my rent that week, I felt that tearing my check up might not be the best way to express my displeasure.

Feb 18, 2023

Glabrous is an adjective that means smooth and hairless.

The Latin word glaber (GLOB er) means smooth and has been with us since the mid 17th century. Here’s an example of glabrous in use:

At my age I don’t really get upset about finding the occasional gray hair. I’m just happy that when I look at the top of my head, I still find hair and not a slick, glabrous surface.

Feb 17, 2023

Crag is a noun that refers to a steep rock formation rising higher than its surrounding rocks.

Our word of the day is Celtic in origin and dates back to the mid-18th century. Here’s an example of crag in use.

There’s something about rock climbing that gives me a breathtaking sense of rising above everything. My favorite moments involve standing on a crag and gazing down from its dizzying heights at the ground below.

Feb 16, 2023

Haverel is a noun that refers to a half-wit.

Coming directly from Scottish, our word of the day is related to verb ‘haver’ which means ‘to hem and haw.’ Here’s an example of haverel in use:

I was so confused by the instructions given to me that I must have come across like a haverel with all that fumbling and bumbling of my words.

Feb 15, 2023

Collate is a verb that means to collect and combine in proper order.

The Latin word conferre (con FAIR ay) means ‘to bring together.’ When we bring things together in a logical order, we collate them. Here’s an example of our word of the day in use:

My job at the office is to collate all the information from our many clients. Keeping them in proper order can be a bit difficult because after a while, they all just seem the same.

Feb 14, 2023

Apprise is a verb that means to inform or tell someone.

Coming from the French word for ‘to teach,’ our word of the day has been around since the late 17th century. Here’s an example:

When I found myself in legal trouble, I was hoping someone would apprise me of my rights. But unfortunately, by the time anyone passed that information along to me, I was already sitting in a jail cell.

Feb 13, 2023

Chafe is a verb that means to make someone annoyed or impatient.

The Latin word calere (kuh LARE ay) means ’to make hot.’ Initially, our word of the day’s meaning was ‘to rub.’ But in time, it came to define the act of annoying someone.

I have to admit that the sound of our next door neighbor’s drum set tends to chafe me. After a few hours of rehearsal, I’m really impatient for all that racket to stop.

Feb 12, 2023

Beatific is an adjective that means happy or angelic.

Our word of the day is derived from the Latin word beatus (BEE ah toos) which means ‘blessed.’ In strictly religious terms, beatific refers to spiritual creatures such as angels, but when used casually, it simply means ‘similar to an angel.’

Michelle’s Beatific smile has always inspired me. It looks like something you’d see on the face of an otherworldly being floating down from the heavens above.

Feb 11, 2023

Adulterate is a verb that means ‘to corrupt or make impure.’

The Latin verb aldulterare (all do Ter RAWR ay) means ’to corrupt.’ Our word of the day has been around since the 16th century. Here’s an example:

At first, I was afraid that adding a violin player to our punk rock band would adulterate our sound. But it turned out the only thing that corrupted out sound was the fact that we weren’t very good.

Feb 10, 2023

Accord is a verb that means ‘to bring into agreement. It can also be a noun that refers to ‘an agreement.’

Our word of the day combines the prefix A-D with the word cord (chord) which means ‘heart.’ Here’s an example of accord used properly:

After a month of tense negotiation, the factions reached an accord. The pro jelly donut coalition would get their jelly donuts on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, while team apple fritter would get their way on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Feb 9, 2023

Expatriate is a verb that means to leave one’s home country and resettle in another.

The Latin word ‘patria’ (POT ree uh) refers to ‘a native country.’ Words like patriot and patriotism derive from this. As a noun, expatriate refers to someone who has left their native land, but our word of the day is a verb that means the act of leaving a native land.

After all the awful weather we’ve had in the last few months, I was tempted to expatriate and perhaps settle in a place with warmer climates. But I’ve since realized that all I really had to do was repair our fireplace.

Feb 8, 2023

Creditable is an adjective that means worthy of belief.

Although the word ‘credit’ is used in a wide variety of ways, its basis is in the Latin word ‘credere’ (cruh DARE ay) means ‘trust’ or ‘believe.’ When something has been deemed creditable, that means we can believe and trust what has been said about it. Example:

The first lawyer I approached for my case, didn’t exactly seem like a creditable fellow. Sure, there were plenty of glowing words said of him on his website, but I later discovered that all those glowing reviews came from his mother.

Feb 7, 2023

Equidistant is an adjective that means ‘at equal distances.’

Our word of the day combines the prefix E-Q-U-I with the word ‘distant.’ Not surprisingly, the result is a word that means ‘equally distant.’

When faced with the option of going to college in sunny southern California or North Dakota, the choice wasn’t difficult. They were both equidistant from home, but let’s face it, distance isn’t always the most important factor when making such a decision.

Feb 6, 2023

Abrade is a verb that means ‘to rub or wear away.’

Coming from the Latin word ‘abradere’ (ab rah DARE ay) which means ‘to scrape away,’ our word of the day has been with us since the late 17th century. Here’s an example of abrade in use:

I was always afraid that if I left my bike outside, the rain and wind would abrade its frame over time, and let’s face it, metal that’s been all scraped away is not nearly as strong and stable.

Feb 5, 2023

Germinant is an adjective that means able to grow or develop.

The Latin word germinare (jer ee NAR may) means ’to sprout.’ It’s given us such words as ‘germ,’ ‘germinate,’ and our word of the day. Germinant can be used literally or metaphorically. Here’s an example of the later:

While working as an ad executive, some of my ideas worked out better than others. The most germinant of them developed with the help of hard-working staff.

Feb 4, 2023

Foretaste is a noun that refers to a sample or suggestion of something that lies ahead.

Our word of the day combines the prefix F-O-R-E, meaning ‘before’ with the Old English word ‘taste’ which can mean ‘experience’ as in ‘I got a taste of reality.’ As a noun, foretaste can refer to an advance sample of something. As a verb it can be thought of as a synonym of ‘anticipate.’ Here are examples of both:

I’ve always had an uncanny ability to foretaste bad weather. For example, when a blizzard is on its way, I can always anticipate it days in advance. The earliest foretaste of it is a strange chill I feel when everybody else feels normal.

Feb 3, 2023

Parquetry is a noun that refers to a floor design made of geometric shapes.

Coming from the French term for ‘small enclosed space,’ our word of the day refers to a pattern commonly used on flooring or furniture. It entered the English language in the early 19th century at the same time the pattern was gaining popularity. Here’s an example of parquetry in use:

As a math enthusiast, I tend to get excited when I see parquetry anywhere. The image of geometric shapes carved into an end table or chest of drawers tends to make me far more excited about furniture than any reasonable person should be.

Feb 2, 2023

Proviso is a noun that refers to a condition attached to an agreement.

The Latin word providere (pro vee DARE ay) means ‘to foresee or provide.’ Our word of the day came about in the late Middle English period as part of the phrase ‘it being provided that.’ Centuries later, proviso is used in a more informal manner. Here’s an example:

I went to the bowling match between my co-workers, but only with the proviso that I could bring my ear buds with me. Let’s just say bowling isn’t exactly a thrill a minute.

Feb 1, 2023

Ignescent is an adjective that means emitting sparks of fire.

The Latin word ignis (EEN yees) means fire. From this origin, we get our word of the day which has been a part of the English language since the early 19th century. It may be used in a literal sense to refer to sparks of a fire or in a metaphorical sense as a synonym of volatile. Here’s an example of the later:

It’s not like the mayor to make provocative speeches, but last Sunday

Jan 31, 2023

Clinquant is a noun that refers to false glitter.

Our word of the day comes directly from French. Its origin is imitative, meaning it is derived from the clink sound that comes from tapping against glitter. Here’s an example:

The journalism industry is full of all kinds of clinquant. It may seem glamorous, but, believe me, all the glitter of that world is heartbreakingly false.

Jan 30, 2023

Precocity is a noun that refers to the state of flowering.

The Latin prefix P-R-A-E means ‘before’ and the verb coquere (ko ku WHERE ay) means ’to cook.’ These provide the basis for a word that means ‘to ripen.’ Related to the adjective ‘precocious’ as in ‘a precocious, or developing child,’ our word of the day grew into the English language in the 17th century.

The precocity of our little puppies makes me reluctant to feed them the same treats we feed our older dogs. I’m not sure if the developing bodies of those tiny creatures can handle grown-up food just yet.

Jan 29, 2023

Geniture is a noun that refers to a person’s birth or parentage.

The Latin word genitura (jen uh TOUR ah) means ‘birth,’ This word has given birth to such English words as ‘generation,’ ‘generate’ and ‘progenitor.’ Here’s an example:

While the resemblance between parent and child can vary from one family to another, physical similarity is usually a good indication of a child’s geniture. Most kids look a lot like one or both parents.

Jan 28, 2023

Rusticate is a verb that means to abandon city life in favor of the country.

The Latin word rusticus (ROOS de coos) gives us the English word ‘rustic,’ an adjective that means ‘relating to the countryside or the country.’ Our word of the day is a verb used to indicate the process of moving to the country. Here’s an example:

I hope that when I rusticate I’ll be able to get better sleep at night. All those loud, intrusive sounds of traffic are a lot less peaceful than the sounds I’ll experience in the open fields of the country.

Jan 27, 2023

Cumbrous is an adjective that means awkward or ungainly.

Our word of the day is related to the more common word cumbersome which comes from the Latin word combre (COMB bray). Here’s an example of cumbrous in use:

After a day of working in packaging, my back can get pretty sore. Those boxes may look small, but they can be pretty cumbrous.

Jan 26, 2023

Gainsay is a verb that means to deny or contradict.

The combination of two Middle English words provides the basis of our word of the day. The word ‘gain’ means against, while ‘say’ has the same meaning it does today. To gainsay is to speak against something or someone.

As much as I don’t like to gainsay anyone arguing for the addition of donuts for our weekly meeting, I had to contradict Aurora’s claims about the nutritional value of apple fritters.

Jan 25, 2023

Splutter is a verb that means to say something with a spitting sound, as a result of a strong emotion. It is also a noun that refers to a short explosive noise.

Our word of the day goes back to the 17th century and appears to have been imitative in origin. Here’s an example of splutter in use:

Watching the boss splutter in rage for an hour in the office like that suggested that the mistake made was a huge one. I hadn’t seen him explode like that since someone stole his stapler.

Jan 24, 2023

Apportion is a verb that means to divide and allocate.

Having been around since the 15th century, our word of the day derives from the Latin word portionner (POOR shun her) which means ’to divide.’

We were told the coach would apportion the pizza equally between players. But the pizza was so tiny, that just meant everybody received an equally sized crumb.

Jan 23, 2023

Allay is a verb that means to diminish or put to rest.

The Old English word Alegan (al uh GAN) means ‘to lay down or aside.’ This is the basis for our word of the day. Here’s an example:

In an effort to allay my daughter’s disgust of Brussels sprouts, I ate several of them myself. Unfortunately, the upset stomach I had afterwards, didn’t do much to put aside her dislike of the vegetable.

Jan 22, 2023

Metagrobolize is a verb that means to puzzle or mystify.

Our word of the day comes almost directly from the French variation of it that has basically the same meaning. Here’s an example of metagrobalize in use:

This week’s installment of my favorite science fiction series really started to metagrobalize me. All those characters and plots and subplots and planets can really get your head spinning after a few episodes.

Jan 21, 2023

Deglutition is a noun that refers to the act or process of swallowing.

The Latin word deglutire (de glue TIRE ay) means ’to swallow down.’ Deglutition reached English in the mid 17th century where it hold pretty firmly to it original meaning. Here’s an example:

The patient was unable to consume food because of how bloated his throat was. A throat that swollen can often make deglutition difficult.

Jan 20, 2023

Encorsel is a verb that means to enchant or fascinate.

Our word of the day comes almost directly from the French word for sorcery. To ensorcel someone is to cast a spell on them — at least figuratively.

I had a feeling the lush, verdant scenery of the country would ensorcel me. Twelve years later and the spell that has been cast on me is still going strong. I wouldn’t leave this place if you paid me.

Jan 19, 2023

Luculent is an adjective that means clear in thought or expression.

The Latin word lux (LOOX) which means ‘light.’ provides the basis for many words related to illumination and clarity including lucid and our word of the day luculent. It’s been a part of the English language since the mid 16th century.

My earliest term papers could not exactly be described as luculent. They were so lacking in clarity that my professors accidentally thought they were brilliant.

Jan 18, 2023

Eyesome is an adjective that means pleasant to look at.

The suffix S-O-M-E means ‘characterized by being.’ So adding it to the word eye, in this case, means characterized by being pleasant to the eye. Getting imported into the English language, our word of the day is almost always meant to be flattering. Here’s an example:

When I captured the attention of everyone in the bar, I thought it was because of my eyesome appearance. It turned out they were all just staring at my mismatched shoes.

Jan 17, 2023

Stultify is a verb that means to cause to lose enthusiasm especially as a result of a tedious routine.

Our word of the day comes from the Latin word stultus (STUHL toose) which means ‘foolish.’ When it first reached the English language in the mid 18th century, stultify meant ‘to cause someone to look foolish.’ In time, it’s definition changed and it now means to slow someone down and sap their energy. Here’s an example:

Watching your team lose week after week can really stultify a coach’s passion. It’s one thing to lose the game; it’s another to truly lose passion for the sport.

Jan 16, 2023

Decouple is a verb that means to separate or disentangle.

The word couple is often used as a verb meaning ‘to join two or more things.’ When we add the prefix D-E, we get the opposite. So our word of the day means to separate or dissociate things. Example:

Before I could remove the boxes from my trunk, I first had to decouple them. All stuck together, they were too large to yank out.

Jan 15, 2023

Eviternity is a noun that means eternal duration.

The Latin word aeviternus (EYE vee ter nal) means ‘everlasting.’ By the late 16th century, our word of the day underwent a few changes and joined the English language. Here’s an example of it in use:

The wait for my uber car seemed to last an eviternity. In reality, the duration was eternal. It just felt that way because it was so cold outside.

Jan 14, 2023

Maudlin is an adjective that means self-pitying or tearfully sentimental.

Our word of the day has a biblical origin. Mary Magdalen of the New Testament was often referred to as ‘the weeping sinner.’ By the Middle English period, a derivation of her last name became maudlin. Here’s an example of it in use:

That last scene in the movie may have been a little maudlin, but I have to admit it moved me to tears — just like everybody else in the theater.

Jan 13, 2023

Navigable is an adjective that means able to be sailed on by ships or boats.

The Latin word navigare (nav uh GAR ay) means ‘to sail.’ From this word, we get the English word ‘navigate’ as well as our word of the day which basically means ‘able to be navigated by boats or ships.’ Here’s an example:

Before the tsunami, nearly all of the port was navigable. But since the storm hit, there’s barely a place that can be sailed on.

Jan 12, 2023

Slough is a noun that refers to a swamp.

The origin of our word of the day is unknown, but it appears to be from Old English. In addition to being a synonym of swamp, slough is often used to refer to a situation characterized by lack of progress or activity. Here’s an example:

The city council seems to always be in one kind of slough or other. In the twelve years I’ve been covering them, I don’t remember ever seeing any kind of progress.

Jan 11, 2023

Eustress is a noun that refers to stress that is beneficial.

Stress is a well known English word that refers to mental or emotional pressure, but when we add the Greek prefix E-U, which means ‘well’ or ‘good,’ we get something close to ‘good stress,’ or stress that is, in some sense, helpful. Here’s an example:

I found looking after eight dobermans to be a surprising source of eustress. After a week of keeping those hounds out of trouble, watching my two daughters was a piece of cake.

Jan 10, 2023

Dissimilitude is a noun that refers to dissimilarity or diversity.

The Latin word similis (suh MILL us) means ‘like’ or ‘similar.’ By adding the prefix D-I-S, we get the opposite, meaning ‘unlike’ or ‘different.’

The dissimilitude of vacation options made the choice very difficult. It’s one thing to compare two similar locations like Pasadena or San Diego, but when the alternatives are as diverse as Iceland and Australia, you can go nuts trying to make up your mind.

Jan 9, 2023

Taigle is a verb that means to entrap.

Coming directly from Middle English our word of the day has gotten trapped in the English language for a few centuries now. Here’s an example of it in use:

One of these days I’ll find a running path by the river that doesn’t taigle me in the bushes. Getting trapped in those thorns is not only annoying, it can be downright painful.

Jan 8, 2023

Fiduciary is an adjective that means ‘involving trust.’

The Latin word fidere (fie DARE ay) means ‘to trust.’ In the late 16th century, our word of the day joined the English language. Often used to describe the relationship between a trustee and a beneficiary of a firm, fiduciary may be used in more ordinary day-to-day contexts. Here’s an example:

After promising to watch her cats, I felt I had a fiduciary duty to miss the concert I’d been waiting weeks to see. Maintaining trust can often mean making sacrifices.

Jan 7, 2023

Zetetic is an adjective that means proceeding by inquiry.

Coming from the Greek word Zetein (ze TANE) meaning ‘seek,’ our word of the day is best used to describe a method of investigation, for example:

In my experience the best way to figure out who is responsible for a mistake made in the workplace is through zetetic means. Once you start asking around, someone is bound to spill the beans.

Jan 6, 2023

Smatchet is a noun that refers to a contemptible or unmannerly person.

Our word of the day has a mysterious origin, but it appears to be from Scottish. Smachet is never a flattering thing to call someone, but if you must use it, here’s an example of how it’s done:

At first I thought the guy who took the last donut from the box at the office was a real smatchet. But after retracing my steps I realized that contemptible person who swiped the final apple fritter was me.

Jan 5, 2023

Lexiphanicism is a noun that refers to pretentious phraseology.

The Greek word lexikos means ‘words.’ This is the basis of our word of the day which is usually employed in a pejorative manner. Here’s an example:

Harry’s lexiphanicism is the only thing keeping him from being more liked. He’s a nice guy, but his insistence on using words nobody else has heard of can be a little irritating.

Jan 4, 2023

Oniomania is a noun that refers to an uncontrollable urge to buy things.

The Greek word onos (OH nose) means ‘price’ and the Greek suffix M-A-N-I-A is used to indicate a mental abnormality or obsession. Here’s an example of our word of the day in use:

One of the biggest stresses a marriage can endure is oniomania. In addition to the stress it causes, it can also send both spouses into severe poverty.

Jan 3, 2023

Rhathymia is a noun that refers to a state of being carefree or light-hearted.

The Greek word rathymos (RATH ee mose) means ‘easy-going’ or ‘carefree.’ After spending several light-hearted centuries in English, our word of the day still retains the same meaning it did in its homeland. Here’s an example:

Phil is ordinarily a pretty easy-going guy, but when his favorite Tai restaurant permanently closed, his rhathymia disappeared immediately.

Jan 2, 2023

Hauteur is a noun that refers to arrogance or disdainful pride.

The French word haut (hot) means ‘high,’ and its English offshoot ‘haughty’ refers to someone who thinks of themselves as high and mighty. Our word of the day is the noun version. Here’s an example of it in use:

There’s something about winning a few hands of poker that make a guy feel high and mighty. All of that hauteur may feel great, but it’s not exactly the way to endear yourself to your fellow players.

Jan 1, 2023

Sonsy is an adjective that means healthy and attractive.

Our word of the day has a Scottish Gaelic origin. The word sona (SO nuh) means ‘fortunate.’ By the mid 16th century, this word had drifted into the English language and soon came to mean ‘having an attractive and healthy appearance.’ Here’s an example:

The Robinson family had such a sonsy appearance that we were too intimidated to accept their challenge in the volleyball tournament. But it turned out, for all their healthy good looks, they weren’t very athletically inclined.

Dec 31, 2022

Festinate is a verb that means to hurry or hasten. It can also be used as an adjective that means hasty.

Our word of the day comes from the Latin verb festinare (fest in ARE ay) which means ‘to speed up.’ Festinate hastily made a transition to English in the 16th century where it retained its basic meaning.

We knew we’d have to festinate our sight-seeing if we were going to reach the airport on time. But sadly, we were delayed by too many distractions, so we were late — as usual.

Dec 30, 2022

Tectonic is an adjective that means related to building or construction.

The Greek word tekton (TECH tahn) refers to a ‘carpenter’ or ‘builder.’ Arriving in the English language in the mid 17th century, tectonic is sometimes used in the field of geology to refer to the structure of the earth’s crust. But in more common use, it refers to the structure of man-made buildings. Here’s an example:

I’ve always been a fan of ancient Roman architecture. Tectonic skills may have improved in proficiency since then, but the construction of that period was as beautiful as it would ever get.

Dec 29, 2022

Sentry is a noun that refers to a guard to control access to a place.

The origin of our word of the day is the French word sentinelle (cent uh NELL). Its shortened version, sentry, entered English in the 17th century. Here’s an example:

Mike’s trophy was so valuable, he felt a sentry was needed around it at all times. It didn’t have the heart to tell him there was no need to guard a trophy for office champ in the annual darts competition.

Dec 28, 2022

Aperture is a noun that refers to an opening or a gap.

The latin word aperire (app er EYE ray) means ‘to open.’ From there, we get our word of the day which holds on to a meaning very close to its origin. Here’s an example of aperture in use:

As a kid I was curious about what would happen if I stuck my head in the aperture between walls in the attic. I learned a valuable lesson that day. Some openings are better off staying closed.

Dec 27, 2022

Xeriscape is a noun that refers to a style of landscape that requires little or no water.

Our word of the day combines the prefix X-E-R-O which means ‘dry’ with the suffix S-C-A-P-E, which means ‘a specific type of scene or environment.’ Xeriscapes are often very common in desert locations where there is a lack of water. Example:

As much as I love water, I have to admit I enjoyed the xeriscape of that lovely little Arizona town. I really admired their ability to have everything run smoothly despite the arid conditions.

Dec 26, 2022

Pelagic is an adjective that means related to the open sea.

The Greek word pelagos (pell A jose) means ‘of the sea.’ Our word of the day sailed into the English language in the mid 17th century where it’s often used to describe locations on the open sea. Example:

All those years of living in Nebraska made me forget how much I loved our pelagic home growing up. Living on the open sea on an Island was extraordinarily peaceful.

Dec 25, 2022

Prodrome is a noun that refers to an early symptom indicating the onset of a disease or illness.

The Latin prefix P-R-O means ‘before,’ while the Greek word ‘dromos’ (DRO mose) means ‘running.’ This combination gives us a word that suggests an indication of something before it actually takes place. Here’s an example:

I was afraid that my sore throat was a prodrome of some kind of illness, but I soon realized it was just a symptom of screaming too loud at the TV every time our lousy football team played.

Dec 24, 2022

Nidus is a noun that refers to a place or situation in which something develops or is fostered.

Our word of the day comes directly from Latin where it means ‘nest.’ In the late 17th century, nidus nested itself in the English language and is today often used in medicine to refer to a place in which bacteria have multiplied. But it’s also used simply to refer to a place of development.

My old neighborhood was a nidus for various creative artists. All kinds of writers, photographers, actors and musicians developed their skill there.

Dec 23, 2022

Expeditious is an adjective that means done with speed and efficiency.

Our word of the day comes from the Latin word expedire (eks ped ARE ay) which means ‘to liberate.’ By the late 15th century, its definition had shifted to its current meaning. It may be helpful to think of expeditious as a synonym of words like ‘swift’ and ‘prompt.’ Here’s an example:

While I can’t say I was a fan of the food that diner served, I did appreciate the expeditious service. The place may have been lousy, but at least, their prompt delivery got me in and out quickly.

Dec 22, 2022

Judder is a verb that means to shake something with force.

The origin of our word of the day is unclear, but its birth seems to have been imitative, meaning the word may have been word with somebody imitating the sound of something being juddered. Here’s an example:

Ellie, an old 1991 El Dorado, was a magnificent car. After a while, you had to judder the keys in the ignition to get her to start, but once you gave it a good shake, she was one smooth ride.

Dec 21, 2022

Maraud is a verb that means to roam in search of things to steal.

Coming almost directly from the French word for ‘rogue,’ our word of the day, along with the more common variation ‘marauder,’ was imported into English in the late 17th century.

Here’s an example of maraud in use:

Is it just me or are kid’s Halloween costumes getting scarier every year? Last year, when I checked out the group gathered at my door, I expected them to maraud through the streets as soon as they left.

Dec 20, 2022

Odium is a noun that refers to a general or widespread hatred or disgust directed toward someone.

Our word of the day comes directly from latin. In the early 17th century, it was imported into English and is used less commonly used than its close relative, ‘odious.’ Here’s an example of odium’s use:

I don’t understand the hatred people in my neighborhood have for my next-door-neighbor Chuck’s lawn. Sure, his decision to keep that inflatable Santa up year-round may be a little odd, but it puzzles me that people would have such odium for it.

Dec 19, 2022

Scenester is a noun that refers to a person associated with a particular social scene.

Scene, the root word of scenester comes from the Greek word skene (SKI nee) which means ‘tent’ or ‘stage’. It’s often used as a slang term to refer to a given social setting. A person frequently spotted in a particular ‘scene’ can be called a scenester. Here’s an example.

Watching my favorite bands over the years, I couldn’t help but notice a particular guy in a leather jacket who always seemed to be around. At first I assumed he was part of management or something. He turned out to be just another scenester trying to steal the glory from others on the scene.

Dec 18, 2022

Lavation is a noun that refers to the act of cleaning.

Our word of the day comes from the Latin word ‘lavare,’ (la VAR ay) which means ‘to wash.’ Just like its close relative lavatory, it entered English in the 15th century, bringing with it the same basic meaning.

It’s not hard to get a pet poodle into the bathtub, but getting them to use soap is a little more complicated. It’s a good thing, lavation isn’t needed for pets on a daily basis.

Dec 17, 2022

Bibliopole is a noun that refers to one who buys or sells books.

The Greek word biblion (BIB lee on) means ‘book,’ and it shows up as a prefix in such English words as ‘bibliophile’ and ‘bibliography.’ With our word of the day, it is combined with the Greek word ‘polein,’ (POE leen) which means ‘to sell.’ Here’s an example of bibliopole in use:

There may not be as many bookstores as there used to be, but believe me, there are plenty of bibliopoles. As long as people are reading books, somebody will be there to sell them.

Dec 16, 2022

Supervene is a verb that means to occur later as an additional event.

The basis of our word of the day is provided by the Latin prefix ‘super,’ (SOO per) which means ‘in addition,’ and ‘venire (ven EAR ay) which means ‘come.’ Simply put, when something supervenes, it comes later in a particular event, and in a way that changes the situation. Here’s an example:

The first half of the game was a fast-paced, high-scoring affair. But when the rain supervened in the second half all that scoring came to a halt.

Dec 15, 2022

Amendatory is an adjective that means used to fix or amend.

The root word of amendatory, amend, comes from the Latin word amender (AH men dare) which means ‘to fix.’ If something is amendatory it is designed to correct or repair something.

The new parking policy may seem like a pain, but its intention is amendatory. It was designed to correct the problem of having too many cars in the lot at one time.

Dec 14, 2022

Pernancy is a noun that refers to the taking or receiving of profit or rent.

The Latin word Prehendere (pren DARE ay) provides the basis for our word of the day. It means ‘to seize or take.’ Its distant offspring, pernancy has a more specific meaning, referring to the seizing or taking of profit or rent.

When my landlord visited last night, I had no idea his visit was motivated by pernancy. It turned out he was there to collect this month’s rent a little early.

Dec 13, 2022

Extramural is an adjective that means outside the walls or boundaries of a town, college or institution.

Our word of the day combines the Latin word muros (MOO ros) which means ‘walls,’ with the prefix ‘extra’ (EKS trah) which means ‘outside.’ Anything outside a given location or region is considered extramural. Here’s an example:

The office manager has often encouraged extramural hobbies as long as they don’t put us at risk. The limits of these policies were tested when I became an avid bullfighter and spent several weeks in the hospital. It was at the moment when it was decided that interests outside of the office should be restricted to things that don’t involve getting gored in the ribcage.

Dec 12, 2022

Retinue is a noun that refers to a group of advisers or assistants accompanying in important person.

Coming from an Anglo-French word retinir (ret uh NEAR) our word of the day’s relationship with the English language goes all the way back to the 14th century. Retinue could be thought of as a synonym of entourage. Here’s an example:

The governor’s retinue recommended he stop into the local tavern — but only briefly. After all, a smart advisor knows after a few too many drinks, his client might not looks so gubernatorial.

Dec 11, 2022

Fulgor is an adjective that means dazzling brightness.

Our word of the day comes from the Latin word fulgare (full GAR ay) which means ‘to shine.’ Maintaining the same basic meaning after centuries, fulgor today can be used as an adjective that describes brightness. Here’s an example:

Driving down I-94 this morning, the fulgor that greeted me was nearly blinding. If I’d been prepared for such extreme brightness, I would have brought my sunglasses.

Dec 10, 2022

Froward is an adjective that means contrary or difficult to deal with.

Derived from an Old English word that means ‘leading away from,’ froward is the kind of word that is never used as a compliment. Here’s an example:

As a kid, I had a tendency to be froward. While the other kids could be herded to the lunchroom, I was contrary enough to demand a trip to a four star restaurant for lunch.

Dec 9, 2022

Horripilation is a noun that refers to the erection of hairs on the skin due to cold, fear or excitement.

As you might guess, our word of the day is related to the word horror. Both words emanate from the Latin word horrere (hor AIR ay) which means ‘to tremble or shudder.’ When a person’s hair or skin rises up slightly as a result of being horrified, they’re experiencing horripilation.

Dec 8, 2022

Larp is a noun that refers to a game played in real life in which players portray characters.

Larp is an acronym that stands for live action role-playing. It reached the English language in the 1990s. Here’s an example of larp in use:

I was in a state of panic when I left my home this morning to see a bunch of aliens attacking my son and daughter. My kids had a big laugh when they revealed to me that they were actually playing a live action role playing game. After I calmed down a little, I asked if I could be involved in the next larp. It looks like fun!

Dec 7, 2022

Retcon is a verb that means ‘to revise an aspect of a fictional work.’

A recent addition to the English language, retcon emerged in the 1980s as an abbreviation for the words ‘retroactive community.’ Mostly used as a verb, it may also be used as a noun to refer to the act of making a revision to a fictional work. Here’s an example of the word used both a noun and a verb:

I noticed a retcon in the first few minutes of that movie when they tried to bring back a character who had previously died in the last installment. But if anything needed changing, it was the horrible acting. Too bad they couldn’t retcon that.

Dec 6, 2022

Fortean is an adjective that means related to paranormal phenomena.

Our word of the day comes from a writer an early 20th century writer and researcher named Charles Fort whose chief interest was the paranormal. By the 1970s, his name became a word to describe anything related to such phenomena. Here’s an example:

At first, I thought that weird disappearance of my phone was explained by some Fortean forces lurking about in our new home. But I soon realized the disappearance had nothing to do with the paranormal and instead happened because I left my phone at work.

Dec 5, 2022

Quell is a verb that means to put an end to something.

Our word of the day comes from the Old English word cwellan (KWELL an) which means ‘to kill.’ Its linguistic offspring quell was absorbed into English in the 13th century with a less lethal definition. It simply means to stop or end something.

When I heard that racket coming from the living room, my immediate impulse was to scream for somebody to quell it. I soon realized I was demanding that people turn off the latest album by my favorite band.

Dec 4, 2022

Copernican is an adjective that means very important or paradigm-shifting.

Nicolas Copernicus was a 15th century astronomer who first observed that the planets revolved around the sun. Because this discovery was so significant, we use the word Copernican to describe highly important discoveries or innovations. For example:

My great grandfather made key discoveries about marine animals off the coast of Africa. Those discoveries aren’t talked about a great deal among the general public, but for those in his field, they were Copernican. They truly changed everything about what we know about marine animals.

Dec 3, 2022

Cantrip is a noun that refers to a trick or a mischievous act.

The origin of our word of the day is unknown, but we do know it entered English in the late 16th century from Scottish. Here’s an example if its use:

When I saw a fresh plate of blueberry muffins on the breakfast table, I should have known it was a cantrip played by my son. Only a mind as mischievous of his could have tricked me into mistaking raw batter for blueberry muffins.

Dec 2, 2022

Ovoid is an adjective that means egg-shaped. It is also a noun that refers to an egg-shaped body object..

Entering English in the 19th century, ovoid comes from the Latin word ovum (OH voom) which means ‘egg.’ Here’s an example of ovoid used as an adjective:

Sometimes extreme hunger can impair your thinking. The other day I was so hungry that when I spotted an ovoid container on the kitchen counter, I tried to crack it over a pan so I could scramble it.

Dec 1, 2022

Talisman is a noun that refers to a person regarded as representing and inspiring a particular group.

The Greek word ‘telos’ means ‘result’ or ‘end.’ This word drifted into English by the mid 17th century and soon came to refer to a man who helps complete a process. Today talisman is most likely to be used metaphorically to mean someone who inspires a group.

In the school marching band, Devon was the talisman of the trumpet section. He inspired us all to practice a lot harder because we aspired to play just like him.

Nov 30, 2022

Kibosh is a verb that means to decisively end something.

The origin of our word of the day is unknown, but its use is pretty clear. It’s used in an informal context to mean ‘put an end to.” Example:

Having a pet bird in our bedroom seemed like a good idea at the time, but a few sleepless nights of loud chirping kiboshed that idea.

Nov 29, 2022

Behest is a noun that refers to an authoritative order.

Coming from Old English, our word of the day is related to the German word for ‘command.’ Here’s an example:

At the behest of our bank manager, we worked a few extra late hours this week. I’m no big fan of working extra hours, but when your boss makes an authoritative order, you follow it.

Nov 28, 2022

Apposite is an adjective that means apt for a given setting.

Our word of the day comes from the Latin word appositus (OPP oh SEE toose) which means ‘applied toward.’ It entered English in the late 16th century. It’s best understood as a synonym of ‘germane’ or ‘relevant.’ Here’s an example of apposite in use:

Maybe it’s me, but I didn’t think my name was an apposite one to mention  when talking about people using parking spaces that don’t belong to them. Sure, I made a few mistakes in parking in the past but was it really relevant to bring those mistakes up in a staff meeting?

Nov 27, 2022

Crural is an adjective that means related to the leg.

Our word of the day comes from the Latin word crus (CROOSE) which means ‘leg.’ Entering English in the late 16th century, it has come to be used mostly within formal medical or anatomical contexts. But it may occasionally be used to describe animals. Here’s an example:

After years of study, we determined that the crural capacity of those spiders was greater than we thought. We were truly stunned by how much power was in those long, slender legs.

Nov 26, 2022

Juvenescence is a noun that refers to the state or period of being young.

The latin word juvenis (YOU ven ees) which means ‘young’ is the basis for the word juvenile as well as the basis for our word of the day which entered the English language in the early 19th century.

If I had been more determined to prepare for the future, I would have spent my juvenescence keeping up with the latest technology. But instead I spent my youth playing guitar and keeping up with the latest music videos.

Nov 25, 2022

Ostentatious is an adjective that means characterized by vulgar or pretentious display.

Our word of the day comes from the Latin word ostentare (OS ten TAR ay) which means ‘to show or display.’ Entering English in the mid 15th century, our word of the day is often used to describe the tendency to show or display one’s wealth a little too much.

For my tastes, Jill can get a little showy when it comes to decorating her home. I mean, it’s one thing to have one’s walls covered in fancy wallpaper, but having your dog’s house wallpapered is downright ostentatious.

Nov 24, 2022

Rapturous is an adjective that means expressing or feeling great pleasure.

Our word of the day is derived from the Latin word raptus (ROP toos) which means ‘to seize.’ From this word, rapture entered the English language in the late 16th century. Rapturous is the adjective version. Here’s an example of it in use.

The first ten minutes of the movie had a rapturous grip on me. That fast-paced chase scene really seized my attention. But once the tedious love story began, my attention began to wander.

Nov 23, 2022

Valedictory is an adjective that means serving as a farewell.

The Latin phrase vale dicere (VAL ay dee CHAIR ay) means ‘to say goodbye,’ and it provides the origin or our word of the day. Valedictory is often used in a formal setting. Here’s an example. It was a touching moment to watch the king offer a heartfelt valedictory to his subjects. Saying goodbye after a long, distinguished reign like that must not have been easy.

Nov 22, 2022

Cozen is a verb that means to trick or deceive.

The Latin word cocio (COE see oh) means ‘dealer,’ but after a trip through the Italian language, the word evolved into a verb cozzonare (coe zone ARE ay) meaning ‘to cheat.’ By the late 16th century it landed in English as our word of the day. Here’s an example of cozen in use:

Sorry I didn’t reply to your email sooner. I was afraid that your request for my home address was an attempt to cozen me out of my money. From now on, mom, I’ll trust that you aren’t trying to cheat me.

Nov 21, 2022

Dscerp is a verb that means to tear apart.

Our word of the day combines the Latin prefix D-I-S, meaning ‘apart’ with the Latin word carpere (car PAIR ay) which means ‘to tear or pick.’

I wanted to discerp the memo about our coffee break as soon as I read it, but I was afraid that tearing the memo up wouldn’t undo the damage.

Nov 20, 2022

Speechify is a verb that means to deliver a speech in a tedious or pompous way.

By strict definition, our word of the day simply means ‘to make a speech,’ but when used colloquially, it makes to speak in arrogant, self-aggrandizing ways. Speechify’s origin is in the German word sprache (SPRAH huh).

The dinner went well until the governor felt he needed to say a few words. The next thing you know, we’re listening to him speechify for two hours on his favorite topic: himself.

Nov 19, 2022

Glamping is a noun that refers to the act of camping with luxurious accommodations.

Our word of the day was born in the early 21st century and combines two familiar English words, glamor and camping.

I had a feeling that Ana’s idea of ‘roughing it’ was really just a form of glamping. It’s not surprising that someone so preoccupied with glamor would need her tent to be stocked with a hot tub, a curling iron, a massage table and a plasma TV.

Nov 18, 2022

Immiserate is a verb that means to cause to become poor or impoverished.

The word ‘miser’ today refers to someone who hoards money, but its Latin roots are in a word that means ‘wretched.’ This is where words like misery and miserable come from. It’s also the source of our word of the day. To immiserate someone is to make them miserable or unhappy, usually in fiscal terms, for example:

As much as I loved owning that ranch, it began to immiserate our family after a while. We simply couldn’t afford to feed ourselves anymore with all those horses to take care of.

Nov 17, 2022

Vaticinate is a verb that means to foretell the future.

The Latin word vates (VOT es) means ‘prophet.’ Our word of the day has evolved from this word into a verb for what a prophet does: seeing the future. It entered the English language in the early 17th century. Here’s an example of it in use:

When my daughter was ten, I couldn’t vaticinate a future where  this mild-mannered sweet girl would become a mixed martial arts champion. But here she is, living the life that no one who knew her as a child could possibly have predicted.

Nov 16, 2022

Grouse is a verb that means to complain or grumble.

The origin of our word of the day is not known for certain, but may be related to the French-derived word ‘grouch.’ Grouse is a synonym of words like ‘grumble,’  ‘gripe’ and ‘lament’. Here’s an example of grouse in use:

My dad has changed a lot over the years. When I was a kid, he would grouse endlessly about the popular music of the 90s. These days, he prefers to gripe and grumble about the music of the 2020s.

Nov 15, 2022

Pot-valiant is an adjective that means courageous as a result of being drunk.

Our word of the day combines two common English words, ‘pot,’ which means to drink, and ‘valiant,’ which refers to bravery. It’s a way to describe someone who’s had a few cocktails and therefore has a bravery they wouldn’t ordinarily possess,  example:

I was feeling a little pot-valiant at the bar when the guy stepped on my toe in the parking lot, but when I saw those big muscles he had, I sobered up very quickly.

Nov 14, 2022

Gasconade is a noun that refers to exaggerated boasting.

Our word of the day comes indirectly from France, more specifically, a former province of France called gascony. It seems the inhabitants of this region where noted for being boastful, and the word gasconade was born as a term to describe them. Here’s an example:

I hate to brag, but, at the risk of coming across like a gasconade, I got all As in my French class last winter.

Nov 13, 2022

Hotspur is a noun that refers to a rash, hotheaded person.

The origin of our word of the day comes from the horseback riding times of 15th century England. A spur is a small spiked device used to urge a rider’s horse forward. At times this device would heat up after a long day of use. Soon the term hot spur came to refer to a person with a hot temper.

James has such a reputation as a hotspur that everyone at the office was afraid to tell him the weekly softball game had been canceled. He later complained when he was the only one who showed up at the ballpark, but I say it serves him right for being such a hothead.

Nov 12, 2022

Aureate is an adjective that means gilded with gold.

If you’re a chemistry nerd who’s ever wondered why the chemical symbol for gold is A-U, it’s because A and U are the first two letters in aurum (OUR oom) the Latin word for ‘gold.’ This highly colorful word found a home in English around the 15th century in the form of the adjective aureate. Our word of the day may be used in a literal sense to refer to something that is gold plated or in a figurative sense to mean something that is elaborately ornate. Here’s an example of the latter:

The college president used aureate language to describe the education the students were to receive. With all due respect, that kind of colorful, ornate prose can often lead to unrealistically high expectations.

Nov 11, 2022

Penumbral is an adjective that means’ related to being a shadowy area.’

Our word of the day comes from the combination of two Latin words. Paene (PIE en ay) which means ‘almost’ and umbra (OOM bra) which means ‘shadow.’ The resulting word, penumbra entered the English language in the mid 17th century and brought with it, the adjective form, penumbral.

The penumbral regions of the woods can be a bit scary at night. You can never be sure what kind of creatures are lurking in those dark shadows.

Nov 10, 2022

Colubrine is an adjective that means related to or resembling a snake.

The Latin word coluber (COLE ooh bear) means snake. By the early 16th century, this word slithered into the English language after shedding the skin of its original form and becoming an adjective to describe snakes.

After an evening of watching horror movies, the colubrine shape of those ropes on the living room floor gave me a fright. For a split second, I thought I was staring down a cobra crawling from under the couch.

Nov 9, 2022

Revenant is a noun that refers to a person who has returned as a ghost.

The French verb revenir (rev en EAR) translates to ‘coming back.’ Our word of the day evolved from this word and entered the English language in the early 19th century as reference to a person who has come back from the dead.

While spending the weekend at the cabin, our kids swore there was a revenant outside the back door. It turned out what they thought was a ghost was really just a raccoon picking at the garbage can.

Nov 8, 2022

Volant is an adjective that means able to fly.

Our word of the day is derived from the Latin word valare (voe LAR ay) which means ‘to fly.’ The word is typically used to describe animals, but can also be used metaphorically, for example:

Ana’s skillfully performed monologue seemed truly volant. The words floated from her mouth like a bird taking flight.

Nov 7, 2022

Cantillate is a verb that means to chant.

The Latin word cantare (con TAR ay) means to chant. Our word of the day entered English in the mid-19th century and is often used to describe the chanting or singing in a choir, example:

Listening to the choir cantillate that lovely hymn is an otherworldly experience. Several voices chanting in unison can sound stunning.

Nov 6, 2022

Telluric is an adjective that means ‘of the earth or soil.’

The Latin word tellus (TAY loose) refers to ‘the earth.’ Our word of the day is typically used to describe things that are directly composed of dirt or other basic elements. Here’s an example:

One of the great joys of living on a farm is that we can create things with our bare hands that we get from the ground. Our home is decorated with telluric items like our wooden kitchen table made from a tree that was in our backyard.

Nov 5, 2022

Cordiform is an adjective that means heart-shaped.

The ancient Greek word Kardia (CAR dee uh) meant ‘heart.’ After traveling through Latin and Middle English, it landed in modern English to be used in words like cardiologist, which refers to the medical specialty of hearts. The word was then combined with the suffix F-O-R-M, which means ‘shape or form’. Here’s an example of our word of the day in use:

That cordiform branch on the tree seemed awfully romantic when we spotted it on Valentine’s day. It was lovely to see something heart-shaped on a day dedicated to love.

Nov 4, 2022

Consonance is an adjective that means agreement or compatibility between opinions.

Coming from Latin, our word of the day is derived from the verb consonare (cone so NAR ay) which means ‘to agree with.’ Here’s an example of consonance in use:

It’s rare to have such consonance in our home over sports. We’re so accustomed to fighting between Mets fans and Yankee fans that agreement on these things is a welcome relief.

Nov 3, 2022

Avouch is a verb that means’ to affirm or assert.’

Our word of the day comes from the Latin term advocare (ad voe CAR ay) meaning ‘to summon in defense.’ In Latin, this word is often used to describe someone making a claim in a courtroom. Avouch is a broader word that may refer to statements made in or outside of the courtroom, example:

When my friends avouch that my driving is bad, I tend to believe them. My friends don’t usually make such assertions lightly.

Nov 2, 2022

Kerfuffle is a noun that refers to ‘a commotion or fuss.’

As a fairly recent addition to the English language, Kerfuffle comes from Scottish and  entered our language in the mid-twentieth century. The word referred to confusion or disorder. Here’s an example of kerfuffle in use:

When one of our neighbors refused to cut his grass, a brief kerfuffle ensued. This proves that in this neighborhood, improper lawn care can cause quite a commotion.

Nov 1, 2022

Frowzy is an adjective that means ‘scruffy and neglected in appearance.’

The origin of our word of the day is unknown, but the word is used in a context that’s never meant to be flattering whether in reference to a person or a place. Example: Inviting our parents over to the messy dorm room was always an embarrassing affair. The place was so frowzy, our guests would aghast.

Oct 31, 2022

Sacrosanct is an adjective that means regarded as too important or valuable to be interfered with.

Our word of the day is derived from the Latin phrase sacro sanctus (SOCK row SONG toos) which means ‘hallowed by a sacred rite.’ Sacrosanct is often thought of as a synonym of sacred, but it is more likely to be used in reference to things that have nothing to do with religion, for example: Our team’s playbook was sacrosanct as far as our coach was concerned. He’d lose his mind if he found one laying around on the locker room floor or, worse yet, in the trash can.

Oct 30, 2022

Inspirit is a verb that means ‘to encourage’ or ‘enliven someone.’

The Latin word spiritus (SPEAR ee toos) means ‘breath or spirit.’ To inspirit someone is to breathe life or spirit into them.

It’s always a big challenge to inspirit my co-workers at the office with a big pep talk on  a slow Monday. But let’s face it, enlivening people when they have little energy isn’t an easy task.

Oct 29, 2022

Ternary is an adjective that means ‘composed of three parts.’

Our word of the day comes from the Latin word ternarius (tear NAR ee oos) which means ‘three at once.’ From the very beginning, the company’s focus was ternary, with one part dedicated to marketing, and the other two related to manufacturing and delivery.

Oct 28, 2022

Imperturbable is an adjective that means unable to be upset or excited.

The Latin word pertubare (per too BAR ay) means to disturb, and it was later  the origin of ‘perturb.’  Our word of the day may refer to someone who cannot be disturbed or upset. For example, Eric had such an imperturbable demeanor that even the sight of his favorite team losing in overtime didn’t seem to bother him. I, on the other hand, was deeply traumatized by the game’s result.

Oct 27, 2022

Demode is an adjective that means out of fashion.

Our word of the day comes directly from the French verb demoder (dee mu DER) which means ‘go out of fashion.’

I had no idea my clothes were so out of fashion until I heard my kids laughing at the dinner table. At first I thought my jokes had finally amused them, but then I realized they were actually laughing at my demode jean jacket.

Oct 26, 2022

Excogitate is a verb that means to think out or plan.

The Latin word cogitare (coe gee TAR ay) meaning ‘to think,’ has given birth to a number of English words such as cognition, recognize and cognitive. Our word of the day is a less commonly used synonym of devise. Here’s an example of it use:

Our coach was great at preparing us for our games every week, but as we all learned, it wasn’t enough to get a team ready for the game. You often have to excogitate a way out of challenges created by the other team, and planning things out just wasn’t something he was great at.

Oct 25, 2022

inspirit is a verb that means ‘to encourage’ or ‘enliven someone.’

The Latin word spiritus (SPEAR ee toos) means ‘breath or spirit.’ To inspirit someone is to breathe life or spirit into them.

It’s always a big challenge to inspirit my co-workers at the office with a big pep talk on  a slow Monday. But let’s face it, enlivening people when they have little energy isn’t an easy task.

Oct 24, 2022

Ternary is an adjective that means ‘composed of three parts.’

Our word of the day comes from the Latin word ternarius (tear NAR ee oos) which means ‘three at once.’ From the very beginning, the company’s focus was ternary, with one part dedicated to marketing, and the other two related to manufacturing and delivery.

Oct 23, 2022

Imperturbable is an adjective that means unable to be upset or excited.

The Latin word pertubare (per too BAR ay) means to disturb, and it was later  the origin of ‘perturb.’  Our word of the day may refer to someone who cannot be disturbed or upset. For example, Eric had such an imperturbable demeanor that even the sight of his favorite team losing in overtime didn’t seem to bother him. I, on the other hand, was deeply traumatized by the game’s result.

Oct 22, 2022

Sympatric is an adjective that means occurring in the same place.

Our word of the day combines the Greek word patra (PAT ra) for ‘father’ and the prefix SYM which means ‘with together.’ Here’s an example of sympatric in use:

The sympatric grouping of our pets seemed like a good idea at the time. But after a while we realized having two dogs and three cats all in our small home wasn’t exactly a recipe for a peaceful environment.

Oct 21, 2022

Felix culpa is a noun that refers to an error that brings fortunate consequences.

Our word of the day combines two Latin words. Felix, which means ‘happy,’ and ‘culpa,’ which means ‘fault.’ A Felix culpa could be thought of as a happy accident.

My trip getting cancelled ten years ago could have been seen as a Felix culpa. After all, because I missed my trip, I was able to meet the wonderful woman I’ve been happily married to for seventeen years.

Oct 20, 2022

Immanent is an adjective that means existing within or inherent.

The Latin word manere (mah NAIR ay) means remain. By adding the prefix I-N (which means ‘in’) we get a word that means ‘remaining in.’ Here’s an example:

Bad jokes are an immanent part of my line of work. If you hire a lawyer, you’re really hiring a failed stand-up comedian.

Oct 19, 2022

Sinology is a noun that refers to the study of Chinese language, history and politics.

In Arabic, the word sin (SIN) means ‘China.’ Our word of the day is usually used in an academic sense, but can be used more casually as in this example:

I’ve always been fascinated with China’s culture. Even as a kid, I was obsessed with sinology.

Oct 18, 2022

Analeptic is an adjective that means restorative or stimulating.

The Greek word analeptikos (ann el EP tea cose) means ‘restorative.’ Our word of the day retained this meaning when it joined the English language in the late 16th century. Here’s an example:

When I suffered from my cold last week, I found that tea had analeptic powers. After a nice brisk cup or two, I was feeling much better.

Oct 17, 2022

Exclave is a noun that refers to a portion of a territory surrounded by other territories.

The Latin word clavis (KLAV is) means ‘key.’ It provides the origin of the word enclave which refers to an environment that differs from that which surrounds it. The differences between an enclave and an exclave is that an exclave is geographically separated from its surroundings.

Spending a summer on that enclave was a challenge. We had to get on a boat and travel for miles before connecting to anyplace that surrounded us.

Oct 16, 2022

Ritz is a noun that refers to luxury and glamour.

An early 20th hotel owner named Cesar Ritz provides the basis of our word of the day. It now refers to any kind of show of luxury.

Personally, I like to keep things simple when it comes to my clothes. For example, having any more than three ruffles on my pajama top is too much ritz for me.

Oct 15, 2022

Baedeker is a noun that refers to a travel guidebook.

Our word of the day was named after a German publisher who is remembered for a series of guidebooks. Today we use his name to refer to such books — especially those used for travel.

Following the Baedeker while in New York is not always such a good idea. When I found myself looking for the Statue of Liberty across the street from Central Park, I got the feeling the guidebook was wrong.

Oct 14, 2022

Galahad is a noun that refers to a person characterized by nobility and integrity.

According to legend, Sir Galahad was the noblest of king Author’s knights. Today we use this name to refer to someone characterized by nobility and integrity.

Opening the door for an older lady often makes me feel like a Galahad. But it doesn’t usually feel so great when I can’t find my keys to open it.

Oct 13, 2022

Sclerotic is an adjective that means rigid or unresponsive.

Our word of the day comes from the Greek word skleros (SLARE ose) which means ‘hard.’ You could think of the state of being sclerotic similar to something being hard or rigid. Here’s an example of sclerotic in use:

After running the marathon, my legs felt sclerotic for weeks. Running or even walking was a difficult task.

Oct 12, 2022

Defalcate is a verb that means to embezzle or misuse funds.

Our word of the day comes from the Latin word defalcare (del el CAR ay) which means ‘away from’ or ‘off.’ When money has been D-E-F-A-L-C-A-T-E-D, it has been taken without permission.

I still can’t believe Judd’s decision to defalcate our company’s funds. I had always trusted that he could be trusted with our money.

Oct 11, 2022

Victual is a noun that refers to food or provisions.

The Latin word victus means ‘food.’ Our word of the day came directly from this word and maintains the same basic meaning. Here’s an example:

It is often said that an army travels on its stomach. This means that if a troop doesn’t have its victual, they simply lack the ability to perform effectively.

Oct 10, 2022

Redintegration is a noun that refers to the evocation of a state of mind.

The root word of the redintegration is ‘integrate,’ which means to incorporate into a larger whole. When something is redintegrated, it is revived to a previous state. Here’s an example of the word in use:

The redintegration of my fourth grade memories was made possible by hearing that awful song again. Luckily my memories weren’t nearly as bad as the song.

Oct 9, 2022

Entente is a noun that refers to a friendly understanding between factions.

Our word of the day comes directly from French and is translated to ‘friendly.’ When used in English the word is more likely to refer to nations or geographical regions than individuals.

The entente that existed between the south side and the north had begun to break down by the end of the decade. It seemed only a matter of time before their cordial relationship would break down into war again.

Oct 8, 2022

Memoriter is an adjective that means memorized by heart.

Our word of the day has the same Latin origin of words like ‘memory’ and ‘memoir.’ To commit something to your memory is to commit it memoriter. Here’s an example of memoriter in use:

That poem has remained in my head since the sixth grade when I had to learn it memoriter. Although I still have it memorized, I haven’t had a need to recite it a single time.

Oct 7, 2022

Prelapsarian is an adjective that means pertaining to an innocent or carefree period.

The Latin word labi means ‘to fall.’ By adding the prefix P-R-E, we get a word that means ‘before the fall.’ Here is an example of prelapsarian in use:

In the prelapsarian days of Chuck’s youth, he had fun nearly every day. But moving away from his peaceful country changed everything. In an instance, the innocence was gone.

Oct 6, 2022

Phlegethon is a noun that refers to a fiery light.

Coming directly from Greek, our word of the day once referred to a river of fire. More recently, it can refer to any fiery light. Here’s an example:

The five of us nearly got lost in the woods. If it weren’t for that phlegethon in the distance, we wouldn’t have seen anything.

Oct 5, 2022

Defenestrate is a verb that means to dismiss someone.

The Latin word fenstra (fen EST rah) means ‘window.’ Our word of the day initially meant ‘to throw something out of the window.’ These days defenestrate is used more metaphorically. Here’s an example:

Because I was a rookie at the firm, everyone tended to defenestrate my ideas as soon as they left my mouth. It didn’t feel good to have those thoughts dismissed, but that’s how it goes when you’re the new guy.

Oct 4, 2022

Flump is a verb that means to sit or fall down heavily.

The origin or our word of the day is unclear, but it seems to be imitative in nature, in other words, flump seems to have come from an attempt to imitate the sound of someone or something falling onto something. Here’s an example of flump in use:

I was so exhausted after the race that I was afraid I’d flump to the ground after crossing the finish line. Luckily I didn’t fall down until I got to my car seat.

Oct 3, 2022

Callow is an adjective that means inexperienced and immature.

Our word of the day is derived from the Latin word calvus (KAL voose) which means ‘bald.’ This was often used to describe a young man who hadn’t come of age. As the word drifted into Old English and later evolved into callow, it came to mean ‘immature.’

At the time I made all those mistakes in life, I was too callow to understand what I was doing. Later in life, my maturity made me realize how foolish those mistakes were.

Oct 2, 2022

Embracery is a noun that refers to an attempt to threaten or bribe a jury.

Coming from Middle English, our word of the day is commonly used in legal contexts. Here’s an example of embracery in use:

Having lunch with members of the jury is never a good idea from a trial attorney because it can create the impression of embacery. Even if your intentions are pure, it may seem is though you’re trying to influence them in an unethical way.

Oct 1, 2022

Hegira is a noun that refers to a trip to a more desirable location.

Coming from an Arabic word for ‘departure,’ hegira came to English in the late 16th century. It was initially used in a spiritual context, referring to a trip to Mecca, but it can now be used to refer to any trip or migration made with the intention of improving one’s life.

After twelve years of living in the frozen climates of Minnesota, our hegira to Florida was wonderful. It felt like summer every day of the year.

Sep 30, 2022

Apopemptic is an adjective that means related to departing.

Our word of the day began in Greek as a synonym of dismiss. In time, it came to refer to a song delivered to someone upon departure. After its importation into English, it became an adjective that is roughly a synonym of parting, for example:

When he quit the office, Steve’s apopemptic advice was to make sure I got the desk closest to the copy machine. These parting words were the wisest ones he’d ever spoken.

Sep 29, 2022

Paletot is a noun that refers to a loose outer jacket.

Coming from Middle English, our word of the day was later brought into French. Here’s an example of paletot in use:

It looked to me that Janine’s fur coat was way too warm for a late summer day. So I wore a paletot, but found it was too cold for that. Some days make it hard to find the right medium.

Sep 28, 2022

Tohubohu is a noun that refers to a state of chaos.

Our word of the day comes directly from Hebrew as a word that means ‘emptiness and desolation.’ Since being imported into English, tohubohu’s definition has shifted slightly to refer to a condition of bedlam and disorder. Here’s an example of it in use:

We made every effort to bring order to all the tohubohu of the day, but it wasn’t easy. With that much chaos, there’s only so much you can do to make things orderly.

Sep 27, 2022

Infix is a noun that refer to letters added to a word to change meaning.

The Latin word figere (fig AIR ay) means ‘to fasten.’ From this word we get infix which has a meaning similar to figere. Although it has other uses, It is generally used when referring to language. Here’s an example:

I got a text from Greg that said he didn’t car about the game. This puzzled me until he later infixed the word ‘car’ to change its meaning to ‘care.’

Sep 26, 2022

Apollonian is an adjective that means related to the rational, ordered and self-disciplined aspects of human nature.

According to Greek mythology, the god Apollo was noted for his orderly and disciplined demeanor. Those who embody those traits  deserve to be thought of as Apollonian.

Eric was a strong candidate for the position, but in the end, he lacked the Apollonian categories we were seeking. Not only did he show up late for the interview, but he didn’t have the discipline to remain until the end.

Sep 25, 2022

Gradely is an adjective that means decent and orderly.

Our word of the day comes from Middle English and when used as an adjective it is a synonym of words like worthy and upstanding. It can also be used as an adverb that means the same as properly and suitably. Here’s an example of gradely used as an adjective:

The Prince’s gradely demeanor made him a favorite of the court. But, as we soon saw, upstanding behavior alone does not make for a successful king.

Sep 24, 2022

Isochronous is an adjective that means occurring at the same time.

Our word of the day comes directly from Greek, and holds the same pronunciation and meaning today. Here’s an example:

I was always under the impression that the American civil war and the Protestant reformation in Europe were isochronous events. But after studying history a little, I discovered the two things did not take place at the same time.

Sep 23, 2022

Integument is a noun that refers to a tough, outer protective layer.

Our word of the day comes almost directly from the Latin word integumentum (in teg you MEN toom) which means ‘covering, shield or wrapping.’ The word is often used in reference to an animal’s outer shell or protective skin, but here’s an example that can be used in reference to humans:

When it gets this cold outside, I wish I had some kind of an integument to protect me from the single digit weather. Of course, this added layer of skin wouldn’t be such a good thing in the summer.

Sep 22, 2022

Zeugma is a noun that refers to a figure of speech in which a word applies to two others in different senses.

The Greek word zugon (ZOO gone) means ‘to yoke.’ Our word of the day refers to a situation where two different meanings are yoked into one. Example:

When I said, ‘Corey opened his door and his mind to the strangers who entered his home,’ my son didn’t understand that I was using a zeugma. But I suppose at his age, he doesn’t yet grasp the idea of a figure of speech.

Sep 21, 2022

Acrostic is a noun that refers to a poem, word puzzle or other composition in which certain letters in each line form a word or phrase.

Our word of the day comes from the combination of various Greek words for ‘end,’ ‘row,’ and ‘verse.’ An acrostic is often  a puzzle that someone must figure out, but other times it is a word like ‘scuba,’ which is an acrostic that stands for self-contained underwater breathing apparatus. Here’s an example of the word acrostic used in a sentence:

I’ve always been a fan of acrostics. It’s not always easy to figure out the word that is being spelled out, but that’s a big part of the fun.

Sep 20, 2022

Antepenultimate is an adjective that means the third from last in a series.

The Latin word ultimare (OOL tea mare ay) means ‘come to an end.’ If something is the ultimate in a series, it is the last. The penultimate is the second to last, and the antepenultimate is the third from last. Here’s an example of it in use:

When searching for restaurants, our antepenultimate option was a place called Shelly’s Diner. With all due respect, we should have waited for the penultimate choice. Or maybe the ultimate choice.

Sep 19, 2022

Totemic is an adjective that means regarded as being symbolic or representative of a quality.

The word totem comes from Ojibway and refers to a symbol that embodies a family or clan. If something is totemic it is regarded as representative of a particular quality.

We found a seafood restaurant in Maine that was totemic of the state’s food. In every way it reminded us of everything we loved about Maine’s cuisine.

Sep 18, 2022

Saudade is a noun that refers to a feeling of melancholy or nostalgia.

Our word of the day comes directly from Portuguese and it refers to a sense of melancholy or nostalgia that is, according to legend, characteristic of the Portuguese or Brazilian temperament. Here’s an example of saudade in use:

Anna’s songs contain a strong element of saudade. They are sad and melancholic in a way that fondly recalls the past.

Sep 17, 2022

Noisome is an adjective that means having an extremely offensive smell.

Our word of the day has nothing at all to do with sound coming into our ears, but rather it relates to smell coming into our nasal cavities. It combines the Middle English word ‘noy,’ which is a shortened form of ‘annoy’ along with the suffix S-O-M-E, which means ‘characterized by being.’

All that perfume in the department store I worked in became noisome after a while. The scent was nice for a few days, but it became distasteful in a matter of weeks.

Sep 16, 2022

Metanoia is a noun that refers to a change in one’s way of life.

The Greek word metanoein (meta KNOW een) is the source of our word of the day. It meant ‘to change one’s mind.’ Our word of the day holds the same pronunciation and meaning of the original. Here’s an example:

Shelly experienced a metanoia soon after high school that changed her life forever. She discovered that red hair wasn’t the look for her.

Sep 15, 2022

Arcana is a noun that refers to secrets and mysteries.

Our word of the day comes almost directly from the latin word arcanus (are CAY noose) which means ‘to shut up.’ The word first came to refer to knowledge known only to a few. With arcana, it retains this same basic meaning.

There is much arcana in the secrets found in that tomb. Even to this day, the information remains a mystery to most people.

Sep 14, 2022

Tocsin is a noun that refers to an alarm bell or signal.

Our word of the day combines the French word for ‘touch’ with the Latin word signum (SEEG noom) which means ‘bell’ or ‘signal.’ Here’s an example of tocsin in use:

We should have realized those howls in the night were a tocsin of what was to come. If we had we’d have known there were bears in the area.

Sep 13, 2022

Akrasia is a noun that refers to the state of mind in which someone acts against their better judgement.

Our word of the day comes from Greek. It combines the prefix A, meaning ‘without’ along with kratos (CRAH toes) which means ‘power’ or ‘strength.’ A person who behaves with akrasia does so without the power of their better judgement.

I’m not sure what kind of akrasia came over Devin last week. But when he picked out those weird-looking pants he was clearly acting without his better judgement.

Sep 12, 2022

Gestalt is a noun that refers to an organized whole that is perceived as more than the sum of its parts.

Our word of the day comes directly from the German word for ‘form’ or ‘shape.’ Here’s an example of gestalt in use:

The gestalt of our softball team is difficult to understand, but there is a team chemistry that makes us bigger together than we would be individually.

Sep 11, 2022

Abscond is a verb that means to depart for safety.

The Latin word abscondere (ab SCON dare ay) means ‘to hide.’ The word came to English in the mid 16th century. Here’s an example of abscond in use:

We all decided to abscond when we heard those howls in the distance. We later learned there was no need to run for cover from the poodles that were howling.

Sep 10, 2022

Agora is a noun that refers to a public open space.

Our word of the day comes directly from Greek. In ancient Greece, it referred to a public open space used for assemblies and markets. Today it may refer to any kind of a public space.

It felt good to return to the agora after all that time being alone at home. I’d forgotten how nice it felt to be around other people.

Sep 9, 2022

Bivouac is a noun that refers to a temporary camp or shelter.

Our word of the day is a loan word from French, meaning ‘on guard at night.’ It may be used as a noun or a verb that means to find temporary shelter from the night. Here’s an example of bivouac used as a noun:

Our bivouac wasn’t the most comfortable place in the world, but it gave us the temporary shelter we needed.

Sep 8, 2022

Epigone is a noun that refers to a less distinguished follower or imitator of someone.

The Greek word epigonoi (EP ee go knee) means ‘those born afterward.’ The word later came to refer to a descendant of someone who doesn’t distinguish themselves as their ancestors did. More recently it can refer to someone who doesn’t distinguish themselves as well as someone they have emulated or followed.

For years, everyone in Mr. Gykone’s science class feared we’d become epigones. It seemed impossible that we could ever come close to achieving the things he had achieved.

Sep 7, 2022

Patois is a noun that refers to the dialect of the common people of a region.

Our word of the day comes from a French word that means ‘rough speech.’ It has come to refer to any dialogue of a language spoken by the common people.

I had always thought I understood English perfectly well, but after hearing the patios of many people in Appalachia, I realized how little I truly understood. Their brand of English was difficult for me to make sense of.

Sep 6, 2022

Antecedent is a noun that refers to a thing or event that existed before or logically precedes another.

The Latin word cedere (say DARE ay) means ‘to go.’ The prefix A-N-T-E means ‘before.’ Our word of the day is often used when discussing history. Here’s an example:

It is often assumed that the war was a consequence of the dictator’s behavior, but the war was actually an antecedent. It began years before the dictator’s actions became unruly.

Sep 5, 2022

Ecclesiastic is a noun that refers to a priest or member of the clergy.

The Greek word ekklesia (eh KLES ee ah) refers to a ‘church’ or ‘assembly.’ As the word evolved and was imported into Latin, then English, it came to refer to those who were a member of the clergy.

As an official member of the church, Father Brown was able to make many decisions regarding church policy. Still it annoyed him that his privileges as an ecclesiastic didn’t extend to having his own parking space.

Sep 4, 2022

Granitic is an adjective that means hard like granite.

The Latin word granum (GRAH noom) refers to ‘grain.’ The word later drifted into Italian, then English and its meaning shifted to a reference to a very hard stone. Our word of the day is the adjective variation that can refer literally to anything composed of granite or metaphorically to anything or anyone that is firm and determined. Here’s an example of granitic used metaphorically:

Jimmy’s granitic will ensured that our band would succeed. We knew from the beginning that nothing would shatter his determination.

Sep 3, 2022

Decamp is a verb that means to depart suddenly or secretly.

The French word decamper (doo com PAY) was imported into English in the 17th century, holding on to its original meaning of ‘to break camp’ or ‘take off’ quickly and quietly. Here’s an example:

The group of concert goer decided to decamp soon after rain began to fall around ten. As much as Californians love music, they don’t care much for rain.

Sep 2, 2022

Asynchronous is an adjective that means not existing or happening at the same time.

The Greek word Chronos (CROW noss) refers to ‘time.’ Synchronous events occur at the same time. If we add an A as a prefix to this, we get the opposite — things not occurring at the same time. Here’s an example:

As a kid, I’d always imaged cave men playing with pet dinosaurs. It wasn’t until later that I learned that the existence of dinosaurs and early man were asynchronous events.

Sep 2, 2022

Extortionate is an adjective that means too costly.

Our word of the day is derived from the Latin-based word extort, which means to obtain by force or threat. Extortionate either describes behavior that is rooted in extortion or it simply means ‘very costly.’ Here’s an example of the latter:

I couldn’t believe that plate of shrimp cost seventeen dollars. I wouldn’t have minded such extortionate prices if it had tasted good, but in the end, they weren’t worth the high cost.

Aug 31, 2022

Anserous is an adjective that means silly.

The Latin word anser (AHN sir) means ‘goose.’ Our word of the day simply adds the suffix O-U-S, which means ‘characterized by,’ to create an English word that describes someone behaving as a goose would.

I’m sure my old wardrobe looks a bit anserous to my kids. But we didn’t find that look silly at all in the eighties. The word we used was rad.

Aug 30, 2022

Expropriate is a verb that means to take property from its owner.

The Latin word proprium (PRO pree um) means ‘property.’ The addition of the prefix E-X, which means ‘out or from,’ gives expropriate a meaning of ‘taking property from.’ Here’s an example of expropriate in use:

Signing that recording contract was one of the biggest mistakes of my life. When I saw that fine print about the manager having the right to expropriate my music, I had no idea that he was using a euphemism for steal!

Aug 29, 2022

Supertemporal is an adjective that means being beyond time or eternal.

The Latin word tempus (TEM poos) means ‘time.’ The addition of the prefix S-U-P-E-R brings our word of the day to the meaning of ‘beyond time.’ Here’s an example of it in use:

I hoped I would have a game that was supertemporal last night, but the only thing eternal about it was that people will be laughing about my mistakes for all eternity.

Aug 28, 2022

Pique is a noun that refers to a feeling of irritation or resentment from a slight.

Our word of the day has many meanings, but today we’re focusing on the noun that refers to a sense of annoyance or frustration that comes from a slight. Pique is derived from an Old French word for ‘stabbing blow.’ Here’s an example of it in use:

Mr. Henderson left the office in a fit of pique. He couldn’t believe they selected the pizza for the party without consulting him.

Aug 27, 2022

Furphy is a noun that refers to a false report or rumor.

The exact origin or our word of the day is unclear, but it is an Australian slang that’s been around since World War 1, when it became used by journalists trying to report the news.

We received a Furphy regarding the Senator and his financial dealings, but the reports were later proven false. It’s a good thing we’ve learned not to believe every rumor we hear.

Aug 26, 2022

Guttural is an adjective that means related to a harsh sound produced in the throat.

The Latin word guttur (GOO tour) means ‘throat.’ Guttural is often used in a medical context, but it can have an everyday meaning when used to refer to the sounds in creates. Here’s an example:

The guttural sounds my dog made last week suggested he was having trouble breathing. It turned out he had some throat problems that we’ve since had corrected.

Aug 25, 2022

Soiree is a noun that refers to an evening party.

The French word soir (swah) means evening, and our word of the day lifts it directly without changing it much. Soiree is a word probably best used for a sophisticated evening event — not poker night with your buddies.

The soiree we attended last week was a joy. Not only was the wine exceptional, but the music by the string orchestra made the evening complete.

Aug 24, 2022

Finitude is noun that means the state of having limits or bounds.

The Latin word finitus (FEE knee toose) provides the origin for our word of the day. It means ‘specific bounds or limits.’ Its distant cousin Finitude has been an English word for several centuries, maintaining the same basic meaning. Here’s an example:

The finitude of my job can be frustrating at times. No matter how much I want to change things, there’s a limit to how much my duties allow me to do so.

Aug 23, 2022

Gallicism is a noun that refers to a French expression adopted by speakers of another language.

Although it refers to The French language, Gallicism — like the French language itself — has its origin in Latin. The word refers to people descended from Gaul, a region that later became France. Here’s an example:

Lisa’s use of the phrase je ne sais quoi confused me a little before I realized it was a Gallicism. Here I was thinking my daughter had learned French when really she was just using a French term that is common among English speakers.

Aug 23, 2022

Phatic is an adjective that denotes language used for social interaction.

The Greek word phatos (FAH tose) means ‘spoken.’ Since entering English in the 1920s, its distant relative phatic has come to mean ‘used for social interaction.’

When I asked Carly how she was doing, she gave me a long-winded answer about how she felt pretty good after a rough weekend. It was as if she didn’t understand that my question was phatic, not intended to get any actual information.

Aug 21, 2022

Eidolon is a noun that refers to an idealized person or thing.

The Greek word eidos (EE dose) means ‘form.’ An eidolon is the form of a perfect person or thing. Example:

The character ‘Betty’ in the book didn’t seem very realistic to me. She seemed more like an eidolon. That author has used many idealized characters in the past.

Aug 20, 2022

Torpor is a noun that refers to a state of physical or mental inactivity.

In Latin, the word torpore (tore POOR ay) means ‘be numb’ or ‘sluggish.’ Our word of the day may refer to a time of mental inactivity or it may generally refer to lethargy.

After running the marathon, I felt a torpor for a few days. This kind of sluggishness is common for marathon runners.

Aug 19, 2022

Dithyramb is a statement or writing in an enthusiastic vein.

We don’t know the precise origin of our word of the day except that it came from the Greeks to refer to a wild choral hymn. In more recent times, it is more likely to describe writing. Here’s an example:

The dithyramb used to describe the band’s new album suggested it was the greatest thing ever. I was disappointed. But I guess it’s inevitable that such hype would create unrealistic expectations.

Aug 18, 2022

Flapdoodle is a noun that refers to nonsense.

Our word of the day doesn’t appear to have an origin. It seems to have been an arbitrarily formed word that simply refers to nonsense or silliness. It’s pretty much always used in an informal context.

All that flapdoodle going on in our backyard distracted me from work. Although I have to admit, I’ve engaged in that kind of nonsense from time to time myself.

Aug 17, 2022

Compos mentis is an adjective that means having full control of one’s mind.

Our word of the day comes directly from a Latin phrase that translates to ‘having the mastery of one’s mind.’ It is frequently used in a legal context.

When Carl wrote his will, he began with the usual declaration of being compos mentis. But that strange shirt he was wearing would suggest he may have been sane, but he was a little weird.

Aug 16, 2022

Estuary is a noun that refers to the tidal mouth of a large river.

The Latin word aestus (ESS toose) means ‘tide.’ Our word of the day is derived from a variant of this that means ‘tidal part of the shore.’

There’s a lovely place in New York where the Hudson River meets the shore. This estuary is my favorite place in the Big Apple.

Aug 15, 2022

Tammany is an adjective that means related to political corruption.

Our word of the day got its name from Tammany Hall, headquarters of the Tammy Society, an organization in New York City. The word Tammany soon became a general term to describe any political corruption. It can be used as an adjective or a noun. Here’s an example of Tammany used as a noun:

With so much Tammany going on, it’s a wonder that anything gets done. All that political corruption has a way of eroding people’s trust.

Aug 14, 2022

Inveigh is a verb that means to write or speak against something with great hostility.

Our word of the day comes from the latin word vehere (vay HAIR ay) which means ‘to carry.’ In time, the word came to mean ‘attack.’ When we inveigh against something or someone we attack — usually with words. Here’s an example:

Myra tried to inveigh against habit of using unauthorized parking spaces at work, but then in the middle of her attack, someone reminded her were she parked that morning.

Aug 13, 2022

Treen is an adjective that means made of wood.

It’s not a coincidence that the first three letters of our word of the day come to ‘tree.’ Tree is a word of Old English origin and by adding the suffix E-N, which means ‘made of,’ we get something made of the same substance as trees. Here’s an example:

The treen chest of drawers is just what I needed for this room. It seemed to me that something made of wood was a good addition with so many objects of steel around.

Aug 12, 2022

Omnium gatherum is a noun that refers to a collection of miscellaneous people or things.

Our word of the day comes directly from Latin. From Latin, it takes omnium, which means ‘of all,’ and from Old English it takes gather, a word that was later brought into English with the same meaning it currently has.

The meeting was an omnium gatherum of people from all professions. I spotted lawyers, janitors and teachers, all sharing the details of their lives.

Aug 11, 2022

Mulct is a verb that means to cheat or defraud.

The Latin word mulcta (MOOLK tah) refers to ‘a fine.’ Our word of the day may refer to the act of extracting money from someone by fine or it may mean extracting money from someone through fraud.

I felt the health inspector was trying to mulct me with that fine. It just didn’t make sense that having too many fire extinguishers could be considered a fire hazard.

Aug 10, 2022

Lyceum is a noun that refers to a literary institution.

Our word of the day comes directly from the Greek word for a temple for gods. More recently, it refers to any institution or teaching place.

If you ask me, this town could really use a lyceum. As of right now, it has seventeen bars, but no public libraries.

Aug 9, 2022

Xiphoid is an adjective that means sword-shaped.

Our word of the day comes almost directly from the Greek word for ‘sword.’ It was imported into English in the mid 18th century. Here’s an example of xiphoid in use:

The xiphoid guitar in the picture was my idea, not my wife’s. In fact, Marie threatened to leave me if I ever left the house with that thing.

Aug 8, 2022

Au fond is a an adverb that means in essence or at core.

Our word of the day comes directly from French and means ‘at bottom,’ or ‘at core.’ Here’s an example:

Au fond, Tommy is a good man. But he’s capable of behaving very badly. I don’t care how good a person he is, inside, I’m afraid, I can’t let his bad behavior go.

Aug 7, 2022

Causative is an adjective that means acting as a cause.

The Latin word cau SARE ay) cow SARE ay) means ‘to cause.’ This gave us the English word cause. Our word of the day adds the suffix A-T-I-V-E to indicate a characteristic of the word.

I didn’t feel the aspirin I took was causative of my stomach ache. My taking it and the stomach ache took place on the same day, but one did not cause the other.

Aug 6, 2022

Gravimetric is an adjective that means related to the measurement of weight.

Our word of the day comes from the Latin word gravis (GRAV is) which means ‘heavy.’ You could think of gravimetric as something related to the measurement of how heavy something is. Example:

When Andy didn’t like what had been announced as his weight, he complained about gravimetric means of finding this number. But the hard truth was it wasn’t the scale’s fault.

Aug 5, 2022

Perdurable is an adjective that means enduring continuously.

The Latin word perdurare (per door ARE ay) means ‘to endure.’ Our word of the day can be thought of as a more literary synonym of durable.

I’d always thought of my German Shepard Max as my perdurable love — until he gobbled up those fig newtons I was saving. I still love him, but I might love my goldfish a little more.

Aug 4, 2022

Hereditament is a noun that means an item of inheritance.

The Latin word hereditare (her red it ARE ay) means ‘inherit.’ It was later imported into English with the same meaning. For our word of the day, the suffix M-E-N-T was added to express the means or result of an action. Here’s an example of hereditament in use:

That picture hanging in the living room was a hereditament from my late grandfather. It was the only thing I received from my family and I cherish it a great deal.

Aug 3, 2022

Flexitarian is a noun that refers to a person who has a primarily vegetarian diet but occasionally eats meat or fish.

The word flexitarian combines two common English words ‘flexible’ and ‘vegetarian’ to refer to someone who is flexible in terms of how strictly they adhere to a vegetarian diet.

I’ve been a flexitarian for five years now. If I had to guess I’d say I’ve had three meals where I’ve adhered to my vegetarianism.

Aug 2, 2022

Fillip is a noun that refers to the act of flicking a finger against something.

Our word of the day has an etymology similar to the words ‘flick’ or ‘flip.’ They are all from Middle English. Fillip in particular, has retained the same of ‘making a flip with the fingers.’ The word can also be used as a verb that means ‘to flip something with a finger.’ Here’s an example of both:

I wanted to fillip my boss on the nose when he delivered the bad news. But I feared that a fillip wouldn’t have been a good idea at that time.

Aug 1, 2022

Valhalla is a noun that refers to a place of honor or glory.

Our word of the day comes from Old Norse. It is translated to ‘hall of the dead.’

I love reading about old Norse myths. In particular, I loved hearing about all their adventures they’d gotten into before reaching Valhalla.

Jul 31, 2022

Bruit is a verb that means to spread a rumor or report.

Our word of the day comes from Middle English, meaning ‘noise.’ More recently It has come to mean spreading information, be the information true or false. Here’s an example:

Around the office, people began to bruit reports of what happened at the new year’s eve party. But I can attest that the rumors were all false.

Jul 30, 2022

Cunctation is a noun that refers to an action or delay.

Our word of the day comes from the Latin word cunctari (koonk TAR ee) which means ‘to delay.’ It entered English in the late 16th century, maintaining it basic meaning. By adding the suffix A-T-I-O-N, it makes cunctation a noun that refers to an action or instance of something.

I was a little annoyed by the cunctation of my son’s baseball game. But if I’d known the result of the game, I would have been in no hurry for the game to be played.

Jul 29, 2022

Lurdane is a noun that refers to an idle or incompetent person.

The Latin word luridus (loo READ oos) means ‘lurid.’ Over time our word of the day’s meaning has shifted to now refer to someone who is simply lazy or ‘good-for-nothing.’ Here’s an example of lurdane in use:

My brother-in-law is such a lurdane, he doesn’t even bother to look for work. In fact, he’s so lazy, he doesn’t even have a resume.

Jul 28, 2022

Belvedere is a noun that refers to a rooftop view.

Our word of the day comes from the Italian words bel for ‘beautiful’ and vedere (vay DARE ay) which means ‘to see.’ In the late 16th century, it came to refer to a summerhouse or open-sided gallery, usually at rooftop level. Today it can often refer to any kind of a rooftop view.

Having a belvedere was really important thing for Max when he was seeking a new apartment. Too bad he didn’t place as much importance on having running water.

Jul 27, 2022

Whilom is an adverb that means formerly or in the past.

Coming from Old English with the meaning of ‘at times,’ our word of the day could be thought of as a synonym of ‘erstwhile’ or ‘former.’

I was an athlete whilom so I make every effort to keep my body in great shape. All those years of getting great exercise on the basketball court has made me understand the importance of conditioning.

Jul 26, 2022

Penman is a noun that refers to an author.

Derived from two common English words, ‘pen’ and ‘man,’ Penman can be used as a synonym of ‘writer,’ or ‘scribe.’ But can can also refer to someone skilled in calligraphy. Here’s an example of the latter:

My brother has worked for years as a penman. It seems to be painstaking work, but his ability to create beautiful letters has apparently paid off in life.

Jul 25, 2022

Passim is an adverb that means scattered throughout the text.

The Latin word passus (PAAH soos) means ‘scattered.’ When used in a modern context, our word of the day means ‘scattered at various places of the text. Here’s an example:

The book has many stories about my father’s experiences during the war passim. When you read those stories at various points, you get a sense of how brave a man he was.

Jul 24, 2022

Tsuris is a noun that refers to trouble or woe.

Our word of the day comes from Yiddish. Here’s an example to illustrate the best way to use it:

It’s been a tough year for us at the office. But even with all the tsuris, we’ve had plenty of good times to savor.

Jul 23, 2022

Alliaceous is an adjective that means smelling or tasting like onions or garlic.

The Latin word allium (AH lee oom) refers to garlic. Since joining the English language in the lat e18th century, our word of the day has come to refer to anything that is a part of the alliums family, which include, among other things, onions and garlic. It generally refers to the smell or taste.

The alliaceous scent coming from the oven put me off a little, but after a while I’ve gotten used to it. Working in the kitchen of an Italian restaurant has actually made me appreciate the smell of garlic.

Jul 22, 2022

Clicktivism is a noun that refers to the practice of supporting a cause through the internet.

Our word of the day is a 21st century variant of activism, a word of Latin descent. Clicktivism replaces the word ‘act’ because it refers to a lazy, less active form of social engagement. Here’s an example:

People criticize clicktivism, but I think it’s kind of fun. Right from my own home, I voted on who I think should star in the new Indiana Jones movie.

Jul 21, 2022

Myology is a noun that refers to the muscular anatomy of a person or animal.

The Latin prefix M-Y means muscles, while O-L-O-G-Y is a Greek suffix that means ‘subject or study of interest.’

The myology of that cougar suggests he has a build intended for a predator, with an ability to strike fast at any time. All of this means he’s got a lot of strong and fast muscles, so we’d better get out of here quickly.

Jul 20, 2022

Tyro is noun that refers to a beginner or novice.

Tyro comes from the Latin tiro (T-I-R-O), which means «young soldier,» «new recruit,» or more generally, «novice.»  The word has a long history of being used attributively—that is, directly before another noun—in phrases like «tyro reporter» and «tyro actors.»

My nephew plays the drums well and has even started a band with some of his friends.  Even though he is a good musician and has been practicing regularly, at 14 he’s still a tyro and has a lot to learn

Jul 19, 2022

Litterateur is a noun that refers to a professional who makes a living in the world of literature.

Our word of the day comes directly from the French. Our word of the day may refer to either a professional writer or someone who has a great interest and knowledge of literature. Here’s an example of the former.

My career as a litterateur really took off with my last book. From that point on, I could quit my job as a heart surgeon

Jul 18, 2022

Castigatory is an adjective that means punitive or intended to punish.

The Latin word castus (cos toose) means ‘pure’ or ‘chaste.’ When we castigate someone, we reprimand them for not being pure or chaste. Any action done for this purpose is considered castigatory.

The board’s castigatory action did little to prevent further problems. It seems James was just determined to be a bad guy no matter how much he was punished.

Jul 17, 2022

Quietive is a noun that refers to something that has a soothing effect.

The root word of quietive is quiet, from a Latin word which, of course, means quiet. The suffix I-V-E refers to ‘that which performs toward.’ In this case, a quietive performs toward a ‘quieting’ or soothing of a person’s temperament.

Even after taking the quietive the doctor prescribed, I couldn’t help but feel a little nerved wracked. The soothing effect took much longer for me to feel.

Jul 16, 2022

Calumny is a noun that refers to a false and slanderous statement.

Our word of the day comes from the Latin word calumnia (kah LOOM nee uh) which means ‘trickery.’ It first appeared in the 15th century and you can find it in the Shakespearean play ‘Hamlet.’ Here’s an example of it in use:

I expected my first year in college to be rough, but I never thought I’d receive calumny from other students. These guys in clown college really fight dirty.

Jul 15, 2022

Manavelins is a noun that refers to odds and ends left over.

The origin of our word of the day is unknown. It’s frequently used as a slang for leftovers. Here’s an example of manavelins in use:

Today’s manavelins weren’t as good as I was hoping. That’s the last time I ever try to reheat oatmeal.

Jul 14, 2022

Extraterritoriality is a noun that refers to an exemption from the application of local laws.

Our word of the day combines the prefix E-X-T-R-A with the word territory that refers to a piece of land. Here’s an example:

Due to extraterritoriality, one of the kids on our trip to Spain wasn’t punished for shoplifting at the airport. But that didn’t stop him from getting a spanking from his dad at home where such legal loopholes don’t exist.

Jul 13, 2022

Casuist is a noun that refers to a person who uses clever but unsound reasoning.

The Latin word casus (KAH soose) means ‘case,’ and you could think of casuists as similar to lawyers, constantly working on a case. Here’s an example of our word of the day in use:

My daughter’s only ten and she’s already become something of a casuist. She managed to convince me and her mother that she shouldn’t eat carrots with dinner because she didn’t support the slaughter of innocent carrots.

Jul 12, 2022

Docent is a noun that refers to a guide in a museum, gallery or zoo.

The Latin word docere (doe SAIR ay) means ‘to teach.’ Our word of the day can sometimes be used to describe a member of the teaching staff immediately below professorial rank. It can also be used to refer to a guide. Here’s an example of the latter.

In the gallery, the docent explained to us that Jackson’s Pollock’s paintings were supposed to look that way. If it weren’t for those well-versed guides at the gallery, I’d still think that guy just wasn’t very good.

Jul 11, 2022

Chortle is a verb that means to laugh in a breathy, gleeful way.

Our word of the day is one of many words that come to us from the 19th century author Lewis Carroll. He first used chortle — a combination of chuckle and snort — in the novel Through the Looking Glass.

I plead guilty to having been a nerd in high school. On top of my ill-fitting wardrobe and coke-bottle glasses, I also had this dorky chortle I’d deliver at the slightest provocation. Take my word for it, having a weird laugh is never the key to popularity.

Jul 10, 2022

Rend is a verb that means to tear into into two or more pieces.

Our word of the day comes from Old English and is used with an object. Here’s an example:

I was tempted to rend the contract in half when I saw how little I was being paid. But then I realized that ripping the contract in half would do nothing to boost my salary.

Jul 9, 2022

Lapsus calami is a noun that refers to a slip of the pen.

Our word of the day comes directly from a Latin phrase that translates into “slip of the pen.’ It is used to describe any mistake made in writing.

In my movie debut I played a character named Jeb in an old west thriller. But thanks to a lapsus calami, my character’s name was listed in the credits as Jen. I hope I don’t have any more slips of the pen like that. It would be nice for my parents to fully understand who I was playing in a movie.

Jul 8, 2022

Ken is a noun that refers to one’s range of knowledge.

Our word of the day has its roots in the German word kennen (KEN en) which means ‘to know’ or ‘be acquainted with.’ The word was imported into English in the 16th century, carrying its same basic meaning. Here’s an example:

That World War Two movie we saw the other day was fun, but it didn’t seem realistic. Granted, history is a little out of my ken, but even someone whose area of expertise isn’t history knows they didn’t have cell phones at Pearl Harbor.

Jul 7, 2022

Pied is an adjective that means consisting of more than one color.

Our word of the day has its origin in Middle English and was initially used to describe things that were black and white, as in a ‘magpie.’ These days the terms can refer to any combination of colors.

I remember this pied mare from summer camp. She was half beige and half white and it was endless fun riding her across the prairie.

Jul 6, 2022

Ruritanian is an adjective that means filled with romantic adventure and intrigue.

The 1894 novel, the Prisoner of Zenda is set in the imaginary kingdom of Ruritania. It’s a novel of high adventure and romance. We use the word Ruritanian to describe any place that fits this description. Example:

My son talks about this Ruritanian place inside his closet that is filled with monsters and dragons and damsels in distress. He makes this imaginary world so vivid that I’m afraid to go inside the closet.

Jul 5, 2022

Dissilient is an adjective that means springing apart.

Our word of the day combines the Latin prefix D-I-S, for ‘apart’ with salire (suh LEER ay) which means ‘to leap.’ Here’s an example of dissilient in use:

We liked the old mattress at the garage sale, but soon realized why it was being sold for only twenty-five dollars. It was a mess. Not only was covered with dust, but it was dissilient, with seams snapping loose everywhere.

Jul 4, 2022

Inspissate is a verb that means to thicken or congeal.

The Latin word spissus (SPEE soos) means ‘think’ or ‘dense.’ Inspissate has been with English since the early 17th century and has maintained the same meaning. Here’s an example:

It was fun to make maple syrup, but I feel we needed to inspissate it a little. Personally, I’ve always liked my syrup as thick as possible.

Jul 3, 2022

Caducous is an adjective that means easily detached and shed.

The Latin word caducus (cah DOO coos) means ‘liable to fall.’ Our word of the day entered the English language in the late 17th century with a meaning related mostly to botany. Here’s an example:

It’s lovely to watch these plants bud at this time of year, especially to see the buds fall away. This kind of caducous act fascinates me as much as it does botanists.

Jul 2, 2022

Obtestation is a noun that refers to the act of protesting.

The word obtest is a synonym of protest. Our word of the day is the noun variation of this. Here’s an example of obtestation in use:

We didn’t understand Helen’s obtestation of playing classical music in the office. We had always thought of her as a fan of this genre and here she was protesting it.

Jul 1, 2022

Ravelment is a noun that means confusion or entanglement.

The word ravel is of middle English descent and it means to tangle something. When we ravel words we create ravelment — or confusion — in people’s heads.

Tommy’s complicated explanation created nothing but revalment. Instead of making sense of things, it only caused more bewilderment.

Jun 30, 2022

Perambulate is a verb that means to travel around in a leisurely way.

The Latin word ambulare (ohm boo LAR ay) means walk, while the prefix P-E-R means ‘all over.’ When we perambulate through an area, we stroll through all of it at a leisurely pace.

Our trip to Paris was fun, but it was a little too rushed. We didn’t have time to perambulate through the city.

Jun 29, 2022

Glottal is an adjective that means producing a sound from the glottis.

The Greek word glottis refers to ‘the tongue.’ After being imported into English, it’s meaning shifted to refer to the larynx, a part of the vocal cords that effect voice modulation. To make a glottal sound is to make a sound that involves this part of the body. This often can refer to a clicking sound.

After my throat surgery, I struggled to make any glottal sounds. It seemed my glottis had simply been irreversibly damaged.

Jun 28, 2022

Osculate is a verb that means to kiss.

The Latin word osculum (OH skew loom) means ‘little mouth’ or ‘kiss.’ Although it has a more formal, separate meaning in mathematics, it is also used informally to refer to a kiss. Here’s an example:

After studying medicine for years, I found myself drowning in Latin. Things got particularly weird when I came home and asked my wife to osculate me on the mouth.

Jun 27, 2022

Bumptious is an adjective that means self-assertive to annoying degree.

It’s no coincidence that the first four letters in our word of the day come to the word ‘bump.’ Its origin is that it combines the word ‘bump’ with the word ‘fractious’ to means someone whose self-assertive personality can rub — or bump — people the wrong way. Here’s an example:

We all like James, but can he can be a little bumptious at times. In fact, his snugness is so great that we were all hoping he didn’t perform well at the bowling tournament — and he was on our team!

Jun 26, 2022

Selenography is a noun that refers to the mapping of the moon.

In Greek mythology Selene is the goddess of the moon. In recent years her name has been adopted for for words that refer to the moon. For selenography, the suffix G-R-A-P-H-Y has been added to created a word specifically related to geography of the moon. Here’s an example of selenography in use:

Patti decided to pursue a career in selenography because of her love of the moon. But she soon discovered that the job consisted a lot more of memorizing geographic details.

Jun 25, 2022

Banausic is an adjective that means serving utilitarian purposes only.

Our word of the day comes from a Greek word banausikos (bah NO see kose) which means ‘of or for artisans.’ It must be remembered that artisans of the ancient world mostly created art for utilitarian purposes, things like vases and furniture. In time, banausic came to mean anything that existed solely for utilitarian reasons.

We got our dog Sparky mostly for banausic reasons. We needed a guard dog. But as time has gone by, our love for him has less and less to do with the utilitarian purposes he serves.

Jun 24, 2022

Pyrite is a noun that refers to a ‘fools’ gold’ or something that appears valuable but is worthless.

The Greek word pur (PU er) means fire. In addition to being the origin of such words as pyromania, it is also the basis of our word of the day. Pyrite usually refers to a shiny yellow mineral that was often mistaken for gold in the 19th century. But it can also be used metaphorically to refer to something that fools you into thinking it has value.

Tommy grew up believing he had the golden voice, but in truth the gold was pyrite. After pursuing a career as a singer, it became clear that his voice had no real value to anybody but Tommy.

Jun 23, 2022

Scattergram is a noun that refers to a diagram used to compare two variables.

Coming from two common English words, scattergram is a synonym of a scatter diagram, that may be preferable because it rolls off the tongue faster and easier. Here’s an example of it in use:

I used a scattergram to compare the different factors that has caused our team to struggle. Showing a diagram of those factors line up against each other really does illustrate our truly awful our team is.

Jun 22, 2022

Guttle is a verb that means to eat or drink greedily or noisily.

The word gut is of Old English descent and refers to the bowels or digestive tract. When we Guttle we put stuff into our gut quickly and loudly. Here’s an example:

It was fun to watch my family Guttle down the food I spent hours creating. But to honest, their loud and greedy eating likely had less to do with how good it was than with how long I kept them waiting.

Jun 21, 2022

Deliquesce is a verb that means to melt away or become liquid.

The Latin word liquere (luh KWARE ay) refers to liquid. By adding the prefix D-E for ‘down,’ we get a word that means ‘to be’ or ‘to become’ liquid.

After a winter that lasted way too long, it was great to see the ice deliquesce in a matter of hours. Watching ice melt has never been more fun.

Jun 20, 2022

Ultimo is an adjective that means of last month.

Our word of the day comes directly from Latin, maintaining the same pronunciation and meaning. Here’s an example of ultimo in use:

The first Monday ultimo was Connie’s birthday and I forgot it. I hope she doesn’t mind celebrating last month’s birthday this month.

Jun 19, 2022

Interlard is a verb that means to embellish with different material.

Stemming from a Latin word, the prefix I-N-T-E-R means ‘between’ or ‘among.’ The word ‘lard,’ although generally used as a noun to refer to excess fat, can also be a verb that means ‘to embellish with.’ When we interlard something, we embellish it with lots of different material.

Tonight I’m going to interlard the casserole with all of this week’s leftovers. I hope everybody’s hungry for sausage, cabbage, waffles and applesauce.

Jun 18, 2022

Stillicide is a noun that refers to a continual dripping.

The Latin prefix S-T-I-L-L-A means ‘drop,’ while the Latin word cedere (say DARE ay) means ‘fall.’

The stillicide of raindrops onto my window put me to sleep very quickly. A continual drip against a hard surface does that to me every time.

Jun 17, 2022

Remembrancer is a noun that refers to a souvenir.

Coming from the root word memory, which is Latin in origin, remembrancer can be used to describe a souvenir or a person who reminds someone of something.

My favorite remembrancer from my trip to Peru was a lovely knit cap. Every time I wear it, it reminds of all those wonderful times.

Jun 16, 2022

Adduce is a verb that means to cite as evidence.

The Latin word adducere (ah doo SER ay) means to lead towards. When we lead someone toward a conclusion, we adduce them — with evidence. Example:

My wife adduced a number of incidents of cookie thievery to help me realize our cat Tabitha was nibbling on food in the night. By citing these example, she made the case very clear.

Jun 15, 2022

Ochlophobia is a noun that refers to an extreme fear or dislike of crowds or mobs.

The prefix O-C-H-L-O is Greek in origin and it means crowds. P-H-O-B-I-A — also Greek — means fear. Here’s an example of our word of the day in use:

With my ochlophobia, it was concerned that the crowds for our band would make me uncomfortable. But it turned out the crowds were so small there wasn’t anything to fear.

Jun 14, 2022

Quincunx is a noun that refers to an arrangement of five objects with four at the corners and the fifth at the its center.

The literal translation of our word of the day is ‘five twelfths,’ but it is better understood as an arrangement that resembles a die that contains five dots. Here’s an example:

By arranging the blades on that shaver in quincunx, they made better shave available. Having five blades at the corner and one in the center ensures that no areas get missed.

Jun 13, 2022

Skylark is a verb that means to frolic or pass the time with nonsense.

Our word of the day is a variation on the word lark, a word of Old Norse descent that means to pass time with frivolous fun. Here’s an example of skyark in use:

As a teenager, I was nowhere near as motivated as I later became. It wasn’t rare for me to skylark the entire day without doing anything of substance.

Jun 12, 2022

Bovarism is a noun that refers to an exaggerated estimation of oneself.

Madame Bovary was a 19th century novel that featured a character — Madame Bovary — known for her extravagant lifestyle and inflated self-esteem. Our word of the day is best used to describe the tendency to embody these traits.

Musicians can be wonderful people, but let’s be honest. They often have a trace of Bovarism in them. That kind of inflated ego is not unusual in the music industry.

Jun 11, 2022

Bosh is a noun that means something regarded as absurd or nonsense.

Our word of the day is an informal word that comes from the Turkish word for ‘empty’ or ‘worthless.’ It entered the English language in the mid-19th century maintaining the same basic meaning.

Many people find Chris to be a great intellect, but I always thought his book were pure bosh. When you get right down to it, they don’t contain any important substance.

Jun 10, 2022

Silviculture is a noun that refers to the growing and cultivation of trees.

Our word of the day comes directly from the Latin word for ‘a wood.’ It is similar to agriculture or horticulture. The difference is that while silviculture is a more specific term, referring only the cultivation of trees.

Mike’s passion for silviculture is the reason he became a forrest ranger. It’s hard to imagine being interested in that job if you don’t care greatly about caring for trees.

Jun 9, 2022

Olivaceous is an adjective that refers to a dusky, yellowish green color.

The root word of olivaceous is ‘olive,’ word Greek word for ‘oil.’ Our word of the day simply refers to the color of an olive. Example:

Those olivaceous shoes you’re wearing are making me hungry. Every time I look down, I want to order a pizza smothered in olives.

Jun 8, 2022

Lacustrine is an adjective that means related to lakes.

The latin word lacus (LAH coos) means lake. Our word of the day is a variation on this which is often used in writing about nature. Here’s an example:

The lacustrine environment was serene enough to make me forget about the big city. I’d rather spend an hour at a lake than at a midtown cafe any day.

Jun 7, 2022

Dentifrice is a noun that refers to a paste or powder for cleaning the teeth.

Our word of the day combines the Latin prefix D-E-N-T, meaning ‘tooth,’ as in ‘dentist’ or ‘dentures,’ with the Latin word fricare (fri CAR ay) which means ‘to rub.’ Here’s an example of dentifrice in use:

The dentist recommended I use this dentifrice on my teeth instead of brushing them. But it felt strange to do it. The act of rubbing something on my teeth makes me feel silly.

Jun 6, 2022

Parturient is an adjective that means about to give birth.

The Latin verb parere (pa RARE ay) means ‘to bring forth.’ Our word of the day can be used in a medical sense or in everyday conversation.

My wife was parturient when we went on our trip, so we weren’t sure what state Evan would be born in. It turned out, Susan gave birth in New Mexico, a place with great hospital wards for pregnant women.

Jun 5, 2022

Heliacal is a word that means related to or near the sun.

The Greek word helios (He lee ose) means ‘sun,’ is a catch-all term that can mean regarding or related to the sun, or it can mean near the sun. Here’s an example of the former:

When hanging around people who do a lot of tanning, you’ll have to get used to a lot of helical conversation. At times it seems those people can’t talk about anything except the sun.

Jun 4, 2022

Plenipotent is an adjective that means invested with or possessing full power.

The Latin word plenus (PLAY noose) means ‘full,’ while pontentia (poe TENT ee uh) — also Latin — means ‘power.’ Here’s an example of plenipotent in use:

When Mr. Kemp was plenipotent, he struck fear into the hearts of all his employees. But these days, he’s so powerless that nobody pays his threats any attention.

Jun 3, 2022

Hoyle is a noun that refers to the rules.

Our word of the day is an eponym, which means it’s a word named after a person. The person who inspired Hoyle was an 20th century English astrophysicist named Fred Hoyle noted for establishing a theory of cosmology. When something is done according to Hoyle, it is done according to the rules.

Hank didn’t care for the way we carelessly handed out checks on Friday. He preferred we do things according to Hoyle, which meant handing out the checks in alphabetical order. I suppose it’s just a coincidence that his last name was Anderson.

Jun 2, 2022

Astir is an adjective that means in a state of excited movement.

Derived from the Germanic word stir, meaning ‘to disturb,’ our word of the day entered English in the late 18th century. Astir is generally used in a very literary context.

Everyone was all astir when they’d learned Aurora had a big announcement. But the excitement died down when her announcement was just that she’d bought a really cute pair of shoes.

Jun 1, 2022

Moonshot is a noun that refers to an extremely ambitious and innovative project.

Coming from two well-known English words, our word of the day is often used to describe a literal spacecraft trip to the moon, but it’s more commonly used in a metaphorical sense. Here’s an example of it:

Hector had great respect for my ambition to become a professional boxer. I’d always admired prizefighters. Of course, the fact that I’d never been in a fight in my life made the endeavor something of a moonshot.

May 31, 2022

Complaisant is an adjective that means willing to please others.

The Latin word complacere (com pla SER ay) means ‘to please.’ In addition to our word of the day, it has given birth to words like complacent and comply. Complaisant is often used to describe a person’s temperament. Example:

Mike’s complaisant demeanor makes him a great bartender. But at the same time, being so eager to please didn’t make him a great prison guard.

May 30, 2022

Accede is a verb that means to assent or agree to a demand.

The Latin word cedere (say DARE ay) means ‘to give away’ or ‘yield.’ The word can be used in a wide variety of ways. Here’s one example:

My wife and I try not to accede to the demands of our two-year-old in the midst of a tantrum. But sometimes we just can’t resist. Yielding to his need for a cookie was an example from last night’s fit.

May 29, 2022

Divers is an adjective that means of varying types or several.

Coming from the Latin word diversus (die VER suess) our word of the day shares it origin with the word diverse and has a similar meaning. The difference is divers is a more literary word. Example:

The divers animals on display at the habitat made us swoon with delight. There were so many species I felt we’d stumbled onto a zoo without cages.

May 28, 2022

Unshirted is an adjective that means undisguised or plain.

Coming from two common English words, unshirted can simply mean ‘not wearing a shirt,’ but it also means ‘without a disguise.’ Here’s an example of it in use:

It seems to me that the mayor would have been better off making unshirted demands instead of disguising his needs with fancy words. The more plain his speech, the easier it is to accommodate him.

May 27, 2022

Abstruse is an adjective that means difficult to understand or obscure.

Abstrusus (ab STREW soos) is a Latin word for ‘put away hidden.’ From this word, came abstruse. Often used in a literary context, It can be thought of as synonym of words like arcane and esoteric.

Conrad’s books are brilliantly written, but I find them abstruse. Even after three or four readings, I have no idea what they’re about.

May 26, 2022

Sine Die is an adverb that means without plans for resumption.

Our word of the day is derived from a Latin phrase that literally translates to ‘without a day.’ But it’s best understood as meaning ‘with no more further days.’ Sine die is generally used in legal contexts or business contexts. Here’s an example:

Wendy was hoping the matter would be discussed at future meetings, but they ended things sine die, so that ended all hope of continuing the conversation.

May 25, 2022

Imprimatur is a noun that refers to a person’s acceptance or guarantee that something is of a good standard.

The Latin verb imprimere (Im pre MEER ay) means ‘to print.’ The Roman Catholic has historically printed an ecclesiastical and religious books as a means of given their approval to them. Since entering the English language in the mid 17th century, the word’s meaning has broadened and is now often used outside of the realm of religion. Here’s an example:

My favorite seafood restaurant offers gives the chef’s imprimatur on every dish. It’s great to see this man I respect giving his approval on their food.

May 24, 2022

Countervail is a verb that means to offset the effect of something.

The Latin phrase contra Valere (CONE tra vah LARE ay) means ‘be of worth against.’ When we countervail something, we create an equal weight. Here’s an example:

My attempt to countervail all the awful music my students listened to by playing opera in the classroom was not met with open arms. They simply didn’t want their awful music to be offset by my awful music.

May 23, 2022

Ubiety is a noun that refers to the quality or state of being in a place.

The Latin word ubi (OOH bee) means ‘where’ and the suffix I-E-T-Y means ‘city.’ When combined, we get a word for the state of being in a definite location.

Carl’s ubiety is not known for certain. But we know him well enough to know that whatever his location is, there must be a donut shop nearby.

May 22, 2022

Oligopoly is a state of limited competition.

The root word of oligopoly, oligarch means a very rich business leader with a great deal of political influence. It comes from a Greek combination of words that mean ‘few’ and ‘to rule.’ When a condition in which few people rule has been reached, it can be called an oligopoly. Here’s an example:

Tracy thinks an oligopoly wouldn’t be a bad thing necessarily. Her reasoning is that living in a world of limited competition would be great as long as that competition is between ice cream parlors she likes.

May 21, 2022

Shrive is a verb that means to free from guilt.

The Latin word scribere (scri BEAR ay) means ‘to write.’ Over centuries, the meaning of our word of the day has shifted to means something done by a priest when he hears confession. It can also be used more generally. Here’s an example.

When Mom suspected somebody was stealing cookies at night, she offered to shrive the guilty party provided they confess to the crime. This was an offer I couldn’t turn down, so I admitted that I was the thief.

May 20, 2022

Dataveillance is a noun that refers to the practice of monitoring digital data.

Originating in the 1970s, dataveillance is a recent addition to English that describes the recent practice of people tracking the data of others for the purpose of gathering information. But the word comes from two Latin words that have been around for centuries. The word has been used as a philosophical term and surveillance

May 19, 2022

Corrigendum is a noun that refers to an error.

The origin of corrigendum is in the Latin word corrigere (core ee GARE ay) which means ‘to bring into order’ or ‘to correct.’

As an editor, I often deal with writers who get frustrated when they see a corrigendum that embarrasses them. I always assure them that all writers have things that need be corrected. If they didn’t, I wouldn’t have a job.

May 18, 2022

Conurbation is a noun that refers to an extended urban area.

The Latin prefix C-O-N means ‘together.’ Combined with U-R-B for ‘city,’ we get our word of the day which refers to a place where serval towns are merged into a giant urban area.

Having grown up in the conurbation of southern California, I’m accustomed to gigantic urban locations. Living in a large city that is isolated from other large cities seemed odd to me.

May 17, 2022

Fustian is a noun that refers to pompous or pretentious speech or writing.

Coming from the Latin word fustaneum (foo STAN ee oom) which refers to a specific kind of cloth, our word of the day’s meaning has shifted over time to now refer to speech or writing that is thought of as pompous or pretentious. Example:

At the time, I was impressed by the professor’s speech as a student. But looking back, I now recognize his words as pure fustian.

May 16, 2022

Inunction is an adjective that means the act of rubbing on an oil or ointment.

The Latin word inunguare (in un GWARE ay) means ‘to smear.’ Our word of the day entered the English language in the late 15th century and has retained its same basic meaning. Here’s an example of it in use:

It took a while to understand why inunction wasn’t helping with my condition. Then it occurred to me that when the doctor recommended rubbing oil on my body, he wasn’t talking about motor oil.

May 15, 2022

Arboreal is an adjective that mans resembling or related to a tree.

The Latin word arbor (ARE bore) means tree. Our word of the day describes anything related to trees. Her’s an example.

Trying to disguise himself as a tree was a bad move for Russ. Even with leaves on his head and his body painted brown, he simply didn’t look arboreal.

May 14, 2022

Dross is a noun that refers to something of low value.

Our word of the day comes from Old English where it referred to molten metal. More recently the word has come to mean anything lacking worth or value.

My inbox has been invaded by all kinds of dross. Those silly emails begging me to join their health club are a waste of my time and a waste of the company’s money.

May 13, 2022

Carapace is a noun that refers to a protective covering.

The Spanish word carapacho (cah ra POCH oh) provides the origin of our word of the day. Although generally used when referring to the bodies of animals, carapace may be used in a number of different ways. Here’s an example:

Some astronomers have speculated the universe had a carapace millennia ago. They suspect this protective covering is the reason our planet was shielded from many asteroid storms.

May 12, 2022

Crepitate is a verb that means to make a crackling sound.

The latin word crepitare means ‘to crackle.’ It entered English in the Early 17th century. Here’s an example of crepitate in use:

Hearing all those creatures crepitate in the night made me a little uneasy. Don’t get me wrong, I love the wilderness, but I love it more when there isn’t so much rattling in the dark.

May 11, 2022

Solatium is a noun that refers to something given as compensation.

Our word of the day is derived from Latin, meaning ‘solace.’ Solatium is often used in legal proceedings.

The solatium given to my client was not nearly enough to compensate for his loss at the time. We demanded a great deal more because we simply felt he deserved a great deal more.

May 10, 2022

Sumpsimus is a noun that refers to a strictly correct usage of words.

Coming directly from Latin, where its translation is ‘we have taken,’ sumpsimus is used by editors and those in the world of writing. Here’s an example of it in use:

The sumpsimus made in my first book annoyed me a little. I admit I’ve made mistakes in my writing, but some corrections are unnecessary.

May 9, 2022

Enflesh is a verb that means ‘to give bodily form to’ or ‘to make real.’

The root word of enflesh is flesh, a word of Old English origin, referring to the soft substance of muscle and fat found between the skin and bones of an animal or human. The prefix E-N is often used to turn a noun or adjective into a verb. We see it with words like encourage, enable or endanger. Enflesh is frequently used metaphorically. Here’s an example:

Dante’s drunken behavior seemed to enflesh my observations about the dangers of excessive drinking. I was only talking about these things in the abstract, but Dante made these dangers real in his life.

May 8, 2022

Lossless is an adjective that means having no dissipation of electrical energy.

Commonly used in computing, our word of the day entered English in the 1930s and combines the frequently used English word ‘loss’ with the the suffix ‘less.’ Here’s an example of it in use:

For this project, we needed to make sure there was no data compression. So we had to make sure everything was lossless.

May 7, 2022

Apotheosize is a verb that means to idolize or elevate to the rank of a god.

The Root word of apotheosize is apotheosis, a noun, coming directly from Greek, that refers to the process of turning someone into a god. Our word of the day is the verb variation of it. Here’s an example to illustrate the differences in how the words are used:

After the battle, the crowd seemed eager to apotheosize the brave captain. But in my experience, that kind of apotheosis does nothing but inflate the ego of men to the point of making them unbearable.

May 6, 2022

Rostrum is a noun that refers to a raised platform for public speech.

Our word of the day comes directly from Latin and had exactly the same meaning as it does today. A rostrum in Ancient Rome referred to a raised platform used by public speakers in the forum. Here’s an example:

The first speaker at the rostrum had many interesting observations to make on the topic. So when it was my turn to speak, I was a little intimidated. I almost wish the raised platform had been sunken into the ground.

May 5, 2022

Tropology is a noun that refers to the figurative language.

Coming from the Greek word, tropos (TRO pose) which means ‘style’ or ‘manner,’ Tropology was once used specifically to refer to figurative language in the Bible. More broadly, it is used to refer to any use of figurative language.

May 4, 2022

Parnassian is an adjective that means ‘related to poetry.’

Our word of the day was born in Greece, having been named after a mountain in that nation. But Parnassian was later adopted by the French in the 19th century to refer to a specific group of poets. More recently it is used to describe anything or anyone related to poetry.

The parnissian urge to write in verse struck me in my teens, but I soon got over it. All I had to do was read some of my poetry to my English class. That forever cured me of my desire to be a poet.

May 3, 2022

Alfresco is an adjective that means in the open air.

Our word of the day comes directly from Italian and translates to ‘in the air.’ Here’s an example of Alfresco in use.

Alfresco dining was not a good idea that day. With temperatures barely above freezing we soon came to regret eating in the open air.

May 2, 2022

Hyaline is an adjective that means having a glassy, translucent appearance.

Coming from the Greek word hualos (WHO ah lose) meaning ‘glass,’ our word of the day is used to describe something that, like glass, is transparent or see-through.

The hyaline nature of the tissue made it easy for the doctors to see the problems in the artery. This is why the operation was a success.

May 1, 2022

Purloin is a verb that means to steal.

Our word of the day is derived from the French word for ‘put away.’ Purloin is often used in an informal or humorous way. Example:

The food at the banquet was so delicious I was tempted to purloin the leg of lamb at our table. The only thing stopping me from stealing it was that I couldn’t fit the entire tray in my backpack.

Apr 30, 2022

Confrere is a noun that refers to a fellow member of a profession.

Our word of the day combines the Latin prefix C-O-N with the Latin word frater (FRAH ter). Together they form a synonym of colleague. Here’s an example:

Peter is a confrere of mine in the insurance business, so I have great respect for him. But I don’t have great respect for the disingenuous sales tactics he uses. Just because someone is in the same profession doesn’t mean they have great integrity.

Apr 29, 2022

Vulnerary is an adjective that means something used for healing. It can also be used as a noun that refers to a medicine used in the healing of wounds.

The Latin word vulnus (VOOL noose) means ‘wound.’ In the Late 16th century, vulnerary came to adopt its present meaning.

I wasn’t convinced of the vulnerary impact of those berries we found in the woods. But, to my surprise, they made my cold go away immediately.

Apr 28, 2022

Insuperable is an adjective that means impossible to overcome.

The Latin word superare (soo pair ARE ay) means ‘to overcome.’ The addition of the prefix I-N gives us the basis for our word of the day. Here’s an example of insuperable:

At first it seemed the barriers against a career in law were insuperable. But after a great deal of hard work and intense study, I was able to overcome the challenges and finally find a job as a lawyer.

Apr 27, 2022

Degringolade is a noun that refers to a rapid decline or downfall.

Coming directly from French, our word of the day is an erudite synonym of the word ‘downfall.’ Here’s an example of it in use:

My degringolade began when I turned thirteen and my voice changed. This was exactly when my career as a singer in the soprano section went downhill.

Apr 26, 2022

Winkle is a verb that means to obtain with great difficulty.

Our word of the day began as an abbreviated version of the word periwinkle, whose origin is unclear. The word first appeared in English in the late 16th century and is generally used with an object. For example:

I promised not to reveal my daughter’s birthday present, but after hours of fierce interrogation, she winkled the truth out of me. I’d never before seen her so determined to obtain something regardless of the difficulty involved.

Apr 25, 2022

Connatural is an adjective that means belonging together naturally.

Our word of the day is related to the Latin-derived word natural. It adds the Latin prefix C-O-N which means ‘together.’ Here’s an example of it in use:

Steve had moments of being an unpleasant man, but thankfully, the connatural quality of his temperament was kindness. That was just his innate personality.

Apr 24, 2022

Cockalorum is a noun that refers to a self-important person.

Our word of the day is derived from the word cock, a rooster. When a person of little importance pretends to be important, it is said they strut around like a rooster.

A cockalorum like Larry could always be relied upon to congratulate himself for every one of the team’s victory. It didn’t matter to him that he spent most of the game sitting on the bench.

Apr 23, 2022

Sockdolager is a noun that refers to an exceptional person or thing.

Our word of the day seems to have originated from the word sock, a euphemism of punch. To deliver a sockdolager to someone’s mouth, means to punch them in the mouth.

I expected a sockdolager when I told Sally she had gained a few pounds, but instead she thanked me for the fitness advice. But I’ve still said a number of crazy things for which I deserved to be clobbered.

Apr 22, 2022

Apgar is a noun that refers to a test to determine a newborn’s health.

Originating in the 1960s, our word of the day is named after Virginia Apgar, the American anesthesiologist who devised a method of assessment. It is used in medical contexts to measure the physical condition of a newborn infant. Here’s an example:

The patient gave birth to a nine pound, five our boy who achieved a perfect Apgar score. She was delighted to bring home a healthy child.

Apr 21, 2022

Pythonic is an adjective that means able to predict the future.

The word python, best known as a deadly type of snake, comes directly from Greek. It meant ‘spirit of divination.’ Here’s an example of pythonic in use:

Mindy’s pythonic powers always impressed me. She predicted our horrible softball team would lose every game, and she was right every time.

Apr 20, 2022

Witling is a noun that refers to a person who pretends to be witty.

Our word of the day is related to the word wit, which has its basis in Old English. Referring to someone as a witling is generally considered an insult.

I liked Chris, but he could be a witling at times. His history of using big words without being certain of their meanings was often embarrassing.

Apr 19, 2022

Adminicle is a noun that refers to support or aid.

The latin word adminiculum (ad mee nee COO loom) means support. Adminicle shares its origin with other English words like administer and administration. Here’s an example:

We needed Henry’s adminicle for this project. Without his support, we would have been doomed.

Apr 18, 2022

Vulgate is a noun that refers to a commonly recognized text.

The Latin word vuglus (VOOL goose) means ‘common people’ or ‘crowd.’ As vulgate was imported into the English language, it soon came to refer to speech known to the common people.

Ross was a well educated guy and he spoke in a very erudite way. He didn’t waste his time with the vulgate of the common people.

Apr 17, 2022

Cobby is an adjective that means short and stocky.

The origin of our word of the day is unknown, but the word is often used to describe animals as well as humans that are thick and stocky in build. Here’s an example of cobby in use:

That cobby little puppy stole my heart at the pound. Two years later I’m still taking care of that adorable dog and still paying for his enormous appetite.

Apr 16, 2022

Canter is a verb that means to move in a steady gait.

Our word of the day originated in the early 18th century as an abbreviation for the phrase Canterbury pace from the supposed easy pace of medieval pilgrims on the way to the city of Canterbury.

More recently it can be a noun referring to a horse that is somewhere between a trot and a gallop, or it can be a verb that means to walk at an easy pace. Here’s an example:

I could tell my horse Charlie was getting tired when he began to canter into town instead of his usual gallop. I didn’t want to rush Charlie because I knew he’d done a lot of running that day.

Apr 15, 2022

Limbic is an adjective that means related to the system of the brain that is governed by emotions and mood.

The Latin word limbus (LIM boose) mean’s ‘edge’ and the limbic system of the brain involves several areas near the edge of the cortex concerned with instinct or mood. Here’s an example of limbic in use:

All my years in political speechwriting has taught me that most people’s reaction to politics is limbic. They don’t respond to logic, they respond to words that spark their emotions in certain ways.

Apr 14, 2022

Nodus is a noun that refers to a problem or difficulty.

Our word of the day comes directly from the Latin word for ‘knot.’ When a problem becomes knotty or difficult to unravel, it has become a nodus. Here’s an example:

My inability to play the trumpet well created a nodus in the marching band, but we found a way around this difficulty by having me simply pretend to be playing.

Apr 13, 2022

Coeval is a noun that refers to a person or roughly the same age as oneself.

The Latin prefix C-O means ‘jointly,’ while the Latin word aevum (EYE voom) means ‘age.’ A person’s coeval is a person of the same generation. Here’s an example of the word in use:

As a teenager, I expected my parents to object to my taste in music, but it shocked me when a coeval like Mindy thought the music I enjoyed was awful. You’d think somebody my age would have similar tastes.

Apr 12, 2022

Jurisprudence is a noun that refers to a legal system.

Our word of the day’s Latin prefix J-U-R refers to ‘law.’ While the Latin word prudentia (proo DENSE ee uh) means ‘knowledge.’ Jurisprudence generally refers to a legal system, but it may also refer to a theory or philosophy of law.

My victory in the lawsuit represents a great day for our nation’s jurisprudence. I’m glad we have a legal system that prevents my neighbor from shoving his snow onto my sidewalk.

Apr 11, 2022

Anaphora is a noun that refers to the repetition of a word or phrase.

Coming from Greek, anaphora is a form of repetition used as a rhetorical device. Here’s an example of anaphora in use:

Our old football coach used a lot of anaphora in his speeches. He’d say things like: We will win because we are strong. We will win because we are smart. And we will win because we are resourceful. As much as we all loved hearing the word ‘win’ all those times, we knew he was wrong because we hardly ever won.

Apr 10, 2022

Junketeer is a noun that refers to a person who regularly goes on trips at another’s expense.

The root word of junketeer is junket, a word of Middle English origin. A junket is a trip at the expense of others. A junketer is someone who routinely takes these trips. Example:

After all those years as a traveling journalist, Carl had gotten used the life of a junketeer. So much so that these days he resents having to pay his own air fare.

Apr 9, 2022

Foofaraw is a noun that refers to a great deal of fuss given to a minor matter.

The precise origin of our word of the day is a mystery, but we know the word came out of the American west and is mostly used in an informal manner. Here’s an example:

The foofaraw over Elaine’s new dress seemed excessive to me. I mean, I don’t recall any big fuss when I showed up one day wearing a brand new pair of socks.

Apr 8, 2022

Irrupt is a verb that means to enter forcibly or suddenly.

Our word of the day comes directly from the Latin word for ‘broken into.’ When we irrupt into something, we break into it — usually with force.

We were lucky that security didn’t irrupt into the office while we were playing cards. Having somebody break into the room as we were engaging in illegal gambling would have been a problem.

Apr 7, 2022

Facultative is an adjective that means related to the granting of permission.

The French word faculte (fa COOLT) refers to a physical or mental power. When the word facultative is used, it is to describe a situation of granting someone power to do something.

Here’s an example:

James gave the film crew permission to shoot their film in the office, but I didn’t know he had that kind of facultative authority. Next time I need permission to do something crazy, I’ll know who to seek permission from.

Apr 6, 2022

Bafflegab is a noun that refers to incomprehensible language.

Our word of the day is a fairly recent addition to the English language and its origin is uncertain. It is used in a context that is almost never complimentary. Here’s an example of bafflegab in use:

All the bafflegab coming out of the office workers was meant to confuse me. When it comes to using incomprehensible language, nobody does it better than the guys in the payroll department.

Apr 5, 2022

Today’s word of the day is rubiginous. It’s spelled R-U-B-I-G-I-N-O-U-S. Rubiginous is an adjective that means rust-colored.

The Latin word rubigo (ROO bee go) means ‘rust.’ Our word of the day can refer to actual rust or something that simply has the same color. Example:

The rubiginous color of those berries we picked was lovely. Unfortunately, it turned out the berries didn’t just look like rust — they tasted like it.

Apr 4, 2022

Submontane is an adjective that means at or near the base of a mountain.

Our word of the day combines the Latin prefix S-U-B, meaning ‘under’ or ‘beneath’ with the Latin word mons, meaning ‘mountain.’

The submontane view at the seat of mount Felix isn’t as gorgeous as the view from the top of the mountain, but it sure is a lot safer.

Apr 3, 2022

Prorogue is a verb that means to delay or postpone.

The latin word prorogare (pro ro GARE ay) means ‘to prolong or extend.’ When a deadline or date gets extended, it has been prorogued. Here’s an example:

The studio musicians are trying to prorogue the recording once again. This is bad news, because if the recording gets delayed anymore, we’ll have to pay them overtime. I’m beginning to get the feeling they’re doing it on purpose.

Apr 2, 2022

Rubicund is an adjective that means having a red complexion.

The Latin word rubere (roo BEAR ay) means ‘be red.’ Our word of the day is often used to describe someone’s complexion, as in: Shelly began to blush when we looked at all those high school pictures of her. Seeing all those awful hairstyles is worth it just to watch her face go all rubicund.

Apr 1, 2022

Nabob is a noun that refers to a person of great wealth.

Coming from Urdu, our word of the day was originally used to refer to a high-ranking official of the Mogul empire. After being imported into English, it came to refer more generally to anyone with great wealth. Example:

All those nabobs in their expensive suits may not be the most enjoyable guys to wait on. But it’s worth putting up with their snobbery because most of them are great tippers

Mar 31, 2022

Hypnagogia is a noun that refers to the state immediately before falling asleep.

The Greek prefix H-Y-P-N-A means ‘sleep,’ as in hypnosis. And Agogos (ah GO gose) means ‘leading.’ Our word of the day describes that period where you are being lead to sleep. Here’s an example of hypnogogia in use:

That period of hypnagogia is a great time for songwriting. The images and sounds that come to mind are very creative and hallucinatory.

Mar 30, 2022

Exoplanet is a noun that refers to a planet that orbits outside the solar system.

Our word of the day combines the common English word ‘planet’ with the Greek prefix E-X-O, which means ‘outside.’ An exoplanet, in addition to being outside of our solar system, is usually also outside of our awareness.

Sometimes I enjoy gazing into the stars and wondering what kinds of exoplanets are out there. In particular, I wonder if on any of these planets that haven’t yet been discovered they’ve figured out how to put metal in a microwave.

Mar 29, 2022

Snuggery is a noun that refers to a cozy or comfortable place.

Derived from the German word ‘snug,’ meaning ‘comfortable,’ our word of the day can describe just about any location — depending on how comfortable it makes you. Here’s an example of the word in use:

My little snuggery in the basement was a great place to escape when things got loud and chaotic upstairs — especially when my big brother started playing those drums.

Mar 28, 2022

Eventide is a noun that refers to the end of the day.

Coming from Old English, our word of the day is a very literary way to say ‘evening.’ You might see the word in a poem or a love letter. Here’s an example:

The sun has set and the eventide is upon us, my darling. It is now time to dine.  Have you put the frozen pizzas in the oven yet?

Mar 27, 2022

Magniloquence is a noun that refers to use of high-flown language.

In Latin, the word Magnus (MAG nus)  means ‘great,’ while the word loqui (LOW kwi) — also from Latin — means ‘speak.’ It’s responsible for words like eloquence. To speak in a ‘great’ or over-the-top manner is to speak with magniloquence.

Mr. Sanderson’s magniloquence made him seem bright and well-accomplished, but behind all those high-flown words, he was really just a narcissist who liked to use big words.

Mar 26, 2022

Maunder is a verb that means to talk in a rambling manner.

Our word of the day is slightly related to the word meander, which means ‘to wander aimlessly.’ You could think of maundering as a verbal kind of meandering. Here’s an example of it in use:

The first five minutes of Kristin’s speech on health care well. But after she started talking about her personal history of ingrown toenails, she began to maunder.

Mar 25, 2022

Neophilia is a noun that refers to a love or enthusiasm for the new or novel.

Our word of the day combines the Greek words for ‘new’ and ‘love.’ Here’s an example of neophilia in use:

When it comes to cuisine, I have to admit to a case of neophilia. My motto is: if I’ve never eaten in before, bring me at least three helpings.

Mar 24, 2022

Pantophagous is an adjective that means requiring or serving a wide variety of food.

Coming from Middle English, pantophagous is often used to describe a varied diet. Here’s an example of it in use:

My phantophagous taste in food has generally been a good thing. It’s kept me eating a variety of different nutrients throughout my life.

Mar 23, 2022

Forfend is a verb that means to prevent something.

Coming from Middle English, our word of the day initially meant ‘to protect.’ As time went by, it evolved into its current meaning as a synonym of ‘forbid.’

I hope they don’t forfend me from making too much noise at the game. I can’t stand being prevented from expressing myself in a public setting.

Mar 22, 2022

Famulus is a noun that refers to a private secretary or assistant.

Coming from the Latin word for ‘servant,’ our word of the day may be used to describe any kind of assistant, but is especially common in referring to the assistant of a magician or scholar.

You’d think after all those years of being a magician’s famulus, my sister would be skilled at magic. But when I ask her to make something disappear she reminds me that a magician’s assistant doesn’t actually perform the tricks.

Mar 21, 2022

Pelage is a noun that refers to the fur, hair or wool of a mammal.

Our word of the day day comes from a variation on the French word for hair. It’s commonly used to describe hairy animals like bears or dogs. Here’s an example:

I’ve always been a fan of the lovely pelage on that breed of dog. But having to groom all of that hair can be a challenge after a while.

Mar 20, 2022

Foozle is a verb that means to bungle or play clumsily.

Our word of the day is derived from the German word fusein (FOOZ een) which means ‘work badly.’ It often refers to a botched attempt at something.

Because I hadn’t played golf in over a decade, my first swing wound up being a real foozle. Not only did the ball not go where I wanted it to, it wound up landing on a completely different golf course.

Mar 19, 2022

Terraqueous is an adjective that means consisting or formed of land and water.

Our word of the day combines the Latin words for ‘land,’ terra (TARE uh) and ‘water,’ aqua (AWK wah). It may be used to describe specific substances comprised of land and water or it may even refer to something larger as in this example:

This terraqueous world of ours consists of both water and land. But because we spend so much time on the land, we forget that it’s mostly water.

Mar 18, 2022

Terpsichorean is an adjective that means related to dancing.

Our word of the day takes its origin from a dancing female figure in Greek mythology. In addition to being used as an adjective to mean anything connected to dancing, it can also be used as a noun to refer to a dancer. Here’s an example of terpsichorean as an adjective:

Something about the pulsating rhythm of that music brings out terpsichorean impulses in me. It always feels great, but I get the feeling my family wishes I would stop immediately.

Mar 17, 2022

Diegesis is a noun that refers to a narrative or plot, typically in a movie.

Our word of the day comes directly from the Greek word for narrative. Here’s an example of diegesis in use:

According to the critics, the diegesis of my film was too derivative of the storyline of other movies. I guess maybe I should try to come up with my own story ideas instead of copying others.

Mar 16, 2022

Dulcify is a verb that means to make sweet.

The latin word dulcis (DOOL sis) means ‘sweet.’ The word later joined English in the form of the word dulce, a noun that refers to a sweet candy or drink. Our word of the day could be thought of as the verb version of this. For example:

I used to wonder what would happen if I tried to dulcify tuna fish by adding honey to it. The result was as sweet as I expected, but I would say it was satisfying.

Mar 15, 2022

Emulous is an adjective that means eager to emulate.

The Latin word aemulus (EYE moo loose) means ‘rival.’ This gave birth to the word emulate, a verb that means to mimic or imitate something else. Emulous is the adjective version of this.

At times Chuck’s band could be a little too emulous. On any given performance, you never knew who they were going to try to rip off.

Mar 14, 2022

Innominate is an adjective that means not named or anonymous.

The Greek word onoma (OH no ma) means ‘name.’ It’s where we get words like anonymous an eponymous. Our word of the day combines this word with the prefix I-N, which means ‘not’ or ‘no.’ Together it gives us a word that means ‘not named.’

The project was submitted to us innominate, but I get a feeling it was all Randy’s idea. Even without a name attached to it, we could tell anything that weird and brilliant could only come from Randy’s head.

Mar 13, 2022

Grabble is a verb that means to search with the hand.

Derived from the Dutch word for grab, our word of the day entered English in the late 16th century. Here’s an example of grabble in use:

As kids, we didn’t keep all of our halloween candy. He had to stick our hands in the bag and grabble for only one piece. Lucky me, I always wound up with something healthy.

Mar 12, 2022

Flivver is a noun that refers to a cheap automobile.

The origin of our word of the day is unknown, but we do know it’s an informal word used to describe an old vehicle — but never in a complimentary way. For example:

That old flivver I used to drive in college lasted only eight months before it died on me. Given how cheap it was, I was surprised it lasted the drive back from the car lot.

Mar 11, 2022

Hyperborean is a noun that refers to an inhabitant of the cold north. It can also be used as an adjective that means related to the far north.

In ancient Greek mythology, our word of the day was used to describe members of a group who lived in a land of sunshine beyond the north wind. Centuries later, hyperborean retains the same meaning. Here’s an example of it:

You’d think a hyperborean like uncle Brad would be accustomed to the cold, but even after all those years of living in Minnesota, he still complains every time the temperature dips below sixty.

Mar 10, 2022

Gewgaw is a noun that refers to a showy trinket.

Our word of the day comes from Middle English and is typically used in the plural to refer to a bunch of worthless, but showy items.

I’m not sure why my aunt Sheila holds on to all those gewgaws in her attic. She seems to think they’re worth something, but the truth is that for all their flamboyance, those items wouldn’t get a cent from a pawn shop.

Mar 9, 2022

Dido is a noun that refers to a mischievous prank.

The origin of our word of the day is unknown, but we know it is an informal word for a prank. Here’s an example of dido in use:

The cup factory was a lot more fun when Ronnie was in charge. It was dido after dido all day long. The only problem was, with all those pranks being played, we never got any work done.

Mar 8, 2022

Glyptic is an adjective that means related to carving or engraving.

Our word of the day came from the Greek word gluptikos (GLOOP tea kose) which means ‘carver.’ The word migrated to English in the early 19th century and is today used to describe anything related to carving or engraving.

My daughter’s glyptic activities on the weekend have begun to take up a great deal of her time. I only hope her carving doesn’t distract her from her schoolwork.

Mar 7, 2022

Nonage is a noun that refers to immaturity.

Our word of the day comes from Middle English, combining the Latin prefix N-O-N with the English word age. Here’s an example of it in use:

Terry’s nonage was filled with all kinds of tomfoolery. But he’s no longer an adolescent, so it simply doesn’t make sense for him to behave in such an immature way anymore.

Mar 6, 2022

Catamount is a noun that refers to a wild cat, especially those found in mountainous regions.

Our word of the day combines the English words ‘cat’ and ‘mountain’ to give us a word for wild cats that dwell in the mountains. The word covers a wide range of species, but usually refers to a medium or large cat.

Nobody got hurt on last year’s trip to Tibet, but we did have some close calls. We saw a catamount that looked pretty hungry. Let’s hope we don’t have any problems like that on this year’s climb.

Mar 5, 2022

Appurtenance is a noun that refers to an item indicating a particular lifestyle.

Our word of the day is not to be confused with the word appurtenant, which means ‘pertinent.’ But the two words share a common ancestry in the Latin word appertinere (ah PER tin air ay) which means ‘belong to.’

Appurtenance refers to an item associated with an activity or style or living. Here’s an example:

After a while, you get used to all the appurtenances of a life of luxury — and for good reason. Certain items just can’t be lived without if you intend to live the high life.

Mar 4, 2022

Cynosure is a noun that refers to a person or thing that is the center of attention.

Our word of the day comes from the Greek words for ‘tail’ and ‘dog.’ The term initially referred to the constellation Ursa Minor or the pole star which it contains. This star was used for quite some time by navigators, which made it the center of attention for many people. Today, we use the word Cynosure to describe something or someone that is the center of attention.

Wearing this bright green sweater wasn’t something I did to become the cynosure of the party, but it seems to have made me the center of attention for some reason.

Mar 3, 2022

Epexegesis is a noun that refers to the addition of words to clarify meaning.

Our word of the day comes directly from the Greek words for ‘in addition’ and ‘explanation.’ Here is an example of epexegesis:

Don’t get me wrong, I like those short simple sentences that our manager uses. I just think there are times when it may be helpful for him to add an epexegesis. Sometimes a clarification is needed.

Mar 2, 2022

Icarian is an adjective that means excessively ambitious.

Our word of the day comes from the figure of Greek mythology who ambitiously tried to fly — only to have his wings melt, leading to his tragic demise. Icarian is a word used to describe a person whose ambitions — like Icarus — were excessive.

Mar 1, 2022

Vernal is an adjective that means related to spring.

Our word of the day comes from the ver (VER) which is the Latin word for spring. Here’s an example of it:

It’s great to reach that point of the year when you open the windows and take in all the delightful vernal aromas of that time of year. It’s too bad that some aromas outside are more delightful than others.

Feb 28, 2022

Imbricate is a verb that means to overlap or cause to overlap.

Our word of the day comes from a Latin word that described a certain kind of roof tile. These tiles often overlapped in a way that gave birth to our contemporary use of the word. Imbricate can be used literally or figuratively. Here’s an example of its figurative use:

I’ve never met the CEO of our company, but our circles of friends imbricate in some interesting ways. All of this overlap between associates means that someday, we could actually have lunch.

Feb 27, 2022

Feculent is an adjective that means muddy or dirty.

Our word of the day is derived from the Latin faex (FAH ex) which means ‘dregs,’ a reference to any foul or undesirable sediment. Here’s an example:

The feculent matter at the bottom of the lake made our scuba adventures a lot less enjoyable than our ocean diving. It’s so much more fun to see sand and adorable sea creatures down there than muck and mud.

Feb 26, 2022

Theophoric is an adjective that means bearing the name of a god.

Our word of the day is Greek in origin and is used to describe any name from a god of any faith. Here’s an example of theophoric in use:

Emma and I chose Thor as a name for our son because we liked the idea of a theophoric name and what name could be better than that of the Norse god of thunder.

Feb 25, 2022

Attitudinize is a verb that means to assume an affected mental state.

Our word of the day gets its root word from attitude, which comes indirectly from the Latin word Aptus (OP toose) meaning ‘fit.’ When a person attitudinizes, they adopt or express a particular attitude just for effect. Here’s an example of the word in use:

At first we all thought Jane’s snooty demeanor was just an illustration of how people can attitudinize once they gain success. But those who knew her well insisted she was like that years before getting rich.

Feb 24, 2022

Cajolery is a noun that refers to coaxing or flattery.

The word cajole is of French origin, and it means to persuade or coax with flattery. Cajolery is the noun version that refers to the act of cajoling. Here’s an example.

I was hoping I didn’t have to resort to cajolery in order to get a raise, but a few minutes into my meeting with the boss, it was clear that I needed to tell him his shoes looked great if I was to stand a chance.

Feb 23, 2022

Roue is a noun that refers to a man who devotes his life to superficial pleasure.

Our word of the day comes from a French word that translates to ‘broken on a wheel.’ This referred to the torture thought to be deserved by a person who lived a worthless like of cheap pleasure. The word is always intended as an insult.

I don’t want to come across as a roue, but I don’t like to work any more than I have to. Instead, I usually don’t get out of bed until noon — unless there’s a circus in town.

Feb 22, 2022

Integrative is an adjective that means tending to unify.

The root word of our word of the day is integrate. To integrate something is to unify or combine various elements. Integrative could be thought of as the adjective version of that word. Here’s an example:

We used an integrative approach in our kitchen to bring together various kinds of foods. The results varied wildly. Mixing foods can sometimes be delicious, but other times it can induce nausea.

Feb 21, 2022

Anacreontic is an adjective that means convivial and festive.

Our word of the day comes from an ancient Greek poet named anacreon. He was best known for poems that were celebrations of love and wine. When a song or poem is described as anacreontic, it shares these qualities.

At first it was my intention to write a dark, serious poem about something somber and bleak. But I accidentally wound up with something upbeat and anacreontic.

Feb 20, 2022

Landsman is a noun that refers to a person who emigrated from the same place.

Our word of the day comes from Old English. It has been commonly used in Yiddish culture to describe anyone of a similar background. Here’s an example:

My grandfather didn’t know who to trust when he first arrived in his new nation, so he made friends with others from his old region. His best friend became a landsman named Dominick.

Feb 19, 2022

Neurotypical is an adjective that means not displaying signs of autism.

Our word of the day combines the Greek prefix N-E-U-R-O with the word ‘typical,’ also of Greek origin. Neurotypical refers specifically to some who does not display the symptoms associated with the neurological condition known as autism. Here’s an example of it in use:

The doctor has generally worked only with autistic patients. His only experience with neurotypical patients came years before he found his current specialty.

Feb 18, 2022

Disputation is a noun that refers to argument or debate.

The Latin word disputare (dis pyoo TAR ay) means ‘to dispute.’ The word is often used to refer to a formal debate. Here’s an example:

After attending the disputation my son participated in, I’m convinced that from now on, we must give him whatever he wants. The young man is simply too good at debating for us to argue him out of anything.

Feb 17, 2022

Jocose is an adjective that means playful or humorous.

Our word of the day originated from the Latin word jocus (jo KOOSE) which bought us words like joke and jocular. Jocose is a synonym of words such as comical or whimsical.

When Steve entered the office with that weird new haircut, we all found it hilarious. Steve, on the other hand, didn’t find it remotely jocose.

Feb 16, 2022

Williwaw is a noun that refers to a sudden violent wind.

The origin of our word of the day is unknown, but the way it is best used is no mystery. Williwaw is used to describe a strong wind.

Having that picnic on the top of that steep cliff made me a little uneasy. Once up there, one williwaw is all it would have taken to sweep us into the ocean.

Feb 15, 2022

Solomonic is an adjective that means wise in judgement.

Our word of the day comes from the biblical figure noted for making wise decisions. The word is typically used to describe those noted for their wisdom.

During our heated dispute we could have used a Solomonic figure to help us resolve things. Sometimes a little wisdom goes a long way.

Feb 14, 2022

Synallagmatic is an adjective that means imposing reciprocal obligations.

Coming from the Greek word for contract, our word of the day is often used in legal situations, refers to the need for both sides to offer the same. Here’s an example:

I refused to accept any terms that were not synallagmatic. If I was going to wash her car for a week, she had to wash my skateboard for a week.

Feb 13, 2022

Daedal is an adjective that means skillful or artistic.

Daedalus was a figure from Greek mythology known for his skill at carpentry and for the wax wings he designed for his son Icarus. Our word of the day refers to this figure’s skill, and so daedal is used as a synonym of adroit or artful.

Kelly was much more deadal than I was at pottery. By that I mean, she’d make something with enough skill that you could actually tell what it was supposed to be.

Feb 12, 2022

Organoleptic is an adjective that means involving the sense organs.

Our word of the day comes from the Greek word for ‘organ’ and combines it with the Greek ‘leptikos’ (LEP tea cose) which means ‘to take.’ Here’s an example of the word in use.

I had no scientific knowledge that Maria’s food had any medicinal value, but based on my organoleptic research of her linguini and clam sauce, all I can say is that it smelled and tasted great!

Feb 11, 2022

Codify is a verb that means to arrange in a system.

Our word of the day comes from the Latin word codex (KOE dex) which refers to a ‘systemic classification of laws.’ These days, we codify — or classify — a number of things, not just laws. Here’s an example of codify in use.

After years of simply estimating how many times we had to beg my parents to take us to Disney world before they’d surrender, we decided to codify our efforts. After systemizing our begging, we knew exactly how long we had to pester them.

Feb 10, 2022

Evection is a noun that refers to the act of carrying out or away.

Coming from the Latin word for carry, our word of the day is often used in scientific contexts. It refers to the regular variation in the eccentricity of the moon’s orbit around the earth, caused mainly by the sun’s attraction.

But here’s an example of evection used in an everyday context: Whenever the ice cream man arrived in my neighborhood, there seemed to be an evection of the kids on our block. They were immediately lifted out of their homes and toward that hideous red and white truck.

Feb 9, 2022

Grubstake is a noun that refers to money set aside for a time of assistance. It can also be used as a verb that means to provide assistance.

Our word of the day began life in the old west and — as today — was used in informal settings.

Here’s an example:

After all those years of working on the railroad, I had to have a grubstake set aside in case of a rainy day. But then as soon as I struck gold, I spent every cent of it, figuring I’d never have another rainy day in my life.

Feb 8, 2022

Desultory is an adjective that means lacking a definite plan.

The Latin word desultorius (des ool TOR ee oos) means ‘superficial.’ When the word evolved into English, its meaning evolved as well. More recently the word is often used as an antonym of unfocused.

At best, the actress’s performance came across as desultory. But if she’d had more focus, she could have turned in fine work.

Feb 7, 2022

Verbicide is a noun that refers to the deliberate distortion of a word’s meaning.

Our word of the day combines the word ‘verb’ with the Latin suffix C-I-D-E which refers to killing. It is a recent addition to the language and is almost always used in a tongue-in-cheek manner.

The mayor’s frequent acts of verbicide probably harmed his political career. The word distortion that made me cringe the most was when he sought to make sure all his facts were grounded in ‘hysterical accuracy.’

Feb 6, 2022

Camber is a verb that means to arch slightly. It’s also a noun that refers to a slight curve.

The Latin word camurus (CAM ooh roose) means ‘curved inwards.’ Our word of the day has retained that basic meaning. Here’s an example of camber as a noun:

The camber in the wood made it difficult to help construct a table. Unless each wood panel is completely straight, the table will be crooked.

Feb 5, 2022

Dint is a noun that refers to power or force.

The Old English word dynt — D-Y-N-T — meant ‘stroke with a weapon.’ The word later evolved into its modern English equivalent. It is frequently used in the phrase ‘by dint of’ which means ‘by means of.’ Here’s an example of our word of the day used in this capacity.

Henry didn’t only win all those hot dog eating contests by dint of being good friends with the judges. It also helped that had the appetite of a dinosaur.

Feb 4, 2022

Megillah is a noun that refers to an elaborate, complicated production.

Coming directly from the Hebrew word for ‘scroll,’ our word of the day began to refer to a long-winded story. In English it is generally used to mean a complicated set of arrangements.

We all thought bringing the family to the ballgame would be simple, but it wound up being a complex Megillah. I’m just glad nobody got lost.

Feb 3, 2022

Lexis is a noun that refers to all the words of a language.

Related to the Greek word lexicon, our word of the day simply means every word of a particular language.

It would take years to learn the complete lexis of the Spanish language, but for now, I’d settle for knowing the words for ‘how do I find my hotel room?’

Feb 2, 2022

Toponym is a noun that refers to a geographical name used as a word.

Our word of the day is derived from the Greek word topo (TOPO) which means ‘place’ and onym (OH nim) meaning ‘name.’ It can be used to to simply mean the name of a place like ‘India’ or ‘Cleveland.’ Or it can be used to refer to a geographical name that was later used as a word, like the term ‘A Queensborough mayor.’ Here’s an example of the later:

I was hoping our city would someday become a toponym for ‘utopia,’ but instead we became nationally known for our high crime rate. Well, at least we’re on the map for something.

Feb 1, 2022

Borstal is a noun that refers to an institution for youthful offenders.

Our word of the day comes from the name of a village in southern England, where the first institution for youthful offenders was built. Today it is used in reference to any such institution.

Tommy’s behavior got so out-of-control he had to be sent to the borstal. He didn’t enjoy spending years in the institution, but his behavior did calm down.

Jan 31, 2022

Darg is a noun that refers to a day’s work.

Our word of the day comes from Middle English and it refers to something done for a living. Here’s an example.

Tuesday at the convenience store started as just another session at the daily darg. But it soon became one of the days that meant so much more. For a few hours, it felt like more than just a daily grind.

Jan 30, 2022

Defrayal is a noun that refers to the providing of payment for.

The Latin word fredum (FRAY doom) refers to ‘a fine that was often paid for a breach of the peace.’ This later evolved into a reference to ‘a cost.’ More recently, our word of the day has come to mean ‘the payment of a cost.’

When Andy promised to take care of the defrayal of my court case, he had no idea what he was getting into. My friend had no idea how expensive court costs usually add up to.

Jan 29, 2022

Prolusion is a noun that refers to a preliminary action or event.

The Latin prefix P-R-O means ‘before.’ And ludere (loo DARE ay) means ‘to play.’ When combined, we get what forms the basis of our word of the day. Prolusion generally means something before an event or a written work. Here’s an example:

While I didn’t enjoy the concert’s prolusion, I found myself deeply enthralled by the music itself. Perhaps next time they should skip the introduction and get straight to the performance.

Jan 28, 2022

Cognoscente is a noun that refers to a person with specialized knowledge or expertise.

Coming directly from Italian, our word of the day entered the English language in the late 18th century. While it may be used to describe any kind of expert, it is most often used in reference to those whose expertise is in matters related to art or culture. Here’s an example:

Being a cognoscente on wine has made my cousin famous. But somehow I’m still struggling to reach any kind of fame as an expert on 80s sitcoms.

Jan 27, 2022

Pharaonic is an adjective that means impressively large and spacious.

The word pharaoh, witch refers to a powerful ruler who resided in a large temple, specifically in ancient Egypt, came from Egyptian and has since been imported into Hebrew, Greek, Latin and English. Pharaonic is the adjective version of this well-travelled word. It is often used to describe accommodations fit for a pharaoh.

After living for nearly a decade in a tiny studio apartment, my new one bedroom apartment feels pharaonic by comparison. I now even have enough room to put a couch.

Jan 26, 2022

Perdure is a verb that means to continue to exist.

Our word of the day shares its Latin ancestry with such words as ‘durable’ and ‘endure.’ They all come from the word durare (doer ARE ay) meaning ‘to last.’ Here’s an example of perdure in use:

After three weeks of failure, we weren’t sure if our company would perdure. But here we are eight years later, still in existence and still going strong.

Jan 25, 2022

Prosopopeia is a noun that refers to a figure of speech in which an abstract thing is personified.

Our word of the the day comes directly from the Greek words for ‘person’ and ‘make.’ It may refer to the personification of an abstract idea or a figure of speech in which an imagined or absent person or thing is represented as speaking. Here’s an example of the former.

My new novel features a character, Iris, that represents innocence. You could say I was engaging in a bit of prosopopeia.

Jan 24, 2022

Snollygoster is a noun that refers to a clever, shrewd person.

Coming from German, our word of the day was imported into English in the mid 19th century. It refers to a screwed, clever person, but almost always as an insult. Here’s an example:

The senator may have been a pleasant man, but he could be quite a snollygoster when he needed to be. The world of politics is difficult to navigate without some compromise of principles.

Jan 23, 2022

Expurgate is a verb that means to remove for being objectionable or unsuitable.

Coming from Latin, our word of the day is related to the word purge, which means ‘to cleanse.’ When something is removed or expurgated from a book or movie, it is usually done for the purpose of ‘cleansing’ that thing.

Many great movies of years past had scenes expurgated because they offended people’s sensibilities. This was an effort to keep the world of film clean and pure.

Jan 22, 2022

Anomie is a noun that refers to a breakdown in standards and values.

Our word of the day comes from the Greek word anomos (ANN oh mose) which means ‘lawless.’ It entered the English language in the 1930s to refer to a lack of the usual social or ethical standards. Here’s an example of its use:

Movies about zombie apocalypses have always fascinated me. I’m intrigued by what kind of anomie sets in when a person has been without basic necessities for several days.

Jan 21, 2022

Euhemerism is a noun that refers to the interpretation of myths as traditional accounts of historical persons and events.

Today’s word of the day comes from an ancient Greek mythographer Euhemerus. The process of taking mythological events and weaving them into history is named after him. Here’s an example of it.

I get the feeling that stories of my dad walking twenty miles to school every day in the snow are the product of euhemerism. Let’s face it, memories often have a way of merging with legend.

Jan 20, 2022

Rueful is an adjective that means expressing sorrow or regret.

The word rue, which means to bitterly regret, comes from Middle English. Rueful is the adjective version of it. Here’s an example of it in use:

Chuck’s poor performance on the test put him in a rueful mood. He deeply regretted not studying more math in school.

Jan 19, 2022

Mythopoeia is a noun that refers to a creation of myth.

Our word of the day combines two Greek words ‘myth,’ which translates into our contemporary English word myth, and poiein (PEEN) meaning ‘make.’ From the 1950s on, the word mythopoeia has referred to the process of making a myth.

There’s always been a great deal of mythopoeia in the sports world. Turning sports stars into legends has always been as popular as reporting the facts.

Jan 18, 2022

Indissoluble is an adjective that means incapable of being undone.

The Latin word dissolubilis (dee so loo BEE leese) means ‘fades.’ When the prefix I-N is added, we get a word that means ‘not faded.’ By the Late 15th century, indissoluble had entered the English language meaning ‘unable to be destroyed.’ Here’s an example:

My friendship with Leslie is indissoluble. We figure if our relationship can endure her being a Cubs fan, nothing can tear us apart

Jan 17, 2022

Exordial is an adjective that means taking place at the beginning.

The Latin word exoridi (EX or deer ee) means ‘begin.’ By the Late 16th century, the word exordium, meaning ‘beginning’ had entered English. Exordial refers to the something taking place in the introductory part.

Audrey’s exordial moments at college were strange. It took a while to adjust to such a different life, and those opening few weeks threw her off-guard.

Jan 16, 2022

Prothalamion is a noun that refers to a song celebrating an upcoming marriage.

Our word of the day comes from the title of a 16th century poem and is typically used in a literary or historical context. But as songs are still performed at weddings, prothalamion may be used in a modern, ordinary context. Here’s an example:

As a songwriter, I’ve mostly written jingles for TV ads and sitcoms. So it was quite a challenge to compose a prothalamion. I hope all who attend Alex and Amy’s wedding are happy with the result.

Jan 15, 2022

Wanderwort is a noun that refers to a word from one language that is used in many others.

Our word of the day consists of two words that are German in origin, wander, meaning ‘to meander or travel,’ and ‘wort,’ for ‘word.’ Simply put, a wanderwort is a word that has travelled from one language to another — and sometimes to many others.

Because it is from German and has landed in English, that means wanderwort itself is a wanderwort.

Jan 14, 2022

Stratagem is a noun that refers to a move made to outwit one’s opponents.

The Greek word stratos (STRAH tose) means ‘army.’ This gave birth to a number of words like ‘strategy’ that originated in military use, but can be used outside of that context as well. Stratagem refers specifically to a move made to fool an enemy.

Chuck’s decision to go to the bathroom in the middle of the poker game was probably a scheme to help him win the game. He’s always devising these weird stratagems when he really should be focusing on playing a better game.

Jan 13, 2022

Summarily is an adverb that means without delay or formalities.

Coming from the Latin word summa (SUE ma) meaning ‘sum total,’ our word of the day is a variation of ‘summary,’ a word often used in law meaning ‘conducted without the legal formalities.’ Summarily can be used in a legal context or an ordinary one. Here’s an example of it being used in an ordinary one:

My boss summarily dismissed accusations of Doris stealing my Ketchup packets from the office refrigerator. You’d think there would at least be a trial when dealing with a matter that important.

Jan 12, 2022

Peckish is an adjective that means hungry.

Our word of the day is typically used informally to describe hunger. It comes from the word peck, as in ‘pecking at your food.’ Here’s an example of it:

I often feel a little peckish when I get up in the morning. But I’ve learned to discipline myself. If I ate every time I was hungry, I’d have a serious weight problem.

Jan 11, 2022

Pensum is a noun that refers to a task assigned as punishment.

The Latin word pensus refers to something done for the sake of justice or punishment. Our word of the day comes from this origin and maintains a similar meaning. A pensum is often something assigned in a school setting to punish a student. Here’s an example:

As a teenager, I always thought washing the walls was my pensum for being smarter than my teachers. But in reality, I was being punished for writing graffiti.

Jan 10, 2022

Glossophobia is a noun that refers to a fear of public speaking.

Our word of the day is comprised of the Greek prefix G-L-O-S-S-O, derived from the word for ‘language.’ And P-H-O-B-I-A, a Greek suffix that refers to fear. Here’s an example of the what they create when combined:

Sharon’s glossophobia makes me wonder why she chose to pursue a career in politics in the first place. You’d think someone who feared speaking public would avoid a life of giving speeches, but she has eagerly chased it.

Jan 9, 2022

Galimatias is a noun that refers to confused or meaningless talk.

Our word of the day has no clear origin, but we can say with certainty that it arrived in English around the mid 17th century and has been used to ridicule silly and ineffective language. Here’s an example of it:

The galimatias that appeared in the senator’s speech is typical of what we can expect for the next six years. Nonsense and gibberish has been a part of his life forever.

Jan 8, 2022

Decussate is a verb that means to intersect or cross.

The Latin word decussare (day coo SAR ay) means ‘to divide crosswise.’ This is the origin of our word of the day. Here’s an example of it:

Finding the hotel isn’t difficult. You simply have to find the place where all the highways decussate, and once you find this X, you simply get on I-95 and you’re there.

Jan 7, 2022

Motility is a noun that refers to movement or the ability to move.

The Latin word motus (MOE toos) means ‘motion.’ This word would later evolve into such English words as mobile and motile, the root word of our word of the day. Here’s an example of motility in use:

It was feared the patient had lost all ability to move after the accident, but when she demonstrated motility, this was regarded as great news.

Jan 6, 2022

Desiccate is a verb that means to make dry.

The Latin word siccus (SEE coos) means ‘dry.’ Our word of the day evolved from this word and into its current meaning. When we describe something as desiccated, we describe it as having all moisture removed. ‘Desiccated’ is often used as process performed on foods for the purposes of preservation.

The shipment of desiccated coconuts arrived right on time this morning. Sadly the same couldn’t be said of all our employees.

Jan 5, 2022

In statu nascendi is an adjective that means in the course of being formed or developed.

Sometimes written or spoken simply as statu nascendi, our word of the day comes directly from the Latin phrase that translates into ‘in a state of being born.’ Here’s an example of it being used:

At that point in time, our company was still in statu nascendi. But after this embryonic stage, we later developed into something very special.

Jan 4, 2022

Gallionic is an adjective that means marked by indifference or irresponsibility.

Gallio was a Roman senator noted for refusing to take action during a dispute. The refusal to take action or the tendency to be indifferent in chaotic times puts you at risk of being labelled gallionic. Here’s an example:

I didn’t want my employees to think of me as gallionic, but I didn’t want to get involved in the disagreement between our two distributors. It wasn’t that I was indifferent to the problem, it just seemed like a no-win situation.

Jan 3, 2022

Potentate is a noun that refers to a ruler with absolute power.

The key word in our word of the day is potent. When things are potent, they have great power and potentate is a word to describe a ruler with unchecked power. Example:

It seemed that Tammy wanted to become a potentate of the office. But having unchecked power made her very difficult to deal with.

Jan 2, 2022

Merestone is a noun that refers to a boundary or a limit.

Our word of the day comes from Middle English and can be used to describe an actual landmark that denotes territory or it can be used metaphorically.

We used the orange outhouse as a merestone to ensure we didn’t travel beyond the point where it was safe. It was a boundary that let us know if we went beyond that spot, we were in danger of confronting bears.

Jan 1, 2022

Estaminet is a noun that refers to a small cafe.

Our word of the day comes directly from French. Estaminet is another word for a small cafe.

Cindy and I met at a small cafe outside of the downtown area. I knew she was a sophisticated thinker when she referred to the place as an estaminet.

Dec 31, 2021

Brusque is an adjective that means abrupt or curt.

The Latin word bruscum (BROOS coom) described a broom used by a butcher. These days when we brush something away quickly and rudely, we are being brusque. Here’s an example:

I didn’t mean to be brusque with that salesman, but, living in the arctic circle, we really didn’t need an air conditioner — especially in January. Sometimes you have to be a little rude with somebody To get your point across.

Dec 30, 2021

Retrocede is a verb that means to give back territory.

Our word of the day combines the prefix R-E-T-R-O, meaning ‘return’ with ‘cede,’ a word of the Latin origin that means ‘to yield’ or ‘give up.’ Simply put, when we retrocede something, we give back what we had acquired.

As a kid, I hated when my parents made me retrocede things I got from my big brother. Although I suppose you could say it was only fair to give back things that I stole in the first place.

Dec 29, 2021

Accrual is a noun that refers to  the process of accumulating something.

The Latin word accrescere (ah CRAY share ay) means ‘increase.’ This evolved into the English word accrue, a word often associated with financial growth. Accrual is frequently — though not always — used in these kinds of contexts.

Early in life, Eric made the accrual of wealth his only goal. Now he sees there are far more important things than expanding one’s bank account.

Dec 28, 2021

Peculate is a verb that means to embezzle.

Our word of the day comes from the Latin word peculum (PECK ooh loom) which originally meant ‘cattle,’ but later cam to mean ‘private property.’ Peculate evolved as a word to describe the stealing of one’s private property.

Stan never guessed his trusted friend would peculate his money behind his back, but that’s exactly what later happened. It just goes to show that embezzlement is something anyone is capable of.

Dec 27, 2021

Acerbate is a verb that means to make worse.

The Latin word acerbus (ah CHAIR bus) means ‘bitter’ or ‘sour.’ When we make something bitter or worsen it, we acerbate it. Here’s an example of acerbate used in proper context:

Weather like this tends to acerbate an already awful day. It’s bad enough that our softball team is horrible, but on top of that, today’s game gets cancelled.

Dec 26, 2021

Synecdoche is a noun that refers to a figure of speech by which a part is used for the whole.

Our word of the day is derived from a variety of Greek phrases that roughly translate to ‘take up together.’ Here’s an example of it in use:

I told my co-workers that I needed new wheels and they thought I simply needed the wheels replaced on my car. They didn’t understand that ‘wheels’ was often used to refer to a car when I grew up. If I want to avoid confusion in the future, I’ll make sure to never use a synecdoche again.

Dec 25, 2021

Metonym is a noun that refers to a metaphoric substitute.

The Greek word metonumia (MET oh me ah) means ‘change of name.’ Another way to think of a metonym is to think of it as a substitute word. For example, when we use the term ‘Washington DC’ to refer to the federal government, we are using a substitute — or a metonym. Here’s an example:

I think I confused my family when I told them my business was going to the dogs. I was using a metonym, but they thought I was working at a dog kennel.

Dec 24, 2021

Elision is a noun that refers to an omission of a passage in a book, speech or film.

Frequently used in reference to books or other literary material, our word of the day comes from the Latin word elidere (el ee DARE ay) which means ‘crush out.’

The elision of my favorite passage from a Charles Dickens novel annoyed me a great deal. I don’t think it’s a great idea to tamper with great works of art by removing parts that contemporary readers don’t like.

Dec 23, 2021

Testator is a noun that refers to a person who leaves a will.

Our word of the day is mostly used in legal contexts and is derived from the Latin word testari (Tess TAR ee) for ‘testify.’ Simply put, a testator is the person leaving their last will and testament.

The work of a lawyer can be heartbreaking at times. On one occasion, I had to explain to a testator that no matter how much she loved her teddy bear Alfred, she could not legally bequeath Alfred her home in her will.

Dec 22, 2021

Catalyze is a verb that means to bring about or inspire.

Our word of the day’s origin is in the realm of chemistry. The Greek word katalysis (ka TAL us sis) means ‘dissolution,’ and when the word evolved into the English word ‘catalyst,’ it has been used mostly to refer to a process performed in a chemistry lab.

But catalyze can also be used outside of a scientific context to simply mean ‘inspire’ or ‘urge.’ Here’s an example:

In an effort to catalyze the kids out of bed on a Saturday morning, I told them I had new presents for them in the driveway. I neglected to mention they had to shovel the driveway in order to find them.

Dec 21, 2021

Abessive is an adjective that means indicating an absence.

Our word of the day is derived from the Latin word abesse (ah BESS ee), which means ‘missing.’ Abessive can be used to describe anything absent. Here’s an example:

I’d say the abessive leadership in our office was a key reason for the ineptitude of our department. Without a strong and competent manager, it’s hard to get things done. This isn’t easy for me to admit as I was the office manager.

Dec 20, 2021

Canicular is an adjective that means related to the dog days.

The Latin word Canis (CON eese) means ‘dog.’ The period between early July and early September came to be known as the ‘dog days’ for reasons that have nothing to do with the weather of that period or with the way dogs feel about those months. Instead, the name ‘dog days’ became associated with that time frame because that time of year is under the star Sirius, whose Latin name was Canicula, meaning ‘small dog.’

That canicular period of late summer can be really rough on a heating duct repairman. With temperatures soaring during the dog days, who wants to get their heating repaired?

Dec 19, 2021

Torrential is an adjective that means falling in rushing or violent streams.

The word torrent comes directly from Latin and it means ‘boiling’ or ‘roaring.’ Our word of the day modifies this word into an adjective to describe things that boil or roar — often from the sky.

The torrential rains on the field caused so much damage we had to delay the game for weeks. These kinds of violent storms are a good reason why Hawaii hasn’t been a popular location for baseball.

Dec 18, 2021

Cynegetic is an adjective that means related to hunting.

Our word of the day is derived from the Greek word for dog, which has indirectly led us to its present meaning of ‘related to hunting.’ Here’s an example of cynegetic in use:

It’s often said that there’s a cynegetic element to archeology. They are, after all, hunting for information and artifacts. It’s just that the prey they are stalking died hundreds of thousands of years ago.

Dec 17, 2021

Abnegate is a verb that means to deny or renounce.

The Latin word Abnegare (ob nay GAR ay) means deny. Our word of the day was imported into English in the early 17th century and has retained this same basic meaning. Abnegate is often , but not always, used in a religious context. Here’s an example of its use:

When he decided to run for office, Jamie thought he should abnegate his controversial views — and for good reason. Being a Yankees fan would make someone an awfully unpopular candidate in the Boston area.

Dec 16, 2021

Construal is a noun that means interpretation.

Our word of the day comes from the Latin word construere (con stru WHERE ay) meaning, ‘to build.’ When we construe something we care analyzing how it is built. This also applies to the way a sentence or phrase is built.

After the mayor’s speech, he was immediately worried about the construal of his words, and for good reason. The way those words were interpreted would later come back to haunt him.

Dec 15, 2021

Ideation is a noun that refers to the formation of ideas or concepts.

The word idea comes directly from Greek, meaning ‘to see.’ Our word of the day is derived from this and means to ‘form or create’ ideas.

I was often stunned by the creative power of those in the marketing department. They were amazingly good at the ideation of mind-blowing concepts.

Dec 14, 2021

Suffuse is a verb that means to pour or spread through.

The latin word suffus (SUE foos) means ‘poured into.’ When we suffuse something, we spread or pour it in. The word can be used literally or metaphorically. Here’s an example:

Our hope was to suffuse the audience with the joy of our music. But we would have probably needed better music to accomplish that goal.

Dec 13, 2021

Macaronic is an adjective that means composed of a mixture of languages.

Our word of the day is related to the word macaroni, the Italian dish that combines various foods.  In a similar way, a macaronic use of language combines many languages.

Our limited understanding of Portuguese caused our band to write many macaronic songs that combined English with Portuguese for our Brazilian audience.

Dec 12, 2021

Subsidiary is an adjective that means less important to but related to.

The Latin word subsidere means ‘to sit below.’ When something is deemed subsidiary, it is regarded as less important that other things. Check out this example:

With winter approaching, I needed some hot cocoa as well as brand new skis. But those needs were subsidiary to getting a car so I wouldn’t have to walk to work in the freezing cold.

Dec 11, 2021

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Dec 10, 2021

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Dec 9, 2021

Flagitious is an adjective that means criminal or villainous.

The Latin word flagitium (fla JEE tomb) is a noun that refers to ‘shameful crime.’ Our word of the day is an adjective to describe individuals involved in shameful crime. Here’s an example of flagitious in use:

Andy’s weird behavior made us suspect he was a flagitious person. But after close examination, he was a very nice guy and we were wrong to accuse him of being villainous.

Dec 8, 2021

Cavernous is an adjective that means very large.

A cavern is usually understood as a large cave. Its roots in the Latin language reveal that it evolved from the word cavus (KAH voose) which means ‘hollow.’

The cavernous lodging for us was much larger than we needed for a family of three. In fact it was so huge, we could have easily housed twenty people there.

Dec 7, 2021

Purview is a noun that refers to the scope of influence or concerns.

Coming from late Middle English with the original meaning of ‘foreseen,’ our word of the day’s use has shifted over the years. It is now used to refer to someone’s range of experience or their ‘view.’ Here’s an example:

Terry was outside of his purview when he gave us medical advice. Looking back, we might have been better off seeking the counsel of a lawyer instead of my plumber.

Dec 6, 2021

Hamartia is a noun that refers to a fatal flaw.

Our word of the day comes directly from Greek. Hamarta was used by the Greeks to describe the tragic downfall of a here in a story. More recently it may be used more broadly. Here’s an example:

After the team’s initial success, Eric’s ego seemed to be his Hamarta. This has been the fatal flaw of many great athletes in the past.

Dec 5, 2021

Fantasticate is a verb that means to make something seem fanciful.

Our word of the day is derived from the word fantasy, which comes from the Greek word phantasia (FAWN toss yah). When we fantasticate something, we make it more fantastic or more like a fantasy.

The events that unfolded that night were strange, but nowhere near as surreal and fanciful as Helen made them seem. As a writer of fantasy fiction, she has a tendency to fantasticate details.

Dec 4, 2021

Churl is a noun that refers to an impolite, mean-spirited person.

Coming from Old English, our word of the day is generally used as an insult. It sometimes means ‘a miser’ or ‘cheap person.’ Or it can simply refer to someone who isn’t polite.

Only a churl could ruin the birthday party of a ten-year-old with impolite behavior. But leave it to the grown-ups to spoil the fun.

Dec 3, 2021

Exigency is a noun that refers to an urgent need or demand.

The Latin word exigere (eggs uh JEER ay) means ‘to enforce.’ Our word of the day entered English in the late 16th century, as a noun that referred to ‘a dire need.’

A mistake by my landlord created an exigency for my plumber. Poor plumbing can often make for urgent situations.

Dec 2, 2021

Aoristic is an adjective that means indefinite or indeterminate.

The Greek word aoristos (OUR ee stose) means ‘vague’ or ‘indefinite.’ Aoristic is often used in grammar to describe an unqualified past tense of a verb without reference to duration or completion of the action. But it can also be used more broadly, to mean anything unclear. Here’s an example:

Many found Sid’s behavior that night aoristic. Nobody fully understood what he meant by his strange, rambling speech.

Dec 1, 2021

Catechize is a verb that means to instruct through questions and answers.

The Greek word Katekhein (COT ay kine) means to ‘to instruct’ or ‘to make someone hear.’ The word later evolved into catechize, which was often used in a religious context. Today the word can be used in any situation where someone is instructing through questions and answers.

If you catechize new employees, I find that training works better that way. A series of questions and answers is often a good way to provide instruction.

Nov 30, 2021

Biddable is an adjective that means easily lead or controlled.

The word ‘bid’ is of unclear origin, but it means ‘to offer.’ A biddable person is very willing to offer their service or help.

Debra didn’t care for her new job. She had the feeling they were seeking someone one biddable, someone willing to do whatever anyone asked for any reason.

Nov 29, 2021

Umbrageous is an adjective that means inclined to take offense easily.

Our word of the day is loosely related to the word umbrella, which comes from the Latin word umbra (OOM bruh) meaning ‘shadow.’ This word also referred to a ‘ground for suspicion’ or ‘offense.’ When someone has taken umbrage with something, we mean, they are offended. An umbrageous person is very apt to take offense.

Our umbrageous boss didn’t like the wig I gave him for his birthday. I would have selected another gift if I’d known he was so easily offended about his hair loss.

Nov 28, 2021

Lout is a noun that refers to an uncouth or aggressive person.

Our word of the day is of German origin. It entered the English language in the mid 16th century and since then is almost never used in a flattering context. Here’s an example: Only a lout like Steve could make a mess of the office party. You’d have to be really aggressive and cruel to ruin a lovely gathering like that.

Nov 27, 2021

Florilegium is a noun that refers to a volume of writing.

The Latin prefix F-L-O-R has given birth to many words likes ‘flower’ and ‘florist.’ Its path to becoming the origin of a word for a collection of books began with the word legere (lay JARE ay) with means ‘gather.’ A florilegium once referred to a collection of books about flowers and later meant a collection of any books.

Here’s an example of our word of the day in use: For my research, I found a few books on the necessary topic, but I actually needed more books. Ideally, I needed a florilegium.

Nov 26, 2021

Eggcorn is a noun that refers to a word or phrase that results from a mishearing.

Our word of the day is a very recent addition to English, entering in the early 21st century. It came about by people mishearing the word acorn and instead thinking the word was eggcorn.

Everyday language is full of such mistakes. Here’s an example of it in use:

For years, I heard the phrase ‘for all intents and purposes’ as ‘for all intensive purposes.’ It wasn’t until much later that I learned this was an eggcorn.

Nov 25, 2021

Echt is an adjective that means authentic and typical. It can also be used as an adverb that means authentically or typically.

Coming directly from the German word for real, our word of the day has maintained the same basic meaning after being imported into English. Here is an example of echt in use.

Those crowds at our early shows were placed there by our management to make it seem that we were a popular band. But later we attracted echt crowds and it was glorious to see that real people actually did enjoy our music.

Nov 24, 2021

Enshrine is a verb that means to preserve and cherish as sacred.

The latin word scrinium (screen ee OOM) refers to ‘a chest for books.’ In later years a shrine became a word for a holy place that held sacred items. Enshrine is a verb that is often used metaphorically to refer to the process of treating something as if it were sacred. Here’s an example:

The rights we were fighting for have since been enshrined into law. A violation of those laws would be treated as an act of sacrilege.

Nov 23, 2021

Jouissance is a noun that refers to physical or intellectual pleasure.

The French word juir (ghweere) means ‘to enjoy.’ From this our word of the day has come to enter English. Here’s an example of it in use:

I could see the joy on my daughter’s face when I took her to the circus. She clearly took delight in seeing all that joyous activity.

Nov 22, 2021

Multifarious is an adjective that means ‘of many types. ‘

The Latin multifarius (mool tee FAR ee oose) was imported into English in the Late 16th century and has maintained the same basic meaning of ‘derived of various types.’

The reasons for our project’s failure were many. The multifarious disasters that took place would take too long to list.

Nov 21, 2021

Lorn is an adjective that means lonely and abandoned.

Or word of the day comes indirectly from Old English and is commonly used in literary writing. Here’s an example of it:

The princess found herself lorn in the castle all alone. In spite of her immense wealth, she needed the companionship and intimacy that only love can provide.

Nov 20, 2021

Agrarian is an adjective that means related to cultivating the land.

The latin word ager (ah JER) means ‘field.’ From this word comes our word of the day. In addition to being an adjective that means ‘farming’ or ‘cultivating the land,’ agrarian can also be used as a verb to refer to a person who advocates farming.

I know for a fact that the agrarian life isn’t for everybody. Farming is hard work and requires lots of concentration.

Nov 19, 2021

Compendium is a noun that refers to a concise collection of information.

The Latin prefix C-O-M means ‘together,’ while pendere (PEN dare ay) is Latin for ‘weight.’ Compendium entered the English language around the late 16th century to refer to ‘what is weighed together.’ The word later came to refer to a collection of information about a particular subject.

I found a compendium on UFOs that was very helpful for my research. Having all that UFO information at my fingertips made me close to an expert on the topic.

Nov 18, 2021

Calumniate is a verb that means to defame or make false statements about.

The Latin word calumnia (cal OOM ne uh) means ‘oppression.’ More recently, the English ancestor or this word, calumniate, has come to mean ‘injure the reputation of.’ Here’s an example:

When I ran for office, I swore I would never calumniate my opponents. But I have to confess that I did have a few occasions where I made statements about them that weren’t strictly correct.

Nov 17, 2021

Splenetic is an adjective that means ill-tempered or spiteful.

Our word of the day shares its origin with the word spleen, an abdominal organ that serves as part of the immune system. The Ancient Greeks believed the spleen was the seat of a bad temper, so the word splen (splan) meant ‘ill-tempered.’ Centuries later, splenetic entered English as an adjective for spiteful or malevolent.

After working with some ill-tempered people, I became something of an expert at recognizing splenetic behavior. Most importantly, I became good at not hiring such people.

Nov 16, 2021

Shirty is an adjective that means irritable or ill-tempered.

Our word of the day came from the word shirt although it’s not clear exactly how. But we do know it came to become slang in the 19th century.

Alice could be a bit shirty at times, but I don’t blame her. Having to deal with those guys in packaging would make anybody irritable.

Nov 15, 2021

Accelerant is a noun that refers to something that aids in acceleration. It comes also be used as an adjective to describe something that causes an acceleration.

The word accelerate comes from the Latin accelerare (ak sell er ARE ay) meaning to ‘to hasten’ or ‘make faster.’ Our word of the day is often used in a technical context.

The police suspected those responsible for the blast used certain stolen chemicals as accelerants in their explosives.

Nov 14, 2021

Contestation is a noun that refers to controversy or debate.

The Latin word contestari (con test TAR ay) means ‘to call upon a witness.’ It later evolved into a number of English words like ‘contest.’ Our word of the day is often used in formal settings to describe a process of disputing or arguing.

When debating over their borders, the two nations engaged in several years of contestation. Once the controversy had ended, they managed somehow to avoid a war.

Nov 13, 2021

Torpid is an adjective that means lethargic.

Our word of the day comes from the Latin word torpere (tor PAIR ay) which means ‘to be numb or sluggish.’ Torpid can be used to describe a lethargic person but it can also be used to describe an animal that is dormant or in hibernation.

During most of my torpid youth, I spent all day playing video games and watching TV. I’ve now become a lot less lethargic. I spend a lot less time watching TV.

Nov 12, 2021

Indolent is an adjective that means lazy.

The Latin word dorere (doe LARE ay) means ‘to suffer or cause pain.’ This word added the prefix I-N to mean ‘not causing pain’ and became indolent in the mid 17th century. Initially it was used in a medical context to refer to a disease or condition that didn’t cause pain. But it soon came to also describe someone who wanted to avoid work or exertion. Here’s an example of indolent in use:

Marvin could be indolent at times, but at other times he could conquer his laziness and do whatever work needed to be done.

Nov 11, 2021

Faineant is an adjective that means idle or inactive. It can also be used as a noun that refers to an idle or ineffective person.

Our word of the day comes from the French phrase fait neant (fe nee AW) that translates to ‘does nothing.’ It has been imported into English since the early 17th century.

With nothing to do all day, I found myself feeling hopelessly faineant. With any luck, there will be something to occupy my time tomorrow.

Nov 10, 2021

Detritus is a noun that refers to debris or discarded items.

Our word of the day comes directly from Latin. After being imported into English in the late 18th century, its pronunciation has shifted from dee TREE toose to its English equivalent de TRY tus, but it has retained the same meaning of ‘waste or discarded material.’

When we changed offices, some people came to think of all those photos on the break room wall as detritus. But I understood they were more than items to be discarded. They were memories of lifelong friendships.

Nov 9, 2021

Morass is a noun that refers to a complicated or confused situation.

The Latin word mariscus (mar EESE coose) means ‘marsh.’ This later evolved into morass, which originally held the same meaning. While it is still used in this context, morass may also be used figuratively to refer to any muddy or confusing situation. Here’s an example:

Before the lawsuit could be resolved, we had to climb through a morass of paperwork. The whole thing was a confusing and complicated mess that I hope to never have to endure again.

Nov 8, 2021

Putative is an adjective that means generally considered to be.

The Latin word putare (poo TAR ay) means ‘to think.’ When something is described as putative, it means ‘generally thought to be.’ For example: Greg was the putative leader of the trumpet section, but regardless of what everyone thought, I was the one actually leading things.

Nov 7, 2021

Fistic is an adjective that means pugilistic or related to boxing.

The English word fist came from Old English and came to exist simply by turning a noun into an adjective with the addition of the suffix I-C. The word is often used sarcastically and playfully.

As a kid, my fistic skills weren’t very intimidating. That’s why I never considered boxing as a career path.

Nov 6, 2021

Doctrinaire is an adjective that means seeking to impose a doctrine in all circumstances without regard to practical considerations. It is also a noun that refers to a person with doctrinaire behavior.

In Latin, the word doctrina (doak TREE na) means ‘learning.’ This later evolved into the English word doctrine, referring to a belief or set of beliefs held and taught by a church, political party or other group. You could think of doctrinaire as describing someone who is holding firmly to doctrine.

Maybe we shouldn’t be so doctrinaire when establishing the rules of our group. We want to be flexible, after all, and that often means drifting away from doctrine.

Nov 5, 2021

Vertex is a noun that refers to the highest point.

The Latin word vertere (VARE tear ay) means ‘to turn,’ but its meaning has evolved over time, so that it later was used in geometry to refer to a meeting point of two lines form an angle. The word still holds that meaning, but it can also be used more metaphorically to refer to the apex or the highest point. Here’s an example of vertex being used in such a way:

With the success that she’s had, it’s easy to think that Brenda has reached the vertex of her career in law. But who knows, given her abilities, she may have not yet reached her highest point yet.

Nov 4, 2021

Collimate is a verb that means to make parallel.

The Latin word collineare (co lynn ee ARE ay) means to ‘align.’ When we collimate things, we put them in line or make them parallel.

I tried to collimate all the items on my desk because I really like order. But all the chaos in the office makes it impossible for things to remain in a straight line.

Nov 3, 2021

Bunkum is a noun that refers to nonsense.

Our word of the day came to life after a mid-19th century speech that referred to a county in North Carolina called Buncombe. The speech was apparently made solely to please a politician’s constituents, so the word stuck and was later changed to its current form.

Example: We all got a feeling that the governor’s speech was bunkum when he started trotting out dubious numbers. But things got even more questionable when he made up names to support those bogus facts.

Nov 2, 2021

Imagineer is a noun that refers to a person skilled in bringing creative ideas into practical form.

A fairly recent addition to the English language, imagineer came to exist around the middle of the twentieth century. It takes its root from the word imagine and follows the pattern of ‘engineer.’ You could think of an imagineer as an engineer of the imagination.

As a child, all of my heroes were imagineers. I’d always admired people who could craft breathtaking ideas and bring them to life.

Nov 1, 2021

Mythomania is a noun that refers to the tendency to exaggerate.

We have the Greeks to thank for our word of the day. Its root word is ‘myth,’ coming from the Greek word mythos (MYTH ose) and its suffix is M-A-N-I-A, coming also from Greek and usually refers to a state of frenzy or enthusiasm. A person engaging in mythomania may be guilty of fabricating or simply stretching the truth.

Before understanding Peter’s mythomania, I thought I had met a true legend. But after learning of his tendency to exaggerate, I soon realized that I hadn’t met the inventor of the internet or the first man in space.

Oct 31, 2021

Redress is mainly used as a verb that means to remedy or set right. But it can also be used as a noun that refers to a remedy or compensation.

Sharing its Middle English origin with the word ‘address,’ redress simply adds the Latin prefix R-E. So when we redress something, as opposed to addressing it, we ‘address’ something that was missed the first time.

When my paycheck was short a few weeks, I contacted the supervisor to redress the situation. To remedy things, they paid me for a few extra weeks on my next check.

Oct 30, 2021

Swivet is a noun that refers to a nervous or flustered state.

The origin of our word of the day is unknown, but it is often used in casual conversation to refer to a state of tense, frayed nerves. My bad grades really got my parents in a swivet for a while. But they calmed down a great deal after I received that football scholarship. A ticket to success has a way of resolving tension.

Oct 29, 2021

Perihelion is a noun that refers to the highest point or the peak.

The Greek prefix P-E-R-I means ‘near,’ while the word helios (HE lee ose) — also from Greek — means ‘the sun.’ The word is often used in specifically scientific contexts, but can also, more figuratively, refer to the peak or highest point of something. For example:

I felt our band’s first show was our perihelion, but then again, as it was our only show, it makes sense that I would regard that as our peak of success.

Oct 28, 2021

Deontology is a noun that refers to the study of obligation.

Our word of the day’s origin comes mainly from Greek. The Greek prefix D-E-O-N-T means ‘being needed,’ while the suffix L-O-G-Y — also from the Greeks — denotes study. Here’s an example of deontology in use:

I wasn’t sure how to approach the situation, but after a careful look at the deontology of it, I understood my true obligation. Sometimes taking a good at things and weighing out your moral duty can be helpful.

Oct 27, 2021

Infodemic is a noun that refers to a massive amount of information on a topic that leads to confusion.

Derived from the words information and epidemic, our word of the day is a very recent addition to the English language. It describes the state of having too much information.

Gary found himself in the middle of an infodemic last weekend. Drowning in too much data, he had to get away from it all before he lost his mind.

Oct 26, 2021

Solemnity is a noun that refers to a formal observance.

The Latin word sollemnitas (so LEM knee tass) means ‘festival.’ Our word of the day can be used to refer to the state or quality of being serious or dignified or it may refer to a dignified rite or ceremony. Here’s an example of the latter:

In my first week in Spain we attended a lovely solemnity held in a cathedral. Those kinds of observances are a stunning sight to see.

Oct 25, 2021

Bestrew is a verb that means to cover a surface with scattered objects.

Coming from Old English, our word of the day may have had its roots in proto-Germanic.

For Halloween, the kids love it when we bestrew candy corn all over the table. But cleaning up all that scattered candy, on the other hand, can be a pain.

Oct 24, 2021

Ramify is a verb that means to spread or branch out.

The Latin word ramus (RAH moose) means ‘branch.’ Its English counterpart may be used in reference to nature or it may be used in a more metaphorical sense. For example:

We’d like to see the orchestra ramify into many different groups. While it can sometimes be painful for a group to split up like this, branching into new areas is, in the end, the only way to grow.

Oct 23, 2021

Montane is an adjective that means inhabiting mountainous areas.

Our word of the day shares its origin with the origin of mountains, which comes from the Latin mons (MOANS). Montane is simply an adjective that describes anything regarding mountains. It’s typically used in reference to things inhabiting a mountainous countryside.

The montane grass in that area is a strange shade of pale blue. But all the animals that graze in the vicinity of the mountains don’t seem to mind. They gobble the grass up just the same.

Oct 22, 2021

Psychogenic is an adjective that means originating in the mind.

The prefix P-S-Y-C-H-O comes from Greek and refers to the mind or the soul. Genic is also Greek and refers to ‘origin’ or ‘source.’ A psychogenetic condition originates in the mind as opposed to a physical source.

The doctor suggested my flu symptoms were psychogenic and I understand why. It seems pretty clear that my mind would want to avoid school this week.

Oct 21, 2021

Autotelic is an adjective that means not driven by external factors.

The word auto comes from Greek, meaning ‘self,’ while telos (TAY los) also from Greek, means ‘end.’ Our word of the day is often used to describe an activity or creative work that has a purpose in itself.

All those push-ups and sit-ups we did in the army seemed to be autotelic to me. We never used any of those activities for any of our duties. Instead we just seemed to be doing calisthenics for the sake of doing calisthenics.

Oct 20, 2021

Idiopathic is an adjective that means of unknown causes.

The prefix of our word of the day, I-D-I-O comes from the Greek word meaning ‘one’s own’ or ‘private.’ And ‘pathic’ comes from the Greek word pathos (PA thos) meaning suffering. So an idiopathic condition is one that comes from an unknown source.

I’m no doctor, but Elena’s insomnia seemed to be idiopathic in nature. There didn’t seem to be any obvious cause of it.

Oct 19, 2021

Urticate is a verb that means to sting.

The Latin word urtica (OOR tea cah) means ‘sting.’ Our word of the day has evolved from this word and maintained its same basic meaning. Urticate is often used when applied by a plant. For example:

I was so worried that those exotic plants we saw in the jungle would urticate me that I didn’t notice the snakes at my ankle. You really have to be on your toes in an environment that offers so many dangers.

Oct 18, 2021

Ignoble is an adjective that means not honorable.

The root word of ignoble is noble, which comes from the Latin word nobilis (KNOW bee lease) meaning ‘high-born.’ As time went by, the word’s definition shifted to mean ‘honorable.’ With our word of the day, the prefix I-G was added and it meant ‘not honorable.’

Terry’s ignoble behavior caused him to be fired from his job at the bank. Embezzlement is usually not considered an honorable thing to do in that industry.

Oct 17, 2021

Adjutant is a noun that refers to an assistant.

The Latin word adjuvare (ad joo VARE ay) means ‘to assist.’ Our word of the day has evolved from this word, first in reference to a military officer acting as an assistant to a senior officer. Later the word came to refer to any kind of an assistant. For example:

When I first took the job of manager’s adjutant, I assumed I’d be in charge of the department. But I later learned that I was simply the assistant to the actual manager.

Oct 16, 2021

Passel is a noun that refers to a large group of indeterminate number.

Our word of the day began as an alternate pronunciation of the word parcel, which means a large collection of things to be carried or sent by mail. By the mid 19th century, it became a word of its own, maintaining its same definition.

The passel of reporters gathered at the door made it difficult to enter our workplace. Having so many people packed at the entrance was a nuisance.

Oct 15, 2021

Scud is a verb that means to move fast as if driven by the wind. It can also be used a noun to refer to the act of moving swiftly.

The origin of scud is unclear, but we know it entered English in the mid 16th century and has retained its meaning ever since.

Watching those birds scud through the air was a breathtaking sight. It’s rare that you see something in nature travel that quickly.

Oct 14, 2021

Arrant is an adjective that means complete or utter.

Coming from Middle English, our word of the day was often used to describe someone on a journey. It would sometimes refer to a criminal, as in an arrant thief. Its meaning has shifted over time and more recently, it has become a synonym of word like ‘complete’ or ‘absolute.’

My wife feared that without anything to do all day, I’d become an arrant bum. She had good reason to fear. I haven’t left the bed in weeks.

Oct 13, 2021

Enfeeble is a verb that means to make weak.

The root word of our word of the day is feeble, which comes from the Latin word flebilis (FLAY bill eese) which means ‘lamentable.’ It later came to mean ‘weak’ or ‘lacking in strength.’ When something is enfeebled, it is made weaker. Example: Rodney was afraid his cold would enfeeble him on the football field, and sadly, he was right. In his weakened state, he couldn’t play up to his usual outstanding level.

Oct 12, 2021

Silt is a noun that refers to a deposit of sediment. It can also be used as a verb to mean ‘become filled or black with silt.’

Coming from Middle English, our word of the day is used to describe a fine sand or other material carried by running water and deposited as a sediment. Here’s an example of it in use: We found what we were seeking under a layer of silt. It can be difficult to locate items when they get buried under sediment, but with much effort, you can discover breathtaking treasures.

Oct 11, 2021

Seedbed is a noun that refers to a place of development.

A combination of two common English words, seedbed, when used literally, refers to a bed of soil in which seedlings are grown. When used metaphorically, it can refer to any place of development. Example: That university I attended became a seedbed of Silicon Valley entrepreneurs. There were so many great minds developed there that it came to be known as Billionaire U.

Oct 10, 2021

Canaille is a noun that refers to the common people or the masses.

The Italian word canaglia (ca NAHL ya) was originally interpreted as ‘a pack of dogs.’ After being imported into English, it came to refer to a lowly group of people, or the masses. Example: Arthur always prided himself on his upscale taste in music. He didn’t care for the wild dance music of the canaille. He regarded anything fun as something lowly for the masses.

Oct 9, 2021

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Oct 8, 2021

Maladaptive is an adjective that means not conducive to adaptation.

The root word of the our word of the day is ‘adapt,’ from the Latin word aptus,(AP toos) which means ‘to fit.’ The Latin prefix M-A-L means ‘bad’ or ‘badly’ as in malnourished or malpractice. In the case of maladaptive, it means not providing appropriate adjustment to the environment.

Our cat Tabby had a temperament that was maladaptive for those long camping trips. She was an indoor cat and she simply couldn’t adjust to the wilderness.

Oct 7, 2021

Parvenu is a noun that refers to an unknown person who has become rich and famous.

The Latin word pervenire (per ven EAR ay) means ‘to reach.’ Entering the language in the early 19th century, the word has come to mean someone of obscure origin who has gained wealth or influence. The word is often used in a derogatory manner.

My dad doesn’t do much on social media because he has no desire to become this year’s parvenu. Using the media for instant fame has never held any interest for him.

Oct 6, 2021

Fountainhead is a noun that refers to the origin of something.

After entering the English language in the 16th century, our word of the day came to refer to the original source of a river. More recently it’s come to be used metaphorically, as in: Chuck’s firing was the fountainhead of our movement. When we saw him being unfairly dismissed, we realized something had to be done.

Oct 5, 2021

Numismatic is an adjective that means monetary or related to currency.

The Greek word nomisma (NO meese ma) means ‘coin.’ Our word of the day describes any kind of currency or medals or it may describe currency in general. For example:

As much as I enjoyed getting a free chicken for my labor while working in a Guatemalan village, I was hoping my payment would be numismatic. A chicken may be great, but you can’t use it in a grocery store the same way you can use fifty dollars.

Oct 4, 2021

Bellwether is a noun that refers to an indicator or predictor of something.

Coming from Middle English, our word of the day began as a term for a sheep that lead the flock. More recently it’s used to refer to something that predicts a trend or new direction.

Example: I hope my son’s funky mustache isn’t a bellwether of trends in facial hair. As someone who survived the 70s, I wouldn’t like to see any of those mustaches came back into fashion.

Oct 3, 2021

Ne plus ultra is a noun that refers to the highest point attainable.

Our word of the day comes directly from a Latin phrase that translates to ‘not further beyond.’ It basically indicates the ultimate or best of something. Example:

Ralph began his music career as a mediocre guitarist, but after years of hard work and study, he became the ne plus ultra of rock guitarists.

Oct 2, 2021

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Oct 1, 2021

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Sep 30, 2021

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Sep 29, 2021

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Sep 28, 2021

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Sep 27, 2021

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Sep 26, 2021

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Sep 25, 2021

Pettifog is a verb that means to argue over minor points.

Our word of the day comes from two early English words: petty, meaning ‘tiny and unimportant’ and fog, derived from ‘fogger’ a word that referred to a ‘cheater.’ Over time, pettifog simply came to mean ‘to quibble’ over insignificant details.

The city council had a lot of work to do, so it was frustrating to see them pettifog over the upcoming bill’s details. Bickering over minor stuff is the best way to make sure nothing gets done.

Sep 24, 2021

Fantod is a noun that refers to an attack of nervousness.

The origin of our word of the day is unclear, but it entered English around the mid 19th century and was often used by Literary giants like Mark Twain and Charles Dickens to refer to a case of the nerves. A synonym of ‘the heebie-jeebies,’ our word of the day is also usually used in the plural. Here’s an example:

Public speaking has always been a big problem for me. Every time I give a speech, I get a severe case of the fantods. Sometimes I wonder why I chose a career as a lecturer when speaking in public gives me the heebie-jeebies.

Sep 23, 2021

Vade mecum is a noun that refers to something regularly carried by a person.

Coming directly from a Latin phrase that translates to ‘come with me,’ our word of the day, after entering English in the early 17th century, came to refer to anything typically carried by a person. It sometimes refers more specifically to a handbook to be constantly kept around. For example:

When travelling through Italy, I found an English to Italian dictionary invaluable. I always kept it nearby for those occasions where I didn’t want to eat food too spicy.

Sep 22, 2021

Tootle is a verb that means to travel in a leisurely way. It can also be used as a noun that refers to a leisurely journey.

The origin of our word of the day isn’t clear, but we know it entered the English language around the early 19th century. Here’s an example of Tootle as a verb and a noun:

We’d love to tootle up and down the west coast next summer, but our schedule won’t allow it. We may have to settle for a quick tootle through downtown San Diego.

Sep 21, 2021

Umami is a noun that refers to a delicious meaty taste. Umami is also an adjective that means ‘meaty in taste.’

The Japanese word umami (ooh mah ME) simply means ‘tasty,’ but when imported into English it has a more specific meaning. It refers to foods that have a rich ‘meaty’ taste, something we often find in cheeses, soy, tomatoes, and of course, meat itself. Here’s an example of umami in use:

The addition of tomatoes to the stew really brought out the umami of it. I loved it, but my vegan friends, on the other hand, would have preferred something a little less ‘meaty’ tasting.

Sep 20, 2021

Lese majesty is a noun that refers to an attack on a custom or tradition.

The Latin phrase leasa majestas (la AYS uh ma JACE dus) translates to ‘injured majesty.’ After being imported into French, it took a new meaning, and became a reference to any attack on conventional behaviour.

The lese majesty back in my old high school was for people to wear their pants backwards. I don’t know if it succeeded in injuring the majesty, but it sure made trips to the bathroom a lot longer.

Sep 19, 2021

Corollary is a noun that refers to something that follows naturally.

The Latin word corolla (co ROLL uh) refers to a ‘gratuity’ or ‘bonus’ given to people. You could think of a corollary as a bonus observation.

For example: As a college professor, I often find it helpful to offer a corollary to my statements to drive the point home. Sometimes a bonus thought can make the abstract more concrete.

Sep 18, 2021

Abseil is a verb that means to lower with a rope.

Our word of the day comes from the German word abseilen (ob SILE en) which means ‘to descend by a rope.’ Its English equivalent, Abseil, has retained the same meaning. The word is often used when describing coming down a mountain or a building. For example:

When scaling Mount. Columbia became too much of a challenge, we had to abseil roughly halfway down. Sometimes descending on rope is the smartest thing to do.

Sep 17, 2021

Conlang is a noun that refers to an artificially created language.

Our word of the day came around in the 1990s. It is short for ‘constructed language.’ The conlang of Klingon from the TV show Star Trek may be the best example of a conlang. It originated on the show itself and continued by fans.

When we were kids, my sister and I tried to create a conlang of our own, but it didn’t get very far. In the end, we discovered the world was just fine with the already existing language and wasn’t hungry for a new one.

Sep 16, 2021

Recreant is an adjective that means cowardly or unfaithful to duty. The word can also be used as a noun that refers to a coward.

The Latin word ‘recredere’ means ‘to surrender.’ A recreant is someone eager to surrender.

In difficult times, being a recreant is not what the world needs. A truly courageous person accepts the challenge of trying times.

Sep 15, 2021

Organon is a noun that refers to an instrument for acquiring knowledge.

Our word of the day comes directly from Greek. Organon was the title of a philosophical work by Ancient philosopher Aristotle. The word is mainly derived from the word ‘organ.,’ as in an ‘instrument’ or ‘device.’

Phil’s big turning point as a thinker was when he learned to use his computer as more than a device for entertainment, but as an organon, something that helped him learn more about the world around him.

Sep 14, 2021

Popinjay is a noun that refers to a vain or supercilious person.

Our word of the day comes indirectly from the Arabic word ‘babbagha’ (bob BOB ah) a disparaging term for a parrot or flamboyant person. A popinjay is often a person who dresses and behaves with great extravagance.

Being the popinjay that he was, Peter entered the building in a loud, flamboyant manner. His purple feathered boa attracted everyone’s attention. Sadly, his six-inch high heels attracted his doctor’s attention when he fell and sprained his ankle.

Sep 13, 2021

Hermitage is a noun that refers to a secluded hideaway.

The word ‘hermit,’ meaning ‘a person living in solitude,’ comes from Middle English. Our word of the day may refer to the dwelling of a hermit or it can refer to any remote, hidden location.

After finding a hermitage in the woods, the band was able to record their second album without endless distractions from fans and media. Sometimes a little solitude can be helpful.

Sep 12, 2021

Appellative is a noun that refers to a descriptive name or designation. It can also be used as an adjective that means relating to or denoting the giving of a name.

The Latin word appellare (ah pel LAR ay) means ‘to address.’ This is the origin of our word of the day. An appellative can be used formally or informally, meaning words like ‘Doctor’ or ‘professor’ can be appellatives, but so can words like ‘shorty’ or ‘blondie.’

It took a while to know which appellative was appropriate to address my boss, Pastor Harris. He was an ordained minister, but also a college professor and a Ph.D. But after getting to know him, his easy-going personality made it impossible to call him anything other than ‘Fred.’

Sep 11, 2021

Egress is a noun that refers to an exit or place to leave.

Our word of the day comes almost directly from the Latin word egressus (eh GRESS oos) meaning ‘gone out.’ Egress is mostly used as a noun, but it can also be a verb meaning ‘to leave.’

Here’s an example of it as a noun: The scariest thing about the haunted house is how difficult it is to find the egress. Theres is something about being trapped somewhere without being able to exit that makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up.

Sep 10, 2021

Infinitesimal is an adjective that means immeasurably small. It is also a noun that refers to a very small amount.

The root word of infinitesimal is ‘infinite,’ which means ‘not finite,’ or ‘not having limits.’ ‘Finite’ comes from the Latin word ‘finitus,’ (FEE knee toos) meaning ‘finished.’ When something is called infinitesimal, it is infinitely small or so small it cannot be measured.

I played on a championship softball team for two years, but I get the feeling my contribution to the team was infinitesimal. Without me, they may have scored a few less runs, but that’s about it.

Sep 9, 2021

Avidity is a noun that refers to eagerness.

Our word of the day is derived from the adjective avid, which comes from the Latin word avere (ah VAIR ay) meaning ‘’crave.’ Avidity is simply the noun that describes the craving or enthusiasm for something.

I didn’t know how skilled Charlie would be on the job, but I knew his avidity was a good sign. The fact that he was so eager to get started probably meant he’d be a good employee.

Sep 8, 2021

Granular is an adjective that means finely detailed.

Our word of the day comes from the Latin word granum (GRAHN oom) which means ‘grain.’ When we analyze the grains of something, we are inspecting all the details. So a granular report means a highly detailed one.

Here’s an example of granular in use: The initial information given to me wasn’t detailed and specific enough to be helpful. It wasn’t until I was given the granular data that I could make sense of it.

Sep 7, 2021

Punditocracy is a noun that refers to an elite or influential group of political commentators.

The word pundit comes from the Hindi word pandit (PON dit) which means ‘scholar.’ After being imported into the English language, the word has taken on a less formal meaning. A pundit may refer to an expert or simply someone who plays one on TV. The punditocracy refers to the collective wisdom of these pundits.

When the punditocracy predicted I would lose the election by a landslide, I was distraught. When asked what I would do if elected, I said, ‘demand a recount.’

Sep 6, 2021

Wiredraw is a verb that means to stretch or draw out forcibly.

Our word of the day originally came about as a reference to a process done to steel. It later came to refer to drawing something out excessively.

My old philosophy professor could wiredraw an idea out forever. He could often take a half-hour lesson and stretch it into six weeks of classes.

Sep 5, 2021

Manque is an adjective that means having failed at what one might have been.

Coming directly from the French word for ‘to lack,’ our word of the day is used to indicate an unfulfilled potential. Keep in mind, by the way, that when used, Manque is placed after the word it modifies — not before. Here’s an example:

My daughter can be downright militant when it comes to reporting people who don’t recycle as they should. By the time she graduated from college and got into the fashion industry, I had come to think of her as a police officer manque.

Sep 4, 2021

Hew is a verb that means to conform or adhere to.

Derived from the Latin word cudere (coo DARE ay) which means ‘to beat,’ our word of the day was originally used to mean ‘chop’ or ‘cut.’ By the 18th century, the phrase ‘hew the line’ had gained popularity. It referred to cutting a line along a log until it became squared. With this phrase, hew took on a new meaning. Today it is more commonly used to means ‘conform or adhere to.’

With Debra’s help, I was able to hew to the standards of the job. She taught me exactly how to conform to the rules that were expected of me.

Sep 3, 2021

Diglossic is an adjective that means tending to speak in different dialects in different settings.

The Greek prefix D-I means ‘two,’ while glossa (GLOW sah) means ‘language.’ But diglossic doesn’t strictly mean bilingual or ‘having two languages.’ Instead it means ‘having two versions of the same language.’ More specifically, it refers to having a tendency to use one version of a language in some contexts and another in different contexts.

Growing up with parents who spoke a ‘low’ version of Arabic at home while having a boss who spoke ‘high’ Arabic meant that Mahmoud had to become diglossic in his approach to language.

Sep 2, 2021

Asseverate is a verb that means to declare earnestly or solemnly.

Asseverare (ah SAY ver are ay) is a Latin word that means ‘assert’ or ‘declare.’ Our word of the day could be thought of simply as a synonym of ‘stated’ or ‘said,’ but asseverate is a more formal term than that. It is often used in legal or governmental contexts. For example:

The government officials will hold a press conference this afternoon. They are expected to asseverate a sincere effort to find those responsible for the bribery. About two years ago, they made the very same solemn declaration.

Sep 1, 2021

Volte-face is a noun that refers to a reversal of opinion or position.

Our word of the day comes directly from the French words ‘turn of face.’

The Governor’s volte-face on the issue was shocking to his long-term supporters. They’d never before seen him reverse field on a position he seemed to hold so firmly.

Aug 31, 2021

Perfidious is an adjective that means deceitful and untrustworthy.

Our word of the day is derived from the Latin word perfidia (pair FEE dee uh) meaning ‘treachery.’ By the late 16th century, the word had found its way into the English language as ‘perfidy.’ Perfidious is the adjective version of it.

There is no room for perfidious behavior on this team. If we don’t have trust in our teammates, there is no way we can come together and win!

Aug 30, 2021

Delphic is an adjective that means obscure or ambiguous.

The Delphi in Greece was the site of a temple of Apollo. An oracle, or fortune teller, resided there. Her prophecies were often ambiguous and difficult to interpret. Today when we use the term Delphic to describe someone or something we’re not suggesting they have prophetic powers, but rather, that they are unclear or muddy.

Working with Tammy has been great, but I often wish she would be more direct and clear in her instructions. Last week’s orders were downright Delphic. We weren’t sure if she wanted us to deliver eight bottles of root beer or drink them.

Aug 29, 2021

Vestige is a noun that refers to a remaining trace of something that has disappeared.

Our word of the day comes from the Latin word vestigum (ves TEE gum) which means ‘footprint’ or ‘trace.’ The word can be used in a wide range of contexts in science, biology and history to refer to elements of the past that remain although they are no longer needed. But vestige can also be used in more casual contexts.

For example: I don’t understand why Erica always checks the price tags of everything I buy and bring home. It may be a vestige of her early life of growing up poor and having to worry about spending too much money.

Aug 28, 2021

Recriminate is a verb that means to accuse someone who has made an accusation against you.

The Latin word criminare (crim in ARE ay) means ‘accuse.’ Our word of the day gets its origin with the addition of the prefix R-E, meaning ‘opposition.’ So to recriminate someone is to make a counteraccusation against your accuser.

When the mayor was alleged to have embezzled funds from his office, he made the odd decision to recriminate those who accused him. But in the end, he was simply confirming that others were involved in the embezzlement with him.

Aug 27, 2021

Watershed is a noun that refers to a turning point.

In a literal sense, a watershed refers to a an area of land that separates waters flowing to different rivers, basins or seas. When used figuratively, it means a turning point that sent different ideas to different areas.

There are times when a classic movie can become a watershed. It can introduce the film world to many talented people who later go on to create great works of their own.

Aug 26, 2021

Tropism is a noun that refers to a tendency to respond to a stimuli.

The Greek word tropos (TRO pose) means ‘to turn.’ Our word of the day is frequently used to describe plants and other organisms, but may also refer to tendency of people to lean toward the familiar. For example:

Great movies about deep, intellectual topics are hard to come by. The tropism among moviegoers is toward mindless action movies. This could change in the future, but I suspect it won’t.

Aug 25, 2021

Vaporous is an adjective that means vague or lacking substance.

The root word of the vaporous is vapor, which comes from the Latin word ‘vaporum’ (va POOR um) meaning ‘warm steam’ or ‘heat.’ Vapor can also refer to something ‘unsubstantial or vague.’

Here’s an example of vaporous:

As a college professor, it’s always easy to tell when an essay is written by a student who doesn’t understand their subject. These essays tend to be vaporous and imprecise, while

Aug 24, 2021

Yahoo is a noun that refers to a noisy or violent person.

The word yahoo was invented by novelist Jonathan Swift in 1726 satirical work Gulliver’s Travels. A ‘yahoo’ was a term that described a made-up race of unintelligent, violent brutes. The word later came to refer to a crass or stupid person.

It pains me to say this, but when I first met Earl, he struck me as something as a yahoo. He didn’t seem very smart or sophisticated in his overalls and Nascar t-shirt, but when I got to know him, I realized that looks could be deceiving.

Aug 23, 2021

Perfervid is an adjective that means intense and impassioned.

Our word of the day comes from the Latin word fervidus (FAIR vay doose) which means ‘fiery’ and ‘hot.’ The prefix P-E-R simply means ‘utterly’ or ‘completely.’ Here’s an example of our word of the day in action:

Randy’s perfervid sense of team spirit was helpful on some occasions because it energized us into playing harder. But at other times, it was harmful because it caused us to get into way too many brawls.

Aug 22, 2021

Zonk is a verb that means to stun or stupefy.

Our word of the day seems to have no origin except that its basis is imitative, meaning the sound of the word imitates what comes to mind when people imagine it in action. To zonk means to take forceful, sudden action. A person can be zonked by another person or by a thought, for example:

After weeks for trying to figure out clues to the murder, I didn’t expect the answer to zonk me when I looked at the Bishop’s testimony. But after reading it through, it knocked me out right away.

Aug 21, 2021

Remiss is an adjective that means neglectful of duty.

The Latin word remissus (ray MEESE ooose) means ‘slack’ or ‘careless.’ Our word of the day has retained this meaning. A remiss worker is one who is careless.

Here’s an example: The suspect, Mr. Weiss was able to slip inside because the security guard was remiss in his duties. Had the guard been wide awake, it would have been impossible for Mr. Weiss and his eight friends to walk right past him.

Aug 20, 2021

Encumber is a verb that means to burden or weigh down.

The French word Combre (comb) refers to ‘a river barrage formed by felled trees.’ This word came to refer to things that hold something back or weigh it down. It is also the basis for the word ‘cumbersome.’

Andy hoped the barbecue pit wouldn’t encumber the group on their camping trip. Sure it was heavy, but how can you have a camping trip without barbecued buffalo wings?

Aug 19, 2021

Recompense is a verb that means to compensate or make amends. It can also be used as a noun that refers to the compensation or reward given for past harm.

The Latin word recompensare (ray com pen SAR ay) means ‘compensation.’ As the word migrated into the English language, its basic meaning has remained the same.

Here’s an example of recompense as a verb: I was so deeply upset about the time I wasted waiting in line for the movie that I demanded they recompense me. But after seeing the wonderful movie itself, I changed my mind. All was forgiven as soon as the credits rolled.

Aug 18, 2021

Rarefied is an adjective that means of high class or caliber.

The Latin word rarus (RAHR oos) means ‘thin’ or ‘rare.’ When something is rarefied it is made more rare and more valuable. For example: These rarefied antiques are worth much more than they appear to. That tea kettle you’re looking at is worth at least a million dollars.

Aug 17, 2021

Raiment is a noun that refers to clothing of the finest quality.

Our word of the day originated in Middle English and usually refers to ornate or luxurious clothing. For example: The raiment wore at the ball was truly breathtaking. I hadn’t seen clothes that extravagant since my last visit to a museum.

Aug 16, 2021

Peccable is an adjective that means capable of sin.

The Latin word peccare (peck CAR ay) means ‘to sin.’ Our word of the day simply means ‘capable of sin.’ You may be familiar with the similar word ‘impeccable,’ which means faultless.

At first, I thought Angela was perfect in every way, incapable of any misdeeds. But soon after become her personal assistant, I discovered she was quite peccable.

Aug 15, 2021

Quaff is a verb that means to drink with gusto.

The origin of our word of the day is unknown, but we can say that it entered the English language in the early 16th century, probably as an imitation of the sound made by a person drinking.

I was so thirsty after the race that I had to quaff a water bottle in about two seconds. That was probably the most enthusiastically I’d ever drank anything since college.

Aug 14, 2021

Popple is a verb that means to flow in a tumbling or rippling way.

Derived from Middle English, popple can also be used as a noun that refers to a rolling or ripping of water. But it’s mostly used to describe water in the act os splashing or trickling.

For example: Growing up on the beach, I had gotten accustomed to waking up with the sound of the waves as they would popple onto shore. That splashing sound is something I’ve come to identify with my childhood.

Aug 13, 2021

Yare is an adjective that means ready or set for action.

Coming from Old English, our word of the day was originally a term used to describe a ship that was easily manageable. Over time, it became more commonly used in everyday life. For example: The fans may have been yare, but the team was sluggish and unprepared. And unfortunately, the fans weren’t the ones on the field facing the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Aug 12, 2021

Roister is a verb that means to engage in boisterous revelry.

The Latin word rusticus (ROOS tea coos) meaning ‘rustic’ or ‘rural.’ In time, the word’s meaning shifted and roister became a verb that described the act of celebrating in a loud and boisterous way.

I can still remember all the noise and ruckus outside when the Cubs won the world series. I could hear rowdy fans roister well into the night.

Aug 11, 2021

Prima facie is an adjective that means based on the first impression. It can also be used as an adverb that means ‘on the first impression.’

Our word of the day comes directly from a Latin phrase that translates to ‘first face,’ meaning the appearance you first see.

I know that prima facie, our team doesn’t look very good, but trust me: we’re a lot more athletic and less hard working than we appear to be in practice.

Aug 10, 2021

Objurgate is a verb that means to harshly criticize.

The Latin word objugare (obe joo GARE ay) means ‘abuse’ or ‘rebuke.’ This word was imported into English in the early 17th century and has maintained the same basic meaning.

I often find myself in a position where I have to objurgate my students for their work habits. Harsh criticism, although not everybody’s favorite method, works very well.

Aug 9, 2021

Mononym is a noun that refers to a first name without a surname.

The Prefix M-O-N-O comes from Greek and means ‘alone’ or ‘singular.’ When combined with the Greek word onyma (OH nee ma) the result is our word of the day which refers to a single name. A mononym may be a moniker given to someone who has last name or it may be a historical figure known only by a single name. For example:

Aug 8, 2021

Nouveau riche is an adjective that means a rich person who has recently acquired their wealth as opposed to having inherited it.

Our word of the day comes directly from a French phrase that translates to ‘new rich.’ The word is frequently used in the plural to describe a class of people who have only recently come into money.

I find all the nouveau rich very charming in their own way. Sure they don’t have the refinement of those of us who came into our money the old fashioned way, but that only makes them all the more refreshing.

Aug 7, 2021

Nostrum is a noun that refers to a quick fix.

The latin word noster (KNOW ster) means ‘our.’ Nostrum, which evolved from this word is used in the sense of ‘something of our own making.’ In medicine the word is used in reference to a homemade treatment, often something done in an emergency.

Nostrum can also be used outside of a medical context. For example: This last minute haircut was just a nostrum. I couldn’t get to the barber before my date, so I had no choice but to chop off my hair with a pair of garden sheers.

Aug 6, 2021

Vinculum is a noun that refers to a unifying bond.

The Latin word vincire (vin CHEER ay) means ‘bind.’ This word later evolved into our word of the day and is today frequently used in anatomy and math to refer to various kinds of chemical and mathematical bonds.

The word can also be used in a casual context. For example: After watching all those old westerns together, my father and I have formed a viculum that can never be broken. Now all we need is a few horses and posse and we’ll be joined at the hip forever.

Aug 5, 2021

Nitid is an adjective that means bright and lustrous.

Our word of the day comes from the Latin word nitidus (KNEE tea deuce) which has also birthed the word ‘neat.’ But between the two words, nitid is the more glamorous.

Angie had the most nitid eyes I had ever seen. She found it odd that I wanted to use her to find my keys under the couch, but I figured I may has well put such bright eyes to use.

Aug 4, 2021

Mentation is a noun that refers to mental activity.

Mens (MENS) is the Latin word for minds. It has given English such related words as ‘mental,’ ‘mentality,’ and our word of the day, mentation which may refer to any kind of behavior performed by the brain.

Discovering who ate the cookies didn’t require any mentation on my part. I only had to trace the crumbs to Oscar’s food dish. The only calculations needed involved finding out how he did it without anyone seeing him.

Aug 3, 2021

Conge is a noun that refers to an unceremonious dismissal.

Coming originally from the Latin word commeatus (comb may OT toos) which means ‘go and come,’ our word of the day was later imported into French and is now used to refer to a dismissal of some kind. It can be used formally or casually. An example of its casual use: Gloria was willing to endure all of my personal quirks up to a point. But when I revealed I was more of a Star Trek fan than Star Wars fan, it was time for her give me my conge.

Aug 2, 2021

Noxious is an adjective that means dangerous.

The Latin word noxa (NOKES ah) means ‘harm.’ This word has evolved into a number of English words like ‘obnoxious,’ and ‘nausea’ that refer to some form of harm. Noxious usually describes something poisonous or very unpleasant — often something of a moral nature.

For example: All those noxious ideas from my campaign manager probably caused me to lose the election. There’s no quicker way to sink in the poles than to engage in behavior that your constituency finds offensive.

Aug 1, 2021

Nimbus is a noun that refers to a luminous cloud surrounding something.

The Latin word nimbus (NEEM boose) means ‘rainstorm,’ and, from this origin, our word of the day came to refer to a cloud or halo surrounding something or someone. Although often used in reference to supernatural beings, it can also be used more literally to simply refer to a large, gray rain cloud. Example:

The nimbus on the road up ahead suggests suggests our softball game is going to be cancelled today. That would be third game this year called off due to a pesky rain storm.

Jul 31, 2021

Devi is a noun that refers to a Goddess and it is sometimes used as a title.

Our word of the day comes from Sanskrit and is frequently used in Hundu culture. It refers to the supreme goddess and it is also used after the first name of a Hindu woman as a form of respect. For example: We enjoyed dinner at the Dange home. Deval Devi served us a delicious meal.

Jul 30, 2021

Laggard is an adjective that means the tendency to lag behind. It’s also a noun that refers to someone one lags behind.

The exact origin of our word of the day is unclear, but we know the word ‘lag’ entered the English language somewhere around the early 16th century. To lag means to fall behind in movement or progress, so as a noun, a laggard is someone who is in the habit of falling behind. As an adjective it describes this act. Here’s an example of it as a noun:

It often takes forever to walk through the mall with Andy because he can be such a laggard. Waiting for him to catch up to us can take hours.

Jul 29, 2021

Picayune is an adjective that means petty or meaningless and a noun that refers to an insignificant person or thing.

Our word of the day comes directly from French, where it refers to a 19th century copper coin. Because this coin had a fairly small value, the word picayune came to refer to something or someone who didn’t mean much. For example: I thought I was the star of our band, but didn’t realize how much of a picayune I was until we got on stage. The lead singer became the focal point and and in their eyes, I was pretty meaningless.

Jul 28, 2021

Squee is a noun that means a delighted squeal and a verb that means to squeal.

The origin of squee is unclear, but, as a noun it refers to a cry of delight. Here’s an example of squee used as a verb where it means ‘to squeal.”

I was so happy when the Steelers won the Super bowl, people could hear me squee with joy from blocks away. That’s the kind of unfettered delight that comes from a true fan.

Jul 27, 2021

Erumpent is an adjective that means bursting forth.

Our word of the day comes from the Latin erumpen (air ROOM pen) which means ‘erupting.’ It’s mainly used to describe plants or some other form of vegetation that are growing from the ground. But it can also be used figuratively, for example: At that time in New York, it seemed a brand new culture was erumpent. And as this new style of music burst forth, it created a bold new scene.

Jul 26, 2021

Felicitate is a verb that means to congratulate.

The Latin word Felix (FAY licks) means ‘happy,’ and it gave birth to our word of the day which is mainly used as a synonym of the verb congratulate.

Peter and I may have had our differences over the years, but I nonetheless felt compelled to congratulate him at the black belt ceremony. I felt that the least I could for all his achievements was felicitate him.

Jul 25, 2021

Jejune is an adjective that means naive or simplistic.

Our word of the day comes from the Latin word jejunus (jay JOO noose) which means ‘without food.’ From this, the word later came to refer to opinions or thoughts that were ‘without intellectual nourishment.’ Here’s an example: Being a college junior with a love of philosophy can lend itself to lots of jejune opinions. But then again, most people at that age don’t have much intellectual depth to their ideas anyway.

Jul 24, 2021

Scunner is a noun that refers to a strong dislike.

The exact origin of scunner is unknown but we can trace it back to Late Middle English when it was first used to mean ‘shrink back with fear.’ More recently it refers an extreme aversion or dislike.

Chris’ scunner of Spaghetti, linguini and garlic bread made no sense to me. After all, why own and operate an Italian restaurant if you hate Italian food?

Jul 23, 2021

Flexuous is an adjective that means full of bends and curves.

Our word of the day comes from the Latin flexus (FLECK soos) which means ‘bended.’ Flexuous came to English around the early 17th century and holds the same basic meaning.

The flexuous road ahead made me a little uneasy. Lots of curves and twists can be dangerous when several thousands of feet up.

Jul 22, 2021

Adventitious is an adjective that means happening by chance not design.

The Latin word adventicius (odd VENT tee toose) means ‘coming to us from abroad.’ Our word of the day can maintain this definition or it means ‘coming from chance, not design.’ Here’s an example of the latter:

Our team’s victory was glorious, but in the end seemed adventitious. Luck was the only way to explain how we defeated last year’s champs.

Jul 21, 2021

Bunyip is a noun that refers to a counterfeit or imposter. It’s also an adjective that means phony.

Our word of the day comes directly from an Australian aborigine language and refers to a mythical monster. By the mid-19th century, it had come to be used to describe things that are imposters or pretenders.

Here’s an example of bunyip in a sentence: I was delighted to see I’d gotten my hands on an authentic penny from 1890. But when I looked closer and realized the face on it belonged to Bill Clinton, I discovered it was a bunyip.

Jul 20, 2021

Clamant is an adjective that means forcing itself on the attention.

Our word of the day is derived from the Latin word clamare (kla MAR ay) which means ‘cry out or shout.’ Clamant is used to describe something that cries out for our attention. Example: when trapped in the wilderness, it’s always important to tend to your clamant needs first. So when the need for food cries out to you, it’s time to head to the tent for some trail mix.

Jul 19, 2021

Brummagem is an adjective that means cheap or counterfeit.

In the 17th century, Birmingham, England was notorious for a proliferation of counterfeit coins. Soon the phrase ‘Birmingham coin’ came to refer to such imitation currency. Our word of the day came about when the city’s name was filtered through a dialect and altered. It now refers to anything counterfeit — whether related to coins or not.

In the days before MP3s, we often got fooled by purchasing brummagem albums. You could tell they weren’t authentic because they lacked the sound quality of the originals.

Jul 18, 2021

Impalpable is an adjective that means not easily understood.

Our word of the day comes from the Latin word palpare (pal PAR ay) which means ‘to feel.’ When something is described as palpable, it is something that can be felt. But an impalpable object or idea cannot be felt or grasped cerebrally.

The movie struck me as impalpable. I suspect it was trying to make a meaningful statement regarding the moral corruptness of late capitalism in the mustache wax industry, but beyond that, I couldn’t understand it at all.

Jul 17, 2021

Gamesome is an adjective that means playful and happy.

Our word of the day combines the word ‘game’ a word of Old English origin with the suffix S-O-M-E, which usually means ‘characterized by being.’ So a tiresome person is characterized by being tired. Similarly, a gamesome person is characterized by being eager and willing.

For example: Charlotte didn’t seem like herself today. She is usually in a gamesome mood, but today she seems morose and moody.

Jul 16, 2021

Cannonade is a noun that refers to a continuous bombardment or effort.

Our word of the day is derived from the word cannon, a large, heavy piece of artillery. Cannon has its origin in Italian and once it evolved into cannonade, it came to refer to a period of continuous gunfire.

But cannonade can also be used metaphorically to refer to any kind of attack — even a verbal one. For example: After he was laid off, Andy delivered an angry cannonade to the company’s management. This stunned me. Before this, I’d never seen Andy make any such verbal attack on anyone.

Jul 15, 2021

Breviary is a noun that refers to a brief summary.

The Latin word brevis (BRE vis) means ‘short’ or ‘brief.’ Our word of the day was initially used by the Catholic Church to describe a book containing the service for each day. In time, it has come to refer to any brief summary.

I wasn’t able to attend the monthly meeting for our parking lot attendants, but based on the breviary I saw, I didn’t miss much. According to a brief summary, most of the conversation revolved around what color gloves were most popular in the profession.

Jul 14, 2021

Bildungsroman is a noun that refers to a coming of age novel.

Our word of the day comes from two German words. Bildung (BILL dung) means ‘education,’ and roman (ROE mahn) refers to ‘a novel.’ A Bildungrsoman is a term used to describe a novel that features a younger character who is educated about the ways of life.

My favorite bildungsroman is ‘To Kill a Mockingbird.’ Experiencing life through the eyes of a young girls as she comes of age in the South is a truly breathtaking experience.

Jul 13, 2021

Discommode is a verb that means to inconvenience.

The Latin word commodus (COMB oh deuce) means ‘suitable’ or ‘convenient.’ The word accommodate is also derived from commodus and is often used to mean ‘make someone or something more comfortable.’ Our word of the day can be used to describe making someone less comfortable.

For example: When I called Shelly up at three am, I was hoping I didn’t discommode her at all, but I was faced with an emergency at the plant. Ordinarily I would never inconvenience someone at home over work-related matters.

Jul 12, 2021

Benignity is a noun that refers to kindness or tolerance toward others.

The Latin word bene (BAY nay) means ‘good’ or ‘well’ and is the ancestor of such English words as benefactor, beneficial and benefit. Benignity first became a product of Middle English, where it referred to a single act of kindness. More recently, it refers to kindness or acceptance in general. For example:

My parents always stressed the importance of benignity. The need to treat others with basic human kindness becomes all the more important in a world that gets smaller and smaller.

Jul 11, 2021

Meliorism is a noun that refers to the belief that the world tends to improve.

Our word of the day is believed to have been been first coined by 19th century novelist George Elliot. It is derived from the Latin word melior (MAY lee or) which means ‘better,’ and is a distant relative to words like ‘ameliorate.’

Connie’s constant meliorism can become grating after a while. Don’t get me wrong, I tend to be an optimist and a believer in the human spirit, but her belief that the world tends to improve is just plain naive.

Jul 10, 2021

Asunder is an adjective that means divided or apart.

Coming from the Old English word ‘sunder,’ which means ‘to break apart,’ our word of the day is often, but not exclusively, used in literary contexts. For example: Our nation will soon be torn asunder if we cannot find the will to unite. None of us who want to live in a divided nation

Jul 9, 2021

Esculent is an adjective that means fit to be eaten.

Our word of the day has evolved from the Latin word esca (ACE cuh) which means ‘food.’ It is a synonym of edible, and may describe anything that may be eaten.

After eight hours of toiling away at the cattle ranch, I was hungry enough to ingest anything that could have been eaten. If you had convinced me that the living room sofa was esculent, I would have gobbled it up immediately.

Jul 8, 2021

Welter is a noun that refers to a jumble or a confused mess.

Coming from Middle English, our word of the day can be used a couple of ways. In addition to its main definition of a large supply of objects, it may also refer to a general state of disorder. Here’s an example of the later:

Once the donuts were gone, the meeting had become a welter. I’d never before seen things get that ugly, but I suppose this is what happens when people get hungry.

Jul 7, 2021

Kvell is a verb that means to be happy and proud.

Our word of the day comes almost directly from Yiddish and is mostly used in informal contexts. Example: Brad isn’t a man typically given to expressing his joy. So it was deeply amusing to see him unabashedly kvell when his daughter graduated with honors.

Jul 6, 2021

Philippic is a noun that refers to a bitter attack or denunciation.

Our word of the day has its origin in ancient Greece, namely when a Greek orator made a series of fiery speeches against Philip the second of Macedon. Centuries later, the word Philippic entered the English language as reference to any passionate tirade.

Sandy’s philippic against management caught everyone at the office off guard. Nobody knew she had such rage and bitterness in her.

Jul 5, 2021

Plethoric is an adjective that means inflated or overfull.

Coming almost directly from a Greek word that means ‘fullness,’ plethora is a noun that refers to ‘a large or excessive amount of something.’ Our word of the day is the adjective variation, used to describe things that are excessively filled.

Example: At first I was excited by the plethoric supply of Snickers bars we took with us on our hike. But after lugging those overfull backpacks around for two hours, I felt we had way too much.

Jul 4, 2021

Adulatory is an adjective that means excessive praising or admiring.

The Latin word adulari (ad you LARE ay) means ‘fawning’ or ‘flattering.’ To adulate is to praise someone excessively. Our word of the day is the adjective variation. An example of its use is: I understand the need to make our supervisor feel comfortable, but Tanya’s adulatory tone simply embarrassed me. She made it seem as though her boss was incapable of doing any wrong.

Jul 3, 2021

Jabberwocky is a noun that refers to meaningless language.

A poem by Lewis Carroll called Through the Looking Glass gave birth to our word of the day in 1871. This whimsical poem referred to a frightful beast called a jabberwock. Since then, jabberwocky has been a permanent fixture in the English vernacular, often used to describe made-up, invented words that have no particular meaning — like jabberwocky.

Andrea was a skilled mayor in all areas except one. She lacked the ability to extricate herself from unpleasant questions by making up language. Had she been more talented at the art of jabberwocky she would have remained in office for life.

Jul 2, 2021

Susurration is a noun that refers to a soft murmur or whisper.

Our word of the day comes from the Latin word susurrare (soo soo RARE ay) which means ‘to murmur or hum.’ A susurration typically refers to a whisper or murmur coming from a person, but it can also come from other objects. For example: As night fell, a soft susurration rose from the weeds outside. It almost seems the night was calling my name.

Jul 1, 2021

Finagle is a verb that means to obtain something by devious means.

Our word of the day was birthed in the 1920s, possibly related to the word ‘fiddle.’ It is mostly used in informal contexts. For example: As a highly ambitious young man, Frank was determined to get what he wanted in life — ethically or otherwise. Whatever he couldn’t earn, he aimed to finagle.

Jun 30, 2021

Dermic is an adjective that means related to the skin.

The Greek word derma (DER muh) means ‘skin.’ It’s related to English words like dermatological. Our word of the day may describe anything related to skin. For example: this horrible weather has given my skin a leathery feel. I haven’t had this many dermic problems since high school.

Jun 29, 2021

Alimentation is a noun that refers to the provision of nourishment and other necessities of life.

The Latin word alimentare (all ee men TAR ay) means ‘to feed.’ Our word of the day may refer to food or it may refer to any other kind of vital nourishment.

In difficult times, I took great alimentation from the friendships I had developed. That kind of nourishment can’t be derived from any medicine in the world.

Jun 28, 2021

Pavlovian is an adjective that means having a conditioned or predictable response.

Our word of the day was named after an early 20th century physiologist who engaged with experiments of conditioning. His best known experiments involved training a dog to behave in a certain way upon hearing a ringing bell. When we describe something as pavlovian, we are describing it as being automatic and predictable.

Here’s an example of pavlovian in use: After many years of working at the car wash, Eric had a pavlovian response that involved picking up a rag and wiping something whenever he heard the song ‘Night Fever.’ It came from the endless repetition of that song at his place of employment.

Jun 27, 2021

Nival is an adjective that means related to or growing in snow.

The Latin word nivalis (knee VOLL ees) means ‘snow.’ Our word of the day may describe anything related to snow and it can also refer to something capable of living under snow.

For example: I was surprised by all the life thriving in those cold regions we explored. I wasn’t yet aware of the many nival plants and animals that inhabited the place.

Jun 26, 2021

Fettle is a noun that refers to condition or working order.

Coming from Old English, our word of the day is used to refer to the condition of a thing or a person. For example: Harvey was in fine fettle in the weeks prior to running his marathon. But he wasn’t in such great shape after an all night binge of ice cream and pizza the night before actually running the race. This explains his five and half hour finish time.

Jun 25, 2021

Soniferous is an adjective that means producing or conducting sound.

Our word of the day shares an origin with words like ‘sonic’ and ‘sonata.’ All of these words are derived from the Latin word ‘sonus’ (SO noose) which means ‘sound.’ Soniferous is a word that describes anything that can be produce a sound.

For example: When hiking in the woods, I was wary of any creature that sounded scary. But some of those snakes that surprised me weren’t soniferous, so they were able to catch me off-guard.

Jun 24, 2021

Tactility is a noun that refers to the capability of being felt or touched.

The Latin word Tactilis (tack TEEL ees) means ‘touch.’ From this word comes the English word tactile, an adjective that means ‘that which can perceived by touch.’ Our word of the day is a noun that refers to the ability to be felt or touched, for example: There is something about the tactility of a print book as opposed to an ebook that makes it a better reading experience for me. That fact that you can touch and feel its cover makes reading it more engaging.

Jun 23, 2021

Propitious is an adjective that means indicating a good chance of success.

The Latin word propitus (por PEE tea oose) means ‘favorable’ or ‘gracious.’ In recent centuries, it has drifted into English and maintained the same basic meaning.

For example: Our soccer team didn’t get off to a propitious start. When we lost the first four games by a combined total of twenty points, it didn’t seem we had a good chance of winning the championship.

Jun 22, 2021

Quondam is an adjective that means former.

Our word of the day comes directly from the Latin word for ‘formerly.’ It is used as a synonym of words like ‘erstwhile’ and ‘once.’

For example: The quondam band members were united in their envy of what the band had become after they had departed. This is to be expected when you leave a band right before they become famous.

Jun 21, 2021

Homeric is an adjective that means epic or large scale.

According to historians, Homer was a storyteller of Ancient Greece. His poems featured large scale stories of heroic behavior. Homeric is an adjective to describe tales of a similar nature.

My dad’s stories about his adventures walking home from school and encountering stray dogs had an almost Homeric quality to them. He even claimed to have been chased home by a German Sheppard that he swore had the ability to fly.

Jun 20, 2021

Wheel horse is a noun that refers to a hardworking or diligent person.

Our word of the day combines the English words ‘wheel’ and ‘horse.’ Its origin is from the practice of positioning the hardest working horse nearest the wheels of a horse-driven vehicle.

It didn’t take long for Stacy to become the wheel horse of the office. I guess that’s what happens when you’re always volunteering to do the most work.

Jun 19, 2021

Diaspora is a noun that refers to ‘people settled far from their ancestral homeland.’

The Greek prefix D-I-A means ‘across.’ When combined with the Greek word speirein (SPEAR een) meaning ‘scatter,’ you get our word of the day. The word initially referred to Jewish people living outside Israel, but more recently it came to refer to any cultural group of people in a similar situation.

Tanya was looking foreword to meeting others of Russian descent. Having lived her entire life in Japan, she hadn’t had much of an opportunity to connect with the diaspora.

Jun 18, 2021

Clavate is an adjective that means ‘club-shaped.’

The Latin word clava (KLAH vah) means ‘club.’ Often used to describe plants and animals, our word of the day describes anything that is club-shaped, meaning it is thicker at the top than at the base.

When spending time at the camp site, you should always avoid contact with those clavate plants seen by the river. Touching one of those club-shaped things would give you an itch that could last for months.

Jun 17, 2021

Emporium is a noun that refers to ‘a major trading center.’

Our word of the day comes directly from a Greek word that refers to ‘a merchant.’ The word was imported into English in the late 16th century and came to refer to ‘a center of commerce.’ In more recent years, it has been used to refer to a large retail store.

Eric’s place of business has expanded a great deal over the years. It began a tiny corner store where people could buy candy and soda pop, but it soon became an emporium that sold everything from shaving cream to weightlifting equipment.

Jun 16, 2021

Sargasso is a noun that refers to ‘a messy situation.’

Our word of the day is a word of Portuguese descent whose precise origin isn’t clear to us. When used literally it refers a weed. But in a more figurative sense it means any kind of messy situation.

Michelle’s attempt to teach English in Japan without knowing how to speak Japanese started out well, but it soon became a sargasso. The language barrier made for a very messy situation.

Jun 15, 2021

Modicum is a noun that refers to ‘a small quantity of something.’

Our word of the day comes from the Latin word modus (MOE doos) which refers ‘a limit’ or ‘a measure.’ Modicum is often used in a similar context. For example: Although we all love our Packers here in Green Bay, we always make sure we have a modicum of respect for the other team. It doesn’t hurt to treat your opponent with a small amount of respect.

Jun 14, 2021

Hodiernal is an adjective that means ‘related to the present day. ‘

The Latin word hodie (AW dee ay) means ‘today.’ When something is hodiernal, it is related to today.

For example: As much as Steve wants to save up for a new house, he has to also weight that desire against hodiernal concerns. He wants to save for tomorrow, but he needs to eat today.

Jun 13, 2021

Muggle is a noun that refers to ‘a person with no particular skills.’

Our word of the day comes from the Harry Potter novels by J.K. Rowling. I was initially used to describe people ‘a person without magical powers.’ It has since been adapted to refer to anyone with particular powers or skills of any kind.

Example: As. Kid, I grew up afraid that if I didn’t learn math, I’d become some kind of a muggle. But it turned out my lack of math skills didn’t really hurt me in life because I had plenty of other abilities.

Jun 12, 2021

Aphotic is an adjective that means ‘having no light.’

Our word of the day combines the Greek prefix ‘A,’ meaning ‘without’ with ‘photic’ (FOE tick) meaning ‘light.’ Frequently used in nature, aphotic describes a thing or place that has no light.

We were hoping to get some great pictures on our underwater dive. But unfortunately, the aphotic conditions simply made it too dark for that to happen.

Jun 11, 2021

Enfeoff is a verb that means ‘to surrender property.’

Coming from Middle English, our word of the day has traditionally been used in legal proceedings to describe the exchange of property. For example: The owner of the building isn’t happy to surrender the property he’s owned for many years, but according to the law, he has to enfeoff it to the new owner once a deal has been struck.

Jun 10, 2021

Abuzz is an adverb that means ‘characterized by lots of talk or gossip.’

Our word of the day began life as a variation of the word ‘buzz,’ Buzz is a word from Middle English that is imitative, which means it imitates the sounds of the thing it describes. When we describe something as abuzz, we mean it is buzzing. It’s often used metaphorically to describe something as ‘buzzing’ with conversation or rumors.

For example: The office was abuzz with all kinds of talk regarding a new recreation room. But the rumors were soon put to rest when we discovered there simply wasn’t enough money in the budget for it.

Jun 9, 2021

Doyen is a noun that refers to ‘the most respected member of a particular field.’

The Latin word decanus (day CON oos) refers to ‘the chief of a group of ten.’ The word was later imported into French and eventually English when it dropped the association with the number ten and came to refer simply to ‘a chief or leader.’ It is related to the word ‘dean,’ as in the head of a college or university.

My uncle was a doyen in the bowling community. He was so respected that they had his elbow pads bronzed last week.

Jun 8, 2021

Inanition is a noun that refers to ‘exhaustion or a lack of enthusiasm.’

Our word of the day comes from the Latin word Inanis (ee NON ees) which means ‘empty’ or ‘void.’ When a person suffers from inanition, they are lacking in vigor or stamina.

It wasn’t easy to get work done in a state of inanition. Having no energy all day long has a way of slowing things down considerably.

Jun 7, 2021

Doddle is a noun that refers to ‘a very easy task.’

The origin or our word of the day is unknown, but we can say with some certainty that it crept into English around the 1930s and is an informal word to describe an easy thing to do.

When a rookie comes into the department, we usually start them off with a doddle to help them build their confidence. Giving them an easy task is a good way to keep them from getting too intimidated.

Jun 6, 2021

Venerate is a verb that means ‘to revere or hold in high regard.’

The Latin word venerari (ven air ARE ay) means ’to adore or revere.’ When venerari drifted into the English language in the early 17th century and became venerate, it retained its same basic meaning. An example of its use: Those in the popsicle industry have come to venerate my grandfather over the years — and for good reason. It make sense that they would hold the man who pioneered the use of a wooden stick at the end in such high regard.

Jun 5, 2021

Picaresque is an adjective that means ‘related to the adventures of a rogue.’ The word can also be used as a noun to refer to ‘a book or movie that features the adventures of a rogue.’

The Spanish word picaro means ‘rogue.’ Our word of the day is a style of fiction or film that tells the adventures of a roguish character, meaning someone who is rough and dishonest but appealing. The term and the style of literature became popular in the early 19th century.

Example: I enjoy many picaresque novels, but sometimes it’s nice to read about someone you actually admire. The adventures of a lovable rogue don’t give you someone whose behavior you want to emulate.

Jun 4, 2021

Vinous is an adjective that means ‘related to or fond of wine.’

The Latin word vinum (VEE noom) refers to ‘wine.’ If something is vinous, it resembles or is, in some sense, related to wine. For example: The vinous smell the restaurant made me thirsty right away. I had a feeling I’d be sipping wine all night long.

Jun 3, 2021

Sensei is a noun that refers to ‘a teacher.’

Our word of the day comes directly from Japanese. It began as a combination of the Japanese words for ‘previous’ and ‘birth.’ It is frequently used to refer to a teacher in martial arts.

My Taewando instructor has been pleased with my progress so far. My previous sensei got a little frustrated by my tendency to accidentally kick myself in the nose all the time.

Jun 2, 2021

Evert is a verb that means ‘to turn inside out.’

The Latin word evertere (EV er tear ay) provides the origin of our word of the day. It means to ‘upset’ or ‘overthrow.’ By the 18th century, the word had been imported into English and had its meaning shift. More recently, when we evert something, we turn it inside out.

Chuck had nothing at all to donate to the charity when they came asking last Thursday. To demonstrate how broke he was he even went so far as to evert his pockets, showing that they were empty.

Jun 1, 2021

Pyrrhic is an adjective that means ‘achieved at an excessive cost.’

The origin of the word pyrrhic comes Pyrrhus (PIER hoos) from an Ancient king of a region of Greece called Epirus. This king’s army defeated the Romans in a key battle in 279 BC, but sustained heavy losses. Our word of the day alludes to this.

My daughter’s win at the spelling bee may have been a pyrrhic victory. She won the contest, but lost a few friends out of envy.

May 31, 2021

Aphasia is a noun that refers to ‘a loss of the ability to speak.’

Our word of the day comes from the Greek word ahpatos (AH fah tose) which means ‘speechless.’ It entered the English language in the mid 19th century.

Aphasia is often used as a term for a medical diagnosis, but it may also be used more informally. For example: Meeting my favorite comedian was such an unnerving experience, I couldn’t put any coherent words together. That kind of aphasia has never happened to me before.

May 30, 2021

Desideratum is a noun that refers to ‘something that is desired or wanted.’

The origin or desideratum is directly from Latin. It translates into the two words ‘something desired.’ An example of its use is: In spite of all Harvey’s quest for money, his desideratum in life remained the protection of his family. To him, that is what mattered more than anything else.

May 29, 2021

Faustian is an adjective that means ‘done without regard for future cost.’

Our word of the day has its basis in the mythical tale of an astronomer named Faust reputed to have sold his soul to the Devil in exchange for wealth. More recently, the adjective Faustian is used to describe anyone who makes an exchange that involves a huge sacrifice.

Maria described the process of becoming famous as making a faustian bargain. You get power, money, recognition and adoration. But in exchange, you have to sacrifice your privacy — and sometimes, your sanity.

May 28, 2021

En masse is an adverb that means ‘in a group’ or ‘all together.’

Our word of the day comes directly from French. It translates to ‘in a mass.’ For example: when we approached our supervisor one at a time, we didn’t get much respect. But approaching him en masse seemed to make him nervous enough to surrender to our demands.

May 27, 2021

Sere is an adjective that means ‘dry’ or ‘without moisture.’

Our word of the day comes directly from Old English as a verb that meant ‘to burn something.’ It was a synonym of words like ‘scorch’ or ‘singe.’  Sere is often used to describe a desert or withered vegetation. For example: It’s a shame no one took care of the old garden at Kelly’s house. Everything has become all dried up and sere.

May 26, 2021

Abeyance is a noun that refers to ‘a state of disuse or suspension.’

Our word of the day began in Latin as the word Baer (BUY er) which meant ‘having ones mouth wide open,’ a condition we associate with being suspended or waiting for something. By the late 16th century, the word became adopted into English where its meaning shifted into a state of not being used.

Example: The abeyance of that field put a few ideas in my head. I figured that because it wasn’t being put to use, no one would mind if our soccer team used it to practice.

May 25, 2021

Torsion is a noun that refers to ‘the act of twisting.’

The Latin word torquere (tork WHERE ay) means ‘to twist.’ Torsion is a versatile word that has a use in medicine as well as mathematics where it refers to the extent to which a curve departs from being planar.

But in ordinary English it can simply refer to any act of twisting. For example: At grandpa’s age, he really shouldn’t be twisting the night away like he did as a teenager. All that torsion on his hips can make him twist and shout in more ways that one.

May 24, 2021

Lour is a verb that means ‘to be dark and gloomy.’ It can also be a noun that refers to ‘a scowl.’

The origin of our word of the day is unknown. But in its use it can be helpful to describe weather or a look on someone’s face. An example of its use as a verb is: Watching my daughter lour at  me during the entire game gave me the impression that she was no fan of hockey. Here’s an example of it being used as a noun: The lour in the sky seemed ominous and foreboding. It gave use the feeling that we shouldn’t have been fishing that day.

May 23, 2021

Rubicon is a noun that means ‘an action that once done cannot be reversed.’

Our word of the day was named after a river in Ancient Rome that was used as a border. At one point it was decreed by Julius Caesar that crossing the Rubicon was a violation of the law.

We now use the word to describe an act that once done, cannot be undone — just like crossing the Rubicon. For example: When Tommy deleted his profile from his favorite social media site, he instantly regretted it, because he knew he could never put it back up. Right then and there, he knew he was crossing a rubicon.

May 22, 2021

Caliginous is an adjective that means ‘obscure’ or ‘murky.’

Coming to English in the mid-16th century, our word of the day originated in Latin, where it means ‘misty.’ In recent years, its meaning has broadened to also mean ‘dim’ or ‘obscure.’

For example: The caliginous sky didn’t make for the most ideal conditions, but it certainly looked cool. That murky look would be a perfect opening for a vampire movie.

May 21, 2021

Brumous is an adjective that means ‘foggy and wintry.’

The Latin word bruma (BROOM uh) refers to ‘winter.’ Our word of the day was imported into English in the Mid 19th century.

An example of its use in a sentence: The brumous atmosphere on the campsite added to the sense of mystique. All that fog and crisp air made me feel I had stumbled into something scary and intriguing.

May 20, 2021

Synesthesia is a noun that refers to a condition where one sense is replaced by another.

The Latin prefix S-Y-N means ‘with.’ While the rest of the word comes from the Greek word ‘asthesis’ (EYE es tha tease) which refers to ‘sensation.’ When someone has synesthesia they often replace one kind of sensation with another. This sometimes means they see certain colors when they hear certain words.

An example of its use is: Having synesthesia has definitely made my world more colorful. Listening to that sermon last Sunday created a rainbow in my mind.

May 19, 2021

Facticity is a noun that refers to the quality or being a fact.

Our word of the day simply comes from the word ‘fact’ and adds the sufix ‘I-C-I-T-Y.’ Together, they refer to the condition of being a fact. Example: Our team’s defeat may have been hard to accept, but we had to accept it. The facticity of the loss was something we simply had to deal with.

May 18, 2021

Consilience is a noun that refers to the overlap between different fields of study.

Our word of the day combines the Latin prefix C-O-N, meaning ‘together,’ and ‘silient,’ (SEE lee ant) meaning ‘to leap.’ Together they get a word that refers to ‘leaping’ or working together.

This book would not have been possible without the consilience of the science department and the art department. There’s no other way to understand the science of Renaissance sculpture without combining the efforts of these disciplines.

May 17, 2021

Megapolis is a noun that refers to a very large, heavy populated area.

Our word of the day comes from Greek words for ‘very large’ and ‘city.’ In fact, in Ancient Greece there was a city named megalopolis, a word that survives today and is another way of saying megapolis.

Either word may be used to describe a large city or a group of cities that when added together becomes very large.

Example: I had no idea how much of a megapolis the area had become. The population had grown to the point of now having four major sports teams.

May 16, 2021

Implacable is an adjective that means unstoppable or relentless.

The origin of our word of the day is the Latin word placare (pla CAR ay) which means ‘to calm’ or ‘to soothe.’ The prefix I-M is used to indicate ‘not’ or in this case, ‘cannot be.’ Something that cannot be calmed or soothed is implacable.

For example: Our team’s implacable spirit may have been the reason we won the championship. We may not have had much talent, but we compensated with our relentless drive.

May 15, 2021

Muliebrity is a noun that refers to womanly qualities.

The Latin word MOOL lee air) means ‘woman.’ It’s the origin of our word of the day which has been around since the late 16th century and although it is less commonly used today, it can be spotted in literary or poetic works or conversations.

For example: Nancy is the epitome of muliebrity. She has a sense of grace that lightens up any room.

May 14, 2021

Equipollent is an adjective that means equal in power and effect.

The Latin word pollere (poe LARE ay) means ‘to be strong.’ Our word of the day combines that with the prefix E-Q-U-I, which means ‘equally.’ When things or people are equipollent, they are equal in power. For example: The nations engaged in trade were not exactly equipollent. One was a third world country in desperate need of food. And the other was a wealthy empire.

May 13, 2021

Ordonnance is a noun that refers to the systematic arrangement of parts.

Our word of the day came from French, where it was basically a synonym of words like ‘configuration’ or ‘arrangement.’ An example of its use is: The ordonnance of the chapters in that book really confused me. It seemed like an odd way to arrange the story if you want it to make any sense.

May 12, 2021

Salvo is a noun that refers to a sudden, aggressive act or series of acts.

The Latin word salve (SOLVE ay) translates into ‘good health,’ but it was mainly used as a greeting — much like the Italian word salute (sah LOOT ay). Because the discharge of a gun became a way of saluting, salvo came to refer to a shot.

Today a salvo is most commonly used to refer to a metaphorical ‘shot’ someone takes, for example: When Daniela insulted the bell-bottomed jeans I was wearing, I understood this as a salvo. She wasn’t just critiquing my clothes, she was suggesting I was behind the times.

May 11, 2021

Balkanize is a verb that means to break into smaller regions.

The origin of our word of the day comes from the Turkish word ‘Balkan,’ which means ‘mountain.’ It came to refer to a region in Southeastern Europe that includes Albania, Greece, Romania and the European portion or Turkey.

The decline of the Ottoman Empire of the 18th century led to a series of revolts that fractured the region into instability.

Balkanize soon became a word that described a region or group being divided and weakened in some way. For example: I hope no one attempts to Balkanize the nations of that region. Breaking them up and creating division would foster sheer chaos.

May 10, 2021

Moil is a verb that means to work hard. Moil can also be used as a noun that refers to ‘hard work.’

Our word of the day comes from the Latin word molis (MOW lease) which means ‘soft.’ As the word evolved into English, its meaning shifted to ‘hard work.’

My grandfather had to moil for many years in a coal mine. I’m happy that all that hard word paid off with a successful family.

May 9, 2021

Hypethral is an adjective that means ‘having no roof or open to the sky.’

The Greek prefix H-Y-P-O means ‘under.’ When combined with the Greek word aither (EYE there) which means ‘air,’ we get a word that means under the air or heavens.

I’m not sure whose brilliant idea it was to build a hypethral arena in Seattle, but they must not have been aware of the weather here. Having a roof would actually be a good idea in a place that rains all the time.

May 8, 2021

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May 7, 2021

Taproot is a noun that refers to ‘the place of future development or growth.’

When used literally, a taproot simply refers to a root from a tree that grows vertically downward and creates more, smaller roots. Metaphorically, it can mean a place where growth has taken place.

For example: That section of town became a taproot for business in the city. After few businesses succeeded, others flocked there and also succeeded.

May 6, 2021

Limn is a verb that means ‘to describe in words.’

The Latin word illuminare (ee loom in ARE ay) means ’to shine.’ It’s related to English words like ‘illuminate.’ When we illuminate something in a literal sense, we shine light on it. We when do so figuratively, we describe it or bring it to life. That’s how our word of the day came to have its meaning.

Because I couldn’t quite limn the strange pain in my abdomen to the doctor, it took a while to discover its source. This is why communication with health professionals is very important.

May 5, 2021

Hortatory is an adjective that means ‘tending to exhort.’

Coming from the Latin word hortari (hor TAR ay) which means ‘to exhort’ or ‘strongly encourage,’ hortatory is often used in a religious context to refer to someone delivering a sermon. When a message is conveyed in a way that is similar to a sermon, we can call it hortatory.

Ryan’s hortatory speech about the Federal Reserve made me want to put a twenty in a collection plate for the government. But I guess that’s what happens when you seem to be delivering a sermon.

May 4, 2021

Esurient is an adjective that means ‘hungry’ or ‘greedy.’

The Latin word esurire (ess oo EAR ay) means ‘to hunger.’ After evolving into our word of the day, its meaning has shifted a little and esurient is usually used metaphorically to refer to ‘greed.’

For example: Brad’s esurient approach to life has often led to some unscrupulous behavior. He proves that greed can often be a gateway to prison.

May 3, 2021

Telos is a noun that refers to an ultimate goal or aim.

Our word of the day comes directly from a Greek word that translates to ‘the ultimate end.’

Harlan was only working in our office as a way to gain experience to start a business that later became our competition. We may not have agreed with his telos, but we were glad to have him with us for a few years.

May 2, 2021

Generative is an adjective that means ‘able to produce.’

Our word of the day is derived from the Latin word generare (jen air ARE ay) which means ‘to beget’ or ‘to generate.’ If something can be described as generative, it produces or creates something.

I wasn’t aware of the generative powers of our company until I watched things grow over time. It’s a gratifying feeling to know you’re a part of something so productive

May 1, 2021

Prefigure is a verb that means ‘to be an early indication of something.’

The Latin word figurare (fee goo ARE ay) means ‘to typify.’ By adding the prefix P-R-E, we get something that means ‘to typify or embody in advance.’

An example of our word of the day in use is: Robin’s poor performance on the test seemed to prefigure her inability to keep up with others. She also couldn’t keep up with others in the classroom.

Apr 30, 2021

Proxemics is a noun that refers to the study of the space people need to put between each other in order to function.

The Latin word Proximus (PROX ee moose) means ‘nearest.’ This has given birth to words like ‘approximate’ and ‘proximity.’ Our word of the day is related to these words, but it refers to a more formal study.

An example of its use is: I didn’t understand all the crowding that existed in many of those large Asian cities until I studied the proxemics of the situation. Once I grasped the reasons for all that crowding, it made perfect sense.

Apr 29, 2021

Stewardship is a noun that refers to the responsible overseeing of something.

Steward — a word of Old English origin — refers to someone responsible for managing or taking care of something. Our word of the day is a broader term that refers to the act of being a steward.

My only responsibility as the manager of the parking lots is to make sure it doesn’t get invaded by bears. I’m proud to say that after three years, we’ve had no bear sightings. When you get right down to it, the stewardship of a parking lot isn’t exactly a thrilling job.

Apr 28, 2021

Inflorescence is a noun that refers to a flowering or blooming.

Our word of the day comes directly from Latin where it means ‘to begin to bloom.’ The inflorescence of those daisies in my yard seemed to bring a smile to everyone who visited me. There’s something about blooming flowers that just makes people happy.

Apr 27, 2021

Jury-rig is a verb that means to construct in a makeshift manner.

Our word of the day has its orin in Middle English where it means ‘to improvise.’ When we jury-rig something we create it or ‘rig’ it on the spot with no plan of action.

An example of its use is: When camping in the woods, we had to improvise a way to carry everything to the car, so we wrapped everything up in the tent. Using your tent as a makeshift backpack is the kind of improvising that brings out the creativity of campers.

Apr 26, 2021

Typification is a noun that refers to a representative of.

The Latin word typus (TEA poos) means ‘type.’ When we say something typifies something, we mean it embodies it or serves as an example of its type. So the typification of something is the best example of it.

I found that Ron’s tantrum after the game was the typification of his rants. Like all of his rants, they started out serious and wound up being petty and selfish.

Apr 25, 2021

Recension is a noun that refers to a revised edition of a text.

Our word of the day has evolved from the Latin word censere (CHEN sair ay) which means ‘to censer.’ A recension of someone’s writing is basically a revision that censors the origin in some way.

Example: The book that was published was a recension that omitted the basketball scenes. I resisted this because the movie was mainly about basketball.

Apr 24, 2021

Quidnunc is a noun that refers to a person who gossips or a busybody.

Our word of the day comes directly from the Latin phrase ‘quid nunc’ (KWEED NOONK) which translates to ‘what’s new.’ A quidnunc is someone who very much wants to know what’s new at all times — especially as it pertains to juicy gossip.

I had no idea Veronica was such a quidnunc when I moved into the neighborhood. Before I had even settled into the house, she knew all my my illicit past of having multiple overdue library books.

Apr 23, 2021

Scilicet is an adverb that means namely or ‘specifically.’

Our word of the day combines two Latin words. There’s scire (SHEER ay) which means ‘to know’ and ‘licet’ (LEECH et) for ‘it is permitted.’ Together they get a word that basically means ‘specifically’ or ‘namely.’ For example: My son’s problem was that he was hanging out with the wrong crowd, scilicet those guys Corey and Hank. Those are the guys specifically that got him into all kind of wild behavior like riding his bike without training wheels.

Apr 22, 2021

Votive is an adjective that means done to fulfill a vow or promise. It can also be used as a noun that refers to a short candle used in a religious ceremony.

Our word of the day comes from the Latin word votum (VOE tomb) which means ‘vow.’ It is often used in a religious context. For example: After he’d been shunned by the community, Gary made a votive prayer. He vowed he would never again root from the Yankees against the Red Sox.

Apr 21, 2021

Plaudit is a noun that refers to praise or approval.

Our word of the day comes directly from a Latin word meaning ‘applause’ or ‘claps.’ In recent years, the word is more likely to be used metaphorically and not in a reference to actual clapping. For example:

I didn’t expect to get non-stop plaudits from the critics for my novel, but I’m happy I did. That kind of praise is alway deeply encouraging.

Apr 20, 2021

Singularity is a noun that refers to a hypothesized era when machines merge with humanity.

Coming from the Latin singulus (SEEN goo loose) our word of the day is often used simply to mean ‘a separate unit,’ but in the world of science and science fiction, it has a different meaning. It refers to the idea that humanity and machines will merge and become a single entity.

That book discussing the singularity really blew my mind. But then I realized that, with my luck, I’ll probably merge with a toaster and have no greater purpose but to heat up bread.

Apr 19, 2021

Ennoble is a verb that means to elevate.

The Latin word nobilis (NO bee lease) means ‘high born.’ This gave birth to the English word ‘noble.’ When we ennoble someone or something, we make them or it ‘noble’ in some sense, meaning we elevate it to a higher status. For example: That was the most brilliant novel I’ve ever read. Making it required reading is the best way to ennoble any classroom.

Apr 18, 2021

Vox populi is a noun that refers to the popular opinion.

Our word of the day comes from Latin and its literal translation is ‘the people’s voice.’ It can be used in a political setting or in an everyday manner such as: After our band’s first performance, everybody hated us. So we made this our last performance. As artists, we’ve always believed in following the vox populi.

Apr 17, 2021

Discomfiture is a noun that refers to awkwardness or unease.

Coming from Old French, our word of the day is often used as a synonym of words like ‘distress,’ or ‘embarrassment.’ An example is: The sense of discomfiture my dad felt while visiting school was palpable. But looking back, I understand his unease. I would have felt just as uncomfortable wearing those outdated clothes.

Apr 16, 2021

Slugabed is a noun that refers to a lazy person who stays in bed late.

The word slug is often used to describe lazy or unmotivated people. Our word of the day combines this word with ‘bed’ to get to a word more specific in its use: For example: James was such a slugabed that he often said his ideal job was one where he could wake up at noon, then get back to sleep an hour later. That’s what I call lazy!

Apr 15, 2021

Ductile is an adjective that means flexible.

The Latin word ducere (DOO chair ay) means ‘lead’ — as in the metal. Our word of the day is often used by metalworkers to describe a substance that can be reformed. But ductile can also be also be used metaphorically to describe things other than metal.

For example: At first I didn’t realize how ductile our computer system was. If I had known the system could be used in all kinds of imaginative ways to help the company grow I would have done so from the beginning.

Apr 14, 2021

Sojourn is a noun that refers to a temporary stay. It is also a verb that means to temporarily stay somewhere.

Our word of the day once referred to being under a particular rule for a day. It combines the Latin prefix S-U-B (meaning ‘under’) with the Latin word diurnum (dee YOOR noom) meaning ‘day.’

Over time the meaning has shifted slightly to mean ‘a daily or short stay.’

After my sojourn to Italy, I felt a great deal better. There’s something about a brief vacation under the Mediterranean sun that gives life a sense of clarity.

Apr 13, 2021

Whinge is a verb that means to whine or complain. It can also be used as a noun that refers to the act of complaining.

Coming from Old English, our word of the day is a synonym of words like ‘whine,’ ‘grumble’ or ‘gripe.’ Here’s an example of it in use: My job at the rattlesnake farm can be laborious and at time, dangerous, but I won’t whinge about my employment today. I’m sure all of the people out of work don’t want to hear me gripe about having a bad job.

Apr 12, 2021

Denude is a verb that means to strip of possessions.

The Latin word nudus (NEW doos) means ‘naked’ or ‘nude.’ To denude something or someone is to strip them — but not necessarily of clothes. The word is frequently used to describe the process of stripping someone of property or possessions.

For example: When I went bankrupt, I lost everything. It’s horrific that they could denude me of my home and all my possessions overnight.

Apr 11, 2021

Curative is an adjective that means able to remedy a condition and a noun that refers to something that remedies a condition.

The Latin word curare (coo RAHR ay) means ‘care’ or ‘cure.’ The word has evolved into English to mean ‘relating to cures.’ Our word of the day is generally used to described things used to cure ailments. For example: I enjoyed the hot dogs the guys in my frat house made for me when I had the flu, but I was dubious of the curative powers they insisted the frankfurters possessed. After eating them I felt just as sick as I had before.

Apr 10, 2021

Efface is a verb that means erase from a surface.

Our word of the day comes from Latin and took a slight detour through French with the word effacer (EF ah say). It came be used literally or metaphorically. An example of its metaphorical use is: I hope my good deeds done at the shelter can efface the mistakes I made. I really regret those years of shoplifting candy bars.

Apr 9, 2021

Abase is a verb that means humiliate or lower in condition.

The Latin word bassus (BOSS oos) means ‘short of stature.’ When we abase someone, we make them feel small or lesser.

I probably shouldn’t have scolded the employees for coming in late. I just wanted to underscore the need to arrive on time, not to humiliate them.

Apr 8, 2021

Luminary is a noun that refers to a person who inspires others.

Our word of the day comes from the Latin word lumen (LOO men) which means ‘light.’ Luminary was once a word to describe a natural light-giving body, especially the sun or moon. These days when we refer to someone as a luminary, the light they give off is metaphorical and refers simply to the light of inspiration they give others.

The saxophone player in the band was treated as a luminary by the others in the band, and I soon discovered why. He became an enormous influence on my life in ways that I still marvel at.

Apr 7, 2021

Behoove is a verb that means to make necessary or proper because of a duty.

Coming from Old English our word of the day is often used in a formal context. For example: Because of the immense responsibility involved with raising a child, it behooves a parent to step in when the child begins to develop unhealthy eating habits. This duty comes with everyone who chooses to have kids.

Apr 6, 2021

Mythos is a group of beliefs prevalent to a group or culture.

Our word of the day comes directly from Greek and refers to the unique cultural identity of a particular group of people.

As a kid I was always fascinated with the mythos of the Mayan people, especially those surrounding the pyramids. Their beliefs and cultural background held a special place in my heart.

Apr 5, 2021

Liminal is an adjective that means related to the initial stage of a process.

The Latin word limen (LEE men) means ‘threshold.’ Our word of the day is used to describe things at their threshold, when a transition is taking place.

For example: we had reached that liminal stage in our business when we were just connecting with our consumer base. But after a while, I became impatient, wanted to get beyond the initial stages.

Apr 4, 2021

Isomorphic is an adjective that means having a similar form.

The Greek prefix I-S-O means ‘equal’ or ‘identical,’ while morphe (MORE fey) is Greek for shape.

The two chemicals were isomorphic and yet, despite their similarities, they had very different effects on the body.

Apr 3, 2021

Epistolary is an adjective that means related to a letter.

The Latin word epistola (ay pee STOLE uh) means a letter. This word gave birth to its English equivalent epistle, meaning ‘letter.’ Our word of the day is the adjective version of this word, indicating something related to an epistle or a letter.

My favorite novels are told in epistolary form. There’s something about the exchange of letters that makes a literary work intimate.

Apr 2, 2021

Monomania is a noun that refers to an obsession with one particular thing.

We have the Greeks to thank for our word of the day. The prefix M-O-N-O means ‘single’ or ‘alone.’ And the Greek word mania refers to an excessive enthusiasm or obsession. Together they get monomania, an enthusiastic preoccupation with one particular thing.

Andrew’s fascination with potatoes became pretty weird after a while. His monomania reached the point where potatoes were all he wanted to eat — no matter how much damage this did to his digestive system.

Apr 1, 2021

Metastasize is a verb that means to dramatically spread.

The Greek word methistanai (methy STAHN ay) means ‘to change.’ This word later evolved into metastasis, a word for a disease, which later became our word of the day. Metastasize usually refers to a growth of something malignant in the body, but it can also be used metaphorically. For example: The payroll difficulties in our office metastasized when our computers went down. After that, the entire company was having problems cashing their checks.

Mar 31, 2021

Repine is a verb that means to complain or express regret.

The exact origin of our word of the day is unclear, but we can say with certainty that its prefix R-E refers to the past. When we repine something we regret past actions or behavior.

For example: After a while, it gets a little tedious hearing Charlie repine at his past mistakes. We tried to assure him that his decision to not go to clown college would not be his undoing.

Mar 30, 2021

Wrest is a verb that means to pull something away. It can also be used as a noun that refers to the act of pulling something away.

Originating in Old English, our word of the day means to take something away forcefully and sometimes with great effort. For example: Roscoe, our Boston Terrier really like to nibble on our remote control. We often have to wrest if from him when we want to change the channel.

Mar 29, 2021

Trilemma is a noun that refers to a difficult choice between three options.

Our word of the day is a variation of the word dilemma, which refers to a difficult choice made between two options. Just as dilemma begins with the prefix D-I for two, trilemma begins with T-R-I for three, indicating the number of choices a person has now is three.

For example. Our recent trip to the movies offered an uneasy trilemma. We could choice between an unfunny comedy, an action movie with no action, and an unromantic romantic drama. Faced with those three bad choices, we just went home and watched Netflix.

Mar 28, 2021

Careworn is an adjective that means exhausted from stress.

Our word of the day combines the common English words ‘care’ and ‘worn’ to describe someone who is worn down from prolonged worry.

All those unpaid bills left Debra in bad shape. She looked careworn the other day at work.

Mar 27, 2021

Demulcent is an adjective that means soothing or relieving irritation. It can also be used as a noun that refers to something that soothes.

The Latin prefix D-E means away, while mulcere (mool CHAIR ay) means ‘to soothe.’ This is the origin of our word of the day. When used as a noun it refers to something that soothes pain or irritation away. As an adjective, it describes the substance doing the soothing, for example: The cream didn’t have the demulcent effect I was hoping for. The irritation in my arm continued even after using it.

Mar 26, 2021

Disquisition is a noun that refers to an elaborate discussion of a particular subject.

Our word of the day originates from the Latin word quaerere (kwa WOAR ay) which means ‘seek’ or ‘ask.’ This word evolved into disquisition and referred to an investigation. But more recently the word has come to refer to a lengthy and elaborate discussion — the kind you might have in a college classroom, not in a bar. For example: When I asked about the video game my son was playing, I wasn’t expecting at disquisition on the history of video games. But two hours later, I learned the game he was playing was called Old West Shootout.

Mar 25, 2021

Stridor is a noun that refers to a harsh, grating sound.

The Latin word stridere (STREE dare ay) means ‘to creak.’ Around the mid 17th century, this word was imported into English and became our word of the day, which is a synonym of creak or other harsh sounds.

The stridor coming from my car’s engine irked me on the road trip. Imagine a harsh creak for four hours. That’s describes my road trip through South Dakota.

Mar 24, 2021

Attestation is a noun that refers to evidence or confirmation.

The Latin word testis (TESS dis) means ‘witness.’ It’s related to words like ‘testify’ and ‘attest.’ These are verbs that can describe things a person does to give evidence of the truth. Our word of the day is a noun that simply refers to the evidence of the truth. For example: It was difficult to accept the horrible events that took place that afternoon at the pool hall, but the video camera provided attestation of it all, so there was no denying the truth.

Mar 23, 2021

Opine is a verb that means to hold and or state as an opinion.

The Latin word opinari (oh pee NAR ee) means ‘think or believe.’ This word gave birth to our word of the day, which is closely related to the word ‘opinion.’ When a person opines, they are formulating or expressing what they think or believe.

For example: I wasn’t expecting our economics professor to opine on the latest bill in congress, but I had no problem with that. It is sometimes helpful to know what a professor believes in order to ingest the lesson.

Mar 22, 2021

Epochal is an adjective that means highly momentous or important.

Our word of the day has its origin in the Greek word epoche (EP oke) which means ‘a fixed point in time.’ When something is described as an epoch, we mean it is an important point in time. Epochal is the adjective version of that. For example: There was something epochal about that last day of school. I had the feeling that everything that followed that momentous occasion would be different.

Mar 21, 2021

Middling is an adjective that means of medium or average quality or size.

Appropriately enough, our word of the day comes from Middle English. Its prefix M-I-D means ‘middle.’ A person of middling appearance would be an average looking person and so on.

I would describe our lemonade stand as a middling success. We didn’t come close to reaching fortune 500 status, but we did a lot better than those businesses that fold after weeks of opening.

Mar 20, 2021

Bon mot is a noun that refers to a clever word or phrase.

Coming from French, the literal translation of our word of the day is ‘good word.’ But it is more clearly understood as a clever or witty word or series of words.

For example: Annabelle was never been at a loss for words. She could find a bon mot to deliver to a judge as he sends her away to prison.

Mar 19, 2021

Sociolect is a noun that refers to a dialect of a particular class.

Our word of the day is a fairly recent addition to English, originating in the 1970s. The prefix S-O-C-I-O means ‘related to society,’ while the suffix L-E-C-T refers to a dialect. When combined we get a word for a way of speaking unique to a social class.

The guys I worked with on the dock spoke with a sociolect that distinguished them from my colleagues in law school. I often felt I needed a translator when going from one location to another.

Mar 18, 2021

Dollop is a noun that refers to a massive blob of something.

Our word of the day’s origin is uncertain, but we know it can mean a wide range of things from a giant lump of ice cream to a huge mound of dirt. Although mostly a noun, it can also be used as a verb, which means to add or serve a giant blob of something. For example: I have no idea what this big green blob is. The cafeteria worker just dolloped it onto my plate, so I assume it must be edible.

Mar 17, 2021

Demiurge is a noun that refers to an autonomous creative force.

Our word of the day combines Greek word demos (DAY mos) which means ‘people,’ and ergos (AIR gos) which means “working.’ It was originally used to describe a god-like figure, or creator of the universe. But it later came to refer to any powerful or creative force.

Emma has been promoted to the head of the office. As such, she’s regarded as the demiurge around here. She’s the one to talk to when you want anything done.

Mar 16, 2021

Glen is a noun that refers to a valley.

Coming from Late Middle English, our word of the day is a good when to recall when you’re on a hike and you find a narrow, secluded pathway between two hills.

The view from the mountain’s peak was spectacular, but it was also breathtaking to hike through the glen and gaze up at the magnificent peaks from below.

Mar 15, 2021

Wont can be a noun, adjective or verb, depending on context. As a noun it refers to someone’s habitual way.

Our word of the day is spelled like won’t without the apostrophe and is pronounced like W-A-N-T, but its meaning and origin is different from both of those words. Coming from Old English, wont — W-O-N-T — means a person’s customary behavior in a given situation.

Charlie’s custom of practicing the drums at five-thirty in the morning can be pretty irritating. But there’s nothing you can say to persuade him to stop. This is simply his wont and you can’t change it.

Mar 14, 2021

Ergonomics is a noun that refers to the science of design.

The Greek word ergon (AIR gon) means ‘work.’ Our word of the day combines this word with ‘nomics,’ which refers to ‘the art of managing a household.’ This gets us to ergonomics which can be thought of a science, but, in everyday use, can simply refer to the placement of our desk or living room couch.

Example: The ergonomics or Ted’s office made the meeting really uncomfortable. Having everybody crammed in a tiny room with no windows for hours made us more interested in getting things done quickly than in making sure things were done right.

Mar 13, 2021

Millstone is a noun that refers to a heavy burden.

Traditionally, a millstone is a heavy stone used to crush something. This is the origin of our word of the day, but in more recent use, millstone is generally applied metaphorically.

For example: Kari used to think of that piano in her living room as a millstone, something that would be a real pain to deal with when it was time to move. But since she’s learned to play the thing, she doesn’t think of it as a burden at all.

Mar 12, 2021

Bedraggled is an adjective that means dirty and disheveled.

The root word of bedraggled is drag, which has an origin from Middle English. When we say someone is or looks bedraggled, we mean they seem as though they’ve been dragged around and roughed up.

For example: It was embarrassing to see my kids show up at their graduation right after baseball practice, looking like they’d been dragged there from the back of a truck. They looked so bedraggled I thought they might get their diplomas withheld.

Mar 11, 2021

Shibboleth is a noun that refers to a use of language unique to a particular group.

Our word of the day comes from Hebrew. It means ‘ear of corn,’ but more importantly the word came to be used as a password to determine if someone was from the proper tribe. In more recent years, it simply refers to a word that is unique to a particular group of people.

For example: I used to think of the word ‘primo’ was a shibboleth among my group of friends in high school. But pretty soon I heard everyone saying. I guess the word wasn’t unique to us after all.

Mar 10, 2021

Elephantine is an adjective that means massive and not easily handled.

You may have guessed that our word of the day comes from the word elephant, which is Greek in origin. And like many words named after specific animals, it refers to behavior that an elephant is best known for. Being large, clumsy and awkward.

Troy’s elephantine behavior may have helped in rugby, but it didn’t do much in gymnastics. Being an awkward and clumsy on the balance beam isn’t a pleasant sight.

Mar 9, 2021

Heedful is an adjective that means paying attention to.

The German word huten (HOOT n) means ‘hat,’ but it can also be used to mean ‘to shelter or cover.’ This is the origin of the the word heed, which means to ‘pay attention to.’ To be heedful is to be aware and attentive to.

I was heedful of rattlesnakes during our hike through the mountain because I’d been warned of dangerous creatures. Too bad I pay much attention to the threat of mosquitos. I spent the whole weekend itching.

Mar 8, 2021

Unbidden is an adjective that means unsolicited or uninvited.

The German word bitten (BIT en) means ‘to ask.’ This word has evolved into the word bid, which means ‘to command or invite.’ When someone does something unbidden they do it without having been asked or demanded. For example: It was nice of Johnny to make the unbidden offer of helping with the cookout, especially since he wasn’t even requested to do so. But after eating the horrible omelets he cooked for us, we soon realized why no one requested him to help with the cookout.

Mar 7, 2021

Effectuate is a verb that means to bring something about.

The Latin word effectus (eff ECK toos) simply means ‘to effect.’ Our word of the day could be thought of as a more formal version of ‘effect.’

I was hoping I could effectuate a big change at the office by introducing new technology, but the only thing I brought about was more chaos and confusion.

Mar 6, 2021

Enkindle is a verb that means to set on fire.

Coming from Middle English, our word of the day could be thought of as a more literary variation of the word ‘kindle.’ It may come in handy when searching for a more romantic or sentimental word and ‘kindle’ just won’t do. For example: I told Veronica that she would soon enkindle my heart, but my phrasing didn’t have the effect I was seeking. It only sent her scrambling for a dictionary.

Mar 5, 2021

Today’s word of the day is keelhaul, K-E-E-L-H-A-U-L. Keelhaul is a verb that means to rebuke harshly.

The origin of our word of the day is from the Dutch word kielhalen (KEEL hall en) which was named for the act of dragging someone through water under the keel of the ship as a form of punishment. More recently the word simply means to punish someone severely. For example: I hope they don’t keelhaul me for the mistake I made on the Pinkerton account. With all the money at stake, I wouldn’t blame them for wanted to punish me pretty harshly.

Mar 4, 2021

Descamisado is a noun that refers to a very poor person. It can also refer to a revolutionary.

The literal Spanish translation of our word of the day is ‘shirtless.’ But our word of the day simply refers to any person in poverty. I decided to donate my old car to a descamisado I ran into on the road. Anyone in the such dire circumstances was clearly in greater need of transportation. The word was also used to describe a 19th century member of the Spanish revolution.

Mar 3, 2021

Sansculotte is a noun that refers to an extreme revolutionary.

Our word of the day comes from French, where its literal translation is ‘without knee breeches,’ a look you’d expect from a poor person. This is how sansculette came to refer to a French revolutionary from the lower classes. More recently, it has come to refer to any radical revolutionary regardless of class background or national origin.

In my college days, I organized a boycott of the cafeteria until they agreed to offer more than one flavor of pudding. That was as close as I came to being a sansculotte in my youth.

Mar 2, 2021

Obeisance is a noun that refers to deferential respect.

Coming from Middle English, our word of the day is related to the word ‘obey,’ as in ‘comply with the command.’ When we pay obeisance to someone we are paying our respects. For example: When visiting foreign countries, I didn’t understand the need to bow or curtsy to certain people. It was soon explained to me that it was custom to pay obeisance to individuals who were deemed royalty.

Mar 1, 2021

Inestimable is an adjective that means too valuable to be measured or calculated.

The root word of the our word of the day is estimate. It comes from the Latin word aestimare (eye ess team ARE ay) which means ‘to appraise’ or ‘determine.’ When we say something is inestimable, we say its value is too great to be determined.

For example: Amy’s contribution to the firm has been inestimable. We can’t begin to determine how much value her expertise and hard work have brought to us.

Feb 28, 2021

Snooker is a verb that means to entrap or hoodwink.

The origin of our word of the day is unknown, but it is generally used as a synonym of ‘hoodwink’ or ‘bamboozle.’

Chuck tried to snooker me into buying some Florida swamp land a few years ago, but I didn’t fall victim to that scam. By that time, I’d been hoodwinked into so many bogus opportunities that I could smell a swindle a mile away.

Feb 27, 2021

Raze is a verb that means to completely destroy.

The latin word radere (RAH dare ay) means ‘shave’ or ‘scrape.’ When something is shaven or scraped away, it is demolished or destroyed. The word is often used to describe property that is being demolished. For example: there was something sad about watching them bulldoze my old school. It was devastating to watch them raze the building where I spent so much of my childhood.

Feb 26, 2021

Accoutrement is a noun that refers to an additional item of dress.

Our word of the day comes directly from French, where it means ‘clothing.’ But its English counterpart refers more specifically to ‘additional clothing.’ For example: The difficult thing about being a boy scout is remembering to bring all those accoutrements to every meeting. I forgot to bring my bandana once and that people didn’t like that.

Feb 25, 2021

Dither is a verb that means to behave indecisively.

Coming from Middle English, our word of the day once meant to ‘tremble’ or ‘shake.’ Today, we use the word to describe a different kind of going back and forth.

It was funny to watch my dad dither on the team he wanted to cheer for. He went back and forth between the Cubs — because he’d always been a Cubs fan — and the Twins — because his nephew was now their starting catcher.

Feb 24, 2021

Retrofit is a verb that means to adapt to a new purpose.

The prefix retro, from the Latin word meaning ‘back,’ is used to indicate something that takes us back in some sense. In the case of retrofit, we are describing going back and altering an item to meet needs that have changed.

When I needed a backpack for the hiking trip, I had to retrofit my banjo case to carry food in it. It was surprisingly easy to adapt the case for his new purpose.

Feb 23, 2021

Wheedle is a verb that means to coax through flattery.

The German word wedeln (VEE den) means ‘wag the tail’ which is often a euphemism of ‘flatter.’ After entering English in the 17th century, our word of the day has come tom means ‘to persuade or coax with flattery.’

It was easy to wheedle other members of the board into scheduling more parties. All I had to do was convince them how much I would enjoy the company of such effervescent personalities on a regular basis. You’d be surprised how far you can get with a little flattery.

Feb 22, 2021

Jawbone is a verb that means to speak forcefully and persuasively to.

Our word of the day comes from the part of the body used for talking — the jawbone. When we jawbone someone into something, we try to aggressively talk them into it.

My son’s ability to jawbone may come in handy for a career in politics someday. Just last Saturday, he was able to jawbone me into giving him a second cupcake with dinner.

Feb 21, 2021

Tranche is a noun that refers to a portion of money.

Our word of the day comes from Old French where it is translated as ‘slice’ or ‘cut.’ When we refer to a tranche of something, we mean a portion that has been divided or cut away. Tranche is typically used to refer to money.

For example: Amanda’s Tranche of the profit came to seventy-five dollars. She was disappointed as she assumed her portion would be enough to pay this month’s rent.

Feb 20, 2021

Athwart is an adverb that means in opposition to or across from.

The word thwart, which is from Middle English descent, is a verb that means ‘to prevent someone from doing something.’ By adding the prefix A, we get a preposition or adverb that describes the position of someone or something.

For example: After softball practice we were all starving. Luckily there was a pizza place athwart the softball field.

Feb 19, 2021

Tinhorn is a noun that refers to someone who pretends to have money and influence.

In the 19th century tin horns or cans were often used to shake dice. In time, our word of the day came to refer to people in the world of gambling who exaggerated their wealth and importance.

Brad was something a tinhorn. He claimed to own millions of dollars worth of property, but in reality, he owed millions of dollars.

Feb 18, 2021

Anneal is a verb that means to harden or strengthen.

Our word of the day has evolved from Old English and meant ‘to burn or bake.’ It usually describes a process that involved heating something up, then letting it cool down for the sake of having it harden.

In time, the word simply came to refer to the process of letting something harden. For example: I hope to anneal the posts on my children’s bunk beds. Having posts that aren’t sufficiently strong can be dangerous.

Feb 17, 2021

Adhocracy is a noun that refers to a structure, usually a temporary one, designed to be flexible.

The Latin term ad hoc, which translates into ‘to this’ is used to mean ‘when needed.’ So an ad hoc committee is a committee that was formed spontaneously because it was needed. The suffix C-R-A-C-Y is used to describe a form of rule — like democracy or autocracy. In the case of our word of the day, it refers to a ruling body that is flexible and able to do things in an ad hoc manner. For example: When faced with a challenge, our company formed an adhocracy. When we needed to make changes for the sake of adapting, that’s exactly what we did.

Feb 16, 2021

Quagmire is a noun that refers to an awkward or difficult situation.

Our word of the day combines two words ‘quag’ and ‘mire’ that refer to a boggy marsh. The word can be used to refer to an actual swamp into which a person may be in danger of sinking. Or it can refer to a metaphorical swamp that features the same danger. For example: the scandal became something of a quagmire for the Senator. With every step he took, there was a danger he could get swallowed up by it.

Feb 15, 2021

Mesmerism is a noun that refers to taking control of someone’s personality.

An 18th century Austrian physician named Franz Anton Mesmer developed a system of hypnotism. Our word of the day is used to describe Dr. Mesmer’s system, but, centuries after his death, it’s also used to describe the control of someone’s personality in general. For example: It was strange to watch the rock star’s entourage wait on his every move. He seemed to have a mesmerism that made everyone cater to all his needs.

Feb 14, 2021

Satisfice is a verb that means to accept  or settle for any available option.

Our word of the day is an alteration of the word ‘satisfy,’ which means ‘to meet expectations or desires.’ But when a person satisfices they settle for something that doesn’t meet expectations. Instead, they accept the best available option.

When we were on the road, we often had only one run-down motel available to us as an option. So we had to satisfice for whatever was there for us.

Feb 13, 2021

Apace is an adverb that means quickly or swiftly.

Our word of the day has evolved from Middle English. A good way to understand its use is to say that it describes things happening ‘at a considerable pace.’ For example: With the deadline approaching, my work continued apace. Working quickly was the only way to get things done on time.

Feb 12, 2021

Aptonym is a noun that refers to a name that coincidentally describes a person’s profession.

The suffix N-Y-M has evolved from the Greek word for ‘name.’ Our word of the day combines this with the word apt, which means ‘fitting’ or ‘appropriate.’ So if a person were named James Farmer, his surname would be an aptonym if he made a living in agriculture.

One of the strangest things about the novel was all of the aptonyms. There was a police officer named Jimmy Cop, a vocalist named Frances Singer and a landscaper named Tori Gardener. When a character named Steve Lawless showed up, I knew things were going to get interesting.

Feb 11, 2021

Voluble is an adjective that means speaking rapidly or readily.

Volvere (vole VAR ay) is the Latin word for ‘roll’ or ‘revolve.’ The meaning of this root word evolved over time into a number of English words like ‘revolver’ and ‘revolution.’ It has also evolved and revolved into our word of the day, which is generally used to describe someone whose speech rolls along fluidly and quickly.

For example: That salesman’s patter was so voluble he persuaded me into buying a number of things I didn’t really need. But that’s what happens when dealing with a fast and smooth talker.

Feb 10, 2021

Pervicacious is an adjective that means obstinate or extremely willful.

The Latin word vincere (VEEN chair ay) means ‘win.’ Our word of the day combines this word with the prefix P-E-R, meaning ‘thoroughly.’ You could say that a pervicacious person is someone who is thoroughly committed to winning all the time. For example: Grandpa’s pervicacious rejection of new technology made it difficult to teach him a new language. It wasn’t easy to find a Spanish lesson that I could play on a gramophone.

Feb 9, 2021

Quiddity is a noun that refers to a distinctive feature.

The Latin word Quidditas means ‘the essence of things.’ Our word of the day maintains this same basic meaning.

James has a tendency to ramble on during his conversations, but this is just one of his quiddities. He simply wouldn’t be James without this habit.

Feb 8, 2021

Sine qua non is a noun that refers to an essential element.

The literal translation of our word of the day is ‘without which not.’ This is a helpful way to understand how to use our word of the day. For example: at cooking school, we didn’t learn about the using the oven for the first three months. This didn’t make sense, because the oven is the sine qua non of the kitchen. You could say that without an oven, a kitchen is just a big pantry with food.

Feb 7, 2021

Provident is an adjective that means making provisions for the future.

Our word of the day began in Latin and has evolved into English with the same pronunciation and meaning. When someone behaves in a provident fashion, they are preparing for the future in a prudent way.

Growing up poor, my parents learned to be provident with their finances. They saved almost everything they earned.

Feb 6, 2021

Quisling is a noun that refers to one who collaborates with an enemy.

Our word of the day comes from a Norwegian army officer who became known for collaborating with the German occupying forces during World War Two. His name evolved into a synonym of ‘traitor’ even before his death in 1945. Quisling is still used today in this same context. For example: A few of us spotted Donna having conversations with members of the other softball team at the bar. I think we may have a quisling on our hands, guys.

Feb 5, 2021

Penitent is an adjective that means feeling regret for past sins.

Our word of the day takes its origin from Middle English where it meant ‘regretful.’ In its earliest incarnation, it was used often by the Catholic church, but penitent can refer to any kind of regret a person may have. For example: I felt penitent about my angry outburst at the bar and, in retrospect, I deeply regret lashing out at Ryan simply for being a Red Sox fan.

Feb 4, 2021

Colloquy is a noun that refers to a conversation.

Our word of the day comes from the Latin word colloquium (coe LOW kwim) which means ‘conversation.’ The word has evolved into English, holding on to its same basic meaning. Colloquy is typically used in a formal context. For example: After our brief chat over a beer about the meaning of life, the four of us attended the theological conference where we had an official colloquy over the meaning of life. If you ask me, the chat over beers was a little more fun.

Feb 3, 2021

Superannuate is a verb that means to make or declare obsolete.

The Latin prefix S-U-P-E-R means ‘over,’ while annus (AH noose) — a word related to ‘annual’ — means ‘year.’ When someone is superannuated in a workplace, they are sent into retirement.

Being superannuated is something that can happen to an object as well as a person, for example: I can’t believe how much superannuated technology I was using in my old job at the printing press. Here we were in the mid-nineties using obsolete stuff like typewriters and fax machines like it was 1986.

Feb 2, 2021

Apothegm is a noun that refers to a brief saying or aphorism.

The Greek word apophthegma (ah poe THEG ma) translates literally into ‘something clearly stated.’ An apothegm is a saying that is not only clear but brief.

My old English teacher would often finish each day with a terse, witty saying. But after a while it became clear that he had run out of apothegms and was just reading from fortune cookies.

Feb 1, 2021

Assiduous is an adjective that means showing great care.

The Latin word assiduus (ah see DUECE) means ‘constant’ or ‘persistent.’ This word later evolved into our word of the day which is best used in a context that suggests constant care or attention to a particular goal. For example: I owe a great deal to the assiduous work of the medical staff. Without their around the clock care, I would never have recovered from that agonizing toothache.

Jan 31, 2021

Boutade is a noun that refers to a sudden outburst.

Our word of the day comes from a Middle French word that means ‘to thrust.’ When a person has a boutade, they often thrust a tirade on others. For example: The boutade Elaine delivered at the meeting hurt many people’s feelings. But in the end we all came to understand that these kinds of outbursts were common for her.

Jan 30, 2021

Pareidolia is a noun that refers to the tendency to interrupt something vague as meaningful.

The Greek word eidolon (Ay ee DOE lee on) means ‘image’ or ‘shape.’ When a person sees significance in random images, they are engaging in pareidolia.

For years, I looked at those odd spray painted images on our school wall and wondered if those who put it there were communicating in some strange language or if I was just having an episode of pareidolia.

Jan 29, 2021

Ultracrepidarian is an adjective that means expressing opinions outside of one’s knowledge. It can also be used as a noun that refers to a person who expresses opinion outside of ones knowledge.

Our word of the day takes its origin from a Latin phrase that means ‘the cobbler should not judge beyond his shoe.’ Crepidam (CRAY pee dam) means ‘shoe.’ With ultracrpepidarian, the addition of the prefix U-L-T-R-A, meaning ‘beyond’ gets us ‘beyond one’s shoe’ or ‘beyond one’s area of expertise.’

The word may be used as an adjective to describe the act of seeing beyond one’s knowledge or it can be a noun that describes a person with the habit of doing so, for example: I don’t want to be an ultracrepidarian, but I feel there is no reason NASA shouldn’t send a man to mars. I may not be an expert on space, but I’ve seen enough space movies to know that this kind of thing would be perfectly safe.

Jan 28, 2021

Acculturate is a verb that means to assimilate to a different culture.

The Latin word culture (cool TOUR ay) refers to growing or cultivating. It’s loosely related to the term agriculture, with refers to growing or cultivating fruits and vegetables. When a person acculturates, they allow themselves to be cultivated in ways that differ from the way they were initially raised.

For example: After moving to Japan when I was seventeen, I was acculturated in many ways that were unusual to me. But in the end I greatly enjoyed experiencing a different culture.

Jan 27, 2021

issement is a noun that refers to an enlightening explanation.

The French term eclaircir (ee CLAIR seer) means ‘to clear up’ or ‘enlighten.’ An eclaircissement is an act of clearing something up or enlightening them.

Robin’s eclaircissement of Mr. Harrington’s behavior helped me understand things much more clearly. I can now see exactly why he yelled at me every time I offered him scrambled eggs.

Jan 26, 2021

Insensate is an adjective that means unfeeling.

Our word of the day comes from the Latin word sensus (SEN soos) which means ‘sense,’ a term that can mean many things depending on its context. Similarly, the word insensate, which means ‘lacking sense or feeling,’ can refer to someone lacking ‘common sense,’ lacking consciousness or lacking compassion, such as: I found Nina’s behavior after my accident to be insensate. The compassionate thing to do would have been to offer me a seat so I could rest the toe I stubbed.’

Jan 25, 2021

Redact is a verb that means to edit for public consumption.

Our word of the day comes from the Latin word redactus (ray DACT oos), which means ‘reduced.’ When we redact information, we reduce the amount of it. For example: The senator felt compelled to redact the names of those involved in the scandal. But later, voters were outraged to learn that those names had been edited out of the report.

Jan 24, 2021

Promontory is a noun that refers to a cliff that extends into a large body of water.

Our word of the day is derived from the Latin word prominēre (pro min AIR ay) which means ‘jut forward.’ Promontory is related to the word prominent as in a prominent nose. In the same sense that a prominent nose juts out, a promontory is a point of land that juts out into a body of water.

Jan 23, 2021

Unstinted is an adjective that means given without restraint.

Stint, the root word of our word of the day, is of Old English origin and means ‘to shorten or restrict,’ so when something is unstinted, it is unrestricted, as in: The unstinted access we had to the studio was very helpful. There should never be restrictions placed on an artist’s creativity.

Jan 22, 2021

Outre is an adjective that means unusual or unconventional.

The French word outre (OOH tray) is a verb that means to go beyond. Our word of the day is used to describe things that go beyond conventional behavior. For example: Monique’s unusual attire was very inventive, but it was a little too outre for those at the church picnic. Such eccentric clothing is probably best reserved for a different crowd.

Jan 21, 2021

Hebdomadal is an adjective that means occurring every week.

The Greek word Hepta (HEPT ah) means seven. So when our word of the day drifted into English, it came to refer to a period of seven days that we call a week. A hebdomadal activity is something that takes place weekly. For example: Our hebdomadal meetings are a very helpful way to get things in order. That’s why I recommended weekly meetings in the first place.

Jan 20, 2021

Interstitial is an adjective that means occurring during an interval or between spaces.

The Latin word interstitium (een tear STEET ee um) means ‘interval.’ Anything interstitial takes place during an interval.

I enjoyed the bands that performed at the festival last week, but I enjoyed the interstitial music played over the loudspeakers even more. Sometimes music played between bands can upstage the bands themselves.

Jan 19, 2021

Neologism is a noun that refers to a newly coined word.

Our word of the day combines the Greek prefix N-E-O for ‘new’ and the suffix L-O-G-O for ‘word.’ Neologism itself is not a particularly new word. It’s been around since the early 19th century.

It’s always interesting to keep up with neologisms. The addition of new words to any language fascinates me.

Jan 18, 2021

Verklempt is an adjective that means overcome with emotion.

Our word of the day comes from the Yiddish word for ‘depressed’ or ‘grieving,’ but later came to be used in more prosaic contexts, like in reference to a person who is ‘choked up’ in the moment.

It was difficult for Detective Jones to get information from the witness because of how verklempt she was at the time. She was so choked up, the words just didn’t come.

Jan 17, 2021

Cutaneous is an adjective that means related to the skin.

The Latin word cutis (KOO tis) means ‘skin.’ Our word of the day is often used in a medical context.

The patient suffered from cutaneous injuries, but we are confident that damage done to her skin can be healed.

Jan 16, 2021

Abecedarian is a noun that refers to someone who is beginning to learn something.

Our word of the day’s origin comes literally from the ABCs. It was initially used to refer to people learning the alphabet, so its first six letters are a loose approximation of A-B-C-D-E.

When it comes to bowling, Erica was an abecedarian, so I was patient with her unimpressive first few outings at the sport. After all, someone just learning the basics can’t be expected to perform well right away.

Jan 15, 2021

Rictus is a noun that refers to a gaping mouth.

Our word of the day comes directly from Latin where it is translated into ‘open mouth.’ A person’s rictus refers to their mouth made wide open, usually in disgust or horror.

I didn’t know what had happened before I entered the room, but I could tell by Leslie’s rictus that something horrific had taken place. The grimace on her face made me shiver.

Jan 14, 2021

Firebrand is a noun that refers to one who agitates in support of a cause.

Our word of the day began in the 13th century as a term for a type — or ‘brand’ — of wood that was used to start or maintain fires. By the 14th century it had become used to refer to agitators for a cause.

My grandmother was a firebrand for equal rights in her day. She would give passionate speeches in support of her causes.

Jan 13, 2021

Inure is a verb that means to become accustomed to something unpleasant.

Our word of the day’s origin is from the Latin word opera (OH per uh) which means ‘work.’ From there it evolved into a word that means ‘to become accustomed to.’

Inure is generally used with a subject, meaning we usually become inured to something, as in:

I didn’t like coming in at six and working until two in the morning, but after all those years of working the graveyard shift at the convenience store, I had become inured to working late hours.

Jan 12, 2021

Exfiltrate is a verb that means to withdraw people from a dangerous position.

Our word of the day could be thought of as the opposite of ‘infiltrate,’ a word of Latin origin that means to secretly place people in an organization. To exfiltrate people means to secretly remove them. Both exfiltrate and infiltrate are often used in reference to spies or militaries.

After learning it was no longer safe for their operatives to be a part of the underground group, the FBI attempted to exfiltrate them from the scene. In cases like this it is always best to simply remove people at risk.

Jan 11, 2021

Hubris is a noun that refers to excessive pride or self-confidence.

Our word of the day comes from the Ancient Greeks and began to appear is English around the late 19th and early 20th century. The word may be used to refer to the excessive self-confidence of an individual or a group of individuals, for example: We had a number of great players on our high school team. But our collective hubris made us overly confident and we were beaten in the finals.

Jan 10, 2021

Dilettante is a noun that refers to an amateur or someone who dabbles in a particular field.

The Italian word dilettare (dill ay TAR ay) means ‘to delight.’ A dilettante is someone who does a particular thing because they delight in it — not because they are seeking a career in it.

I enjoyed that band I played in during high school, mainly because I was only in it for the enjoyment — not the money. Being a dilettante has its upsides.

Jan 9, 2021

Allusive is an adjective that means made by hinting or suggesting.

Our word of the day comes from the Latin word ludere (LOO dair ay) which means ‘play.’ When we allude to something, we are being playful or hinting about it. An allusive comment is something usually hinted at instead of being stated directly.

When my co-workers made some allusive joke about how we might need less space in the office, I didn’t understand what they meant. I later learned they were alluding to the rumored upcoming layoffs at the company.

Jan 8, 2021

Clemency is a noun that refers to leniency or mercy.

The Latin word clementia (klay MEN see uh) means ‘calm’ or ‘mild.’ When someone remains calm when considering punishment, the result is usually mercy in the form of a less severe punishment.

The judge used clemency when sentencing the guilty man. He felt that considering the man’s difficult background, a certain amount of leniency was called for.

Jan 7, 2021

Turbid is an adjective that means murky or unclear.

The Latin word turba (TOUR buh) means ‘a crowd.’ When something is turbid, it is thick and muddy like a crowd.

As a kid I often experimented with mixing up all kinds of beverages into my milkshakes, but the results were so turbid, I didn’t dare take a drink. I was no doctor, but I knew anything that murky and unclear had no business in my belly.

Jan 6, 2021

Ocular is an adjective that means visual or related to the eye.

The Latin word oculus (OH coo loose) means ‘eye.’ The word may refer to vision as in: Seeing that documentary provided ocular proof to me that a career in sports journalism was possible.

But ocular may also mean ‘related to the eye’ in a way that doesn’t pertain to vision, as in: The patient suffered from ocular pain for weeks before getting treatment on his eyes

Jan 5, 2021

Approbation is a noun that refers to approval or praise.

The Latin word probus (PRO boose) means ‘good.’ You could think of something that has gotten approbation as something that has been deemed good.

After all the bad reviews I received for my first novel, it felt wonderful to get so much approbation for my second. Finally, the critics have approved of my writing.

Jan 4, 2021

Redound is a verb that means to contribute greatly to.

Our word of the day comes from the Latin word redundare (ree done DAR ay) which means, ‘to overflow.’ This word later evolved into redound which is used to mean ‘to lead to’ or ‘contribute to.’

My daughter was frustrated by the ‘b’ she got on her science project, but I’m convinced that her hard work ethic will redound to her success.

Jan 3, 2021

Disquietude is a noun that refers to a state of anxiety.

The root word of disquietude is ‘quiet,’ a word of Latin origin that means ‘silent’ or ‘calm.’ When we disquiet a person or place, we disturb the peace and create uneasiness or disquietude.

I noticed a disquietude when I entered the office that morning. I didn’t know what had caused such anxiety, but I had a feeling the day wouldn’t be pleasant.

Jan 2, 2021

Synergy is a noun that refers to the interaction of more than one agent.

Our word of the day’s origin is from the Greek word sunergos (SUN er gose) which means ‘working together.’ The word is used to refer to cases when the sum of different people working together creates something greater than their separate effects. For example: Our first two albums were lots of fun, but our third album is when the synergy between us had peaked. With that album, all our combined worked created a masterpiece.

Jan 1, 2021

Furtive is an adjective that means attempting to avoid notice or attention.

The Latin word furtum (FOOR tomb) means theft. Our word of the day began with this meaning and, over time, evolved into its present meaning of ‘secretive’ or ‘hidden.’ Furtive can sometimes be used to convey a sense of guilty nervousness, as in: My diet prevents me from having anything loaded with sugar. But it didn’t stop me from taking many furtive glances at those cupcakes at the annual banquet last Monday.

Dec 31, 2020

Beleaguer is a verb that means to beset with difficulties.

Our word of the day derives from the Dutch word for ‘lay down’ or ‘camp.’ Over time, its meaning has shifted to mean ‘to lay siege to,’ as in: We hope the military isn’t hear to beleaguer the city. It would be horrible if they laid siege to our lovely town.

Dec 30, 2020

Gangly is an adjective that means tall and awkward.

Our word of the day comes from the word gang, which originated in Scottish and referred to motion, as in saying: ‘gang to bed.’ The way someone might say ‘go to bed.’

This word evolved into the adjective ‘gangly.’ A tall person of clumsy motions would be considered gangly, for example:

It surprised met hat Richard turned out to be such an amazing athlete. His gangly physique suggested the clumsy, uncoordinated motions of somebody you’d never want to pick for your basketball team.

Dec 29, 2020

Crux is a noun that refers to the central or most important part.

Our word of the day comes directly from the Latin word for ‘the cross.’ It’s not clear how it evolved into its present meaning, but it is now used to refer to the most important part of a particular matter.

Rex and Regina came from very different cultural background, but I wouldn’t say those differences were the crux of their disagreements. The main issue had to do with their political differences.

Dec 28, 2020

Cavil is a verb that means to make petty or unnecessary objections.

Our word of the day’s origin is from the Latin word cavilla (Ka VEEL ah) which means ‘mockery.’ Caviling something is not quite the same as mocking it. Instead it is making petty observations in objection to something.

Those who opposed the education bill caviled at the cost. This kind of petty objection has a way of stopping some important legislation.

Dec 27, 2020

Purport is a verb that means to claim.

Our word of the day comes from Middle English and means ‘to carry.’ The word’s meaning has shifted over the years and now means ‘to make a claim’ — often a false claim.’

I repeated heard Sally purport a knowledge of French culture. But it was later discovered that she doesn’t know a chocolate souffle from an Edgar Degas.

Dec 26, 2020

Cadre is a noun that refers to a small group of people in a particular field.

The latin word quadrus (KWAD roos) refers to a ‘square.’ The meaning of the word shifted over to time to mean ‘a small group of specialized people.’

If it weren’t for a cadre of skilled scientists, our country would have been doomed in the early 20th century. Sometimes all it takes a tiny group to save us all.

Dec 25, 2020

Panjandrum is a noun that refers to a person who claims to have great influence.

The strange origin or our word of the day begins with an 18th century playwright named Samuel Foote, who simply made up the word as a test of memory for an actor friend of his. Decades later the word came to refer to a person claiming to be a great importance.

Horace can come across as something of a panjandrum. He struts around as if he expects everyone to either serve him or get out of his way.

Dec 24, 2020

Indefatigable is an adjective that means incapable of being fatigued.

The root word of indefatigable is ‘fatigue’ a word that means ‘to feel tired or exhausted.’ Its origin is from the Latin word ‘fatigare,’ (fah tee GAR ay) which means ‘to weary’ or ‘tire out.’ Our word of the day simply describes a person that cannot be ‘tired out.’

Our indefatigable secretary Doris deserves a great deal of credit for the latest project’s success. She spent countless hours in the office to make sure everything got done.

Dec 23, 2020

Myriad is a noun that refers to an extremely great number.

Our word of the day is derived from the Greek word myrios (MEER ee ose) which refers to the number ten thousand. Over time this evolved into a reference to any extremely large number. Myriad can sometimes be used as an adjective that basically has the same meaning. As a noun we would say: Chuck had a myriad of options when he graduated from an Ivy League college.

As an adjective, we’d say: When Chuck graduated from an Ivy League college, his options were myriad.

Dec 22, 2020

Weal is a noun that refers to well-being.

Our word of the day’s similarity to the word ‘wealth’ is no coincidence. Both have the same Old English origin and their meaning is related to well-being. But weal is a broader term that refers to a person’s best interest, while wealth usually pertains specifically to financial status.

For example: I was concerned about Melissa’s weal when she mentioned not getting much sleep lately. I get the feeling she hasn’t been doing very well.

Dec 21, 2020

Draconian is an adjective that means excessively harsh.

Our word of the day comes from a 7th Century Athenian legislator known for his harsh laws. The word retains its same basic meaning today. For example: the draconian approach to law enforcement, isn’t always the best. It may cause people to comply, but having citizens living in fear of punishment is not the best path to a compassionate society.

Dec 20, 2020

Augur is a verb that means to predict a good or bad outcome.

Our word of the day comes from the Middle English word for ‘a diviner.’ More recently, it’s come to mean ‘predict an outcome.’ I struck out three times at softball practice today — and I was the best batter on the team. That doesn’t augur well for our upcoming game on Saturday.

Dec 19, 2020

Resile is a verb that means to abandon a position or course of action.

The Latin word salire (sa LEER ay) means ’to jump.’ When combined with the prefix R-E, we get a word that means ‘to jump back’ or to abandon a previous plan.

James knew that his idea for launching the company had failed, but the problem was that he couldn’t resile from the idea. I’m sure if there had been any way to abandon it he would have.

Dec 18, 2020

Conterminous is an adjective that means sharing a common boundary.

The Latin word terminus (TEAR me noos) means ‘border.’ When combined with the Latin prefix C-O-N, we get a word that means ‘sharing a border.’ Two things are regarded as conterminous if they share a common boundary.

I’ve been to all forty-eight states that are conterminous with each other in the US. Someday, I hope to visit Alaska and Hawaii outside of the that boundary.

Dec 17, 2020

Lope is a verb that means to travel at an easy pace with long strides.

Our word of the day gets its origin from the Middle English word for ‘leap.’ It is best used when referring to someone moving at a casual, leisurely pace.

As a kid, I would lope through those open fields for hours, taking long, easy strides — until I heard those rattlesnakes in the bushes and I took faster, less easy strides into the house.

Dec 17, 2020

Sobriquet is a noun that refers to a nickname.

Our word of the day comes directly from the French word for nickname. Its origin borrows a little from Latin and refers to a ‘tap under the chin,’ as in a ‘jest’ or a ‘quip.’

After his performance at the karaoke party, Michael earned the sobriquet ‘Sinatra.’ His rendition of Strangers in the Night was so perfect, that no other nickname could apply.

Dec 15, 2020

Philistine is a noun that refers to a person who lacks appreciation of culture.

The original Philistines of the Bible were a tribe of people who were portrayed as crude and warlike. By the early 19th century, the term had come to refer to anyone who was perceived as uncultured or unsophisticated.

When my professor friends come over for a visit, I usually make sure I have copies of books laying around the house to help me appear cultured. I wouldn’t want then to think I’m a philistine.

Dec 14, 2020

Diurnal is an adjective that means happening durning the daylight hours.

Our word of the day comes from the Latin word dies (DYE ess) which simply means ‘day.’ Diurnal usually refers to the ‘the daytime’ as opposed to night.

The older I get, the more diurnal my lifestyle becomes. I have most of my fun when the sun is out shining, but the minute night falls, I’m drowsy and ready for bed.

Dec 13, 2020

Insufflate is a verb that means to blow to breathe something in.

The Latin word insufflare (in sue FLAR ay) means ‘to breath.’ Our word of the day has originated from this and come to refer to the act of blowing into something.

The patient mentioned that they couldn’t insufflate enough to blow out the candles on a birthday cake. When the act of blowing is this difficult it suggests severe damage to the lungs.

Dec 12, 2020

Natter is a verb that means to talk about unimportant matters. It can also be used as a noun to describe casual and leisurely conversation.

The origin of our word of the day is unclear, but it seems to have taken life in an imitative manner, meaning the word ‘natter’ came to be through people imitating the sound of incessant small talk. Brenda doesn’t talk much at work, but when she’s around friends she can natter for hours.

Dec 11, 2020

Parkour is a noun that refers to the sport of moving through an environment while negotiating objects.

Coming directly from the French word for ‘route’ or ‘course,’ our word of the day refers to a sport that has gained popularity very recently. It involves rapidly running and jumping through difficult terrain, usually in a crowded, urban environment.

I would love to participate in parkour someday, but I’m not sure if I have the stamina. For somebody my age, moving rapidly through the restroom is enough of a challenge.

Dec 10, 2020

Melange is a noun that refers to a mixture of different elements.

Our word of the day comes directly from the French word that means ‘a mixture’ or ‘medley.’ Melange is a synonym of ‘assortment,’ but it specifically means a mix of thing things that don’t ordinarily go together. For example: My dad’s record collection was a pretty strange melange. He had records by The Rolling Stones, MC Hammer and Benny Goodman.

Dec 9, 2020

Dogsbody is a noun that refers to a person tasked with menial work.

Our word of the day began as a term used in the British navy for pudding. It has come to refer to a person who has a tedious, unpleasant job.

I was a dogsbody for my first year at the television station. I got people’s coffee, answered phones and did other tasks nobody else wanted to do.

Dec 8, 2020

Sempiternal is an adjective that means seeming to last forever.

The Latin word semper (SEM per) means forever. Our word of the day has the same basic meaning. For me, old westerns have a sempiternal quality to them. As far as I’m concerned, they will be great for all eternity.

Dec 7, 2020

Iota is a noun that refers to a very small quantity.

Our word of the day gets its name from the ninth letter of the Greek alphabet. And because iota is also the smallest letter, it came to refer to something extremely small.

Charles may have pretended to care about his cousin’s misfortune, but when Devon needed his help, he didn’t do one iota to assist him.

Dec 6, 2020

Peregrinate is a verb that means to navigate by foot.

Our word of the day comes from the Latin word peregre (PAIR ay grey) which means ‘to travel abroad.’ The word’s meaning has broadened since evolving into English to simply mean ‘travel from place to place’ — usually by foot.

The thing I love most about living in the country is the open spaces available to roam. You can peregrinate for miles and never find yourself in the same spot twice.Peregrinate is a verb that means to navigate by foot.

Our word of the day comes from the Latin word peregre (PAIR ay grey) which means ‘to travel abroad.’ The word’s meaning has broadened since evolving into English to simply mean ‘travel from place to place’ — usually by foot.

The thing I love most about living in the country is the open spaces available to roam. You can peregrinate for miles and never find yourself in the same spot twice.

Dec 5, 2020

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Dec 4, 2020

Astigmatic is an adjective that means showing an incapacity for observation or discrimination.

Coming from the Greek word stigma (STEEG ma) the term astigmatism refers to an eye condition that causes images to seem distorted. The word can also be used metaphorically to describe an inability to see things clearly.

With all due respect to Johnny, I feel he has an astigmatic interpretation of the evens at the office party. I don’t know why he seems so unable to see things clearly, but his feeling on things just seems distorted to me.

Dec 3, 2020

Ambivert is a noun that refers to someone who has characteristics of an extrovert and an introvert.

The terms introvert and extrovert have been around since roughly the turn of the 20th century. An extrovert is described as someone who enjoys being with other people and an introvert is someone generally prefers to be alone. Our word of the day combines those words to describe someone who has tendencies of both terms.

I had always thought of Donna as an ambivert, but after seeing her warm gregarious social behavior, I see her more as an extrovert. She doesn’t have any introversion in her as far as I can tell.

Dec 2, 2020

Politesse is a noun that refers to formal politeness.

The Latin word politus (po LEE toos) means ‘civil’ or ‘polite.’ It is the basis of words like ‘politics’ and it’s used to indicate a politeness reserved for formal settings. For example: I was afraid that Jeremy would embarrass us at the governor’s mansion — especially with his wild sense of humor. He’s not familiar with the kind of politesse that’s expected at formal gatherings.

Dec 1, 2020

Askew is an adjective that means crooked or not straight.

Our word of the day comes from Middle English and simply meant slanted or not parallel. Askew can still be used in this sense today, but it can also be used figuratively to refer to something that is awry or wrong.

Our plan was to spend a fun weekend in the woods and savor the wildlife, but our plan went askew when we forgot to bring mosquito repellent.

Nov 30, 2020

Endemic is an adjective that means native to a particular area.

The Greek word endemios (en DEM ee os) means ‘native.’ As this word evolved into our word of the day, it maintained the same basic meaning. If something is endemic to an area, it is native there.

When I returned to Australia, I’d forgotten how many species were endemic to the country. It was great seeing all those native animals again.

Nov 29, 2020

Impart is a verb that means to communicate or make information known.

The Latin word impartire (im par TEAR ay) means ‘to divide’ or ‘disseminate.’ When we disseminate or impart information, we make it more known or available to people.

I’m glad my parents took the time to impart to me the wisdom of ancient philosophers. Too bad I didn’t take the time to listen to them.

Nov 28, 2020

Viscous is an adjective that means having a thick, sticky consistency.

The Latin word viscum (VEES coom) refers to birdlime, a sticky substance used on twigs to trap small birds. Something that is described as viscous may not have anything to do with birds or birdlime, but it has in common that sticky consistency.

As a bartender, I discovered, after trying to experiment with my own concoctions, that people prefer drinks that go down nice and smooth. Anything too viscous is not likely to gain many fans.

Nov 27, 2020

Gelid is an adjective that means icy or extremely cold.

The Latin word gelu (JAY loo) means ‘frost’ or ‘intense cold.’ The word can be used as a literal reference to something icy or very cold as in ‘The pond was gelid that evening,’ or it can be used metaphorically as in: I was hoping for a warm reception at the reunion, but when I got a gelid greeting from everyone, I had a feeling their memories of me weren’t very fond.

Nov 26, 2020

Contretemps is a noun that refers to a minor dispute or disagreement.

The Latin word tempus (TEM poos) means ‘time.’ Combined with the prefix C-O-N-T-R-E, which means  ‘counter’ or ‘against,’ we get a word that describes people engaged in disagreement or dispute.

With so many passionate people in the publishing industry, it’s not surprising that we would have the occasional contretemps in our office. Just the other day, a loud argument ensued over the proposed cover of a romance novel.

Nov 25, 2020

Ursine is an adjective that means related to or resembling a bear.

The Latin word Ursus (OOR soos) means ‘bear.’ The word has migrated to English to become our word of the day. Describing a person or thing as ursine, is suggesting they resemble a bear, either in appearance, behavior or both. For example:

Bearded and weighing close to three hundred pounds, Mr. Henry’s ursine looks could be pretty intimidating for a kid. It’s not often you step into a classroom and find someone who looks like they maul you.

Nov 24, 2020

Canard is a noun that refers to an unfounded rumor.

Our word of the day originated from canard (CAN are) the French word for ‘duck.’ The journey from ‘duck’ to ‘unfounded rumor’ is a complicated one that begins with a French phrase that refers to ‘half-selling a duck’ or ‘cheating.’ From there, the word came to mean something ‘unfounded.’

The more I travel, the more I find many old canards about certain countries to be untrue. The French, for example, are not rude as many unfounded beliefs suggest.

Nov 23, 2020

Soi-disant is an adjective that means self-described.

Our word of the day comes directly from the French words for ‘oneself’ and ‘saying.’ It’s usually used to refer to a title or description a person has given themselves. Example: Charlie is a soi-disant troublemaker. But most of the trouble from this self-described troublemaker involves stealing the occasional cookie from the kitchen when his mom isn’t looking.

Nov 22, 2020

ulgate is a verb that means to make an idea or belief known among people.

Our word of the day comes from the Latin word promulgare (pro mull GAR ay) which means ‘to bring something out.’ When we bring out a belief or idea among others, we promulgate it. For example: Some of my favorite philosophers of the 19th century helped spread ideas of tolerance. It’s a lovely thing that people used their pulpit to promulgate acceptance.

Nov 21, 2020

Ballast is a noun that refers to something that gives stability.

The origin or our word of the day is uncertain, but we know that it began as a word to describe a device used to create balance on such things as sailboats. When used figuratively, it refers to anything that provides balance or stability. For example: When she joined a workplace with so many people in their late teens and twenties, Sara needed to serve as a ballast. Because she was in her forties, she could provide the kind of stability that a younger person could not.

Nov 20, 2020

Procrustean is an adjective that means enforcing conformity.

According to Greek mythology, Procrustes was a cruel villain who was eventually killed by the hero Theseus. Today the word is used to describe a villain who forces others to move in lock step to their command.

Mrs. Beale could be a procrustean leader in our sixth grade English class. She demanded that everybody adhere to her very strict dress code that included no short sleeves, no shorts, no colors except for those representing the Pittsburgh Steelers black and gold.

Nov 19, 2020

Semiotics is a noun that refers to a study of signs and symbols.

Our word of the day  comes from the Greek word sēmeiotikos (same OH tea kose) means ‘of signs.’ A course in semiotics is a course in signs, symbols and their meaning.

According to my professor, there’s a lot to learn by examining the semiotics of a movie. Even when certain themes aren’t stated directly, they can be embedded in a work of art through the use of various signs and symbols.

Nov 18, 2020

Predilection is a noun that refers to a preference for.

The Latin word prediligere (pray day LEEGE air ay) means ‘to prefer before others.’ Having a predilection means to have a preference before others. For example: When it comes to food and movies, everyone knows I have a predilection for Italian. Nothing moves me more than an evening of Sergio Leone movies while eating linguini and clam sauce.

Nov 17, 2020

Pro forma is an adjective that means standard or done as a matter of politeness.

Our word of the day comes directly from a Latin phrase that translates to ‘for form’s sake.’ It’s often used to describe the form of documents.

I could tell the letter supposedly sent by the company offering a million dollar settlement was a fake because it wasn’t written in a pro forma manner. A legitimate letter of that kind would have been written in a far different way.

Nov 16, 2020

Foment is a verb that means to instigate or stir up.

Our word of the day comes from the Latin word fovere (for VARE ay) meaning to ‘heat.’ Heating something up is often used in cooking to help ingredients blend together. When we heat up or foment something in a more figurative sense, we instigate them, for example: We didn’t know that when Tammy objected to our uniform, she was trying to foment a rebellion on the softball team. Before long, everyone was boycotting practice until they got the blue and white pinstripes they wanted.

Nov 15, 2020

Ingratiate is a verb that means to bring oneself into favor with.

The Latin phrase in gratium (een GRATS ee oom) means ‘in favor.’ When someone ingratiates themselves to someone, they bring themselves in favor with them. The word is frequently used in an unflattering way to suggest that the person doing the ingratiating has an agenda.

When Harvey offered to work late last week, we knew he was simply trying to ingratiate himself to the new boss. This was exactly what we’d come to expect from a man who has a history of trying to kiss up to people in authority.

Nov 14, 2020

Askance is an adverb that means ‘with a look of suspicion or disapproval.’

The origin of our word of the day is not known, but we are aware that it’s been around since the late 15th century and it is used in a context to describe a look or an attitude of suspicion. For example: Terri looked askance at the company’s policy of asking for her social security number immediately after entering the building. It seemed a very good reason to suspect something odd was going on.

Nov 13, 2020

Perforce is an adverb that is used to express necessity.

Our word of the day comes directly from Middle English, meaning ‘by force.’ When we do something perforce, we do it because we’re forced to do so out of social or practical necessity. For example: When I asked Eric how things were going, I was doing so perforce, not because I wanted an answer. But Eric gave me a forty-five minute update on exactly how things were going.

Nov 12, 2020

Incandescent is an adjective that means bright or brilliant.

The Latin word candidus (can DEE doos) means ‘brilliant’ or ‘bright.’ Our word of the day has evolved from this origin and can be used in a literal or metaphorical sense. For example: Sandy’s incandescent performance was an inspiration to us all. It’s not often that you see someone play the violin with such passion and brilliance.

Nov 11, 2020

Refulgent is an adjective that means shining brightly.

The Latin word fulgure (FOOL gere ay) means ‘gleam.’ When something is described as refulgent, we mean it shines brightly. For example: I instantly fell in love with Regina’s painting. All those refulgent colors brought me to tears.

Nov 10, 2020

Jettison is a verb that means to abandon or discard something useless.

Our word of the day comes from the Latin word Jactare (yack TAR ay) which means ‘to throw.’ Jettison emerged as an English word in the mid 19th century and means to ‘to throw away.’

I got about halfway through my hike before I realized I’d have to jettison my backpack. It had become so frail and useless that I simply had to abandon it.

Nov 9, 2020

Congeries is a noun that refers to a collection of disparate items.

Coming directly From Latin, our word of the day shares its root with words like congress and congregate. All of these words refer to people or things forming as a collection. But Congeries usually refers to a disorderly collection of random things.

We found a strange congeries of scholarly articles, fitness magazines and comic books in my great-grandfather’s belongings. He was clearly a man of wide-ranging tastes.

Nov 8, 2020

Dissemble is a verb that means to conceal one’s true motives or feelings.

Our word of the day comes from the Latin word dissimulare (dee seem ooh LAR ay) which means ‘to disguise’ or ‘conceal.’

When Cory supported the store’s opening, he tried to dissemble the reasons for his support. But he couldn’t conceal those reasons from us. We knew he was one of the store’s chief investors.

Nov 7, 2020

Slapdash is an adjective that means done hurriedly and carelessly.

Our word of the day comes from a 17th century English play called the The Kind Keeper. By combining the words ‘slap’ and ‘dash,’ it conveyed a sense of something done quickly and without much care.

As a plumber, Darren may be a fast worker, but he can be a little too slapdash for some clients’ tastes. Most people want their work done with much care — even if it means taking a little longer.

Nov 6, 2020

Ennui is a noun that refers to a state of boredom.

Our word of the day shares its Old French origin with the word ‘annoy.’ When something brings ennui into our lives it annoys us and makes us weary.

After years of working in the sales industry, I began to feel a sense of ennui. I just couldn’t escape the sense of boredom it caused me to work in a field that I didn’t excel at.

Nov 5, 2020

Stochastic is an adjective that means randomly selected.

Our word of the day comes from the Greek word stokhos (STOKE hose) which means ‘to aim at’ or ‘guess.’ When we guess something we are more or less selecting it randomly.

I was honored to be selected the captain of the bowling team until I learned the process of being picked was stochastic. I wouldn’t have been so honored if I’d known I was picked at random.

Nov 4, 2020

Rodomontade is a noun that refers to a bragging speech.

Our word of the day comes from an epic Medieval Italian poem called the Frenzy of Orlando. More specifically, the word rodomontade’s origin is from a boastful character in the poem.  Today the word is a noun that refers to any boastful speech.

Most people in the audience were pretty annoyed at Carl’s rodomontade. That kind of self-congratulatory speech can only alienate you from people.

Nov 3, 2020

Duplicity is a noun that refers to contradictory speech or behavior.

The Latin word duplicitas (doo plea CHEAT us) means ‘twofold.’ You could think of any form of duplicity as twofold in the same way we think of a liar or cheater as ‘two-faced.’

Example: Many people refuse to vote because they find cases of duplicity in the political world. But it’s important to remember that not all public officials are guilty of this kind of contradictory behavior.

Nov 2, 2020

Idoneous is an adjective that means fit or proper.

Our word of the day comes almost directly from the Latin word idoneus (ee DOHN ee oos) and its meaning has remained much the same since evolving into English. When something is described as ideonous, we mean it fits a given need.

Visiting foreign countries can be a little uncomfortable because I never know the idoneous thing to say. It takes time to find the right phrase for the right occasion.

Nov 1, 2020

Renege is a verb that means to go back on a promise or commitment.

Derived from Medieval Latin, our word of the day was once used as a synonym of ‘denial,’ but more recently, it means to reverse field on a commitment previously made. For example: The mayor promised to support the football team when they first arrived in town. But after three awful seasons he reneged on that promise.

Oct 31, 2020

Exiguous is an adjective that means inadequate or scarce.

Our word of the day comes from the Latin word exiguus (ecks ay GOOSE) which has the same basic meaning as exiguous. It is used to describe something that is not in adequate supply.

The exiguous resources in our small town was a serious problem for business. It’s hard to run a business when the things you need are in short supply.

Oct 30, 2020

Mete is a verb that means to measure or dole out.

Our word of the day comes from an Old English word that means ‘to allot’ or ‘measure.’ You could think of meting something out as giving each person their allotment. But typically the word refers to giving out punishment or some kind of harsh treatment. For example: When it comes time to sentence the guilty parties, we’re certain that the judge will mete out the punishment fairly. We predict each person will get a year in prison.

Oct 29, 2020

Irksome is an adjective that means annoying.

To irk someone is to annoy or irritate them. When we combine this word of Middle English origin with the suffix S-O-M-E, which means ‘tending to cause,’ we get a word for a person or thing that tends to annoy or irritate.

Don’t get me wrong, Craig is a great co-worker to have. But his habit of singing in his cubicle non-stop can get a bit irksome after several hours.

Oct 28, 2020

Subterfuge is a noun that refers to deception.

Our word of the day combines the Latin prefix S-U-B-T-E-R, meaning ‘secretly’ with F-U-G-E from the Latin verb for ‘to flee.’ The words together give us a word to describe someone secretly escaping the truth.

We went to the retreat thinking we were participating in a camping trip, but soon discovered that the trip was just subterfuge for their true purpose: a high-level financial scam.

Oct 27, 2020

Ignominy is a noun that refers to deep humiliation or disgrace.

The root Latin word of ignominy is nomen (NO men) which means ‘name’ or ‘repute.’ When a person’s name has been disgraced they have suffered great harm to their name or reputation. Our word of the day is used to capture this sense of humiliation. For example: Becoming class valedictorian was a great source of pride for Thomas. But when he was discovered cheating on his finals exams, that pride was replaced by ignominy.

Oct 26, 2020

Intransigent is an adjective that means uncompromising.

The Latin word transigere (tran SEE jare ay) means ‘to come to an agreement.’ As this word evolved into intransigent, it added the prefix I-N to mean ‘not’ and became a word to mean ‘unable to come to an agreement.’

Everyone else in the family wanted to watch a horror movie last night, but I was intransigent on the issue. I wanted to watch an old John Wayne western and I refused to settle for anything else.

Oct 25, 2020

Puissant is an adjective that means powerful.

Our word of the day comes from the Latin word posse (POSS ay) which means ‘to be able.’ A puissant person or group who is able to do quite a lot because of their power.

If we wanted to accomplish our goals, we needed the help of a puissant advocate of worker’s rights. Without some powerful people assisting us, we had no hope.

Oct 24, 2020

Conflagration is a noun that refers to a large, disastrous fire.

Our word of the day comes almost directly from the Latin word conflagare (con flah GAR ay) which simply means ‘fire.’ But a conflagration isn’t just a fire — it’s an out-of-control blaze that causes unintended damage. In other words, you wouldn’t use it to describe a bonfire or the small blaze in your fireplace.

It saddened me to see all the damage caused by the conflagration at the museum. There’s something dejecting about seeing all that beauty destroyed by one giant fire.

Oct 23, 2020

Lilliputian is an adjective that means small or petty.

Our word of the day comes from the Jonathan Swift novel Gulliver’s Travels as a reference to a tiny group of people roughly six inches tall. More recently the word may be used as a noun to refer to a small, petty thing or as an adjective. For example: I lost my nail clipper as we were climbing the mountain. But in the midst of such a monumental occurrence, we had no time for such lilliputian concerns.

Oct 22, 2020

Brume is a noun that refers to a mist or a fog.

The Latin word bruma (BROOM uh) means ‘winter.’ The word soon evolved to describe a fog or haze — something often seen in the winter. The view on the beach is usually lovely. But when that fog comes in, it has a tendency to obscure the waters and the distant shore. Nothing messes up a breathtaking view like a brume.

Oct 21, 2020

Gracile is an adjective that means slender.

Coming from the Latin word gracilis (GROTCH ee lease) which means ‘thin,’ our word of the day is a synonym of ‘lean’ or ‘slight.’

My daughter’s efforts to try out for the wrestling team didn’t work out so well. Having a petite, gracile body may be great for gymnastics, but it doesn’t help you much on the wrestling mat.

Oct 20, 2020

Clamber is a verb that means to climb awkwardly.

Deriving from Old English, our word of the day is often used to describe people climbing over or past obstacles like rocks. For example: For most of us having all those boxes laying around the office was a huge problem. But for Rhonda, all those years of mountain climbing made her an expert at clambering past obstacles.

Oct 19, 2020

Evanescent is an adjective that means vanishing like vapor.

Our word of the day is derived from the Latin word evanescent (ay ven uh SHENT) which means ‘to disappear.’ Evanescent may be used to refer to something that disappears in a literal sense or it can be used more figuratively as a synonym of ‘ephemeral’ or ‘temporary.’ For example: That recollection of our family singing around the fireplace at Christmas will stay with me forever. The moment itself may have been evanescent, but the memory is eternal.

Oct 18, 2020

Phonate is a verb that means to make vocal sounds.

The Greek word Phone (PHONE) means ‘sound.’ Our word of the day is a synonym of words like ‘talk,’ and ‘speak’ but it’s a broader term that refers to the making of any kind of sound from a person’s mouth.

The microphones we used in the studio were so sensitive they picked up any sounds from the speaker’s mouth — even if they weren’t aware of making them. When people would phonate in any way — lick their lips, breathe or even open their mouths — the evidence would be right there in the listener’s ears.

Oct 17, 2020

Proffer is a verb that means to present for acceptance. It is also a noun that refers to an offer being made.

Our word of the day’s origin is similar to that of the word ‘offer.’ Both are derived from Anglo-French, but ‘proffer’ is a word that stresses the kindness of the act. For example, When Wendy needed a place to stay, her friend Lisa presented her with an opportunity to live rent-free in one of her apartments. The generous proffer brought tears to Wendy’s eyes.

Oct 16, 2020

Pelion is a noun that refers to a huge or difficult task.

Our word of the day refers to an imposingly high mountain range in Northeastern Greece. It’s been referenced in many Ancient Greek works of art. In addition to its geographical definition, it may be used to refer to any imposing or difficult task. For example: Rodney has faced many challenges in his life, but making it as an art dealer might be his biggest pelion yet. Compared to this, running a marathon was nothing.

Oct 15, 2020

Reciprocity is a noun that refers to mutual benefit.

The Latin word reciprocus (ray CHEAP roe coos) means ‘returning the same way.’ Our word of the day may be used to describe a state where two or more people engage in behavior that helps everybody or ‘returns the same way’ for all. For example, After years of getting free tax advice from Shelly, I decided to repay her by coaching her son’s baseball team. She greatly appreciated the reciprocity.

Oct 14, 2020

Felicific is an adjective that means tending to cause happiness.

The Latin word Felix (FAY licks) means ‘happy.’ This word has given birth to words like felicidad (fay LEASE ee dod) the Spanish word for ‘happiness’ as well as names like Felix, Felicity and Felicia — all of which have a meaning related to happiness. If something is felicific, it tends to make people happy.

I enjoyed volunteering to help people in ways that brought happiness to their lives. Having a felicific hobby is a great way to brighten people’s life.

Oct 13, 2020

Penurious is an adjective that means marked by suffering.

Our word of the day comes from the Latin word penuria (pen YOOR ee uh) which means ‘poverty.’ The strict definition of penurious is ‘to be in poverty,’ but the ‘poverty’ in this case doesn’t only refer to not having much money. It can also refer to someone suffering a great deal. For example: I’m glad to hear that Cassie has been feeling much better these days. She’s seen some penurious days immediately after her surgery.

Oct 12, 2020

Retronym is a noun that refers to a term to distinguish the original older version of something.

Our word of the day’s prefix R-E-T-R-O refers to a revival of something, by adding the suffix N-Y-M, meaning ‘name,’ we get a word that means ‘a name for something old.’ More specifically, a word for something old that has been replaced by something newer. For example: It still seems odd to me to refer to my phone as a ‘land line.’ I tend to forget that for younger people, most of their phones are cell phones. That’s why it is necessary to use the retronym ‘land line.’

Oct 11, 2020

A Kludge is a makeshift solution to a problem.

Our word of the day is a fairly recent addition to the English language. Coming from the German word klug (KLOOK) which means ‘smart,’ kludge popped up in the 1960s as a word for a way around a problem — often a problem in the world of technology. For example: My computer won’t allow me to enter the proper data, so I’ll give my friend Aaron a call to see if he can help. Aaron can be a big help when you need a kludge around a tech-related problem.

Oct 10, 2020

Andragogy is a noun that refers to the science of teaching adults.

Our word of the day combines the Greek prefix A-N-D-R-A, which means ‘man’ or ‘adult’ with A-G-O-G-Y, which means ‘teaching.’ Just as pedagogy is generally used in a context to refer to teaching children, andragogy usually refers to teaching adults.

I taught an adult education class a few years ago and I can tell that andragogy was a really big shift for me. For one thing, the students in that class were a lot less interested in coloring books.

Oct 9, 2020

Penetralia is a noun that refers to the innermost part.

Our word of the day comes from the Latin word penetralis (pen ay TRAWL ace) which means ‘innermost.’ It’s where we get the word ‘penetrate.’ When we penetrate a place, we see the innermost part, or penetralia.

As lovely as the castle looks on the outside, it’s even lovelier on the inside. The penetralia contains all kinds of exotic jewels.

Oct 8, 2020

Insolate is a verb that means to place in the sunlight.

The Latin word sol (SOLE) refers to ‘the sun.’ From this, our word of the day gets its origin. To insolate something means to place it in sunlight.

I tend to get a little lazy when it comes to taking care of my plants. Sometimes I go weeks where I forget to insolate them because I don’t always remember how important it is that they get sunlight.

Oct 7, 2020

Pendulous is an adjective that means hanging downward.

The Latin word pendere (PEN dare ay) means ‘to hang.’ A pendulous item hangs — usually on its own. For example: During construction, that pendulous wrecking ball above the school has always made me uncomfortable. I’m afraid it will someday stop hanging and fall on the head of some unfortunate passerby.

Oct 6, 2020

Nutriment is a noun that refers to something that provides substance.

The Latin word nutrire (new TREE ray) means ‘to nourish.’ It has given birth to such words as nutritious, nutrient,  nutritionist and our word of the day. Nutriment may refer to specific foods or it may refer more broadly to nutritious substance. For an example of the latter: Pizza may taste good, but it doesn’t provide much in the way of nutriment. I usually try to eat only foods that have a great deal of substance.

Oct 5, 2020

Vexatious is an adjective that means irritating or distressing.

To vex someone is to trouble or distress them. This word comes from the Latin word vexere (VEX air ay) which means ‘to disturb’ or ‘agitate.’ Vexatious is the adjective version used to describe something or someone that disturbs or agitates.

I hate to be vexatious during work hours, but I insist on having relaxing music playing in the workplace at all times. I apologize if that irritates my co-workers.

Oct 4, 2020

Longevous is an adjective that means long-lived.

Our word of the day gets its origin by combining two Latin words longus (LONE goose) which means ‘long’ and aevum (EYE voom) which means ‘age.’

My cousin has wanted to be an astronaut since he was five. While this never seemed like a realistic goal, I’ve always admired this longevous dream of his.

Oct 3, 2020

Ultima thule is a noun that refers to a distant, unknown region.

Our word of the day is a combination of the Latin word Ultima (OOL team uh) which means ‘final’ and thula, a word of Greek origin that refers to ‘the northernmost region of the world.’

Ultima Thule does not refer to a specific location. It simply means any unknown, distant place. For example: When we found ourselves lost in the jungle, we were afraid we’d wind up in some distant place we wouldn’t be able to identify. But instead of finding some dangerous Ultima Thule we somehow made it back home.

Oct 2, 2020

Idiolect is a noun that refers to the language or speech unique to a particular person.

Our word of the day combines the Greek prefix I-D-E-O, meaning ‘personalized’ with the suffix L-E-C-T, meaning ‘to speak.’ You could think of an idiolect as a personal dialect.

I used to make all my classmates crack up when doing impressions of our teachers. It was always a great challenge to try to mimic each teacher’s idiolect, capturing all of their personal speech habits and eccentricities.

Oct 1, 2020

Kickshaw is a noun that refers to a fancy dish or delicacy.

Our word of the day is from the French word quelque chose (KWEL a kay CHOSE ay) which means roughly ‘of what kind?” The word’s new meaning, ‘a fancy meal’ caught on soon after migrating to English.

Back in my tiny home town, we weren’t used to much fine eating, but here in Manhattan we seem to enjoy a brand new kickshaw every night.

Sep 30, 2020

Pixilated is an adjective that means eccentric or whimsical.

Our word of the day comes from the word pixie whose precise origin is unknown. But we do know that a pixie refers to a cheerful, mischievous sprite. A pixilated person is someone with a similar disposition.

Our neighbor Jenny was a sweet lady with a pixilated personality. She had a habit of surprising us every year with a brand new snow man in our yard — on top of that she managed to do this in July.

Sep 29, 2020

Primogenitor is a noun that refers to one’s earliest ancestor.

Our word of the day is from Latin. It combines the word primo (PREE moe) which means ‘first’ with genitor (JEN ee tore) meaning ‘father.’ You could think of our word of the day as a synonym of forefather or ancestor, but unlike those words, primogenitor may be used to refer to the very first of one’s ancestors.

After much searching, we’ve finally discovered our family’s primogenitor in this country. It gives me great pride to single out the first of my ancestors from Ireland.

Sep 28, 2020

Impassible is an adjective that means incapable of suffering or of experiencing pain.

The Latin word passio (POSS ee oh) translates roughly to ‘passion’ or ‘suffering.’ By adding the prefix I-M for ‘not,’ we get our word of the day which means ‘incapable of experiencing pain.’

Our English teacher Mr. Thorpe was so stoic and strong, he seemed impassible to us. But when he took a seat on a tack, we could immediately tell, by his pained outcry, that he was far from incapable of suffering.

Sep 27, 2020

Boondoggle is a noun that refers to a wasteful or impractical project.

The exact origin of our word of the day isn’t clear, but it was initially used by boy scouts to refer to a braided cord used as a neckerchief slide. It’s not known how the word came to have its other meaning, but it is also used to refer to a project that costs lots of money, but has little or no value.

I had a feeling the office recreation room would wind up being a boondoggle. Talk about wasteful! Five thousand dollars is a lot of money to pay for an outdated karaoke machine and a ping-pong table nobody uses.

Sep 26, 2020

Perorate is a verb that means to speak in a pompous way.

Our word of the day combines the Latin prefix P-E-R meaning ‘through’ with orare (oh RAHR ay) which means ‘to speak.’ Together, perorate means to speak at great length. Speaking at great length is often done by people who may be considered pompous or arrogant.

I was under the impression that Thomas must have had a medical degree, but I was wrong. What tricked me was the way he would perorate endlessly every time someone would mention they’d gotten a migraine or a bad back.

Sep 25, 2020

Estivate is a verb that means to spend the summer in one place.

The Latin word aestus (ESS toos) means ‘hot.’ After migrating into English and evolving into our word of the day, it came to refer to summer. You could think of ‘estivate’ as the summer equivalent of ‘hibernate.’

I tend to get a little lazy when the temperatures reach the upper eighties. If I didn’t have to make a living I’d love to estivate from June to September.

Sep 24, 2020

Quid pro quo is a noun that refers to something given or received for something else.

Our word of the day comes directly from the Latin words that mean ‘something for something.’ It is often used in a legal context to refer to bribery, but the word itself is morally neutral. It can imply a trade that is wrong or illegal — but not always. For example: I really wanted Ryan to build that treehouse for my daughter, but couldn’t afford to pay him, so we decided on a quid pro quo. He agreed to build the treehouse for Lydia and I agreed to do his taxes next year.

Sep 23, 2020

Epicurean is an adjective that means devoted to the pursuit of pleasure. It’s also a noun that refers to a person who is devoted to living an epicurean life.

Our word of the day is coined after an ancient Greek philosopher named Epicurus. He was known for stressing the importance of living a happy life. In time, his philosophy became simplified into a pursuit of pleasure — with an emphasis on the consumption of food.

I had never thought of Tony as an epicurean before our dinner last night. But when I saw him scarf down those pork chops and French fries, I knew this was a man devoted to pursuing life’s pleasures.

Sep 22, 2020

Troika is a noun that refers to a group of three united in power or acting in unison.

Our word of the day comes directly from Russian, where it refers to ‘a team of three horses.’ Its English cousin has a broader meaning and refers to any powerful group of three — regardless of species.

I was hoping to form a troika with two of my more powerful co-workers. But as it turns out, I wasn’t considered powerful to join the trio.

Sep 21, 2020

Occlude is a verb that means to obstruct or block.

The Latin word claudere (clow ooh DARE ay) means ‘to close off.’ By adding the prefix O — which means ‘in the way,’ we get a word that means ‘to get in the way.’ For example: All that construction on Hemming street has made my life very difficult. How can I possibly enjoy my summer as long as those guys occlude my path to the beach?

Sep 20, 2020

Dolor is a noun that refers to anguish or grief.

Our word of the day comes from the Latin word dolere (doe LAIR ay) which means ‘to grieve’ or ‘feel pain.’ The basic meaning of dolor has remained much the same after evolving into the English word dolor.

After that big defeat of the Red Sox, I was inconsolable. The dolor from that game has stayed with me for many years.

Sep 19, 2020

Sublunary is an adjective that means relegated to Earth or mundane.

Our word of the day combines the Latin word luna (LOON uh) with the prefix S-U-B and the suffix A-R-Y. When combined we get a word that means ‘under the moon’ or ‘related to the terrestrial world.’ Used more metaphorically, it means ‘ordinary.’

When I saw that strange orb in the sky, I thought I was witnessing a UFO. But the incident was actually more sublunary. I had simply seen a weather balloon floating by.

Sep 18, 2020

Deciduous is an adjective that means ephemeral or temporary.

Our word of the day is derived from the Latin word cadere (cah DARE ay) which means ‘fall.’ The addition of the prefix D-E gets us to a word that means ‘fall off’ or ‘fall away.’ When something eventually falls off, it is considered temporary.

The success I had in ping pong was deciduous. It was only a matter of time before my skills deteriorated and I simply wasn’t a great player anymore.

Sep 17, 2020

Attenuate is a verb that means to weaken or reduce in force.

The Latin word attenuare (ah ten WAAR ay) means ‘to make thin’ or ‘to diminish.’ When we attenuate something, we reduce it, usually in terms of its power.

If it gets any hotter in here, we’ll need to call in the janitor to fix this central heating system. If he can’t attenuate the system’s heating power, I feel like I’ll explode.

Sep 16, 2020

Saponaceous is an adjective that means slippery.

The Latin word sapon (SOP on) means ‘soap.’ In time, this word evolved into our word of the day which means ‘soap.’ It may refer literally to something made of soap or, in a more figurative sense, it may mean ‘slippery’ as in ‘elusive.’ For example: When it comes to tracking him down, James can be a bit saponaceous. Just when you think you’ve found him, he eludes you once again.

Sep 15, 2020

Congruent is an adjective that means consistent.

Our word of the day comes directly from Latin where it means ‘come together.’ It shares its roots with words like ‘congress’ and ‘congregate.’ When two things come together in unison, they could be considered consistent or congruent.

Abby’s behavior may be weird, but at least her weirdness is congruent with the behavior of everybody else in the band. They all act as if they had lost their minds.

Sep 14, 2020

Recidivate is a verb that means to relapse into a previous condition.

The Latin word recidivus rech ay DEEV ose) means ‘recurring’ or ‘falling back.’ Our word of the day is often used in a context that refers to criminal behavior.

My client may have had something of a criminal past, but I can say with complete certainty that after this warning, he won’t recidivate to a life of crime anymore.

Sep 13, 2020

Perpetuity is a noun that refers to the state of being eternal.

Our word of the day comes from the Latin word perpetuus (PAIR pay toos) which means ‘continual.’ Perpetuity is often, but not exclusively, used in a legal context. For example: Our contract stipulated that I will have the rights to my songs in perpetuity. That’s good news because I want my music to remain mine forever.

Sep 12, 2020

Conflate is a verb that means ‘to bring together’ or ‘fuse.’

Our word of the day comes from the Latin word conflare (con FLARE ay) which means ‘to blow together.’ When we conflate two things, we usually combine them, but sometimes we confuse them. For example: Please don’t conflate my request for a demand. I would never think of requiring you to order my sandwiches on your time.

Sep 11, 2020

Glower is a verb that means to look with annoyance or anger.

The origin of our word of the day is unclear, but it does seem to be derived from a middle English word for ‘to be overcast.’

I didn’t know what was on Arne’s mind at the meeting, but I’m pretty sure he didn’t like what I had to say. He seemed to glower at me during the entire proceeding.

Sep 10, 2020

Eminence grise is a noun that refers to a person who unofficially has great power.

Our word of the day comes directly from a Latin phrase that once referred to a royal confidant of a powerful figure. More recently it has been used to refer to the elder member of a field or profession — one who still has power despite no longer holding a title.

Horace may be the company’s president, but believe me, Antonius is the one who calls the shots. He is after all, the eminence grise of the company and nobody would dare challenge his wisdom.

Sep 9, 2020

Coltish is an adjective that means energetic, but awkward.

Our word of the day takes the word for a young male horse (colt) and combines it with the suffix I-S-H to mean something resembling a colt. The resemblance is related to the fiery spirit of young horses. A coltish person can be one who behaves wildly and recklessly.

It embarrasses me to recall all the crazy behavior I engaged in as an adolescent. I was so coltish and wild, I’m lucky I didn’t wind up in jail.

Sep 8, 2020

Impregnable is an adjective that means incapable of being taken or conquered.

Coming from a Middle French word that means ‘to take or capture,’ our word of the day took life by adding the prefix I-M, meaning ‘not’ and forming impregnable to mean ‘something that can not be taken.’

Since moving into the mansion, Connie has devised an impregnable burglar alarm system to make sure that no one can possibly take over her palatial estate.

Sep 7, 2020

Oust is a verb that means to remove or dispossess.

The Latin word obstare (ob STAR ay) means ‘to take away.’ From this origin we get our word of the day which means to take away someone’s position or status. For example: Don’t get me wrong, I feel Fred has been a great captain for our bowling team. But if he keeps showing up late for games, we may have to oust him from his leadership role. The way I see it, any leader who can’t be bothered to show up on time should be removed from their position.

Sep 6, 2020

Alembic is a noun that refers to something that filters or refines.

Coming directly from the French word for a particular kind of cup, alembic can be used either literally to refer to something that filters or refines liquids or it can be used metaphorically to mean anything that serves to filter out something unwanted.

Here’s an example of the latter: My job at the company was to filter out any objects that may have slipped into the printing press. You could think of me as the press’s alembic.

Sep 5, 2020

Depreciate is a verb that means to lower in honor or value.

Our word of the day comes from the Latin word pretium (PRAY tee um) which means ‘price.’ With the addition of the prefix D-E, we get a word that means to ‘lower’ the price of value. The word can be used to refer to the value of a number of things, for example: I don’t think it was a good idea to have a pet tiger in our living room. I’m afraid that the damage he’s done will cause our home to depreciate in value. After all, walls and floors that have been scratched  and chewed up tend to be worth less on the market.

Sep 4, 2020

Contemporaneous is an adjective that means occurring or originating at the same time.

Our word of the day comes from the Latin word contemporāneus (cone temp or AHH nay ose) which means ‘timely.’ If two things take place contemporaneous to each other, they happen at the same time.

I love asking my grandad about the early days of television. It’s great to talk to someone who grew up contemporaneous with the development of my favorite medium.

Sep 3, 2020

Expatiate is a verb that means to move freely or wander.

The Latin word exspatiari (ex POT ee air ay) which means ‘to wander from a course’ is where our word of the day has wandered. A person can expatiate on foot by walking away from a path or they can do it with words by digressing from the topic, for example: I liked Rhonda’s speech about the beauty of public parks, but I didn’t care for the part where she began to expatiate into a rant about tax policy. Personally, I don’t care for people who wander off into political matters and away from the topic at hand.

Sep 2, 2020

Ambit is a noun that refers to the bounds or limits of a place.

The Latin word ambitus (am BEE toos) means ‘a circuit’ or ‘circumference.’ A person’s ambit refers to the space they are allowed to work with.

I know the problems in the packing department are outside of my ambit, but I really think there are issues that everyone at the company — regardless of their department — has to deal with.

Sep 1, 2020

Remora is a noun that refers to a hindrance or a drag.

Our word of the day gets its name from a long, thin fish that is known to attach itself to an animal and behave like a parasite. When used outside of the realm of the animal kingdom, it may refer to anything that acts in a parasitic manner, for example: Those reporters really can make it difficult for the police to do their jobs. They attach on to us like remora and not let go until they get the story they want.

Aug 31, 2020

Nadir is a noun that refers to the lowest point.

Having roots in Arabic, our word of the day’s origin is in astronomy. A nadir refers to the point of the celestial sphere that is directly opposite the zenith and vertically downward from the observer. In more common usage, the word simply means ‘a things lowest point.’ For example: I think my athletic career reached its nadir when I struck out five times in a high school baseball game. That was the worst humiliation I’ve ever faced in a sports setting.

Aug 30, 2020

Endue is a verb that means to provide or endow.

The Latin word inducere (in do CHAIR ay) means ‘to introduce’ in the way that you would introduce something into a person’s life. When you endue something to a person, you provide it or ‘introduce’ it.

Someday, I hope to endue a business to my children. It may take a while, but It has always been a dream of mine to endow them with a means to make a living.

Aug 29, 2020

Impresario is a noun that refers to a promoter of entertainment.

The Italian word impresa (im PRAYS uh) refers to ‘an undertaking.’ An impresario is someone involved in entertainment undertakings.

We needed the help of a well-connected impresario in order for our band to be a success. Having a promoter helps spark great word of mouth among music fans.

Aug 28, 2020

Haver is a verb that means to vacillate or hem and haw.

The origin or our word of the day is uncertain, but we know it has been around since the early 18th century to mean ‘acting in an indecisive manner.’

I always thought Brian was deeply committed to the project, but lately he seems to have a great deal. I really wish he would make up his mind about how he feels about it.

Aug 27, 2020

Immemorial is an adjective that means extending beyond the reach of memory.

The Latin word memorialis (mem or ee AL ees) roughly translates to ‘memory.’ With the prefix I-M, we get a word that means ‘lacking memory.’ Our word of the day is used to refer to something ‘beyond memory.’ For example: There is something immemorial about the tribal rhythms we heard at the shore. They seemed like echoes from the ancient past.

Aug 26, 2020

Aforethought is an adjective that means premeditated or deliberate.

Our word of the day combines the prefix A-F-O-R-E, meaning ‘before’ with the common English word ‘thought.’ Together they refer to something thought out in advance. The word is frequently used in legal proceedings in reference to criminal behavior that is premeditated. For example: The jury felt Carol let her gerbil loose on Robin’s hamster with malice aforethought. But knowing Carol as well as I do, I find it hard to believe she would deliberately harm Robin’s hamster like that.

Aug 25, 2020

Ministration is a noun that refers to assistance or care.

Our word of the day shares its Latin roots with the word minister. Both refer to the act of service, but while minister is usually employed in the context of a church, ministration is a broader term that refers to any kind of help or assistance.

The ministration I was given for my back pain was very helpful. Daily massages are a healthy way to start each day.

Aug 24, 2020

Inimical is an adjective that means indicating hostility.

Our word of the day has its roots in the Latin word amicus (ah ME coos) which means ‘friend.’ By adding the negative prefix I-N, we get a word for someone not behaving in a friendly manner. Inimical behavior is considered adversarial or antagonistic.

I didn’t understand Charlie’s inimical feelings for his neighbor Jen until I learned about the incident involving Jen’s doberman. After hearing about that dog’s history I instantly understood his adversarial feelings.

Aug 23, 2020

Brumal is an adjective that means occurring in the winter.

The Latin word bruma means ‘winter.’ The word soon evolved into English and came to mean anything associated with winter.

When it gets cold outside, I tend to go into immediate hibernation. My idea of a brumal activity is watching old movies while all my friends go skiing or ice skating.

Aug 22, 2020

Cryptonym is a noun that refers to a secret name.

Our word of the day combines the prefix C-R-Y-P-T-O, meaning ‘secret’ with the Greek suffix O-N-Y-M which means ‘name.’ A cryptonym is something a spy might have or anyone else who may engage in secret behaviour.

I was embarrassed to be writing a biography of a teen singer, so I used a cryptonym. There was no way I’d put my own name in such a silly book.

Aug 21, 2020

Eristic is a noun that refers to someone who engages in arguments or disputes. It can also be used as an adjective that describes anything involving an argument or dispute.

The Greek word eristikos (air EES tee kose) means ‘fond of wrangling.’ And so it may be helpful to think of an eristic person as someone who is fond of arguing.

I’m not usually an eristic person, but when I hear people spouting statistics that don’t add up, I tend to dive right into arguments.

Aug 20, 2020

Nonesuch is a noun that refers to a person or thing without equal.

Our word of the day’s origin is in Middle English and it basically means ‘no such person or things.’ You could think of a nonesuch as an ideal, a model of a particular thing’s perfection that does not actually exist.

Tammy is the nonesuch of gymnasts. Her style and execution are unlike any I’ve witnessed. I’ve never seen anybody come that close to perfection.

Aug 19, 2020

Travail is a noun that refers to agonizing work.

Our word of the day originates from the Latin word trepalium (tray POL ee oom) which was a name of a device used for torture. As this word evolved into travail, it soon came to refer to any kind of torture.

Putting the play together required a great deal of patience on everyone’s part. There were many travails to endure before we found success.

Aug 18, 2020

Tangential is an adjective that means digressive.

The Latin word tangere (tan JAIR ay) means ‘to touch.’ A tangent is a straight line that touches a curve at a single point. It could be said that a tangential speech touches on points in a different sense.

Rob really needs to stop being so digressive in his morning speeches. By the time he’s finished touching on everything he needs to say, the day is half over.

Aug 17, 2020

Indite is a verb that means to make up or compose.

The Latin word indicere (in dee CHAIR ay) means ‘to formally or publicly announce. Announcing something is a lot like documenting it the same way a person would be documenting a story, but composing or creating it.

Cheri has an amazingly fertile imagination. I’m amazed by her ability to indite a captivating tale out of thin air.

Aug 16, 2020

Cavalcade is a noun that refers to a series.

The Greek word kaballeion (caab ah LAY on) means ‘horse.’ As this word migrated toward English and into our word of the day, it came to refer to ‘a horseback ride.’ It later meant an army of people on horseback and more recently it has been used figuratively to refer to any series or procession of things — usually a dramatic or extreme series. For example: I can’t believe the cavalcade of disasters that came our way during the filming of our movie. It was just one catastrophe after another.

Aug 15, 2020

Agita is a noun that refers to stress or aggravation.

The Italian word acido (ACH ee doe) means ‘acid’ when referring to an irritant in a person’s stomach. Its English equivalent, Agita, may refer to the same thing, but the word can be used more broadly to refer to any source of agitation or stress — medical or otherwise.

I was pretty stressed out after my first week of college. Not only did I have lots of homework, but my dorm mate was a real jerk. It’s hard to say which caused more agita in my life. Jimmy or economics 101.

Aug 14, 2020

Dragoon is a verb that means to coerce into something.

The similarity of our word of the day with the word ‘dragon’ is no coincidence. Dragoon is French for Dragon and was originally named for the giant muskets used by cavalry soldiers. Those muskets shot what must have seemed like fire to many people — kind of like a dragon. In time, the word came to mean any attempt at forcing someone into something as a soldier at war might.

Kristy had to dragoon me into taking a trip to the amusement park and I’m glad she did. That gigantic roller coaster wasn’t something I would usually do on my own, but it was great fun.

Aug 13, 2020

Sciolist is a noun that refers to one who makes superficial displays of knowledge.

Our word of the day comes from the Latin word scire (SHE ray) which means ‘to know.’ But a sciolist isn’t simply someone who has knowledge. It’s someone who has superficial knowledge and is showy in displaying that knowledge.

Kyle thought he was impressing us by talking about what he’d learned about the law. But in fact, he was coming across like a sciolist who had just bought a dictionary.

Aug 12, 2020

Renitent is an adjective that means resistant or recalcitrant.

Our word of the day has evolved from the Latin word reniti (ren EAT ee) which means ‘to resist.’ A person described as renitent is usually someone who resists constraints or compulsion.

There was a lot of pressure on Gina to sell her house, but she resisted the pressure and remained where she was. In the end, having such a renitent personality paid off. The house is now worth nearly two million dollars.

Aug 11, 2020

Darwinian is an adjective that means marked by competition.

Our word of the day comes from 19th century scientist Charles Darwin. His theory of evolution by natural selection portrays the natural world as a fiercely competitive environment. To refer to something as Darwinian means you are suggesting a great deal of cutthroat competition.

I liked working at the office, but things could get Darwinian from time to time. I could sense that if you couldn’t keep pace with everyone else, you were gone.

Aug 10, 2020

Condign is an adjective that means deserved or appropriate.

The Latin prefix C-O-N means ‘thoroughly.’ When combined with the Latin dignus (DEEN yoos) which means ‘worthy,’ we get our word of the day. Condign is frequently used in a negative sense and used in reference to a punishment. For example: I was pretty upset with the guy who banged up my car and took off without notifying anybody. As far as I was concerned, life in prison would be condign punishment for that guy.

Aug 9, 2020

Polyglot is a noun that refers to one who speaks many languages.

Our word of the day is a combination of the Greek prefix P-O-L-Y which means ‘many’ and glōtta (GLOW tah) the Greek word for ‘language.’ Polyglot can be used as an adjective that means multilingual. Or it may be used as a noun that refers to a multilingual person.

It’s a good thing my wife is a polyglot. When we arrived in town, we encountered people who spoke four different languages and once they got past English and French, I had no idea what anyone was saying.

Aug 8, 2020

Bootless is an adjective that means useless or unsuccessful.

A quick glance at our word of the day may suggest a word to describe someone who doesn’t have boots. But the ‘boot’ in bootless has nothing to do with footwear. It actually comes from Old English and means ‘use’ or ‘avail.’ By adding the suffix L-E-S-S, we get a synonym of ‘useless’ or ‘ineffective.’ For example: With all the financial troubles I was having at the time, I was too embarrassed to attend my ten year high school reunion. I didn’t want anyone to see how bootless the man voted most likely to succeed had become.

Aug 7, 2020

Illation is a noun that means an inferred conclusion.

The Latin word illatio (ee LAH cho) means ‘to bring in or carry.’ When we arrive at an illation, we are bringing in a conclusion based on what we’ve inferred.

When Gene hinted that Thursday might be a good day to cancel work and allow all employees to stay home and have cake while opening presents, the illation I gathered was that Thursday was his birthday. Gene never was subtle when it came to dropping hints.

Aug 6, 2020

Obloquy is a noun that refers to a strongly condemnatory utterance.

Our word of the day combines the Latin prefix O-B meaning ‘against’ with loqui (LOW kwee) which means ‘to speak.’ Obloquy may refer to a discredited condition or it may refer to an instance of verbal abuse.

I accidentally ordered mustard to be put on Robert’s sandwiches, but after the obloquy he gave me, I was always careful to not make that mistake again.

Aug 5, 2020

Stalwart is an adjective that means loyal and hardworking.

Our word of the day comes from Middle English and was originally pronounced stalworth. It means possessing loyalty and a great work ethic and can also be used as a noun to refer to a person who has these qualities.

It won’t be easy to find an appropriately stalwart person to take over for our receptionist Sara. People with that kind of commitment and dedication to the job are few and far between.

Aug 4, 2020

Dunkirk is a noun that refers to a desperate retreat.

Our word of the day’s origin comes from a town in France where a key event took place during World War Two. The allied forces engaged in a desperate withdrawal to avoid defeat. A Dunkirk doesn’t just refer to a retreat, but a retreat done for strategic purposes.

For example: We worked all night to get the project completed but in the end, we had a Dunkirk. We all agreed we’d get more done if we went home, got a good night’s sleep and finished things up with fresh minds.

Aug 3, 2020

Errant is an adjective that means straying outside the proper path.

The Latin word Ire (EAR ay) means ‘to go.’ In time this word evolved and became the English word for ‘straying.’ Errant can mean ‘behaving in an improper manner’ or it can simply mean to ‘wander about.’

I love taking a stroll along the creek, but if you’re not careful, it’s easy to find yourself traveling down an errant path. All those trees look alike after a while and it’s not difficult to wander off course.

Aug 2, 2020

Exemplum is a noun that refers to a model or an example.

Our word of the day comes directly from Latin where it means ‘model’ as in: As far as I’m concerned Carol is an exemplum of wisdom. Not only does she always know what to say, but she understands that sometimes, a person shouldn’t say anything at all.

Aug 1, 2020

Calefacient is an adjective that means making warmth.

Our word of the day combines the Latin words for ‘be warm’ and ‘make.’ In addition to being used as an adjective to mean ‘produce warmth,’ calefacient can also be used as a noun that refers to something that produces warmth. An example of the word as an adjective is: When someone is suffering from heat loss that bad, they desperately need a calefacient agent like a blanket. Too much cold in extreme cases can be deadly.

Jul 31, 2020

Agitprop is a noun that refers to propaganda distributed through art.

Our word of the day comes from the Russian word that refers to ‘the agitation propaganda committee of the Communist Party.’ Today, agitprop may be used to refer to art with a political agenda of any kind.

I wasn’t expecting agitprop when I took my ten-year-old to see a puppet show. But those furry little puppets sure had a lot to say about contemporary politics.

Jul 30, 2020

Devoir is a noun that refers to a duty or responsibility.

Our word of the day comes from the Latin word debere (day BEAR ay) which means ‘to owe.’ A devoir is something we owe to a person or group of people. I suppose I didn’t have to offer Elizabeth my coat after it had gotten cold, but I felt I needed to do my devoir as a gentleman.

Jul 29, 2020

Facile is an adjective that means easily accomplished or attained.

The Latin word facilis (fa CHEEL ees) means ‘easy to do.’ The word has retained more-or-less the same meaning after being imported into English.

At first I thought sorting the files would be a facile task, but I was wrong. It wound up being the most difficult part about working in the accounting department.

Jul 28, 2020

Clodhopper is a noun that refers to a clumsy and uncouth pumpkin.

Coming from Middle English, the word ‘clod’ referred to an unsophisticated person. The word was soon extended to refer to the kinds of shoes often worn by country folks.

I like Bobby Joe a lot, but when I first met him he came across like a clodhopper. That thick Alabama accent and those tattered overalls didn’t exactly make him appear erudite and urbane.

Jul 27, 2020

Apostate is a noun that refers to a person who abandons a group for another allegiance.

The Greek word aphistastha (ah FEAST uh thigh) means ‘revolt.’ Early on, it was used mainly in a religious context to refer to someone revolting against a particular church or religion. In more recent years,  it’s used to refer to someone who abandons any kind of group or organization to make an allegiance with another.

I felt a sense of shock and betrayal when I discovered that Riley had left our band and joined the other polka band in town. As far as I’m concerned, he’s the most outrageous apostate I’ve ever encountered.

Jul 26, 2020

Polyhistor is a noun that refers to a person of great or wide learning.

Our word of the day comes from Greek. The prefix P-O-L-Y means ‘much’ or ‘many,’ while histor (HE store) means ‘expert’ or ‘learned.’ Keep in mind that a polyhistor isn’t just a very smart person, but a person very smart on a number of wide-ranging topics.

If I had known Janet was such a polyhistor, I wouldn’t have challenged her to a game of trivia. It’s one thing to get stumped on a particular topic, but getting slammed on several topics can be downright humiliating.

Jul 25, 2020

Spendthrift is a noun that refers to a person who spends money wastefully.

Our word of the day combines the words ‘spend’ and ‘thrift’ to mean someone who spends their money in an irresponsible, reckless way.

I wouldn’t have given my nephew so much money for his birthday if I’d known what a spendthrift he was. After he got done buying news shoes and a new suit, and new laptop, he had nothing left to pay his rent with.

Jul 24, 2020

Salutary is an adjective that means beneficial or useful.

The Latin word salus (SOL oose) means ‘health.’ Depending on the context, our word of the day may mean ‘promoting health.’ Or it may be used more broadly to describe anything helpful or beneficial.

The first tech guy gave us lots of advice for repairing our computers, but in the end none of his advice was salutary. We had no choice but to find another tech guy whose service was more helpful.

Jul 23, 2020

Indigent is an adjective that means suffering from extreme poverty.

The Latin word indigēre (in dee JAIR ay) means ‘to need.’ Our word of the day describes someone who is very much in need.

If I had known about Max’s indigent state, I would have offered to help. But his pride prevented him from letting anyone know how much in need he was.

Jul 22, 2020

Gregarious is an adjective that means sociable or outgoing.

Our word of the day is often used to describe a friendly, extroverted person who is good in groups or flocks of people. So it makes sense that its root word Gregis (GREJ ees) is Latin for ‘sheep.’ We also find traces of the word Gregis in words like ‘congregate,’ ‘aggregate’ or ‘segregate,’ but while these words can be negative or positive depending on their context, describing someone as gregarious is almost always a compliment.

Alan’s gregarious personality makes him an ideal salesmen. When people feel comfortable around someone, they’ll be a lot freer with spending their money.

Jul 21, 2020

Sententious is an adjective that means given to using aphoristic sayings.

The Latin word sententia (sen TENSE ee uh) refers to ‘a thought’ or ‘expression.’ A sententious person is someone who relies heavily on the use of short, pithy aphorisms like ‘life is what you make it’ or ‘it’s about the journey, not the destination.’

In some contexts, calling someone sententious can be a compliment. It can mean they use wise, clever sayings. But sometimes it can describe someone who uses trite, simplistic cliches. For example: Coach Gaston had a cliche for every occasion. If you had a problem, he’d solve it by reminding you that there was ‘no I in team.’

Jul 20, 2020

Landloper is a noun that refers to a vagrant or vagabond.

Our word of the day combines the word ‘land’ with ‘loper,’ a word of Dutch origin that means ‘runner.’ A person referred to as a landloper doesn’t necessarily run all the time, but they wander the land without a permanent home.

Sometimes I get so sick of paying this outrageously high rent that I consider becoming a landloper. Sure, roaming the earth may have its downsides, but at least it’s rent-free.

Jul 19, 2020

Acclamation is a noun that refers to a loud, enthusiastic welcome.

The word acclaim comes from the Latin word acclamare (ock la MARE ay) which means ‘to cry out at.’ When a group of people make an acclamation, they are crying out in approval of someone or something. For example: I had no idea our band was so popular on the local scene until I heard the acclamation greeting us when we entered the restaurant last night. I thought, these guys must really dig our music.

Jul 18, 2020

Blunderbuss is an adjective that means a frequently blundering person.

Our word of the day sometimes refers to a firearm with a short muzzle. The word is derived from the Dutch word for ‘thunder.’ But blunderbuss can also refer to a person prone to many blunders, for example:

I don’t think it’s such a good idea to leave Tim in charge of the cash register this weekend. Knowing what a blunderbuss he can be, there’s a chance the till will be way off.

Jul 17, 2020

Canting is an adjective that means pious or righteous.

The word cant, C-A-N-T — without the apostrophe — refers to the insincere use of pious words. A person who is frequently expressing cant could be called hypocritical or self-righteous or: canting.

When my canting uncle went on and on this Thanksgiving about his views on war I reached the point where I couldn’t take any more. If there’s one thing I can’t stand, it’s someone ruining dinner with self-righteous preaching.

Jul 16, 2020

Enliven is a verb that means to cheer up or animate.

Our word of the day combines the prefix E-N, which means ‘to make or put in’ with L-I-V-E, which, of course, means ‘life.’ It’s possible to enliven a person by cheering them up. But it’s also possible to enliven an inanimate object by metaphorically ‘bringing it to life,’ for example: Shelly’s paintings really enliven her apartment. When you don’t have many things in your home, it’s always good to bring it to life with a vibrant work of art.

Jul 15, 2020

Allocution is a noun that refers to a formal speech.

Our word of the day’s origin is with the word allocū (ah LO coo) which is Latin for ‘address.’ Allocution is best used in a formal context. Cathy’s allocution was quite elegant. Her ability to express herself in a somber, formal occasion is admirable.

Jul 14, 2020

Carte blanche is a noun that refers to unrestricted authority.

Our word of the day comes directly from the French term for ‘blank document.’ In this case, a blank document refers to something that gives someone unchecked power.

The director thought it might be a good idea to have our play Much Ado about Nothing performed entirely by dogs. It may not have been a good idea to give Arnie carte blanche when directing the play.

Jul 13, 2020

Somnific is an adjective that means causing sleep.

The origin of our word of the day is in the Latin word somni (SOAM nee) which means ‘sleep.’ If something is somnific it has a calming effect and could put you into a slumber.

Charolette’s lovely voice can be sleep-inducing. After a few minutes of listening to her, I’m headed for the nearest pillow.

Jul 12, 2020

Sufferance is a noun that refers to patient endurance.

Our word of the day’s origin is in the  Latin word sufferre (soo FAIR ay) which means to ‘endure’ or ‘to submit to.’ A person with a great deal of sufferance has an ability to submit to a lot.

I have great sympathy for Charles and all he’s had to endure. His sufferance after the accident is something he should be very proud of.

Jul 11, 2020

Parisiology is a noun that refers to the use of ambiguous language.

The Greek word parisos (PAR ee sose) means ‘evenly balanced,’ and the suffix O-L-O-G-Y denotes something related to words. To evenly balance your words is one way to keep your language unclear or ambiguous.

After the investigation began, the mayor had some tough questions to answer. Fortunately, as a lawyer, he’s very good at parisology, a useful skill when evading accusations.

Jul 10, 2020

Sodality is a noun that refers to brotherhood or community.

The Latin word sodalis (so DOLL ees) means ‘comrade’ or ‘companion.’ A sodality refers to a companionship between many people. the word is frequently used to refer to people whose companionship is of a religious kind. For example: After many years away, it felt great to rejoin my friends in church. I missed the sodality between us.

Jul 9, 2020

Malversation is a noun that refers to corrupt behavior.

The Latin word versare (ver SAR ay) means ‘to turn.’ After evolving into a word of English, it took on the prefix M-A-L, meaning ‘bad.’ By combining these, we get a word that refers to corruption. Our word of the day may be used in any concept that involves corruption, but it generally refers to corruption by someone in public office.

All the malversation in the city council has harmed many political careers, but it has mostly affected those who offered bribes to cover them up. corruption is never popular among voters, and least popular involves efforts to cover up past misdeeds.

Jul 8, 2020

Remonstrate is a verb that means to say or plead in protest.

The Latin verb monstrare (mon STAR ay) means ‘to show.’ After drifting into the English language, our word of the day added the prefix R-E, meaning ‘in reference to’ or ‘about.’ To remonstrate an argument means to plead ‘in reference to it — or, more specifically — against it. For example: A trip the beach in Duluth, Minnesota was a bad idea for our Spring break. I felt compelled to remonstrate by stomping my feet immediately.

Jul 7, 2020

Dauntless is an adjective that means fearless.

The Latin word domare (doe MARE ay) means ‘to subdue or tame.’ Our word of the day describes someone who has tamed their courage.

The sheriff may have looked dauntless as he approached the gunfight, but on the inside, he was awfully afraid of what Big Joe could do to him.

Jul 6, 2020

Caprice is a noun that refers to a sudden impulsive action.

Stemming from the Italian word capriccio (cah PREACH ee oh) which means ‘a shudder,’ our word of the day may describe any sudden action that was unplanned or unmotivated.

Geography can be a difficult class to study for because Mr. Picket often gives tests based on his own caprice. When his impulses tell him to spring a test, he springs the test — whether we’ve studied for it or not.

Jul 5, 2020

Chapfallen is an adjective that means dejected or dispirited.

A person or animal’s chaps refers to their jaw or the fleshy skin covering their jaw. It is basically the same word as ‘chops,’ as in, ‘Tyler licked his chops.’ If someone’s chops or chaps have fallen, it means that person is depressed or uninspired.

I didn’t understand the chapfallen look on the coach’s face until I looked up at the scoreboard. With the team losing forty-five to nothing, it made perfect sense for Coach Grant to be so dejected.

Jul 4, 2020

Sortilege is a noun that refers to sorcery. 

Taking its origin from the Latin word sortilegium (soar too LEDGE um) our word of the day goes back to the 14th century and initially referred to the divination of a person’s fate. More recently it refers to any form of sorcery. 

When I predicted the joke dad would tell at thanksgiving dinner, people thought I had engaged in some kind of sortilege. But actually, the prediction didn’t come from supernatural sources, but from my memory. I was recalling all the past thanksgiving dinners where dad told the same joke.

Jul 3, 2020

Fatidic is an adjective that means of or related to predicting fates.

The Latin word Fatum (FAH toom) means ‘what was spoken.’ It gave us the word ‘fate,’ which, in turn, gave us our word of the day.

When I saw a three etched on the football team’s chalkboard, I couldn’t help but think there was something fatidic about that number. And true enough, three is exactly how many points we wound up scoring that whole season.

Jul 2, 2020

Pantheon is a noun that refers to a group of illustrious or notable people.

The Pantheon is a circular dome built 19th centuries ago — and still standing to this day. It was intended as a temple to the gods and its name is derived from the Greek words for ‘’all’ and ‘god.’Today the word refers to a group of admirable people who’ve achieved greatness.

Ronnie’s latest album puts him among the pantheon of great country singers. I know that’s high praise, but I truly feel it is a good as any album ever recorded.

Jul 1, 2020

Roman a clef is a noun that refers to a work of art that features real people under the guise of fiction.

The French translation of our word of the day is ‘Novel with a key.’ The tradition of a fictional novel that is, in reality, a portrayal of real people dates back to the 19th century. Those novels included an actual key, meaning a list of the book’s characters and the real people they represented.

I suspect the deeply paranoid character in Daphne’s novel is really based on me. Everyone thinks the book is fiction, but I know it’s actually a roman a clef.

Jun 30, 2020

Catholicity is a noun that refers to broadness or universality.

You may recognize the word ‘catholic’ in our word of the day. This is no coincidence. The Greek origin of the word ‘catholic’ had nothing to do with religion. Instead it meant ‘whole’ or ‘universal.’ Catholicity is the noun version of catholic.

I enjoyed my years at college, but I often wish I’d gotten a broader, more complete education. After all, when it comes to real world application, catholicity in one’s intelligence can be helpful.

Jun 29, 2020

Refractory is an adjective that means hard to manage or stubborn. Refractory is also a noun that refers to a stubborn or resistant or stubborn person.

Our word of the day is derived from the Latin word refractarius (ray frack TAR ee oos) which means ‘resistant.’ Refractory was originally used mostly in medical contexts, in reference to a disease or condition that is resistant to treatment. More recently, the word’s use has broadened and it may refer to a person who is resistant to something like, for example, criticism.

I warned Amy that, with her voice, it wasn’t a good idea to sing in a register that low, but Amy can be a bit refractory. I sometimes wish our lead singer was a little less stubborn.

Jun 28, 2020

Sororal is an adjective that means characteristic of a sister.

The Latin word soror (SOAR or) means ‘sister.’ This word later evolved into our word of the day, which you could think of as a female variation on the word ‘fraternal,’ which means ‘brotherly.’

It’s good to see Valerie and Miriam getting along so well. When they clashed at first, it seemed unlikely the two ladies would have anything resembling a sororal relationship.

Jun 27, 2020

Nonplus is a verb that means to perplex or put at a loss of words. It is also occasionally used as a noun that refers to a state of perplexity.

The Latin phrase non plus (known PLUS) means ‘no more.’ Once imported into English, the word became a synonym of ‘puzzle’ and ‘confuse.’

Joel’s odd behavior always seems to nonplus me. I’m most confused by his tendency to dress in swimming trunks when he goes skiing.

Jun 26, 2020

Flinty is an adjective that means stern or unyielding.

The word flint, which is derived from Old English, refers to a type of rock known for its hardness and inflexibility. Describing someone as ‘flinty’ means they are inflexible or unwilling to yield to someone else’s way.

Terry isn’t my favorite person to work with. He’s good at his job, but he can be flinty when it comes to doing things his own way.

Jun 25, 2020

Facetiae is a noun that refers to ‘witty or humorous writing.’

Our word of the day is borrowed directly from Latin, where it means ‘amusing things.’ In English, it holds the same meaning. Keep in mind that it’s a close relative to the word ‘facetious.’

The speech Marty wrote for the memorial service was awful. He’s great at writing facetiae, but when tasked with penning something serious, he’s out of his element.

Jun 24, 2020

Interregnum is a noun that refers to ‘a pause between a continuous series.’

Our word of the day has its basis in the Latin word regnum (RAIN yoom) which refers to a ‘reign’ or ‘a kingdom.’ The prefix I-N-T-E-R means ‘between’ as in ‘interrupt.’ The word was first used in reference to an interruption in the reign of popes, but it later came to refer to other interruptions in political reigns. Today it can mean a pause between any kind of series, for example:

When Sophie took over for for the company, things went well for a while. But so much momentum had been lost in the interregnum between her leadership and Bob’s that the company was doomed.

Jun 23, 2020

Welkin is a noun that refers to ‘the sky’ or ‘the heavens above.’

Having its origin in Old English, our word of the day has been around since the 12th century. It may be used in a Biblical sense to refer to the heavens above or it may simply mean ‘the sky.’

When I heard all that racket outside, I expected angles to descend from the welkin. But all I saw coming from the sky was giant, golf-ball sized hail.

Jun 22, 2020

De novo is an adjective that means ‘from the beginning.’

Our word of the day comes directly from Latin, where its translation is ‘new’ or ‘from the beginning.’

If was frustrating, after all that work, to begin the process de novo. But we felt that starting from scratch was the only way to get the project done right.

Jun 21, 2020

Polity is a noun that refers to ‘a politically organized unit.’

You might have guessed that our word of the day is a close relative to words like ‘policy’ and ‘politician.’ These words are derived from the Latin word politia (poe LEET ee uh) which means ‘government.’ The word is always used in reference to a group of people — never a single individual.

Ryan thought he could save the polity of his nation, but he was mistaken. The problem was that he was too out of touch with the people of his country.

Jun 20, 2020

Betoken is a verb that means ‘to give evidence of.’

Our word of the day is derived from an Old English word that later evolved into token, which means ‘to signify.’

Grace’s outfit perfectly betokens her sense of style. Just like her, it is classy, delicate and beautiful.

Jun 19, 2020

Permutation is a noun that means ‘a major change.’

The Latin word permutare (per myoo TAR ay) means ‘to change thoroughly.’ Our word of the day has changed only slightly after being imported into English and retained the same basic meaning. It  may help to think of a permutation as a mutation that significantly alters the thing it changes.

When Donna said she’d give me a haircut that would change my life, I was expecting a dramatic new style. But instead of the permutation I was expecting, I wound up with a look that wasn’t that different than the one I had before.

Jun 18, 2020

Interpose is a verb that means to ‘put something between.’

Our word of the day has its origin in the Middle French words for ‘between’ and ‘place.’ It is possible to interpose an abject or oneself, for example: I was afraid all that heated conversation between Chad and Phil would turn into a fist fight, so I had no choice but to interpose myself between them.

Jun 17, 2020

Cloying is an adjective that means ‘distasteful in excess’ or ‘overly sentimental.’

The Latin word clavus (CLA voos) means ‘nail.’ When this word entered Middle English, its meaning shifted to ‘clog.’ It later evolved into ‘cloy,’ maintaining the same meaning. Our word of the day is used best in reference to something that would ordinarily be pleasant but becomes unpleasant in an excessive amount, for example: Don’t get me wrong, I love sugar on my breakfast cereal, but when heaped in such gigantic portions, it becomes a bit cloying.

Jun 16, 2020

Erstwhile is an adjective that means ‘previous’ or ‘former.’ Occasionally, it pops up as an adverb that means ‘in the past.’

Our word of the day has been around since the 16th century, but its origin is in two much older words from Old English. The word’s first syllable E-R-S-T once meant ‘earlier’ and the second part W-H-I-L-E had the same meaning as the modern word ‘while.’

An example of erstwhile as an adverb is: The local high school was erstwhile in this location before being moved about a decade ago. As an adjective an example is: Our erstwhile principal has since retired to raise ostriches in his homeland of New Zealand.

Jun 15, 2020

Chaffer is a verb that means to haggle or bargain.

Coming from Middle English, our word of the day was in the past used as a noun that referred to ‘a bargain.’ These days it is mostly used as a verb that is a synonym of ‘haggle’ or ‘negotiate.’

Here on the west coast, I find that merchants are less open to having their customers haggle with them for a better price. Whereas in New York, we used to chaffer over the prices all the time.

Jun 14, 2020

Roscian is an adjective that means related to or skilled at acting.

Quintus Roscius (KWEEN toos RAW shoos) was a famous ancient Roman actor whose skill was so admired that his name became an epithet for any particularly successful or talented actor. Today his name may be used as an adjective for anything related to acting.

In my brief career as an actor, I didn’t have much roscian talent. But I could remember my lines and not bump into the scenery, so I didn’t embarrass myself that much.

Jun 13, 2020

Maven is a noun that refers to an expert at a particular topic.

Our word of the day’s earliest incarnation is from Hebrew and means ‘one who understands.’ It was later imported into Yiddish and eventually, English as a synonym of ‘expert’ or ‘connoisseur.’

I’m no wine maven, but this particular brand just doesn’t seem quite right. It doesn’t take an expert in alcoholic beverages to know that wine isn’t supposed to taste like Kool aid.

Jun 12, 2020

Slipshod is an adjective that means sloppy or careless.

Our word of the day entered English in the late 16th century as a word for ‘wearing slippers or loose shoes,’ an appearance that some people thought of as lazy or sloppy. In time, the word become a synonym of ‘sloppy,’ as in: Don’t get me wrong, Chuck has a lot of talent as a mechanic, but his work can get a little slipshod — especially when he doesn’t have the incentive to pay attention to details.

Jun 11, 2020

Regnant is an adjective that means dominant or widespread.

Coming from the Latin word regnare (ren YAR ay) which means ‘to reign,’ — R-E-I-G-N — our word of the day can mean anything that is dominant, either because it is forced upon people, as in from a reigning king or queen, or simply because it is popular. Here’s an example of the latter: I thought my clothes in high school were what the cool kids wore, but I soon realized that it had been years since my plaid shirts and checkered sweaters were the regnant style.

Jun 10, 2020

Redux is an adjective that means brought back or revisited.

Coming directly from the Latin phrase for ‘coming home,’ our word of the day usually follows the word it modifies, for example: Jeff was a great office manager, but he made many of the same mistakes Janet did. At times he seemed to be Janet redux.

Jun 9, 2020

Magnum opus is a noun that refers to a great work of art.

Our word of the day comes directly from the Latin phrase for ‘great work.’ It’s usually reserved for highly respected artists in reference to the their very best known masterpiece.

I enjoyed the film a lot, but I wouldn’t say it was the director’s magnum opus. Any movie with that many unintentional laughs can’t really be considered a masterpiece.

Jun 8, 2020

Requite is a verb that means to repay or to make retaliation for.

Having its origin in Middle English, our word of the day simply means to repay, but the repayment may take place in different forms. You can requite a person’s love or requite an act of violence. For example: The kid that was mean to me in high school was probably afraid I would requite his meanness at the reunion. But I’ve moved past that and prefer to requite the acts of kindness I received from my friends.

Jun 7, 2020

Athenaeum is a noun that refers to a library or reading room.

The ancient city of Athena was named after the Roman Goddess of wisdom. Our word of the day comes from the temple of Athena in Rome, a school for the study of arts. Today an athenaeum may refer to any room or building with reading material, but it’s best used in reference to a place of great learning.

After entering the university’s giant athenaeum, I was immediately impressed by the vast amount of learning materials available. I’d never before been in the presence of such knowledge.

Jun 6, 2020

Pervious is an adjective that means penetrable or accessible.

The Latin prefix P-E-R means ‘through’ while V-I-A means ‘road.’ Together they refer to ‘that which may be passed through.’ You may be familiar with the negative form of our word of the day — impervious, which describes something that cannot be penetrated. When something can be penetrated, it is pervious.

At first I thought Larry’s office was something I wasn’t allowed to enter, but after getting to know him, I came to understand that his office was pervious to anyone he considered trustworthy.

Jun 5, 2020

Rejoinder is a noun that refers to a reply or answer to a question.

With its origin in Middle English, our word of the day can be used in formal or legal contexts, but it’s not limited to such formality.

I really hate being called to answer a question in biology class. It seems every time a question comes my way, I have no rejoinder.

Jun 4, 2020

Sapid is an adjective that means tasty or having flavor.

The Latin word sapere (sah PAIR ay) means ‘tasty.’ After evolving into English, our word of the day retains this same meaning.

Those sapid lemonades after the game made us forget we had just been beaten 20 to nothing. Something about a tasty drink can erase the most unpleasant memories.

Jun 3, 2020

Moniker is a noun that refers to a nickname.

Our word of the day’s exact origin is not known for sure, but it is believed to have started in Shelta (SHELL tah) a secret jargon spoken by Irish immigrants.

I always wondered how Harvey got the moniker butterfingers, but after watching his clumsy play on the football field, I instantly understood the origin on that unflattering nickname.

Jun 2, 2020

Excursive is an adjective that means tending to ramble.

Our word of the day is has its origin in the Latin word excurrere (ex coo RARE ay) which means ‘to extend’ or ‘run out.’ When it later evolved into English, it became a synonym of digressive or meandering.

My students always get excursive when discussing a topic they don’t care about. They tend to lose focus and drift into unrelated issues.

Jun 1, 2020

Anthropomorphize is a verb that means to attribute human qualities or personalities to things not human.

Our word of the day is a fairly recent addition to the English language, dating back to the early 19th century, but its origin goes back to Ancient Greek. The prefix anthrōpos (AHN throw pose) means ‘human being,’ while the suffix I-Z-E means ‘to become,’ so when we anthropomorphize something, we make it ‘become’ human — if only in our imagination.

The word is typically used when describing the behavior of animals, but it’s also possible to anthropomorphize a god or an object. For example: It makes me laugh when dad anthropomorphizes his old guitar. He talks about how much he misses it the way most people talk about a loved one.

May 31, 2020

Superficies is a noun that refers to the external aspect or appearance of something.

The Latin prefix super (SOO pair) means ‘top’ or ‘surface.’ while facies (FAH chez) means ‘face’ or ‘aspect.’ When combined we get a word that refers to the surface or outer appearance of a thing. On a side note, our word of the day ends with an S whether it’s used in the singular or plural.

When I first bought it, the car’s superficies looked fine. But I later discovered that its interior was in horrible shape.

May 30, 2020

Serotine is an adjective that means late in flowering or developing.

The Latin word sero (SAY roe) means late. Our word of the day has evolved from this to describe a person or thing that is late. But its most common use is in describing something or someone that is late in in developing.

Don’t be fooled by Lori’s Serotine progress. It may take a while for her to fully develop into a competent realtor, but I’m sure she’ll get there.

May 29, 2020

Recalcitrant is an adjective that means stubbornly resistant.

Although our word of the day is typically used to describe people who are hard to manage and uncooperative, its origin has nothing to do with people at all. The Latin word recalcitrare (ray call see TRAR ay) means ‘to kick back.’ It was used to describe stubborn, difficult to handle mules.

By the mid-19th century, the word — now evolved into the English recalcitrant —  came to be used to describe stubborn and hard to manage humans.

Annie is one of my more recalcitrant piano students. She insists on playing scales her own way no matter how many times I scold her.

May 28, 2020

Abstemious is an adjective that means marked by restraint with food or alcohol.

Our word of the day combines the Latin prefix A-B-S, meaning ‘from’ or ‘away’ with the suffix 

temetum (TEM ay tomb) which refers to ‘intoxicating drink.’ As the word evolved, it came to refer to things other than alcohol. For example: When Chuck needed to lose weight, I worried about his ability to stick to a healthy diet. When it comes to his eating habits, he’s not exactly known for having an abstemious temperament.

May 27, 2020

Brickbat is a noun that refers to an uncomplimentary remark.

Our word of the day is a portmanteau, meaning it combines more than one word. In this case, we get the combination of ‘brick’ and ‘bat’ to get a word that, when used literally, refers to a something used as a weapon. But when used figuratively, it may refer to something like an unkind remark. For example: My question about Chad’s tiny apartment wasn’t intended as a brickbat. I just wanted to know if it offered enough space to host the upcoming new year’s eve party.

May 26, 2020

Aliteracy is a noun that refers to the state of being able to read but uninterested in doing so.

You may recognize our word of the day’s similarity to the word ‘illiteracy.’ Both words derive from the Latin word littera (LEE tar ah) which means ‘letter.’ Aliteracy adds the prefix ‘A’ which means ‘not.’ An aliterate person is not unable to read, but someone who chooses not to.

There is a concern in the book industry that reading is something younger people don’t do anymore. The data isn’t yet clear on how justified this concern is, but it does seem that for many, aliteracy had taken a big toll on their habits.

May 25, 2020

Farrago is a noun that refers to a confused mixture.

Our word of the day comes almost directly from the Latin word for ‘mixed fodder,’ a feed given to cattle. In time, the word came to be used for other types of mixed things, for example: The bands selected for the festival were a farrago of heavy metal groups, folk trios and religious choirs. This odd mixture seemed as if it were made by someone in a perplexed state of mind.

May 24, 2020

Prepossessing is an adjective that means creating a favorable impression.

The Latin word possidere (pose ee DARE ay) means ‘to hold.’ From this we get the word ‘possess’ which maintains the meaning of its Latin ancestor. By adding the prefix P-R-E, we get get the word preposses, which is a synonym of ‘prejudice’ as in ‘I was hoping the mayor’s speech didn’t prejudice your opinion.’ A prepossessing individual prejudices our opinion in a favorable way.

Having a prepossessing nature is always a big plus in the political world. Voters will often overlook many mistakes from people who make a favorable impression.

May 23, 2020

Proscribe is a verb that means to forbid or condemn.

Our word of the day combines the prefix P-R-O, meaning ‘before’ with S-C-R-I-B-E, which means ‘to write.’

It referred to the fact that behavior that was forbidden or banned was ‘written down’ as law. More recently, the word has be used to describe behavior that is prohibited — even if the prohibition is not officially law. For example: The comedian proscribed the use of cell phones during his performance. Some may find this extreme, but in his case, banning cell phone use was the only way to ensure his shows weren’t illegally filmed.

May 22, 2020

Apoplexy is a noun that refers to a state of intense, uncontrollable rage.

The Greek word apoplēssein (ap oh play SANE) means ‘to cripple by a stroke.’ In time, it evolved into apoplexy, which maintained its original meaning. But the word can also be used outside of medical contexts to refer to a state of extreme anger, especially if this state makes you unable to speak. For example.

When I first called the police to report I’d been scammed out of all of my money, I couldn’t even answer the police officer’s questions. The apoplexy I’d found myself in made it impossible for me to speak.

May 21, 2020

Compathy is a noun that refers to a shared feeling.

Our word of the day combines the prefix C-O-M, which means ‘together’ with P-A-T-H-Y, a suffix of Greek origin that originally referred to ‘suffering or disease.’ More recently though, P-A-T-H-Y has been used to describe a general feeling. We see this in words like sympathy, empathy or telepathy.

When combined we get compathy, a word that refers to a shared feeling.

Everyone in the office was delighted by our softball team’s victory. It was wonderful to have this sense of compathy with people whom we had just met weeks earlier.

May 20, 2020

Shamble is a verb that means to walk awkwardly or shuffle. It can also be used as a noun that refers to an awkward walk.

The precise origin of our word of the day is unclear, but it may have been derived from the phrase ‘shamble legs’ which referred to the ungainly legs of tables used in the meat market. According to this theory the word was then picked up to describe the walk of a person whose legs resemble such a table’s legs.

I was in bad shape after my accident. For weeks I had to shamble around because my legs took a while to heal.

May 19, 2020

Goad is a verb that means to incite or arouse. It’s also a noun that means something that urges or stimulates into action.

The roots of the word of the day are in Old English, where the word often referred to a spear or a pointed stick used to drive or ‘goad’ cattle. When we goad people in a figurative sense, we’re not using a stick, but we are impelling them into action just the same.

I tried to goad Kevin into working overtime to cover for me last week, but he was firmly against it. No amount of urging or begging would get him to comply.

May 18, 2020

Imbroglio is a noun that refers to a confused situation.

Coming directly from Italian, our word of the day is often used to describe a messy or confusing scandal. For example: It’s not clear how the school board got caught up in this imbroglio, but it has not been helpful. A scandal of this proportion can only bring harm to its reputation.

May 17, 2020

Delectation is a noun that refers to delight or enjoyment.

Our word of the day has evolved from the Latin word delectare (del eck TAR ay) which means ‘to allure, please or charm.’ You could think of delectation as a second cousin to the word delicious, which has the same root.

Carmen was hoping to make a good impression on her new neighbors with her cooking skills. The delectations she shared with them were certainly very tasty.

May 16, 2020

Forbearance is a noun that refers to tolerance or patience.

The word forbear, which is derived from Old English, means ‘to hold back’ or ‘refrain.’ Our word of the day is the noun that refers to what a person must have in order to forbear.

It took a great deal of forbearance for Andrew to avoid eating sweets last month. That kind of patience is a very rare quality.

May 15, 2020

Incommode is a verb that means to disturb or inconvenience.

The Latin word commodus (COMB moe doos) means convenient. By adding the prefix I-N, we get a word the means inconvenient. After taking on the form of a verb, our word of the day entered English in the late 16th century.

I didn’t mean to incommode you, but I felt the phone call was important enough to disrupt the meeting.

May 14, 2020

Malefactor is a noun that refers to a person who does harm.

Our word of the day combines male (MOLL ay) the Latin word for ‘bad’ or ‘evil,’ with factor, which is derived from facare (fuh CHAIR ay) the Latin word for ‘do.’ In combination, we get a word that refers to ‘an evildoer.’

We don’t yet know who stole that money intended for the orphanage. But once identified, the malefactor will be punished to the full extent of the law.

May 13, 2020

Aposematic is an adjective that means serving as a warning or alarm.

The Greek word sema (SEM uh) which refers to ‘a sign,’ provides the origin of our word of the day. Aposematic means a sign of danger or caution.

When Sandra told us the inspector was on his way, nobody paid attention. But looking back those words probably had an aposematic significance.

May 12, 2020

Detente is a noun that refers to an easing of tensions between rivals.

Our word of the the day comes directly from French where it refers to ‘a relaxation.’ When imported into English, the word came to refer to a relaxation of tension between nations or regions. In more recent years, it’s just as likely to have the same meaning, but applied to individuals.

I sense there’s detente between Carly and Evan. The two of them seem to be getting along a lot better than they had in the past.

May 11, 2020

Agrestic is an adjective that means rustic or related to the country.

The Latin word agrestis (A GRES stis) meaning ‘a field,’ is the basis of words like agriculture and agrarian. It’s also the origin of our word of the day.

May wife didn’t care for the simplicity of that country home we stayed in for two weeks, but personally, I found it had a lovely agrestic charm.

May 10, 2020

Educe is a verb that means to elicit or draw out something.

Our word of the day has it’s origin in the Latin word educere (ed doo CHAIR ay) which means ‘to lead.’ After entering English, it’s meaning has evolved to mean ‘to draw out.’

My daughter is usually shy with strangers. But with an adorable magic trick, Marvin the Magnificent educed a giant smile from her.

May 9, 2020

Scrutator is a noun that refers to one who investigates or examines.

The Latin word scrutari (screw TAR ee) means ‘to search or examine.’ Our word of the day shares this root with the word scrutinize. So it may help to think of a scrutator as ‘one who scrutinizes.’

If I had known we’d have a visiting scrutator to take a look at the carpet, I would done a better job of cleaning.

May 8, 2020

Peccadillo is a noun that refers to a slight offense.

The Spanish word Pecado (pe COD oh) means sin. The addition of the suffix I-L-L-O, which means ‘little’ gives us a word that means ‘small sin.’ From there, peccadillo was directly imported into English.

Aaron may not be concerned about the peccadillos from his past, but they may hurt his chances if he ever runs for office. All those tiny sins have a way of adding up.

May 7, 2020

Symbiotic is an adjective that means characterized by a cooperative, interdependent relationship.

The Greek word symbiosis (sim be OH sis) is a noun that refers to ‘a living together.’ Our word of the day is the adjective version. It entered English in the late 19th century and was mainly used in a biological context. For example two animals with a mutually beneficial relationship were said to have a symbiotic relationship. By the early 20th century, the word came to be used in contexts that had nothing to do with biology.

Now that Susan needs Ross’s help to get around, the two of them have a symbiotic relationship. Before that, their union was always one-sided.

May 6, 2020

Sequacious is an adjective that means servile or subservient.

A sequacious person is more like to follow than lead, so it makes sense that our word of the day would be derived of the Latin word sequi (SAY kwee) which means ‘to follow.’

Ralph tends to be surrounded by sequacious people. He seems to enjoy being tended to by servile individuals.

May 5, 2020

Mesmeric is an adjective that means fascinating or irresistible.

Our word of the day comes from an 18th century Austrian physician named Franz Anton Mesmer. Mesmer was noted for his use hypnotic techniques. Mesmeric is a synonym of hypnotic, but it may also be used in a more subtle sense to mean ‘charming’ or ‘alluring.’ For example: Lydia’s mesmeric personality has played a big role in her success. Who doesn’t want to be in the presence of someone so charming and delightful?

May 4, 2020

Omnifarious is an adjective that means of all kinds or forms.

Our word of the day combines the Latin omni (OHM knee) meaning ‘all’ and fariam (FAR ee um) meaning ‘parts.’ Something that is omnifarious contains all, or at least, many parts.

The omnifarious breakfast tray at the office meeting was a great idea. Having a little something for everyone is a good way to make sure there are no arguments over the choices.

May 3, 2020

Cede is a verb that means to yield.

The Latin word cedere (CHAY dare ay) meaning ‘to yield’ was often used in a legal sense. The word’s meaning and use remains much the same after evolving into our word of the day. But cede isn’t only used in legal contexts. A person can cede rights or property, but they can also cede a point, as in. I cede your point about the poor performance in our first five games. But Nonetheless I’m optimistic about the rest of the season.

May 2, 2020

Ataraxia is a noun that refers to a state of serene calmness.

Our word of the day comes directly from Greek and has maintained the same definition for centuries. Ataraxy, ending with a Y instead of an I-A is a variation of the same word.

Russ seems to have found a state of ataraxia in his life. His sense of calmness and serenity is evident to anyone who crosses his path.

May 1, 2020

Winnow is a verb that means to sift or separate. It’s also a noun that refers to a device used to winnow.

Our word of the day has its origin in Old English, where it meant ‘to fan.’ It’s also related to the word ‘wind.’ It may hep to think of a gust of wind as winnowing through a stack of paper.

The director needed to find a lead actor for his play by morning. So he had to winnow through a giant stack of resumes all night.

Apr 30, 2020

Connote is a verb that means to convey or imply.

Our word of the day comes from the Latin word notare (no TAR ay) which means ‘to note’ or ‘to remark.’ When we connote something we indicate it, but without doing so directly. For example: Lately Terry’s clothes connote serious financial hardship — even if he has too much pride to openly admit he needs money.

Apr 29, 2020

Commensurate is an adjective that means equal in amount or extent.

The Latin word mensura (men SUE ruh) means ‘to measure.’ By adding the prefix C-O-M, we get a word that means ‘measured together’ or ‘measured equally.’

All of Lydia’s employees received commensurate pay. She does that to ensure that no one is envious of anyone else’s salary.

Apr 28, 2020

Spate is a noun that refers to a large number or amount.

Our word of the day is of Scottish and Northern English origin and dates back to the early 15th century, where it referred to a sudden flood. You could think of an abundance of something as a ‘sudden flood’ of that thing.

The spate of cash we’ve had lately comes just in time. We were in desperate need of a lot money, and now, we have it.

Apr 27, 2020

Purlieu is a noun that refers to a surrounding area or an environment.

In Medieval England, a perambulation was a name for a ceremony where a person took a walk around their property, with witnesses observing, to establish the boundaries of their land. Perambulate came from the Latin ambulare (om boo LAHR ay) meaning ‘to walk.’

Our word of the day is derived from perambulation and refers to the area established by this ceremonial walk.

I hope the crime didn’t take place on company’s purlieu. If it did, we’d have some legal problems. After all, we’re liable for any crimes that take place on our purlieu.

Apr 26, 2020

Avocation is a noun that refers to ‘a hobby.’

You may recognize the word ‘vocation’ — a synonym of ‘career’ — in our word of the day. This word evolved from the Latin vocare (vo CAR ay) which means ‘call’ as in ‘a calling.’ The addition of the prefix A gives us a word that means ‘a calling away’ from one career.

My dad always felt it was important to have an avocation to be a well-rounded person. In his view, there was nothing more boring than a person who has nothing to talk about except work.

Apr 25, 2020

Potable is an adjective that means ‘suitable for drinking.’ As a noun it refers to ‘a liquid that is suitable for drinking.’

The Latin word potare (poe TAR ay) which means ‘to drink’ is where our word of the day began life. It soon came to be an adjective that meant ‘suitable for drinking’ and a noun that meant a liquid that can be drank.

The biggest problem with many third world countries is the lack of potable water. Being surrounded by water means nothing if the water is not suitable for drinking.

Apr 24, 2020

Oblique is an adjective that means ‘indirect or not straightforward.’ It’s also a noun that refers to ‘something that is oblique.’

Our word of the day is from Latin. Obliquus (oh blee GOOSE) means ‘diagonally’ or ‘slanted.’ To this day, it may refer a line that is neither perpendicular nor parallel, and it may also mean something that is indirect or implied. The congressman’s speech contained a number of oblique references to his disgraced colleague. Although he didn’t mention Senator Harmon by name, we all new perfectly well who he was talking about.

Apr 23, 2020

Pliable is an adjective that means ‘yielding readily to others.’

Our word of the day has evolved from the Latin word plicare (plee CAR ay) which means ‘to fold.’ Pliable may be used to refer to a substance that is supple and easily bendable. Or it may be used metaphorically to refer to someone’s temperament. For example: As an assistant, it’s often important to be pliable to your employer. If you can’t bend to their whim, you won’t be employed for long.

Apr 22, 2020

Comestible is an adjective that means ‘edible.’ It is also a noun that refers to ‘food.’

The Latin word comedere (co may DARE ay) means ‘to eat’ or ‘consume.’ By the 18th century, it had evolved into its present form to mean ‘fit to eat.’ As an adjective, comestible holds roughly this same meaning. As a noun, the word made its first appearance in print about a century later.

I sure wish that wax fruit on my desk was comestible. Right now, I’m hungry enough to sink my teeth into anything that can be eaten.

Apr 21, 2020

Pedagogical is an adjective that means ‘related to a teacher or education.’

The Greek word paidagōgos (PIE duh go gose) referred to a slave who brought children to school. Over the centuries it has entered Latin and English to evolve into several words related to children or education.

I hope the school is comfortable with my innovative pedagogical methods. Teachers are usually discouraged from straying from traditional ways to teach.

Apr 20, 2020

Lackadaisical is an adjective that means ‘lacking spirit or zest.’

Our word of the day began life with the popular 17th century phrase ‘alack the day!’ Something said to express sorrow or disappointment. With a shift in pronunciation and the addition of the suffix I-C-A-L, the phrase evolved into a word that was used to describe a languid or lethargic temperament.

With this lackadaisical approach, Larry will never get a job. He’d better find some enthusiasm and vigor if he doesn’t want to spend the rest of his life unemployed.

Apr 19, 2020

Fraught is an adjective that means ‘full of or accompanied by something.’

The origin of our word of the day is in Middle English where it began as a synonym of ‘loaded.’ Ships that carried a heavy load were said to be fraught with a heavy load. More recently the word has been used figuratively. For example: I’ve always loved my five brothers, but our relationship has always been fraught with lots of fierce competition. I’ve often wondered how well we could get on without this heavy emotional load.

Apr 18, 2020

Mot juste is a noun that refers to ‘the exactly right word or phrasing.’

Our word of the day is borrowed directly from French and it translates into ‘right word.’ When asked to describe Katy’s personality, I would say that tempestuous is the mot juste. I can’t think of a better word to sum her up.

Apr 17, 2020

Heterodox is an adjective that means ‘different from the traditional method.’

Our word of the day could be thought of as an antonym of orthodox, which simply means approved by the established traditions. Orthodox and heterodox share the Greek root word Doxa (DOAKS ah) meaning ‘opinion.’ Heterodox begins with the prefix ‘heter’ meaning ‘different’ or ‘other,’ so, for example, a heterodox approach means an approach that differs from the norm.

Kyle’s heterodox teaching methods weren’t very popular at first, but in time, the administration warmed to ways of teaching that were a little unconventional.

Apr 16, 2020

Cacology is a noun that refers to a poor choice of words.

The Greek word kakos (kah KOSE) means ‘bad’ or ‘evil.’ Our word of the day has evolved from this to refer to a bad or mistaken use of language. Among its many possible uses, cacology could mean mispronunciation, bad diction or poorly selected language.

Getting tripped up by cacology seems to happen a lot to Cory. He may want to rethink his career in public speaking.

Apr 15, 2020

Pleonexia is a noun that refers to greed.

The Greek word pleon (PLAY on) means ‘to have.’ Our word of the day evolved from this to become a synonym of avarice and covetousness.

Everything went well with our company until our operations became driven by pleonexia. Greed always has a way of killing a good company.

Apr 14, 2020

Myopic is an adjective that means lacking foresight.

Our word of the day has its origin in the word Greek my myopia (my OPE ee uh) which refers to shortsightedness. Centuries later, as it entered English, it also came to refer to the medical condition known as ‘nearsightedness’ where a person can only see objects close to them.

You could think of a myopic person as someone who can only grasp things happening closer to them. For example: George’s behavior can get a little myopic at times. He acts as if the only things that matter are things happening right now and right in front of him.

Apr 13, 2020

Fugacious is an adjective that means lasting a short time.

Our word of the day comes from the Latin word fugere (foo JAIR ay) which means ‘to flee.’ A Fugacious moment tends to flee very quickly.

I only spent a few weekends with my grandfather, but those fugacious moments will last in my memory forever.

Apr 12, 2020

Loquacious is an adjective that means talkative or fluent.

The Latin word loquāc (low KWATCH) means ‘verbose.’ A loquacious person talks a lot and is more inclined to be sociable or extroverted.

Having a loquacious neighbor can be enjoyable, but there is a downside. If you catch them in an especially talkative mood, you can find yourself roped into a lengthy conversation when you have other things to do.

Apr 11, 2020

Tenderfoot is a noun that refers to an inexperienced beginner.

The English words ‘tender’ and ‘foot’ combine to form our word of the day. A person with no experience in the woods, for example, has feet that are not rough. In other words, tender feet.

As a musician, I’m something of a tenderfoot. I simply don’t have enough experience to hold my own in an environment with established artists.

Apr 10, 2020

Argus is a noun that refers to a watchful guardian.

In Greek mythology, Argos was a giant with many eyes. As time went by, it was often said that a watchful person had ‘the eyes of Argos.’ The name itself later became a reference to a guardian, as in: Tyler served as an argus while we trekked further into the woods. He kept a watchful eye, making sure we didn’t get any surprises from things like bears.

Apr 9, 2020

Extirpate is a verb that means to destroy completely.

Our word of the day comes from the Latin word stirps (steer PEE ess) which means ‘trunk’ or ‘roots.’ The addition of the prefix ‘EX’ gets us to a word that means ‘to pull up from the roots.’ When something is pulled up from the roots it is eliminated completely. Florence wanted those horrible photos extirpated. She didn’t just want them out of her sight, she wanted them fully destroyed.

Apr 8, 2020

Incur is a verb that means to become liable or subject to.

The Latin word currere (COO ray ray) means ‘to run.’ By adding the prefix ‘IN,’ we get ‘to run into.’ Just as a person who runs into debt is responsible for it, the same can be said of someone who incurs it.

My dad always thought it was a bad idea to incur lots of debt. Being liable to past payments, he felt, was like owing money to your past self.

Apr 7, 2020

Mare’s nest is a noun that refers to a hoax or an illusion.

Our word of the day combines two very familiar English words, ‘mare’ and ‘nest.’ Those conversant with the behavior of horses may know that mares don’t actually make nests. The phrase’s origin comes from that fact. A mare with a nest would be a strange hoax or something puzzling.

The mall parking lot can be a mare’s nest. Just when you think you’ve found your exit, you realize it’s just a cruel hoax played by the mall’s designer.

Apr 6, 2020

Austral is an adjective that means related to the southern hemisphere.

You may recognize our word of the day as being embedded in the name of the country and continent Australia. This is no coincidence. The Latin word auster (OW ster) means ‘south,’ just perfect for a nation located in the Southwestern Pacific ocean.

I might visit New Zealand the next time I’m in the mood for austral travel. The southern hemisphere is such a lovely place to take photographs.

Apr 5, 2020

Misoneism is a noun that refers to a fear of innovation or change.

The Greek word for hatred is misos (ME sose) combined with another Greek word Neos (NAY ose) for ‘new’ and the Italian ismo (EASE moe) meaning ‘a distinctive practice’ we get ‘the hatred of the new. The word can also refer to fear of new things.

I don’t understand why all these parents hate the young people’s music. All this misoneism has a tendency to stagnate progress.

Apr 4, 2020

Costive is an adjective that means slow in action or expression.

The Latin word constipare (con stee PAR ay) referred to constipation, the medical condition of being unable to have a bowel movement. As our word of the day evolved its meaning broadened to also refer to being slow in action, regardless of the reason for the slowness.

Kyle’s costive temperament makes her a good judge. A person who is too quick to make decisions has a tendency to make rash moves.

Apr 3, 2020

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Apr 2, 2020

Homologate is a verb that means to sanction or approve of.

Our word of the day combines the Greek Homos (HO mose) which means “alike” with the Greek word for “word” logos (LOW gose). Together they give us a word that refers to bringing words into agreement.

As the league’s commissioner, my job consisted mostly of homologating the deals brokered by the owners of the teams. It wasn’t always easy because sometimes the deals were were illegal, so I couldn’t approve of them.

Apr 1, 2020

Byronic is an adjective that means moody and melodramatic.

19th century poet Lord Byron provides the origin of our word of the day. He was a romantic English poet known for poetry that was full of melancholy and intense drama. Byronic may be used to describe poetry of this kind, or can be used more broadly to describe anything, like as a person’s behavior, that fits such a description. For example: Catherine’s been acting more Byronic lately. She’s been in a moody frame of mind all week.

Mar 31, 2020

Gimcrack is a noun that refers to something cheap and showy but of little use or an adjective that means showy but worthless.

Our word of the day’s origin is uncertain, but it seems to have common ground with words from Middle English that refer to furniture that is ornamental, but serves no practical purpose. Gimcrack has retained this same meaning today. For example: All those decorative gimcracks on Nigel’s guitar may have looked cute, but they didn’t disguise the fact that he wasn’t a very good player.

Mar 30, 2020

Encomium is a noun that refers to glowing praise.

The Greek word kōmos (COE mose) means ‘celebration.’ Enkōmion (en COMB ee um) referred specifically to an expression of praise made to a victor in the olympics. Later, the word was broadened to refer to any ode made is someone’s honor.

We all love the wonderful work Nancy has done since arriving here. She deserves great encomium.

Mar 29, 2020

Prestidigitation is a noun that means sleight of hand.

Our word of the day gets its origin by combining presto (PRESS toe) the Italian word for ‘quick’ and  digitus (DEE gee toos) the Latin word for ‘finger.’ Often used to describe the work of magicians, prestidigitation can also be used in other contexts, such as: I was fooled by the thief’s prestidigitation. If I hadn’t seem him secretly put a candy bar in his pocket, I would have never known what was happening.

Mar 28, 2020

Bowdlerize is a verb that means to expurgate by omit parts considered vulgar.

Our word of the day’s origin begins with a 19th century English physician named Thomas Bowdler. In 1818, Bowdler published a book called “Family Shakespeare” with the intention of omitting “those words which cannot with propriety be read aloud in a family.” The book was successful with the general public, but literary and theatre critics weren’t as happy with what he’d done to The Bard’s work.

It didn’t take long for the word bowdlerize to enter English as a way of describing the doctor’s act. In fact, it appeared prior to his death in 1825.

I really hope the producers don’t bowdlerize my writing. Omitting vulgar words from it would seriously harm my artistic intentions.

Mar 27, 2020

Lucullan is an adjective that means luxurious.

The Roman general Lucius Licinius (loo SIN ee us) Lucullus had a reputation for having a lush lifestyle. From him we get our word of the day.

I wasn’t looking to live a lucullan lifestyle. But now that I’ve won the lottery, I’m happy to live in the kind of luxury I never dreamed about as a younger man.

Mar 26, 2020

Indurate is a verb that means to harden or an adjective that means physically or morally hardened.

The Latin word durus (DOO roos) means hard. It has spawned a number of other English words like, durable, endure and duration. As an adjective, If something is indurate is has become hardened over time. To Harden something or someone is to indurate them.

All those years on the police force has indurated Jeff. It has made him indurate to the difficulties of the job.

Mar 25, 2020

Geoponic is an adjective that means related to farming.

Derived from the Greek word ponein (POE neen) meaning ‘toil,’ our word of the day’s specific meaning is ‘tillage,’ but its broader meaning is agriculture.

Having grown up on a farm, Mark is a great deal more knowledgeable about geoponic matters than I am.

Mar 24, 2020

Nocebo is a noun that refers to a harmless substance that causes harm because it is believed to be harmful.

You may already be familiar with the word placebo, an innocuous substance that people may believe, through the power of suggestion, has the ability to heal. A nocebo is the opposite of a placebo. It is a harmless substance that people may believe, through the power of suggestion, has the power to harm.

Placebo has its origin in the Latin words for ‘I will please.’ Nocebo’s origin is in the phrase “I will harm.”

When Tyler heard the news reports about the recalled aspirin, it turned those pills into a nocebo. Just because he believed the pills would harm him, they did.

Mar 23, 2020

Monepic is an adjective that means comprised of one word.

Our word of the day is of Greek origin. The word epos (EP ose) means ‘word’ and combined with the prefix M-O-N, we get a ‘one word.’ A monepic statement simply means ‘a statement consisting of one word.

After years of getting monepic replies from the coach, the reporters were stunned to hear Chuck give such a lengthy answer to their question.

Mar 22, 2020

Materfamilias is a noun that refers to the female head of the household.

Our word is a combination of two Latin words. Mater (MAH ter) meaning ‘mother,’ and familia (fa MEEL ee uh) meaning ‘family.’ Together they give us a word for a female who heads the household.

As the materfamilias of a large Greek family, my mother knows a great deal about how to manage people who can be a little wild.

Mar 21, 2020

Periphrasis is a noun that means the use of more words than necessary.

The Greek word phrazein (FRAH zeen) provides the origin of our word of the day. It means to point out. This evolved into a word that refers to excessive explanation.

Craig doesn’t like employees who engage in periphrasis. An overly long explanation is simply excessive.

Mar 20, 2020

Blench is a verb that means to draw back from lack of courage.

Derived from Old English, our word of the day, blench is similar to the word blanch, which means to grow pale from shock. Both words are used to describe things done in fear.

Karen is a brave lady. She doesn’t blench when faced with a challenge.

Mar 19, 2020

Capstone is a noun that refers to a crowning achievement.

Our word of the day combines ‘cap’ with ‘stone’ to refer to the final stone in a construction. As a building’s capstone is usually at or near the top, it makes sense that it would evolve into a word for ‘the highest point.’

I feel Gretchen’s last movie was the capstone of her career. It’s hard to imagine her topping that performance.

Mar 18, 2020

Dilapidated is an adjective that means decayed or fallen into partial ruin.

Lapis (LAP eese) is the Latin word for stone. By adding the prefix D-I, we get the word for ‘pelt with stones.’ From there, it evolved into a word that means ‘destroyed from stones.’ More recently, it simply means decayed or destroyed — but not necessarily from stones.

I can’t believe Rosemary wasted her money on that old dilapidated building. Purchasing an old decaying property can only pay off if you invest a lot of time and money into repairing it.

Mar 17, 2020

Esprit de corps is a noun that refers to a spirit of solidarity.

Our word of the day comes directly from French. It is often used to describe sports teams, militaries and other endeavors that require great solidarity.

Without any sense of esprit de corps, our teams simply had no inspiration. A spirit of togetherness is very important for a bowling team.

Mar 16, 2020

Peremptory is an adjective that means dictatorial or not allowing contradictions.

Our word of the day is derived from Latin. The word perimere (per ee MARE ay) means ‘to take entirely.’ A peremptory ruler is one that does not allow any kind of descent from their rule.

The king’s rule was fully peremptory. Any attempt to oppose him was immediately stopped.

Mar 15, 2020

Terrene is an adjective that means earthly or mundane and also a noun that means earth or terrain.

Terra (TEAR uh) is the Latin word for earth. When used as a noun, the word is basically the same as terrain, but with a different spelling. As an adjective it is a synonym of worldly, as in: As a younger person, I focused mostly on terrene matters. But as I’ve gotten older, I realized that there are spiritual matters that are far more important.

Mar 14, 2020

Augean is an adjective that means extremely difficult.

Our word of the day is a reference to Augean stable, the cleansing of which was one of the labors of Hercules. According to the legend, the stable had gone uncleansed for thirty years. In some contexts, Augean can mean filthy. But it usually means extremely difficult.

Melanie was faced with the Augean task of putting little Mike to sleep. He’s such a rambunctious kid that no amount of effort will calm him down.

Mar 13, 2020

Histrionics is a noun that refers to melodramatic or hysterical behavior.

The Latin word histrio (HISS tree oh) means ‘actor.’ While actors aren’t only ones guilty of using histrionics, they are very much an actor’s stock and trade.

Devin’s histrionics can get a little hard to take. I don’t like it when people can’t tell a simple story without engaging in melodramatic behavior.

Mar 12, 2020

Pollyanna is a noun that refers to a naively optimistic person.

Our word of the day comes from a 1913 novel by Elinor Porter. Pollyanna is both the name of the novel and the protagonist who is characterized by an irrepressible optimism and a tendency to see the good in everything. It is best used to refer to people whose optimism is foolish and perhaps dangerous.

I like Karry, but she can be something of a pollyanna. One of these days her optimistic view of life is going to lead her into something horrible.

Mar 11, 2020

Bacchanal is a noun that means a wild drunken celebration. It can also be an adjective that means related to the god of wine.

Bacchus is the Greek god of wine and revelry. Our word of the day may be used  as an adjective to refer to this deity, but is most frequently used to refer to a party or celebration that is very much in the spirit of Bacchus.

Kevin used to live a pretty wild life. He often spent weeks jumping from one bacchanal to another.

Mar 10, 2020

Abet is a verb that means to aid or assist in doing something wrong.

Our word of the day began life in Middle English where it meant, ‘to urge to do something.’ Abet is frequently used in a legal context where the thing one is urged to do is usually illegal. But outside of the legal world, its meaning can be broader, for example: I didn’t want to abet Mike’s unhealthy eating habits. But I figured cooking him a plate of food heavy in carbs every once in a while was a harmless thing to do.

Mar 9, 2020

Morphean is an adjective that means related to or producing sleep.

Morpheus was the Greek god of dreams. Our word of the day can, in come cases simply be used to refer to Morpheus or it may mean drowsy, a state that sends us to sleep and, of course, to our dreams.

Something about the movie’s tone had a morphean quality to it. All those tranquil images and sounds made me want to sleep for several hours.

Mar 8, 2020

Dearth is a noun that refers to a scarcity.

Derived from a Middle English word that had the same meaning and nearly the same spelling — D-E-R-T-H-E. This word evolved into our word of the day as well as the word dear which once had the same meaning as dearth.

Faced with a dearth of options, Tommy sold his beloved car. It hurt him to do so, but these are the kinds of choices one has to make when alternatives are scarce.

Mar 7, 2020

Karuna is a noun that refers to loving compassion.

Our word of the day is of Sanskrit origin and is commonly used among Buddhists to describe a means of attaining a happy life. But it can be used more broadly to simply refer to compassion. For example: The situation calls for a little karuna on both sides. All that bickering and anger only makes things worse.

Mar 6, 2020

Lucent is an adjective that means clear or glowing with light.

Our word of the day comes from the Latin word lucēre (LOO chair ray) which means ‘to shine.’ Although, it may refer literally to light or a glowing, it can also be used metaphorically as a synonym of clear.

Tommy’s lucent explanation of the situation helped me understand things better. He made it clear that we needed to act soon.

Mar 5, 2020

Prudential is an adjective that means exercising good judgement.

Behavior that be labelled prudential is usually wise and containing foresight. So it makes sense that our word of the day’s origin is from prudentia (proo DENSE ee uh) the Latin word for ‘foreseeing.’

Carly’s prudential guidance has played a giant role in making this company what it is. We needed someone capable of making wise judgement.

Mar 4, 2020

Redbrick is an adjective that means working class or lacking prestige.

Our word of the day combines the two common English words, ‘red’ and ‘brick’ in reference to a kind of material used to construct buildings. Because redbrick is a more recent development, it means that a building created from it lacks the prestige of an older building. It is most commonly used to refer to less prestigious colleges or universities.

My father didn’t have the status to attend an older prestigious university like Cambridge or Oxford, so he had to settle for a redbrick school. Attending a more blue color university may have hurt him at the time, but he now has no regrets.

Mar 3, 2020

Sycophant is a noun that refers to a flatterer or someone who is servile.

The Greek word sykophantēs (seek oh FANT ace) meant slanderer. Over time this word evolved into sycophant and its meaning has evolved as well. In recent years, it’s come to be defined as a subserviant person who flatters for personal gain. So someone who flatters just for the sake of being nice can’t truly be considered a sycophant.

Many successful movie stars wind up getting surrounded by sycophants. It’s much better to be in the presence of those who genuinely love you.

Mar 2, 2020

Pickwickian is an adjective that means innocent or naive.

In the 19th century Charles Dickens novel, the Pickwick Papers, the character named Samuel Pickwick was noted for having a childlike naivete. In the novel, he gets hoodwinked by conmen and imposters.

Try not be so pickwickian in your dealings with the Senate. If your approach is too innocent, you can wind up getting taken to the cleaners.

Mar 1, 2020

Contumacious is an adjective that means stubbornly disobedient.

The origin of contumacious is contumax (con TOO mocks) the Latin word for rebellious. In a legal context it can also refer to the charge ‘contempt of court.’ Our word of the day is also used in legal contexts. Its uses can be flexible, but contumacious usually sounds best in a legal or formal context.

The doctor’s patient behaved in a highly contumacious manner. This is why it was necessary to call security on him.

Feb 29, 2020

Interdict is a verb that means to prohibit or stop. It can also be used as a noun that refers to a prohibition.

Our word of the day is of Latin origin. It combines the prefix I-N-T-E-R, meaning ‘between’ and

dicere, (DEE chair ay) meaning ‘to say’ or ‘to speak.’

In the past, anyone guilty of violating an interdict was subject to being cut off from having privileges from or attending, the Catholic church. In more recent years the word is used in contexts with less severe punishments.

An example of interdict as a noun would be: The office interdict forbade the use of use cell phones during working hours. As a verb, an example is: I understand why they wouldn’t want people talking excessively on their phone, but it seems a little extreme to interdict cell phone use altogether.

Feb 28, 2020

Propinquity is a noun that means nearness or proximity.

The Latin word prope (PRO pay) which means ‘near’ has given birth to our word of the day and its cousin ‘proximity.’ Propinquity is the older member of the family, having entered English in the 14th century.

Both words are roughly translated to ‘nearness’ but propinquity often conveys a sense of being closer than just ‘in the vicinity’ which is what proximity usually means. For example: As much as I loved the proximity of the football stadium a few blocks away, the propinquity of the hammock in the back yard made for a more relaxing afternoon.

Feb 27, 2020

Imprecation is a noun that refers to a curse.

The Latin word precari (pray CAR ee) means ‘to pray, ask or request.’ The addition of the prefix I-N gets us a word that can be thought of as the opposite of a prayer — in other words, a curse. The word be used to describe the actions of a figure like a witch or a warlock, but it can also be used more informally. For example: Brenda may have smiled when faced with all the extra work she had to do, but under her breath, she muttered many imprecations to her co-workers whose laziness caused her to work late.

Feb 26, 2020

Panoply is a noun that refers to a magnificent or impressive array.

The Greek word panoplia (pan oh PLEE uh) referred the full set of armor worn by Greek infantry guards. It combined the prefix PAN, meaning ‘all’ with hopla (HOPE la) meaning ‘armor.’ By the 17th century the word had entered the English language and its meaning had extended to mean ‘a full set’ of something that may or may not have anything to do with armor.

I was happy to see a panoply of food options at the banquet. With such a dazzling array of choices, I was sure everybody would find something to eat.

Feb 25, 2020

Dexterous is an adjective that means skillful or adroit.

Our word of the day comes from the Latin word dexter (DECKS ter) meaning ‘on the rights side.’ Because most people are right-handed and do things more skillfully with the right hand, the word dexterous came to be a synonym of ‘skillful.’

I love watching Amy’s dexterous work on the balance beam. It’s lovely to see that kind of skill.

Feb 24, 2020

Phlegmatic is an adjective that means having a calm, composed temperament.

You may recognize the word phlegm, as in the bodily fluid, in our word of the day. It turns out there is a connection. So how did phlegm come to be associated with a synonym of ‘calm’ and ‘stoic?’ The answer goes back to the ancient Greeks. They believed that human personalities were controlled by four bodily fluids called humors: Blood, black bile, yellow bile and phlegm. Those ruled by phlegm were thought of as calm and unemotional. Centuries later, we would refer to such people as ‘the phlegmatic type.’

Charlie’s phlegmatic personality made him an ideal person to be around in times of crises. No matter how crazy things would get, he would remain cool and unemotional.

Feb 23, 2020

Cadge is a verb that means to beg.

The linguistic origin of cadge is not known for certain, but we do know that in the 1400s, peddlers who were called cadgers travelled the British countryside with horses and carts. By the 1800s the term was often used to describe people who were beggars posing as peddlers.

I hate having to cadge money from my brother. He always makes me feel bad for having to bed.

Feb 22, 2020

Gainly can be an adjective that means graceful. It can also be used as an adverb that means very or completely.

Originating in Middle English, the word gain has many meanings. Among other things it can mean ‘to win.’ You can think of gainly as a synonym of ‘winning’ as in, a ‘winning personality.’

Sheila’s gainly demeanor will get her far in life. Everyone loves to be in the company of someone charming and sweet.

Feb 21, 2020

Tweedy is an adjective that means academic or scholarly.

Tweed is a fabric whose name is of Scots origin. Because tweed is commonly worn by academics, our word of the day came to be a term to describe academics or anything associated with them.

You didn’t exactly conjugate that word properly. Sorry to come across tweedy, but as a former college professor, correcting people’s grammar is a habit.

Feb 20, 2020

Wieldy is an adjective that means easily handled or managed.

To wield something means to ‘hold’ or ‘use’ it. It is related to the German word Walten (VI uh un).

Once again, wieldy is spelled WIELDY. You may recognize our word of the day as the positive variation of the word unwieldy.

I like how wieldy this tool box is. It’s much easier to carry around than the others I’ve used in the past.

Feb 19, 2020

Overslaugh is a verb that means to pass over in favor of another. Less commonly, it can also be used as a noun that refers to an exemption from duty from the British armed forces.

Our word of the day originated in Dutch. The word overslaan (OVE er Shlan) means ‘to skip.’ I think it may be best to overslaugh Henry. I know he’s been with the company the longest, but the newer employees are so much better.

Overslaugh is spelled OVERSLAUGH.

Feb 18, 2020

Acarpous is an adjective that means sterile  or not producing fruit.

Karpos (CAR pose) is the Greek word for fruit. The addition of the prefix A turns it into ‘fruitless.’ Our word of the day may refer to actual food but it may be used to mean any living creature that produces no offspring. It may also be used metaphorically to mean ‘unproductive’ or ‘futile.’ For example: The purpose of the meeting was to generate new ideas for the spring sale, but we couldn’t think of any. I had no idea the meeting would turn out to be so acarpous.

Feb 17, 2020

Hermetic is an adjective that means airtight or not affected by outside influence.

In Greek mythology, Hermes was the god of science and art. So it makes sense that the scientific discovery of an airtight tube would be credited to him. The word Hermetic is named for him.

The word is generally used in a scientific context, but it can also be used more informally as in: if we don’t want the milk to spoil, we should put it into a hermetic container. Using something airtight is the only solution.

Feb 16, 2020

Crestfallen is an adjective that means dispirited or humiliated.

Our word of the day began life in the late 16th century, originating with a reference to a mammal or bird having a fallen or drooping crest. An animal’s crest refers to its head. Having a drooping head is an indication that an animal — or person — is dejected.

The loss left Harold crestfallen for weeks. You wouldn’t think the results of a ping pong game would be so devastating, but Harold took the sport very seriously.

Feb 15, 2020

Sanguine is an adjective that means cheerfully optimistic. It can also be an adjective that means consisting of or related to blood or a noun that refers to a moderate to strong red.

The Latin word for blood is sanguis (SAN gwis). From this we get the meaning of ‘blood red’ or ‘related to blood’ as well as our word of the day’s other meaning ‘marked by eager hopefulness.’

In spite of the early results of polling, we remained sanguine about our candidate’s chances. Last year’s election gave us plenty of reason to feel upbeat.

Feb 14, 2020

Conduce is a verb that means to lead to a particular result.

The origin of our word of the day is from the Latin word conducere (cone do CHAIR ay) which means to conduct. I used to smoke six packs a day until I started making an effort to live healthier. Once I realized that smoking doesn’t conduce to a healthy life, I stopped.

Feb 13, 2020

Sui generis is an adjective that means of its own kind or unique.

Our word of the day is a phrase taken directly from Latin. Its literal translation is ‘of its own kind.’ It’s used to describe people or things that are one of a kind.

Max may have had others who looked a lot like him, but when it came to playing his guitar, he was truly Sui generis.

Feb 12, 2020

Syncretic is an adjective that means combining different forms of belief or practice.

The Greek word synkrētismos (sink ray TISS mos) refers to a federation of Cretan states. By the 19th century, its offspring syncretic had entered English. Although frequently used in a religious context, it may also refer to music, cultures or anything else characterized by a melding of more than one tradition.

The music of that tribe is very syncretic. It evolved from the influence of a number of nearby tribes.

Feb 11, 2020

Vitiate is a verb that means to corrupt or make ineffective.

Our word of the day is derived from the Latin word vitium (VEE tyoom) which means ‘fault’ or ‘moral flaw.’ It shares this root with words like ‘vicious’ and ‘vice.’ But it’s not always used in a moral context. For example: For me that awful pie fight scene really vitiates the movie. From that point on, I could not overlook the movie’s flaws.

Feb 10, 2020

Cohere is a verb that means to be united.

Our word of the day comes from the Latin word cohaerēre (koe hay RARE ay) which means ‘to stick together.’

In order for the company to function properly, each office must cohere in purpose. If we don’t stick together, we’ll never get anything done

Feb 9, 2020

Etesian is an adjective that means occurring every year.

The Greek word etos (ETT ose) means year. From this we get our word of the day which first entered English in the early 17th century.

These etesian inspections can really be a problem. One year is simply not enough time to get every part of our van in working order.

Feb 8, 2020

Pharisaical is an adjective that means hypocritical.

Our word of the day is derived from the Pharisees, an ancient sect that was known among readers of the Bible for having a strict adherence to traditional law but a tendency to behave in pretentious, self-righteous ways. By the 17th century, the word pharisaical had come to English, having come from Greek through Aramaic.

Like many politicians, the mayor has been called pharisaical, but I don’t think the charge is fair. He’s very devoted to his faith and he follows its teachings faithfully.

Feb 7, 2020

Luddite is a noun that refers to a person who avoids the use of new technology.

It’s not certain which language our word of the day comes from but we know the term was first used to describe a group of textile mill workers in Nottingham, England in the early 19th century who rioted for the destruction of new machinery that was slowly replacing them. A man known as Ned Ludd seemed to be involved in the movement.

In more recent years, the word is used to describe anyone who is opposed to, or uncomfortable with, technology.

I used to be a luddite but getting an iPhone for my birthday has cured me. From now on, I’ll never oppose technology again.

Feb 6, 2020

Extenuate is a verb that means to lessen the severity of.

The Latin word tenuare (TEN ooh are ay) means ‘to make thin.’ Combined with the prefix EX, we get the basis of our word of the day. Extenuate is often used in a legal context as in ‘extenuating circumstances,’ but you don’t need to be in a courtroom to find a use for it. For example: I didn’t think anything could extenuate the damage from the flood. But it turned out that all I had to do was soak up the floor with rags and harm was immediately eased.

Feb 5, 2020

Deify is a verb that means to glorify or worship.

The Latin word deus (DAY oos) means ‘god’ and the literal translation of our word of the day is ‘to make a god.’ But the word may be used in a lighter context to simply mean ‘elevate as if a god.’

The people of this town are enormous baseball fans. The day I hit three home runs, everyone wanted to deify me.

Feb 4, 2020

Sidereal is an adjective that means related to the stars.

The Latin word sidus (SEE doos) means star. This is the origin of our word of the day. If you’ve ever heard the term sidereal time, you know that this phrase refers to a measurement of time based on a motion of the fixed stars.

It was lovely to walk home in the sidereal glow of the evening. The light of the stars has always looked so beautiful to me.

Feb 3, 2020

Puerile is an adjective that means childish or silly.

Our word of the day traces its origin to the Latin word puer (POO air) meaning ‘boy’  or ‘child.’ Puerile is basically the adjective form of the word that means ‘like a child.’ But keep in mind that calling someone or something puerile is never a compliment, so think ‘childish’ not ‘childlike.’

I embarrassed myself at work by making a number of puerile comments that day. It isn’t like me to make such silly remarks.

Feb 2, 2020

Nebbish is a noun that refers to a timid or submissive person.

Our word of the day is one of many words that originated in Yiddish, a language that began as a German dialect with words from Hebrew and several modern languages. Nebbish has evolved from the word for ‘poor’ and ‘unfortunate.’

I was kind of a nebbish as a kid. I didn’t have the courage to stand up for myself at all.

Feb 1, 2020

Mephitic is an adjective that means foul-smelling.

Our word of the day has its origin in Latin, where the word mephitis (MEH fit iss) means ‘noxious vapor.’ It is also personified as a goddess believed to have the power to avert it. Today mephitis retains its original meaning and mephitic may be used to describe something related to mephitis or it may be used more broadly to refer to anything foul-smelling.

I was looking forward to the weekend at the cabin until we reached the mephitic bedroom. That foul scent was a horrible distraction.

Jan 31, 2020

Paean is a noun that means a tribute or thing that expresses enthusiastic praise.

According to Greek mythology, Paean was the physician to the gods. The word later came to refer to hymns that were sung to praise the gods. More recently it is used to refer to any tribute — musical or otherwise.

The article about the football team was really a paean to its head coach. It praised him for his guidance and wisdom in spite of the team’s pathetic four-and-ten record.

Jan 30, 2020

Hegemony is a noun that refers to a dominance or authority over others.

The Greek word hēgeisthai (hee GAYE sty) is a verb that means ‘to lead.’ By the mid-16th century the word had been imported into English where it referred to the control once wielded by the ancient Greek states and, in later centuries it was reapplied to other nations that rose to power. In contemporary use, hegemony may refer to any kind of dominance or power.

The hegemony of those large conglomerates over smaller business can make things difficult for a small business owner. Under dominance of larger companies, it isn’t easy to find a customer base.

Jan 29, 2020

Phalanx is a noun that refers to an organized body of persons.

Our word of the day comes directly from Greek where it refers to an infantry of soldiers. More recently it simply refers to a large group of people, usually a group that is united for a singular purpose. The police were intimidated by the phalanx of protesters at the school. A large body of people determined to get change can frighten anyone.

Jan 28, 2020

Aeolian is an adjective that means related to or caused by the wind.

The Greek god Aeolus is the god of the winds. From this we get our word of the day which may refer either to something caused by the wind or in some way connected to the wind.

The windstorm made a huge mess in my backyard last night. All that Aeolian chaos is terrible for my garden.

Jan 27, 2020

Cerebrate is a verb that means to use the mind or reason.

You may recognize the Latin derived ‘cerebrum — a synonym of ‘brain’ — as cerebrate’s root word. Our word of the day simply adds the suffix ATE to indicate a state or function. It’s hard to cerebrate with all the noise going on outside. I’ll need more quiet if I hope to put my mind to use.

Jan 26, 2020

Achates is a noun that refers to a faithful friend.

Our word of the day comes from an epic poem called Aeneid. In the story, Achates accompanies a Trojan leader named Aeneas everywhere in his adventures. Prior to being featured in the poem by Vergil, both characters originated in Greek mythology.

When trying out a new standup comedy routine, I like to rehearse it in front of an Achates or two. Only a faithful friend will have the courage to tell you when you’re not funny.

Jan 25, 2020

Prandial is an adjective that means related to a meal.

The Latin word prandium (PRAHN dee oom) means breakfast. In time it came to refer to any meal.

The company outlawed any more prandial meetings. The employees tend to eat so much they run up an outrageously large bill.

Jan 24, 2020

Affranchise is a verb that means to set free.

You may recognize ‘franchise’ as the root of our word of the day. It comes from the Latin word franc (fronk) meaning ‘free.’ With the addition of the prefix A — which means ‘to’ — it becomes a transitive verb that means something done to someone, as in: After watching a documentary on animal cruelty, Amy affranchised her chickens. Setting them free after years of service seemed like the least she could do.

Jan 23, 2020

Disport is mainly used as a verb that means to divert or amuse, but less commonly, it can be a noun that refers to a sport.

Our word of the day is derived from the Latin portare (poor TAR ay) meaning ‘to carry.’ From here, the word picked up the prefix DIS and became disport which meant ‘to carry away,’ ‘comfort’ or ‘entertain.’

This versatile word can refer to a pastime, but in that sense it has been surpassed in popularity by its shortened version ‘sport.’ It can also mean to amuse or divert. For example: These days it’s a little harder to disport kids. It often takes a lot of imagination and money to find something they consider amusing.

Jan 22, 2020

Lineament is a noun that refers to a distinctive feature — especially on the face.

Linea (LIN ee ah) comes from Latin and means ‘line.’ Keep in mind that a ‘line’ may refer to a straight line or an outline with curves and features that stand out — just as a distinctive nose may stand out in the contour of a person’s face.

With his giant chin, it wasn’t difficult to identify Jake after all these years. Decades later that lineament still stands out.

Lineament is spelled LINEAMENT.

Jan 21, 2020

Sedulous is an adjective that means involving great effort and perseverance.

Our word of the day is evolved from the Latin words se dolus (say DOE loose) which mean ‘without guile.’ Over time this evolved into a single word sedulo (say DOO low) meaning ‘diligently’ or ‘sincerely.’

Marcy is a great asset to the company. She’s a sedulous employee who works long and hard to make sure she gets things done right.

Once again, sedulous is spelled SEDULOUS.

Jan 20, 2020

Asperity is a noun that refers to roughness.

The Latin word asper (AHH spur) means rough. This word took a lengthy journey through Anglo-French and Middle English and still exists today. It can be found nestled into words like exasperate as well as our word of the day.

My father survived a great deal of asperity before he succeeded in life, but he feels that his rough path to prosperity has given him a great deal of character.

Asperity is spelled ASPERITY.

Jan 19, 2020

Precatory is an adjective that means expressing a wish.

Precari (pray CAR ee) is the Latin word that means ‘to pray.’ Over time, it has evolved into our word of the day, which is often used in a legal context to indicate something that is desired but not legally binding like a ‘precatory dress code’ in the workplace. It may also be similarly used in an everyday context: My precatory plans were for Ed to water my plants while I went out of town. But I suppose I should have made my wishes more clear before I left.

Jan 18, 2020

Oenophile is a noun that refers to a lover of wine.

The Greek word for wine oinos (EE nosse) provides roughly half of our word of the day’s origin. The rest is PHILE a suffix of Latin descent that means ‘lover of.’

Rhonda was one of the most knowledgeable oenophiles I’ve ever met. Not only did have a great wine to recommend to me, but she was aware of that wine’s history.

Oenophile is spelled OENOPHILE.

Jan 17, 2020

As a noun, clarion refers to a medieval musical instrument or the clear, shrill noise it makes. As an adjective it means loud and clear.

A clarion is a musical instrument known for making a clear, shrill sound. Its name comes from the Latin word clarus (KLAR oos) meaning clear.

The sale on winter gloves was a clarion call to me. I understood perfectly well the need to make sure my hands were fully wrapped up before temperatures dropped even further.

Jan 16, 2020

Calliopean is an adjective that means loud and piercing.

In Greek mythology, the muses were nine sisters who presided over various arts and sciences, with each muse having a different area of expertise. The Muse named Calliope presided over heroic poetry. In time, the word calliope came to be the name of a steam-powered musical instrument known for being extremely loud. The adjective calliopean may refer either specifically to the musical instrument or to anything piercingly loud.

Just when I thought I’d found a nice quiet time to take a nap, my son began to practice the drums, creating a calliopean noise and guaranteeing I wouldn’t get a wink of sleep.

Jan 15, 2020

Gordian is an adjective that means intricate or difficult to solve. It can also be used as a noun that refers to the Gordian knot of legend.

According to tales of yore, Gordios (GORE dee ose) the king of Gordium, tied an intricate knot and prophesied that whoever untied it would be the ruler of Asia. It was cut through by the sword of Alexander the Great.

Today, the word may still be used when retelling this legend, but it is more likely to be used as a synonym for words like complicated, intricate or convoluted. The health clinic gave great service, but they had a very gordian system. Even something as simple as getting prescribed an aspirin would demand navigating through an elaborate maze of paperwork.

Jan 14, 2020

Ersatz is an adjective that means a substitute or imitation.

Our word of the day comes directly from German, where it means ‘replacement.’ Ersatz is typically used in a context that implies the replacement is inferior to the real thing. Example: Terry’s ersatz bow tie may have looked convincing to most people, but it didn’t fool me. A real bow tie would have been a much more elegant addition to the evening.

Jan 13, 2020

Spartan may be used as an adjective that means marked by strict self-discipline. It may also be used as a noun that refers to a person of strict discipline.

Our word of the day’s first meaning was as a reference to any resident of the ancient Greek city-state Sparta. Sparta was known for having a highly disciplined way of life for all of its citizens — men and women — to keep them ready for war at any time.

In modern times, the word can be a noun that refers to a person with a strict sense of discipline. Here’s an example of the word used in adjective form: As much as I’d love to have a body that resembles Tony’s, his Spartan lifestyle intimidates me. I don’t think I have the discipline needed to engage in as much exercise as he does.

Jan 12, 2020

Inosculate is a verb that means to join or unite.

The Latin osculare (oh skoo LAHR ay) means ‘to provide with a mouth or outlet.’ Along with the prefix IN inosculate entered English in the late 17th century. It is a synonym of join and unite.

I will do my best to inosculate the bicycle’s parts. But I get the feeling that they were not meant to be put together.

Jan 11, 2020

Gest is a noun that refers to a tale or adventure.

Our word of the day is not to be confused with jest, JEST, but both words share a common ancestor. The Latin gestus (JEST oos) the past participle of the verb ‘to bear’ or ‘to carry’ has given birth to many words like ingest, suggest and ingest as well as jest with a J and gest with a G.

As much as I love Shakespeare’s warm romantic comedies, my favorites are the ones that feature brave men engaged in a gest. There’s something about a good old adventure tale that thrills me.

Jan 10, 2020

Ligneous is an adjective that means of or resembling wood.

Our word of the day began with the Latin word lignum (LEAN yoom) which simply means ‘wood.’ Its descendant ligneous may be used in a literal sense to refer to actual wood or something that looks like wood, and it may also be used to describe something that is ‘wooden’ in the figurative sense — as in a ‘wooden’ expression. For example: “The Judge’s ligneous expression was a bad sign. Whenever a judge shows no emotion, that means he has an unfavorable sentence to hand down.’

Jan 9, 2020

Misprision is a noun that means the neglect or wrong performance of official duty.

The Latin word prehendere (PREN dare ay) means ‘to seize’ or ‘to take.’ As the word drifted through Middle English, the prefix MIS was added and the word evolved into our word of the day. In addition to its most common meaning, Misprision may be used in a few legal contexts like: ‘concealment of treason or felony by one who is not a participant in the treason or felony’ or ‘seditious conduct against the government or courts.’

When that security guard followed that suspicious man to his car, he may have thought he was helping out, but really he was engaging in an act of misprision. His job was simply to report unusual behavior.

Jan 8, 2020

Machinate is a verb that means to plot or scheme.

Our word of the day is from the Latin Machina (MOCK ee nah) where it roughly translates to ‘machine’ — but its meaning is different than the way ‘machine’ is used in the contemporary sense. Instead it refers to ‘a contrivance’ or ‘something created.’ To machinate is to contrive or create a scheme. The word is often used in a pejorative sense. For example:

Keep an eye on Chuck and Joel during the meeting. I have a feeling that the two of them will machinate against the company.

Jan 7, 2020

Nestor is a noun that refers to one who is the leader in a field.

Nestor was a figure from Greek mythology who served as a wise leader in the Trojan war. Today a nestor may refer to anyone known for wisdom and leadership in a particular field.

After giving years of service to the theatre word, Harvey has more recently become something of a nestor in that community. He loves the idea of giving to others all the wisdom he’s gained in his forty years of work.

Jan 6, 2020

Foible is a noun that means a minor shortcoming is someone’s character.

In fencing, the word forte refers to the strongest point of the blade. So understandably, forte became a word to describe a person’s strongest skill or characteristic, as in: Jeff’s forte is public speaking. That’s why he’s done so well performing lectures at college.

By contrast, the foible (derived from the Old French word for ‘feeble.’) is the weakest part of the blade. And Foible refers to the person’s weakest trait or skill. I don’t know why Mable insists on doing a dance routine for the talent show. Everybody knows dancing is her foible.

Jan 5, 2020

Doldrums is a noun that refers to a slump or a state of stagnation.

The exact etymology of our word of the day is unknown, but we know it was first used as a nautical term to describe periods of time without strong winds — which was a problem for sailing vessels.

Today, the word is used in a similar way to describe periods of stagnation or the absence of inspiration.

Without any inspiration, Stacy has been in the doldrums for a while. That’s why she hasn’t painted a masterpiece in a while.

Jan 4, 2020

Begrudge is a verb that means to envy or resent someone’s good fortune.

You may have noticed the word ‘grudge’ nested in our word of the day. Derived from Middle English, grudge is perhaps best known as a noun that means ‘ill will or resentment resulting from a past insult or injury.’ But grudge is also a verb that can mean ‘to be resentfully unwilling to grant or give something.’ Adding the prefix BE to our word of the day gets us to begrudge which can mean ‘to reluctantly give.’ But its most common meaning is ‘to envy or resent someone’s success or fortune.’ The key word with all these is ‘resent.’

I get the feeling Tommy begrudges the success I’ve had at the office. He shook my hand to congratulate me on my raise, but I could tell by the resentment in his eyes that he didn’t mean it.

Jan 3, 2020

Shambolic is an adjective that means disorganized or confused.

A fairly recent addition to English our word of the day came about in the mid-twentieth century, apparently from the word shambles, meaning ‘a state of total disorder.’ The shambolic state of my son’s room was always a source of puzzlement. I have no idea how I could have a child who has inherited none of my desire for order and neatness.

Jan 2, 2020

Promethean is an adjective that means boldly defiant or creative.

Getting its origin from the Greek God Prometheus known for his daring inventiveness and creativity, our word of the day is often used to describe scientists and inventors who have created something astonishingly new. For example, keep in mind that the novel Frankenstein was first subtitled ‘The Modern Prometheus’ in reference to the mad scientist to brought the dangerous monster to life.

Many of the important figures of contemporary science have a promethean quality about them. It often takes a bold temperament to create something that truly shakes up the world.

Jan 1, 2020

Connubial is an adjective that means related to the state of marriage.

Connubial combines the Latin word nubere (new BEAR ay) with the prefix COM, meaning ‘with’ or ‘together.’

After years of marriage, the couple were still thrilled with each other’s presence. It was nice to see their state of connubial bliss was alive and well.

Dec 31, 2019

Sagacity is a noun that refers to wisdom or keen judgement.

The Latin word sagax (SA gacks) means ‘of quick perception’ or ‘keen.’ This word gave birth to our word of the day as well as ‘sage,’ a word often used to describe.a profound thinker who is eager to share a life of wisdom. When considering the use of sagacity, it may help to remember such a character is the kind with much sagacity.

The old wizard was happy to share his sagacity with his student. He felt there was no better use for wisdom than to pass it on to younger people who need it the most.

Dec 30, 2019

Embosom is a verb that means to shelter closely.

Our word of the day is related to the word bosom, a word of Old English origin that means a person’s chest. When used literally, embosom means to ‘take into one’s chest.’ Metaphorically, it means ‘to enclose’ usually in a protective or loving manner.

I may have had my differences with Kate over the years, but when she needed help, I was happy to embosom her. I’m always happy to take family into my arms to protect them.

Dec 29, 2019

Chimera is a noun that refers to a fanciful fabrication or illusion.

In Greek mythology, a chimera is a fire-breathing monster that has a lion’s head, a goat’s body and a dragon’s tail. After being slain, this beast continued to live on in people’s imagination. The word later came to refer to any similarly grotesque monster. In more recent years, it refers to something fanciful.

My daughter is convinced there are horrible creatures lurking under her bed. When she talks about them, it reminds me of my younger days of being terrified of a number of similar chimeras.

Dec 28, 2019

Factotum is a noun that refers to someone tasked with many diverse responsibilities.

Factotum combines the Latin words facere (FAH chair ay) which means ‘to do’ with the word totum (TOE toom) meaning ‘everything.’ Together we get a word for someone, usually an employee or servant, who does (or seems to do) everything.

I had no idea there was so much work involved with being an assistant director on the set. They should have advertised the job as ‘hiring one factotum, qualifications: a willingness to perform an impossible number of tasks on a daily basis.’

Dec 27, 2019

Standpat is an adjective that means stubbornly resisting change. It can also be a verb that refers to an act of resisting change.

Standpat is a term from the game of poker that combines the English words ‘stand’ and ‘pat’ to refer to the act of making no changes to the cards you currently hold. But it may be applied outside of the world of poker to describe a resistance to change when used as an adjective or the act of resisting change when used as a verb.

I tend to standpat a lot when playing poker, because I don’t like taking risks in high stakes situation.

Dec 26, 2019

Chameleonic is an adjective that means given to quick or frequent change.

A chameleon is a lizard known for its ability to change colors. It gets its name from a combination of the Greek words chamai (HAHM eye) which means ‘on the ground’ and leōn (LAY own) meaning ‘lion.’

Our word of the day is the adjective form of the word that describes someone or something capable of changing colors or some other attribute.

Julie may have great principles, but she can be chameleonic when the situation demands it. I’ve seen her change opinions on many topics just to be liked by others.

Dec 25, 2019

Canorous is an adjective that means pleasant sounding or melodious.

Our word of the day’s origin is in the Latin word canere (Can AIR ay) which means ‘to sing.’ It’s often used in a musical context, but it can also be used to describe a lovely sound that has a vaguely music feel to it. For example: Spring is my favorite season. I love waking up to the canorous sounds of the birds collecting outside my window.

Dec 24, 2019

Suborn is a verb that means to secretly induce (someone) to perform an illegal act.

Our word of the day combines the Latin prefix SUB, meaning ‘under’ or ‘secretive’ with ‘ornare’ meaning ‘equip’ or ‘arrange.’ Suborn is frequently used in a legal context, but it may describe any inducement to break the law.

Jill was afraid of what might happen if the jury knew the truth about her. So she tried to suborn me to perjure myself on the witness stand.

Dec 23, 2019

Percipient is an adjective that means having deep insight or understanding. It can also be used as a noun that means ‘one who perceives.’

The Latin word for ‘perceive’ is percipere (PAIR chee paire ay). When used as an adjective, our word of the day is a synonym of ‘discerning,’ as in: when it comes to shopping for my clothes, I trust my wife’s judgement more than mine. She is a very percipient shopper.

As a noun, percipient, may refer simply to anyone who perceives things or it may specifically refer to someone with special powers to perceive, such a psychic: Tanya wanted to know where things were headed in her career, so she hired a percipient to read her future.

Dec 22, 2019

The word is sometimes shortened to malaprop, which is spelled MALAPROP. Malapropism is a noun that refers to a humorously misused word or phrase.

Our word of the day has its origin in a 1775 play called The Rivals. It featured a character named Mrs. Malaprop who had a habit of verbal blunders, such as: ‘He is the very pineapple of politeness.’

The play’s writer, Richard Sheridan created the name from the French term mal à propos (MAL uh pro poh) which means ‘inappropriate.’

The Senator isn’t known for his ability to make people laugh — at least not intentionally. He often gets huge laughs from the occasional malapropism in his speeches.

Dec 21, 2019

Aurorean is an adjective that means of or belonging to the dawn.

Fans of Roman mythology may know that Aurora was the Roman Goddess of the dawn. The word aurora still refers to this time in the morning. Our word of the day is an adjective that refers to anything related to the dawn.

The early mornings in this town are stunning. I could stare at the aurorean glow across for several minutes.

Dec 20, 2019

Expiate is a verb that means to make amends for.

Our word of the day began life with the Latin word expiare, which means ‘to atone for.’ Before arriving in contemporary English, it had other meanings. Shakespeare (and others in his time) used the word to mean ‘to put an end to.’ But more recently, expiate is typically used in a context related to guilt or guilty behavior. For example:

Tom felt guilty for embezzling his company’s money, but he feels a great deal better after repaying the company the money. It felt refreshing to expiate for his crime.

Dec 19, 2019

Scandent is an adjective that means climbing or ascending.

Coming from the Latin word scandere (SCON dare ay) meaning ‘to climb,’ our word of the day is frequently used to describe plants like vines that climb while growing. But it may also be used figuratively. For example:  in all my years in law, I’ve never met anyone more ambitious and eager to reach the top of the legal world as Laura. Whenever we find someone that scandent, it is vital that we hire them right away.

Dec 18, 2019

Cordate is an adjective that means heart-shaped.

The Latin word cordi (CORE dee) means heart. Keep in mind that a cordate object is not shaped like an actual heart, but is instead shaped like the perfectly symmetrical image we see, for example, represented on valentine’s day cards.

When I was in a more romantic mood, I thought a cordate tattoo on my forearm would be nice. But more recently I think a picture of a dragon would be more fitting to my personality.

Dec 17, 2019

Bon vivant is a noun that refers to a person who enjoys the good things in life.

Our word of the day comes to us directly from the French, where its literal translation is ‘good liver,’ as in ‘one who lives well.’ In particular, a bon vivant is someone with refined tastes in food and drink.

As a teenager, I thought of myself as something of a bon vivant, but I now realize I was mistaken. Knowing where to get the best curly fries in town is hardly the mark of a person with refined, sophisticated tastes.

Dec 16, 2019

Reprehend is a verb that means to voice disapproval of.

The Latin word hendere (HEN dare ay) means ‘to seize’ or ‘to grasp.’ Our word of the day combines this with the prefix RE, which means ‘back’ and PRE meaning ‘before.’

I don’t like to be judgmental about my daughter’s taste in music. But when I heard that nonsense coming from the stereo in her bedroom, I felt compelled to reprehend her choices.

Dec 15, 2019

Basilic is an adjective that means royal or of great importance.

The Greek word basilikḗ (BAH seal eek) means ‘royal building.’ As the word evolved through Latin and French, it retained the same basic meaning. To this day, a basilica may refer to a giant church. Our word of the day has a broader meaning that may refer to anything of giant significance.

Our boss is constantly reminding us of the basilic nature of this recent exhibit. He says its success would greatly enhance the museum’s reputation.

Dec 14, 2019

Euchre is a verb that means to cheat or trick.

The precise etymology of our word of the day is not known, but we do know it was, and is, the name of a card game in which a person has to win three tricks to win a hand. Those who dishonestly prevent someone from winning three tricks are cheating. From this origin, comes euchre’s definition of ‘to swindle.’

That guy I met at the racetrack, seemed trustworthy, like someone who would never cheat me out of money. But he later tried to euchre me out of my life savings, by offering to sell me the Statue of Liberty.

Dec 13, 2019

Distend is a verb that means to extend or stretch.

The Latin word tendere (TEN dare ay) means ‘to stretch.’ By combining it with the prefix ‘DIS’ meaning ‘apart,’ we get the basis for our word of the day. Distend may be used in a medical context to refer to, for example, ‘a distended finger,’ or it can refer to something a person does, as in: I would like to distend our tent so that all five people may fit inside. If we aren’t able to stretch it out, we might have to cancel our trip.

Dec 12, 2019

Repletion is a noun that refers to the condition of being filled to excess.

Repletion comes from the Latin repletionem (rep play TONE aim) meaning ‘to fill.’ While the word has retained this definition, it has over the years, acquired the additional meaning of ‘a state of being filled to excess.’ This is true whether the ‘filled’ object is a room or a belly, as in ‘I can’t recall ever feeling the repletion I’ve felt after yesterday’s dinner. I ate so much, I may not get hungry again until next week.

Once again, repletion is spelled REPLETION.

Dec 11, 2019

Officious is an adjective that means meddlesome or overly eager to offer unwanted advice.

Our word of the day comes almost directly from the Latin word ‘officiosus (oh fish ee OH soos) meaning ‘obliging’ or ‘eager to serve.’ But in more recent centuries, officious has also come to mean ‘doing more than is asked or expected’ or ‘meddlesome.’

An example of the second meaning is: Larry is a great assistant, but he can get a little officious at times. For example, a few weeks ago, he not only delivered flowers to my wife when we had an argument, but he also apologized on my behalf.

Dec 10, 2019

Desuetude is a noun that means discontinuance from use or exercise.

Our word of the day is a distant relative of the Latin verb suescere (sue ay SHARE ay) meaning ‘to accustom.’ With the prefix DE — which means ‘away’ — the word later evolved to mean ‘a state of not being used.’ Desuetude is a synonym of disuse, but its more ‘old world’ sound may make it a more appropriate word when you need something more sentimental. For example:

In my younger days, I rode my bike all the time. But since buying my car a few years ago, my reliable old 10-speed has fallen into desuetude.

Dec 9, 2019

Celerity is a noun that refers to swiftness or speed.

The Latin word celer (SAY lare) means ‘swift’ or ‘speedy.’ Its distant relative, celerity is best used in a context that refers to the speed of motion. For example: I always suspected Susan would have the necessary skills to be a great basketball player. The celerity of her movements are perfect for the sport.

Dec 8, 2019

Probative is an adjective that means done for the purpose of testing or trying.

Probative is derived from the Latin word probare (pro BAR ay) meaning ‘to prove’ or ‘to test.’ Depending on its context, it can either be a synonym of exploratory or it can mean ‘intending to confirm.’

An example of the first meaning would be: After our probative additions to the menu, we determined that our customers didn’t like curly fries with their meal, after all.

For the second meaning an example is: The doctors were fairly certain that I was fine. After a few probative tests, they confirmed that I was.

Dec 7, 2019

Rebus is a noun that refers to a representation of a word using pictures or symbols.

In Latin, rebus is the plural of res (RACE) meaning ‘thing’ or ‘object.’ This later came to refer to the objects that appear in ancient writing such as hieroglyphics. But it may also refer to more recent puzzle games where players try to guess a word by glancing at objects.

Being a very visual person, I love playing rebus games. It’s always challenging to guess a word’s meaning from visual clues.

Dec 6, 2019

Derogate is a verb that means to belittle or disparage.

Derogate’s roots are similar to that of the word derogatory, which means ‘showing a critical or disrespectful attitude.’ Both words are derived from the Latin derogare (dare oh GAR ay) meaning ‘to detract.’ But derogate is a more appropriate word when looking for a verb instead of an adjective. For example: I hope Lester didn’t feel I was trying to belittle his contribution to the company. My intention was to encourage him to do better, not to derogate him.

Dec 5, 2019

Brio is a noun that means enthusiasm or vigor.

Our word of the day is what is known as a loan word, meaning ‘a word adopted from a foreign language with little or no modification.’ Brio is from Italian, and in English it maintains its meaning of ‘vivacity’ or ‘enthusiasm.’

The band director felt I my performance was flat and unenthusiastic. He encouraged me to bring more brio into my playing.

Dec 4, 2019

Herculean is an adjective that means requiring great strength.

Those familiar with Greek mythology may have heard of the son of Zeus named Hercules known for his extraordinary strength. Our word of the day is often used to describe a task that requires such extraordinary strength, for example: I wasn’t prepared for how heavy Martha’s harp was. After trying to lift it, I soon discovered what a herculean task it was.

Dec 3, 2019

Endogenous is an adjective that means originating from within.

The Greek prefix E-N-D-O means ‘from within.’ And Genous (JEN ose) means ‘producing.’ Endogenous is frequently — but not exclusively — used in a scientific or medical context.

The patient didn’t seem to pick up the illness from any outside sources. So we surmised that an endogenous virus was the cause.

Dec 2, 2019

Atrophy is a noun that refers to a wasting away. It can also serve as a verb that means ‘to waste away.’

The literal translation of our word of the day, from the Greeks is ‘lack of nourishment.’ But in more recent years, atrophy often takes on a more metaphorical meaning that has nothing to do with actual food. A person’s muscles can atrophy if they haven’t been used for a while and the same can happen to job skills that have been dormant.

As a kid I spoke fluent Italian. But it’s been so long since I’ve spoken any of the language that my Italian has atrophied a great deal.

Dec 1, 2019

Excursus is a noun that refers to a digression on a particular point.

From Latin, we get the word excurrere (EKS coo air ay) which refers to a digression. Our word of the day has undergone a number of changes, but its meaning remains the same. Don’t be put off by the formal sound of excursus. It’s a perfect word to use when talking about something written or expressed by a formal lecturer or writer.

Professor Mitchel’s history lecture was lovely except for the excursus about president Cleveland’s policies. That kind of lengthy digression on politics can often be a distraction.

Nov 30, 2019

Inveterate is an adjective that means stubbornly established by habit.

The Latin word vetus (VAY toos) means ‘old.’ In the past, our word of the day was simply a synonym of ‘long-standing’ or ‘old,’ but in more recent years, its meaning has shifted to refer to something that remains around because of habit.

Shaking hands when meeting someone is an inveterate gesture in our society. But the centuries of habit that created this custom has not been as common in other cultures, which is why some third world countries find this greeting strange.

Nov 29, 2019

De rigueur is an adjective that means required by custom or etiquette.

Coming directly from French, de rigueur’s literal translation is ‘of strictness,’ but a better way to understand it is to think of it as meaning ‘according to obligation or convention.’

There was a time when wearing a hat in public was de rigueur for men. There was really no reason for this except for social custom.

Nov 28, 2019

Devolve is a verb that means to transfer or be passed on to another.

Our word of the day is often thought of as the opposite of the word evolve, and it is true that, like evolve, its origin is in the Latin word volvere (VOL vair ay) meaning ‘rolling.’ The addition of the prefix D-E, meaning ‘down’ gets us a word that means ‘rolling down.’ So devolve may mean ‘to degenerate through change or evolution.’ And it also refers to a right or responsibility that ‘rolls down’ from one person to the next. For example: Handling the Johnson account has devolved from my boss to me. I am now accountable for whatever happens in this case.

Nov 27, 2019

ntractable is an adjective that means not easily managed or controlled.

The Latin word tractabilis (tract uh BEEL us) roughly translates to ‘manageable.’ With the addition of the prefix I-N, meaning ‘not’  we get ‘that which can not be managed. Our word of the day has a wide range of uses and may refer to people, ideas or even policies: The intractable economic changes created by Senator Blair have thrown our society into chaos. We’d be far better off with policies that are easily managed.

Nov 26, 2019

Mercurial is an adjective that means characterized by rapid, unpredictable change.

Our word of the day shares its roots with a planet and a Roman god. Mercury was Rome’s equivalent to the Greek god Hermes, and was known for being eloquent and ingenious. When mercurial entered the English language in the 14th century, the word was used to describe someone possessing these qualities. In time its meaning shifted to ‘unpredictable’ and ‘changeable’ in reference to the chemical used in thermometers, known for its quick changes as it rises and falls to reflect the temperature.

I was hoping we could hire a basketball coach who was a little more predictable and stable than our previous one. Coach Derringer’s mercurial nature was a real detriment to the team.

Nov 25, 2019

Vacuous is an adjective that means empty or lacking content.

Coming from the Latin word vacuus (vah KOOS) meaning ‘empty’ our word of the day shares its roots with words like vacuum, evacuate and vacant. It often refers to ideas or thoughts that are empty in a metaphorical sense, meaning they have no intelligent content behind them.

I was disappointed by professor Harold’s lecture. It contained mostly vacuous catchphrases but very few actual ideas.

Nov 24, 2019

Bugbear is a noun that means an object of fear or dread.

Our word of the day entered English in the 16th century where it was used by writers of scary tales. It combined the word ‘bug,’ which referred a goblin and ‘bear’ to conjure up an imaginary creature designed to scare children.

These days it refers to anything that serves as an object that is feared or dreaded. Example: Trips to the dentists have always been Chad’s bugbear. He’s so afraid of them that he hasn’t seen one for years.

Nov 23, 2019

Solecism is a noun that means a blunder in speech.

The city of soloi was known for the bad grammar of its inhabitants known as solikos (SO loy kos). This gave birth to the word soloikismos (solo KIZZ moss) meaning, ‘an ungrammatical combination of words,’ which later became the basis for our word of the day. In more recent years, solecism has also come to refer to a social blunder as well as a verbal blunder.

Being the press secretary for a politician who commits many solecisms can be a thankless job. It usually means making lots of apologies for a wide range of blunders.

Nov 22, 2019

Yeasayer is a noun that means someone with a positive attitude.

You may have heard of the word naysayer, a noun referring to a person constantly denying or opposing things. Conversely, a yeasayer may refer to an upbeat, positive person known for saying ‘yes’ to things. Its less flattering meaning is a person always agreeing with or being submissive to other people, as in: It makes sense that Dennis would hire a yeasayer like Chuck as his assistant. There is nothing he loves more than having someone cater to all his wishes.

Nov 21, 2019

Niveous is an adjective that means related to or resembling snow.

The Latin word ‘nix’ (NEEKS uh) means snow. Niveous, a word that entered English in the early 17th century, may refer either to a large quantity of snow or something that resembles snow. The niveous look of dad’s graying beard gives him a Santa Claus look. If his beard were any whiter we might be tempted to shovel his face.

Nov 20, 2019

Aver is a verb that means to declare.

Our word of the day is a combination of the Latin words ‘ad,’ meaning ‘to’ and verus (VARE oos) meaning ‘real’ or ‘true.’ To aver something is to declare it to be true, for example: my client will aver that he is innocent of all charges. I’m confident that the jury will be moved by this declaration of his innocence.

Nov 19, 2019

Inexorable is an adjective that means not to be persuaded, moved or stopped.

The Latin word exorabilis (ex or uh BEE lees) means flexible or lenient. If we add the prefix I-N, for ‘not,’ we get a word that means ‘inflexible’ or ‘unyielding.’ The word is more frequently used to describe things than people, for example: The inexorable trend of bigger budgets in movies has made things difficult for a low budget producer. Much as Max would like the days of lower budgets to return, that seems an impossible dream.

Nov 18, 2019

Velutinous is an adjective that means soft and smooth like velvet.

The Latin word for velvet is velutum (vel LOOT oom), which also provides the origin for our word of the day, velutinous. Something described as velutinous isn’t necessarily connected to velvet though. It may simply be soft and smooth like velvet.

I always seem to fall asleep in those movie theater seats. Something about that velutinous cover on them just sends me to dreamland in a few minutes.

Nov 17, 2019

Fussbudget is a noun that refers to a person who worries about unimportant things.

Our word of the day is a combination of the words ‘fuss,’ meaning ‘to show unnecessary concern’ and ‘budget,’ which refers to ‘an estimate of income and expenditures needed for a period of time.’ Together they create a word for somebody who worries needlessly about minor things — like a budget.

My grandpa can be a fussbudget at times. When I took him to lunch he spent the whole time fretting about how much cheaper the meal would have been if we had eaten it at his favorite diner in Miami.

Nov 16, 2019

Newspeak is a noun that means deliberately ambiguous language designed to deceive.

Author George Orwell first coined the word newspeak for his dystopian novel nineteen eighty four. It described a new language designed to manipulate people into believing lies. Today the word isn’t generally used to refer to a new language but simply to mean words meant to deceive.

Carl can’t bear to watch the news on that channel. He insists that their newscasters are speaking in newspeak.

Nov 15, 2019

Inscape is a noun that refers to a person’s inner character.

Our word of the day combines the prefix I-N, for ‘inner’ and the suffix ‘scape’ which refers to a specific kind of scene, as in ‘landscape,’ ‘moonscape,’ or ‘cityscape.’ Inscape was first coined in the mid-19th century by a writer named Gerald Manley Hopkins in reference to poetry. The word is still often used to describe works of art: I loved the character of Marlene in your play. I felt she beautifully captured the inscape of a young woman coming of age in Victorian England.

Nov 14, 2019

Impend is a verb that means to be about to happen.

It may surprise you to learn that our word of the day is a close relative of the word pendant. Both words came from the Latin word pendere (PEN dare ay) which means ‘to hang.’ The best way to sort this confusion out is to consider that a pendant hangs from a chain that hangs around a neck, while something that impends hangs metaphorically over your head in a threatening way.

I get more and more stressed out as the deadline approaches. Feeling it impend that way makes me nervous.

Nov 13, 2019

Obvert is a verb that means to turn so as to present a different view.

Our word of the day combines the prefix O-B meaning ‘toward’ with the Latin word vertere (Vare TEAR ay) meaning ‘to turn.’ The result gives us a word to describe turning to display another angle. It may also mean ‘to alter the appearance of’ as in: Cindy was almost unrecognizable after her trip to the spa. I didn’t expect them to obvert her so dramatically.

Nov 12, 2019

Mooncalf is a noun that means a foolish or absent-minded person.

The exact origin of our word of the day is something of a mystery, but some believe it may have been derived from the German word Mondkalb (MOON kype) which means a ‘fleshy mess.’ It was also believed that a mooncalf was deformed because of the influence of the moon. Regardless of its origin, the word came to mean an idiotic person, a meaning it continues to hold on to today.

Bridget may be smart, but she has moments where she can really be a mooncalf. The other day, for example, she asked me what night Monday night football was on.

Nov 11, 2019

Quiescent is an adjective that means

at rest.

The Latin quiēscere (kwee ACE sare ay) means ‘to be quiet’ or ‘to rest.’ A person or thing that quiescent is at rest or dormant.

Don’t worry about that grizzly bear out back. He’ll be quiescent for the next few hours, so he won’t be able to bother you.

Nov 10, 2019

Stolid is an adjective that means not easily moved.

Don’t be misled by out word of the day’s origin. It comes from the Latin stolidus (STOW lee doos) which means stupid. But a stolid person isn’t necessarily lacking in intelligence. Instead it referred to people who appear stupid because they say nothing. More recently the word has shed any connection to stupidly and is more likely to be used as a synonym of ‘unemotional’ or ‘stoic.’

Kevin’s demeanor remained stolid throughout the movie. I got the impression that he wasn’t moved by it at all.

Nov 9, 2019

Bogart is a verb that means to bully or take more that ones fair share.

Hollywood legend Humphrey Bogart was known for playing rough, highly intimidating characters. In recent years his name has become a verb to describe the behavior befitting such characters.

Charles tried to Bogart his way into the restaurant. But unfortunately, the restaurant security would not allow themselves to be bullied.

Nov 8, 2019

Highbinder is a noun that means a swindler or gangster.

Not much is known about the exact origin of our word of the day, but, highbinder seems to have been the name of a 19th century gang. Our word of the day may refer specifically to a professional killer operating in the Chinese quarter of an American city or it may refer, more broadly to a person — usually a politician — who has engaged in some form of corruption.

George’s reputation as a highbinder could cause problems in the next election. Voters may be cautious of someone with a history of corruption.

Nov 7, 2019

Copper-bottomed is an adjective that means reliable.

Our word of the day combines two common English words ‘copper’ and ‘bottomed.’ In a literal sense it simply refers to something that is coated with copper — a very firm metal — on the bottom. But in a more metaphorical sense it refers to something that is solid like Copper and that comes with a guarantee.

I was told I had just purchased a copper-bottomed stock. As guaranteed, the stock shot up shortly after my buying it.

Nov 6, 2019

Senectitude is a noun that refers to old age.

Our word of the day is an appropriately old word. The Latin word senectus (SEN eck toos) means old age.

As my parents near their senectitude, we are contemplating the best way to take care of them. These are the kinds of decisions that must be made for the elderly.

Nov 5, 2019

Satisfice is a verb that means to accept an available option as satisfactory.

Our word of the day is a blend of satisfy and suffice, two English words of Latin origin.Understanding satisfice as a mix of these words may help understand its best use.

I told my kids never to safistice with their education. They should always press to learn way more than the bare minimum.

Nov 4, 2019

Superlunary is an adjective that means beyond the moon.

From the Latin Luna (LOO nah) we get moon. And from the Latin super (SOO pair) we get ‘above’ or ‘beyond.’

As a kid, I wondered if we’d ever put an astronaut any place beyond the moon. Today superlunary space travel is very much within reach.

Nov 3, 2019

Argot is a noun that refers to the jargon or slang of a particular group.

Borrowed from the French in the mid 19th century, our word of the day refers to the ‘language’ of a particular group. But don’t be misled by the term ‘language.’ German is not an argot, but cyberspeak is.

Ed tends to get confused by the argot his grandkids use. When he heard that Tommy’s house was ‘lit,’ he called the fire department.

Nov 2, 2019

Nisus is a noun that refers to a mental or physical effort to attain an end.

Nisus comes directly from the Latin (NEEZ zoos) where its pronunciation may differ a little from its English   descendant, but its meaning has remained roughly the same. A nisus is an effort, but more specifically, it one to reach a particular goal.

No matter what nisus he employed, Larry simply couldn’t finish the race. It bothered him to fall short of his goal in spite of his best efforts.

Nov 1, 2019

Evince is a verb that means to display.

Our word of the day comes from the Latin word vincere (VEEN chair ay) which means ‘conquer’ or ‘win.’

But before you get carried away, keep in mind that the victories evince indicates take place not on a battlefield, but in the realm of a conversation or perhaps a legal trial. A person may ‘win’ a dispute when information is evinced.

When those cookies went missing, we weren’t sure who the culprit was. But the smell of chocolate chip on our little puppy’s breath evinced his guilt.

Oct 31, 2019

Fulgurant is an adjective that means flashing like lighting.

The Latin fulgur (FOOL goor)  means ‘lightning.’ Our word of the day is usually used metaphorically to refer to a powerful brilliant flash — but not necessarily to refer to actual lightning.

The coach’s words struck me with fulgurant force. Those five words — ‘you’re cut from the team’ — didn’t take long to say, but their powerful impact wounded me deeply.

Oct 30, 2019

Edenic is an adjective that means Like a paradise.

Coming from Hebrew, our word of the day has its origin in the Biblical Garden of Eden, a place of great happiness and unspoiled paradise. Our word of the day may describe something that refers specifically to the Garden of Eden, or more broadly, to anything that resembles paradise.

I found that beach property to be edenic. Everything about it was perfect in every way.

Oct 29, 2019

Sinewy is an adjective that means tough or forceful.

In anatomy, a sinew is a piece of tough fibrous tissue uniting muscle to bone or bone to bone. When used figuratively, sinewy may simply mean ‘lean’ or ‘spare’ as in the novelist’s writing wasn’t littered with unnecessary words. When done well, hat type of sinewy prose can captivate a reader.

Oct 28, 2019

Bromidic is an adjective that means commonplace or trite.

The chemical bromide’s etymology is of unknown origin, but we do know that bromide is a sedative used medicinally. When used metaphorically, something bromidic may not actually put you to sleep, but it may bore you — as trite, cliche things often do.

Our coach loved to deliver these bromidic speeches consisting of tedious cliches. Far from inspiring us, those speeches just bored us.

Oct 27, 2019

Osmotic is an adjective that means having the properties of osmosis (a gradual assimilation of knowledge).

The Greek word Omos (OSE mose) means ‘thrusting’ or ‘pushing.’ You could say that when something osmotic is taking place, it is being thrust or pushed in some sense or other. When the word is used in a medical sense, it refers to something being pushed through a membrane. But used in an everyday context, an osmotic process may simply be something effortlessly or unconsciously assimilated, for example: Cheryl never took a music lesson. But there is something osmotic about the way she learned to play the violin as a result of growing up in a musical family.

Oct 26, 2019

Actuate is a verb that means to put into action or motion.

The Latin word actus (OCK toos) meaning ‘a doing’ is parent to many English words including act, actor, actual and activate, a word similar to our word of the day. It’s often used to describe the act of putting machinery into motion.

I think the copy machine is broken. When I tried to actuate it, it didn’t do anything.

Oct 25, 2019

Catchpenny is an that means using sensationalism for appeal.

First coined in the 18th century, catchpenny may be best understood as a synonym of sensationalistic. For example: My grandfather was an writer of catchpenny biographies. His books were poorly researched and not very skillfully written, but they made money because of the popular subjects.

Oct 24, 2019

Nephalism is a noun that refers to the total abstinence from alcohol.

The Greek word nēphein (NEF fine) means ‘drink no wine.’ From this beginning our word of the day was born.

All of the free drinks on the cruise will make it difficult to maintain nephalism. I’m not sure I can make it eleven days without a drop of alcohol.

Oct 23, 2019

Ben Trovato is an adjective that means characteristic and appropriate even if untrue.

Ben Trovato comes directly from Italian where its words mean ‘well found.’

The fact that the accusations against Carl were Ben Trovato made no difference in the courtroom. That they accurately summed him up didn’t change the fact that they weren’t strictly true.

Oct 22, 2019

Effrontery is a noun that means insolent and impertinent behavior.

Our word of the day is derived from the Latin word frons (fronce) which means ‘brow’ or ‘forehead’ combined with the prefix E-F, meaning ‘without.’ If this seems like an unlikely origin of a word for insolent behavior, keep in mind that the Romans thought of the brow as the seat of a person’s modesty much in the same we think of the heart as the seat of a person’s love life. So effrons (EE Fronce) meant ‘without shame.’

I can’t the effrontery Erica’s children showed in front of her. I hate to think how my mother would have reacted if me or my sister behaved that way.

Oct 21, 2019

Cutpurse is a noun that refers to a pickpocket.

A combination of the English words ‘cut’ and ‘purse,’ our word of the day has been around since the 14th century. Its origin refers to the practice of stealing by cutting purses suspended from a waistband. But the term may be used to describe any pickpocket — regardless of their method of thievery.

I was victimized by a cutpurse at the fair last summer. Prior to that I had always assumed by wallet was safe in public.

Oct 20, 2019

Piecemeal is an adjective that means one at a time or gradually.

At first glance our word of the day may seem to be simply a combination of the words ‘piece’ and ‘meal.’ But its origin is a little more complicated than that.

The word’s second syllable — meal — has nothing to do with ‘food consumed on regular occasions,’ but the similarity stems from their Old English origin, meaning taken one at a time.’

It took several operations, but gradually, the surgeon removed every remnant of metal from the patient’s leg.

Oct 19, 2019

Gerent is a noun that means one who rules or manages.

The Latin gerere (Jair RAY ray) means ‘to carry’ or ‘bear,’ most likely used in a military sense initially. Today a gerent is someone who rules or manages, be it in the military or otherwise.

In sandlot football, I was the gerent of my team. I called the plays, assigned the positions and took all the credit when our team won.

Oct 18, 2019

Olid is an adjective that means having a strong, disagreeable smell.

The Latin word olere (oh LARE ay) means ‘to smell.’ Somewhere before reaching English, the word acquired a more specific meaning and came to refer to a strong, unpleasant smell.

Kevin had been stashing milk in his closet again. I could track the bottles down through the olid scent that spread down the hallways.

Oct 17, 2019

Tradecraft is a noun that means the techniques and procedures of espionage.

Our word of the day combines two common English words — ‘trade’ and ‘craft’ — to get a word that may refer broadly to the skills acquired through the experience of any trade, or more specifically, the skills of espionage.

My little sister could pursue a career with the FBI when she gets older. With all of the Tradecraft she’s learned from spying on me, should would be a top notch secret agent.

Oct 16, 2019

Bibliolater is a noun that refers to one who is excessively devoted to books.

You may recognize the word ‘bible’ in bibliolater. That’s because both words come from the Greek biblion (BEE bee yon) meaning ‘book.’ In addition to referring to a person highly devoted to books, our word of the day may also describe someone with an excessive reverence to the letter of the Bible.

My son is quite a bibliolater. I’ve seen him read as many as three books a week.

Oct 15, 2019

Reveille is a noun that means a signal to get out of bed.

In addition to providing the origin of our word of the day, Latin word vigilare (vij uh ARE ay) meaning ‘to keep watch’ and ‘to stay awake’ has given us vigil, vigilant and vigilante.

In the armed forces, our word of the day refers to a bugle whose sound is intended to wake up the soldiers from sleep. But the civilians among us may also get a reveille in the form of a wake-up phone call or the ring of an alarm clock.

Jason’s call at four am may not have been intended as a reveille, but it certainly served that purpose. After hearing his loud, hostile voice, I was awake for the day.

Oct 14, 2019

Hortative is an adjective that means strongly urging.

Hortari (hor TAR ee) is Latin for ‘exhort’ or ‘urge.’ Actions that strongly urge people are deserving of our word of the day, hortative.

It will take more than gentle persuasion to get Melanie to change her mind on this issue. She’ll require a hortative speech that stresses the need to act immediately.

Oct 13, 2019

Coming from the Latin word preada, (PRY duh) meaning ‘to prey’ (as in ‘prey on a weak victim),’ our word of the day may be used to describe a number of our friends — or enemies — of the animal kingdom. It my also be used to describe the behavior or demeanor of humans.

At first JR struck me as a guy who would never take advantage of another person. It wasn’t until later that I would see how predacious his behavior could be.

Oct 12, 2019

Alliciency is a noun that refers to the power of attracting.

Our word of the day has evolved from the Latin allicere (all ee CHAIR ay) meaning ‘to allure.’ It may be used simply to refer to attractiveness, but is best understood as a power that some have over others.

We’re seeking a model with just the right alliciency. After all, we need to attract people to this product they’ve been neglecting for years.

Oct 11, 2019

Imperious is an adjective that means arrogant or commanding.

The Latin word imperare (im pair RAWR ay) means ‘to rule or command.” A person described as imperious isn’t necessarily a ruler, but they earn the adjective by behaving as if they should be.

I’ve learned that acting in an imperious way doesn’t work in our industry. It’s best to handle artistic types with a gentle hand instead of a commanding one.

Oct 10, 2019

Gloaming is a noun that refers to twilight or dusk.

Related to the word ‘glow,’ our word of the day is of Germanic origin and now refers to a glow taking place at a specific time of the day, dusk. It is sometimes called ‘the gloaming.’

Dusk in the country feels very different than in a big city. There’s something romantic about the gloaming in an open meadow that is not dwarfed by giant skyscrapers.

Oct 9, 2019

Acumen is a noun that refers to the ability to make good judgements.

Coming from the Latin, acuere (ah kware ay) meaning ‘to sharpen,’ our word of the day came to refer to a mental sharpness or shrewdness.

Jeff was a great football player, but he simply lacks the acumen to be an effective head coach. We need someone with a sharper, more keen mind.

Oct 8, 2019

Alacrity is a noun that refers to brisk and cheerful readiness.

The Latin word alacritas (ah lah CREE toos) means ‘liveliness’ or ‘animation.’ From this origin our word of the day emerged, retaining the same meaning.

Rachel’s ability to meet all kinds of challenges with alacrity makes her an ideal employee. The guy who previously held the position was far more sluggish and that’s why he only lasted a week.

Oct 7, 2019

Bravura is a noun that means a display of daring.

Coming from the Italian word bravo (BRAH voe) our word of the day emerged in the mid 18th century to describe a great technical skill and brilliance shown in a performance or a display of daring.

I hadn’t seen the circus in years. I had forgotten how much bravura there was in the trapeze artists.

Oct 6, 2019

Rewild is a verb that means to restore to its natural state.

The word wild, meaning ‘a natural, uncultivated state,’ is of Old English and German origin. Our word of the day adds the prefix ‘re’ and creates a verb that means to return a region to this state.

I can barely recognize the area where the mall used to be. It looks as though their efforts to rewild the area have been successful.

Oct 5, 2019

Natant is an adjective that means swimming or floating.

The Latin word natare (nah TAR ay) means ‘to swim,’ but our word of the day is distinguished from swim, because it’s more likely to be used in a scientific context to describe plants or inanimate objects.

Doctor Hemming’s team found a large amount of fauna natant in the lake. To this day they are not sure why it didn’t simply remain at the lake’s bottom.

Oct 4, 2019

Donnish is an adjective that means bookish.

Derived from the Latin word dominus (DOME ee noos) meaning ‘lord or master,’ a ‘don’ came to refer to leader in a number of very different contexts. It sometimes refers to a high-ranking member of the mafia, as in Don Corleone from the movie the Godfather. But it may also mean a senior professor at a college or university.

This academic meaning provides the origin of our word of the day. Donnish is an adjective that describes someone who behaves in a highly educated or bookish manner. I was surprised to learn that Jerry was a car mechanic. His donnish demeanor suggested he was some kind of scholar.

Oct 3, 2019

Appurtenant is an adjective that means belonging or pertinent.

Coming from the Latin word pertinere (per tin AIR ay) meaning ‘to pertain’ or ‘concern’  our word of the day is similar to the words ‘pertaining’ or ‘appertaining,’ but is more likely to be used in reference to real estate to describe properties that ‘belong’ with other properties. For example: The appurtenant gazebo in the front yard added greatly to the home’s aesthetic value. Unfortunately, it also added greatly to the home’s price.

Oct 2, 2019

Fatuous is an adjective that means silly or foolish.

Fatuus (fah TOOS) means ‘fool’ in Latin. While our word of the day is pretty much never used in a flattering context, it often simply means ‘silly’ or ‘pointless’ as opposed to downright ‘wrong.’

As usual our weekly meeting was not every productive. It mostly consisted of fatuous observations about Saturday’s softball game.

Oct 1, 2019

Caducity is a noun that means frailty.

The Latin word cadere (cah DARE ay) means ‘to fall.’ Over the years, our word of the day would come to mean ‘liable to fall.’ Today caducity may refer to any kind of frailty, physical or otherwise.

At Edwin’s age, it’s a struggle to compete with the younger athletes. His caducity has greatly limited his physical prowess.

Sep 30, 2019

Leporine is an adjective that means resembling a rabbit or a hare.

The Latin word lepus (LAY poos) means rabbit. A person described as leporine would probably not be flattered by the word.

Shaving his head bald caused an awkward emphasis on Chuck’s large ears. It gave him a leporine look he probably wasn’t hoping for.

Sep 29, 2019

Palmy is an adjective that means prosperous or flourishing.

Palm trees may seem like an unlikely origin for word that means ‘prosperous or flourishing,’ but it would help to know that our word of the day began life because the branch of a palm tree in 14th Century England had traditionally been used as a symbol of triumph.

After years of struggle, my uncle found the palmy days he’d always been seeking. It’s wonderful to seem him finally achieve success.

Sep 28, 2019

Literatim is an adjective that means letter for letter.

Literatim comes directly from Latin. Originally meaning ‘literature,’ its meaning has shifted a little over the years and now means ‘word for word,’ as in: Our English teacher demanded that we recite the introduction to Romeo and Juliet literatim. Even the tiniest deviation from the text would not be tolerated.

Sep 27, 2019

Widdershins is an adverb that means in a contrary direction.

Our word of the day is of German origin. It evolved from the word widersinnen (VEE der sin en) which means ‘against the way.’ In this case, the ‘way’ is clockwise, so widdershins first meant ‘counterclockwise.’ As it evolved through 16th century Scottish and eventually English, its meaning broadened a little into: ‘in a contrary direction.’

Harry has always been a contrarian. He seems to go through his daily life widdershins.

Sep 26, 2019

Abdicate is a verb that means to give up a position of power.

The king refused to abdicate his position in spite of protests from the people. It would take much more to get him to give up that kind of power.

Sep 25, 2019

Thaumaturge is a noun that refers to a worker of miracles or a magician.

The Greek word thaumatourgos (THOU mah too gose) refers to a ‘conjuror or worker of wonders.’ The word’s meaning has remained more or less the same, but today we’re less likely to believe in the idea of someone working miracles. Still our word of the day is always handy when a miracle worker does emerge.

The medication took away my swollen feet immediately. It seemed to me that the doctor was something of a thaumaturge.

Sep 24, 2019

Cogitation is a noun that refers to the action of thinking deeply about something.

The Latin word cogitare (KOE gee tar ay) means ‘to think’ and has given birth to a number of related English words like recognize, cognizant and cogitate, a verb that means ‘to think deeply.’ Our word of the day is a noun that is derived from cogitate.

Kevin wanted to contemplate things before calling the police, but I made it clear that we needed to act immediately. This wasn’t the time for quiet cogitation.

Sep 23, 2019

Paradisical is an adjective that means related to or befitting paradise.

The concept of paradise is old as time itself. But the word paradise comes from the Greek word paradeisos (par uh DASE ose) meaning ‘royal park.’ Our word of the day is simply a derivative that means related to paradise.

There was something paradiscal about that beach. I couldn’t imagine a more perfect place.

Sep 22, 2019

Burgeon is a verb that means to grow or flourish rapidly

The Latin word burra (BOO rah) means ‘wool.’ From there it evolved into the French word bourgeonenner (BOOGH ah nay) meaning to ‘put out buds.’ This gave birth to our word of the day, which is often used as the adjective burgeoning.

We thought the controversy would harm the sales of our t-shirt. It turned out to create a burgeoning demand.

Sep 21, 2019

Orgulous is an adjective that means haughty or full of pride.

Our word of the day emerged from Old French and gained popularity when used by 19th century historical novelist Sir Walter Scott. It has an old wold sound that may sound a little affected if used too casually.

The Queen’s orgulous behavior puzzled many in the court. They’d never before seen her act in such a haughty manner.

Sep 20, 2019

Reticular is an adjective that means having a netlike structure.

The Latin word rete (RAY tay) means ‘net.’ Something reticular resembles a net in some sense. The word is frequently used in science to describe cells that arranged in a net-like fashion. But may also be used in an everyday manner.

When I saw those reticular patterns on my legs, I panicked. But the doctor told me it was perfectly normal for someone of my age.

Sep 19, 2019

Coriaceous is an adjective that means resembling or having the texture of leather.

Corium (CORE ee oom) is the Latin word for leather or hide. This is the ancestor of our word of the day which may refer literally to something made of leather or figuratively to something that resembles the texture of leather.

I usually prefer having something soft against my skin, but with winter approaching, I love the coriaceous feel of my new jacket. It’s not leather, but thankfully, it feels like it.

Sep 18, 2019

Volition is a noun that refers to the power of choosing or determining.

The Latin word volo (VOE low) means ‘I wish’ or ‘I want.’ It would be helpful to think of a person’s volition as the ability to act as they want. At first it seemed that Sarah was forced to leave school by the administration. But we later later learned she was leaving of her own volition.

Sep 17, 2019

Esemplastic is an adjective that means moulding into one or unifying.

There’s a good chance you recognize the word ‘plastic’ in our word of the day. Esemplastic emerged in the early 19th century by combining plastic — from the Greek plassein (PLASS ain) meaning ‘to mold’ with ‘es’ and ‘en’ meaning ‘into one.’

We needed somebody to unify our tech work with our philanthropic efforts. Fortunately we found someone with a very esemplastic mind who was able to fulfill that role.

Sep 16, 2019

Alameda is a noun that refers to a public walkway shaped with trees.

Our word of the day comes directly from Spanish, where it referred to a poplar grove. It entered English in the late 18th century with basically the same meaning. It’s also a common baby name as well as a name of a city in north central California.

The alameda looks lovely this time of year. It’s wonderful to stroll along those trees just as they beginning to bloom.

Sep 15, 2019

Stellate is an adjective that means star-shaped.

The Latin word Stella (STAY la) means star. Over the years it has evolved into a number of English words like stellar, interstellar, constellation and, our word of the day which refers to something shaped like a star.

Those stellate figures under water had me transfixed. It looked as if I was staring into the nighttime sky.

Sep 14, 2019

Seriatim is sometimes an adjective and sometimes an adverb that means point-by-point.

Related to the word series, our word of the day comes from the Latin phrase ‘one after another.’ The lawyer’s closing argument was perfect. He refuted every accusation made by the other side seriatim.

Sep 13, 2019

Burnish is a verb that means to polish or shine.

The French word brun (brahh) means brown. Our word of the day came about with the French word for brown was turned into a verb, meaning to ‘shine something until it became brown.’

Those old trophies in my dad’s closet look pretty worn out now, but after I burnish them, they’ll look as good as new.

Sep 12, 2019

Consanguinity is a noun that means close relationship or connection.

Our word of the day’s first three letters C-O-N is a prefix meaning ‘with’ or ‘together.’  sanguineus (san GWEEN ee oos) on the other hand is the Latin word for ‘blood.’ When combined, they mean ‘from the same blood’ or from a common ancestor.

After years of research, we discovered the consanguinity between the King and his highest ranking general. Keeping power in the family was very common in those days.

Sep 11, 2019

Piquant is an adjective that means having a pleasantly sharp or spicy taste.

Piquant is a direct loan from our French friends. The word piquer (PEE kay) means ‘stinging or prickling.’ When the word shifted into English, its meaning shifted along with it. Now piquant had come to mean ‘pleasantly stinging.’ For context, something like mustard might be described as piquant, but not, say cornbread.

I usually prefer foods with a sweet as opposed to a piquant taste. But I enjoyed the meal just the same.

Sep 10, 2019

Wayfaring is an adjective that means (of a person) traveling on foot.

Derived from the Old English words ‘way’ and ‘fare’ wayfaring has been around since the 14th century. It has a literary sound to it, but don’t be intimidated. It sounds right at home when used in a historical context.

In Medieval times, wayfaring peoples often visited villages across the river. For many of them, walking was their only option.

Sep 9, 2019

Olfactory is an adjective that means related to the sense of smell.

The Latin word olfacere (ol fah CHAIR ay) meant ‘to smell.’ Coming direction from this origin is our word of the day which refers to anything related to the sense of smell.

When Kari told me she didn’t smell anything unusual in the stockroom, I began to wonder if her olfactory skills were okay. I could smell the strange smell in that room well before I walked inside.

Sep 8, 2019

Trouvaille is a noun that means a lucky find.

Our word of the day comes to us directly from the French word trouver (true VAY) meaning ‘find.’ But a trouvaille is lucky, which in some cases means something found that wasn’t being looked for.

The old book I found at the yard sale turned out to be quite a trouvaille. I later discovered it was worth thousands of dollars.

Sep 7, 2019

Eleemosynary is an adjective that means related to charity.

The Greek word eleimosýni (el lee Moe SEE nee) means alms or charity. From there we get our word of the day which may refer to charity in a neutral sense or it may mean ‘dependent on charity.’

The church’s eleemosynary work is usually taken care of during the summer. There’s something about that warm weather that puts people in a charitable mood.

Sep 6, 2019

Mien is a noun that means a person’s appearance or manner.

Mien originated in Middle French, where it meant “appearance” or “facial expression.” As the word shifted to modern English, its spelling changed a little, but its definition is roughly the same. A person’s mien is basically a reference to their manner — physically and otherwise.

I could somehow tell that Andrew wasn’t guilty of the crimes he was accused of. There was something in his mien that suggested a man to innocent to have committed fraud.

Sep 5, 2019

Effigy is a noun that refers to a sculpture or a model of a person.

Our word of the day began with the Latin effingere (EFF in jare ay) meaning ‘to shape.’ In time effigy came to refer something being shaped, namely a sculpture designed to resemble something else.

Don’t get me wrong, I like the statue, it just doesn’t resemble the General as it was intended to. It’s lovely, but as an effigy, it has failed.

Sep 4, 2019

Cachet is a noun that means prestige or the state of being respected or admired.

The Latin word for ‘constrain’  or ‘press’ is (co act TEAR ay). As our word of the day evolved through French it came to refer to a ‘stamp’ or ‘seal’ — as in a stamp or seal of approval.

My big sale on Monday earned me lots of cachet in the office. From that point on, I had the respect and admiration of all the senior salesmen.

Sep 3, 2019

Harlequin is an adjective that means of varied colors.

Based on an obsolete French word, harlequin got its name from the leader of a legendary troop of demon horsemen. Soon it became a name used for a character in traditional pantomime. A harlequin was usually masked and dressed in a diamond-patterned costume. Its flamboyant, colorful costume gave birth to the word harlequin as an adjective that means ‘in varied colors.’

My daughter loves to decorate things wildly and flamboyant. So when I tasked her with painting the doghouse, she came up with a lovely, harlequin scheme.

Sep 2, 2019

Ensconce is a verb that means to establish or settle something in a comfortable place.

The Latin word for hide is abscondere (ab SKON dere ay), but our word of the day isn’t strictly a synonym of hide. When someone or something is ensconced in a comfortable place, it is not necessarily done in secret.

I enjoyed my job at the recording studio. I felt that for the first time in my life, I was making a living while ensconced in a comfortable place.

Sep 1, 2019

Miasma is a noun that means an unpleasant smell or vapor.

Our word of the day has been around since the Mid-17th century, but its roots go back to the Greeks. Defilement in Greek is mólynsi moe EES ee). Keep in mind that while miasma means unpleasant smell, it usually represents more than just your ordinary bad smell.

The miasma coming from the dumpster outside was a clue that there were dangerous chemicals around. The smells Mr. Brooks discerned were far more toxic than the typical dumpster scents.

Aug 31, 2019

Abditory is a noun that refers to a hiding place.

The Latin word abdit refers to a storage room. An abditory, more specifically refers to a place for hiding things.

When I told Scott about the room in the back, I had no idea he would use it as an abditory. But you wouldn’t believe the things I found in there.

Aug 30, 2019

Afflated is an adjective that means inspired, especially by spiritual or divine means.

Our word of the day’s earliest record use is from 19th century poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning. The word afflate — meaning ‘blow up’ as in something done to a balloon — had already been in use, but in Barrett’s hands, the word took on a new spiritual meaning.

I love gospel music. After spending a few hours listening to that divinely inspired music, I feel alllated by a higher power.

Aug 29, 2019

Timbre is a noun that refers to the quality of a musical sound or voice.

The Greek word tumpanon (TOOM pan on) means drum, but as tumpanon has evolved into timbre, its meaning has expanded to refer to any kind of sound. You could think of a timbre as a person or thing’s unique sound.

It had been years since I’ve talked to my old history, and yet I recognized Mrs. Hatch’s timbre right away.

Aug 28, 2019

Bequest is a noun that means legacy.

The origin of bequest combines the Middle English word for ‘about’ and the Old English word for ‘speech.’ This is also the origin of the word bequeath, meaning to ‘pass something along in one’s will.’ You can think of a bequest as that which gets bequeathed — either literally or figuratively.

My grandfather was a man of immense talents. But because he didn’t manage his money well, he left no bequest apart from all the entertaining stories about him.

Aug 27, 2019

Remontant is an adjective that means blooming more than once a season.

The French word remonter (RAY mon tay) means ‘coming up again.’ That’s the origin of our word of the day that refers to a plant that blooms multiple times a season.

When I saw those lovely plants rise up for the third time this year, I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me. I soon realized the plant was remontant.

Aug 26, 2019

Amalgam is a noun that refers to a mixture or blend.

The Greek word malaktikos (mal ACT ee kose) means emollient. From here, the word evolved into something referring to a mixture or blend.

My book featured a number of different sources. You might say it’s an amalgam of stories, and unconfirmed rumors by members of the band.

Aug 25, 2019

Apotheosis is a noun that means the highest point of development.

Our word of the day comes indirectly from the Ancient Greeks who had the interesting habit of ‘granting’ someone in your bloodline god status. Apparently this was so common, there was a word for it. That word is our word of the day, apotheosis and its literal translation was “making into a god.” 

The word’s meaning has evolved over time into its present meaning. But it’s easy to see how “making into a god” could be the basis of “the highest point of development.”

Max’s career peaked in the late eighties. I feel he reached his apotheosis with his seventh album.

Aug 24, 2019

Confluence is a noun that means an act or process of merging. 

The original meaning of confluence stems referred to a joining of rivers. With that in mind, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the word came from a Latin word confluere (co flew AIR ay) meaning ‘flow together.’ This is helpful to know whether using confluence in the old sense or in a sense such as: the conference was thrilling to attend. I’d never before heard such a brilliant confluence of ideas.

Aug 23, 2019

Orotund is an adjective that means resonant and imposing.

Rotund, meaning round, has roughly the same origin of orotund. Both words come from the Latin rotundum (ro TOON doom) meaning rounded. In the case of our word of the day, it refers to the shape of a rounded mouth when making resonant sounds. 

I’ve been told I should be an opera singer. I guess I have a very orutund voice.

Aug 22, 2019

Otiose is an adjective that means serving no practical purpose.

The Latin word otiosus (oh tee OH soos) meaning leasure, provides the origin of our word of the day. If behavior is otiose, it serves no purpose. 

I always wondered why Jimmy would have a beer before completing his assignment. I soon learned that his pre-assignment drinking was purely otiose.

Aug 21, 2019

Frippery is a noun that means unnecessary or ornamental in architecture, dress or language. 

The French word Fripere (FREE pair ee) refers to old or second hand clothes. As our word of the day evolved, it became a word for unnecessary ornament — in clothing as well as other areas, such as architecture. 

Desmond is a nice guy, but his frippery can get a little annoying. He can’t say ‘good morning’ in under three thousand words.

Aug 20, 2019

Propagate is a verb that means to spread or promote a theory or idea widely. 

The origins of our word of the day are firmly rooted in horticulture. The Latin word propagare (pro puh GAR ay) means to set a small shoot or twig cut for planting or grafting.’ The word was borrowed into the English in the late 16th century, and its earliest uses referred to the reproduction of plants or animals. 

But more recently, the word’s meaning can extend to the ‘reproduction’ of something intangible, such as an idea or belief. For example: I don’t know how people at the office got the impression that they’d be reimbursed for lunch. I blame Charlie for propagating the idea.

Aug 19, 2019

Compendious is an adjective that means containing all the essential facts, but concise.

The Latin word compendiosus (com PEN dee oh soos) means ‘advantage, brief.’ From there our word of the day was born, eventually evolving into a word for ‘containing all the essential facts, but concise.’

As a young lawyer, I could be a little verbose. Let’s just say my briefs weren’t very compendious.

Aug 18, 2019

Bedazzle is a verb that means to greatly impress with skill. 

The root word of bedazzle is dazzle, which means to blind someone temporarily. Bedazzle is more likely to be used metaphorically. For example: He bedazzled us with his guitar-playing skill. We couldn’t believe what we were seeing.

Aug 17, 2019

Tenebrous is an adjective that means shadowy or obscure. 

Tenebrous has its origin in the Latin noun tenebrae, (TEN ay BRIE aye) meaning ‘darkness.’ It’s been used in English since the 15th century. 

Those ghost stories around the campfire were awfully creepy. The tenebrous atmosphere played a big role in setting the scene.

Aug 16, 2019

Acuity is a noun that means sharpness of thought, vision or hearing.

Our word of the day means to be sharp, physically and mentally. So it makes sense that acuity would have evolved from the Latin word acurere (ah coo WHERE ay) meaning ‘to sharpen.’

After dad’s accident, we feared his damage would make him less responsive. But to our relief, he maintained a remarkable acuity.

Aug 15, 2019

Maculate is an adjective that means spotted or stained.

Maculate comes from the Latin word macula (MA cool ah) meaning spot. You may have noticed the similarity between our word of the day and the word immaculate. Immaculate is the antonym, which means ‘spotless’ or ‘without stain.’ 

The stuff I found in the attic was pretty dirty. Mostly I found dusty old clothes and maculate portrait of my grandmother.

Aug 14, 2019

Ballyhoo is a noun that refers to extravagant publicity or fuss. 

The origin of ballyhoo is unclear, but we do know it emerged in the late 19th century. It’s a fun word to use when you want to sound like an old-school Hollywood producer or carnival barker.

The album was a big success thanks to the ballyhoo it was given by the label. Without all that publicity, I don’t think many people would have cared much about it

Aug 13, 2019

Procellous is an adjective that means stormy or turbulent. 

Procella (pro CHELL uh) is the Latin word for squall or ‘sudden gust of wind.’ From that our word of the day evolved into a synonym of stormy or turbulent. 

Driving back from Des Moines was a challenge. The procellous weather wasn’t easy to navigate.

Aug 12, 2019

Innumerate is an adjective that means without basic mathematics skills. 

The Latin word numero (NEW mare oh) means number. By adding the prefix I-N, we get a word that means ‘not numerate.’ The best way to think of innumerate is as the math equivalent of illiterate. A person who is illiterate cannot read. A person who doesn’t have basic math skills is innumerate. 

When I was two, I found a dollar and thought I could buy a car. I suppose that was just a matter of being an innumerate child.

Aug 11, 2019

Agglomeration is a noun that means a large collection. 

Our word of the day comes from the Latin agglomerare (a glom ay RAR ay) meaning ‘to wind or add into a ball.’ It may help to think of a ball of yarn as an agglomeration of yarn. 

It was difficult to collect all of my old childhood items from my closet. It took a while to gather such a huge agglomeration of stuff.

Aug 10, 2019

Emissive is an adjective that means having the power to radiate light.

The Latin prefix E-M-I-S-S refers to something that is ‘emitted’ or ‘sent out.’ Emissive may be used in a scientific context to refer to radiating light, or more informally it may simply refer to something like colors being emitted. For example: The cinematography of that film is stunning. I like the emissive qualities of that scene where the red lights shine through the dark sky.