Acrophobia is a noun that refers to a fear of heights.  The Greek word akron (AK ron) means ‘summit,’ while the Greek suffix P-H-O-B-I-A means fear. Since the late 19th century people terrified of high places have used our word of the day to describe their condition. Here’s an example: Tammy has such gripping acrophobia that she won’t date a man over six feet tall. She’s afraid that just reaching up to give him a kiss will make her dizzy. 

Mendicant is a noun that refers to a beggar.  The Latin verb mendicare (med duh CAR ay) refers to a ‘beggar.’ Our word of the day entered English in the Late Middle English period. Here’s an example of it in use: Jeff spent many years on the street as a mendicant. Being a beggar has a way of putting your success into perspective. 

Jeremiad is a noun that refers to a list of complaints.  Our word of the day has its origin in the Biblical figure Jeremiah, whose lamentations were featured in the Old Testament. Since the late 18th century, a jeremiad has been known as a series of criticisms. Here’s an example of it in use: After several years of living with Cheryl, I’ve gathered a jeremiad I’ve been wanting to share with her. I only hope her list of complaints about me isn’t longer than mine. 

Jardiniere is a noun that refers to an ornamental pot or stand for plants for flowers.  Our word of the day is a loan word that comes directly from the French word for ‘gardener.’ It’s been used since the mid-19th century to describe places to display plants or flowers. Here’s an example: When I first saw that jardiniere, I assumed it was from someplace exotic like the Far East. It turned out to be just a pot from Cleveland. I wish I had known that before I paid two hundred dollars for it.

Schlep is a verb that means to haul or carry in an awkward way.  Our word of the day comes from the Yiddish word ‘shepn’ (SHLEP - in.) which means ‘to drag.’ Its English offspring has been around since the early 20th century. Here’s an example: Next year when we go on vacation, I think I’ll leave my computer at home. It’s too much trouble to schlep that thing all the way to Florida. 

Jactitation is a noun that refers to the restless tossing of a body.  The Latin word jactare (jock TAR ay) means ’to toss.’ Its English variation has been around since the 16th century, getting most of its use in a medical context. Here’s an example: All that jactitation I heard on the other side of the bed had me worried about my wife’s health. But it turned out all that tossing and turning didn’t come from her. It was just our Golden Retriever, Rex joining us in the middle of the night. 

Jacquerie is a noun that refers to a peasant’s revolt.  Our word of the day comes from the French name ‘Jacques’ (zhock) which was a common name among the poor and working class. The term was first used to describe a revolt that took place against the ruling class in the 14th century. It later came to refer to any sort of revolt or protest. Here’s an example: If conditions at the office don’t get better, well have to stage a jacquerie. I don’t usually like such radical actions, but there’s only so much I can take of not having diet soft drinks available in the vending machine. 

Presentism is an attitude toward the past dominated by present-day beliefs.  A recent addition to the English language, presentism emerged in the late 20th century to describe a tendency to view the past through the lens of current conventions. It combines the word ‘present,’ a word of Middle English origin with the suffix I-S-M, which denotes a distinctive practice or philosophy. Here’s an example of presentism in use:- All the presentism in history class made it difficult to truly understand things from the point of view of ancient civilizations. I wish we could have just ditched our current way of viewing things. 

Endarken is a verb that means to make dark or darker.  You can think of the word endarken as a counterpoint to ‘enlighten.’ Both take words of Old English origin and add the prefix E-N which expresses entry into a specified state or location. Here’s an example of endarken in use: Every time we start talking about camping our friend Sam seems to endarken the conversation by talking about all the dangerous creatures lurking in the woods. That guy has a way of making almost any conversation needlessly dark. 

Forgettery is a noun that refers to the tendency to forget.  Our word of the day is a neologism, meaning it’s a recent addition to the English language. Forgettery combines a word of Old English origin that means ‘fail to remember’ with the suffix E-R-Y which denotes a behavior. We see this also in words like bravery, tomfoolery and archery. Forgettery isn’t usually used in formal contexts. Here’s an example of where it is best used: I come from a long line of people skilled in the art of forgettery. We even have our own Facebook that celebrates our inability to remember stuff. The only problem is nobody can recall the group’s password. 

Scroyle is a noun that refers to a scoundrel or a mean fellow.  Our word of the day’s origin is unknown, but we know it’s not a word you’d ever want to be called. It’s a synonym of such unfriendly words as rascal, charlatan and reprobate. Here’s an example: I’ve been called a scroyle for this, but I really don’t like people making too much noise near my house. Come to think of it, I’m not crazy about birds making noise near my house either.

Contiguous is an adjective that means sharing next or together in sequence.  The Latin word contiguus (con TEE goose) means ‘touching.’ Our word of the day is derived from this adjective and has been around the English language since the early 16th century. Here’s an example of its use The contiguous businesses had a difficult time getting along. Maybe there was something about two touching buildings that made them too close for comfort. 

Bioluminescence is a noun that refers to the ability to naturally glow.  Our word of the day comes from two Latin words, ‘bio’ (BEE oh), meaning ‘life,’ and ‘lumin,’ (LOO men) which means ‘light.’ Its descendent, bioluminescence has been around since the early 20th century describing a wide array of glowing creatures. Here’s an example: Bugs that can glow in the dark have often creeped me out, but when I get lost in the woods, I’m happy to have them around. Without the bioluminescence of my tiny friends, I might get lost in the dark. 

Echolocation is a noun that refers to the location of objects by reflected sound.  Our word of the day combines two words of Greek origin. Echo, which refers to the reflection of sound that occurs when sound bounces off a surface, and location, which means ‘place.’ Animals like bats that possess the ability to locate things without seeing, are skilled at echolocation. Here’s an example of its use: Learning about bats at school was both fascinating and disappointing. It was fascinating to learn about the echolocation that these animals do because of their limited vision. But it was disappointing to not learn anything about Batman.

Legerdemain is a noun that refers to sleight of hand.  The French phrase ‘legerete de main’ (lay ZHEY ray de mahn) translates to ‘lightness of hand.’ It’s a synonym for ‘dextrous’ and it’s often used to describe magicians or others skilled with hand trickery. Our word of the day comes directly from this term. Example: Mike’s legerdemain would have made him a great illusionist. But unfortunately, he chose a different career path. Somehow I don’t think his chosen profession of pickpocket is nearly as appreciated by people. 

Intendiment is a noun that refers to consideration or attention.  Our word of the day shares its Latin roots with words like ‘intention’ and ‘intend.’ Intendiment, however, is a synonym for words like ‘attention.’ Here’s an example: When the TV commercial announced a buy one, get one free sale, they had my intendiment right away. But when I saw they were selling private jets, they lost me. 

Abulia is a noun that refers to an absence of willpower.  The Greek word boule (boo LEE) means ‘the will.’ By adding an ‘A’ to our word of the day, we get a word that means ‘without will.’ Abulia has been with us since the mid 19th century. Here’s an example of it in use: Last night there was no time for abulia. I know we were hungry, but to me, when a restaurant refuses to give us free fortune cookies, that’s when it’s time to choose another restaurant. 

Syncope is a noun that refers to the temporary loss of consciousness caused by a fall in blood pressure.  Our word of the day comes almost directly from a Greek word that means ‘strike’ or ‘cut off.’ By the Late Middle English period, syncope had been adopted into English. Here’s an example: Having a significant drop in blood pressure may not seem like a huge problem. But frankly, it would terrify me to experience the syncope that often comes with it. I can’t imagine anything scarier than losing consciousness. 

Sternutation is a noun that refers to the act of sneezing.  The Latin word ‘sternuere’ (stern you AIR ay) means ‘to sneeze.’ After a few modifications, this word moved into the English language in the Late Middle English period. Here’s an example of sternutation in use. After my eye surgery, the doctor told me to avoid sternutation if possible for a few days. As you can imagine, it was quite a challenge. I mean, how do you avoid something as natural and inescapable as a sneeze?

Villatic is an adjective that means rural.  The Latin word villa (WILL uh) has given birth to English words ‘village’ and our word of the day villatic. It’s been around since the late 16th century. Here’s an example of it in use: The villatic surroundings of my uncle’s home were a little unusual for me. But after about three months, living in a small town began to feel perfectly normal. 

Ballyrag is a verb that means to intimidate by bullying.  The origin of our word of the day is unclear, but you can think of it as a synonym for words like ‘berate,’ ‘scold,’ and, of course, ‘bully.’ Here’s an example: I tried to ballyrag everybody in the office into allowing me to listen to non-stop polka music. It didn’t work out so well. I guess there are some things people just can’t get bullied into.

Eclat is a noun that refers to a brilliant display or effect.  Our word of the day comes almost directly from the French word for ‘burst out.’ Since the late 17th century, it’s been used as a noun to refer to anything that bursts out in a prominent or audacious way. Here’s an example of it in use: Say what you will about George, but he sure has eclat. When he showed up for work in a sequined tuxedo, he caught everybody’s eye immediately. 

Misbegotten is an adjective that means badly conceived or planned.  The Middle English word ‘beget’ means ‘to produce offspring.’ Our word of the day originally referred to people who were born out of wedlock. But more recently, it refers to ideas or things that weren’t planned well. For example: My plans to have an office party were horribly misbegotten. Not only did I not properly plan the entertainment, but I didn’t realize that a pool party in December wouldn’t make much sense in Minnesota. 

Obnubilate is a verb that means to darken or obscure.  The Latin word obnubilare (ob new be LAR ay) means ‘to hide’ or ‘to obscure.’ Since the late 16th century our word of the day has been carrying out the same function in English. Example: People thought the scarf I was wearing was an attempt to be fashionable. But in truth, I was just hoping to obnubilate that coffee stain on my shirt. You’d be surprised how much of my clothing choices are really just attempts to mask my clumsiness.

Zhuz is a verb that means to make something more lively.  Our word of the day has been around since the 1960s, but nobody knows for certain where it came from. Here’s an example of it in use: I was hoping my ten-gallon hat would zhuzh up my swimming trunks. But it just made me look like a really confused cowboy. 

Operose is an adjective that means displaying much effort.  The Latin word opus (OH poose) means ‘work,’ since the mid-18th century, our word of the day has been used to describe someone hard at work. Here’s an example of operose in use: Kevin could be pretty operose at the factory, but personally, I never felt he showed much industry when it mattered most — at the company’s annual softball tournament. 

Buccula is a noun that refers to a fold of flesh known as a double chin.  Our word of the day comes directly from the Latin word for ‘little cheek.’ For centuries it’s been used to describe an extra fold of skin under someone’s face. Here’s an example: I could tell I had gained a little weight when I looked up to see I had a double chin. Some people may find buccula attractive, but it’s never been a look I’ve cultivated.

Figmental is an adjective that means imaginary.  The Latin word fignare (feeg NARE ay) means ’to form’ or ‘contrive.’ By the late Middle English period, the word ‘figment’ came to mean something formed through our imagination. Our word of the day is the adjective form of the word. Here’s an example of it in use: As a kid, I had a number of figmental conversations with people who weren’t actually there. I understood they were imaginary, but I was just having too much fun to let reality get in my way. 

Brachiate is a verb that means to swing from branches like a monkey.  Our word of the day comes from the Latin word brachium (BRA key oom) meaning ‘arm.’ Since the mid-18th century, its variant, brachiate has been used to describe anyone — or anything — using their arms to swing through branches. I never understood most of the exercises we did in gym class. For example, why did they have us brachiate through the monkey bars? Unless we were training for a spot in the local zoo, it seemed pretty pointless.

Corniche is a noun that refers to a road running along the coast.  Our word of the day comes directly from French. Since the mid 19th century it’s been used to describe a road along the edge of a cliff or the coast. Here’s an example: Taking the corniche to San Francisco may be a little more time-consuming, but the view makes it worth it. Whoever decided to put a road along the coast gets my vote for the state Governor. 

Caesura is a noun that refers to an interruption or break.  The Latin word caedere (ky DARE ay) means ‘to cut.’ Since the mid-16th century, our word of the day has been used by English speakers to refer to something that cuts someone off. Example: After about an hour of a really tedious meeting, we were mercifully given a caesura. This much-needed break was a helpful way to let us rest up and prepare for three more boring hours. 

Lowery is an adjective that means gloomy or sullen.  The origin of our word of the day is unknown. But we know it’s the adjective form of the verb lower, meaning to look angry or sullen. Here’s an example: That lowery look on my son’s face can be explained by tonight’s dinner. He really hates spinach. 

Balefire is a noun that refers to a large, open-air fire.  Our word of the day combines two words ‘bale’ and ‘fire’ that have an origin in Old English. A balefire is a large fire often used for ceremonial purposes. Here’s an example of balefire in use: The village gathered around the balefire gave me chills. It was a joy to see everyone participating in such a lovely ritual. 

Inextricable is an adjective that means impossible to disentangle. The Latin word extricare (ex truh CAR ay) means ‘to unravel’ or ‘disentangle.’ If something is inextricable, it can’t be unravelled. Our word of the day has been impossible to disentangle from English since the mid-16th century. Here’s an example of it in use: I know it’s weird for me to wear those lucky tennis shoes fifteen years after wearing them to win a medal at the track meet. But for me, they are inextricable from that big victory. I just can’t separate them from the joy I felt picking up that gold.

Oppugnant is an adjective that means opposing or antagonistic. Having been around since the early 16th century, our word of the day comes from the Latin verb oppugnare (oh pug NAR ay) which means ‘to oppose.’ oppugnant can be used in nearly any context where someone or something opposes us.  The oppugnant students may not have liked my idea of implementing a school uniform, but I felt we needed some discipline in that place. Not many people agreed with me. The opposing forces would win that debate. 

Dux is a noun that refers to the top pupil in school.  Our word of the day comes directly from Latin where it can be used to describe a leader. Since the mid 18th century, dux has been used mainly in a scholastic context to describe the highest ranking student. Example: I was the dux of our fifth-grade geography class. When it came to knowing the state capitals, I was truly the champ.

Mizzle is a noun that refers to a light rain.  The Middle English word ‘misun’ (MEE sun) was used to describe a light mist of rain. Centuries later, our word of the day can be used in a similar way. Here’s an example of mizzle in use: A downpour of rain can make things difficult for my morning jog, but a mizzle can feel great. Not only does it not interfere with my running, but that light mist of water feels cool against my skin. 

Quaternary is an adjective that means fourth in order or rank.  The Latin word ‘quattuor’ (KWAT too or) denotes the number ‘four.’ Just as we use the words ‘primary,’ ‘secondary’ and ‘tertiary’ to describe things that are first, second and third in rank or order, our word of the day refers to something fourth in order. Here’s an example: I wasn’t the fastest runner on our high school track team, but I take some pride in being the quaternary-ranked runner in the one-hundred-meter dash. Unfortunately, there’s no medal handed out for fourth place. 

Equilibrist is a noun that describes a person skilled at balancing. It can be used as a synonym for ‘acrobat,’ or ‘tightrope walker.’ The Latin word aequi (EY kwee) means ‘equal’ or ‘balanced.’ It has given English speakers such words as ‘equality’ and ‘equilibrium,’ a word that refers to, among other things,’ a state of physical balance. You can think of an equilibrist as someone remarkably skilled at keeping their balance — especially at dangerous heights. Here’s an example of equilibrist in use: I often thought of pursuing a career as an equilibrist. I always could keep my balance even several stories up. Unfortunately, you hardly ever see the phrase ‘tightrope walker wanted’ in the want ads.

Tensile is an adjective that means capable of being drawn out or stretched.  Our word of the day has its origin in the Latin word tendere (ten DARE ay) which means ‘to stretch.’ Since the 17th century it’s been used by English speakers to describe things that can be lengthened or elongated. Here’s an example: The stiff, immovable pole we tried to use on the construction site simply didn’t get the job done. We needed something tensile to reach the space above us. 

Slumberous is an adjective that means sleepy.  Coming from Middle English, our word of the day is the adjective version of slumber, a synonym for sleep. Here’s an example of slumberous in use: After two hours of boring lectures, I was so slumberous I could barely drive home that night. 

Lambent is an adjective that means flickering with a soft radiance.  Our word of the day comes directly from the Latin word for ‘licking,’ which was used to describe the flickering of flames. Lambent has been with us since the mid-17th century.  Here’s an example: The lambent of our fireplace still looms large in my childhood memories. Those soft, flickering images made me warm on the inside and out. 

Frore is an adjective that means frozen or frosty.  Coming directly from Middle English, our word of the day has been with us since the 14th century.  The frore fields of western Michigan are where I learned to play football. There’s no better place to develop speed because when it’s cold outside, you want to get inside very quickly. 

Opsimath is a noun that refers to a person who begins to learn or study late in life.  The Greek word opsi (OPP see) meaning ‘late’ and math (MATH) meaning ‘learn’ give us a word for those who learn late. Our word of the day has been with us since the late 19th century.  My son is planning on becoming an opsimath. He figures that if he doesn’t graduate from high school until his thirties, he can be recognized as a late bloomer. 

Surcease is a noun that refers to relief or consolation.  The Latin word cessare (say SAR ay) means ‘stop.’ From this word came the word ‘cease’ and others like it, including our word of the day. Here’s an example: On the car ride, from New Orleans, Phil annoyed us without surcease. By the time we got home, it was great to finally get some relief. 

Cheeseparing is an adjective that means careful or stingy with money.  During the 16th century, it was common for people to cut away the rind, or outer layer of cheese. This act of stinginess came to be called ‘cheeseparing.’ Today the term is used to describe any stingy act, cheese-related or not. Here’s an example: The cheeseparing that takes place at that restaurant is truly outrageous. Not only are they too cheap to give you napkins with your order,  but they also charge you extra for ice. 

Inconnu is a noun that refers to an unknown person or thing.  Coming directly from the French word for ‘unknown,’ our word of the day has been around since the early 19th century. Here’s an example of it in use: When traveling to inconnu locations, it’s best to use as much technology as possible. It’s easy to get lost when going to places unknown to you. 

Quandary is a noun that refers to a situation featuring a difficult choice.  It’s not clear where exactly our word of the day came from, but it may have emerged from the Latin word quando (KWAN doe) which means ‘when.’ Quandary is a synonym for dilemma, but our word of the day is more likely to be used in formal settings. Here’s an example: The judge ruled that the defendant was not at fault when faced with a quandary. The choice may have been a tough one, but he did the right thing. 

Chthonic is an adjective that means concerning, belonging to or inhabiting the underworld.  Our word of the day comes from a term in Greek mythology to describe the underworld. By the late 19th century, chthonic had risen from the depths of Greek mythology to inhabit English. Here’s an example: My son loves reading about Greek myths, especially the really creepy ones about chthonic activity from down below. 

Chintzy is an adjective that means cheap or gaudy.  In the 17th century, an Indian fabric called Chintz became popular in Europe. It was inexpensive, but ornate. In time this fabric gained a reputation as gaudy and unfashionable. The word remains with us today, maintaining the same meaning. Here’s an example: The chintzy decorations at Mike’s house could get a little embarrassing at times. He may have had good taste, but he was too cheap to show it. 

Locus is a noun that refers to a particular position, point or place. Our word of the day comes directly from the Latin word that means ‘place’ or ‘location.’ By the early 18th century, locus had entered English with its current meaning. Here’s an example: The locus of power in our city government had always been the city council. If you want to get anything done here, that’s the place you simply have to be. 

Tumid is an adjective that means enlarged or swollen.  The Latin word tumere (to MARE ay) means ‘to swell.’ By the mid-16th century, its English counterpart, tumid, had emerged. Our word of the day can refer to many different kinds of states of enlargement. Here’s an example of tumid used in a more figurative sense: The critics found my novel poorly written and objected to my tumid use of language. Personally, I’m flummoxed and flabbergasted that someone can find my verbiage inundated with a bombastic surfeit of prolixity.

Choler is a noun that refers to anger or irascibility.  The Greek word Kholera (ko LEH rah) refers to a disease of a gastrointestinal disease. As the word entered Latin and later English, it took on a more benign form and came to refer to a person’s anger. Here’s an example: Fred’s choler can be difficult to deal with. You have to make sure you don’t say anything to set off his short fuse. 

Repast is a noun that refers to a meal.  The Latin word pascere (PA share ay) means ‘to feed.’ This is the origin of our word of the day which has been with us since the late Middle English period. Here’s an example: A slice of cheese may not have made much of a repast, but I suppose it’s better than going around hungry.

Inutile is an adjective that means useless or pointless.  The Latin word utilis (oo TEE lis) means ‘useful.’ We see the offspring of it in words like ‘utilize’ and ‘utility.’ Our word of the day adds the prefix I-N to it and we get a word that means ‘not useful.’ Here’s an example: After six weeks of working as a coder, I began to feel pretty useless. I might have been more helpful if I actually knew how to write code. 

Calque is a noun that refers to a word that comes from one language and enters another with the same meaning. Our word of the day comes from the French word calquer (kal KAY) which means ‘copy.’ When a word gets copied from one language to another it is a calque. It may be helpful to remember that calque itself is a calque. Here’s an example: For an English speaker, Spanish is a relatively easy language to learn. Because there are so many calques, It’s not so difficult to remember Spanish words that are the same in English. 

Benignant is an adjective that means kindly or benevolent.  In addition to our word of the day, the Latin word bene (BEN ay) has given the English language words like ‘beneficial,’ ‘benefactor,’ and ‘benediction.’ Benignant is best used to describe sweet or kind behavior, for example: I’ve always found that acting in a benignant manner is a good idea for salesman. After all, who wants to buy a car from somebody who acts like a jerk?

Idler is a noun that refers to a habitually lazy person. Our word of the day has its origin in the Old English word idel (EE deel) meaning ‘empty’ or ‘useless.’ It soon evolved into the contemporary English word idle and with it, came the word idler to describe someone inclined to be idle or useless. Here’s an example: You can’t really be an idler in the real estate business. If you sit around and waste your time when you should be hustling, someone else will take your sales. 

Venturesome is an adjective that means willing to take risks. Coming from Middle English, the word venture is an abbreviated version of ‘adventure,’ or exciting hazardous activity. The suffix SOME means ‘characterized by being.’ We see it in words like ‘tiresome,’ ‘fearsome’ and our word of the day venturesome. Here’s an example of it in use: I wasn’t what you’d call a venturesome child. My idea of taking risks was riding my bike across the street without the training wheels. 

Bane is a noun that refers to a cause of great distress or annoyance. The Old English word bana (BAH nah) means ‘death or poison.’ In time this word drifted into English with a less lethal meaning. It now simply refers to a source of irritation or frustration. Example: That annoying construction crew next door has become the bane of the neighborhood. How can anybody get any sleep with all that noise?

Maladroit is an adjective that means ineffective or bungling.  The word adroit has French origins and means skilful or clever. Our word of the day adds the prefix M-A-L which means ‘not,’ and gets us a word that means useless or unskilled. Here’s an example of maladroit in use: Given our basketball team’s tendency toward maladroit ball handling, it’s a wonder we ever scored any points. An inability to handle the ball with skill is usually not a good sign for a team. 

Whirligig is a noun that refers to a toy that spins around.  Our word of the day came from Late Middle English and meant ‘a whipping top.’ Although it originally referred to a specific toy, it later was used to describe any kind of toy that spins. Example: That whirligig had my son transfixed all day. I’m sure in time, it’ll take much more to capture his attention, but for now, it's fun to see that a simple spinning toy can give him so much joy. 

Coppice is a noun that refers to a thick growth of shrubbery, small trees or underbrush.  The Latin word colpus (COLE poos) means ‘a blow.’ From there our word of the day shifted its meaning and by the Late Middle English period, it came to refer to a shrubbery. Here’s an example: The coppice out back was lovely. It’s nice to see some greenery this far into the desert. 

Tetchy is an adjective that means bad-tempered and irritable.  Our word of the day has something of a mysterious origin, but it seems it may have been derived from the Scots word tache (TACH) which means ‘fault.’ After drifting into English it’s maintained its current form since the late 16th century.  Steve is a brilliant plumber but his tetchy personality makes it hard for him to get clients. Sometimes the best career advice is to simply not be a grouch.  

Covey is a noun that refers to a small party or flock of birds.  The Latin word cubare (coo BAR ay) means ‘lie down.’  Our word of the day began life in the Middle English period and has since mostly been used to describe a gathering of birds, but can be used to describe anything — even people. Here’s an example: I was shocked to see a covey of trick-or-treaters at my door last week, partly because it wasn’t even dark outside yet, but also because it won’t be Halloween for another ten months. 

Riparian is an adjective that means related to rivers or streams.  Our word of the day, which has been around since the mid-19th century, can refer to something situated on the bank of a river, or it can simply mean something pertaining to a river. here’s an example of the latter: My dog Bobby used to love those walks we would take to the river. Those riparian strolls were some of the most fun we would ever have. 

Mure is a verb that means to shut in an enclosed space.  Our word of the day comes from the Old French word for ‘to wall up’ or enclose. It’s been enclosed in the English language since the Middle English period. Here’s an example of mure in use:  As a kid, I would always try to mure my comics in a narrow crack in the wall. That way, my little brother couldn’t find them and mess them all up.

Prevenient is an adjective that means preceding  The Latin prefix P-R-E means ‘before.’ You can find it in a number of English words like prevent, preheat and prefix. The word venire (vuh NEAR ay), also from Latin, means ‘to come.’ To come before something means to be prevenient to it. Here’s an example of it in use: I’m not sure what happened on the prevenient day, but on Friday, there was a huge argument at the office over Jane’s parking space. Since I had missed work on Thursday, I can’t say for sure what came before the fight.

Propaedeutic is a noun that refers to a preparatory study or instruction.  Derived from the Greek word propaideuein (pro pie DEH oo een) which means ‘to teach beforehand,’ our word of the day has been used by English speakers since the mid-17th century. Here’s an example of it in use: My history as a college student was pretty mixed. When I didn’t prepare, I got awful grades. But when I spent a great deal of time on a propaedeutic, I got slightly less awful grades.

Taxonomy is a noun that refers to a system of classification.  Our word of the day comes from the Greek word taxis (TAK sees) which means ‘arrangement’ along with the Greek suffix N-O-M-A-N-I-A, which means ‘distribution.’ Taxonomy emerged in the early 19th century and is mostly used in reference to classifying organisms. Here’s an example: It’s a good thing the people who discovered this cave were skilled at taxonomy. Otherwise, nerds like me would never know what kind of creatures existed here centuries ago.

Oxytone is an adjective that means having an accent on the last syllable. It’s also a noun that refers to a word that has an accent on the last syllable.  The Greek words oxus (ocks oose) and tonos (TOE nose) mean ‘sharp’ and ‘tone.’ Our word of the day has been with us since the mid 18th century. Here’s an example: Learning a new language can get easier once you learn that words in other languages are more likely to be oxytones. After a while stressing the last syllable of a word just becomes second nature. 

Taurine is an adjective that refers to a bull.  The Latin word taurus (TAR oos) means bull. By adding the suffix INE, our word of the day turns taurus into an adjective to describe behavior that is stubborn like a bull. Here’s an example: Shelly’s taurine demeanor can take a while to get used to. But once you accept that you’re never going to win an argument with her, you can get along with her pretty well.

Taurine is an adjective that refers to a bull.  The Latin word taurus (TAR oos) means bull. By adding the suffix INE, our word of the day turns taurus into an adjective to describe behavior that is stubborn like a bull. Here’s an example: Shelly’s taurine demeanor can take a while to get used to. But once you accept that you’re never going to win an argument with her, you can get along with her pretty well.

Epicrisis is a noun that refers to something that follows a crisis.  Our word of the day combines the Greek prefix E-P-I, meaning ‘upon,’ with krisis (KREE sis) meaning ‘decision’ or ‘judgment.’ The word has been with us since the 15th century. Here’s an example: As if the result of our team’s game wasn’t horrific enough, there was a shocking epicrisis at our home. We ran out of cheese dip. 

Syllogism is a noun that refers to a form of logical argument featuring two propositions and a conclusion.  Our word of the day combines the Greek word sullogismos (soo low GISS mos) with another Greek word logos (LOW goes) which means ‘reasoning.’ Here’s an example of syllogism in use: I was perplexed by my philosophy teacher’s behavior, I tried to use a syllogism to understand his logic. It didn’t get me anywhere. I found two propositions, but the only conclusion I reached was that Mr. Dolenz is weird.

Asportation is a noun that refers to the illegal carrying away of property.  The Latin word asportare (as poor TAR ay) means ‘to carry away.’ Our word of the day is related to other kinds of carrying like transportation or deportation. It’s been with us since the late 15th century. Here’s an example: The sudden asportation of my lunch from the office deeply annoyed me. It’s one thing to grab a napkin or two from the break room. But carrying away a whole sandwich and side order of fries is just unforgivable. 

Suppliant is an adjective that means ‘making or expressing a plea to someone in power.’ it is also a noun that refers to a person making a humble plea to someone in power.  Our word of the day comes from the Latin word supplicare (soop lee CAR ay) which means to ‘plea’ or ‘beg.’ Suppliant may refer to a person inclined to be to someone in power or it may describe the person doing the begging. Here’s an example of the latter: Tommy’s suppliant conversations with his boss got pretty embarrassing after a while. You can only watch a man beg so much before you truly pity him.

Cantrip is a noun that refers to a mischievous or playful act or trick. The origin of our word of the day is not clear, but we can say with certainty that it’s been around since the late 16th century and it’s used as a synonym for prank. Here’s an example: I’ve been known to play a cantrip or two on co-workers from time to time. It’s gotten to the point where every time somebody sits down they have to check the seat to make sure they’re not getting victimized by another prank.

Sociometry is a noun that refers to the quantitative study and measurement of relationships within a group of people.  Stemming from the Latin words socius (SO see oos) meaning ‘companion’ or ‘associate’ and metrum (MET room) meaning ‘measurement,’ our word of the day has been with us since the early 20th century. Here’s an example: If someone had done a sociometry of our high school football team, they might have been troubled by what they would have found. Some of those guys were so weird their behavior would have puzzled the sociologists of the world. 

Corporeal is an adjective that means ‘consisting of material as opposed to spiritual objects.’ Our word of the day has been around since the late Middle English period. It comes from the Latin word corpus (CORE poos) which means ‘body.’ Here’s an example: No matter how spiritual a person is, when they find themselves in shark-infested waters, their corporeal concerns tend to take centre stage. Nothing is scarier than having your body attacked by a great white shark. 

Erewhonian is an adjective that means ‘opposed to machinery or technological progress.’ Our word of the day gets its origin from an 1872 speculative fiction novel called ‘Erewhone.’ The title is roughly ‘nowhere’ spelled backwards and the novel is about a fictional utopian society in which technology runs amok. Erewhon could be thought of as a synonym of luddite.  I’m no erewhon, but I strongly believe we should limit the progress of technology. If we don’t, there’ll be nothing left for humans to mess up in the future.

Hoke is a verb that means ‘to give a false or artificial quality to.’  Our word is of an unknown origin. All we know is that it’s been around since the early 20th century — along with its close relative the noun ‘hokum.’ Initially used to describe bad acting or writing, hoke has more recently been used to describe anything that rings false. Here’s an example: My lawyer warned me not to hoke it up when my case went to trial. He feared that if the jury sensed my injury was fake, I’d have no chance to win the lawsuit

Schematic is an adjective that means symbolic or simplified.  The root word of our word of the day, scheme, came from the Latin word schema (SKEH ma) and arrived in English in the mid 16th century. It referred to a celestial diagram. In time, its offspring came to refer to a diagram of any kind. Schematic could be thought of as the adverb version of it. It can also be used as a noun that refers to a diagram. Here’s an example: The schematic Paul showed us was very helpful. It was great to be able to see a diagram of the pool before the crew began building it.

Craic is a noun that refers to an enjoyable social activity, or a good time.  Our word of the day began as the German word for crack. After it drifted into Old English, it meant ‘to make an explosive noise.’ In time, it took on its current meaning. Here’s an example of it: The craic at Jeff’s house was the most fun I’ve had in years. His parties always were a blast. 

Sanctum is a noun that refers to a private place from which most people are excluded.  The Latin word sanctus (SONG toose) means ‘holy.’ Our word of the day emerged in the late 16th century, taking with it a religious connotation. A sanctum is not necessarily holy, but it is often treated as if it were.  My dad’s study was a sanctum around our house and he treated it like a shrine. No one was allowed to enter except him. 

Quash is a verb that means ‘to put an end to.’ The Latin word cassus (cah SOOSE) means ‘null and void.’ Our word of the day emerged during the middle English period and has since been used as a verb and often in a legal context. Here’s an example: The lawsuit was quashed when it became clear the plaintiff had no evidence. I’m no lawyer, but even I know that if you have no evidence, you have no case.

Cabotinage is an adjective that means overacting or hamming.  Originally stemming from the French word for a cabinet, our word of the day entered English in the 19th century to describe over-the-top bad acting. Here’s an example: All the cabotinage in the movie really put me off. A character couldn’t even catch a migraine without screaming and shouting.

Plumbeous is an adjective that means ‘dull gray in color.’  Our word of the day gets its origin from the Latin word plumbum (PLUME boom) which means ‘lead.’ By the late 16th century, plumbeous became the word to describe the color of lead. Here’s an example: When we first moved into our home, we knew we had some painting to do. Neither one of us were fond of the plumbeous walls. That dull gray just didn’t excite us. 

Microcosm is a noun that refers to a thing regarded as encapsulating in miniature the characteristics of something much larger.  Our word of the day has been with us since the 14th century. It’s derived from the Greek prefix M-I-C-R-O, which means ‘small,’ and Kosmos (COS mose) meaning ‘world’ or ‘order.’ Here’s an example of microcosm in use: Our baseball team had become a microcosm for our country. Not only did we embody America’s belief in hard work and a ‘can do’ spirit, but we also believed in drinking lots of beer after victory was won. 

Alluvion is a noun that refers to the flow of water against a shore.  Our word of the day comes from the Latin word luere (lou WEAR ay) which means ‘to wash.’ Arriving at our shores in the mid16th century, alluvion soon came to refer specifically to water washing against the shores. Here’s an example: The alluvion at the beach is a truly breathtaking sight. I could sit back and watch the tide crash into the sand all day long. 

Sluice is a verb that means to cleanse or rinse with water.  Dating back from the 17th century, our word of the day was first used as a noun to describe a gate used to hold back water. In time it became a verb to describe the act of watering something. Here’s an example: I really need to sluice that porch. All that mildew and dirt need to be rinsed off before our party guests arrive and are too disgusted to enter our home.

Synderesis is a noun that refers to inborn knowledge of the basic principles of morality. Originally stemming from Greek philosophy and the Greek language, our word of the day may be used to describe an innate understanding of right and wrong. Here’s an example of synderesis in use: My dog’s synderesis must not have been properly functioning when he gobbled up all the apples yesterday. He should have known by now that he was only allowed one per day.

Posit is a verb that means to propose an explanation.  Our word of the day began as the Latin word for ‘placed,’ By the mid-17th century, it had placed itself in English as a word that specifically meant to place something as a proposed explanation. Here’s an example of posit in use: It may seem obvious that the missing cookie from the cabinet was eaten by me, but I posit that the ants stole it away in the middle of the night. This explanation may seem far-fetched, but ants are known for their great strength, aren’t they?

Euthenics is a noun that refers to the study of the effect of living conditions on humanity. The Greek prefix E-U means ‘good,’ while ‘Thenein’ is Greek for ‘to make or do.’ Euthenics is a word that refers to the efforts to improve human conditions. Here’s an example of it in use: Back when we were living in the desert, we could have really used some kind euthenics program. In fact, the best way to improve our lives would have been to give us an air conditioner. 

Inchmeal is an adverb that means ‘little by little.’  The Old English word meal, in addition to its contemporary use, also meant ‘measure’ or ‘quantity.’ By the mid 16th century, it was combined with the measurement ‘inch’ to describe something happening slowly. Here’s an example: The worm was crawling inchmeal across the floor. It may take him a while to get there, but he sure seems determined. 

Infrasocial is an adjective that means lacking social organization.  Our word of the day comes from the Latin word ‘socius’ (SO see oos) meaning ‘friend’ and adds the prefix I-N-F-R-A meaning ‘below.’ If something or someone is infrasocial, their behavior is less than ideal. Used by researchers, infrasocial came into use in the mid-20th century. Here’s an example: The guys in my old Fraternity could be infrasocal at times. Unless they were looking for a fight, they weren’t very interested in getting know people outside of the house.

Autumnal is an adjective that means ‘characteristic of autumn.  The word autumn comes from Latin and has always meant ‘the fall,’ as in the season that follows summer. Our word of the day ads and N-A-L to give us an adjective to describe anything related to this season. Here’s an example: Football has always been my favorite autumnal activity. As soon as those leaves hit the ground, I’m ready to hear somebody’s ankle snap on the field.

Favonian is an adjective that means ‘related to the west wind’ or ‘mild wind.’ Coming from Roman mythology, our word of the day gets its origin from Favonius (fay VONE ee us), the Roman personification of the west wind. It breezed into English in the late 16th century and came to refer to a gentle gust of wind. Here’s an example: My daughter’s flute playing has a gentle favonian quality. It hits my ears like a gentle breeze.

Terricolous is an adjective that means ‘living in or on the ground.’ Our word of the day comes from the Latin words ‘terra,’ (TEAR uh) meaning ‘land’ or ‘the earth,’ and colore (coe LOW air) which means ‘to inhabit.’ It’s often used to describe various animals that live underground. My favorite part about fishing is digging for worms. I’ve always been fascinated by the creepy little terricolous creatures I’d encounter when plowing into the earth.

Gerund is a noun that refers to a verb that functions as a noun.  Our word of the day has its origin in 16th century Latin and is derived from the word ‘gerere’ (jer AIR ay) which means ‘do.’ Gerunds typically end in I-N-G. Here’s an example: The hardest part about teaching my friend Tanja about English was helping her understand how to use a gerund. She struggled with understanding how ‘swim’ was a verb, but ‘swimming’ could be a noun.

Clowder is a noun that refers to a group of cats.  Coming from a Middle English word for ‘a mass’ or ‘a rock,’ our word of the day is used in the same way the word ‘pack’ is used to describe a gathering of wolves. Here’s an example of clowder in use: That large clowder of cats outside made me a little uneasy at first, but there’s something about cats that just melt my heart even when they’re feral and trying to nip at your ankles. 

Prelusive is an adjective that means ‘introductory.’  The prefix P-R-E means before. If something is preslusive. If something is prelulusive it relates to a prelude or an introduction. Here’s an example of prelusive in use: The mayor’s prelusive statements suggested he’d be answering questions related to his current scandal. But his early remarks were the only time he addressed his recent troubles. Instead, he spent the hour extolling those in attendance to get out and vote for him in the next election. 

Daphnean is an adjective that means shy or bashful.  Taking its name from a beautiful but demure muse, Daphnean has been around since the Late Middle English period to describe anyone who embodies the qualities of this mythical figure. Example: That librarian was awfully Daphnean when I first met her. She was so shy and retiring that after knowing her for three weeks, I still don’t know her name. 

Postcenal is an adjective that means ‘occurring after dinner.’  The prefix P-O-S-T means ‘after,’ while the Latin word for dinner is cena (KEN uh). Together we get our word of the day which refers to activities taking place after dinner. Here’s an example of postcenal in use: The postcenal political arguments at our dinner table could get pretty heated. It’s probably just as well that we saved those talks until after dinner. That way, people could get up and leave without missing a meal.  

Chirk is a verb that means to make cheerful or lively. Our word of the day was born in the Middle English period as a sound made to cheer people up. It’s been a part of English language ever since. Here’s an example of chirk in use: The sound of the ice cream man’s music chirked in the early afternoon air. It brought a smile to my face because it evoked childhood memories of chasing down the ice cream man for several blocks.

Precariat is a noun that refers to someone whose employment and income are considered unstable.  Our word of the day came around in the 1980s as a blend of the words ‘precarious,’ meaning ‘insecure’ or ‘likely to collapse’ and ‘proletariate’ meaning ‘a member of the working class.’ As with proletariat, our word of the day is often used to describe the precariat collectively. Here’s an example: Back in my days as a waiter in a greasy spoon diner, it was often tough to watch those wealthy businessmen come in wearing expensive tailored suits while those of us in the precariat weren’t sure if we’d have a job the next week. 

Chanteuse is a noun that refers to a female singer, especially in a nightclub.The French word for ‘sing’ is chanter (SHAWN tay). Our word of the day has been used by English speakers since roughly the mid-20th century. Here’s an example: That chanteuse at the downtown jazz club is one great vocalist. The last time I heard a singer that gifted, she became a star.

Pleroma is a noun that refers to a state of perfect fullness.  Coming directly from the Greek word that translates into ‘that which fills,’ pleroma has been with us since the mid-18th century. It may be used in a religious context or in a more secular sense, for example: That glass of lemonade wasn’t just good. It was perfection itself. I would even go so far as to say it helped me reach a state of pleroma. 

Caliban is a noun that refers to a man having a savage, beastly nature.  Derived from a character of the same name in the Shakespeare play ‘The Tempest,’ known for his rebellious and volatile nature, Caliban is often used to describe individuals of such a temperament. Example: That Caliban behind the counter at the hot dog stand refused to give me extra mustard unless I paid an additional dollar. If I wanted that kind of hostility during a meal, I’d eat dinner at home. 

Calenture is a noun that refers to a fever or illness brought on by heat.  The Latin word calere means ‘be warm.’ By the late 16th century, our word of the day had begun being employed to describe a fever often caught by sailors in the tropics. More recently, it’s been used to describe any kind of feverish delirium caused by heated temperatures. Example: After one week, the Bahamas, I found myself suffering from calenture. I was so delirious I nearly passed up a fried fish sandwich — something I would never do in my right mind.

Fastidious is an adjective that means very attentive and concerned about accuracy.  Coming from the Middle English period, our word of the day gets its origin from the Latin word fastidiosus (foss tee dee OH soose) which initially meant ‘disagreeable.’ By the late 17th century, the word shifted into fastidious and took on its current meaning. Here it is in use: I can be pretty fastidious when it comes to doing my job as the local baseball team’s scorekeeper. If I wasn’t extremely careful and attentive to it, we could award a victory to the wrong team. 

Nomenclature is a noun that refers to the devising or choosing of names for things.  Our word of the day comes from two Latin words. ‘nomen’ (KNOW men) which means ‘name,’ and clatura (claw TOUR ah) meaning ‘to call.’ Nomenclature has been used since the early 17th century to refer to the act of choosing a name.  Cindy’s Nomenclature when it comes to naming her menagerie of pets can get pretty silly. She’s used up so many names for her cats that she’s started to name a few cats after some of her dogs. 

Twee is an adjective that means ‘excessively quaint or dainty.  Our word of the day’s origin is from a child’s pronunciation of the word ‘sweet.’ It’s been used since the early 20th century to describe things that are a little too adorable. Here’s an example: I know everybody’s crazy about that new show on Netflix, but I find it a little bit twee for my tastes. If it got any more full of sweetness, it would induce its viewers into diabetic shock.

Sitzkrieg is a noun that refers to a war or phase of war in which there is little or no active warfare.  Our word of the day was based on the German-based word blitzkrieg. It was first coined to describe an intense bombing during World War Two and has since been used to describe any intense bombing intended to bring about a swift victory. But while blitzkrieg meant ‘lighting war,’ sitzkrieg means ‘sitting war.’ Here’s an example of sitzkrieg in use: After a week of heavy bombing, the sitzkrieg that took place in April was considerably less intense. Sadly, this period without active warfare didn’t last.

Transmarine is an adjective that means passing over or crossing the sea.  The Latin prefix TRANS means ‘across.’ We see it in words like ‘transatlantic’ or ‘transfer.’ Marine comes from the Latin word for ‘of the sea.’ It’s often used to describe sea animals, for example: Those transmarine turtles sure do travel fast. It only takes them a few hours to reach the other side of the Lake we fish on. 

Temerarious is an adjective that means ‘reckless or rash.’ Our word of the day comes directly from the Latin word for ‘rashly.’ It’s been around since the mid-16th century. Here’s an example of it in use: As a kid, my temerarious behavior was a problem from time to time. Throwing a tantrum because you didn’t get what you wanted was, in my house, the best way to get grounded for a week.

Discompose is a verb that means to disturb or agitate from a calm state.  Compose is a Latin-based word that’s been around since the late Middle English period and it  means ’to order or arrange.’ When we add the prefix D-I-S to it, we get our word of the day, which means to remove or disturb that order. Here’s an example: Things were going well at the party until those hoodlums came in to discompose the environment. Soon, all that sense of calm just evaporated and we had a gang fight on our hands. 

Balter is a verb that means to dance or move clumsily.  Our word of the day comes from Old English and has been around since the 16th century. Here’s an example of balter in use: Watching my dad balter around the living room when he hears his favorite song can be embarrassing. But let’s be honest, I’ve been known to dance around like a dork myself on occasion. 

Astrogate is a verb that means to guide a rocket or ship through space.  The Greek prefix A-S-T-R-O means ‘star.’ It’s used by English speakers in words like ‘astrology’ and ‘astronaut,’ to describe things related to the stars or outer space. Our word of the day combines astro with the suffix GATE which is often used to describe any kind of travel, as in ‘navigate’ or ‘congregate.’ Here’s an example of astrogate in use: As a child, I dreamt of being an astronaut and pictured myself steering a giant spaceship into the unknown. As a grown up the closest I came to realizing this dream is when I get to astrogate a make-believe spaceship through a video game.

Babylonic is an adjective that means tumultuous.  Babylon was an ancient city in Mesopotamia and was noted for its great luxury as well as its corruption. Since the mid-20th century, the adjective babylonic has been used to describe an environment that resembles Ancient Babylon. Here’s an example: I enjoyed working at the post office but found the place babylonic. There was air conditioning, snacks and free back rubs — but only for the upper management.

Argonaut is a noun that refers to an adventurer on a quest.  Fans of Greek Mythology may be familiar with the Argonauts, a group of heroes who accompanied Jason on board the ship Argo in the quest for the Golden Fleece. But since the 17th century, the word Argonaut has been used more broadly by English speakers to describe anyone engaged in an adventurous quest, for example: Those Argonauts in the shipping department have been trying to beat us in the annual darts tournament for years. But as long they face our office in the competition’s final round, their quest for immortality will be denied.

Animalcule is a noun that refers to a microscopic animal, nearly or completely invisible to the naked eye.  The Latin word ‘animalculum’ (ahn ee MAL kyoo loom) means ‘little animal.’ Since the 17th century, the word has been used — mostly in a scientific context — to describe animals too small to be seen without the aid of a microscope. Here’s an example: The discovery of an anmalcule in the patient’s hair helped the scientists better understand the source of her illness. It’s fascinating to consider that had she developed the conditions in the years before microscope, her malady would have remained a mystery. 

Pierian is an adjective that means related to the arts.  Our word of the day gets its name from a region in ancient Macedonia known as the Perian mountains. In this mythical place, the Muses were said to bestow people with artistic ability and inspiration. Since the 16th century, Pierian has been used to describe anything of an artistic nature.  My son’s pierian tendencies haven’t served him well in school. His writings on the bathroom walls may have been the result of artistic inspiration, but they’re usually frowned upon by the principal. 

Anomalistics is a noun that refers to the use of scientific methods to try and find a rational explanation for seemingly unusual phenomena.  An anomaly refers to something that deviates from the norm. Its origin is the Greek word anomilos (ah NO me losse) which means ‘against the laws or norms.’ A study of something abnormal to understand it is called anomalistics. Example: Even after years of anomalistics, the group of scientists couldn’t understand the social phenomenon taking place in town. Apparently, some strange behavior can never be fully understood.

Anhedonia is a noun that refers to the inability to feel pleasure. Our word of the day comes directly from the Greek word for ‘without pleasure.’ Anhedonia may be used in a clinical sense to describe a psychiatric condition or it may be used informally, for example: My loss in the ping-pong tournament last week left me in a state of anhedonia for two or three days. Even apple pie didn’t give me pleasure. Of course, a few days and apple pies later, I was feeling my usual buoyant sense. 

Infodemic is a noun that refers to a glut of useless information.  Our word of the day has only been around for a few short years, but it combines to words ‘information’ and ‘epidemic’ that have been around much longer. Information is Latin in origin and refers to ‘facts provided or learned about something or someone.’ Epidemic comes from Greek and means ‘upon the people.’ When lousy information is foisted upon the people, you’ve got an infodemic on your hands.  Last summer’s infodemic about all kinds of political figures made me so skeptical about the news, I was told it would be partly cloudy with a high of seventy, I didn’t believe it. I guess that’s what a downpour of useless information can do.

Higgler is a noun that refers to a person who travels around selling items or ‘a peddler.’ Our word of the day has been around since the 17th century as a way to describe a traveler who engages in the act of higgling. It is believed that this word was a variation on the word ‘haggle,’ as in, ‘haggling over a price.’ Here’s an example of higgler in use: When people saw me traveling around with my bags across my shoulder, they assumed I was some kind of higgler. But no, I wasn’t peddling those items I was carrying with me. I was just too cheap to rent a moving van.

Intermontane is an adjective that means ‘situated between mountains.’  The Latin prefix I-N-T-E-R means ‘between,’ while montanus (mon TAHN oose) means 'mountains.’ Our word of the day’s first known use came in 1807. Here’s an example: Our intermontane location of the army base made them difficult to find by enemy forces. Unfortunately being located among the mountains also made it difficult to have access to electricity. So we spent a cold six months until the war was over.

Impuberal is an adjective that means ‘having not reached puberty’ or ‘immature.’  The Latin word pubertas (poo BURR toss) means ‘the age of maturity or adulthood.’ Its young English descendant, puberty means the same. The addition of the prefix I-M, meaning ‘not,’ gives us a word that means ‘not yet mature.’ Example: All those impuberal jokes at our workplace get to be a bit annoying after a while. There are only so many whoopie cushions a person can endure from his co-workers before reaching the breaking point.

Glossolalia is a noun that refers to the practice of speaking in an unknown language.  Our word of the day comes from two Greek words: glossa (GLOSS uh) for ‘language’ and ‘lalia’(la lee AH) which means ‘speech.’ It’s been part of the English language since the late 19th century and is sometimes used in a religious context to describe the practice of ‘speaking in tongues.’ Here’s an example of glossolalia in use: Ted was so upset, he couldn’t string together a coherent sentence. All that mumbling and bumbling seemed to resemble some strange form of glossolalia. 

Amaranthine is an adjective that means never fading or undying.  Our word of the day comes from a plant called an amaranth that is known for never fading. Its name comes from the Greek word amarantos (ah mar RAHN tose) which means ‘not fading.’ Amaranthine is an adjective that can be used to describe any object that doesn’t fade. Example: Most of my clothes tend to lose their lustre after a few years, but not my amaranthine Grateful Dead t-shirt. It remains as bright and vibrant as I bought it twenty-two years ago. 

Interjacent is an adjective that means lying among or between other things.  The Latin prefix I-N-T-E-R means ‘between.’ The Latin word jacere (juh SARE ay) means ‘to be situated,’ Since the late 16th century, our word of the day has been used to describe things situated between things. Example: The mountains were a gorgeous view, but as a fan of hamburgers, I was a little distracted by all the interjacent fast food restaurants. How do they expect you to hike through any mountains with all those tasty burger places between them?

Intempestive is an adjective that means untimely or out of season. The Latin word tempestivus (tem PESS teev oose) means timely. With the addition of the prefix I-N, meaning ‘not,’ we get a word that means ‘untimely.’ Here’s an example of intempestive in use: I normally enjoy a good Christmas parade, but last week’s was a little intempestive. Maybe having it take place in early June wasn’t such a good idea.

Yips is a noun that refers to nervousness affecting an athlete before a big play or game.  Nobody knows the origin of our word of the day, but we know it’s been used in the sports world since the 1930s. Here’s an example of yips in use: Those missed free throws I made at the end of the game were clearly an example of the yips. With the game on the line and two seconds left on the clock, I simply panicked. But the other ten free throws I missed for the rest of the game, that was just poor effort.

Altisonant is an adjective that means lofty or pompous.  The Latin prefix A-L-T-I comes from ‘altus’ (AWL toose) meaning high, as in ‘altitude’ or ‘alto.’ Sonant (SEW nant) means ‘sound.’ Since the 16th century, altisonant has been used by English speakers to describe someone who sounds ‘high and mighty.’ Here’s an example: Rex can get a little big for his britches from time to time. Most of the time, he’s a fairly down-to-earth fellow, but when he starts referring to himself in the third person, you know he’s about to get altisonant. 

Afterclap is a noun that refers to unexpected damage after a supposedly closed event. Our word of the day is a portmanteau, meaning it combines two words. Afterclap combines the Old English ‘after’ with the Middle English ‘clap’ and the result is a perfect way to describe unforeseen consequences. Here’s an example: The afterclap of our cleaning up of our yard is that all the neighbors want to come and visit — which makes the yard dirty again. I guess you never know the consequences of your actions until you do them. 

Adorkable is an adjective that means fashionable or socially awkward in a way regarded as appealing or cute.  Although it’s a very recent addition to the English language, it’s a combination of two words that have been around for a while. The Latin-derived ‘adorable’ has been with us since the early 17th century while ‘dork’ emerged in the 1960s. Together they describe someone just goofy enough to be cute. Here’s an example of adorkable in use: When Shelly described me as adorkable, I took it as a compliment. But maybe I shouldn’t have. Especially when she talked about how cute it was when I couldn’t walk and chew gum at the same time.

Brunt is a noun that refers to the worst part of a specified thing.  Coming from middle English, our word of the day was once used to describe a violent blow. In more recent years, it is more likely to be used to figuratively refer to an emotional blow someone may receive through criticism or an insult. Example: The brunt of Kevin’s rant was borne by Sheila. It was, after all, her bad decisions that he focused on during his angry harangue.

Filigree is a noun that refers to an ornamental wire made of gold or silver.  The Latin word filum (FEE loom) means ‘thread.’ By the late 17th century, filum had evolved into our word of the day and had come to refer to a form of decoration. Here’s an example of filigree in use: Stacy always had flamboyant tastes, but the way she decorated her dog’s house with gold filigree was a little excessive.

Plebiscite is a noun that refers to a direct vote of all the members of an electorate on an important issue.  The Latin prefix P-L-E-B means ‘the common people,’ much like the word ‘plebeian,’ while scitum (SKI toom) also Latin, means ‘decree’ or ‘resolution.’ Here’s an example of plebiscite in use: The local plebiscite was greeted with great enthusiasm and passed with overwhelming success. I guess that’s what happens when you ask the public to vote on whether or not they want a parade this summer.

Anamnesis is a noun that refers to the medical or psychiatric history of a patient.  Our word of the day comes from Greek where it simply referred to ‘memory.’ Since the 17th century, the word has been adopted into English and used mainly in the medical field. Here’s an example: The doctors didn’t see anything in Mrs Miller’s history that suggested she needed blood pressure medication, but it’s always a good idea to check a patient’s anamnesis just to make sure.

Obreptitous is an adjective that means done falsely or secretly.  Coming from the Latin word obrepere (oh brep AIR ay) which means ‘to creep upon,’ our word of the day can be thought of as a synonym for ‘sneaky’ or ‘underhanded.’ Example: I don’t know what happened to the last donut in the break room, but I have my suspicions that it was taken through obreptitious means. It’s the only way to explain how someone could have snatched something I was watching so closely.

Macaronism is a noun that refers to the excessive use of big, showy words in writing or speech.  Originally coming from French, macaronism was used in the 17th century to refer to the excessive use of foreign words for the sake of sounding sophisticated and learned. In time it came to mean any showy or extravagant use of words. Here’s an example: Daryl’s macaronism has really gotten out of hand. It’s reached the point where he can’t even say “good morning” in less than ten minutes. 

Epaulette is a noun that refers to an ornamental shoulder piece on an item of clothing.  Our word of the day comes fairly directly from the French word for ‘shoulder.’ In more recent years it has come to be used to refer figuratively to any kind of honor given. Example: After my performance in the play, I received the most flattering epaulette of my acting career. The critic said, and I quote, “This actor wasn’t exactly good, but he was considerably less awful than the rest of the cast.”

Centrifugal is an adjective that means moving or tending to move away from a centre.  Dating back to the early 18th century, our word of the day comes from two Latin words, centrum (SCENT room) meaning ‘center,’ and fugus (FOO goose) meaning ‘fleeing.’  Centrifugal is often used to describe a particular act of physics in which a spinning object moving at a high speed will move from the center. Example: It could watch the centrifugal forces of my son’s model all day. Watching the thing spin in a circle is as fascinating as any movie I’ve ever seen.

Cynology is a noun that refers to the study of dogs.  The prefix of our word of the day C-Y-N comes from the Greek word kynos (KYE nos) which means ‘Dog.’ The suffix O-L-O-G-Y means ‘the study of’ as in ‘biology,’ ‘geography’ or ‘archaeology.’ Cynology is often used in a scientific context, for example: My professor’s work in the field of cynology was interesting, but not exactly groundbreaking. For example, his work revealed that in ancient times, dogs liked to play fetch.

Hobbyhorse is a noun that refers to a topic that someone talks about frequently.  Dating back to the 15th century, our word of the day came from Old English as a reference to a toy given to children. In time, the word developed a metaphorical meaning and came to refer to a topic that someone is greatly preoccupied with. Here’s an example: Michael’s hobbyhorse had always been the swimming pool at the park. For as long as I can recall, he always began his day with a long-winded rant about how nice the pool was until the park board stopped cleaning it up. 

Matrifocal is an adjective that means ‘based on the mother as the head of the family or household.’ The Latin word mater (MA ter) means mother. This mother has given birth to many English words like ‘maternity’ and ‘maternal.’ It’s also the basis for our word of the day. Matrifocal could be thought of as a synonym for matriarchal. Example: In college, I studied matrifocal societies. It was fascinating to learn about cultures that place mothers as the leaders of the home.

Displume is a verb that means to strip of honors or an award.  The word of the displume is plume, a Latin-based word that refers to the covering or feathers of a bird. The prefix D-I-S means to remove, so to displume a bird means to remove its feathers. Our word of the day may be used in this way or in a more figurative sense, for example: The committee decided to displume the athlete when they discovered he’d been using performance-enhancing drugs. It’s a shame to see someone stripped of an honor simply because they refused to play by the rules. 

Unfeigned is an adjective that means genuine or sincere.  The root word of unfeigned is feign, a word of Latin origin that means to invent or pretend. Our word of the day adds the prefix U-N which means ‘not.’ If something is unfeigned, it’s not invented or pretended. In other words, it’s real or honest. Here’s an example of unfeigned in use: When I developed a cold on the day of our big history test, my parents suspected I was faking. After taking my temperature, they learned my illness was unfeigned — but still the product of good timing. 

Sybarite is a noun that refers to a person accustomed to luxury.  Our word of the day is a toponym, meaning it is a word derived from a location. In this case, the location is an ancient Greek city called Sybaris located in what is now Southern Italy. Sybaris was well known among those who sought great luxury and extravagance. Centuries later, the word named for it lives on as a noun to describe those who are lovers of luxury.  Don’t get me wrong. I’m no sybarite. I’m not looking for great refinement and decor in a hotel. But it would be nice to find a place where the towels aren’t welded to the racks. 

Sward is a noun that refers to an expanse of grass.  Coming from an Old English word for ‘skin,’ our word of the day soon became a term for the upper layer of soil. More recently it’s come to refer to an upper layer that is covered with grass. Here’s an example: I once got a little confused when my dad told me to cut the sward out back. After learning that he meant the grass, I apologized for sawing the fence in half. 

Logophile is a noun that refers to a lover of words.  The Greek word logo (LOW go) means ‘words,’ while the suffix P-H-I-L-E means ‘a lover of.’ Here’s an example of logophile in use: When Annette told me she never misses an episode of Word of the Day, she explained to me that she was such a logophile that her love of words makes her hungry to learn new ones. And here I was thinking it was the dulcet tones of the show’s host that made her a fan.

Disapprobation is a noun that refers to a strong disapproval.  The Latin word probus (PRO boose) means ‘good.’ By adding the prefix D-IS-, we get a word to describe behavior that is bad enough to receive disapproval.  My family is usually comfortable with all the decisions I make except where clothes are concerned. When I show up with an ill-fitting pair of bell-bottom jeans, I face some pretty heavy disapprobation. 

Blatherskite is a noun that may refer to foolish talk, or it may refer to a person who engages in foolish talk. Coming from the mid-17th century, our word of the day was first used in the Scottish song Maggie Lauder. It soon became popular among Americans as well as Brits. Example: There was a lot of blatherskite spoken at the party, but perhaps the most foolish thing said was that we needed another beer run. Believe me, at that hour, we’d already had enough beer.

Engender is a verb that means to cause or give rise to a feeling, situation or condition.  Our word of the day comes from the Old English word ‘beget’ (buh GET) which means to give birth to. Engender may be used to describe anyone giving birth to a particular feeling or emotion, for example: Whenever I hear that song, it engenders feelings of great joy. That thunderous crescendo at the end always reminds me of a happy time in childhood. It’s rare that a song is able to give rise to that much emotion.

Requisite is an adjective that means made necessary by particular circumstances or regulations.  The Latin word requisitus (wreck we SUITE oose) meaning, ‘deemed necessary’ provides the basis for requisite. It shares its root with other English words like ‘require’ and ‘inquire.’ Example: There I was, the last batter with two outs in the ninth inning and I was ready to hit a game-winning home run. The only problem was I forgot my requisite bat. 

Gomer is a noun that refers to a stupid colleague.  The precise origin of our word of the day is something of a mystery. There is a man named Gomer in the Bible, but some believe that the name became an insult after it was used on the character Gomer Pyle, the inept soldier depicted in the popular 1960s sitcom of the same name. Regardless of its source, Gomer has become an unflattering term for somebody not very good at his job. Here’s an example:At the ice cream stand, I developed a reputation as a Gomer after I made a few mistakes. But honestly, I didn’t feel I was that incompetent. Anybody can mistake a five-pound order for a five-gallon order, can’t they?

Paronomasia is a noun that refers to a play on words.  Coming directly from a Greek word that means ‘beside’ and ‘name,’ our word of the day has been around since the late 16th century. Here’s an example of paronomasia in use: I call my dad the Prince of Paronomasia. There is no play on words that is too silly or too corny for him to use at a family function. 

Datum is a noun that refers to a piece of information.  Having been around the English language since the mid-18th century, our word of the day comes directly from the Latin word for ‘something given.’ It is the singular version of the commonly used plural word ‘data.’ Here’s an example: While eating a hot dog at the company picnic, Harvey walked up to me and delivered this fun fact: The average hot dog contains approximately one rat hair each. I just thanked him for the datum and threw my plate in the trash can.

Depuration is a noun that refers to the act or process of freeing something of impurities.  The root word of depuration is the Latin-based word, ‘pure.’ By adding the prefix D-E, meaning ‘completely.’ we get a word that means to make something completely pure. Here’s an example of our word of the day in use: The depuration of our city’s water supply was an important step toward creating better health. Purifying water can be expensive, but it’s worth the cost.

Logogram is a noun that refers to a sign or character representing a word or phrase.  Coming from two Geek words ‘logos’ for ‘word’ and ‘gram’ for letter, our word of the day has been around since the 19th century. Here’s an example: It wasn’t easy to make sense of all the logograms contained in the graffiti. But it helps to understand that certain letters or symbols have a meaning related to certain words. 

Cyclopean is an adjective that means made of huge blocks of stone.  The cyclops of Ancient Greek mythology were giant one-eyed creatures. Our word of the day has been around since the mid-17th century to describe a style of buildings built with huge stones. Here’s an example of cyclopean in use: Those cyclopean buildings look strange around all these steel and glass structures.

Squall is a noun that refers to a sudden gust of wind.  Our word of the day has been around since the mid-17th century. It is thought to be an alteration of the word squeal, in imitation of the sound made by a strong gust. Here’s an example: As if the rain wasn’t bad enough, that squall nearly knocked me off my feet. The last thing you want is to be thrown by a strong gale into a giant puddle. 

Thersitical is an adjective that means given to scurrilous language.  Our word of the day comes from the Greek word for ‘little beast.’ In time, thersitical came to refer to plays that were rude or crude. It may also be used to describe the temperament of an unpleasant person, for example: After grumbling all day about the weather, Paul had established a reputation as a thersitical guy. It wasn’t just that he didn’t like all those clouds. It’s more that he used such ugly language to articulate his contempt for them. 

Fetor is a noun that refers to a strong, foul smell.  Our word of the day comes directly from the Latin word for ‘soul smell.’ It’s been around since the 17th century and is used to describe foul smells that have been around much longer. Example: The fetor coming from the parking lot dumpster became such a distraction that we had to move it. Rotten smells aren’t exactly the kind of things you want customers to be exposed to after leaving a restaurant. 

Theriac is a noun that refers to a medicine that is reputed to cure all.  Our word of the day comes directly from ancient Greece where it referred to the venom of a snake reputed to contain healing properties. Centuries later, doctors no longer believe in prescribing snake venom to their patients, but the term theriac is still very much around describing all manner of cure-alls.  After getting sick, I tried a little of the theriac that my friend insists will offer an immediate cure. Not only did this so-called theriac not cure me, but it also added to my list of problems a giant stomach ache.

Agglutinate is a verb that means to firmly stick together to form a mass.  The Latin word gluten (GLUE ten) meaning ‘to adhere’ has given birth to the word ‘glue’ as well as our word of the day. Agglutinate has stuck around since the mid-16th century. It’s often sued in a medical context. Here’s an example: In medical school, we learned how red blood cells often agglutinate and form intricate meshes. We later learned how important it is for these cells to stick together. 

Palladian is an adjective that means wise or learned.  Our word of the day is an eponym, meaning it is a word named after a historical figure. Palladian takes its name from an architect of the 18th century named Andrea Palladio. Palladio was known for his elegant style. Here’s an example: This Palladian apartment building I’ve just moved into makes me feel like I’ve stumbled into 18th-century Europe. I love the elegance but I just hope the plumbing is a little more up-to-date.

Mimesis is a noun that refers to duplication or mimicry.  Our word of the day comes directly from the Greek word that means ‘to imitate.’ It’s been around since the mid-16th century. Example: As a kid, I drove my parents crazy trying to imitate them. This got laughs from everybody — except my parents. They didn’t have much admiration for skill at mimesis. 

Macrology is a noun that refers to the use of more words than necessary.  Our word of the day is derived from two words of Greek origin, ‘macro,’ meaning ‘long,’ and ‘logos,’ which means ‘words.’ Simply put, macrology is the use of too many words. Example: The Mayor’s tendency toward macrology made listening to him a very tedious affair. It would take him five thousand words to say ‘good morning.’

Ostensible is an adjective that means stated or appearing to be true, but not necessarily so.  Having been around since the mid-18th century, our word of the is derived from the Latin word ostentere (oh sten TEAR ay) which means ‘to display.’ Here’s an example: The ostensible reason for not giving the employees free coffee anymore was that the company could no longer afford it. But looking at the money the company spends on decorating the hallways makes it hard to believe that.

Deipnosophist is a noun that refers to a person skilled at dinner talk.  The Greek word for ‘meal’ provides the prefix D-E-I-P-N-O of our word of the day, while the suffix S-O-P-H-I-S-T comes from the Greek word for ‘wisdom.’ Here’s an example of it in use: My son has become something of a deipnosophist at the dinner table lately. He can discuss a wide range of topics, but his favorite thing to talk about at the table is what he wants for dessert.

Deepfake is a noun that refers to an image or recording altered to misrepresent someone.  A recent addition to the English language, our word of the day is derived from two common words of Old English origin, ‘Deep’ and ‘fake’ and describes a practice that has only become possible in the past few decades. Here’s an example: That deepfake of my favorite actor looked so convincing I nearly believed they were preparing to star in a new production. But I soon realized they were being misrepresented when they claimed to be staring in a new production on the moon. 

Satiate is a verb that means to satisfy a desire.  The Latin word satis (saw TEES) means ‘enough.’ Its linguistic offspring satiate has been around since the Late Middle English period and can be thought of as a synonym for quench or satisfy.  After a long day at work, it takes more than a tiny sandwich to satiate me. Some days it may take nine or ten sandwiches before I can truly consider myself satisfied. 

Technocracy is a noun that refers to the government or control of society or industry by an elite of technical experts.  Technocracy is a fairly recent word that has an old origin. It came to be in the early 20th century and uses the prefix T-E-C-H, which refers to technology, and the suffix CRACY, which means ‘rule.’ Here’s an example: In a technocracy, those who control the technology, rule the world. That’s why I always make sure I hold onto the remote control in my house. Nobody controls my TV but me.

Biophilia is a noun that refers to the desire or tendency to commune with nature.  Our word of the day combines the Greek prefix B-I-O, meaning ‘life’ with the Greek suffix P-H-I-L-I-A meaning ‘a love for.’ More specifically, having biophilia means having a love of nature.  There are some who when in the midst of nature are swept away by the biophilia of the moment, in awe of the majesty of nature all around us. And there are some like Kenny, who only love nature when it gives him something tasty to put on his barbecue pit. 

Fulcrum is a noun that refers to something that plays a central or essential role in an activity, event or situation.  The Latin word fulcire (full CHEER ay) means ‘to prop up’ or ‘support up.’ When our word of the day first joined the English language in the late 17th century, fulcrum was used to refer to a lever used to support something. This meaning still exists, but today the word is more likely to be used in reference to a role or event that supports something, for example: The quarterback is generally the fulcrum of any football team. Without his support, the rest of the team has no chance of winning.

Orrery is a noun that refers to a model representing the solar system.  Our word of the day got its name from a historical figure known as the Fourth Earl of Orrery for whom a model of the solar system was made in the early 18th century. The model and the name for it are still with us today. Here’s an example of orrery in use: As a teenager, I wanted to make an orrery for the annual school science fair. But because I was a little lazy in gathering all the necessary equipment, I couldn’t make a model of the whole solar system. I had to settle for a light bulb to represent the sun. 

Subaltern is an adjective that means of a lower status.  Our word of the day comes from the prefix S-U-B for ‘below’ and the Latin word alternus (ALL ter noose) which means ‘every other.’ Initially used as a rank in the British army, subaltern soon came to be used more broadly in reference to anyone below someone else’s status. Here’s an example: My boss at the restaurant wasn’t the easiest to get along with. When dealing with the lowly wait staff, he seemed to act as if he was working with subaltern people. 

Philter is a noun that refers to a potion credited with magical powers.  The Greek verb for ‘to love’ provides the basis for our word of the day. Philter has been with us since the late 16th century. Here’s an example of it in use: I’m a big fan of those old corny fantasy movies from the 1950s, especially the ones that feature some guy falling in love with a gorgeous gal after sipping from a philter. They make me laugh by suggesting you’d have to drink a magic potion to fall head over heels for a Marylyn Monroe or a Barbara Stanwyck. 

Ocher is a noun that refers to a pale, brownish color.  Our word of the day comes directly from the Greek word for ‘yellow.’ It’s been with us since the Middle English period. Here’s an example: My wife insists on buying me bright clothes for our summer vacations, but I just don’t like the way I look in anything too shiny and bright. I’ll stick with my good old ocher sweaters, thank you very much.

Polydipsia is a noun that refers to excessive thirst.  The Greek word for thirst forms the basis for our word of the day and it’s joined by its prefix P-O-L-Y, which, in this context, means ‘very much.’ Polydipsia has been around since the mid-17th century. It’s often used in a medical context, but can also be used in an informal setting. Example: After two hours in the Nevada sun, I was ready to guzzle down a gallon of iced tea. I haven’t experienced this kind of polydipsia since I spent a summer in Central America.

Nonfeasance is a noun that refers to the failure to perform an act that is required by law.  The Latin word facare (fah CAR ay) means to do. The addition of the prefix N-O-N –  meaning ‘no’ or ‘not’ –  means that our word of the day is a reference to not doing something, in this case something that is demanded by legal responsibility. Frequently used in law, nonfeasance has been with us since the early 17th century. Here’s an example: The jury ruled that James was guilty of nonfeasance by not correcting the problem with the wiring. Essentially, they were saying that because he failed to repair the damaged wires, he was responsible for the ensuing fire that took place.

Papal is an adjective that means related to a pope. The Latin word papa (PA pa) refers to the ‘bishop of Rome.’ Our word of the day comes from the Late Middle English period. Here’s an example: Last year’s papal visit had everybody enthralled. Even those who weren’t Catholic found themselves taken by the majesty of the pope.

Preceptor is a noun that refers to a tutor or instructor.  The Latin word praeceptor (pry CEP tor) means ‘teacher’ or ‘instructor.’ Joining English in the Late Middle English period, our word of the day is a synonym of teacher but is more likely to be used in a formal, academic context like medical school. For example: The wisest advice I’ve ever gotten from a teacher came to me in medical school where my preceptor recommended I spend some time to touch up my Latin. After all, I’d never become a doctor if I couldn’t pronounce words like cranium, femur or dorsalis pedis.

Prow is an adjective that means gallant or valiant.  Coming from the Latin word pro, meaning ‘in front,’ our word of the day has been with us since the mid-16th century as a reference to those brave enough to fight at the front of a boat or ship. Here’s an example: I tend to think of myself as a fairly prow individual. But when we’re in the woods and I hear the growl of a grizzly bear, I figure that’s the time to let someone else be courageous.

Telekinesis is a noun that refers to the ability to move objects by nonphysical means.  The word of our word of the day is kinesis (ken EE sis) a Greek word for ‘motion.’ The Greek prefix T-E-L-E means ‘at a distance,’ as we see in words like ‘telescope’ or ‘television.’ When combined, we get a word that refers to moving things at a distance. Example: It’s times like this I wish I had telekinesis powers. When I’m too tired to get up and carry my bags to the bedroom, the ability to move things without touching them would be a great power to have. 

Tramontane is an adjective that means traveling to or situated on the other side of the mountains.  The Latin prefix T-R-A means ‘across’ or ‘beyond,’ while the Latin word mons (MONS) means ‘mountain’. If something is located transmontane, it is located ‘across the mountains.’  After spending several weeks on the eastern side of the Alps, it never occurred to me how lovely the other side of the mountains were. Once we traveled there, I was stunned by the beauty of the tramontane region.

Morphology is a noun that refers to the study of words and how they form.  The prefix M-O-R-P-H comes from the Greek word for ‘form.’ In time it came to refer to a change in form. The suffix of our word of the day is O-L-O-G-Y which means ‘the study of.’ So morphology is a study in the forms of words. Example: I’ve always been fascinated with the way certain words change as they transition from one language to another. In fact, there’s a great book by on morphology that details all these changes in form that many words have undergone. 

Dialectician is a noun that refers to a person who is skilled in philosophical debate.  Coming from the Greek word for ‘the art of conversation’ or ‘debate,’ dialectic is an English word for discussion that sometimes took on a philosophical meaning. By the mid-16th century, our word of the day came to mean ‘philosophical debate’ in some contexts. A dialectician became the word for someone skilled at it. Here’s an example: Being married to someone who never loses an argument isn’t always a lot of fun. My wife, the dialectician, has an undefeated record when it comes to engaging in philosophical arguments with me.

Glottologist is a noun that refers to a person who is an expert at language. The Greek word ‘gotta’ (GLAH TA) means ‘tongue,’ and the suffix O-L-O-G-I-S-T means ‘one who studies.’ You could think of our word of the day as a synonym of ‘linguist.’ Here’s an example: When I wanted to know the origin of our family name, I consulted a glottologist. When we learned our surname was of French origin, we decided to take a trip to France. Given my love of French food, I’m really glad we took the time to meet with that language expert.

Otaku is a noun that refers to a young person who is obsessed with computers and similar interests to the detriment of their social skills.  A loan word from Japanese, otaku could be thought of as a synonym of ‘nerd.’ Here’s an example of it in use: My son looks exactly like the same kind of Otaku as his father. He spends all day in school studying and learning, and all night studying and learning. Just like me, the only social skill he’s developed is talking about mathematic equations.

Nearlywed is a noun that refers to someone who is about to be married. It can also refer to someone who lives with a significant other but has not married.  Our word of the day could be thought of as a takeoff of ‘newlywed,’ a word that entered English in the early 19th century. It described a person who had recently been married.  Newarlywed, on the other hand, is a more recent addition to the English language and is almost always used in an informal setting. Here’s an example: After a few years as a nearlywed, Brian decided to make his union to Angie official. So he proposed marriage. Unfortunately, she turned him down. I guess some people prefer being almost married to being married.

Flammiferous is an adjective that means bright with a flame.  The Latin word flamma (FLAM uh) means ‘flame.’ A flammiferous object is one that contains flames. Here’s an example: Whatever the source of that flammigerous object in the distance, we could tell it was seriously on fire. When something that big is ablaze, it’s hard to miss.

Importune is a verb that means to annoy or harass someone. The Latin word importunus (im poor TWO noose) means ‘inconvenient.’ In the early 16th century, this word gave birth to our word of the day. Here’s an example: I didn’t mean to importune the mayor by bombarding him with silly questions. But I felt it was vital that we get his opinion on Sunday’s game. And if that meant harassing him repeatedly with queries, so be it.

Mauka is an adverb and an adjective that means toward the mountains.  Coming from the Hawaiian language and still very popular in the fiftieth state, our word of the day has commonalities with words like ‘close’ and ‘fast’ as it may be used as an adjective and an adverb. Here’s an example of it as an adverb: We walked mauka for a few hours before realizing we were heading in the wrong direction. We should have known the place we were seeking was closer to the shore than the mountains. 

Mellisonant is an adjective that means pleasing to the ear.  Coming from the Latin words for ‘honey,’ “(mel EESE) and ‘sound’ (SO noose) our word of the day has been used to describe sweet sounds since the early 17th century. Here’s an example: That band’s mellisonant first album has been used in our home for over a decade. After all, what better way to put kids to sleep than to have sweet sounds echoed throughout the home.

Curio is a noun that refers to a rare, unusual or intriguing object.  Our word of the day began as an abbreviated variation on the word ‘curiosity,’ Which is derived from the Latin word cuiosus (koo ree OH soos) meaning, ‘curious.’ By the mid 19th century, curio had established an identity of its own. Here’s an example: The bookshelf I attempted to make has become a curio. This odd-looking item hasn’t been used to store books, but it sure has gotten its share of confused gawks over the years. People describe it as the most unusual thing in our home. 

Reboant is an adjective that means resonating or reverberating loudly.  Sharing a common ancestor with words like reverb or reverberation, our word of the day comes from the Greek word for roar or cry. When the prefix RE is added, it implies an echo.  Reboant has been a part of the English language since the early 17th century. Here’s an example: Those reboant screams at the end of the movie have been haunting my dreams for the last five years. Hearing those echoes all these years reminds me of the most horrifying movie I’ve ever seen. 

Overdetermined is an adjective that means having many causes. The Latin-derived English word ‘determine’ means ‘to identify something as a cause.’  When the prefix O-V-E-R is added, it means ‘an excess or exaggeration’ of causes. Something that has many causes is overdetermined. Example: According to social scientists, reading ability is overdetermined. There is not one cause for it, but many. 

Cespitose is an adjective that means growing in clumps.  Our word of the day comes from the Latin word caespes (KIE ay space) meaning ‘turf’ or ‘sod.’ Its recently emerging offspring is used to refer to grass or other kinds of plants that grow in clumps. Example: That cespitose grass around the cactus isn’t very plentiful here in the desert. As it gets warmer and warmer, those small clumps of grass will become even less common.

Ocellus is a noun that refers to the eye of a small creature.  Our word of the day comes from the Latin word oculus (OH koo loose) which means ‘eye.’ Ocullus has been around since the early 19th century and is always used in reference to the smaller eyes of animals. Here’s an example: When I saw those tiny worms, I was stunned to learn they had the ability to see. But when Mr. Hammel showed me the creature’s small eyes, I realized that sight was possible for them. True, an ocellus doesn’t always grant an animal a very vivid sense of sight, but for some beings, all they need to survive is the ability to detect differences in light. a

Littoral is an adjective that means relating to or situated on the shore of the sea or a lake.  The Latin word litus (LEE toos) means ‘beach.’ Our word of the day has been around since the mid-17th century as an adjective that references the beach and, less commonly, as a noun that, like its ancestor, means ‘beach.’ Here’s an example of littoral in use: My favorite thing about the movie was its depiction of the littoral scenes. Nothing is more stunning than the image of miles and miles of gorgeous shoreline.

Ethology is a noun that refers to the study of animal behavior.  The Greek word ethos (EE thoss) refers to ‘nature’ or ‘disposition’ and the common suffix O-L-O-G-Y means ‘study of.’ When combined, we get a word that refers to the study of the nature of animals. Examples: I have to whistle and scream my brains out to get our bulldog Sparky to come in from the yard at the end of the day. But somehow, my daughter only needs to lift a finger to get him in. One of these days that girl’s knowledge of animals is going to make her a fortune in ethology.

Monopsony is a noun that refers to a market situation in which there is only one buyer. The Greek word mono (MA no) means ‘one,’ as in monopoly, a word that refers to a market situation with one seller. With monopsony, the word ends with P-S-O-N-Y which comes from the Greek word for ‘buying.’ Here’s an example: Our baseball factory had no choice but to accept the terms of the local baseball team because they were the only buyer in town. It wasn’t a great situation, but with a monopsony, there’s no other option.

Vicissitude is a noun that refers to a change of circumstances or fortune.  The Latin word vicissim (vee CHEESE eem) means ‘by turns or changes.’ Our word of the day has been English since the early 17th century. Here’s an example of it in use: The daily vicissitudes of owning a business were simply too stressful for me to take. Whether it was ordering mustard or ketchup or buns or wieners, operating a hot dog stand had so many changes, I just couldn’t keep up. 

Startlish is an adjective that means ‘easily startled.’ The Old English word ‘start’ provides the basis of our word of the day as well as the word startle. Startlish refers to someone inclined to be startled. It is a synonym of the word skittish. Here’s an example of it in use: My sister’s startlish behavior made her a perfect victim for my scary pranks. When she’d object to my shenanigans, I’d tell there that if she wasn’t so easily terrified, I wouldn’t have spent so much time terrifying her. 

Orthography is a noun that refers to the conventional spelling system of a language.  The Greek word orthos (OR those) means ‘correct,’ while the suffix G-R-A-P-H-Y comes from the Greek word for ‘writing.’ So our word of the day may be used to refer to the way of spelling a word. Here’s an example: My daughter is such a word nerd that when I asked her how cat was spelled, she gave me a ten-minute dissertation on the orthography of the word. I didn’t want to know why the word was spelled that way — just how it was spelled. 

Gravamen is a noun that refers to the most significant part of a complaint.  The Latin word gravis (GRAH vees) means ‘heavy.’ shifting into English in the early 17th century, our word of the day is used to describe the weightiest or most important part of a person’s complaint. Here’s an example: I have to admit I didn’t care for the lame music playing in Dr. Simon’s office, but I wouldn’t say it was the gravamen of my complaint regarding my experience there. My biggest problem with the visit is that he spent two hours drilling into my gums.

Hippocampus is a noun that refers to the part of the brain responsible for emotion and memory.  Our word of the day has its origin in Greek mythology. The word ‘hippo’ is derived from the Greek word for a sea creature. In time, this word was used to describe the section of the brain that governed emotion and memory because this section was curved like a seahorse. Here’s an example of hippocampus in use: There’s something about that song that stimulates my hippocampus and nearly brings me to tears. After a few seconds, I’m launched back into memories of listening to it in seventh grade at the roller skating rink, experiencing the soul-crushing heartbreak of a 13-year old. 

Psychographics is a noun that refers to the classification of people according to psychological criteria.  The prefix P-S-Y-C-H-O comes from the Greek word for ‘soul’ or ‘mind.’ In words like psychology and psychiatry, it refers to the art of exploring deep into people’s souls. The word graphic, from the Greek word for ‘writing’ or ‘drawing’ is used to indicate data. Our word of the day is used to describe the practice of using data to understand how people think and act. Here’s an example: According to our psychographics, most people don’t care to wake up in the morning to loud music. In fact, the psychographics indicate that softer, more dulcet tones are ideal for selling our early morning commercials. 

Scenography is a noun that refers to the representation of objects in perspective.  Our word of the day’s root word is ‘scene’, which comes from the Greek word for ‘stage.’ So it’s appropriate that it’s commonly used in theatre to describe the art of arranging scenery. Example: Last night’s play was something of a disappointment. The acting was fine, but they had arranged the scenery in such a way that we could barely get a sense that the action was set in post-war France. Sometimes bad scenography can ruin an otherwise exceptional play. 

Rort is a noun that refers to a fraudulent or dishonest act or practice.  The origin of our word of the day is unclear, but it’s often thought to be a mix of the words ‘report’ and ‘retort.’ Rort is a slang word that’s almost always used in an informal context. Here’s an example: Jeff was a good boss who generally did the right things, but he’s been known to have the occasional rort from time to time. The way he figured it, if you slave over the grill all day long, it’s no big deal if you take home a few burgers from time to time. 

Hackle is a noun that refers to the hair along the back of the neck that rises when a person is angry.  Coming from Late Middle English, our word of the day is frequently used in reference to dogs that are not in a great mood. Here’s an example: Like many Dobermans, Roscoe’s hackles get raised when he hears weird noises at the front door. After all these years of being around him, I find the hairs on my back standing up too when someone is a little too loud at the door. 

Falstaffian is an adjective that means having a love of food, drink and humor.  Sir John Falstaff is a Shakespearean character who appears in many of the Bard’s plays. Known for being jolly and good-natured, his name provides the basis for our word of the day and may be used to describe anyone blessed with a similar temperament. Example: It’s probably not a good idea to have too many falstaffian guys on your softball team. Sure, having fun-loving, wise-cracking players on the squad can make the game more fun. But after a while, you have to stop guzzling beer and cracking jokes long enough to actually get some practicing done. 

Anastrophe is a noun that refers to an inversion of the usual order of words. Derived from the Greek words for ‘back’ and turning,’ our word of the day has been around since the mid-16th century. Here’s an example: I’ve always been a fan of that lovable Star Wars character Yoda and his odd habit of inverting the normal order of words in a sentence. It takes a lot of charm to turn anastrophe into a unique personality trait.

Acescent is an adjective that means turning sour.  Our word of the day comes from the Latin word acescere (ah che SHARE ay) which means ’to become sour.’ Its earliest use in English can be traced back to the mid-17th century. In addition to being implemented to describe food or beverage, acescent may also be used to describe a mood or atmosphere. Here’s an example: I got the sense that people at the dinner party didn’t like my cooking. No one said this in so many words, but every time the subject of my fried turkey sandwiches came up, the mood in the room turned sour. That kind of acescent atmosphere is usually a red flag. 

MacGyver is a verb that means to make or repair an object in an improvised or inventive way.  Our word of the day is derived from a popular television show of the 1980s whose titular star was skilled at creating weaponry or assorted items from everyday items. It’s recently become a verb. Here’s an example of it in use: On our canoe trip, we found ourselves without a way to signal to the other campers that dinner was ready. So we had to MacGyver a dinner bell out of an old hub cap we found half buried in the dirt. If it weren’t for that ability to improvise, I get the feeling those guys would still be waiting for dinner. 

Motley is an adjective that means ‘of diverse composition.’  Our word of the day’s precise origin is unknown, but we know it’s from the Late Middle English period and can be thought of as a synonym of assorted or varied. Here’s an example of motley in use: They sent a pretty motley group of employees to the conference. The group included guys with varying levels of competence, dependability and ability. They might have been better off making sure everyone at the conference was equally skilled. 

Materiel is a noun that refers to military equipment.  Our word of the day is not to be confused with the word material, M-A-T-E-R-I-A-L, but both words are derived from the Latin word materia (mah TEAR ee uh) meaning ‘matter.’ Here’s an example of our word of the day in use: It never made sense to me that in the army we would spend hours hauling materiel from one site to another, only to haul it back a few hours later. It didn’t seem to me that our commanding officers put much time into thinking about how to deal with army equipment. 

Hyperopia is a noun that refers to the condition of seeing distant things more clearly than those that are near.  Our word of the day combines the Greek prefix H-Y-P-E-R, meaning ‘beyond,’ and the Greek word ops (OPS) meaning ‘eye.’ The condition of hyperopia is commonly known as farsightedness.  Being farsighted can be pretty awkward in public, especially when trying to read a book. If my hyperopia gets any worse, I’ll have to stand ten feet away from the book in order to see the print. 

Immure is a verb that means to enclose within.  The Latin word murus (MOO roos) refers to a ‘wall.’ To immure someone is to wall them in. Our word of the day has been with us since the late 16th century. Here’s an example of it in use: Last night’s movie was one of the scariest I’ve ever seen. Especially the part where the villain tried to immure the hero inside a chamber of horrors.

Homiletic is an adjective that means related to preaching or writing a sermon.  The Greek word homilia (ho MEAL ee uh) means ‘to converse with.’ In time, this word gave birth to the English word homily which referred to a sermon or a story with a religious meaning. Homiletic has been with us since the mid 17th century. Example: I enjoyed the story my dad told me about his days as a young hunter. But it seemed to be the stories had no moral. They may have had a greater impact had they had more of a homiletic purpose. 

Hinterlands is a noun that refers to the land beyond the city.  The German word hinter (HIN ter) means ‘behind,’ while land simply means ‘land.’ This word to describe the often uncharted lands behind the big cities was been a part of English since the late 19th century. Example: Having grown up in the big city, I often feel a little out of my element in the hinterlands. Those small-town expressions and terms often float right over my head. 

Furbelow is a verb that means to adorn with trimmings.  The French word forbole (for BOWL) refers to a piece of ribbon or fabric that is used for trimming or decoration. It’s been a part of the English language since the late 17th century. Here’s an example: It seemed odd to me that Annie would furbelow her dress just above the hem like that. But I later learned she used that adornment to hide a coffee stain.

Funicular is an adjective that means hauled by a rope or cable.  Coming from the mid 17th century, funicular takes its root from the Latin word funis (FOO nis) which means rope. Our word of the day is often used to describe means of transportation that feature rope. Here’s an example: I love skiing, but I get a little uneasy when riding those chair lifts up the mountain. Something about funicular travel causes me to worry about what might happen if the cable should snap.

Freebooter is a noun that refers to a pirate or adventurer.  Derived from a word that combines the Dutch word for ‘free’ and ‘booty,’ our word of the day was first used in reference to Dutch privateers who operated in the Caribbean to plunder Spanish ships. In time the word came to refer to anyone in the habit of taking free booty, or goods. Here’s an example: Those bagels Margie brought into the office looked awfully tasty, but I had to resist. I’m afraid that after my unfortunate habit of chowing down on free food, I’ve gained a reputation as a freebooter. 

Gerontocracy is a noun that refers to a government ruled by the elderly.  The Greek word geron (Jer ON) means ‘old man,’ while the suffix C-R-A-C-Y — also seen in words like democracy, plutocracy and meritocracy — refers to ‘power’ or ‘rule.’ Gerontocracy has been around since the mid19th century. Here’s an example: With all those city council members in their sixties and seventies, I’m beginning to think our city is run by a gerontocracy. I have nothing against the elderly, I’m just worried that I’ll have to wait too long before it’s my turn to have any power. 

Gamine is a noun that refers to a girl with a mischievous, boyish charm.   Coming directly from the French word for ‘street urchin.’  gamine was introduced to English speakers in the late 19th century. Gamine can be used as a synonym of ‘tomboy.’ Here’s an example: My sister always had a boyish charm that got us both into a lot of trouble. Having a gamine for a little sister certainly got me into a lot of playground fights. 

Frangible is an adjective that means easily broken.  The Latin word frangere (fran JARE ay) means ‘to break.’ The addition of the suffix I-B-L-E gets us to a word to describe something that can be broken. The word fragile is a synonym that also shares this origin.  I warned the moving guys that some of the items in the boxes were frangible, but that didn’t seem to matter. They just tossed those boxes around without regard for how brittle the contents were.

Flambe is an adjective that means served with flaming liquor.  Coming directly from the French word for flame, flambe has been used by English speakers since the late 19th century. In addition to being an adjective that describes the way a particular food is cooked, it can also be used as a verb to describe the actual cooking. Here’s an example of the verb version: Having always been a fan of French cooking, I thought it would be a good idea to flambe something I served for dinner. In retrospect, I probably should have chosen something besides a plate of pancakes to set on fire. 

ic is an adjective that means very dry or having little moisture.  The Greek word keros (ZEE ros) means dry. This is the basis of our word of the day which has been with us since the early 20th century. Here’s an example of xeric in use: The xeric conditions didn’t make our vacation much fun. I like warm weather as much as anyone, but it would be nice if we had at least a little rain for the month we were there.

Somatopsychic is an adjective that means related to the body’s effect on the mind.  The Greek word soma (SOMA) means ‘soul,’ while psyche (SY key) means ‘mind.’ When combined into our word of the day, we get a word that describes how physical health can affect emotional states. Here’s an example of it in use: At first I thought my upbeat moods were just a result of being a generally energetic person, but after looking into things from a somotopsychic perspective, I’ve come to see that my moods tend to get better after I’ve been working out for a few hours. 

Hornswoggle is a verb that means to cheat or deceive.  Despite its colorful sound, our word of the day’s origin is unknown. We do know however that it’s been around since the early 19th century and it’s not a thing anyone would want to be accused of.  I can’t believe I trusted Terry enough to buy a car from him. I knew he'd be guilty of cheating other customers, but I never thought he’d hornswoggle me — a guy he’d known since the sixth grade. 

Sylph is a noun that refers to a slender woman or girl.  Coming from the Latin word sylphi (SILL fee) which refers to a mythic nymph of the woods, our word of the day has been around since the mid 17th century. Example: When I saw the mysterious Sylph in the woods, I thought I was seeing a mythical spirit rise to the sky. But it turned out Erica was just trying out her new silver leotard. 

Glyph is a noun that refers to a small graphic symbol.  The Greek word dulphe (dool FAY) is where our word of the day began life. Although it’s not a coincidence that our word of the day is contained in the word hieroglyphic, glyph is a broader word that may refer to any kind of graphic symbol. Here’s an example: It’s a good thing I noticed that tiny glyph on my computer screen. If I hadn’t seen that tiny symbol, I might have overlooked the instruction to turn my computer off immediately.

Scry is a verb that means to foretell the future using a crystal ball.  Our word of the day is derived from the Old English word descrian (DESK ree ann) which had a broader meaning than today. In its early days, it referred to any act of divination. It later came to refer more specifically to acts of divination through a crystal ball. Here’s an example of scry in use: When Kelly pulled out a giant crystal ball in her home, she caught my attention immediately. I thought she was going to scry the future, but it turned out she was just showing me a new lamp she’d just bought. 

Alienee is a noun that refers to one to whom property is transferred.  Our word of the day comes from the Latin word alienus (ah lee AY noose) which means ‘foreign’ or ‘belonging to another.’ The word entered English in the mid 16th century and is most typically used in the world of law. Example: The alienee of the home didn’t seem especially grateful for having inherited such an enormous estate. I guess some people are so accustomed to being gifted great things that a new mansion is no big deal.

Ague is a noun that refers to a shivering fit.  The Latin word acuta (ah KOO tah) means ‘acute fever.’ In past years, it was often used specifically to refer to malaria. More recently, it may describe any shivering fit.  After that bad batch of berries, I was left with a shivering fit for days. That kind of ague can definitely cause you to get more selective when choosing berries to pick in the woods. 

Annex is a verb that means to take for oneself. Coming from late Middle English, our word of the day is derived from the Latin prefix A-D as well as the Latin word nectere (neck TEAR ay) meaning ‘to tie or fasten.’ Often used to describe something a nation does with additional territory, annex may be used in a more informal sense, for example: My coffee addiction at one point had become such a problem that I confess I would occasionally annex somebody else’s espresso. When I found myself guzzling down a cold cup of coffee I’d swiped from a co-worker, I knew I was deep in the throes of addiction. 

Zymurgy is a noun that refers to the fermentation in brewing, winemaking and distilling.  The Greek word zume (zoo MAY) means ‘leaven.’ Since zymurgy’s move to English in the mid-19th century, its meaning has shifted from a process done to bread to a process done to alcohol. Example: Distilling whiskey isn’t as easy as it seems. In fact, I would even say zymurgy is a dangerous skill if done incorrectly. When drinkers don’t get the results they want, they can get downright ornery. 

Infelicitous is an adjective that means unfortunate or inappropriate.  The Latin word Felix (FAY licks) means ‘happy.’ Coming from Late Middle English, our word of the day has undergone some changes, but still basically means ‘unhappy’ or ‘unfortunate.’ Here’s an example: In spite of the infelicitous results, I’m glad I decided to start cutting my own hair. The money I’ve saved on barbers is well worth the price I’ve had to pay in stupid-looking haircuts. 

Akimbo is an adverb that means with hands on the hips and elbows turned outward.  Coming from Old Norse, akimbo has been around since the middle English period, holding the same meaning. Here’s an example of it in use: I could always immediately tell when I’d been busted for skipping school. Usually my mom would be standing at the doorway, arms akimbo and face red from anger. 

Depredation is a noun that refers to the act of attacking or plundering.  Our word of the day has been around since the late 15th century, having originated from the Latin word depraedari (dep rye DAR ay) which holds the same meaning as its English descendant.  The depredation that took place in the stadium after the home team’s tragic loss was truly horrific. That kind of plundering hasn’t been seen since world war two.  

Usurp is a verb that means to take by force.  The Latin word usurpare (ooh zoo PAR ay) means ‘to seize for use.’ The word was then seized by English speakers during the Middle English period and is still being used today with the same basic meaning. Here’s an example: As a reporter, you have to hold on to your press pass at all costs. You’ll meet people who will try to usurp it from you — and for good reason. There’s a lot of power in that backstage pass to the dog show

Fusillade is a noun that refers to a spirited outburst.  Coming from the French word for ‘to shoot,’ our word of the day has been with us since the early 19th century. In the past, it was mainly used in a military context, referring to missiles or bullets being shot. But more recently it’s likely to be used in a metaphorical sense, referring to words being fired away in the form of a rant or tirade. Here’s an example: Frank’s angry fusillade about the failures or our computers appears to have spurred management to make some changes in the system. Sometimes all it takes is a hot-tempered tirade to get what you want.

Pecuniary is an adjective that means related to money.  The latin word pecu (PECK ooh) means ‘cattle’ or ‘money.’ Our word of the day originated there and joined the English language in the early 16th century. Here’s an example of pecuniary in use: In spite of Chuck’s pecuniary shortcomings, he’s been able to enjoy a nice, happy life. I guess it’s true that money isn’t everything. 

Polypod is an adjective that means having many legs.  Our word of the day combines the Greek prefix P-O-L-U, meaning ‘many’ with the Greek word Pod (pod) which means ‘foot.’ The result is a word that describes a creature with many feet, be that creature an insect or an alien from a science fiction movie. Example: I don’t know what kind of creature came in and ravaged our picnic food while we were gone, but judging by those multiple, tiny footprints left in the dirt, it must have been some kind of polypod bug. 

Noctivigant is a noun that refers to someone who wanders around at night. It is also an adjective that means ‘wandering in the night.’ The latin prefix N-O-C-T means ‘night,’ while V-A-G-U-S means ‘wandering.’ Here’s an example of our word of the day in use as a noun.  I didn’t know Cheryl was a noctivigant at first. I’d wake up in the middle of the night and wonder where she’d gone to. Turns out she was just another nighttime creature who craved those late-night meanderings. 

Spindrift is a spray of water, snow or sand blown by the wind.  Our word of the day combines two Old English words that, together, mean ‘run before wind or sea.’ Spindrift has been around since the early 17th century. Here’s an example of it: Walking back to our cabin was going great until a giant spindrift cut off my vision for a while. With eyes full of snow, it’s not so easy to see where you're going. 

Nemophilist is a noun that refers to someone who loves the forrest.  The Greek Prefix N-E-M-O refers to ‘wooded pasture.’ And the P-H-I-L-O means ‘a love of.’ So having a love of the forrest is all it takes to be deemed a nomophilist.  I used to be a nemophilist, but getting bitten by a few snakes cured me of that fascination. It’s hard to love the forest when your eyes are constantly shifting around in search of the next snake.

Stelliferous is an adjective that means being full of stars.  The Latin word stella (STELL uh) means ‘star.’ This word has given birth to such words as interstellar, asterisk and the name Stella. When the sky is full of stars, that’s a good time to utilize our word of the day. For example: When I proposed to Mindy, the sky was gorgeously stelliferous. All those twinkling diamonds up above filled me with such a sense of romance that I had no choice but to pop the question. 

Mussitate is a verb that means to talk indistinctly or mutter.  The Latin word mussare (moose ARE ay) means ‘silence.’ It is believed that our word of the day is imitative in origin, meaning the word came to be because somebody thought it sounded like mumbling or muttering. Example: I can always tell when my eight-year-old isn’t being totally honest. He avoids eye contact and begins to mussitate. All that mumbling and bumbling around is usually a sign that he’s not giving me the truth. 

Encyclical is an adjective that means for wide release. Our word of the day comes from the Greek word enkyklios (en KEY klee ose) which means ‘circular’ or ‘general.’ Encyclical has been circulating throughout English since the mid-17th century. Example: When Angie resigned as mayor, she did so with an encyclical letter. She wanted everyone in town to clearly understand her reasons for leaving.

Rotiform is an adjective that means wheel-shaped.  The Latin word rota (ROE tuh) means ‘wheel.’ The addition of the suffix I-F-O-R-M gets us a word that means ‘shaped like a wheel.’ Here’s an example: All those rotiform objects in that boring art museum sent my mind elsewhere. It reminded me of the car and how I wished I could just leave the museum and drive away. 

Aesculapian is an adjective that means relating to medicine or physicians.  Our word of the day gets its origin from Aesculapius, the Roman god of medicine. The word entered English in the late 16th century. Here’s an example: Shelly has been working as a nurse for nearly a year and her vocabulary has been peppered with all kinds of aesculapian terminology. She can barely tell me to wash my hands without using medical jargon that makes my head explode. 

Golem is a noun that refers to a mythical artificial being brought to life.  Our word of the day comes directly from the Yiddish word for ‘a shapeless mass.’ In Jewish legend, a golem is a clay figure brought to life by magic. The word can also be used in reference to a robot. Here’s an example of golem in use: On those rare occasions at the office when Dominick leaves his desk, people gawk at him like he’s a golem magically animated. Magic is the only way to explain why he would ever move.

Fructify is a verb that means to make fruitful or productive.  The Latin word fructus (FROOK toos) means fruit in the sense of ‘the result or reward of work or activity.’ In other words, when we fructify something, we make it fruitful. Here’s an example of our word of the day in use: I was hoping to fructify all the excess milk in my refrigerator by using it to make ice cream. But in the end, the only thing I was making productive was the mop I had to use to clean up all that mess.

Calembour is a noun that refers to a play on words.  The origin of our word of the day is unknown, but you could think of it as a synonym of pun. Here’s an example of calembour in use: I was hoping I could break the ice at the job interview with a calembour or two. I mean, who doesn’t like a good pun every now and then. Apparently, the guy interviewing me didn’t like them. My pun-manship didn’t get a single snicker out of him. 

Elysium is a noun that refers to a place or state of perfect happiness. Our word of the day has its origin in a Greek word that means ‘Land of the blessed.’ Elysium is often used as an actual location in Greek mythology, but it may also be used as synonym of paradise. Example: Working in a candy store, my daughter was practically in Elysium for eight hours a day. Of course, the hours she spent with a sour stomach after eating all that free candy was a little short of paradise.

Helot is a noun that refers to a serf or a servant.  Ancient Greek Region of Helos was known for the subjugation of its people. Soon, our word of the day became a synonym of slave or servant. Here’s an example of it in use: Chris may be known for treating his assistant like a helot, but I will say this for him: his assistant Jimmy may not have had much freedom, but he was a lot better paid than most. 

Capuan is an adjective that means luxurious.  Our word of the day is a toponym, meaning it is a word that takes its origin from a place. In this instance, the place was an ancient Italian city named Capua which was known as a place of great opulence and luxury.  Capuan emigrated from this city and arrived in the English language in the 16th century. Here’s an example of it in use: When it comes to capuan eateries, my favorite would have to be the one on 17th and Broadway. it’s so fancy, even the doggie bags are plated with gold.

Aliquot is a noun that refers to a portion of a larger whole, especially a sample taken for analysis.  Our word of the day has its origin in the Latin words alus (AH loose) meaning ‘one of two’ and quot (KO) meaning ‘how many.’ Often used in science, aliqot has been a part of the English language since the late 16th century. Example: After examining the aliquot closely, Dr. Himmelman deduced that the swamp water wasn’t toxic. It’s amazing to me that they can make such a determination about the entire lake from a tiny sample.

Solemnize is a verb that means to mark with a ceremony.  The Latin word sollsemnis (suh LEM nis) means ‘customary.’ From this we get a word that refers to rituals performed at ceremonies. Solemnize has been with us since the Middle English period. Here’s an example of it in use: After twenty years with the company, you’d think upper management would want to solemnize Eric’s service with some kind of dinner. But instead of a fancy ceremony, they just gave the poor guy a free cheeseburger and a coupon for a car wash. 

Kith is a noun that refers to one’s friends and acquaintances.  Our word of the day has its origin in an Old English word that means ‘one’s native land.’  The popular phrase ‘kith and kin’ initially referred to one’s country and relatives. More recently it has come to mean ‘one’s friends and family.’  Here’s an example of Kith in use - Don’t get me wrong. I love to see my family during the holidays. But after several days of nothing but kith and kin, I’m usually in the mood to find some strangers to hang out with.

Saturnalian is an adjective that means marked by unrestrained revelry.  Our word of the day comes from Latin and means ‘related to Saturn.’ Saturn was the Roman god known as a source of renewal and liberation. The ancient Roman festival of Saturn was used as a period of merrymaking. Here’s an example of Saturnalian in use: All the Saturnalian regalia outside my house made it difficult to sleep last night. Why can’t my neighbors be sensible and have chaotic fun early in the morning like everybody else?

Neurodiverse is an adjective that means displaying atypical neurological behavior.  A recent addition to the English language, our word of the day has been around since earlier this century when scientists were developing a deeper understanding of what made some people think and act differently than others. The scientists involved in this area are called neuroscientists, a word that shares the Greek prefix N-E-U-R-O— meaning related to the brain or nervous system — with our word of the day.  The second half of neurodiverse is the word diverse, which comes from Middle English meaning, ‘coming from different ways.’ A neurodiverse person has a brain that works in ways that differ from typical people. Here’s an example: Mike has been called neurodiverse because of his idiosyncratic ways, but when it comes to arriving on time for dinner, he’s as typical as they come. 

Foundress is a noun that refers to a female founder. It is also a noun that refers to a female leader of a colony.  The root word of foundress is founder, which is from Old English and refers to ‘the originator of something.’ The suffix R-E-S-S indicates that we’re talking about a woman. This is true in both definitions of the word. Here’s an example: The foundress of our company would probably be ashamed to see the kinds of practices we’ve been up to lately. The company she originated a hundred years ago once stood for dignity, pride and excellence. Now it just stands for profit at any cost. 

Recuse is a verb that means to remove oneself from participation to avoid a conflict of interest.  The Latin word recurare (ray coo SAR ay) means ‘to reject.’ Often used in a legal context, our word of the day has been with us since the early 19th century. Example: A Juror was asked to recuse himself because it was felt that he couldn’t objectively serve on a jury in which his father was being tried. That kind of conflict of interest can make serving on jury duty awfully difficult.

Introrse is an adjective that means turned inward.  Our word of the day takes its meaning and basic spelling from the Latin word inrorses (in TROR sus). Here’s an example: The first step in getting our basketball team to play better was to have all the players introrse. It’s a lot easier to communicate when everybody can actually see each other. 

Extrorse is an adjective that means turned outward.  The Latin adverb extrorus (ex TROR sus) means outwards. Our word of the day has turned itself toward the English language since the mid-19th century and holds the same basic meaning as its ancestor. Example: With the lights extrose, our backyard looked pretty cool to those passing by. But to anybody wanting to see where they were going, it might have been a better idea to turn the lights inward. 

Intemperance is a noun that refers to a lack of moderation or restraint.  The Latin word temperare (temp er ARE ay) means ‘to restrain.’ Our word of the day has been around since Middle English. By adding the prefix I-N, meaning ‘not,’ we get a word that means ‘not able to restrain.’ Here’s an example: My intemperance with true crime shows has become a real problem lately. Because I can’t stop watching them all the time, I’m in danger of losing my job. I can’t get anything done at home with all that intrigue taking place on my TV Screen.

Clapperclaw is a verb that means to claw with fingernails.  Our word of the day combines two words of Old English origin ‘clapper’ and ‘claw.’ Clapperclaw has been with us since the late 16th century. here’s an example of it in use: I really enjoyed last night’s movie, but I have to say it wasn’t terribly realistic — especially the scene where the heroine was able to clapperclaw her way up the side of a steep mountainside. I don’t care how long her nails were, it just didn’t seem plausible to me at all. 

Bewray is a verb that means to betray.  Our word of the day comes from an Old English word that means ‘to accuse.’ When someone is rightly accused of bewraying a friend, it means they’re guilty of treason. Example: When I switched softball teams, there were some pretty bad feelings among my former teammates. I didn’t mean to bewray them, I just felt like it would be fun to win an occasional game. And if that meant betraying my team, so be it.

Nesh is an adjective that means soft and tender.  Our word of the day comes from Old English and has been around for several centuries. In addition to being an adjective, it can also be used as a verb that means to act timidly. Here’s an example of the adjective version: If there’s one thing I love it’s having a nice, nesh cookie for dessert. Taking a big bite into something soft and tender is a perfect way to punctuate a perfect meal. 

Bevel is a verb that means to change to a sloped angle.  Coming from the Old English word for ‘open mouthed’ bevel has been with us since the late 16th century. It’s often used in carpentry, as a noun to refer to a sloped angle or a tool to create such angles. Here’s an example: Rex has a tendency to get sloppy when trying to make angles by hand, so that’s why he uses a bevel. He feels it’s better to get the job done right than try to show off and have the result look bad.

Desipience is a noun that refers to silliness.  The Latin word sapere (suh PAIR ay) means ‘to be wise.’ By adding the prefix D-E for ‘away from,’ we get a word for behavior that is far away from being wise. Here’s an example: It’s embarrassing to consider how much of my youth I wasted on various forms of despience. Being a full-time goof may be more fun than being productive and industrious, but I can say from personal experience, it doesn’t pay very well. 

Cyesis is a noun that refers to pregnancy.   Coming from the Greek word Kuesis (koo ESS es) which means ‘pregnancy’ our word of the day was given birth to in the mid-16th century. Here’s an example of cyesis in use: After nine months of cyesis, Laura couldn’t wait to get back to running again. It felt good to be able to engage in the things that pregnancy had denied her. 

Exuviate is a verb that means to shed or cast out.  Our word of the day comes from the Latin word exuviae (eks SOU vee uh) and refers to the skin of an animal that has been shed. From this, we get exuviate, which refers to anything that has been shed. Here’s an example: Before leaving New Orleans, we had to cast off everything in our car that we didn’t absolutely need. But it turned out that it wasn’t so easy to exuviate everything unnecessary. Getting rid of all those Mardi Gras beads was a really tough pill to swallow. 

Fiat is a noun that refers to a formal authorization or proposition.  The Latin word feiri (fee AIR ee) mean’s ‘be done or made.’ By the Late Middle English period, fiat had become a word to describe a decree by a powerful leader. Example: The principal didn’t care for the new school colors, so he had it changed by fiat. His choice of new colors were several times more atrocious, but no one dared challenge his rule. 

Ferrous is an adjective that means containing or consisting of iron.  The Latin word ferrum (FAIR oom) means ‘iron.’ By the mid 19th century, this word had evolved into our word of the day as it came to describe anything made of iron.  Those farrous bars on my window are intended to scare away any potential intruder. There’s something about the firmness of irons that makes dangerous people take notice. 

Farouche is an adjective that means sullen or shy in company.  The Latin word foras (FOUR as) means ‘outdoors.’ As this word evolved into our word of the day, it came to refer to someone used to living outdoors. This soon referred to someone who was uneasy around others because of their outdoor lifestyle. These days, its meaning is a little simpler. It is a synonym of words like ‘shy’ and ‘introverted.’ Here’s an example: I used to be farouche as a child, but I outgrew some of my introverted ways as I got older and more comfortable around others. 

Wamble is a verb that means to feel nauseous or dizzy.  The Latin word vomare (voe MAR ay) means ‘to vomit.’ From this origin, came our word of the day that refers to all kinds of stomach problems likely to induce vomiting. Here’s an example of wamble in use: As much as I like Carol’s cooking, I have to admit that any more than one helping tends to make me wamble. Any more than two helpings will have me racing from the dinner table in record time with an upset stomach. 

Dandle is a verb that means to bounce on one’s knees or in one’s arms.  The exact origin of our word of the day is unknown, but we know it’s been with us since the mid 16th century and it has a very specific use, meaning it should not be used to refer to bouncing anything on one’s knee except a baby. Here’s an example of dandle in use: I would say it was somewhere around their fiftieth birthday that it was no longer a good idea to dandle my kids on my knee. Not only were they getting bigger by then, but my knees were getting far too tender for such wear and tear. 

Countermand is a verb that means to revoke an order.  Our word of the day combines the Latin prefix C-O-N-T-R-A which means ‘against,’ and the Latin word mandare (man DARE ay) which means ‘to order.’ Countermand dates back to the late Middle English period. Here’s an example: I had previously ordered all employees to be fired if they showed up late, but when it became clear that such an edict would result in the complete eradication of our workplace, I decided to countermand my decree. I guess you could say I had a history of reversing previous orders once I realized they didn’t make sense. 

Febrile is an adjective that means having or showing a great deal of nervous excitement or energy.  Our word of the day comes from the Latin word febris (FAY brees) means ‘fever.’ Our word of the day has been around since the mid 17th century and may be used as a literal reference to a fever or may be used figuratively to mean ‘showing great excitement.’ Example: Tommy’s Febrile demeanor tends to make some people uneasy. But others find themselves falling into a sense of excitement themselves. 

Contravention is a noun that refers to an action that violates a law or treaty.  The Latin prefix C-O-N-T-R-A means ‘against and the Latin word venire (vay NEAR ay) means ‘come.’ A contravention is any violation of rules. Example: After a few contraventions, Harry found himself in so much trouble, he straightened up right away. Getting caught breaking the law has a way of changing people’s behavior. 

Benighted is an adjective that means in a state of intellectual or moral ignorance.  The Old English word benight was a verb that meant ‘to obscure’ or ‘to cover in the darkness of night.’ When something is benighted it is ‘in the dark,’ if you will. Our word of the day is used to describe someone who is ‘in the dark’ in the sense of being ignorant or unaware. Here’s an example: While the rest of us immediately got the joke Rachel told, William remained benighted for hours. Some guys are just destined to be in the dark when it comes to understanding sophisticated humor. 

Judicature is a noun that refers to the authority or jurisdiction of a court of law.  The Latin word judicare (joo duh CAR ay) means ‘to judge.’ It’s given birth to a number of English words like ‘adjudicate, ‘judicious’ and, of course, ‘judge.’ Our word of the day can be used to refer very specifically to a particular court, or to judges in general. Example: The judicature of the state is among the finest in our nation. There simply is no other collection of judges that have the wisdom, the insight and the sense of restraint that ours do. 

Aggiornamento is a noun that refers to the process of modernization or bringing something up to date.  Our word of the day comes from the Italian word aggionare (ah gee oh NARE ay) a verb that means ‘to update.’ Here’s an example of aggiornamento in use: I understand the aggiornamento of those old stadiums from a standpoint of public safety. But it seems to me that there's beauty in an old structure that simply doesn’t survive the modernization process. 

Tousle is a verb that means to make hair messy or untidy.  Derived from German and related to the word ‘tussle,’ our word of the day has been with us since the late Middle English period. Here’s an example: Just before entering the bar, I tousled my hair to make sure I looked appropriately rugged. But the problem is I have so little hair left, I’m not sure anybody would notice a change. 

Unilateral is an adjective that means performed by only one person, group or country.  The Latin word latus (LA toose) means ‘side.’ By adding the prefix U-N-I meaning ‘one, ‘ we get a word that means ‘taking place on only one side.’ Our word of the day is often used in the context of conflict between nations. Here’s an example: Ending the agreement between the countries in a unilateral fashion wasn’t such a good move. When things happen in such a one-sided way, there are often unpleasant repercussions. 

Amerce is a verb that means to punish with a fine.  Coming from Middle English, our word of the day isn’t as commonly used as it had been centuries ago, but it does pop up in some legal contexts. Here’s an example: After pleading guilty, the defendant was amerced. It was hoped that fining him with a crime would deter him from doing the same in the future. 

Amanuensis is a noun that refers to an assistant who takes dictation.  Our word of the day comes from a Latin phrase that refers to ‘a servant at handwriting.’ More recently, an amanuensis is likely to be thought of as a secretary or assistant. Here’s an example of the word in use: After years of being an amanuensis, I was eager to make a career change. All that dictation can get tedious after a while. 

Unremitting is an adjective that means incessant or never relaxing.  The root word of our word of the day is remit, which goes back to the early 20th century and is derived from the Latin word remittere (ree ma TARE ay) which means ‘send back’ or ‘restore.’ An unremitting person refuses to be sent back or to restore anything. Here’s an example: Monica’s unremitting demeanor didn’t always make her popular at the office, but she was a great boss just the same. Sometimes a strong leader has to be someone who just keeps on the attack. 

Wan is an adjective that means pale or light in complexion.  Coming from Old English, our word of the day’s origin is something of a mystery. But we do know it is something of a synonym of words like pallid or ashen. Example: Having a wan complexion can often make people not seem healthy. But in Steve’s case, his pale skin has nothing to do with being ill. He’s just the product of very light-complected people. 

Junoesque is an adjective that means marked by stately beauty.  Dating back to the 19th century, our word of the day combines the Roman Goddess Juno with the suffix E-S-Q-U-E. Here’s an example of Junoesque in use.  At five-ten, Carly could be fairly imposing. If she were any taller or any more stunning, she’d be Junoesque. 

Spiel is a noun that refers to a long or fast speech or story.  Coming from a German word for a game, our word of the day was imported into English in the 19th century and has seen a shift in its meaning. Its current meaning makes it a synonym of ‘speech.’ Here’s an example: The teacher’s spiel about the need to be on time lasted way too long. In fact, by the time he’d finished it, I wound up being ten minutes late. 

Cahoots is a noun that refers to colluding or conspiring together secretly.  The origin of cahoots is unknown, but we know it emerged in the early 19th century and it’s pretty always used in the plural. Example: I quit my job when I discovered that my boss was in cahoots with the company executives. But I might have reacted differently if I’d known that they were secretly conspiring a surprise birthday party for me. 

Dregs is a noun that refers to the remnants of a liquid left in a container.  The origin of our word of the day is unclear, but it seems to have emerged from Scandinavian, then later found its way into Middle English. Dregs may refer to the remnants of a liquid or an undesirable part of society. Either way, it is almost always used in the plural.  I’ve been trying to clean my thermos for a while and for some reason, I just can’t get those dregs off of it. The remnants of all that orange juice can get really gummed in there. 

Techlash is a noun that refers to a backlash against the perceived negative effects of technology on society.  Our word of the day is inspired by the word ‘backlash,’ which means a strong and adverse reaction by a large number of people. In this case, the reaction is to technology, which gets shortened to the prefix T-E-C-H. Example:  I sense a little techlash from people in the last few years. That may explain why people aren’t buying laptops as much as they used to. Perhaps people are just reacting to having too much technology in their lives. 

Jomo is an acronym that means Joy Of Missing Out.  Our word of the day was inspired by another acronym, FOMO, which stood for ‘fear of missing out.’ Within the past decade or so, some folks began to notice that missing out on certain activities brought as much joy as fear. Here’s an example of JOMO in use.  I always thought I’d get excited about joining a bird watching club. But let’s face it, here in the big city, without many birds to watch, I began to feel a little JOMO whenever I missed a meeting. Some things are more joyful to miss than others. 

Upcycle is a verb that means ‘to reuse a product in such a way that elevates its value.’  Using the word ‘up’ as a prefix, our word of the day is a recent word that is closely related to the verb ‘recycle.’ The difference is that upcycling adds value to a recycled product.  I’d love to upcycle my roommate’s old CDs as coasters. Considering how bad some of the music was, using them to place a beverage on would definitely make them more useful. 

Nomophobia is a noun that refers to the fear of being without a cell phone.  Our word of the day is a recent addition to the English language that gets its origin from the words ‘no moble phone’ as well as the Greek suffix P-H-O-B-I-A which refers to an all-consuming fear of. Here’s an example of nomophobia in use: While camping in the woods, I often feel overcome with a sense of nomophobia. But that feeling fades in the middle of a spooky ghost story told around the campfire. At moments like that, the last thing you want is a scary buzz of your iPhone.

Vexillology is a noun that refers to the study of flags.  Dating back to the 1950s, the latin word vexillum (vecks ee LOOM) means ‘flag.’ By adding the suffix L-O-G-Y, which means ‘study of,’ we get our word of the day.  As a kid, I was always a fan of cars, but as I’ve gotten older, I’d say I’ve leaned more toward vexillology as a hobby, if only because flags are a lot less expensive to collect than cars. 

Ebullition is a noun that refers to the action of bubbling or boiling.  The Latin word ebullire (ee boo LEAR ay) means ‘to boil up.’ Our word of the day may be used in the literal sense of referring to water boiling, or it may be used figuratively, to refer to someone’s temper boiling over and exploding. Example: When I told Sandy that she’d parked in the wrong space, I wasn’t expecting an ebullition of rage. I knew she’d be a little unhappy, but I had no idea she had such a violent temper regarding her car. 

Mumpish is an adjective that means Sullen or sulky.  The origin of our word of the day isn’t clear, but we know the word mump has been with us since the 16th century, with the adjective mumpish emerging in the 17th century. Here’s an example of it use: Carl’s mumpish demeanour probably harmed his political career. After all, who wants to vote for somebody who seems moody and sullen all the time. 

Macrosmatic is an adjective that means having a highly developed sense of smell.  Our word of the day comes from a combination of the Greek prefix M-A-C-R-O meaning ‘large,’ and osme (OSS me) meaning ‘smell.’ Originally used to describe animals like bears or dogs, that have a highly developed sense of smell, it has, more recently been used to describe people whose ability to smell is greater than normal. Here’s an example: Me and my trusty bulldog Scout have a lot in common apart from our macrosmatic skills. Not only can we smell a chicken from a long distance away, we both enjoy eating them — although I prefer them cooked. 

Sciamachy is a noun that refers to the act of fighting an imaginary foe.  Coming from Greek, this word fought its way into the English language in the early 17th century. It gets its prefix from the word skia (SKI uh) meaning ‘shadow’ and the rest from makhia (MOCK ee uh) which means ‘fighting.’  Our word of the day may refer to someone taking swings at an imaginary opponent, but it’s most commonly used to describe something called ‘shadow boxing,’ something a boxer does when training alone. Example: All that sciamachy may have kept me in pretty good shape, but it didn’t prepare me very well for an actual bout. It turns out it’s a lot harder to battle a person than a shadow

Echolalia is a noun that refers to the meaningless repetition of another person’s spoken words.  Coming from the late 19th century, our word of the day takes its prefix from the Greek word echo (EK oh) a word used to describe a repetition, and combines that with the Latin word lalia (LA lee uh) meaning ‘speech.’  Originally used to describe a medical condition, echolalia may describe any kind of meaningless repetition of someone else’s words. Here’s an example: The arguments between my kids can get pretty tedious. It’s basically just fifteen minutes of echolalia followed by doors slamming loudly. 

Pantisocracy is a noun that refers to a utopian society in which all are equal.  Coined by an 18th century English poet named Samuel Taylor Coleridge, our word of the day begins with the Greek prefix P-A-N, which means ‘all,’ and ends with I-S-O-C-R-A-C-Y, meaning ‘equal rule.’ Example: Our bowling team was very much a pantisocracy, which annoyed me. You’d think that as the team’s highest scorer, I’d have more voting power than the others when it came to selecting pizza. 

Pogonotomy is a noun that refers to the cutting of a beard.  The Greek word pogon (POE gon) means ‘beard.’ That addition of tome (TOE me) meaning knife, gives us our word of the day, which basically means shaving off a beard. Although often used in a medical context, pogonotomy may be used in an everyday context as well. Example: After years of having a long beard, pogonotomy made me look kind of odd. Maybe shaving off a beard isn’t such a good idea if you have a funny looking face. 

Interpunction is a noun that refers to the insertion of a punctuation mark.  Emerging in the mid 18th century, our word of the day comes from the Latin word punctum (POONK toom) meaning ‘point,’ the same word that gave us ‘punctuate.’ Unlike the verb punctuate, interpunction is a noun that refers to the act of adding punctuation. Here’s an example: I’ve learned that in office memos, it is best to be careful with interpunction. Adding an explanation mark to a sentence can make you sound more angry than you intend to. 

Emolument is a noun that refers to a salary or fee from employment.  Our word of the day comes from a Latin word that referred to payment given to a miller for grinding corn. That explains why the origin of emolument is the Latin word molere (mo LARE ay) which means ‘to grind.’ Here’s an example of emolument in use: After three weeks of putting together a terrific presentation, I was hoping my emoluments would be pretty impressive. But sadly the pay was pretty meager. 

Pinion is a verb that means to cut off the wing of a bird to prevent flight.  Dating back to the 17th century, our word of the day comes from the French word pignon (PEEN yone) which referred to the part of a bird’s wings that make flight possible. Pinion may still be used as a noun to refer to this part of the wing or it can be a verb that means to clip the wing to prevent a bird from flying.  Similarly, our word of the day may be used metaphorically to refer to shackling someone. For example: As a kid in class, I hated not being permitted to use my calculator for math problems. It seemed the teacher was trying to pinion me in my quest for mathematical knowledge. 

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. 

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. 

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.  

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. 

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. 

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.

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. 

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. 

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!

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.’

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.