Word of the Day

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...

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 othe...

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 wou...

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...

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 di...

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, sumptuar...

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...

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 rou...

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...

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 th...

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 politi...

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 th...

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 remai...

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 pr...

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 pow...

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,...

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 seve...

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.