Word of the Day

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 sto...

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 lo...

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 peopl...

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....

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...

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...

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 year...

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 th...

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 a...

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...

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 th...

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 pr...

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 ha...

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...

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...

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 ev...

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 pro...

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 evenin...

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...