Word of the Day

Witling is a noun that refers to a person who pretends to be witty. Our word of the day is related to the word wit, which has its basis in Old English. Referring to someone as a witling is generally considered an insult. I liked Chris, but he could be a witling at times. His history of using big words without being certain of their meanings was often embarrassing.

Adminicle is a noun that refers to support or aid. The latin word adminiculum (ad mee nee COO loom) means support. Adminicle shares its origin with other English words like administer and administration. Here’s an example: We needed Henry’s adminicle for this project. Without his support, we would have been doomed.

Vulgate is a noun that refers to a commonly recognized text. The Latin word vuglus (VOOL goose) means ‘common people’ or ‘crowd.’ As vulgate was imported into the English language, it soon came to refer to speech known to the common people. Ross was a well educated guy and he spoke in a very erudite way. He didn’t waste his time with the vulgate of the common people.

Cobby is an adjective that means short and stocky. The origin of our word of the day is unknown, but the word is often used to describe animals as well as humans that are thick and stocky in build. Here’s an example of cobby in use: That cobby little puppy stole my heart at the pound. Two years later I’m still taking care of that adorable dog and still paying for his enormous appetite.

Canter is a verb that means to move in a steady gait. Our word of the day originated in the early 18th century as an abbreviation for the phrase Canterbury pace from the supposed easy pace of medieval pilgrims on the way to the city of Canterbury. More recently it can be a noun referring to a horse that is somewhere between a trot and a gallop, or it can be a verb that means to walk at an easy pac...

Limbic is an adjective that means related to the system of the brain that is governed by emotions and mood. The Latin word limbus (LIM boose) mean’s ‘edge’ and the limbic system of the brain involves several areas near the edge of the cortex concerned with instinct or mood. Here’s an example of limbic in use: All my years in political speechwriting has taught me that most people’s reaction to poli...

Nodus is a noun that refers to a problem or difficulty. Our word of the day comes directly from the Latin word for ‘knot.’ When a problem becomes knotty or difficult to unravel, it has become a nodus. Here’s an example: My inability to play the trumpet well created a nodus in the marching band, but we found a way around this difficulty by having me simply pretend to be playing.

Coeval is a noun that refers to a person or roughly the same age as oneself. The Latin prefix C-O means ‘jointly,’ while the Latin word aevum (EYE voom) means ‘age.’ A person’s coeval is a person of the same generation. Here’s an example of the word in use: As a teenager, I expected my parents to object to my taste in music, but it shocked me when a coeval like Mindy thought the music I enjoyed wa...

Jurisprudence is a noun that refers to a legal system. Our word of the day’s Latin prefix J-U-R refers to ‘law.’ While the Latin word prudentia (proo DENSE ee uh) means ‘knowledge.’ Jurisprudence generally refers to a legal system, but it may also refer to a theory or philosophy of law. My victory in the lawsuit represents a great day for our nation’s jurisprudence. I’m glad we have a legal system...

Anaphora is a noun that refers to the repetition of a word or phrase. Coming from Greek, anaphora is a form of repetition used as a rhetorical device. Here’s an example of anaphora in use: Our old football coach used a lot of anaphora in his speeches. He’d say things like: We will win because we are strong. We will win because we are smart. And we will win because we are resourceful. As much as we...

Junketeer is a noun that refers to a person who regularly goes on trips at another’s expense. The root word of junketeer is junket, a word of Middle English origin. A junket is a trip at the expense of others. A junketer is someone who routinely takes these trips. Example: After all those years as a traveling journalist, Carl had gotten used the life of a junketeer. So much so that these days he r...

Foofaraw is a noun that refers to a great deal of fuss given to a minor matter. The precise origin of our word of the day is a mystery, but we know the word came out of the American west and is mostly used in an informal manner. Here’s an example: The foofaraw over Elaine’s new dress seemed excessive to me. I mean, I don’t recall any big fuss when I showed up one day wearing a brand new pair of so...

Irrupt is a verb that means to enter forcibly or suddenly. Our word of the day comes directly from the Latin word for ‘broken into.’ When we irrupt into something, we break into it — usually with force. We were lucky that security didn’t irrupt into the office while we were playing cards. Having somebody break into the room as we were engaging in illegal gambling would have been a problem.

Facultative is an adjective that means related to the granting of permission. The French word faculte (fa COOLT) refers to a physical or mental power. When the word facultative is used, it is to describe a situation of granting someone power to do something. Here’s an example: James gave the film crew permission to shoot their film in the office, but I didn’t know he had that kind of facultative a...

Bafflegab is a noun that refers to incomprehensible language. Our word of the day is a fairly recent addition to the English language and its origin is uncertain. It is used in a context that is almost never complimentary. Here’s an example of bafflegab in use: All the bafflegab coming out of the office workers was meant to confuse me. When it comes to using incomprehensible language, nobody does...

Today’s word of the day is rubiginous. It’s spelled R-U-B-I-G-I-N-O-U-S. Rubiginous is an adjective that means rust-colored. The Latin word rubigo (ROO bee go) means ‘rust.’ Our word of the day can refer to actual rust or something that simply has the same color. Example: The rubiginous color of those berries we picked was lovely. Unfortunately, it turned out the berries didn’t just look like rust...

Submontane is an adjective that means at or near the base of a mountain. Our word of the day combines the Latin prefix S-U-B, meaning ‘under’ or ‘beneath’ with the Latin word mons, meaning ‘mountain.’ The submontane view at the seat of mount Felix isn’t as gorgeous as the view from the top of the mountain, but it sure is a lot safer.

Prorogue is a verb that means to delay or postpone. The latin word prorogare (pro ro GARE ay) means ‘to prolong or extend.’ When a deadline or date gets extended, it has been prorogued. Here’s an example: The studio musicians are trying to prorogue the recording once again. This is bad news, because if the recording gets delayed anymore, we’ll have to pay them overtime. I’m beginning to get the fe...

Rubicund is an adjective that means having a red complexion. The Latin word rubere (roo BEAR ay) means ‘be red.’ Our word of the day is often used to describe someone’s complexion, as in: Shelly began to blush when we looked at all those high school pictures of her. Seeing all those awful hairstyles is worth it just to watch her face go all rubicund.

Nabob is a noun that refers to a person of great wealth. Coming from Urdu, our word of the day was originally used to refer to a high-ranking official of the Mogul empire. After being imported into English, it came to refer more generally to anyone with great wealth. Example: All those nabobs in their expensive suits may not be the most enjoyable guys to wait on. But it’s worth putting up with the...

Hypnagogia is a noun that refers to the state immediately before falling asleep. The Greek prefix H-Y-P-N-A means ‘sleep,’ as in hypnosis. And Agogos (ah GO gose) means ‘leading.’ Our word of the day describes that period where you are being lead to sleep. Here’s an example of hypnogogia in use: That period of hypnagogia is a great time for songwriting. The images and sounds that come to mind are...

Exoplanet is a noun that refers to a planet that orbits outside the solar system. Our word of the day combines the common English word ‘planet’ with the Greek prefix E-X-O, which means ‘outside.’ An exoplanet, in addition to being outside of our solar system, is usually also outside of our awareness. Sometimes I enjoy gazing into the stars and wondering what kinds of exoplanets are out there. In p...

Snuggery is a noun that refers to a cozy or comfortable place. Derived from the German word ‘snug,’ meaning ‘comfortable,’ our word of the day can describe just about any location — depending on how comfortable it makes you. Here’s an example of the word in use: My little snuggery in the basement was a great place to escape when things got loud and chaotic upstairs — especially when my big brother...

Eventide is a noun that refers to the end of the day. Coming from Old English, our word of the day is a very literary way to say ‘evening.’ You might see the word in a poem or a love letter. Here’s an example: The sun has set and the eventide is upon us, my darling. It is now time to dine.  Have you put the frozen pizzas in the oven yet?

Magniloquence is a noun that refers to use of high-flown language. In Latin, the word Magnus (MAG nus)  means ‘great,’ while the word loqui (LOW kwi) — also from Latin — means ‘speak.’ It’s responsible for words like eloquence. To speak in a ‘great’ or over-the-top manner is to speak with magniloquence. Mr. Sanderson’s magniloquence made him seem bright and well-accomplished, but behind all t...