Word of the Day

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 tourna...

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...

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 t...

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 brachi...

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...

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 prep...

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...

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 so...

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...

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, b...

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 skill...

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...

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 o...

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 b...

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 onl...

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...

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 d...

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...