Word of the Day

Glossophobia is a noun that refers to a fear of public speaking. Our word of the day is comprised of the Greek prefix G-L-O-S-S-O, derived from the word for ‘language.’ And P-H-O-B-I-A, a Greek suffix that refers to fear. Here’s an example of the what they create when combined: Sharon’s glossophobia makes me wonder why she chose to pursue a career in politics in the first place. You’d think someon...

Galimatias is a noun that refers to confused or meaningless talk. Our word of the day has no clear origin, but we can say with certainty that it arrived in English around the mid 17th century and has been used to ridicule silly and ineffective language. Here’s an example of it: The galimatias that appeared in the senator’s speech is typical of what we can expect for the next six years. Nonsense an...

Decussate is a verb that means to intersect or cross. The Latin word decussare (day coo SAR ay) means ‘to divide crosswise.’ This is the origin of our word of the day. Here’s an example of it: Finding the hotel isn’t difficult. You simply have to find the place where all the highways decussate, and once you find this X, you simply get on I-95 and you’re there.

Motility is a noun that refers to movement or the ability to move. The Latin word motus (MOE toos) means ‘motion.’ This word would later evolve into such English words as mobile and motile, the root word of our word of the day. Here’s an example of motility in use: It was feared the patient had lost all ability to move after the accident, but when she demonstrated motility, this was regarded as gr...

Desiccate is a verb that means to make dry. The Latin word siccus (SEE coos) means ‘dry.’ Our word of the day evolved from this word and into its current meaning. When we describe something as desiccated, we describe it as having all moisture removed. ‘Desiccated’ is often used as process performed on foods for the purposes of preservation. The shipment of desiccated coconuts arrived right on time...

In statu nascendi is an adjective that means in the course of being formed or developed. Sometimes written or spoken simply as statu nascendi, our word of the day comes directly from the Latin phrase that translates into ‘in a state of being born.’ Here’s an example of it being used: At that point in time, our company was still in statu nascendi. But after this embryonic stage, we later developed...

Gallionic is an adjective that means marked by indifference or irresponsibility. Gallio was a Roman senator noted for refusing to take action during a dispute. The refusal to take action or the tendency to be indifferent in chaotic times puts you at risk of being labelled gallionic. Here’s an example: I didn’t want my employees to think of me as gallionic, but I didn’t want to get involved in the...

Potentate is a noun that refers to a ruler with absolute power. The key word in our word of the day is potent. When things are potent, they have great power and potentate is a word to describe a ruler with unchecked power. Example: It seemed that Tammy wanted to become a potentate of the office. But having unchecked power made her very difficult to deal with.

Merestone is a noun that refers to a boundary or a limit. Our word of the day comes from Middle English and can be used to describe an actual landmark that denotes territory or it can be used metaphorically. We used the orange outhouse as a merestone to ensure we didn’t travel beyond the point where it was safe. It was a boundary that let us know if we went beyond that spot, we were in danger of c...

Estaminet is a noun that refers to a small cafe. Our word of the day comes directly from French. Estaminet is another word for a small cafe. Cindy and I met at a small cafe outside of the downtown area. I knew she was a sophisticated thinker when she referred to the place as an estaminet.

Brusque is an adjective that means abrupt or curt. The Latin word bruscum (BROOS coom) described a broom used by a butcher. These days when we brush something away quickly and rudely, we are being brusque. Here’s an example: I didn’t mean to be brusque with that salesman, but, living in the arctic circle, we really didn’t need an air conditioner — especially in January. Sometimes you have to be a...

Retrocede is a verb that means to give back territory. Our word of the day combines the prefix R-E-T-R-O, meaning ‘return’ with ‘cede,’ a word of the Latin origin that means ‘to yield’ or ‘give up.’ Simply put, when we retrocede something, we give back what we had acquired. As a kid, I hated when my parents made me retrocede things I got from my big brother. Although I suppose you could say it was...

Accrual is a noun that refers to  the process of accumulating something. The Latin word accrescere (ah CRAY share ay) means ‘increase.’ This evolved into the English word accrue, a word often associated with financial growth. Accrual is frequently — though not always — used in these kinds of contexts. Early in life, Eric made the accrual of wealth his only goal. Now he sees there are far...

Peculate is a verb that means to embezzle. Our word of the day comes from the Latin word peculum (PECK ooh loom) which originally meant ‘cattle,’ but later cam to mean ‘private property.’ Peculate evolved as a word to describe the stealing of one’s private property. Stan never guessed his trusted friend would peculate his money behind his back, but that’s exactly what later happened. It just goes...

Acerbate is a verb that means to make worse. The Latin word acerbus (ah CHAIR bus) means ‘bitter’ or ‘sour.’ When we make something bitter or worsen it, we acerbate it. Here’s an example of acerbate used in proper context: Weather like this tends to acerbate an already awful day. It’s bad enough that our softball team is horrible, but on top of that, today’s game gets cancelled.

Synecdoche is a noun that refers to a figure of speech by which a part is used for the whole. Our word of the day is derived from a variety of Greek phrases that roughly translate to ‘take up together.’ Here’s an example of it in use: I told my co-workers that I needed new wheels and they thought I simply needed the wheels replaced on my car. They didn’t understand that ‘wheels’ was often used to...

Metonym is a noun that refers to a metaphoric substitute. The Greek word metonumia (MET oh me ah) means ‘change of name.’ Another way to think of a metonym is to think of it as a substitute word. For example, when we use the term ‘Washington DC’ to refer to the federal government, we are using a substitute — or a metonym. Here’s an example: I think I confused my family when I told them my business...

Elision is a noun that refers to an omission of a passage in a book, speech or film. Frequently used in reference to books or other literary material, our word of the day comes from the Latin word elidere (el ee DARE ay) which means ‘crush out.’ The elision of my favorite passage from a Charles Dickens novel annoyed me a great deal. I don’t think it’s a great idea to tamper with great works o...

Testator is a noun that refers to a person who leaves a will. Our word of the day is mostly used in legal contexts and is derived from the Latin word testari (Tess TAR ee) for ‘testify.’ Simply put, a testator is the person leaving their last will and testament. The work of a lawyer can be heartbreaking at times. On one occasion, I had to explain to a testator that no matter how much she loved her...

Catalyze is a verb that means to bring about or inspire. Our word of the day’s origin is in the realm of chemistry. The Greek word katalysis (ka TAL us sis) means ‘dissolution,’ and when the word evolved into the English word ‘catalyst,’ it has been used mostly to refer to a process performed in a chemistry lab. But catalyze can also be used outside of a scientific context to simply mean ‘inspire’...

Abessive is an adjective that means indicating an absence. Our word of the day is derived from the Latin word abesse (ah BESS ee), which means ‘missing.’ Abessive can be used to describe anything absent. Here’s an example: I’d say the abessive leadership in our office was a key reason for the ineptitude of our department. Without a strong and competent manager, it’s hard to get things done. This i...

Canicular is an adjective that means related to the dog days. The Latin word Canis (CON eese) means ‘dog.’ The period between early July and early September came to be known as the ‘dog days’ for reasons that have nothing to do with the weather of that period or with the way dogs feel about those months. Instead, the name ‘dog days’ became associated with that time frame because that time of year...

Torrential is an adjective that means falling in rushing or violent streams. The word torrent comes directly from Latin and it means ‘boiling’ or ‘roaring.’ Our word of the day modifies this word into an adjective to describe things that boil or roar — often from the sky. The torrential rains on the field caused so much damage we had to delay the game for weeks. These kinds of violent storms are a...

Cynegetic is an adjective that means related to hunting. Our word of the day is derived from the Greek word for dog, which has indirectly led us to its present meaning of ‘related to hunting.’ Here’s an example of cynegetic in use: It’s often said that there’s a cynegetic element to archeology. They are, after all, hunting for information and artifacts. It’s just that the prey they are stalking di...

Abnegate is a verb that means to deny or renounce. The Latin word Abnegare (ob nay GAR ay) means deny. Our word of the day was imported into English in the early 17th century and has retained this same basic meaning. Abnegate is often , but not always, used in a religious context. Here’s an example of its use: When he decided to run for office, Jamie thought he should abnegate his controversial vi...