Word of the Day

Hortatory is an adjective that means ‘tending to exhort.’ Coming from the Latin word hortari (hor TAR ay) which means ‘to exhort’ or ‘strongly encourage,’ hortatory is often used in a religious context to refer to someone delivering a sermon. When a message is conveyed in a way that is similar to a sermon, we can call it hortatory. Ryan’s hortatory speech about the Federal Reserve made me want to...

Esurient is an adjective that means ‘hungry’ or ‘greedy.’ The Latin word esurire (ess oo EAR ay) means ‘to hunger.’ After evolving into our word of the day, its meaning has shifted a little and esurient is usually used metaphorically to refer to ‘greed.’ For example: Brad’s esurient approach to life has often led to some unscrupulous behavior. He proves that greed can often be a gateway to prison.

Telos is a noun that refers to an ultimate goal or aim. Our word of the day comes directly from a Greek word that translates to ‘the ultimate end.’ Harlan was only working in our office as a way to gain experience to start a business that later became our competition. We may not have agreed with his telos, but we were glad to have him with us for a few years.

Generative is an adjective that means ‘able to produce.’ Our word of the day is derived from the Latin word generare (jen air ARE ay) which means ‘to beget’ or ‘to generate.’ If something can be described as generative, it produces or creates something. I wasn’t aware of the generative powers of our company until I watched things grow over time. It’s a gratifying feeling to know you’re a part of s...

Prefigure is a verb that means ‘to be an early indication of something.’ The Latin word figurare (fee goo ARE ay) means ‘to typify.’ By adding the prefix P-R-E, we get something that means ‘to typify or embody in advance.’ An example of our word of the day in use is: Robin’s poor performance on the test seemed to prefigure her inability to keep up with others. She also couldn’t keep up with others...

Proxemics is a noun that refers to the study of the space people need to put between each other in order to function. The Latin word Proximus (PROX ee moose) means ‘nearest.’ This has given birth to words like ‘approximate’ and ‘proximity.’ Our word of the day is related to these words, but it refers to a more formal study. An example of its use is: I didn’t understand all the crowding that existe...

Stewardship is a noun that refers to the responsible overseeing of something. Steward — a word of Old English origin — refers to someone responsible for managing or taking care of something. Our word of the day is a broader term that refers to the act of being a steward. My only responsibility as the manager of the parking lots is to make sure it doesn’t get invaded by bears. I’m proud t...

Inflorescence is a noun that refers to a flowering or blooming. Our word of the day comes directly from Latin where it means ‘to begin to bloom.’ The inflorescence of those daisies in my yard seemed to bring a smile to everyone who visited me. There’s something about blooming flowers that just makes people happy.

Jury-rig is a verb that means to construct in a makeshift manner. Our word of the day has its orin in Middle English where it means ‘to improvise.’ When we jury-rig something we create it or ‘rig’ it on the spot with no plan of action. An example of its use is: When camping in the woods, we had to improvise a way to carry everything to the car, so we wrapped everything up in the tent. Using y...

Typification is a noun that refers to a representative of. The Latin word typus (TEA poos) means ‘type.’ When we say something typifies something, we mean it embodies it or serves as an example of its type. So the typification of something is the best example of it. I found that Ron’s tantrum after the game was the typification of his rants. Like all of his rants, they started out serious and woun...

Recension is a noun that refers to a revised edition of a text. Our word of the day has evolved from the Latin word censere (CHEN sair ay) which means ‘to censer.’ A recension of someone’s writing is basically a revision that censors the origin in some way. Example: The book that was published was a recension that omitted the basketball scenes. I resisted this because the movie was mainly abo...

Quidnunc is a noun that refers to a person who gossips or a busybody. Our word of the day comes directly from the Latin phrase ‘quid nunc’ (KWEED NOONK) which translates to ‘what’s new.’ A quidnunc is someone who very much wants to know what’s new at all times — especially as it pertains to juicy gossip. I had no idea Veronica was such a quidnunc when I moved into the neighborhood. Before I had ev...

Scilicet is an adverb that means namely or ‘specifically.’ Our word of the day combines two Latin words. There’s scire (SHEER ay) which means ‘to know’ and ‘licet’ (LEECH et) for ‘it is permitted.’ Together they get a word that basically means ‘specifically’ or ‘namely.’ For example: My son’s problem was that he was hanging out with the wrong crowd, scilicet those guys Corey and Hank. Those a...

Votive is an adjective that means done to fulfill a vow or promise. It can also be used as a noun that refers to a short candle used in a religious ceremony. Our word of the day comes from the Latin word votum (VOE tomb) which means ‘vow.’ It is often used in a religious context. For example: After he’d been shunned by the community, Gary made a votive prayer. He vowed he would never again ro...

Plaudit is a noun that refers to praise or approval. Our word of the day comes directly from a Latin word meaning ‘applause’ or ‘claps.’ In recent years, the word is more likely to be used metaphorically and not in a reference to actual clapping. For example: I didn’t expect to get non-stop plaudits from the critics for my novel, but I’m happy I did. That kind of praise is alway deeply encouraging...

Singularity is a noun that refers to a hypothesized era when machines merge with humanity. Coming from the Latin singulus (SEEN goo loose) our word of the day is often used simply to mean ‘a separate unit,’ but in the world of science and science fiction, it has a different meaning. It refers to the idea that humanity and machines will merge and become a single entity. That book discussing the sin...

Ennoble is a verb that means to elevate. The Latin word nobilis (NO bee lease) means ‘high born.’ This gave birth to the English word ‘noble.’ When we ennoble someone or something, we make them or it ‘noble’ in some sense, meaning we elevate it to a higher status. For example: That was the most brilliant novel I’ve ever read. Making it required reading is the best way to ennoble any classroom.

Vox populi is a noun that refers to the popular opinion. Our word of the day comes from Latin and its literal translation is ‘the people’s voice.’ It can be used in a political setting or in an everyday manner such as: After our band’s first performance, everybody hated us. So we made this our last performance. As artists, we’ve always believed in following the vox populi.

Discomfiture is a noun that refers to awkwardness or unease. Coming from Old French, our word of the day is often used as a synonym of words like ‘distress,’ or ‘embarrassment.’ An example is: The sense of discomfiture my dad felt while visiting school was palpable. But looking back, I understand his unease. I would have felt just as uncomfortable wearing those outdated clothes.

Slugabed is a noun that refers to a lazy person who stays in bed late. The word slug is often used to describe lazy or unmotivated people. Our word of the day combines this word with ‘bed’ to get to a word more specific in its use: For example: James was such a slugabed that he often said his ideal job was one where he could wake up at noon, then get back to sleep an hour later. That’s what I call...

Ductile is an adjective that means flexible. The Latin word ducere (DOO chair ay) means ‘lead’ — as in the metal. Our word of the day is often used by metalworkers to describe a substance that can be reformed. But ductile can also be also be used metaphorically to describe things other than metal. For example: At first I didn’t realize how ductile our computer system was. If I had known the system...

Sojourn is a noun that refers to a temporary stay. It is also a verb that means to temporarily stay somewhere. Our word of the day once referred to being under a particular rule for a day. It combines the Latin prefix S-U-B (meaning ‘under’) with the Latin word diurnum (dee YOOR noom) meaning ‘day.’ Over time the meaning has shifted slightly to mean ‘a daily or short stay.’ After my sojourn to Ita...

Whinge is a verb that means to whine or complain. It can also be used as a noun that refers to the act of complaining. Coming from Old English, our word of the day is a synonym of words like ‘whine,’ ‘grumble’ or ‘gripe.’ Here’s an example of it in use: My job at the rattlesnake farm can be laborious and at time, dangerous, but I won’t whinge about my employment today. I’m sure all of the peo...

Denude is a verb that means to strip of possessions. The Latin word nudus (NEW doos) means ‘naked’ or ‘nude.’ To denude something or someone is to strip them — but not necessarily of clothes. The word is frequently used to describe the process of stripping someone of property or possessions. For example: When I went bankrupt, I lost everything. It’s horrific that they could denude me of my home an...

Curative is an adjective that means able to remedy a condition and a noun that refers to something that remedies a condition. The Latin word curare (coo RAHR ay) means ‘care’ or ‘cure.’ The word has evolved into English to mean ‘relating to cures.’ Our word of the day is generally used to described things used to cure ailments. For example: I enjoyed the hot dogs the guys in my frat house made for...