Word of the Day

Prelusive is an adjective that means ‘introductory.’  The prefix P-R-E means before. If something is preslusive. If something is prelulusive it relates to a prelude or an introduction. Here’s an example of prelusive in use: The mayor’s prelusive statements suggested he’d be answering questions related to his current scandal. But his early remarks were the only time he addressed his recent troubles...

Daphnean is an adjective that means shy or bashful.  Taking its name from a beautiful but demure muse, Daphnean has been around since the Late Middle English period to describe anyone who embodies the qualities of this mythical figure. Example: That librarian was awfully Daphnean when I first met her. She was so shy and retiring that after knowing her for three weeks, I still don’t know her name. 

Postcenal is an adjective that means ‘occurring after dinner.’  The prefix P-O-S-T means ‘after,’ while the Latin word for dinner is cena (KEN uh). Together we get our word of the day which refers to activities taking place after dinner. Here’s an example of postcenal in use: The postcenal political arguments at our dinner table could get pretty heated. It’s probably just as well that we saved tho...

Chirk is a verb that means to make cheerful or lively. Our word of the day was born in the Middle English period as a sound made to cheer people up. It’s been a part of English language ever since. Here’s an example of chirk in use: The sound of the ice cream man’s music chirked in the early afternoon air. It brought a smile to my face because it evoked childhood memories of chasing down the ice c...

Precariat is a noun that refers to someone whose employment and income are considered unstable.  Our word of the day came around in the 1980s as a blend of the words ‘precarious,’ meaning ‘insecure’ or ‘likely to collapse’ and ‘proletariate’ meaning ‘a member of the working class.’ As with proletariat, our word of the day is often used to describe the precariat collectively. Here’s an example: Bac...

Chanteuse is a noun that refers to a female singer, especially in a nightclub. The French word for ‘sing’ is chanter (SHAWN tay). Our word of the day has been used by English speakers since roughly the mid-20th century. Here’s an example: That chanteuse at the downtown jazz club is one great vocalist. The last time I heard a singer that gifted, she became a star.

Pleroma is a noun that refers to a state of perfect fullness.  Coming directly from the Greek word that translates into ‘that which fills,’ pleroma has been with us since the mid-18th century. It may be used in a religious context or in a more secular sense, for example: That glass of lemonade wasn’t just good. It was perfection itself. I would even go so far as to say it helped me reach a state o...

Caliban is a noun that refers to a man having a savage, beastly nature.  Derived from a character of the same name in the Shakespeare play ‘The Tempest,’ known for his rebellious and volatile nature, Caliban is often used to describe individuals of such a temperament. Example: That Caliban behind the counter at the hot dog stand refused to give me extra mustard unless I paid an additional dollar....

Calenture is a noun that refers to a fever or illness brought on by heat.  The Latin word calere means ‘be warm.’ By the late 16th century, our word of the day had begun being employed to describe a fever often caught by sailors in the tropics. More recently, it’s been used to describe any kind of feverish delirium caused by heated temperatures. Example: After one week, the Bahamas, I found myself...

Fastidious is an adjective that means very attentive and concerned about accuracy.  Coming from the Middle English period, our word of the day gets its origin from the Latin word fastidiosus (foss tee dee OH soose) which initially meant ‘disagreeable.’ By the late 17th century, the word shifted into fastidious and took on its current meaning. Here it is in use: I can be pretty fastidious when it c...

Nomenclature is a noun that refers to the devising or choosing of names for things.  Our word of the day comes from two Latin words. ‘nomen’ (KNOW men) which means ‘name,’ and clatura (claw TOUR ah) meaning ‘to call.’ Nomenclature has been used since the early 17th century to refer to the act of choosing a name.  Cindy’s Nomenclature when it comes to naming her menagerie of pets can get pretty sil...

Twee is an adjective that means ‘excessively quaint or dainty.  Our word of the day’s origin is from a child’s pronunciation of the word ‘sweet.’ It’s been used since the early 20th century to describe things that are a little too adorable. Here’s an example: I know everybody’s crazy about that new show on Netflix, but I find it a little bit twee for my tastes. If it got any more full of sweetness...

Sitzkrieg is a noun that refers to a war or phase of war in which there is little or no active warfare.  Our word of the day was based on the German-based word blitzkrieg. It was first coined to describe an intense bombing during World War Two and has since been used to describe any intense bombing intended to bring about a swift victory. But while blitzkrieg meant ‘lighting war,’ sitzkrieg means...

Transmarine is an adjective that means passing over or crossing the sea.  The Latin prefix TRANS means ‘across.’ We see it in words like ‘transatlantic’ or ‘transfer.’ Marine comes from the Latin word for ‘of the sea.’ It’s often used to describe sea animals, for example: Those transmarine turtles sure do travel fast. It only takes them a few hours to reach the other side of the Lake we fish on. 

Temerarious is an adjective that means ‘reckless or rash.’ Our word of the day comes directly from the Latin word for ‘rashly.’ It’s been around since the mid-16th century. Here’s an example of it in use: As a kid, my temerarious behavior was a problem from time to time. Throwing a tantrum because you didn’t get what you wanted was, in my house, the best way to get grounded for a week.

Discompose is a verb that means to disturb or agitate from a calm state.  Compose is a Latin-based word that’s been around since the late Middle English period and it  means ’to order or arrange.’ When we add the prefix D-I-S to it, we get our word of the day, which means to remove or disturb that order. Here’s an example: Things were going well at the party until those hoodlums came in to discomp...

Balter is a verb that means to dance or move clumsily.  Our word of the day comes from Old English and has been around since the 16th century. Here’s an example of balter in use: Watching my dad balter around the living room when he hears his favorite song can be embarrassing. But let’s be honest, I’ve been known to dance around like a dork myself on occasion. 

Astrogate is a verb that means to guide a rocket or ship through space.  The Greek prefix A-S-T-R-O means ‘star.’ It’s used by English speakers in words like ‘astrology’ and ‘astronaut,’ to describe things related to the stars or outer space. Our word of the day combines astro with the suffix GATE which is often used to describe any kind of travel, as in ‘navigate’ or ‘congregate.’ Here’s an examp...

Babylonic is an adjective that means tumultuous.  Babylon was an ancient city in Mesopotamia and was noted for its great luxury as well as its corruption. Since the mid-20th century, the adjective babylonic has been used to describe an environment that resembles Ancient Babylon. Here’s an example: I enjoyed working at the post office but found the place babylonic. There was air conditioning, snack...

Argonaut is a noun that refers to an adventurer on a quest.  Fans of Greek Mythology may be familiar with the Argonauts, a group of heroes who accompanied Jason on board the ship Argo in the quest for the Golden Fleece. But since the 17th century, the word Argonaut has been used more broadly by English speakers to describe anyone engaged in an adventurous quest, for example: Those Argonauts in the...

Animalcule is a noun that refers to a microscopic animal, nearly or completely invisible to the naked eye.  The Latin word ‘animalculum’ (ahn ee MAL kyoo loom) means ‘little animal.’ Since the 17th century, the word has been used — mostly in a scientific context — to describe animals too small to be seen without the aid of a microscope. Here’s an example: The discovery of an anmalcule in the patie...

Pierian is an adjective that means related to the arts.  Our word of the day gets its name from a region in ancient Macedonia known as the Perian mountains. In this mythical place, the Muses were said to bestow people with artistic ability and inspiration. Since the 16th century, Pierian has been used to describe anything of an artistic nature.  My son’s pierian tendencies haven’t served him well...

Anomalistics is a noun that refers to the use of scientific methods to try and find a rational explanation for seemingly unusual phenomena.  An anomaly refers to something that deviates from the norm. Its origin is the Greek word anomilos (ah NO me losse) which means ‘against the laws or norms.’ A study of something abnormal to understand it is called anomalistics. Example: Even after years of ano...

Anhedonia is a noun that refers to the inability to feel pleasure. Our word of the day comes directly from the Greek word for ‘without pleasure.’ Anhedonia may be used in a clinical sense to describe a psychiatric condition or it may be used informally, for example: My loss in the ping-pong tournament last week left me in a state of anhedonia for two or three days. Even apple pie didn’t give me pl...

Infodemic is a noun that refers to a glut of useless information.  Our word of the day has only been around for a few short years, but it combines to words ‘information’ and ‘epidemic’ that have been around much longer. Information is Latin in origin and refers to ‘facts provided or learned about something or someone.’ Epidemic comes from Greek and means ‘upon the people.’ When lousy information i...