Word of the Day

Rectitude is a noun that means morally correct behavior or thinking. The Latin word rectus (RECK toos) means straight or direct. From this we get our word of the day which is often used in a high-brow setting. The Lord and Lady’s rectitude is admired across the land. Their conduct is above reproach. Rectitude is spelled R-E-C-T-I-T-U-D-E.

Parry is a a verb that means to ward off or evade.  Our word of the day comes from Latin. The word parare (puh RAH ray) means ‘to ward off or defend.’ It’s a good word to use to describe someone in a fight — whether the fight is physical or verbal.  I tried to slip under Gerry’s guard with my sword. But he was fast enough to parry my blow. Once again, parry is spelled P-A-R-R-Y. 

Hagridden is an adjective that means tormented by anxiety or stress.  From Old Norse, the word hexe (HECKS uh) means witch. It’s also a distant cousin of the word ‘hag.’ Combine this with ridden and you get an adjective — hagridden — that means tormented by stress or anxiety, as if haunted by a witch.  Doris was hagridden by all the paperwork needed to make the new sale. She felt like a...

Anodyne is a noun that means something that relieves distress or pain.  The Greek word adodunos (ah no DOO noss) meaning ‘free from pain’ morphed over time, into anodyne, something that relieves stress or pain. It may refer literally to a medicine of some kind or more figuratively, to something that is a source of relaxation.  At first, Marnie found the Crickets outside to be an annoyanc...

Paramnesia is a noun that means a confusion of fact and fantasy.  Paramnesia is a combination of a Greek word you’re probably already familiar with — Amnesia, meaning ‘loss of memory’ and the prefix ‘para’ which can mean a number of things depending on its context. In this case it means ‘against’ as in ‘against reality.’ Think of the word paranormal as a paramnesia’s second cousin.  Afte...

"Alexa, open Volley FM" Today’s word of the day is mondegreen. It’s spelled M-O-N-D-E-G-R-E-E-N.  Mondegreen is a noun that means a misheard or misunderstood phrase.  The word mondegreen was born with a 17th century poem called ‘The Bonnie Earl o’ Moray.’ It contains two lines that read: They have slain the Earl o’ Moray And Lady Mondegreen. When the last line was mistakenly heard as ‘An...

"Alexa, open Volley FM" Today’s word of the day is comportment, C-O-M-P-O-R-T-M-E-N-T. Comportment is a noun that means carriage or bearing. Our word of the day comes directly from the French. It means something similar to — but not exactly the same as behavior. Behavior is all about what you do, but comportment is a more subtle concept that refers to the way you carry yourself.  The most rec...

"Alexa, open Volley FM" Today’s word of the day is treacle. It’s spelled T-R-E-A-C-L-E. Treacle is a noun that means sentimentality or flattery. The Latin word Theriaca (TER ee ah ca) referred to an antidote or cure, and as time went on, the word’s meaning shifted to refer to a thick, sugary liquid. When used to describe a work of art, it’s pretty much never meant as a compliment.  Falling in...

"Alexa, open Volley FM" Today’s word of the day is valorous, V-A-L-O-R-O-U-S. Valorous is an adjective that means brave.  The Latin word valor (val OR) means ‘to be strong.’ From that we get our word of the day. But be warned, this is a word that historically referred to warriors in battle. It’s not to be used lightly. I laughed when I heard Richard describe himself as valorous. It seems to m...

Today’s word of the day is rutilant (ROO ti lant)  R-U-T-I-L-A-N-T. Rutilant is an adjective than means glowing or glittering.  Rutilus (ROO tee loose) is Latin for ‘reddish.’ Something described as rutilant is usually a glowing reddish color, for example: the campfire gives off a rutilant glare at night. That reddish tint against the pitch black sky is just stunning. Once again, rutilan...

Today’s word of the day is polychromatic, P-O-L-Y-C-H-R-O-M-A-T-I-C. Polychromatic is an adjective that means multicolored.  The Greek word polykhromos (poe lee CRO mose) combines the words for ‘many’ and ‘colors.’ Rhonda’s new polychromatic hairstyle caught me off-guard. She always seemed too conservative for something like that. Polychromatic is spelled P-O-L-Y-C-H-R-O-M-A-T-I-C. 

Today’s word of the day is voluptuary, V-O-L-U-P-T-U-A-R-Y. Voluptuary is a noun that refers to a person devoted to a life of luxury and pleasure.  The Latin word voluptus (vo LOOP toos) means ‘pleasure.’ From that we get voluptuary, a person who is deeply devoted to pleasure. After winning the lottery, Erica became something of a voluptuary. Her entire life seems to revolve around bathing he...

Today’s word of the day is rococo, R-O-C-O-C-O. Rococo is an adjective that means ornate.  Coming from the Latin word roca (RO ca) meaning ‘stone,’ rococo originally referred to a specific style of architecture. People would later use the word to describe musical passages or writing that was elaborate or ornate. It may also be used to describe more mundane things, such as: Alan’s doodling is...

Today’s word of the day is estival, E-S-T-I-V-A-L. Estival is an adjective that means belonging to or pertaining to summer.  Don’t be fooled by our word of the day’s similarity to ‘festival.’ Estival, although closely related to festival, actual derives from The Latin word aestivalis (ah ESS ti val ees) which means ‘heat’ or ‘summer.’  Donna takes an estival road trip once a year. She’s...

Today’s word of the day is shivoo (SHI voo) S-H-I-V-O-O. Shivoo is a noun that means a party or celebration.  Shivoo is an old 19th century word of unknown origin. Its best used describe an informal gathering. If you’re wearing a tuxedo to go there, it’s not a shivoo.  Andy, can I borrow those funky sunglasses of yours? I bet they’ll be a big hit at tonight’s shivoo.  Shivoo is spel...

Today’s word of the day is Pliskie, P-L-I-S-K-I-E. Pliskie is a noun that means a mischievous trick.  The origin of pliskie is unknown, but we do know it’s commonly used to describe a practical joke of some kind.  I don’t understand why Corey was so upset with out little Pliskie. Maybe he’s just one of those guys who can’t take a joke.  Once again, Pliskie is spelled P-L-I-S-K-Y.

Today’s word of the day is fusty, F-U-S-T-Y. Fusty is an adjective than means old-fashioned or out-of-date. Fusty comes from an Old French word Fuste (fyoost) which meant “smelling of the cask.” A cask was a wooden case that would decay over time. Today Fusty can be used literally to mean something that smells stale. Or it can be used metaphorically to mean something that is old-fashioned.  Y...

Today’s word of the day is dekko, D-E-K-K-O. Dekko is a noun that means a quick look or glance.  Dekko has its origin in the Hindi word, Dekho (DE ko) that means ‘a look.’ It’s an informal word best used in contexts like: After quick dekko around, I decided that Sammy’s Burgers would be a nice place to get some food. I could tell right away, it was clean and quiet. The spelling of dekko is D-...

Today's word of the day is funambulism, F-U-N-A-M-B-U-L-I-S-M. Funambulism is a noun that means tightrope walking or a display of mental agility. Tightrope walking was a highly popular spectacle in ancient Rome. So it's no surprise that the language generally spoken by the Romans, Latin, would give us the word for this act of daring. Funis (FOO nis) is Latin for rope, and ambulare (am byoo LAHR ay...

Today's word of the day is supererogation. It's spelled S-U-P-E-R-E-R-O-G-A-T-I-O-N. Supererogation is a noun that means the act of performing more than is required. The Latin prefix 'super' means 'over and above,' but the second section of our word of the day is a little more complicated. Erogare (air oh GAHR ay) also Latin, originally meant 'to expand public funds after asking the consent of the...

Today's word of the day is numinous, N-U-M-I-N-O-U-S. Numinous is an adjective that means supernatural or mysterious. The Latin word numen (NOO men) for 'divine will' got things started, but the word numinous picked up steam in the seventeenth century, broadening to mean anything mysterious. Something doesn't have to actually come from the heavens above to be described as numinous, it only has to...

Today's word of the day is vermicular. It's spelled V-E-R-M-I-C-U-L-A-R. Vermicular is an adjective that means resembling a worm. If you look closely you'll find a worm hidden in today's word of the day. The root word is the Latin vermis (VER mis) which simply ‘means’ worm and over the years, those first four letters evolved into worm, which may make it easier to recall vermicular's meaning. The d...

Today's word of the day is comity, C-O-M-I-T-Y. Comity is a noun that means Friendly civility. Coming from the Latin word Comitus (KAAM uh tus) meaning courteousness, comity is often used in a formal settings and may sound out of place if used casually. So instead of: my son and daughter have found a comity between them, you might say: after a contentious, ugly election, the candidates have settle...

Today's word of the day is alterity. It's spelled A-L-T-E-R-I-T-Y. Alterity is a noun that means otherness. The Latin word alter (AHL ter) means the other and it has given us such words and phrases as alternative and alter ego. Alterity refers to the state of being something else, usually something alien or unusual.  Rob's red dreadlocks increased the sense of alterity when he worked on Wall...

Today's word of the day is sylvan, S-Y-L-V-A-N. Sylvan is an adjective that means located in the woods or Forrest. A sylvan creature is one that lurks in the forrest. If you're familiar with Greek mythology you may think of the Greek god pan as such a being. And it is no coincidence that the Roman equivalent of Pan is named Sylvanus. The forrest has always made James uneasy. He's put off by the th...