Word of the Day

Technocracy is a noun that refers to the government or control of society or industry by an elite of technical experts.  Technocracy is a fairly recent word that has an old origin. It came to be in the early 20th century and uses the prefix T-E-C-H, which refers to technology, and the suffix CRACY, which means ‘rule.’ Here’s an example: In a technocracy, those who control the technology, rule the...

Biophilia is a noun that refers to the desire or tendency to commune with nature.  Our word of the day combines the Greek prefix B-I-O, meaning ‘life’ with the Greek suffix P-H-I-L-I-A meaning ‘a love for.’ More specifically, having biophilia means having a love of nature.  There are some who when in the midst of nature are swept away by the biophilia of the moment, in awe of the majesty of nature...

Fulcrum is a noun that refers to something that plays a central or essential role in an activity, event or situation.  The Latin word fulcire (full CHEER ay) means ‘to prop up’ or ‘support up.’ When our word of the day first joined the English language in the late 17th century, fulcrum was used to refer to a lever used to support something. This meaning still exists, but today the word is more lik...

Orrery is a noun that refers to a model representing the solar system.  Our word of the day got its name from a historical figure known as the Fourth Earl of Orrery for whom a model of the solar system was made in the early 18th century. The model and the name for it are still with us today. Here’s an example of orrery in use: As a teenager, I wanted to make an orrery for the annual school science...

Subaltern is an adjective that means of a lower status.  Our word of the day comes from the prefix S-U-B for ‘below’ and the Latin word alternus (ALL ter noose) which means ‘every other.’ Initially used as a rank in the British army, subaltern soon came to be used more broadly in reference to anyone below someone else’s status. Here’s an example: My boss at the restaurant wasn’t the easiest to get...

Philter is a noun that refers to a potion credited with magical powers.  The Greek verb for ‘to love’ provides the basis for our word of the day. Philter has been with us since the late 16th century. Here’s an example of it in use: I’m a big fan of those old corny fantasy movies from the 1950s, especially the ones that feature some guy falling in love with a gorgeous gal after sipping from a philt...

Ocher is a noun that refers to a pale, brownish color.  Our word of the day comes directly from the Greek word for ‘yellow.’ It’s been with us since the Middle English period. Here’s an example: My wife insists on buying me bright clothes for our summer vacations, but I just don’t like the way I look in anything too shiny and bright. I’ll stick with my good old ocher sweaters, thank you very much.

Polydipsia is a noun that refers to excessive thirst.  The Greek word for thirst forms the basis for our word of the day and it’s joined by its prefix P-O-L-Y, which, in this context, means ‘very much.’ Polydipsia has been around since the mid-17th century. It’s often used in a medical context, but can also be used in an informal setting. Example: After two hours in the Nevada sun, I was ready to...

Nonfeasance is a noun that refers to the failure to perform an act that is required by law.  The Latin word facare (fah CAR ay) means to do. The addition of the prefix N-O-N –  meaning ‘no’ or ‘not’ –  means that our word of the day is a reference to not doing something, in this case something that is demanded by legal responsibility. Frequently used in law, nonfeasance has been with us since the...

Papal is an adjective that means related to a pope. The Latin word papa (PA pa) refers to the ‘bishop of Rome.’ Our word of the day comes from the Late Middle English period. Here’s an example: Last year’s papal visit had everybody enthralled. Even those who weren’t Catholic found themselves taken by the majesty of the pope.

Preceptor is a noun that refers to a tutor or instructor.  The Latin word praeceptor (pry CEP tor) means ‘teacher’ or ‘instructor.’ Joining English in the Late Middle English period, our word of the day is a synonym of teacher but is more likely to be used in a formal, academic context like medical school. For example: The wisest advice I’ve ever gotten from a teacher came to me in medical school...

Prow is an adjective that means gallant or valiant.  Coming from the Latin word pro, meaning ‘in front,’ our word of the day has been with us since the mid-16th century as a reference to those brave enough to fight at the front of a boat or ship. Here’s an example: I tend to think of myself as a fairly prow individual. But when we’re in the woods and I hear the growl of a grizzly bear, I figure th...

Telekinesis is a noun that refers to the ability to move objects by nonphysical means.  The word of our word of the day is kinesis (ken EE sis) a Greek word for ‘motion.’ The Greek prefix T-E-L-E means ‘at a distance,’ as we see in words like ‘telescope’ or ‘television.’ When combined, we get a word that refers to moving things at a distance. Example: It’s times like this I wish I had telekinesis...

Tramontane is an adjective that means traveling to or situated on the other side of the mountains.  The Latin prefix T-R-A means ‘across’ or ‘beyond,’ while the Latin word mons (MONS) means ‘mountain’. If something is located transmontane, it is located ‘across the mountains.’  After spending several weeks on the eastern side of the Alps, it never occurred to me how lovely the other side of the mo...

Morphology is a noun that refers to the study of words and how they form.  The prefix M-O-R-P-H comes from the Greek word for ‘form.’ In time it came to refer to a change in form. The suffix of our word of the day is O-L-O-G-Y which means ‘the study of.’ So morphology is a study in the forms of words. Example: I’ve always been fascinated with the way certain words change as they transition from on...

Dialectician is a noun that refers to a person who is skilled in philosophical debate.  Coming from the Greek word for ‘the art of conversation’ or ‘debate,’ dialectic is an English word for discussion that sometimes took on a philosophical meaning. By the mid-16th century, our word of the day came to mean ‘philosophical debate’ in some contexts. A dialectician became the word for someone skilled...

Glottologist is a noun that refers to a person who is an expert at language. The Greek word ‘gotta’ (GLAH TA) means ‘tongue,’ and the suffix O-L-O-G-I-S-T means ‘one who studies.’ You could think of our word of the day as a synonym of ‘linguist.’ Here’s an example: When I wanted to know the origin of our family name, I consulted a glottologist. When we learned our surname was of French origin, we...

Otaku is a noun that refers to a young person who is obsessed with computers and similar interests to the detriment of their social skills.  A loan word from Japanese, otaku could be thought of as a synonym of ‘nerd.’ Here’s an example of it in use: My son looks exactly like the same kind of Otaku as his father. He spends all day in school studying and learning, and all night studying and learning...

Nearlywed is a noun that refers to someone who is about to be married. It can also refer to someone who lives with a significant other but has not married.  Our word of the day could be thought of as a takeoff of ‘newlywed,’ a word that entered English in the early 19th century. It described a person who had recently been married.  Newarlywed, on the other hand, is a more recent addition to the En...

Flammiferous is an adjective that means bright with a flame.  The Latin word flamma (FLAM uh) means ‘flame.’ A flammiferous object is one that contains flames. Here’s an example: Whatever the source of that flammigerous object in the distance, we could tell it was seriously on fire. When something that big is ablaze, it’s hard to miss.

Importune is a verb that means to annoy or harass someone.  The Latin word importunus (im poor TWO noose) means ‘inconvenient.’ In the early 16th century, this word gave birth to our word of the day. Here’s an example: I didn’t mean to importune the mayor by bombarding him with silly questions. But I felt it was vital that we get his opinion on Sunday’s game. And if that meant harassing him repeat...

Mauka is an adverb and an adjective that means toward the mountains.  Coming from the Hawaiian language and still very popular in the fiftieth state, our word of the day has commonalities with words like ‘close’ and ‘fast’ as it may be used as an adjective and an adverb. Here’s an example of it as an adverb: We walked mauka for a few hours before realizing we were heading in the wrong direction. W...

Mellisonant is an adjective that means pleasing to the ear.  Coming from the Latin words for ‘honey,’ “(mel EESE) and ‘sound’ (SO noose) our word of the day has been used to describe sweet sounds since the early 17th century. Here’s an example: That band’s mellisonant first album has been used in our home for over a decade. After all, what better way to put kids to sleep than to have sweet sounds...

Curio is a noun that refers to a rare, unusual or intriguing object.  Our word of the day began as an abbreviated variation on the word ‘curiosity,’ Which is derived from the Latin word cuiosus (koo ree OH soos) meaning, ‘curious.’ By the mid 19th century, curio had established an identity of its own. Here’s an example: The bookshelf I attempted to make has become a curio. This odd-looking item ha...

Reboant is an adjective that means resonating or reverberating loudly.  Sharing a common ancestor with words like reverb or reverberation, our word of the day comes from the Greek word for roar or cry. When the prefix RE is added, it implies an echo.  Reboant has been a part of the English language since the early 17th century. Here’s an example: Those reboant screams at the end of the movie have...