From merriam-webster.com
Useful and Obscure Words for Autumn
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Settle in and get cozy with this collection
2h ago
From merriam-webster.com
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to draw or pull slowly or heavily : haul; to cause to move with slowness or difficulty; to cause to trail along a surface… See the full definition
#drag #prompt #wss366 #writing #writinglife #microfiction
12h ago
From merriam-webster.com
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If you're looking for a catchy word to add to your vocabulary, why not give your stamp of approval to cachet? After all, this term is borrowed directly from French, a language which has long held a
15h ago
From merriam-webster.com
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a usually short poem in an inspired wild irregular strain; a statement or writing in an exalted or enthusiastic vein… See the full definition
on Sep 5
From merriam-webster.com
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The origins of raddled are a bit of a riddle, but they may have something to do with rodel, the Middle English precursor to ruddle. Rattled? No need to get red-faced, we’re here to explain. Rodel,
on Thu, 9AM
From merriam-webster.com
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a low or downcast state : degradation; the act of making abject : humbling, rejection… See the full definition
on Thu, 2AM
From merriam-webster.com
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a more or less concave vessel from which food is served; the contents of a dish; all the things (such as plates, utensils, glasses, and pots) that are used to prepare, serve, or eat a meal… See the full definition
on Wed, 2PM
From merriam-webster.com
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There’s no need to quail when confronted with a word of uncertain origins; some mysteries are simply destined to remain as such. Etymologists have a bevy of theories about the roots of bevy, for
on Wed, 9AM
From merriam-webster.com
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a small amount : bit, smidgen —used adverbially with a… See the full definition
on Tue, 4PM
From merriam-webster.com
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We are confident that you won't slip up or err in learning today's word, despite its etymology. Labile was borrowed into English from French and can be traced back (by way of Middle French labile,
on Tue, 9AM
From merriam-webster.com
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an ornamental brooch; especially : the badge of an honorary order; a flat thin piece (as of metal) used for decoration; a commemorative or identifying inscribed tablet… See the full definition
on Mon, 10AM
From merriam-webster.com
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Armistice comes from the New Latin word armistitium, which in turn combines a stem of the Latin verb sistere, meaning 'to make stand, halt, bring to a standstill,' with arma, meaning 'implements of
on Mon, 8AM
From merriam-webster.com
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Bushwhack your way deep enough into the literature of tree identification and you may come across references to trees with 'truncate' leaves. Such leaves (as of the tulip tree have bases that are
on Sun, 8AM
From merriam-webster.com
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a percussion instrument consisting of a hollow shell or cylinder with a drumhead stretched over one or both ends that is beaten with the hands or with some implement (such as a stick or wire brush); tympanic membrane… See the full definition
on Sat, 11AM
From merriam-webster.com
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Inchoate is most often used to describe something that is not, or not yet, completely formed or developed. As a more formal word than its synonym, vague, it's sure to add pizzazz to any conversation—
on Sat, 8AM
From merriam-webster.com
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Of the many ways Ferris Bueller feigns illness—that is, pretends to be sick—to avoid going to school in the 1986 comedy film Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, arguably the most ingenious involves tucking a
on Nov 8
From merriam-webster.com
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This one goes out to the word nerds we love. A simple word to occupy your time, but one dedicated to serving English users’ needs since the 14th century. Now that’s dedication! Dedication was first
on Nov 7
From merriam-webster.com
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A cappella arrived in English in the 18th century via the Italian phrase a cappella, meaning 'in chapel or choir style.' (Medieval Latin capella, meaning 'chapel,' is the source of English chapel.)
on Nov 6
From merriam-webster.com
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a number symbol : numeral, digit; arithmetical calculations; a written or printed character… See the full definition
on Nov 5
From merriam-webster.com
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—used to say that an amount (of money) is a lot… See the full definition
on Nov 5
From merriam-webster.com
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Psephology comes from the Greek word 'psēphos,' meaning 'pebble.' (One relative of psephology is psephomancy Psephology merited election as the name for the work of election analysts, or psephologists
on Nov 5
From merriam-webster.com
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airplane; one of the main supporting surfaces of an airplane; a surface in which if any two points are chosen a straight line joining them lies wholly in that surface… See the full definition
on Nov 4
From merriam-webster.com
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Today, one can amalgamate—that is, combine into one—any two (or more) things, such as hip-hop and country music, for example. The origins of amalgamate, however, have more to do with heavy metal.
on Nov 4
From merriam-webster.com
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a free-hanging outer garment or undergarment covering some or all of the body from the waist down and traditionally worn by women and girls; a free-hanging part of an outer garment or undergarment extending from the waist down… See the full definition
on Nov 3
From merriam-webster.com
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of or relating to Machiavelli or Machiavellianism; suggesting the principles of conduct laid down by Machiavelli; specifically : marked by cunning, duplicity, or bad faith… See the full definition
on Nov 3
From merriam-webster.com
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to free or remove from an entanglement or difficulty; to distinguish from a related thing; unravel… See the full definition
on Nov 3
From merriam-webster.com
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recollection, memory; the element or complex of elements in an individual that feels, perceives, thinks, wills, and especially reasons; the conscious mental events and capabilities in an organism… See the full definition
on Nov 2
From merriam-webster.com
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an imitation, transcript, or reproduction of an original work (such as a letter, a painting, a table, or a dress); one of a series of especially mechanical reproductions of an original impression; also : an individual example of such a reproduction… See the full definition
on Nov 1
From merriam-webster.com
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the act of driving something along; the flow or the velocity of the current of a river or ocean stream; something driven, propelled, or urged along or drawn together in a clump by or as if by a natural agency: such as… See the full definition
on Oct 31
From merriam-webster.com
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The ancient Greeks used the term synkrētismos to refer to Cretan cities allied in opposition to a common enemy. In the early 17th century, English speakers adopted the term in the anglicized form
on Oct 30
From merriam-webster.com
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to select by lot and kill every tenth man of; to exact a tax of 10 percent from; to reduce drastically especially in number… See the full definition
on Oct 29
From merriam-webster.com
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an invented fact believed to be true because it appears in print; a briefly stated and usually trivial fact… See the full definition
on Oct 29
From merriam-webster.com
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Faint praise is contained in 1 match in Merriam-Webster Dictionary. See the full list.
on Oct 29
From merriam-webster.com
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One who is omniscient literally knows all. The word omniscient traces back to two Latin roots: omni-, meaning 'all' or 'universally,' and the noun scientia, meaning 'knowledge.' You will recognize
on Oct 29
From merriam-webster.com
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a thoroughfare for travel or transportation from place to place; an opening for passage; the course traveled from one place to another : route… See the full definition
on Oct 29
From merriam-webster.com
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Disbursement was minted in English in the late 16th century by melding the noun suffix -ment with the verb disburse (which in turn comes, in part, from the Medieval Latin word bursa, meaning 'money
on Oct 28
From merriam-webster.com
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While often associated with questionable behavior by the royals of eras past, usurp retains its usefulness today. It’s still typically applied when someone takes power without authority or the right
on Oct 27
From merriam-webster.com
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something material that may be perceived by the senses; something that when viewed stirs a particular emotion (such as pity); something mental or physical toward which thought, feeling, or action is directed… See the full definition
on Oct 27
From merriam-webster.com
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The ancestor of categorical and category has been important in logic and philosophy since the days of Aristotle. Both English words come from the Greek word katēgoria, which Aristotle used to name the
on Oct 26
From merriam-webster.com
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Health and happiness are often linked, sometimes even in etymologies. Today euphoria generally refers to happiness, but it comes from euphoros, a Greek word that means 'healthy.' Given that root, it’s
on Oct 25
From merriam-webster.com
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When it comes to meanings, garnish giveth, and garnish taketh away. To garnish something is to decorate it, embellish it, give it that extra bit of culinary or designer flair—say, a sprig of parsley
on Oct 24
From merriam-webster.com
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to come off in flakes or scales : peel; to subject to depredation or extortion; to peel or strip off… See the full definition
on Oct 24
From merriam-webster.com
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to bend the body or a part of the body forward and downward sometimes simultaneously bending the knees; to stand or walk with a forward inclination of the head, body, or shoulders; yield, submit… See the full definition
on Oct 23
From merriam-webster.com
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Let’s talk about palaver. Though the word comes from Portuguese, it likely entered English by way of the West African coast in the 18th century. Portuguese sailors there used their word palavra, which
on Oct 23
From merriam-webster.com
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Betwixt and between have similar origins: they both come from a combination of be- ('make, cause to be, treat as') and related Old English roots. Both words appeared before the 12th century, but use
on Oct 22
From merriam-webster.com
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to look closely or inquisitively; also : to make a nosy or presumptuous inquiry… See the full definition
on Oct 22