DarkRavie Posted December 6, 2020 Author Report Share Posted December 6, 2020 What's the Word? - INNOMINATE pronunciation: [in-AH-mən-ət] Part of speech: adjective Origin: Latin, mid 17th century Meaning: 1. Not named or classified. Example: "The forthcoming book was still innominate, but had already gathered positive reviews from critics." "William and Kate had such a long list of potential names that their first baby was innominate for a full month." About Innominate Innominate originated from the Latin word "innominatus" — which can be broken down into the words "in" (not) and "nominatus" (named). Did you Know? Many scientists dream of finding an innominate species, or one that hasn't been named or classified yet. After all, there's always the potential that the finder can name the new species after themselves. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted December 7, 2020 Author Report Share Posted December 7, 2020 What's the Word? - RATOON pronunciation: [rə-TOON] Part of speech: noun Origin: Spanish, mid 17th century Meaning: 1. A new shoot or sprout springing from the base of a crop plant, especially sugar cane, after cropping. Example: "Rei loved giving clippings of her favorite plants' ratoons to her friends." "We're struggling with weeds in our backyard — for every few we pull, several more ratoons spring up." About Ratoon Ratoon comes from the Spanish word "retoño," which means — simply enough — "a sprout." Did you Know? If you plant the spiky top (sucker) of a pineapple in the dirt, it grows several new ratoons around it. Why grow one pineapple when you can grow several? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted December 8, 2020 Author Report Share Posted December 8, 2020 (edited) What's the Word? - BIBELOT pronunciation: [BIH-bə-lo] Part of speech: noun Origin: French, late 19th century Meaning: 1. A small, decorative ornament or trinket. Example: "Alyssa couldn't resist purchasing a few bibelots before she left the store." "Mr. Willis' collection of Santa-themed bibelots, tchotchkes, and collectibles was pulled out every year on December 1." About Bibelot Bibelot originated from the French word "bel," which means beautiful. It developed over time to also contain the meaning "fanciful formation," a perfect descriptor of the baubles, tchotchkes, and doodads you might find scattered around your house. Did you Know? Among many holiday traditions, the practice of decorating Christmas trees is especially beloved. While you can buy bibelots and baubles to hang on your branches, the best ones are often heirlooms — or handmade with love. Edited December 8, 2020 by DarkRavie 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted December 9, 2020 Author Report Share Posted December 9, 2020 What's the Word? - NOCTURNE pronunciation: [NAHK-tərn] Part of speech: noun Origin: French, mid 19th century Meaning: 1. (Music) A short composition of a romantic or dreamy character suggestive of night, typically for piano. 2. (Art) A picture of a night scene. Example: "Chopin's nocturnes were specifically composed to evoke the ethereal feeling of the night." "Vincent van Gogh is best known for his beautiful nocturne "The Starry Night."" About Nocturne Nocturne developed in French by way of the Latin word "nocturnus," meaning "of the night." Did you Know? There's something so peaceful and even romantic about the night sky. Use the poetic noun "nocturne" to describe any art you produce inspired by the evening and midnight hours. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted December 10, 2020 Author Report Share Posted December 10, 2020 What's the Word? - HOUSEWRIGHT pronunciation: [HAUS-rite] Part of speech: noun Origin: North America, mid 16th century Meaning: 1. A builder of houses, especially those constructed largely of timber; a house carpenter. Example: "After working with Habitat for Humanity, Rachel felt like a bonafide housewright." "With Lincoln Logs, anyone can be a housewright in the comfort of their own home." About Housewright Housewright developed as an American word in the 16th century through the combination of the words "house" and "wright" (an old Germanic word that means maker or builder). Did you Know? You could hire a handyman to do general repairs around your house, but if you have detailed woodwork, you'll want a housewright. This term was popular 18th-century colonial America to refer to craftsmen who cut timber and assembled it into houses. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted December 11, 2020 Author Report Share Posted December 11, 2020 What's the Word? - PERSONALIA pronunciation: [pur-sə-NEY-lee-ə] Part of speech: noun Origin: North America, mid 19th century Meaning: 1. Personal allusions, belongings, writings, information, etc. Example: "The Edgar Allen Poe House contains many of his personalia." "Robert had to make many treks back to his childhood home to collect all of his personalia." About Personalia Personalia developed from the classical Latin word "personālia" (personal); however, its first use in this context was found in the magazine "The North American Review" in the mid-19th century. Did you Know? Pop artist Andy Warhol was obsessed with keeping all the miscellaneous objects of his life. He kept "time capsules" filled with notes, receipts, letters, toys, coins, anything and everything. These collections of personalia can be seen on display at The Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted December 12, 2020 Author Report Share Posted December 12, 2020 What's the Word? - APHYLLOUS pronunciation: [ey-FIL-əs] Part of speech: adjective Origin: Latin, early 19th century Meaning: 1. (Botany) Having no leaves. Example: "The aphyllous trees wrapped in bright holiday lights brought cheer to the street." "The aphyllous branches against the sky looked menacing at night." About Aphyllous Aphyllous developed as the Latin word "aphyllus" via the Greek word "áphyllos." Both words mean leafless. Did you Know? While holiday lights draped over aphyllous trees make a cheery seasonal sight, they also have a practical reason — for certain cold sensitive plants, these lights provide just enough warmth for the winter season. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted December 13, 2020 Author Report Share Posted December 13, 2020 What's the Word? - FLIVVER pronunciation: [FLIH-vər] Part of speech: noun Origin: Unknown, early 20th century Meaning: 1. A cheap car or aircraft, especially one in bad condition. Example: "My dad is so frugal he refuses to give up his flivver until it can't be driven." "It may look like a flivver, but that car served me well through my 20s." About Flivver While we know that this word developed in the early 20th century, which was when odd nicknames for vehicles first began popping up, its exact origins are unknown. Did you Know? Just because a car is cheap doesn't mean that it is also a flivver. If you're looking for a used car, it's a good idea to take along your mechanic or automotive-minded friend to check it out and make sure it is good quality. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted December 14, 2020 Author Report Share Posted December 14, 2020 What's the Word? - CAMBER pronunciation: [KAM-bər] Part of speech: noun Origin: Late Middle English, unknown Meaning: 1. The slightly convex or arched shape of a road or other horizontal surface. Example: "The camber of the sidewalk allowed for easy drainage after it rained." "You'll notice that the new highway was built with a camber to its surface." About Camber Camber developed in Middle English but finds its roots in the Old French word "chambre" (arched) and the Latin word "camurus" (curved inwards). Did you Know? Isn't a road supposed to be flat? Traditional roads and paths often are. However, roads are built with a camber for several important reasons — such as easy drainage during rainstorms. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted December 15, 2020 Author Report Share Posted December 15, 2020 What's the Word? - LAGNIAPPE pronunciation: [lan-YAP] Part of speech: noun Origin: Louisiana French, unknown Meaning: 1. Something given as a bonus or extra gift. Example: "She loved slipping a lagniappe into the stocking of each grandchild on Christmas Eve." "As a little lagniappe, the café offered a shortbread cookie with each cup of coffee." About Lagniappe Lagniappe has American roots — it developed in Louisiana French by way of the Spanish word "la ñapa" (an extra or a gratuity). Did you Know? Thinking about gifting some lagniappes to your loved ones this holiday season? There are many fun things that you can stuff into stockings or gift to Secret Santas — peruse local and online businesses, bake cookies, or create matching jewelry, for just a few ideas! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted December 16, 2020 Author Report Share Posted December 16, 2020 What's the Word? - SODALITY pronunciation: [soh-DAL-ih-tee] Part of speech: noun Origin: French, early 17th century Meaning: 1. A confraternity or association, especially a Roman Catholic religious guild or brotherhood. Example: "The sodality ran a toy drive with the local elementary school every December." "Many of the traditions started by the sodality 200 years ago are still in practice." About Sodality While this word might bring a bubbly beverage to mind, it originates from the French and Latin words "sodalité" and "sodalis," which both mean comrade. Did you Know? Belonging to a sodality can impact you socially beyond getting invited to parties. Over 76% of U.S. Congressmen and Senators belong to a fraternity, and Greek Life contributes to a lot of our societal and cultural development. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted December 17, 2020 Author Report Share Posted December 17, 2020 What's the Word? - INDITE pronunciation: [in-DITE] Part of speech: verb Origin: Middle English, unknown Meaning: 1. Write; compose. Example: "I try to indite a brief message in every Christmas card I send." "My grandfather kept a journal in which he would indite a few thoughts at the end of every day." About Indite Variations of indite developed in Middle English ("endite") and French ("enditier"). However, its origins can be traced back to the Latin word "indicere" (to proclaim). Did you Know? Would you like to be a better writer? Beyond all the courses, books, and podcasts that promise to make it easier to indite, one of the best ways to improve is to establish a daily writing habit. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted December 18, 2020 Author Report Share Posted December 18, 2020 What's the Word? - LAGOM pronunciation: [LAH-gawm] Part of speech: noun Origin: Swedish, early 19th century Meaning: 1. The principle of living a balanced, moderately paced, low-fuss life. Example: "My resolution for next year is to slow down and embrace the principle of lagom." "Renee is a model of lagom — I've never seen her the slightest bit perturbed." About Lagom Lagom developed in the 1830s as a Swedish word meaning moderation. It is also thought to have developed in some part from the word "lag," which means law. Did you Know? Our hectic lives seem to revolve around work, and you might find yourself getting burnt out. Think about establishing a lifestyle based more on lagom for yourself. Your work-life balance will improve, and your future self will thank you. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted December 19, 2020 Author Report Share Posted December 19, 2020 What's the Word? - JANISSARY pronunciation: [JAN-ə-ser-ee] Part of speech: noun Origin: French, early 16th century Meaning: 1. (Historical) A member of the Turkish infantry forming the Sultan's guard between the 14th and 19th centuries. 2. A devoted follower or supporter. Example: "The janissary faithfully protected the Sultan from attacks posed by other nations." "Ryan had been a faithful janissary of the punk band since he was a teenager." About Janissary Janissary developed from the French word "janissaire," but originally comes from the Turkish word "yeniçeri, where "yeni" means new and "çeri" means troops. Did you Know? While it was originally the title of an elite group of Turkish soldiers in the Ottoman Empire, today the word "janissary" can be applied to any group of particularly loyal supporters. Synonyms include devotee, disciple, worshipper, admirer, and believer. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted December 20, 2020 Author Report Share Posted December 20, 2020 What's the Word? - CAMPANOLOGY pronunciation: [kamp-ə-NAH-lə-jee] Part of speech: noun Origin: Latin, mid 19th century Meaning: 1. The art or practice of bell-ringing. Example: "We knew he played the piano, but his expertise at campanology surprised us." "The art of campanology is kept alive during the holiday season." About Campanology Campanology developed from the Latin words "campanologia" and "campana," which both mean "bell." Did you Know? One of the most enduring December sounds is the chime of the bell ringer stationed by donation boxes. This campanology is meant to remind people to donate, but the bell ringing is also a nostalgic, wintry sound. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted December 21, 2020 Author Report Share Posted December 21, 2020 What's the Word? - SCHWAG pronunciation: [SHwag] Part of speech: noun Origin: Unknown, 1990s Meaning: 1. Products given away free, typically for promotional purposes. Example: "The indie band's schwag featured an image of the lead singer's dog." "Jane loved showing up to events early so she could get schwag." About Schwag Schwag was altered in the 1990s from the word "swag," which came from a Middle English word meaning "bulging bag." It is thought that the "sch" addition was modeled after Yiddish words. Did you Know? Schwag may be free, but that doesn't mean that the products inside are cheap! The annual Oscars gift bags, which are given to attendees of the star-studded event, regularly contain items priced over six figures. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted December 22, 2020 Author Report Share Posted December 22, 2020 What's the Word? - FARRAGO pronunciation: [fə-RAH-go] Part of speech: noun Origin: Latin, mid 17th century Meaning: 1. A confused mixture. Example: "Stephanie's junk drawer was a farrago of tools, bills, and forgotten office supplies." "The movie was a farrago of pop culture and classic Hollywood references." About Farrago Farrago is a Latin word that originally meant "mixed fodder" or "corn." This catch-all word for getting your grain mixed up eventually became a confused mixture. Did you Know? The household junk drawer is about as American as apple pie — nearly everyone has one. While it is nice to have a place to store every miscellaneous item without a home, it's probably better to organize that drawer a bit. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted December 23, 2020 Author Report Share Posted December 23, 2020 What's the Word? - DEPUTE pronunciation: [də-PYOOT] Part of speech: verb Origin: Late Middle English, unknown Meaning: 1. Appoint or instruct (someone) to perform a task for which one is responsible. 2. Delegate (authority or a task). Example: "The dean decided to depute the review process to the department head." "He deputed the responsibility of answering emails to the secretary." About Depute This word developed in Middle English via influence from French and Latin. The original Latin word "deputare" (consider to be; assign) came from the words "de" (away) and "putare" (consider). Did you Know? Do you need a word to describe someone who has been deputed a task? Call them a deputy. A deputy is a representative of an authority who has been delegated a task to complete — similar to how the word depute means delegating a task to an individual. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted December 24, 2020 Author Report Share Posted December 24, 2020 What's the Word? - HYPERBOREAN pronunciation: [hi-pər-BOR-ee-ən] Part of speech: noun Origin: Greek, unknown Meaning: 1. An inhabitant of the extreme north. Example: "Those lucky enough to be permanent hyperboreans see the Northern Lights on a regular basis." "He won Pictionary with his sketch of a famous hyperborean — Santa Claus." About Hyperborean While hyperborean further developed through Middle English and Latin, it finds its roots in the Greek word "huperboreos," which can further be broken down into "huper" (beyond) and "boreas" (north wind). Did you Know? There are many reasons why jolly St. Nick became the most famous hyperborean. Luckily, he travels all over the world delivering presents for the holidays. Try using Google's Santa Tracker to follow him around the globe before he returns to the North. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted December 25, 2020 Author Report Share Posted December 25, 2020 What's the Word? - FLITCH pronunciation: [fliCH] Part of speech: noun Origin: Old English, unknown Meaning: 1. A slab of timber cut from a tree trunk, usually from the outside. 2. A side of bacon. Example: "Landon cut several flitches of wood to add to the fire." "I love having a flitch with my eggs and toast." About Flitch The word flitch developed from the Middle English word "flicce" (which stood for the salted and cured side of any meat product), but originally came from German. Did you Know? While enjoying eggs with a flitch seems timeless, bacon as part of a hearty breakfast is less than a century old and the result of really good PR. To sell more pork products, one company reached out to doctors, asking them to co-sign the idea that a heavier breakfast is a healthier one. The rest is history. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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