DarkRavie Posted January 23 Author Report Share Posted January 23 8 hours ago, Arisien said: The definition is from yesterday's word. Got a bit confused for a second from what looked to be a greek compound word Yeah that happens. I copy/paste. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted January 23 Author Report Share Posted January 23 What's the Word: ANDRAGOGY pronunciation: [AN-drə-gah-jee] Part of speech: noun Origin: Greek, 1920s Meaning: 1. The method and practice of teaching adult learners. 2. Adult education. Examples: "I prefer andragogy; I work better with adults than with kids." "Since she was teaching adult learners this year, she had to quickly adapt to the techniques of andragogy." About Andragogy This noun was created in the 1920s by combining the word "andro" ("man") and "pedagogy" ("the practice of teaching") — meaning that "andragogy" directly translates to "the practice of teaching man." Did you Know? No matter how old humans get, we never stop learning. Some ways for adult learners to engage in andragogy are by auditing a college class, picking up a new hobby, or attempting to learn a new language. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted January 24 Author Report Share Posted January 24 What's the Word: VERIDICAL pronunciation: [və-RI-də-kəl] Part of speech: adjective Origin: Latin, mid-17th century Meaning: 1. Truthful. 2. Coinciding with reality. Examples: "I can always count on my mother to give veridical advice." "Even when I daydream, my thoughts remain quite veridical." About Veridical Veridical originates from the Latin word "veridicus," which means "to say truth." The adjective can describe something truthful, or something in reality — similar usages, but there are shades of nuance between reality and truth. Did you Know? After a vivid dream, you might wonder what was veridical and what was the construct of your sleeping brain. Keep a dream journal to make sense of your most out-there thoughts. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted January 25 Author Report Share Posted January 25 What's the Word: MERINO pronunciation: [mə-REE-no] Part of speech: noun Origin: Spanish, late 18th century Meaning: 1. A breed of sheep with long, fine wool. 2. A soft woolen or wool-and-cotton material resembling cashmere, originally of merino wool. Examples: "The merino grazed peacefully on the side of the hill." "Frank wears that merino wool sweater every time the weather gets chilly." About Merino While "merino" comes from 18th-century Spanish, its exact origins are a mystery. You can use the word "merino" to refer to a sheep or your sweater and be completely correct in both cases. Did you Know? A single merino sheep produces a lot of wool in its lifetime — around 227 pounds, in fact. The wool is not only cozy for sweaters and blankets, but also wicks up to 30% of its weight in moisture without getting damp, so it's perfect for socks, scarves, and other outerwear. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted January 26 Author Report Share Posted January 26 What's the Word: LIMITROPHE pronunciation: [LIH-mih-trohf] Part of speech: noun Origin: French, late 16th century Meaning: 1. A border state or area. Examples: "The beginning of the neighbors' limitrophe is defined by a hedge." "Norway is a limitrophe of Sweden." About Limitrophe Limitrophe comes from Middle French. However, its origins trace back to the Latin words "limit" and "trophus," which mean "border" and "supporting," respectively. Did you Know? Sometimes the limitrophes between countries can get tricky. Baarle, a town on the border of the Netherlands and Belgium, is divided into several enclaves that belong to either country, which can make a simple stroll no small task. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted January 27 Author Report Share Posted January 27 What's the Word: SORORAL pronunciation: [sə-ROHR-əl] Part of speech: adjective Origin: Latin, mid-17th century Meaning: 1. Of or like a sister or sisters. Examples: "She shared a sororal relationship with her roommate, and they were seldom apart." "The new club is sororal to a famous nonprofit organization." About Sororal Sororal originates from the Latin word "soror," which means "sister." If a woman is particularly close to a platonic female friend, you might say that they have a sororal relationship. Did you Know? The word "sororal" shares a root with the word "sorority," which might be more familiar. Sororities, first established in the United States in 1851, are communities for college-aged women. Members often refer to each other as "sisters," and these sororal relationships established in young adulthood can continue throughout their lives. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted January 28 Author Report Share Posted January 28 What's the Word: MIEN pronunciation: [meen] Part of speech: noun Origin: French, early 16th century Meaning: 1. A person's look or manner, especially one of a particular kind indicating their character or mood. Examples: "The children all had particularly cheerful, friendly miens." "She was elegant and regal, with the mien of a queen." About Mien Mien most likely originated from the French word "mine," which means "expression." It might also be a shortened form of the word "demeanor," which describes your general bearing. Did you Know? People who speak in American Sign Language (ASL) are experts at using different miens. Since the language doesn't use sound, body language and facial expressions are important to successfully convey something to an audience. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted January 29 Author Report Share Posted January 29 What's the Word: LEGERITY pronunciation: [lə-JER-ih-tee] Part of speech: noun Origin: Middle French, mid-16th century Meaning: 1. Alert quickness of mind or body. Examples: "The lambs pranced with a sense of legerity." "After a quick nap, I was refreshed and full of legerity for the rest of the day." About Legerity Legerity developed from the French word "légèreté," which evolved from the adjective "léger," meaning "light." This French word can be traced back to the Latin word "levis," meaning "lightweight." Did you Know? Legerity comes from the French "légèreté," which can be used to describe a sense of agility and quickness, but another usage is "thoughtlessness." While these ideas may seem incongruous, imagine light thoughts, or flippant thoughts. If someone isn't thinking about the weight or impact their words might have, they could be accused of "légèreté," or thoughtlessness. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted January 30 Author Report Share Posted January 30 What's the Word: BONHOMIE pronunciation: [ba-nə-MEE] Part of speech: noun Origin: French, late 18th century Meaning: 1. Cheerful friendliness; geniality. Examples: "The show was well received due to the co-hosts' bonhomie." "Jess extended the same bonhomie to everyone she met, whether friend or stranger." About Bonhomie Bonhomie comes from the French word "bonhomme," which translates to "good fellow." The next time you join in a rendition of "He's a Jolly Good Fellow," you might try to switch up the lyrics to "He's a Jolly Bonhomie." Did you Know? If you would like to have more bonhomie in social settings, try to genuinely be interested in other people and what they have to say. Approach conversations with a smile and engage in active listening — people will consider you a friendly face in no time. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted January 31 Author Report Share Posted January 31 What's the Word: QUOTIDIAN pronunciation: [kwo-TIH-dee-ən] Part of speech: adjective Origin: Latin, 14th century Meaning: 1. Of or occurring every day; daily. 2. Ordinary or everyday, especially when mundane. Examples: "Steve looked forward to his quotidian chore of collecting eggs." "Washing the dishes was a quotidian task, but she made the time pass quickly by listening to music." About Quotidian Quotidian originated from the Latin word "cotidie," or "daily," then further developed through Old French and Middle English. If you're talking about your daily tasks, you might refer to them as your quotidian tasks. Another usage for "quotidian" is as a synonym for "mundane." Did you Know? Do most tasks feel quotidian to you? Try gamifying your to-do list. By keeping a bullet journal or using a productivity app to map your day, you can transform the ordinary into the extraordinary. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted February 1 Author Report Share Posted February 1 What's the Word: EDIFY pronunciation: [EH-də-fi] Part of speech: verb Origin: Middle English, 14th century Meaning: 1. Instruct or improve (someone) morally or intellectually. Examples: "The new professor was eager for the chance to edify students." "My parents wanted to edify me in multiple languages from an early age." About Edify Edify came from the Latin words "aedis" ("dwelling") and "facere" ("make"), which, combined, mean "building a structure." One's moral structure may not be a physical building, but it's no less sturdy. Did you Know? A clergyman's sermon attempts to edify an audience, usually by instilling moral ideals into a congregation. However, anyone instructing on a moral or intellectual concept is practicing edification (the noun form of the verb "edify"). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted February 2 Author Report Share Posted February 2 What's the Word: JUVENILIA pronunciation: [joo-və-NIL-lee-ə] Part of speech: noun Origin: Latin, early 17th century Meaning: 1. Works produced by an author or artist while still young. Examples: "Mozart's impressive juvenilia was just a hint of the work to follow." "It's no surprise she won a Pulitzer Prize as an adult, especially since her juvenilia was incredibly popular." About Juvenilia This word developed from the Latin word "juvenilis," which translates to "juvenile." If you practiced a hobby as a juvenile, you probably have a box of juvenilia stashed away somewhere. Did you Know? Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart produced amazing juvenilia during his younger years. He began composing music at age 5; by the time he was 12 years old, he had composed whole symphonies and performed in front of royalty. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted February 3 Author Report Share Posted February 3 What's the Word: TERRAQUEOUS pronunciation: [ter-AY-kwee-əs] Part of speech: adjective Origin: Latin, mid-17th century Meaning: 1. Consisting or formed of land and water. Examples: "The terraqueous landscaping gave the garden an otherworldly atmosphere." "She tried to step very carefully while navigating the terraqueous path." About Terraqueous Terraqueous originated as a combination of two Latin words: "terra" ("land") and "aqueous" ("of or like water"). A rocky beach, for example, is terraqueous terrain, because it is made up of land and tidal pools. Did you Know? Terraqueous features are an important component of Japanese gardens. These gardens are traditionally supposed to represent the ultimate beauty of nature, and often include combinations of land and water — such as a waterfall and small hills. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted February 4 Author Report Share Posted February 4 What's the Word: IRENIC pronunciation: [aye-REN-ik] Part of speech: adjective Origin: Greek, mid-19th century Meaning: 1. Aiming or aimed at peace. Examples: "I try to read irenic poetry before bed, because it helps me sleep better." "The yoga retreat was intended to put us all in a more irenic frame of mind." About Irenic Irenic originated from the Greek word "eirēnē," which means "peace." If you use this word, you are describing something serene. Did you Know? If you're trying to make your home environment more irenic, look into feng shui. This ancient Chinese practice aims to improve energy flow through small changes — such as making sure the path to your front door is always clear. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted February 5 Author Report Share Posted February 5 What's the Word: TERPSICHOREAN pronunciation: [tərp-sih-kə-REE-ən] Part of speech: adjective Origin: Greek, early 19th century Meaning: 1. Relating to dancing. Examples: "The middle school terpsichorean routine was the highlight of the holiday pageant." "He loved attending the terpsichorean society's annual dances." About Terpsichorean Terpsichorean — which can be used as either an adjective or a noun — originated from the Greek word "terpsichore." "Terpsichore" translates to "a love of music and dancing," and referred to the Greek muse of the same name. Did you Know? Lace up your dancing shoes, because terpsichorean activity is good for your physical and mental well-being. The National Heart, Blood, and Lung Institute found that dancing reduces stress and tension, and also helps to prevent heart disease. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted February 6 Author Report Share Posted February 6 What's the Word: MATRONYMIC pronunciation: [ma-trə-NIM-ik] Part of speech: adjective Origin: Latin, late 18th century Meaning: 1. Denoting or relating to a name derived from the name of a mother or female ancestor. Examples: "By tracing her matronymic heritage, she was able to find the grandmother she was named after." "She used her matronymic last name instead of her married one." About Matronymic If you are familiar with the word "maternal," you already know part of this word. The Latin word "mater," or "mother," forms the first half of "matronymic," and "nym" is the Latin word for "name." Did you Know? Curious about family history? Traditionally, women changed their maiden names when they were married, making it difficult to trace your maternal side. Tracing matronymic lines is a helpful alternative; look into birth and marriage certificates for last names and clues into where to look next. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted February 7 Author Report Share Posted February 7 What's the Word: DUENDE pronunciation: [doo-EN-dey] Part of speech: noun Origin: Spanish, late 19th century Meaning: 1. A quality of passion and inspiration. 2. (In the folklore of Spain, Portugal, Latin America, and the Philippines) A supernatural being or spirit resembling a pixie or imp. Examples: "The duende behind his sculptures comes from nature." "The song lit duende in her like a bright flame." About Duende The second definition comes from a contracted version of the Spanish phrase "dueño de casa," or "owner of the house." Did you Know? The duende, a mythological figure in Hispanic, Latino, and Filipino lore, is a mischievous figure who lives in people's houses — similar to the European brownie. The original name of the spirit in Spanish was "dueño de casa," which was eventually abbreviated to "duende." That full name means "the master of the house," signaling trouble for the unfortunate homeowner harboring one of these pesky creatures. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted February 8 Author Report Share Posted February 8 What's the Word: NISUS pronunciation: [NAI-səs] Part of speech: noun Origin: Latin, late 17th century Meaning: 1. A mental or physical effort to attain a specific goal. 2. An impulse or tendency. Examples: "He put a lot of nisus into completing his final project a week before the due date." "My nisus is to skip my Monday morning workout, but I always feel better when I do it." About Nisus Nisus comes from the Latin words "nīsus" ("effort") and "nītī" ("to strive"). If someone uses this word to refer to your actions, take it as a compliment — they're recognizing that you work hard to achieve your goals. Did you Know? The word "nisus" was originally published in a 1699 edition of "Philosophical Transactions" from the Royal Society of London. It's appropriate that a noun meaning "effort and endeavor" comes from the world's first and longest-running scientific journal, which launched in 1665. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted February 9 Author Report Share Posted February 9 What's the Word: LITTÉRATEUR pronunciation: [lid-ər-ə-TER] Part of speech: noun Origin: French, early 19th century Meaning: 1. A person who is interested in and knowledgeable about literature. Examples: "She considered herself a littérateur and enjoyed giving book recommendations." "As a littérateur, I like analyzing the written word." About Littérateur We've held onto the French spelling for this word describing a lover of literature, but it can be traced back further to Latin. In Latin, "littera" means "letter of the alphabet," and "litterātor" means "teacher of reading." Did you Know? A littérateur is someone knowledgeable about literature. If you want to find someone who loves books, you would look for a bibliophile. It is possible to find a collector of rare books, for example, who doesn't know the material well, but a littérateur and a bibliophile are likely more often one and the same. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted February 10 Author Report Share Posted February 10 What's the Word: PROSPICIENCE pronunciation: [pros-PIH-shee-ens] Part of speech: noun Origin: Latin, late 15th century Meaning: 1. Foresight. Examples: "The inventor had the prospicience that his creations would change the world someday." "Grandma has an almost uncanny sense of prospicience with her weather predictions." About Prospicience This word originates from the Latin word "prōspicientia," which describes both the act of looking forward and divine providence. Did you Know? Meteorologists need to be masters of prospicience, especially when people rely on them to predict weather conditions in order to plan for travel, traffic, and moving through daily life. Meteorologists use weather data from satellites and other technology to generate forecast models, which help them predict future weather conditions. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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