DarkRavie Posted August 5 Author Report Share Posted August 5 What's the Word: POLYHISTOR pronunciation: [pah-lee-HIS-tər] Part of speech: noun Origin: Greek, 16th century Meaning: 1. Another term for polymath (a person of wide-ranging knowledge or learning). Examples: "Looking at the bookshelf stacked with tomes on dozens of wide-ranging subjects, I sensed the Airbnb owner was a polyhistor." "My nephew is a polyhistor who always impresses me with the range of subjects he brings up for discussion." About Polyhistor The term “polyhistor” derives from the Greek “polu” (meaning “very”) and “histōr” (meaning “wise man”). It’s closely associated with the more common term “polymath” (from “manthanein,” meaning “learning”), but should be distinguished from the term “polyglot,” which refers to a speaker of several languages. Did you Know? Public libraries exploded at the turn of the 20th century, helped especially by steel billionaire Andrew Carnegie’s contribution of $60 million, with which he opened 1,689 public libraries across the United States. Today there are more than 115,000 public libraries operating in the United States alone. Much of the history of human thought and experience is also available online for polyhistors to explore from every conceivable angle and location. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted August 6 Author Report Share Posted August 6 What's the Word: COLORATURA pronunciation: [kə-lə-rə-TOO-rə] Part of speech: noun Origin: Italian, 18th century Meaning: 1. Elaborate ornamentation of a vocal melody, especially in operatic singing by a soprano. Examples: "Though Mariah Carey is a pop singer, she brings elements of coloratura into her hit songs." "The lead soprano captivated the audience with her flights of coloratura." About Coloratura Like many words related to opera, “coloratura” came into English directly from Italian. The term “coloratura” is taken directly from the Italian for “coloring.” This connection of sound with color helps evoke the dazzling effect of hearing a top singer delivering coloratura. Did you Know? A coloratura is the vocal equivalent of instrumental embellishment, allowing virtuosic opera singers, traditionally sopranos, to show off their range and abilities through elaborate melodic structures in high octaves. The complex vocal embellishments in a coloratura allow the listener to experience the full capacity of the singer and their voice. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted August 7 Author Report Share Posted August 7 What's the Word: SATISFICE pronunciation: [SAD-əs-fiys] Part of speech: verb Origin: Latin, 16th century Meaning: 1. Accept an available option as satisfactory. Examples: "The restaurant didn’t brew fresh decaf, so Vern satisficed with instant." "Last year, Caroline had to satisfice with a vacation in her own backyard, but this year she’s hoping to travel abroad." About Satisfice “Satisfice” is a blend of two English words, “satisfy” and “suffice.” Yet the word also connects to the classical Latin word “satisfacere,” itself formed by blending “satis” (meaning “enough”) and “faciō” (meaning “make”). Did you Know? “Satisfice” doesn’t quite mean “satisfy” — in fact, the word implies a halfway point between actual satisfaction and that which will simply suffice. There has been an evolution though, because 500 years ago, “satisfice” was a synonym for “satisfy.” Today the term implies something that will suffice despite falling short of total satisfaction. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted August 8 Author Report Share Posted August 8 What's the Word: HIBERNIAN pronunciation: [hi-BER-nee-ən] Part of speech: adjective Origin: Latin and Old Celtic, 17th century Meaning: 1. Of or concerning Ireland (now chiefly used in names). Examples: "The Hibernian guests were easily identified by their accents and requests for particular whiskeys." "Legendary Hibernian authors James Joyce and Samuel Beckett left Ireland in early adulthood." About Hibernian The Roman name for Ireland was “Hibernia,” which derived from the Old Celtic ”Iveriu.” Did you Know? “Hibernia” is an ancient Celtic word for “Irish,” usually applied by outsiders, though its middle syllable is similar to “Éire,” the name the Irish use for their home. Perhaps its most common use today is a confusing one: The popular Hibernian Football Club is actually a Scottish sports team that competes in the top tier of the Scottish Professional Football League. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted August 9 Author Report Share Posted August 9 What's the Word: TRANSMARINE pronunciation: [tranz-mə-REEN] Part of speech: adjective Origin: Latin, late 16th century Meaning: 1. Situated or originating on the other side of the sea. 2. Of or involving crossing the sea. Examples: "The marine biologist put together a crew for a transmarine exploration." "Some bird species make yearly transmarine migrations." About Transmarine This word originates from the Latin “transmarinus,” from “trans-,” meaning “across,” and “marinus,” meaning “marine, of the sea.” Did you Know? Millions of birds make transmarine journeys each year to a swath of the North Atlantic Ocean for food. A recent study in “Conservation Letters” says decades of tracking data found the migratory birds represent about two dozen species from both hemispheres. Several of the species studied are endangered, and the hope is that with this new data, these 600,000 square kilometers of international waters can become a protected area. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted August 10 Author Report Share Posted August 10 What's the Word: SAPIENT pronunciation: [SAY-pee-ənt] Part of speech: adjective Origin: Middle English, late 15th century Meaning: 1. (Formal) Wise, or attempting to appear wise. (Chiefly in science fiction) Intelligent. 2. Relating to the human species (Homo sapiens). Examples: "Extraterrestrials are usually written to be highly sapient beings in science fiction." "Humans are considered to be the most sapient creatures on Earth." About Sapient This word stems from Middle English and Middle French. It originated from the Latin “sapere,” meaning “to taste” or “be wise.” Did you Know? Human beings have long been considered the only sapient creatures in the animal kingdom. But animal rights organizations such as Whale and Dolphin Conservation believe whales and dolphins are sentient and sapient creatures who deserve to have their rights recognized and welfare protected. Many of these species live in complex social groups and show complex behaviors such as cooperation, tool use, and established cultures. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted August 11 Author Report Share Posted August 11 What's the Word: KENESIS pronunciation: [kə-NEE-sis] Part of speech: noun Origin: Greek, early 17th century Meaning: 1. Movement; motion. 2. (Biology) An undirected movement of a cell, organism, or part in response to an external stimulus. Examples: "Sam focused his dissertation research on biological kinesis. " "Natalie's dance showed graceful kinesis and flow along with the music." About Kinesis This word comes from the Greek “kinēsis,” meaning “movement,” originally from “kinein,” meaning “to move.” Did you Know? You may be more familiar with "kinesis" as a suffix implying movement than as a stand-alone word. For example, "telekinesis" is the supposed ability of a person to move an object by mental powers. "Photokinesis" is movement as a response to light, and "hyperkinesis" is hyperactivity. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted August 12 Author Report Share Posted August 12 What's the Word: AUTOGENOUS pronunciation: [ə-TAH-jən-əs] Part of speech: adjective Origin: Greek, mid-19th century Meaning: 1. Arising from within or from a thing itself. 2. (Of welding) Done either without solder or with a filler of the same metal as the pieces being welded. Examples: "Dominique placed a lot of autogenous pressure on herself." "Adam felt autogenous welding was simpler and less wasteful." About Autogenous This word comes from the Greek “autogenetos,” meaning “self-born.” “Auto-” means “self,” and “genetos” means “born.” The latter stems from “genes,” meaning “formation, creation.” Did you Know? An autogenous bone graft is when the patient’s own bone is used. During surgery, the doctor makes an incision and removes a small piece of bone from an area where it is not needed. The first successful procedure of this type was in 1875, when bone was removed from a patient’s ulna (forearm) to correct a skeletal defect. Hips, knees, spines, and jawbones are the most common locations for autogenous bone grafts. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted August 13 Author Report Share Posted August 13 What's the Word: INFRANGIBLE pronunciation: [in-FRAN-jə-bəl] Part of speech: adjective Origin: French, late 16th century Meaning: 1. Unbreakable; inviolable. Examples: "Tatiana had an indomitable, infrangible spirit." "Marissa bought infrangible plates for her toddler." About Infrangible This word comes from French, stemming from the medieval Latin “infrangibilis. “In-” means “not,” and “frangibilis,” or “frangere,” means “to break.” Did you Know? At first glance, it might be easy to mistake “infrangible” with “intangible” since they look so similar. However, to be infrangible is to be unbreakable, whereas something that’s intangible is unable to be touched or grasped, because it doesn’t have a physical presence. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted August 14 Author Report Share Posted August 14 What's the Word: HERMETIC pronunciation: [hər-MED-ik] Part of speech: adjective Origin: Latin, 17th century Meaning: 1. (Of a seal or closure) Complete and airtight. 2. Insulated or protected from outside influences. Examples: "Thanks to the hermetic seal on the jar, the jam was still good eight months after it was canned." "The locker room atmosphere was hermetic: The only topic allowed was hockey strategy." About Hermetic “Hermetic” refers specifically to Hermes Trismegistus, Greek god of merchants, thieves, and oratory. Hermes was said to have invented a process for applying an airtight seal to glass tubes. Prior to the appearance of the adjective “hermetic” in the mid-17th century, “Hermes’ seal” was already being used to describe an airtight closure. Did you Know? “Hermetic,” the word for an airtight seal, and Hermes the Greek god are united only by the legend that Hermes invented such a seal. Hermes — equivalent to Thoth in Egyptian culture, and Mercury in Roman culture — reportedly explored what would today be called occult practices. He is especially associated with the practice of alchemy, and is said to have created a method for applying airtight seals to glass vessels. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted August 15 Author Report Share Posted August 15 What's the Word: MAHALO pronunciation: [mə-HA-loh] Part of speech: exclamation Origin: Hawaiian, 19th century Meaning: 1. (Mainly in Hawaii) Used to express gratitude. Examples: "I said “mahalo” to the woman who handed me a lei." "It's easy to express mahalo at the beauty of the sunrise on our vacation." About Mahalo “Mahalo” appeared in English for the first time in American missionary Lorrin Andrews’ 1865 English-Hawaiian dictionary. In modern use, “mahalo” is frequently used as a Hawaiian stand-in for “thanks.” Did you Know? The Hawaiian word “mahalo” likely comes from the proto-Polynesian word “masalo”; both express a form of significant gratitude more firmly rooted in the culture than simply saying “thank you.” In fact, using “mahalo” to mean “thank you” is a modern innovation: In its original form, “mahalo” was more of a statement about one’s gratitude for being alive, and to other people and the natural world for coexisting alongside one another. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted August 16 Author Report Share Posted August 16 What's the Word: FIRTH pronunciation: [fərTH] Part of speech: noun Origin: Old Norse, 15th century Meaning: 1. A narrow inlet of the sea; an estuary. Examples: "At the mouth of the Clyde river outside Glasgow, there’s a firth with the deepest coastal waters in the British Isles." "A firth can provide a natural demarcation point, such as the Solway Firth, which is used to divide England from Scotland." About Firth “Firth” entered Middle English through the Scots language, which took it from the Old Norse word “fjǫrthr.” This is also the root of “fjord,” a similar term, though a fjord is partly defined by its position in a narrow valley between high cliffs. By contrast, a “firth” is a smaller inlet, without any other geographical specificity. Did you Know? While similar types of inlets exist all over the world’s waterways, the ones called “firths” are primarily found in Scotland, which is where the word developed from its Old Norse roots and entered English. The difference between firths and estuaries is not always distinct in Scotland. Estuaries are usually coastal bodies of water connected to the sea where fresh water and seawater mingle, while firths contain only salt water. However, because there’s rarely a clear demarcation between firth and estuary, some Scots use the two terms interchangeably. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted August 17 Author Report Share Posted August 17 What's the Word: APPROBATE pronunciation: [AP-rə-beyt] Part of speech: verb Origin: Latin, 15th century Meaning: 1. Approve formally; sanction. Examples: "In order to build a shed, the city council needed to approbate my project with a building permit." "My boss approbated my expenses from my trip to the trade show." About Approbate “Approbate” is derived from Latin, mingling “ad-” (meaning “to”), “probare” (meaning “try” or test”), and “approbat” (meaning “approved”). The term suggests the kind of approval that can stand up to tests of its legitimacy. Though it was common among English-speaking countries, it fell out of use in Europe in the 17th century and has continued to be used primarily in the United States. Did you Know? “Approbate” is often used in the context of legal wills, where it is frequently paired with the contrary verb “reprobate,” meaning (in the legal context) “to reject.” In legal discussions, “approbate” often means “accept” rather than “formally approve.” The most common pairing of these verbs is used to suggest a person cannot approbate a will while also reprobating it. In plainer language, that means someone cannot accept the terms of some part of a will (for example, the part in which they receive inheritance) while also denying the legitimacy of other parts of the will — perhaps to argue another person should not receive an inheritance. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted August 18 Author Report Share Posted August 18 What's the Word: VISCERAL pronunciation: [VISS-ə-rəl] Part of speech: adjective Origin: Latin, 16th century Meaning: 1. Relating to the viscera. 2. Relating to deep inward feelings rather than to the intellect. Examples: "A visceral reaction is an emotion one feels in one’s guts." "Visceral art often exposes the viewer to intense images and provokes equally intense emotions." About Visceral “Visceral” is based on the Latin “viscus,” referring to the internal organs (or “bowels”) of the torso, which are known in English as “viscera.” As an adjective, “visceral” refers to that which affects the body’s internal organs, and is used in both a literal and figurative sense. Did you Know? Those who don’t know the word “visceral” still likely know “gut feeling,” which is another expression of the same idea. Thanks to the late-medieval idea that the body’s viscera are a repository for feelings, wisdom, and instincts, English speakers have long associated the gut with emotions of many kinds — from uncertainty to repulsion to trust to gratitude. Any time a person reports a feeling deep in their guts, what they’re describing is a visceral experience. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted August 19 Author Report Share Posted August 19 What's the Word: PALLADIUM pronunciation: [pə-LAY-dee-əm] Part of speech: noun Origin: Latin, 19th century Meaning: 1. A safeguard or source of protection. 2. The chemical element of atomic number 46, a rare silvery-white metal resembling platinum. Examples: "During hard times, Ellen treated her faith as a palladium that would protect her from despair." "For many young viewers, TV host Mister Rogers was a palladium of childhood." About Palladium “Palladium” is named for Pallas Athena, the Greek goddess of war and wisdom believed to protect and watch over Greek cities — above all Athens, after which she was named (and not vice versa). By the 14th century, anything that offered protection was sometimes called a palladium in her honor. Did you Know? “Palladium” has two completely different definitions. In one case, the word describes something that offers protection, but it’s also a rare metallic element, resembling both platinum and silver. Chemist William Hyde Wollaston discovered the substance in 1803 and named it “palladium” after the asteroid Pallas, which had been identified the previous year. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted August 20 Author Report Share Posted August 20 (edited) What's the Word: ASTERN pronunciation: [ə-STERN] Part of speech: adverb Origin: Middle English, 17th century Meaning: 1. Behind or toward the rear of a ship or aircraft. 2. (Of a ship) Backward; stern foremost. Examples: "Emma’s daughter sat in the front of the boat while Emma sat astern and talked with the man working the outboard motor." "In a traditional canoe, the paddler who sits astern is responsible for steering the vessel." About Astern “Astern” is simply a compound of “a-” (meaning “toward”) and “stern,” a term derived from the Old Norse “stjórn” (meaning “control”). It’s also a root for the word “to steer.” Did you Know? Nautical terms for direction are different from those used on land. The opposite of “stern,” referring to the rear of a vessel, is “bow,” which refers to the front. In place of “left” and “right,” nautical language uses “port” and “starboard.” All of these terms entered English between the 16th and 17th centuries, mostly from Old Norse and Germanic roots. However, while the words “astarboard,” “a-port,” and “abow” still exist, only “astern” is an adverb still in common usage. Edited August 21 by DarkRavie 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted August 21 Author Report Share Posted August 21 What's the Word: REPETEND pronunciation: [REP-ə-tend] Part of speech: noun Origin: Latin, 18th century Meaning: 1. A recurring word or phrase; a refrain. Examples: "The song ended in a repetend of the first line of the chorus." "Edgar Allan Poe uses the repetend 'Nevermore' several times in the poem 'The Raven.'" About Repetend The term is derived from the Latin "repetendum," meaning "something to be repeated." Did you Know? In poetry, a repetend (or refrain) has the effect of focusing the reader on a recurring motif. Each time a poem returns to its repetend, it provides an increasingly strong reminder of the ideas or images the poet wishes the reader to consider. Repetends often appear at the beginning or end of poetic verses, such as Walt Whitman repeating, "O Captain! my Captain!" or Robert Frost's repetend of "And miles to go before I sleep." Positioning a repetend as the first or last part of a verse helps remind readers these repeated motifs are central to the poem. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted August 22 Author Report Share Posted August 22 What's the Word: PREHENSILE pronunciation: [pre-HEN-səl] Part of speech: adjective Origin: Latin, 18th century Meaning: 1. (Chiefly of an animal's limb or tail) Capable of grasping. Examples: "The monkey used its prehensile tail to turn the doorknob and free itself." "My cat’s tail is so strong it’s almost prehensile." About Prehensile “Prehensile” was drawn directly from the French “préhensile,” based on the Latin prefix “prehēns” (meaning “to grasp”). Did you Know? Some monkeys in Central and South America have prehensile tails, while those across Asia and Africa do not. Prehensile tails are often associated with monkeys, but they appear in many different types of mammals, including rodents and marsupials, as well as some reptiles, amphibians, and fish. Not all prehensile tails are equal: Some have bare patches of skin for friction and are better equipped for gripping and climbing, while others are hairy and best used for balance. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted August 23 Author Report Share Posted August 23 What's the Word: EBULLIENT pronunciation: [ih-BOOL-yənt] Part of speech: adjective Origin: Latin, late 16th century Meaning: 1. Cheerful and full of energy. 2. (Of liquid or matter) Boiling or agitated as if boiling. Examples: "The child had an ebullient laugh that charmed everyone he met." "The stew was ebullient until Mom turned the burner down." About Ebullient This word stems from the Latin verb “ebullire.” “E-,” a variant of “ex-,” means “out,” and “bullire” means “to boil.” Did you Know? When the word “ebullient” was used initially in the late 16th century, it closely adhered to the root Latin meaning of “boiling over.” It was only used to describe literal boiling substances. Eventually, however, it grew in scope to describe people with “bubbly” personalities. The first recorded use of the word in this figurative sense is from the 1660s. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted August 24 Author Report Share Posted August 24 What's the Word: RELIQUARY pronunciation: [REL-ə-kwer-ee] Part of speech: noun Origin: French, mid-16th century Meaning: 1. A container for holy relics. Examples: "The church had a collection of ornate reliquaries." "Sometimes an archaeological dig will render a reliquary or two." About Reliquary This word stems from the French “reliquaire,” from the Old French “relique.” This comes from the Late Latin “reliquiæ,” meaning “the remains of a martyr.” Did you Know? Reliquaries and the relics they hold have been historically significant to Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, and other religions. They were often displayed in houses of worship so followers could make pilgrimages to gain blessings. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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