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Word – Nadir
Hapless – Word of the Day Meaning: [noun]: a worst moment History: Nadi is one of the parts of the scientific galaxy’s words that has been taken from Arabic, one such language that had made essential contributions in the vocabulary of chemistry, medicine, astronomy, and mathematics. Nadir has been derived from nazi as-samt, meaning opposite. It is the opposite of zenith – the highest point in the celestial sphere. The first use of this word nadir has been recorded in 1627 by John Donne – an English poet. He used this word in the figurative speech to talk about the...
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Word – Largesse
Largesse – Word of the Day Meaning: [noun]: generously bestowing somebody with gifts and money History: Also spelled as ‘largess’, this word has been a part of the English language since the 13th century. It has been derived from a Latin word, through Anglo-French, which is called ‘largus’ meaning generous or abundant. Largus is also the source of the word ‘large.’ Until the 14th century, the word largeness was used as a synonym of largesse, which means liberal giving. Usage: Being an activist for poor people, Jim is known for his largesse that helps many in need. If it was...
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Word – Immaculate
Immaculate – Word of the Day Meaning (adjective): Perfectly clean, neat, or tidy. Synonyms: Spotless Flawless Unstained Unblemished History: It originated from Middle English from word immaculat and from Latin word immaculātus where in perfect passive participle maculō means stain and macula means spot, which was later converted into pure and untainted. Example: Adjective usage – Immaculate: My daughter has spotted an immaculate park near our apartment. We have decided to visit that park tomorrow evening. Ben’s mother always keeps her house in an immaculate condition. She is a very organised person. Make sure you look immaculate on...
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Iconoclast – Hapless
Iconoclast – Word of the Day Meaning: [noun]: somebody who opposes or does not believe in the accepted traditions, ideas, etc. History: Originally, this word was used in reference to the Easter Church that had a mob of followers destroying icons and religious objects. This word came from a Late Greek word, eikonoklastes. Here, eikon means image and klastes means breaker. In 1842, the protestants in Netherlands vandalized the former Catholic churches, giving rise to the first attestation of this word. Usage: He was an iconoclast and started questioning the mission of the company, which resulted in a job loss...
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Word – Repudiate
Repudiate – Word of the Day Meaning (verb): Denial or Refusing to Accept; the word refers to reject or refuse any kind of action or support. History: History dates back to the 19th century. When the word ‘Repudiate’ was introduced as a word for rejection of things that someone doesn’t accept, it can either be an opinion or accusations/ allegations. The term is derived from the Latin word ‘Repudiatus, which means to cast off or put away. Usage: 1. Verb Examples – Repudiate: As the bill is incorrect, Katy will definitely repudiate it. After the death of his parents, He...
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Word – Enthral
Enthral – Word of the Day Meaning (verb): capture the fascinated attention of. Synonym: Fascinated Captivate Absorb Delight Attract History: It originated in late Middle English from the word entrallen, which means to enslave. It prefixes from en or in + thrall. Examples: Verb Usage – Enthral: I was completely enthralled to see such a huge crowd in the stadium. Jim is enthralled after watching the movie Titanic. My mother will be so enthralled to know about my outstanding performance in college. Jaya wants to enthral the audience with her performance. I hope my presentation will enthral my boss. I...
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Word – Hapless
Hapless – Word of the Day Meaning: [adjective]: unfortunate, unlucky History: The first mention of this word was found in the 1400s during the times of the late Middle English. The origin of this word came with the combination of two different English words – ‘hap’ meaning good fortune and ‘less.’ Usage: The war makes many children hapless victims of its side-effects. The entire village situated in the coastal area is the hapless victim of the hurricane. Because of the bad weather, hapless passengers had to be stranded on the airport for three days. Snowstorms caught several of the hapless...
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Word – Knell
Knell – Word of the Day Meaning: [noun]: a bell’s sound, especially when rung for a funeral or death History: This word underwent a lot of alterations and changes. As far as the origin is concerned, it happened back in the 16th century. Initially, an Old English word ‘cynll’ was taken that was combined with ‘cnyllan’, which is a word taken from West German. Together, they formed a Dutch word called ‘knal’ or ‘knallen’ meaning crack, pop, or bang. However, the current spelling is influenced by the English word ‘bell.’ Usage: It sounded like the knell of her hopes. The...
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Word- Inscape
Inscape- Word of the day Meaning: the unique inner nature of a person or object as shown in a work of art, especially a poem. Origin: The English poet and Jesuit priest Gerard Manley Hopkins (1844-89) coined the noun inscape. The obsolete noun inshape was a probable model. Hopkins also coined sprung rhythm and instress (i.e., the force sustaining an inscape). Examples: Growing-up is an important inscape of human beings and the rule of nature.. Here is the inscape, the epiphany, the moment of truth.
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Word – Obdurate
Obdurate – Word of the Day Meaning: [adjective]:somebody who doesn’t change his/her mind; stubborn History: The discovery of this word happened back in the mid 15th century. The word is coined from a Latin word ‘obdurare’. Here, ob means in opposition and durare means harden. Later, this word was transformed into another Latin word called ‘obduratus.’ In the late Middle English, obduratus helped form obdurate, which is the current spelling of this word. Usage: We had an advantageous hand in this situation but the problem still remained obdurate. I am surprised by his obdurate behaviour when it comes to feminism....
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Word – Cajole
Cajole – Word of the Day Meaning (verb): False promises (to influence or deceive someone with pleasing words or actions) History: Going back to history in 1640, the word ‘Cajole’ was borrowed from the French word “Cajole,” which means to cajole or coax, or give too much attention to, making a fuss, and flattering. Usage: 1. Verb Examples – Cajoled: She cajoled me into doing my laundry today. Rohit really knows how to cajole people into listening to him. The anglers staying in had to cajole the outsiders into staying away from the riverside. Every time, my brother cajoles the...
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Word- Decathect
Decathect- Word of the day Meaning: to detach yourself emotionally from a person or thing, especially one that you think you’re going to lose, such as a loved one who is dying. History: Decathect originates from a combination of the Latin prefix de- meaning an undoing or removal, and the Greek term kathek meaning “to keep, hold on to.” It was originally used by Freud in the 1930s. Examples: He decided to decathect from his mother in order to cope with her impending death. I feel that she is screwing me, I have to decathect her. Leena started to decathect...
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Word – Abominate
Abominate – Word of the Day Meaning (verb): Detest; loathe. Synonym: Hate Dislike Execrate History: It originated in the 17th century from the Latin word abominat, which means deprecated. It’s also derived from the verb abominari from ab which refers to away or from + omen or omin. Example: Verb Usage – Abominate: Tim abominates the very idea of society. She abominates Madonna. As a teacher, I abominate cheating. I abominate disrespectful behaviour. My mother abominates pop music, but she doesn’t mind if I play it at a low volume. Noun Usage – Abomination: In my opinion slavery is an...
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Word – Clandestine
Clandestine – Word of the Day Meaning (verb): secret or covert; Actions that involve secrecy maintained for evil or illicit purposes. History: The word ‘Clandestine’ originated from the Latin word, ‘Clandestinus,’ which comes from the word ‘Clam’ that means ‘secretly.’ Clandestine is used or applied to actions that involve maintaining secrecy for an illicit purpose. The middle French people as a synonym of covert and secret. Usage: 1. Adjective examples – Clandestine: She was offered a hefty sum of money as the job seemed to be clandestine in nature. The gang met at a secluded and clandestine spot to plan...
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Word – Cerulean
Cerulean – Word of the Day Meaning: A deep sky-blue colour. Origin: This word dates back to the mid 17th century. It comes from the Latin word caeruleus, meaning “sky-blue”. In turn, caeruleus originates from the Latin word caelum, meaning “sky”. Usage: I’m thinking of painting the walls of my living room in cerulean blue, to remind myself of my vacation in Santorini. The lamp was emitting a cool calming light in a cerulean hue. Her deep cerulean eyes mesmerized me. They were bluer than the Aegean sea. The water was a light cerulean that day, and simply gazing at...
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Word- Fulvous
Fulvous- Word of the day Meaning: of a dull brownish yellow : tawny History: Fulvous was derived in the 19th century from the Latin word fulvus. Examples: Male pigeon has fulvous brown head and thorax. The leaves are pale corneous in color, sometimes fulvous. In the past, the barred owl may include only three subspecies, subsequent to the separation of the fulvous and cinereous forms. It is rather solid, glossy, sub pellucid and of a uniform fulvous color. The owl’s face and throat have rich, fulvous and rufous tints.
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Word – Croon
Croon – Word of the day Meaning : [noun] a soft, low voice or tone. [Verb] hum or sing in a soft, low voice, especially in a sentimental manner. History: Debated as Dutch and Irish origin. From Middle Dutch kronen –> (“to groan, lament”) & Old Irish crónán Usage: Verb examples – croon: 1. The cat was crooning like a new born baby 2. She was crooning near the dead body of her husband 3. Lisa was heard crooning along with the singer Adjective examples – croon: 1. She woke up to the sound of the crooning cuckoo 2. She...
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Word – Admonish
Admonish – Word of the day Meaning: warn or reprimand someone firmly. History: Dates back to the 14th century. Latin in origin. Latin admonestare, and Latin verb admonēre, which means “to warn.” Usage: Verb examples – admonish: 1. The kids were admonished by their parents for playing pranks with the neighbour. 2. The Ministry admonished Mr.John for taking bribe. 3. The management told Lisa not to admonish any employee in public. Adjective examples – admonish: 1. The Saint’s speech was admonitory 2. Though the teacher was smiling, her words seemed admonitory 3. The tone of the email was admonitory Noun...
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Word – Eugenics
Eugenics – Word of the Day Meaning: (adj.) The study of or belief in the possibility of improving the qualities of the human species or a human population, especially by such means as discouraging reproduction by persons having genetic defects or presumed to have inheritable undesirable traits (negative eugenics ) or encouraging reproduction by persons presumed to have inheritable desirable traits (positive eugenics). A person who practices eugenics is called a eugenicist. Origin: “Eugenics” comes from the Greek roots for “good” and “origin,” or “good birth” and involves applying principles of genetics and heredity for the purpose of improving the...
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Word – Tantalise
Tantalise – Word of the day Meaning: torment or tease (someone) with the sight or promise of something that is unobtainable. History: It is believed to have originated from the greek word Tantalos which was the name of a king of Phrygia in Asia Minor. He was punished by the Gods for his misdeeds who made him stand in a river and over him were trees hanging with fruits. The water would move away every time he tried to drink and the fruits would become out of reach whenever he tried to eat them. Usage: Verb examples – tantalise: 1....
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