Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Day
substantive \SUB-stun-tiv\ (adjective)
Meaning: having substance; involving matters of major or practical importance to all concerned
Example Sentence: “There are substantive gestures available to a President that do not involve the use of force or photo ops.”
(Joe Klein, Time, December 8, 2008)
Did you know?
"Substantive" was borrowed into Middle English from the Anglo-French adjective "sustentif," meaning "having or expressing substance," and can be traced back to the Latin verb "substare," which literally means "to stand under." Figuratively, the meaning of "substare" is best understood as "to stand firm" or "to hold out." Since the 14th century, we have used "substantive" to speak of that which is of enough "substance" to stand alone, or be independent. By the 19th century the word evolved related meanings, such as "enduring" and "essential." It also shares some senses with "substantial," such as "considerable in quantity."
Saturday, May 22, 2010
May 3, 2010 - "derrick"
Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Day
derrick \DAIR-ik\ (noun)
Meaning: 1. a hoisting apparatus employing a tackle rigged at the end of a beam
*2. a framework or tower over a deep drill hole (as of an oil well) for supporting boring tackle or for hoisting and lowering
Example Sentence: "But there is another type of field that is equally important to Kern County; the oil field, with its derrick rising from the
soil like a shunt to coax the earth’s fossil fuel to the surface." (Whitney Otto, How to Make an American Quilt)
Did you know?
During the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, London was the home of a notorious executioner named Derick. Among those he beheaded was the Earl of Essex, Robert Devereux, who according to a street ballad of the time had once saved the life of the ungrateful executioner. While members of the nobility were accorded the courtesy of beheading, it was the lot of commoners to be hanged, and those sent to face the rope at the hands of the executioner Derick nicknamed the gallows at Tyburn after him. Throughout the 17th century, "derick" was used as a name for both hangman and gallows. After the days of public hangings, the word "derrick" was adopted as a name for a number of less ominous frameworks or towers.
derrick \DAIR-ik\ (noun)
Meaning: 1. a hoisting apparatus employing a tackle rigged at the end of a beam
*2. a framework or tower over a deep drill hole (as of an oil well) for supporting boring tackle or for hoisting and lowering
Example Sentence: "But there is another type of field that is equally important to Kern County; the oil field, with its derrick rising from the
soil like a shunt to coax the earth’s fossil fuel to the surface." (Whitney Otto, How to Make an American Quilt)
Did you know?
During the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, London was the home of a notorious executioner named Derick. Among those he beheaded was the Earl of Essex, Robert Devereux, who according to a street ballad of the time had once saved the life of the ungrateful executioner. While members of the nobility were accorded the courtesy of beheading, it was the lot of commoners to be hanged, and those sent to face the rope at the hands of the executioner Derick nicknamed the gallows at Tyburn after him. Throughout the 17th century, "derick" was used as a name for both hangman and gallows. After the days of public hangings, the word "derrick" was adopted as a name for a number of less ominous frameworks or towers.
May 2, 2010 - "Promethean"
Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Day
Promethean \pruh-MEE-thee-un\ (adjective)
Meaning: of, relating to, or resembling Prometheus, his experiences, or his art; especially: daringly original or creative
Example Sentence: "The Olympics showcase Promethean performances by athletes who are always pushing the limits of human ability."
Did you know?
As some versions of the story go in Greek mythology, Prometheus (one of the Titan giants) modeled humans from clay and then taught them agriculture and all the arts of civilization. He also stole fire from the gods and gave it to humans. So inventive was he that anything that bears the stamp of creativity and originality can still be called "Promethean." Zeus, however, had wanted the human race to perish, so Prometheus' actions were also disobedient. Hence "Promethean" can also mean defiant of authority or limits. As punishment for his disobedience, Zeus chained Prometheus to a rock where an eagle daily tore at his liver. Thus, any suffering on a grand scale can also be called Promethean — though this sense is not as common as the others.
Promethean \pruh-MEE-thee-un\ (adjective)
Meaning: of, relating to, or resembling Prometheus, his experiences, or his art; especially: daringly original or creative
Example Sentence: "The Olympics showcase Promethean performances by athletes who are always pushing the limits of human ability."
Did you know?
As some versions of the story go in Greek mythology, Prometheus (one of the Titan giants) modeled humans from clay and then taught them agriculture and all the arts of civilization. He also stole fire from the gods and gave it to humans. So inventive was he that anything that bears the stamp of creativity and originality can still be called "Promethean." Zeus, however, had wanted the human race to perish, so Prometheus' actions were also disobedient. Hence "Promethean" can also mean defiant of authority or limits. As punishment for his disobedience, Zeus chained Prometheus to a rock where an eagle daily tore at his liver. Thus, any suffering on a grand scale can also be called Promethean — though this sense is not as common as the others.
May 1, 2020 - "embezzle"
Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Day
embezzle \im-BEZZ-ul\ (verb)
Meaning: to appropriate (as property entrusted to one's care) fraudulently to one's own use
Example Sentence: "The company’s senior accounts manager was able to embezzle thousands of dollars from his employer by way of a
loophole in accounting procedures."
Did you know?
English has a lot of verbs that mean to steal — some more specific than others. "Pilfer," "purloin," "rob," "swipe," "plunder," "filch," and "thieve" are some noted examples. "Embezzle" differs from these by stressing the improper appropriation of property to which a person is entrusted — often in the form of company funds. First appearing in English in the 15th century, "embezzle" derives via Middle English from the Anglo-French "embesiller," meaning "to make away," formed from the prefix "en-" and the verb "besiller," meaning "to steal or plunder." Related to "embezzle" is "bezzle," a verb used in some British English dialects to mean "to waste or plunder" or "to drink or eat to excess."
embezzle \im-BEZZ-ul\ (verb)
Meaning: to appropriate (as property entrusted to one's care) fraudulently to one's own use
Example Sentence: "The company’s senior accounts manager was able to embezzle thousands of dollars from his employer by way of a
loophole in accounting procedures."
Did you know?
English has a lot of verbs that mean to steal — some more specific than others. "Pilfer," "purloin," "rob," "swipe," "plunder," "filch," and "thieve" are some noted examples. "Embezzle" differs from these by stressing the improper appropriation of property to which a person is entrusted — often in the form of company funds. First appearing in English in the 15th century, "embezzle" derives via Middle English from the Anglo-French "embesiller," meaning "to make away," formed from the prefix "en-" and the verb "besiller," meaning "to steal or plunder." Related to "embezzle" is "bezzle," a verb used in some British English dialects to mean "to waste or plunder" or "to drink or eat to excess."
April 30, 2010 - "gravamen"
Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Day
gravamen \gruh-VAY-mun\ (noun)
Meaning: the material or significant part of a grievance or complaint
Example Sentence: "The gravamen of Walter's letter to the editor was that the newspaper frequently reported on the school system's
failures but rarely covered its successes and improvements."
Did you know?
"Gravamen" is not a word you hear every day, but it does show up occasionally in modern-day publications. It comes from the Latin verb "gravare," meaning "to burden," and ultimately from the Latin adjective "gravis," meaning "heavy." Fittingly, "gravamen" refers to the part of a grievance or complaint that gives it weight or substance. In legal contexts, "gravamen" is used, synonymously with "gist," to refer to the grounds on which a legal action is sustainable. "Gravis" has given English several other weighty words, including "gravity," "grieve," and the adjective "grave," meaning "important" or "serious."
gravamen \gruh-VAY-mun\ (noun)
Meaning: the material or significant part of a grievance or complaint
Example Sentence: "The gravamen of Walter's letter to the editor was that the newspaper frequently reported on the school system's
failures but rarely covered its successes and improvements."
Did you know?
"Gravamen" is not a word you hear every day, but it does show up occasionally in modern-day publications. It comes from the Latin verb "gravare," meaning "to burden," and ultimately from the Latin adjective "gravis," meaning "heavy." Fittingly, "gravamen" refers to the part of a grievance or complaint that gives it weight or substance. In legal contexts, "gravamen" is used, synonymously with "gist," to refer to the grounds on which a legal action is sustainable. "Gravis" has given English several other weighty words, including "gravity," "grieve," and the adjective "grave," meaning "important" or "serious."
April 29, 2010 - "translucent"
Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Day
translucent \trans-LOO-sunt\ (adjective)
Meaning: *1. not transparent but clear enough to allow light to pass through
2. free from disguise or falseness
Example Sentence: "The translucent window glass gave us enough daylight to work without allowing people standing outside to see in."
(* Indicates the sense illustrated in the example sentence.)
Did you know?
Look closely and you will see the same three letters in "translucent" and "elucidate," letting the family relationship between the two words shine through. Both terms descend from the Latin word "lucēre," meaning "to shine." ("Translucent" is from "lucēre" plus "trans-," which means "through.") When you "elucidate" something, you make it clear by explaining it in a way that can be easily understood — you "shed light on" it. "Lucēre" is also the root of another bright and shining English word, "lucid," which can mean either "bright with light" or "clear and easy to understand."
translucent \trans-LOO-sunt\ (adjective)
Meaning: *1. not transparent but clear enough to allow light to pass through
2. free from disguise or falseness
Example Sentence: "The translucent window glass gave us enough daylight to work without allowing people standing outside to see in."
(* Indicates the sense illustrated in the example sentence.)
Did you know?
Look closely and you will see the same three letters in "translucent" and "elucidate," letting the family relationship between the two words shine through. Both terms descend from the Latin word "lucēre," meaning "to shine." ("Translucent" is from "lucēre" plus "trans-," which means "through.") When you "elucidate" something, you make it clear by explaining it in a way that can be easily understood — you "shed light on" it. "Lucēre" is also the root of another bright and shining English word, "lucid," which can mean either "bright with light" or "clear and easy to understand."
April 28, 2010 - "bully pulpit"
Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Day
bully pulpit \BULL-ee-PULL-pit\ (noun)
Meaning: a prominent public position (as a political office) that provides an opportunity for expounding one's views; also: such an opportunity
Example Sentence: "Mariah has used her position on the city council as a bully pulpit to denounce the corruption in the mayor’s office."
Did you know?
"Bully pulpit" comes from the 26th U.S. President, Theodore Roosevelt, who observed that the White House was a bully pulpit. For Roosevelt, "bully" was an adjective meaning "excellent" or "first-rate" — not the noun "bully" ("a blustering browbeating person") that's so common today. Roosevelt understood the modern presidency's power of persuasion and recognized that it gave the incumbent the opportunity to exhort, instruct, or inspire. He took full advantage of his bully pulpit, speaking out about the danger of monopolies, the nation's growing role as a world power, and other issues important to him. Since the 1970s, "bully pulpit" has been used as a term for an office — especially a political office — that provides one with the opportunity to share one's views.
bully pulpit \BULL-ee-PULL-pit\ (noun)
Meaning: a prominent public position (as a political office) that provides an opportunity for expounding one's views; also: such an opportunity
Example Sentence: "Mariah has used her position on the city council as a bully pulpit to denounce the corruption in the mayor’s office."
Did you know?
"Bully pulpit" comes from the 26th U.S. President, Theodore Roosevelt, who observed that the White House was a bully pulpit. For Roosevelt, "bully" was an adjective meaning "excellent" or "first-rate" — not the noun "bully" ("a blustering browbeating person") that's so common today. Roosevelt understood the modern presidency's power of persuasion and recognized that it gave the incumbent the opportunity to exhort, instruct, or inspire. He took full advantage of his bully pulpit, speaking out about the danger of monopolies, the nation's growing role as a world power, and other issues important to him. Since the 1970s, "bully pulpit" has been used as a term for an office — especially a political office — that provides one with the opportunity to share one's views.
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