Effloresce
Verb
Latin, 18th century
Reach an optimum stage of development; blossom; (of a substance) lose moisture and turn to a fine powder on exposure to air.
Example: Even at this age, I know my writing career has yet to effloresce.
Tag Archives: dictionary
Word of the Week – March 27, 2021
Antediluvian
Adjective
Latin, 17th century
Absurdly outmoded or old-fashioned. Of or relating to a time before the biblical flood.
Example: Like 8-track tape players and dial phones, the political process in Washington seems so antediluvian.
Filed under News
Word of the Week – March 20, 2021
Pleonasm
Noun
Greek, 16th century
The use of more words than are necessary to convey meaning, either as a fault of style or for emphasis.
Example: My tendency towards pleonasm always arises when I talk about my writing projects.
Filed under News
Word of the Week – March 13, 2021
Ethos
Noun
Latin, 19th century
The characteristic spirit of a culture, era, or community as manifested in its beliefs and aspirations.
Example: I sense the ethos fomenting in America right now is as progressive and as it is hopeful.
Filed under News
Word of the Week – March 6, 2021
Epexegesis
Noun
Greek, 16th century
The addition of words to clarify meaning. Words added for the purpose of clarifying meaning.
Example: In speaking to hard-right conservatives, I often have to engage in epexegesis to get my point across.
Filed under News
Word of the Week – February 27, 2021
Charivari
Noun
French, 17th century
A noisy mock serenade performed by a group of people to celebrate a marriage or mock an unpopular person. A series of discordant noises.
Example: Watching the charivari of conservatives in Orlando reminds me of the Saturday morning cartoons of my childhood.
Filed under News
Word of the Week – February 20, 2021
Stochastic
Adjective
Greek, 17th century
Randomly determined; having a random probability distribution or pattern that may be analyzed statistically but may not be predicted precisely.
Example: State officials’ response to the ice storm proved they only have stochastic viewpoints.
Filed under News
Word of the Week – February 13, 2021
Lagom
Noun
Swedish, early 19th century
The principle of living a balanced, moderately paced, low-fuss life.
Example: My personal lagom includes reading, writing, eating healthy and not spending too much time on social media.
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Word of the Week – February 6, 2021
Ratiocinate
Verb
Latin, 17th century
Form judgments by a process of logic. Reason.
Example: I looked at my financial situation and had to ratiocinate what is most important right now.
Filed under News
Word of the Week – January 30, 2021
Pollicitation
Noun
Late Middle English
The action of promising; a promise; a document conveying a promise. In civil law, a promise not yet formally accepted, and therefore in certain cases revocable.
Example: I love to hear whatever pollicitation our elected officials spit out during their campaigns.
Filed under News
