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Word of the Day

Word of the day

machinations

[ mak-uh-ney-shuhnz ] [ ˌmæk əˈneɪ ʃənz ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

noun

crafty schemes; plots; intrigues.

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Why Dictionary.com chose machinations

More about machinations

  • Machinations was first recorded around 1375–1425.
  • Machinations comes from the late Middle English word machinacion, from the Latin stem māchinātiōn-.
  • The verb form, machinate, entered English over a century later from the Latin word māchinārī, “to invent, contrive, devise artfully,” and is related to the more common word machine, “a mechanical apparatus or contrivance.”

EXAMPLES OF MACHINATIONS

  • The mastermind behind the political machinations orchestrated a complex web of deceit to manipulate public opinion.
  • Through cunning machinations and hidden alliances, the spy infiltrated the enemy ranks and gathered vital intelligence.
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Word of the day

phantasmagoria

[ fan-taz-muh-gohr-ee-uh ] [ fænˌtæz məˈgoʊr i ə ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

noun

a shifting series of phantasms, illusions, or deceptive appearances, as in a dream or as created by the imagination.

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Why Dictionary.com chose phantasmagoria

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More about phantasmagoria

  • Phantasmagoria was first recorded in 1795–1805.
  • Phantasmagoria comes from the French word fantasmagorie, a compound word based on fantasme, “phantasm.”
  • Phantasm, the first element, ultimately comes from the Greek word phántasma, “image, vision.”
  • The second element of phantasmagoria perhaps represents the Greek word agorá, “assembly, gathering.”

EXAMPLES OF PHANTASMAGORIA

  • The magician’s show was filled with a phantasmagoria of tricks and illusions, leaving the audience in awe and disbelief.
  • As she entered the abandoned house, a phantasmagoria of eerie shadows and ghostly figures danced before her eyes.
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Word of the day

crepuscular

[ kri-puhs-kyuh-ler ] [ krɪˈpʌs kyə lər ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

adjective

of, relating to, or resembling twilight; dim; indistinct.

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Why Dictionary.com chose crepuscular

More about crepuscular

  • Crepuscular was first recorded in 1660–70.
  • Crepuscular comes from the noun crepuscule, “twilight; dusk.”
  • Crepuscule was first recorded around 1350–1400 from the Latin word crepuscul(um), which is similar to creper, “obscure.”

EXAMPLES OF CREPUSCULAR

  • During the crepuscular times of day, the sky takes on a mesmerizing blend of colors.
  • The early morning mist added to the crepuscular atmosphere as we hiked through the craggy landscape.
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