Word of the Day
bulwark
noun
any person or thing giving strong support or encouragement in time of need, danger, or doubt.
More about bulwark
Bulwark is likely adapted from Middle Dutch bolwerc, which is also the source of boulevard by way of French. The bul- element in bulwark is related to bole, “tree trunk,” while -wark is related to English work, wrought, and wright. Bulwark was first recorded in English around the turn of the 15th century.
EXAMPLE OF BULWARK USED IN A SENTENCE
The guidance counselor was a bulwark, calming her students’ nerves ahead of the standardized tests.
More about jouissance
Jouissance is a borrowing from Old French based on the verb jouir (stem jouiss-), “to enjoy.” Old French jouir comes from Latin gaudēre, “to be glad,” which is the source of gaudery and gaudy as well as joy and rejoice. Jouissance was first recorded in English in the late 15th century.
EXAMPLE OF JOUISSANCE USED IN A SENTENCE
The children’s jouissance in reading only grew when they entered the library for the first time and saw the endless stacks of books in front of them.
quixotic
adjective
extravagantly chivalrous or romantic; visionary, impractical, or impracticable.
More about quixotic
Quixotic is the namesake of Don Quixote, now spelled Quijote in modern Spanish, who is the titular hero of Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra’s most well-known novel. The character Don Quixote’s original surname was Quijano, which is the name of a community in Cantabria, Spain. Quixotic was first recorded in English around 1810. Learn synonyms for quixotic here!
EXAMPLE OF QUIXOTIC USED IN A SENTENCE
Though the couple would have loved a romantic getaway to Paris, they settled for a far less quixotic evening of a candlelit dinner at home.