Word of the Day
chrestomathy
noun
a collection of selected literary passages, often by one author and especially from a foreign language.
More about chrestomathy
Chrestomathy is equivalent to Ancient Greek chrêsthai, “to use, need,” and manthánein, “to learn.” Chrêsthai is a distant relative of greedy and yearn, and as its stem math- would suggest, manthánein is indeed the source of mathematics and polymath. Chrestomathy was first recorded in English circa 1830.
EXAMPLE OF CHRESTOMATHY USED IN A SENTENCE
The chrestomathy, which contained several autobiographical excerpts translated from Spanish, provided the students with a glimpse into the author’s cultural heritage.
jacal
noun
a hut with a thatched roof and walls consisting of thin stakes driven into the ground.
More about jacal
Jacal is borrowed from Mexican Spanish and adapted from Nahuatl xahcalli, with xah- meaning “adobe” and calli meaning “house,” which also appears in the Word of the Day teocalli. Of no relation to the animal name jackal, which is of Persian origin, jacal was first recorded in English in the 1830s.
EXAMPLE OF JACAL USED IN A SENTENCE
The jacal rose gently out of the hill, showing how locally sourced materials such as wood and clay could create homes in harmony with the landscape.
sui juris
adjective
capable of managing one's affairs or assuming legal responsibility.
More about sui juris
Sui juris is from Latin suī jūris, meaning “of one’s own right.” Suī is the possessive adjective meaning “her,” “his,” “its,” “one’s,” or “their.” Jūris is the rhotacized form of jūs, “law, right,” and it is the source of conjure, jury, and justice. Sui juris was first recorded in English circa 1610.
EXAMPLE OF SUI JURIS USED IN A SENTENCE
Unless demonstrated otherwise, every adult is regarded as sui juris in the eyes of the law.