Word of the Day
zither
noun
a musical instrument, consisting of a flat sounding box with numerous strings stretched over it, that is placed on a horizontal surface and played with a plectrum and the fingertips.
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Why Dictionary.com chose zither
More about zither
- First recorded in English in 1840–50.
- Comes via German from Latin cithara.
- Cithara is also related to the Greek kithárá, from which we get kithara, “a musical instrument of ancient Greece consisting of an elaborate wooden soundbox having two arms connected by a yoke to which the upper ends of the strings are attached.”
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EXAMPLES OF ZITHER
- The delicate harmonies of the piano blended beautifully with the rich tones of the zither in their enchanting duet.
- With each graceful stroke of the plectrum against the strings, the zither produced a soothing melody that transported listeners to another time.
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Why Dictionary.com chose taradiddle
More about taradiddle
- First recorded in 1790–1800.
- An informal term with no clear etymology.
- The second element may be the verb diddle “to move back and forth or up and down quickly.”
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EXAMPLES OF TARADIDDLE
- The mischievous twins concocted a taradiddle about their missing homework to avoid getting into trouble with their teacher.
- In her memoir, the author admitted to embellishing certain events with harmless taradiddles to make them more captivating for readers.
Today's Word Is One of the New Words Just Added to Dictionary.com!
bed rotting
[ bed rot-ing ]
Show IPA
noun
the practice of spending many hours in bed during the day, often with snacks or an electronic device, as a voluntary retreat from activity or stress.
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Why Dictionary.com chose bed rotting
More about bed rotting
- First recorded in 2023 and is derived from the noun bed and the verb rot.
- Despite the negative connotation of rotting, many use this term in a positive way to refer to what they consider a form of self-care.
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EXAMPLES OF BED ROTTING
- Escaping the chaos of everyday life, I sought refuge in the serenity of bed rotting.
- On lazy Sundays, bed rotting becomes an art form as I immerse myself in movies and delicious treats.
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