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Why Dictionary.com chose smithereens
More about smithereens
- Smithereens was first recorded in 1820–30.
- Smithereens may come from the dialectal variant smithers, “tiny pieces.”
- Smithereens also contains the suffix –een similar to Irish –ín, which is used to emphasize the small size of something.
- Smithereens is always used in the plural form.
EXAMPLES OF SMITHEREENS
- She tore up the letter into tiny smithereens of paper before throwing them in the trash.
- The old building was demolished, reducing it to smithereens in a matter of seconds.
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Why Dictionary.com chose auberge
More about auberge
- Auberge entered English from French around 1770–80.
- The French word auberge comes from Old Provençal alberga, which meant “encampment, hut.”
- These forms diverged from the verb arbergar, “to lodge, shelter,” which was originally from an East Germanic term meaning, “to shelter an armed force.”
- Both harbinger, which can mean “a person sent in advance of troops,” and harbor, “shelter,” may have similar origins.
EXAMPLES OF AUBERGE
- After a long day of hiking, we were relieved to find a welcoming auberge to rest our weary bodies.
- The cozy auberge by the lake offered comfortable accommodations and delicious homemade meals.
cavort
verb
to behave in a high-spirited, festive manner.
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Why Dictionary.com chose cavort
More about cavort
- Cavort is an Americanism dating back to 1785–95.
- Cavort comes from the earlier word cavault.
- Cavault is perhaps a combination of the words cur(vet), “a leap of a horse from a rearing position, in which it springs up with the hind legs outstretched as the forelegs descend,” and vault, “to leap or spring.”
EXAMPLES OF CAVORT
- After weeks of intense studying, the students decided to let loose and cavort around town at the end of the semester.
- The dancers cavorted with contagious enthusiasm, lifting the spirits of all who were watching.
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