Start each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!

Word of the Day

Word of the day

thanksgiver

[ thangks-giv-er ]

noun

a person who gives thanks.

learn about the english language

More about thanksgiver

Thanksgiver entered English in the early 1600s.

how is thanksgiver used?

I am a Thanksgiver. I have a generous and grateful nature. I also have a splendid appetite.

, "A Confession," Caricature: Wit and Humor of a Nation in Picture, Song and Story, 1908

Wherefore we find (our never-to-be-forgotten) example, the devout thanksgiver, David, continually declaring the great price he set upon the divine favours …

Isaac Barrow (1630–1677), "Sermon VIII: Of the Duty of Thanksgiving," The Theological Works of Isaac Barrow, 1830
quiz icon
WHAT'S YOUR WORD IQ?
Think you're a word wizard? Try our word quiz, and prove it!
TAKE THE QUIZ
arrows pointing up and down
SYNONYM OF THE DAY
Double your word knowledge with the Synonym of the Day!
SEE TODAY'S SYNONYM
Word of the Day Calendar

Word of the day

cornucopia

[ kawr-nuh-koh-pee-uh, -nyuh- ]

noun

an abundant, overflowing supply.

learn about the english language

More about cornucopia

Cornucopia is a Late Latin formation, a combination of the Latin noun phrase cornū cōpiae “horn of plenty.” Cornūcōpia was coined by the late Imperial historian Ammianus Marcellinus (c 325 a.d.-c398 a.d.), a Greek probably born in Syria or Phoenicia who learned his Latin in the army. Cornū comes from the very complicated Proto-Indo-European root ker-, kor-, krā-, kŗ- (and other variants and their extensions) “head, horn.” English horn is a close relation of Latin cornū. Krāníon “skull, cranium” is one of the many Greek derivatives of the root. Cōpia is a derivative of the rare adjective cōpis (or cops) “well supplied, abundant.” Cornūcōpia entered English in the 16th century.

how is cornucopia used?

There were jars everywhere, a cornucopia of jars, and in the jars various dried herbs and potions …

T. Coraghessan Boyle, The Women, 2009

It is a real cornucopia of joy and merriment.

François Rabelais, Gargantua and Pantagruel: The Third Book, 1546
Word of the Day Calendar

Word of the day

sippet

[ sip-it ]

noun

a small piece of bread or the like for dipping in liquid food, as in gravy or milk; a small sop.

learn about the english language

More about sippet

The very uncommon noun sippet is a diminutive of sop “a piece of solid food, as bread, for dipping in liquid food” and the diminutive suffix -et, influenced by sip. Sippet entered English in the 16th century.

how is sippet used?

With dinner almost over, the broken meats of the second course not yet removed, Anne pulls a silver dish towards her, and helps herself to a sippet. It is her favourite way to end a meal …

Joanne Limburg, A Want of Kindness, 2015

… my sister Theodosia made her appearance … kissed our father, and sat down at his side, and took a sippet of toast … and dipped it in his negus.

William Makepeace Thackeray, The Virginians, 1859
Word of the Day Calendar
Word of the Day Calendar