News from February 14–February 20, 2026
Each week, we scan the latest headlines to spot words in action. From major news stories to pop culture buzz, this feature highlights language as it’s unfolding. Stories about a civil rights titan, a pickleball brawl, and good news for coffee lovers all contributed to the vocabulary from this week’s news.
abolitionist
noun: (especially prior to the Civil War) an advocate for ending slavery
From the headlines: Researchers at a historic house in New York City’s East Village found evidence that its first owner was an abolitionist who helped enslaved people escape to Canada. A secret passage under a dresser in the Merchant’s House Museum had been a mystery for years. When historians recently began looking more closely at the home’s original owner, they discovered that he fiercely advocated for ending slavery, and that his house was very likely a stop on the Underground Railroad.
abrogation
noun: an official or legal cancellation
From the headlines: Experts say the Environmental Protection Agency’s abrogation of the “endangerment finding” effectively ends federal clean car standards in the United States. The 2009 finding concluded that greenhouse gases pose a threat to public health and gave the government authority to regulate emissions. As the last major rule governing vehicle efficiency, its removal has prompted environmental groups to file lawsuits challenging the EPA’s decision.
caffeinated
adjective: containing caffeine, a stimulant found especially in coffee and tea
From the headlines: A study suggests that drinking two or three cups of caffeinated coffee every day reduces a person’s risk of dementia late in life. Researchers followed more than 100,000 people for 43 years and found that daily coffee drinkers had a lower risk of getting Alzheimer’s and related brain disorders. The effect held true for those who drank one to two cups of tea, as long as it contained caffeine.
cormorant
noun: a large, dark-colored, long-necked seabird
From the headlines: In Germany, an injured cormorant was rescued after it pecked at the door of a hospital emergency room. The large black sea bird caught the attention of medical staff at the Klinikum Links der Weser hospital in Bremen on February 15. The cormorant had a fishhook stuck in its beak, a situation that can result in starvation. Hospital workers removed the hook, and the bird was returned to the wild.
fortitude
noun: strength of mind that enables one to endure adversity
From the headlines: Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, French President Emmanuel Macron stressed the importance of European fortitude. He urged European nations to rely less on the United States and become a geopolitical power in their own right. Macron also insisted that Europe must play a direct role in negotiations over Ukraine and future agreements to reduce nuclear weapons.
galvanize
verb: stimulate to action
From the headlines: The Reverend Jesse Jackson, a prominent civil rights leader and political figure who galvanized activists and Black political hopefuls, has died at 84. Known for his powerful speaking style, Jackson drew inspiration from his mentor, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and other leaders of the movement. Although his presidential bids were ultimately unsuccessful, they inspired generations of Black voters and candidates.
lapse
noun: a break or intermission in the occurrence of something
From the headlines: A lapse in funding for the Department of Homeland Security caused an agency shutdown. Democrats say they won’t approve continued financing for the department, which oversees immigration enforcement and airport security, until demands for restrictions on ICE agents are met. Republicans have so far refused to agree to those demands. The funding pause may cause travel delays at airports and slow federal disaster response.
melee
noun: a chaotic hand-to-hand fight among multiple people
From the headlines: A pickleball game in Florida escalated into a riotous melee involving dozens of people and resulting in two arrests. The match between two couples grew heated when one player disputed a call, leading to an exchange of insults. During the confrontation, 63-year-old Anthony Sapienza struck another player with a paddle, and sixteen onlookers soon joined the fight. Sapienza and his wife were later arrested and charged with battery.
optimism
noun: the hopeful feeling that all is going to turn out well
From the headlines: China’s Lunar New Year celebrations began on February 15 and will continue for nine days. The Year of the Horse is traditionally associated with optimism and new possibilities, a theme echoed in recent remarks by Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasizing confidence and positivity. To reinforce that sense of optimism, the government plans to distribute $52 million in consumer vouchers this month to encourage spending and strengthen consumer confidence.
proscription
noun: a decree or act that prohibits something
From the headlines: A 20-year proscription against kite flying in Lahore, Pakistan, was lifted in time for the spring festival of Basant. Since a 2007 ban on the practice, the only city residents participating in the ancient competitive sport of kite flying did so illegally, in secret. This year, the sky above the city was filled with colorful kites, flown following guidelines meant to protect people from being harmed by glass- or chemical-coated kite strings, which are used to cut competitors’ strings.
