Word of the Day
xerophyte
noun
a plant adapted for growth under dry conditions.
Why the Museum of Science chose xerophyte
To find out, watch this video from science communicator Maynard Okereke, better known as the Hip Hop M.D.
Learn more at the Museum of Science.
More about xerophyte
Xerophyte is formed from xero-, meaning “dry,” and -phyte, meaning “plant.” Xero- comes from Ancient Greek xērós, the root of the Word of the Day xeriscaping, and -phyte comes from Ancient Greek phytón, the source of the Word of the Day neophyte. Xerophyte was first recorded in English at the end of the 19th century.
EXAMPLE OF XEROPHYTE USED IN A SENTENCE
Cacti, aloe plants, and other xerophytes grew throughout the arid scrubland.
More about skrik
Skrik is a borrowing from Afrikaans, a South African language descended from Dutch, and comes from Dutch schrik, meaning “fright.” While schrik is not related to English shriek, some linguists believe that it may share an origin with English shear or German schreien, “to shout, yell.” Skrik was first recorded in English in the late 1880s.
EXAMPLE OF SKRIK USED IN A SENTENCE
The bobcat’s screeching gave people living nearby quite a skrik.
première danseuse
noun
the leading female dancer in a ballet company.
More about première danseuse
In French, première danseuse means “first dancer,” and the male equivalent is premier danseur. Danseuse comes from the verb danser, “to dance,” of unclear origin. Première ultimately derives from Latin prīmārius, “of the first rank,” from prīmus, “first.” Première danseuse was first recorded in English in the 1820s.
EXAMPLE OF PREMIÈRE DANSEUSE USED IN A SENTENCE
The première danseuse played the dual roles of Odette and Odile in the production of Swan Lake.