Word of the Day
bosky
adjective
covered with bushes, shrubs, and small trees; woody.
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Why Dictionary.com chose bosky
More about bosky
- Bosky was first recorded in 1585–95.
- Bosky comes from the noun bosk, “a small wood or thicket,” which entered English around 1250–1300.
- Bosk, in turn, comes from the Middle English variant of busk(e), which shares the Old Norse origin, buskr, with bush, “a low plant with many branches.”
EXAMPLES OF BOSKY
- In the heart of the bosky knoll, a family of deer gracefully emerged from the undergrowth, their antlers blending with the surrounding verdant foliage.
- The old stone cottage nestled in a cozy clearing, its windows framed by a bosky landscape that seemed straight out of a fairy tale.
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Why Dictionary.com chose exsiccate
More about exsiccate
- Exsiccate was first recorded around 1375–1425.
- Exsiccate comes from the Latin word exsiccātus, meaning “dried up.”
- This form can be broken down further into the prefix ex-, which means “thoroughly,” and the verb siccāre, “to dry, make dry.”
- Desiccate, “to dry up,” and desiccant, “a drying agent,” are related to exsiccate, but entered English about 300 years later.
EXAMPLES OF EXSICCATE
- With no rainfall for months, the soil in the farmer’s field started to exsiccate, making it difficult for crops to grow.
- The ancient parchment documents were carefully stored in a dry environment to prevent them from exsiccating and becoming brittle over time.
gâteau
noun
a cake, especially a very light sponge cake with a rich icing or filling.
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Why Dictionary.com chose gâteau
More about gâteau
- Gâteau was first recorded in English in 1835–45.
- Gâteau came from French and has origins in the Old French word gastel.
- Gastel is possibly similar to the Old English, Old Saxon word wist, meaning “food or nourishment.”
EXAMPLES OF GÂTEAU
- As I took the first bite of the gâteau, its light and fluffy texture melted in my mouth, leaving behind the delightful flavors of almond and apricot.
- For her birthday, she requested a decadent gâteau with layers of moist vanilla sponge, luscious raspberry filling, and a smooth cream cheese icing.
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