Word of the Day
aplomb
noun
imperturbable self-possession, poise, or assurance.
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Why Dictionary.com chose aplomb
More about aplomb
- Aplomb was first recorded around 1820–30.
- Aplomb is from the French phrase à plomb, “according to the plummet,” which means straight up and down or in a vertical position.
- Plummet or plumb bob refers to a weight attached to a line, used for determining perpendicularity.
EXAMPLES OF APLOMB
- Despite facing an array of difficult questions, the speaker showed remarkable aplomb and answered each one with confidence.
- As the team captain, she handled the pressure of the final match with aplomb, leading her team to victory.
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Why Dictionary.com chose largess
More about largess
- Largess was first recorded in 1175–1225.
- Largess is also spelled largesse and comes from the Middle English word largesse, from Old French.
- Largess is related to large, which comes from the Latin word meaning “ample, generous.”
EXAMPLES OF LARGESS
- Despite her humble beginnings, the politician displayed an incredible largess by sponsoring scholarships for underprivileged students.
- The artist’s largess was displayed in his willingness to share her creative process with others, inspiring a new generation of painters.
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Why Dictionary.com chose dernier cri
More about dernier cri
- Dernier cri entered English around 1895–1900.
- Dernier cri comes from French and means literally, “last cry.”
- You may recognize cri from cri de coeur, another borrowing from French that means “outcry” or literally, “cry of the heart.”
EXAMPLES OF DERNIER CRI
- Her outfit at the party was the dernier cri, catching everyone’s attention with its cutting-edge design.
- The restaurant’s menu boasted a selection of dishes that were not only delicious but also were the dernier cri in culinary innovation.
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