Word of the Day
sapphirine
adjective
like sapphire, especially in color.
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Why Dictionary.com chose sapphirine
More about sapphirine
- First recorded between 1375–1425.
- From Greek sappheírinos, “like lapis lazuli” (see sapphire, -ine1).
EXAMPLES OF SAPPHIRINE
- The tropical sea shimmered with sapphirine and turquoise waves.
- Her sapphirine eyes matched her favorite blue dress.
hinterland
noun
the remote or less developed parts of a country.
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Why Dictionary.com chose hinterland
More about hinterland
- First used between 1885–90.
- Directly from the German Hinterland, literally “behind the land.”
- Commonly used in the plural, hinterlands, compare with the sticks¹⁵ or boondocks.
EXAMPLES OF HINTERLAND
- She longed to escape the city’s noise and find solace in the serene hinterland.
- The bustling port city was surrounded by a vast, sparsely populated hinterland.
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Why Dictionary.com chose diffident
More about diffident
- First recorded between 1425–75.
- From Latin diffīdēns, “mistrusting, despairing.”
EXAMPLES OF DIFFIDENT
- The new student was nervous and diffident when introducing himself in front of the whole class.
- Even as we praised the artist’s latest work, she remained unsure and diffident in manner.
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