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Word of the day

campanulate

[ kam-pan-yuh-lit ] [ kæmˈpæn yə lɪt ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

adjective

bell-shaped

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Why Dictionary.com chose campanulate

More about campanulate

  • First recorded in 1660–70.
  • Combines Latin the campānula meaning “small bell,” + -ate¹.
  • Related to the word campanula, another name of bellflower.

EXAMPLES OF CAMPANULATE

  • The jellyfish’s campanulate body pulsed rhythmically as it drifted through the water.
  • The hiker noticed a patch of purple, campanulate flowers blooming along the trail.
20240103
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Word of the day

argent

[ ahr-juhnt ] [ ˈɑr dʒənt ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

adjective

like silver; silvery white

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Why Dictionary.com chose argent

More about argent

  • First recorded between 1400–50 as a noun meaning “silver.”
  • From Latin argentum, meaning “silver or money.”

EXAMPLES OF ARGENT 

  • Frost clung to the bare branches, giving the forest a delicate argent sheen.
  • The argent moon hung low in the sky, casting a glow over the lake.
20240103
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Word of the day

confabulate

[ kuhn-fab-yuh-leyt ] [ kənˈfæb yəˌleɪt ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

verb

to converse informally; chat

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Why Dictionary.com chose confabulate

More about confabulate

  • First recorded in 1600–10.
  • Combines the prefix con-⁸ + the Latin root fābulārī, meaning “to talk, chat;” related to the word fable.

EXAMPLES OF CONFABULATE

  • At the book club, members took time to confabulate before diving into the discussion.
  • My coworkers Caleb and Conny confabulated at a conference table.
20240103
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