Word of the Day
learn about the english language
Why Dictionary.com chose well-nigh
More about well-nigh
- From Old English wel neah (450–1150).
- Nigh is also the root of near, from nigh + -er⁷, and of next, from nigh + -est¹.
EXAMPLES OF WELL-NIGH
- The snow-covered field was well-nigh painful to look at because the sun’s reflection made it so bright.
- The intricate puzzle was well-nigh impossible to complete without clues.
pyrophoric
adjective
capable of igniting spontaneously in air
learn about the english language
Why Dictionary.com chose pyrophoric
More about pyrophoric
- First recorded in 1780–90.
- From the Greek pyrophóros, meaning “fire-bearing;” combines pyro-², meaning “fire,” + -phore, meaning “bearer of,” + -ic².
EXAMPLES OF PYROPHORIC
- The scientist handled the pyrophoric material with extreme caution to avoid accidental ignition.
- The chemical only showed pyrophoric properties above a certain temperature.
learn about the english language
Why Dictionary.com chose ablactate
More about ablactate
- First recorded in 1750–60.
- Combines the prefix ab-⁷, meaning “away from,” + lactate¹, from the Latin lactāre, meaning “to give milk.”
EXAMPLES OF ABLACTATE
- The parents decided to ablactate their twins, following their pediatrician’s advice.
- The zookeepers ablactated the tiger cubs by introducing soft food over a few weeks.
Word of the Day Calendar
