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Why Dictionary.com chose burnish
More about burnish
- First recorded between 1275–1325.
- From the Old French word brunir, meaning “to polish.”
- Likely from the Germanic root *brūnaz, which is also the root of brown¹.
EXAMPLES OF BURNISH
- A quick swipe of wax was used to burnish the wooden tabletop.
- Sir Cadwalader rose at dawn to burnish every piece of his armor before the tournament.
whitherward
adverb
toward what place; in what direction
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Why Dictionary.com chose whitherward
More about whitherward
- First recorded between 1150–1200.
- Combines whither, meaning “to what place,” + the directional suffix -ward³, meaning “toward.”
EXAMPLES OF WHITHERWARD
- They paused at the crossroads, uncertain whitherward the old map pointed.
- The balloon drifted higher and the child wondered whitherward the winds would take it.
heyday
noun
a stage or period of greatest strength or success
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Why Dictionary.com chose heyday
More about heyday
- First recorded in 1580–90.
- Of obscure origin; possibly from high day, meaning “holy or festival day.”
EXAMPLES OF HEYDAY
- In its heyday, the old amusement park was packed with crowds every weekend.
- The Roman Empire, in its heyday under Augustus, stretched across three continents and boasted unmatched engineering feats.
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