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Word of the day

scuttle

[ skuht-l ] [ ˈskʌt l ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

verb

to run with quick, hasty steps

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Why Dictionary.com chose scuttle

More about scuttle

  • First recorded between 1450–1500.
  • Combines scud¹, meaning “to dart or run,” + frequentative suffix -le¹.
  • Sometimes associated with the locomotion of crabs.

EXAMPLES OF SCUTTLE

  • With the snorkel mask on, she could now see all sorts of creatures scuttling across the seafloor.
  • They were late for their meeting, so they had to scuttle through the crowded subway station.
20240103
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Word of the day

lickerish

[ lik-er-ish ] [ ˈlɪk ər ɪʃ ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

adjective

eager to consume delicious foods

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Why Dictionary.com chose lickerish

More about lickerish

  • First recorded between 1300–1350.
  • From the Middle English lickerous; combines the root licker, referring to “gluttony,” + the suffix -ish¹.

EXAMPLES OF LICKERISH

  • The lickerish guests savored the first bite of the cheese, appreciating its sharpness and complexity.
  • The banquet hall filled with lickerish sighs as the first taste of the chef’s famed soufflé melted on their tongues.
20240103
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Word of the day

prorogue

[ proh-rohg ] [ proʊˈroʊg ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

verb

to defer or postpone

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Why Dictionary.com chose prorogue

More about prorogue

  • First recorded between 1375–1425.
  • From the Latin prōrogāre, meaning “to extend or draw out a situation;” combines prefix pro-² + the Latin root rogāre, meaning “to ask.”

EXAMPLES OF PROROGUE

  • The festival organizers opted to prorogue the event by a week to accommodate more participants.
  • Nothing could prorogue his decision to step onto the dance floor once the band started to play his favorite song.
20240103
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