Word of the Day
Word of the day
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Why Dictionary.com chose flavescent
More about flavescent
- First recorded in 1850–55.
- From the Latin flāvescere, meaning “to become yellow;” possibly from Proto-Indo-European root *bʰel-, meaning “shiny.”
EXAMPLES OF FLAVESCENT
- A flavescent mist hung over the marshlands, giving the dawn an eerie beauty.
- Each fall, the leaves on the big tree in my yard turn a flavescent hue.
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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.
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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.
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