Word of the Day
Learn a new word every day! The Dictionary.com team of language experts carefully selects each Word of the Day to add some panache to your vocabulary.
former; of times past
Erstwhile conjures memories of the past, but in a fancy way. It might be a colleague, love interest, or era from days gone by that you think about. Want a poetic way to talk about nostalgia? Go with erstwhile.
Before the meeting began, the manager warmly greeted a colleague who had erstwhile been his rival.
self-possessed, calm, or composed
Someone with a phlegmatic personality is steady and unshaken, even when chaos swirls around them. The word traces back to an ancient medical belief that an excess of phlegm caused sluggishness and emotional detachment. Today it refers to someone who keeps cool, thinks clearly, and rarely panics — an anchor in a storm.
Despite the emergency, the captain remained phlegmatic and directed the crew to safety.
to consider
To perpend is to pause and take something into consideration. Planners and careful decision-makers perpend options before taking action. The word comes from a Latin term meaning "to weigh carefully," emphasizing deliberation over haste. Perpend before you decide!
The architect took a moment to perpend the complex blueprints before starting the project.
the mythical land of sleep
The land of Nod isn't on any map, but it's where your imagination wanders at night. Sleep, dreams, and the quiet drift from alert to unconscious all belong here. Its biblical and literary roots give the phrase a whimsical, timeless quality.
The exhausted toddler finally drifted off to the land of Nod after a long day.
to dress richly
To caparison is to dress someone or decorate something with flair and extravagance. The word can even refer to placing ceremonial coverings on horses. Whether for people, rooms, or animals, to caparison is to adorn with style.
The knights began to caparison their horses with silk and gold before the royal parade.
