Word of the Day
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Why Dictionary.com chose absquatulate
More about absquatulate
- First recorded in 1820–30.
- Formed from ab-, “away from,” and squat, “to sit in a low or crouching position.”
- A pseudo-Latinism, it parallels Latin-derived words with initial abs– like abscond and abstention and final –tulate, as in congratulate.
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EXAMPLES OF ABSQUATULATE
- The mischievous cat managed to absquatulate every time the door was left open.
- When they heard the police sirens approaching, the burglars decided to absquatulate from the scene of the crime.
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flabbergast
verb
to overcome with surprise and bewilderment; astound.
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Why Dictionary.com chose flabbergast
More about flabbergast
- First recorded around 1765–75.
- A variant of flabagast, which may be a combination of flabb(y), “hanging loosely or limply” or flap, “a blow given with something broad and flat,” and aghast, “struck with overwhelming shock.”
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EXAMPLES OF FLABBERGAST
- The magician’s disappearing act never failed to flabbergast the audience.
- The unexpected news about the new mayor flabbergasted the community.
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tortuous
adjective
full of twists, turns, or bends; twisting, winding, or crooked.
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Why Dictionary.com chose tortuous
More about tortuous
- First recorded in 1350–1400.
- Comes via Middle English from the Latin word tortuōsus, which derives from the verb torquēre, “to twist, bend.”
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EXAMPLES OF TORTUOUS
- The tortuous road through the mountains made for a challenging but scenic drive.
- The author’s writing style was known for its elegant prose and tortuous plot twists.
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