Word of the Day
Why Dictionary.com chose acumen
More about acumen
- First recorded in 1525–35.
- Comes from the Latin word acūmen, meaning “sharpness.”
- Acūmen comes from the stem of acuere, “to sharpen,” as does the English word acute, “sharp or severe.”
EXAMPLES OF ACUMEN
- Her acumen in identifying profitable investments impressed everyone at the meeting.
- With his financial acumen, he was able to grow his small startup into a successful business empire.
natto
[ not-oh ]
Show IPA
noun
a dish of fermented cooked soybeans, often eaten for breakfast over white rice or with toppings such as soy sauce and mustard.
Why Dictionary.com chose natto
More about natto
- First recorded in 1870–75.
- Comes from Japanese, from na(t)- and tō, “bean.”
- Na(t) is ultimately from Middle Chinese, a cognate with Mandarin nà, “to bring into, receive.”
EXAMPLES OF NATTO
- For a traditional Japanese breakfast, many people enjoy a serving of natto over steamed white rice.
- Natto is known for its sticky texture, which is a result of the fermentation process.
ad nauseam
adverb
to a sickening or disgusting degree.
Why Dictionary.com chose ad nauseam
More about ad nauseam
- First recorded around 1565.
- Comes from Latin.
- Means literally, “to seasickness.”
EXAMPLES OF AD NAUSEAM
- The catchy commercial jingle played on the tv ad nauseam, getting stuck in everyone’s head.
- The company’s logo was plastered ad nauseam on every surface in the city.
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