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.
to eat a light midday meal; lunch
To tiffin is to have a light midday meal — essentially, to eat a small lunch. The word comes from the British colonial period in India, likely from the English slang "tiffing," meaning "to take a little drink." Tiffin suggests something casual, quick, and pleasantly nourishing.
After finishing the morning meeting, the colleagues decided to tiffin at the cafe next door.
at great speed; rapidly
Need it fast? Do it lickety-split. This informal phrase means "at great speed," evoking the idea of a split second. It's the kind of phrase you use when there's no time to dawdle. So hurry up and read this message lickety-split!
The kids cleaned their messy playroom lickety-split when their mother said there was no ice cream allowed until they finished.
a group or cluster of cats
A clowder is a delightfully specific term for a group of cats. The word is thought to be related to "clutter," a more general term for a disorderly group. Whether the felines are lounging in the sun or catching mice, clowder captures their collective charm (and mischief).
The clowder of neighborhood cats gathered on the porch every evening to wait for their food.
full of complaints
Someone who's querulous tends to complain (a lot!) and can turn even small inconveniences into full-blown grievances. It's not a word you hear much these days; most people would simply call a querulous person "grouchy."
The querulous customer spent the afternoon grumbling about the long lines and high prices.
superficial knowledge
Sciolism is what happens when someone knows just enough to sound informed, but not enough to go deep. It's the intellectual equivalent of reading the plot synopsis and then jumping into a lively book discussion like you read the whole thing. If someone speaks with confidence but the knowledge behind it is thin, that's sciolism in action.
The critic's sciolism was revealed when he confused the basic facts of the historical event.
