Word of the Day
audible
noun
a play called at the line of scrimmage to supersede the play originally agreed upon as the result of a change in strategy.
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Why Dictionary.com chose audible
More about audible
- First recorded in 1520–30.
- Comes ultimately from the Latin verb audī(re) “to hear.”
- First used in the current sense as audible signal around 1950, and then reduced to just audible.
- Audible can also be used more generally for any type of change of plans on the fly.
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EXAMPLES OF AUDIBLE
- In a split second decision, the quarterback made an audible to throw a deep pass instead of a short completion.
- The quarterback called an audible, overriding the offensive coordinator’s play call.
wyvern
noun
a two-legged winged dragon having the hinder part of a serpent with a barbed tail.
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Why Dictionary.com chose wyvern
More about wyvern
- First recorded in 1600–10.
- An alteration of earlier wyver, which comes from Old French guivre.
- Guivre comes from Latin vīpera, “viper.”
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EXAMPLES OF WYVERN
- The tapestry depicted a heroic figure riding into battle atop a majestic wyvern, ready to face any foe.
- The fearsome wyvern soared through the sky, its wings beating with a powerful grace.
discombobulate
verb
to confuse or disconcert; confound; bewilder.
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Why Dictionary.com chose discombobulate
More about discombobulate
- An Americanism first recorded in 1825–35.
- An earlier form, discomboberate, was recorded in the early 1800s.
- Apparently originated as a humorous imitation of fancy Latin words and is an alteration of discompose or discomfort.
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EXAMPLES OF DISCOMBOBULATE
- The sudden change in schedule discombobulated the students, throwing off their rhythm for the day.
- The loud noise and flashing lights discombobulated the performers, causing them to stumble through their routine.
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