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Word of the day

buttonhole

[ buht-n-hohl ] [ ˈbʌt nˌhoʊl ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

verb

to abruptly detain someone in conversation.

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Why Dictionary.com chose buttonhole

More about buttonhole

  • First recorded in 1555–65.
  • Formed from the words button and hole.
  • Button comes from butt, meaning “to push or strike something.”
  • Hole comes from Old English hol, meaning “hole, cave.”
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EXAMPLES OF BUTTONHOLE

  • The enthusiastic salesperson, eager to showcase the latest products, buttonholed the customer as they entered the store.
  • I was in a rush to catch my train, but my colleague buttonholed me in the hallway to discuss a new project.
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Word of the day

somnolent

[ som-nuh-luhnt ] [ ˈsɒm nə lənt ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

adjective

sleepy; drowsy.

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Why Dictionary.com chose somnolent

More about somnolent

  • First recorded around 1425–75.
  • Comes from late Middle English sompnolent, via Old French from Latin somnolentus.
  • Somnolentus is a derivative of somnus, “sleep,” plus –ulent, “having in quantity.”
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EXAMPLES OF SOMNOLENT

  • The warm afternoon sun shining through the window made the class feel somnolent, with many students struggling to stay awake.
  • As the train rocked gently back and forth, the rhythmic motion made me feel pleasantly somnolent.
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Word of the day

polyhistor

[ pol-ee-his-ter ] [ ˌpɒl iˈhɪs tər ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

noun

a person of great and varied learning.

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Why Dictionary.com chose polyhistor

More about polyhistor

  • First recorded in 1565–75.
  • Originally comes from Greek polyístōr “very learned.”
  • The prefix poly– represents “much, many” and hístōr, “one who knows or sees.”
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EXAMPLES OF POLYHISTOR

  • As I delved into the pages of her autobiography, I discovered that my grandmother was a polyhistor, with accomplishments spanning from art to politics.
  • The documentary showcased Leonardo da Vinci not only as an artist but also as a polyhistor with his contributions to science and engineering.
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