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Word of the day

caliginous

[ kuh-lij-uh-nuhs ] [ kəˈlɪdʒ ə nəs ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

adjective

misty, dim, or dark

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Why Dictionary.com chose caliginous

More about caliginous

  • First recorded in 1540–50.
  • From Latin cālīginōsus, meaning “misty;” combines Latin cālīgō, meaning “fog, gloom,” + -ous.

EXAMPLES OF CALIGINOUS

  • A caliginous cave led them deeper into the heart of the mountain.
  • The polluted air was thick with caliginous fumes and stifling humidity.
20240103
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Word of the day

echolalia

[ ek-oh-ley-lee-uh ] [ ˌɛk oʊˈleɪ li ə ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

noun

the imitation of sounds by babies as they learn to talk

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Why Dictionary.com chose echolalia

More about echolalia

  • First recorded in 1880–85.
  • Combines echo + -lalia, from the Greek lălĭā́, meaning “talking, speech.”

EXAMPLES OF ECHOLALIA

  • The baby’s echolalia delighted her parents as she mimicked their laughter.
  • The toddler’s echolalia of “night night” was adorable; he repeated it every evening after his brother said it.
20240103
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Word of the day

iwis

[ ih-wis ] [ ɪˈwɪs ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

adverb

certainly

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Why Dictionary.com chose iwis

More about iwis

  • From Old English (450–1150) gewiss, meaning “certain or sure.”
  • Related to the words wise¹ and wit¹; all are from a root meaning “to know.”

EXAMPLES OF IWIS

  • Iwis, the cat will try to knock that vase over again.
  • The team will bounce back from this loss, iwis, because they always do.
20240103
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