Word of the Day
decorticate
verb
to remove the bark, husk, or outer covering from
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Why Dictionary.com chose decorticate
More about decorticate
- First recorded in 1605–15.
- Combines de-⁴ + the Latin root cortex, meaning “bark, shell, or outer covering” + -ate¹.
EXAMPLES OF DECORTICATE
- The botany students learned how to decorticate a tree without damaging layers below the bark.
- The farmer bought a machine that quickly decorticates cottonseed.
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Why Dictionary.com chose tempestuous
More about tempestuous
- First recorded in 1500–10.
- From the Latin tempestuosus, meaning “stormy;” combines the Latin root tempestas, meaning “period of time; weather,” + -ous.
EXAMPLES OF TEMPESTUOUS
- The novel’s plot revolves around the tempestuous relationship between an artist and his muse.
- The university experienced a tempestuous season of faculty protests and disputes.
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Why Dictionary.com chose nitid
More about nitid
- First recorded in 1610–20.
- Combines the Latin verb nitēre, meaning “to shine, glisten,” + the suffix -id⁶.
EXAMPLES OF NITID
- The nitid wings of the dragonfly shimmered as it hovered over the pond.
- The car’s freshly waxed hood looked nitid under the streetlights.
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