Word of the Day
enigma
noun
a person of puzzling or contradictory character.
learn about the english language
Why Dictionary.com chose enigma
More about enigma
- Enigma was first recorded in English around 1530–40 and comes from the Greek word aínigma, “riddle,” which derived from aînos, “fable.”
- Enigma was also the name of a ciphering machine used by the German military during World War II. A precursor to computer encryption, the Enigma machine encoded messages into a seemingly random string of letters to be decoded by another Enigma machine.
- The deciphering of the Enigma code by Alan Turing and a team of codebreakers allowed the Allies to secretly read intercepted German messages and is thought to be a major factor in the Allied victory.
EXAMPLES OF ENIGMA
- His mysterious smile and cryptic words rendered him an enigma that no one could decipher.
- Trying to understand her enigma of a personality proved to be an intriguing challenge for those around her.
swank
noun
dashing smartness, as in dress or appearance; style.
learn about the english language
Why Dictionary.com chose swank
More about swank
- Swank entered English around 1800–10.
- Swank may be related to the Scots word swank, meaning “lively.”
- Swank was perhaps ultimately formed from Old English swancor “lithe.”
- Swank is similar to the Middle Dutch word swanc, “supple,” and the Middle High German word swanken, “to sway.”
EXAMPLES OF SWANK
- The suave gentleman effortlessly exuded swank as he greeted everyone with a charming smile and impeccable grooming.
- “The fashion show was a spectacle of swank, featuring models strutting down the runway in glamorous attire.
muster
verb
to gather, summon, rouse (often followed by up).
learn about the english language
Why Dictionary.com chose muster
More about muster
- Muster entered English around 1250–1300.
- Muster came via French from the Latin verb mōnstrāre, meaning “to show.”
- Mōnstrāre derives from the Latin noun mōnstrum, meaning “portent, unnatural event, monster.”
- Monster, “any animal or thing huge in size,” derives from this same noun.
EXAMPLES OF MUSTER
- They mustered up the courage to confront their fears and take a leap of faith.
- The community members mustered their resources to support those affected by the natural disaster.
Word of the Day Calendar