Word of the Day
Word of the day
furlough
verb
to lay an employee off from work, usually temporarily
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Why Dictionary.com chose furlough
More about furlough
- First recorded in 1615–25.
- From Dutch verlof, meaning “dismissal, permission to leave;” related to the English components for-² + leave².
EXAMPLES OF FURLOUGH
- The factory planned to furlough workers in rotating groups to stay operational.
- The company furloughed the team with a vague promise to rehire them when business improved.
ombudsman
noun
a government official who investigates complaints from citizens about other officials or agencies
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Why Dictionary.com chose ombudsman
More about ombudsman
- First recorded in 1910–15.
- From Swedish ombud, meaning “an agent or proxy,” + man.
EXAMPLES OF OMBUDSMAN
- He filed a grievance with the ombudsman regarding the smell coming from the nearby factory.
- The ombudsman’s office is located in the city center, accessible to all residents.
cherub
noun
a kind of angel, often represented as a rosy-cheeked child with wings
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Why Dictionary.com chose cherub
More about cherub
- First recorded in Old English (450–1150).
- From Hebrew kərūbh; possibly from a root meaning “to bless.”
EXAMPLES OF CHERUB
- The statue of a cherub stood guard at the entrance to the old cemetery.
- The baby grinned up at them, pink-cheeked and bright-eyed like a cherub.
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