Word of the Day
gullywasher
noun
a usually short, heavy rainstorm.
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Why Dictionary.com chose gullywasher
More about gullywasher
- First recorded in 1900–05.
- Used primarily in Midland and Western United States dialects of English.
- Gully comes from gullet, “the throat,” which comes from French.
- Washer comes from the English verb wash, recorded before 900.
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EXAMPLES OF GULLYWASHER
- The farmers rejoiced as the gullywasher replenished their parched fields.
- The residents of the desert town knew to brace themselves whenever dark clouds gathered on the horizon, signaling an imminent gullywasher.
buttonhole
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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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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