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Why Dictionary.com chose khaki
More about khaki
- First recorded in 1855–60.
- From Persian khākī, meaning “dusty or earth-colored,” via Urdu.
- The word came to describe the fabric of the British military field uniforms, which were originally dyed this color for camouflage.
EXAMPLES OF KHAKI
- The casserole took on a strange, khaki color after reheating, and no one dared eat it.
- The tent’s khaki canvas blended into the dry grasslands.
favonian
adjective
(especially of wind) mild, favorable, or auspicious
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Why Dictionary.com chose favonian
More about favonian
- First recorded in 1650–60.
- From Favonius, the Roman mythological personification of the west wind, equivalent to Zephyrus in Greek mythology.
- Distantly related to the word favorable.
EXAMPLES OF FAVONIAN
- Summer jogs felt easier with the favonian air drifting through the park.
- A favonian current rippled across the rice paddy.
obi
noun
a long, broad sash tied about the waist over a Japanese kimono
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Why Dictionary.com chose obi
More about obi
- First recorded in 1875–80.
- From Japanese obi, meaning “belt.”
EXAMPLES OF OBI
- After hours of preparation for the wedding, the final touch was the perfectly knotted obi.
- He selected a gold-trimmed obi to complement the kimono.
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