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Word of the day

latent

[ leyt-nt ] [ ˈleɪt nt ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

adjective

present but not visible

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Why Dictionary.com chose latent

More about latent

  • First recorded before 1600.
  • From the Latin verb latēre, meaning “to lie hidden.”

EXAMPLES OF LATENT

  • The forest fire was sparked by a latent ember from last night’s campfire.
  • The cat’s infection moved into a latent phase.
20240103
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Word of the day

surcease

[ sur-sees ] [ sɜrˈsis ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

verb

to come to an end

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Why Dictionary.com chose surcease

More about surcease

  • First recorded between 1400–50.
  • From the Latin supersedēre, meaning “to refrain or omit.”
  • Related to supersede.

EXAMPLES OF SURCEASE

  • The birds return to their nests and surcease from chirping.
  • We hoped their constant disputes would one day surcease.
20240103
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Word of the day

haboob

[ huh-boob ] [ həˈbub ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

noun

a strong desert sandstorm

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Why Dictionary.com chose haboob

More about haboob

  • First recorded in 1895–1900.
  • From the Arabic habūb, meaning “a strong wind.”

EXAMPLES OF HABOOB

  • Travelers sheltered in a cave, waiting for the haboob to pass.
  • The massive haboob rolled across the desert, turning the sky orange.
20240103
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