Word of the Day
Learn a new word every day! The Dictionary.com team of language experts carefully selects each Word of the Day to add some panache to your vocabulary.
intense desire; strong natural craving
Appetence refers to a powerful inner urge or longing. The word suggests a deep pull toward something that feels essential or even irresistible. Just make sure you are in control of your appetences and not the other way around.
His appetence for adventure led him to explore the most remote corners of the globe.
unusually advanced or mature in development
Precocious describes someone who shows surprising maturity earlier than expected. You're especially likely to see this word used for children who display remarkable talent or insight at a young age. Be warned that a precocious kid might ask questions that leave grownups scrambling for answers.
The precocious child spoke with a level of maturity that surprised all the adults present.
the first sprouts or shoots of grass, corn, or other crops
Braird refers to the first tender shoots that appear when grass or crops begin to grow. Farmers watch for these early green blades as a sign that seeds have taken root. When a field shows its first braird, the growing season is officially underway.
The delicate braird of barley began to emerge from the damp soil a few days after the rain.
to pass time in idleness
To futz is to waste time, often by fussing over minor things instead of tackling something important. The word has a casual, humorous feel that's not as judgy as "procrastination." If you're figuring out the perfect arrangement of the tchotchkes on your desk instead of actually working, you're probably futzing around.
Instead of starting his chores, he decided to futz with his collection of old coins.
a place where one may range at large
A purlieu is a place where someone can roam freely. It's somewhere comfortably familiar, where you know your way around and feel at ease. Wandering around your purlieu might be just the decompression you need.
The vast meadow served as a quiet purlieu where the horses could roam all day.
