Word of the Day
macédoine
noun
a mixture of fruits or vegetables, often served as a salad.
More about macédoine
Macédoine is the French name of Macedonia, known today as North Macedonia, a country in southeastern Europe that borders Greece. An unconfirmed explanation for the definition of macédoine is a nod to Macedonia’s historical ethnic diversity. Macedonia is related to makednós, “tall,” in reference to human height or the region’s highlands. Macédoine was first recorded in English in the 1810s.
EXAMPLE OF MACÉDOINE USED IN A SENTENCE
The macédoine of citrus and melon proved to be a popular appetizer at the potluck.
amethyst
noun
a purple or violet quartz, used as a gem.
More about amethyst
Amethyst comes by way of Latin from Ancient Greek améthystos, literally meaning “not intoxicating.” Perhaps because of amethyst’s winelike hue, a common belief in the ancient Mediterranean was that the stone prevented drunkenness. The ultimate origin, méthy, “wine,” is distantly related to English mead, a liquor made from fermented honey. Amethyst was first recorded in English in the late 13th century.
EXAMPLE OF AMETHYST USED IN A SENTENCE
The deep purple amethyst in her necklace contrasted with her white dress.
humicolous
adjective
of or relating to organisms that live in or on soil.
More about humicolous
Humicolous, “of or relating to organisms living in or on soil,” is based on Latin humus, “earth,” and colere, “to inhabit.” Humus comes from an Indo-European root found in numerous words related to land or humankind, such as Words of the Day chernozem, chthonian, and duniewassal. Colere also gives us colony and culture. Humicolous was first recorded in English at the turn of the 20th century.
EXAMPLE OF HUMICOLOUS USED IN A SENTENCE
As they dug through the soil in the garden, ants, worms, and other humicolous creatures kept appearing.