Word of the Day

Something that's spagyric resembles alchemy. Thought to be coined by the physician and alchemist Paracelsus, it involves purifying substances by separating, extracting, and recombining them. You won't find spagyric remedies at your doctor's office, but the term offers a glimpse into the alchemical roots of early medicine.

A swashbuckler is someone who leaps into an adventure with their trusty weapon at the ready. While you won't find very many swashbucklers in real life, you're bound to encounter them in films and books. These romantic daredevils make for charming characters — and they pave the way for plenty of drama.

If you've ever fallen behind on a deadline or arrived late to an appointment, you've found yourself behindhand. The word dates back to the 16th century and is thought to have developed as a counterpart to "beforehand." While "beforehand" is comfortably early, behindhand is decidedly not.

Some things are here today and gone tomorrow, making them truly ephemeral. Think of a bubble that's about to pop or a delicate snowflake on the verge of melting in your hand. If it's fleeting, it's ephemeral.

A deipnosophist is someone who excels at conversation over a meal. The word has a distinctly old-world flavor, but the idea is familiar: A good dinner companion can keep the table lively without dominating it. A true deipnosophist knows that the best dinners depend on more than what is served.