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Why Dictionary.com chose modicum
More about modicum
- Modicum was first recorded in 1375–1425.
- Modicum comes via late Middle English from a noun form of the Latin word modicus, meaning “moderate.”
- The root of modicus is modus, which means “measured amount; limit,” from which mode, the most frequently repeated value in a set of values, comes as well.
EXAMPLES OF MODICUM
- The team was disappointed when their efforts resulted in only a modicum of progress towards their goal.
- Even on the busiest of days, he always made sure to maintain at least a modicum of calm.
garrulous
adjective
excessively talkative in a rambling, roundabout manner, especially about trivial matters.
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Why Dictionary.com chose garrulous
More about garrulous
- Garrulous was first recorded in 1605–15.
- Garrulous comes from the Latin word garrulus, meaning “talkative, garrulous,” which is similar to the Latin verb garr(īre), meaning “to chatter.”
- Garrulity is the quality of being garrulous, just like loquacity is the quality of being loquacious, a synonym of garrulous.
EXAMPLES OF GARRULOUS
- My neighbor’s garrulous nature proved to be quite challenging whenever I tried to have a quick conversation with him, as he would incessantly digress and meander through various unrelated anecdotes.
- Despite her advanced age, the garrulous woman never ran out of stories to tell, often rambling on for hours about mundane topics.
bachata
noun
a contemporary genre of Latin American popular music, in the style of a ballad, featuring guitars, percussion, and singing.
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Why Dictionary.com chose bachata
More about bachata
- Bachata was first recorded in English around 1955–60.
- Bachata comes from Caribbean Spanish, and it originally meant “party” or “celebration.”
- Bachata in Spanish may have come from an African language, but it is uncertain.
- Bachata, the music, originated in the early 1920s in the Dominican Republic from Cuban and African rhythms.
EXAMPLES OF BACHATA
- The sultry melodies of bachata filled the air, enticing couples to sway and dance to the rhythm.
- As the guitar strings resonated, the singer’s heartfelt voice carried the emotions of the bachata song to everyone in the room.
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