Word of the Day
obi
noun
a long, broad sash tied about the waist over a Japanese kimono
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Why Dictionary.com chose obi
More about obi
- First recorded in 1875–80.
- From Japanese obi, meaning “belt.”
EXAMPLES OF OBI
- After hours of preparation for the wedding, the final touch was the perfectly knotted obi.
- He selected a gold-trimmed obi to complement the kimono.
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Why Dictionary.com chose gainsay
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Why Dictionary.com chose gainsay
More about gainsay
- First recorded between 1250–1300.
- Combines gain-, an archaic prefix meaning “against,” + say¹.
EXAMPLES OF GAINSAY
- The judge saw no reason to gainsay the witness’s statement.
- You can try to gainsay my claim that this is the best playlist ever, but it’s staying on repeat.
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Why Dictionary.com chose burnish
More about burnish
- First recorded between 1275–1325.
- From the Old French word brunir, meaning “to polish.”
- Likely from the Germanic root *brūnaz, which is also the root of brown¹.
EXAMPLES OF BURNISH
- A quick swipe of wax was used to burnish the wooden tabletop.
- Sir Cadwalader rose at dawn to burnish every piece of his armor before the tournament.
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