Word of the Day
oblique
adjective
indirectly stated or expressed; not straightforward.
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Why Dictionary.com chose oblique
More about oblique
- First recorded around 1400–50.
- Comes from the Latin term oblīquus, which means “slanting.”
- Other words that begin with the prefix ob-, meaning “toward or against,” include obsolete, obscure, and obligate.
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EXAMPLES OF OBLIQUE
- She tactfully made oblique references to his recent mistake during the staff meeting.
- The author used oblique language to weave a complex web of hidden meanings in her novel.
zither
noun
a musical instrument, consisting of a flat sounding box with numerous strings stretched over it, that is placed on a horizontal surface and played with a plectrum and the fingertips.
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Why Dictionary.com chose zither
More about zither
- First recorded in English in 1840–50.
- Comes via German from Latin cithara.
- Cithara is also related to the Greek kithárá, from which we get kithara, “a musical instrument of ancient Greece consisting of an elaborate wooden soundbox having two arms connected by a yoke to which the upper ends of the strings are attached.”
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EXAMPLES OF ZITHER
- The delicate harmonies of the piano blended beautifully with the rich tones of the zither in their enchanting duet.
- With each graceful stroke of the plectrum against the strings, the zither produced a soothing melody that transported listeners to another time.
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Why Dictionary.com chose taradiddle
More about taradiddle
- First recorded in 1790–1800.
- An informal term with no clear etymology.
- The second element may be the verb diddle “to move back and forth or up and down quickly.”
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EXAMPLES OF TARADIDDLE
- The mischievous twins concocted a taradiddle about their missing homework to avoid getting into trouble with their teacher.
- In her memoir, the author admitted to embellishing certain events with harmless taradiddles to make them more captivating for readers.
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