Word of the Day
primordial
adjective
constituting a beginning; giving origin to something derived or developed; original.
Why Dictionary.com chose primordial
More about primordial
- First recorded around 1350–1400.
- Comes via Middle English from the Late Latin word prīmōrdiālis, meaning “of the beginning.”
- Prīmōrdiālis contains prīm(us), “first,” and ōrd(īrī), “to begin.”
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EXAMPLES OF PRIMORDIAL
- Legends speak of primordial gods who shaped the world in its early days.
- The artist’s painting captured the essence of a primordial forest, untouched by human hands.
eustress
noun
physical, mental, or emotional tension that is caused by something positive or is psychologically or physically beneficial.
Why Dictionary.com chose eustress
More about eustress
- First recorded in 1965–70.
- Comes from the Greek prefix eu-, which means “good” or “well,” and the word stress.
- Stress comes from distress, “great pain, anxiety, or sorrow,” which is of Middle English origins.
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EXAMPLES OF EUSTRESS
- Exercising regularly can lead to the experience of eustress, as it challenges your body in a positive way.
- Embarking on a solo travel adventure can generate eustress, fueling excitement and personal development.
unputdownable
adjective
(especially of a book or periodical) so interesting or suspenseful as to compel reading.
Why Dictionary.com chose unputdownable
More about unputdownable
- First recorded in the late 1830s in the sense of “cannot be suppressed.”
- In the highlighted sense of “page-turning,” first recorded in the late 1930s.
- Comes from the phrase put down.
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EXAMPLES OF UNPUTDOWNABLE
- The novel was so unputdownable that I stayed up all night to finish it.
- His latest short story collection is truly unputdownable and sure to captivate readers.
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