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Word of the day

primordial

[ prahy-mawr-dee-uhl ] [ praɪˈmɔr di əl ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

adjective

constituting a beginning; giving origin to something derived or developed; original.

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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.
20240103
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Word of the day

eustress

[ yoo-stres ] [ ˈyuˌstrɛs ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

noun

physical, mental, or emotional tension that is caused by something positive or is psychologically or physically beneficial.

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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.
20240103
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Word of the day

unputdownable

[ uhn-poot-dou-nuh-buhl ] [ ˌʌn pʊtˈdaʊ nə bəl ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

adjective

(especially of a book or periodical) so interesting or suspenseful as to compel reading.

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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.
20240103
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