Word of the Day
seriatim
adverb
in a series; one after another.
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Why Dictionary.com chose seriatim
More about seriatim
- Seriatim was first recorded in 1670–80.
- Seriatim comes from the Medieval Latin word seriāt(us), “arranged in order.”
- The –im ending creates the adverb form.
- The related word, series, ultimately comes from the Latin verb serere, “to connect.”
EXAMPLES OF SERIATIM
- The professor listed the key points of his lecture seriatim, ensuring that each point was addressed in a systematic manner.
- The avid reader always tackled her new library book acquisitions seriatim, reading one novel after another without skipping a beat.
semaphore
noun
a system of signaling, especially a system by which a special flag is held in each hand and various positions of the arms indicate specific letters, numbers, etc.
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Why Dictionary.com chose semaphore
More about semaphore
- Semaphore was first recorded in 1810–20.
- Semaphore comes from the French word sémaphore, from the Greek word sêma, “sign,” and –phore, from the Greek form –phoros, “bearing.”
- Other words ending in –phore include ionophore, “a substance capable of transmitting ions through cell membranes,” and aerophore, “a portable device filled with compressed air.”
EXAMPLES OF SEMAPHORE
- With a well-coordinated semaphore display, the scout effectively transmitted vital information to the rest of the team.
- Using semaphore, the sailor signaled the approaching ship by holding her arms in precise positions, forming letters and numbers.
copacetic
adjective
fine; completely satisfactory; OK.
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Why Dictionary.com chose copacetic
More about copacetic
- Copacetic is an Americanism that was first attested in Irving Bacheller’s 1919 book about Abraham Lincoln, A Man for the Ages.
- Copacetic is also spelled copasetic and is of obscure origin.
- Proposed languages of origin include Chinook, Italian, Louisiana French, and Hebrew, but none of the origin stories are particularly convincing.
- Copacetic further entered the public consciousness through the Prohibition-era song “At the New Jump Steady Ball,” whose lyrics include the line “Copasetic was the password for one and all, at the new jump steady ball.”
EXAMPLES OF COPACETIC
- The dinner party was a success, with delicious food, great company, and a copacetic atmosphere.
- Despite some initial concerns, the project’s progress has been copacetic and is moving forward smoothly.
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