Word of the Day
woodchuck
noun
a stocky burrowing rodent that hibernates in the winter
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Why Dictionary.com chose woodchuck
More about woodchuck
- First recorded in 1665–75.
- From an Algonquian word meaning “marten,” a small mammal hunted for its pelt; possibly from the Narragansett ockqutchaun.
EXAMPLES OF WOODCHUCK
- A woodchuck darted across the field and disappeared into its burrow.
- The farmer spotted a woodchuck digging near the cornfield.
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Why Dictionary.com chose stilted
More about stilted
- First recorded in 1610–20 meaning “artificially supported with crutches or stilts.”
- Combines stilt + -ed³.
EXAMPLES OF STILTED
- The author’s attempt at poetic language felt stilted, detracting from the story’s flow.
- The diplomat’s stilted manners made the casual dinner feel more like a formal ceremony.
counterpoise
verb
to balance by an opposing weight; counteract by an opposing force
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Why Dictionary.com chose counterpoise
More about counterpoise
- First recorded between 1375–1425 as a noun meaning “a counterbalancing weight.”
- Combines counter-⁵ + poise¹, related to the Latin pendere, meaning “to weigh.”
EXAMPLES OF COUNTERPOISE
- The cool breeze from the lake will often counterpoise the heat of a summer afternoon.
- The seesaw remained steady, perfectly counterpoised by the weight of the two children.
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