Word of the Day
Learn a new word every day! The Dictionary.com team of language experts carefully selects each Word of the Day to add some panache to your vocabulary.
a white or tinted wash for walls, ceilings, etc.
Calcimine is a white or tinted wash used for brightening up walls and ceilings. Popular in the 19th century, it gets its name from the Latin word for "lime." Whether you're going vintage or just touching up, calcimine gives your space a fresh, old-fashioned glow!
sluggish in temperament; gloomy; taciturn
"Saturnine" describes someone who’s moody or gloomy. It comes from the belief that melancholy could be caused by the astrological influence of the planet Saturn. If you’re in a saturnine mood, don't worry — it will pass!
toothless or having only few teeth
"Edentate" means toothless or having few teeth, a term fit for animals like anteaters, or for those gaps left by a missing tooth. It’s a quirky word to describe creatures that manage just fine without a full set of pearly whites!
blue denim
"Dungaree" is another word for that trusty blue denim we all love. Its name is thought to come from a village in India named Dongri, where the sturdy fabric was first produced. So the next time you slip into your favorite jeans, you can thank dungaree for keeping you stylish!
to produce a litter of pigs
"Farrow" is the term for when a pig gives birth to a litter of piglets. This farming term has roots in Old English, making it as practical as it is cute. Who wouldn't love a word for piglet production?
