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.
noun
keen insight; shrewdness.
Explanation
- First recorded in 1525–35.
- Comes from the Latin word acūmen, meaning “sharpness.”
- Acūmen comes from the stem of acuere, “to sharpen,” as does the English word acute, "sharp or severe."
- Her acumen in identifying profitable investments impressed everyone at the meeting.
- With his financial acumen, he was able to grow his small startup into a successful business empire.
noun
a dish of fermented cooked soybeans, often eaten for breakfast over white rice or with toppings such as soy sauce and mustard.
Explanation
- First recorded in 1870–75.
- Comes from Japanese, from na(t)- and tō, “bean.”
- Na(t) is ultimately from Middle Chinese, a cognate with Mandarin nà, “to bring into, receive.”
- For a traditional Japanese breakfast, many people enjoy a serving of natto over steamed white rice.
- Natto is known for its sticky texture, which is a result of the fermentation process.
adverb
to a sickening or disgusting degree.
Explanation
- First recorded around 1565.
- Comes from Latin.
- Means literally, "to seasickness."
- The catchy commercial jingle played on the tv ad nauseam, getting stuck in everyone's head.
- The company's logo was plastered ad nauseam on every surface in the city.
noun
money; cash.
Explanation
- An Americanism dating back to 1855–60.
- Of uncertain origin.
- Sometimes spelled spondulix.
- The young entrepreneur was determined to turn her innovative idea into spondulicks for her growing business.
- In the old Western movies, bandits would often demand a hefty sum of spondulicks in exchange for hostages.
noun
a caper or leap.
Explanation
- First recorded around 1570–80.
- Comes from Middle French via the Italian word capriola, which is the noun derivative of capriolare, "to leap, caper."
- Capriolare derived from the Latin word capreolus, equivalent to capre(a), "roe deer."
- Watching the young deer execute a playful capriole in the meadow brought a smile to my face.
- The acrobat soared through the air with a graceful capriole before landing flawlessly on the platform.
