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.
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?
adapted for seizing, grasping, or taking hold of something
"Prehensile" refers to something adapted for grasping or holding, like a monkey’s tail or an elephant’s trunk. From the Latin word meaning "to seize," it’s all about that perfect grip. So next time you grab onto something, think of your prehensile skills in action!
very cold; icy
"Gelid" is a word to describe something intensely cold or icy. It can be used both figuratively and literally to send shivers down your spine. Stay bundled up during those gelid winter days!
a vocal style intermediate between speech and singing but without exact pitch intonation
Sprechgesang is a vocal technique that sits between speaking and singing, used in opera and avant-garde music. Borrowed from German, it literally means "speech-song" and adds an artistic twist to vocal performances. Ready to blend talk and tune with sprechgesang?
from the beginning
"Ab initio" is Latin for "from the beginning," a phrase as classic as it sounds. Whether you're starting a project or embarking on a new adventure, this is a reminder that every journey has a starting point. So let’s go, ab initio!
