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.
corresponding in characteristics
When two things are homologous, they share key traits like structure, function, or origin. This Greek-derived word often shows up in biology, where it describes similarities between species that hint at a common ancestry. But you can use homologous for any meaningful correspondence, from anatomy to ideas.
Human arms and bird wings are homologous structures, suggesting a shared evolutionary origin.
to mutter or mumble
To mussitate is to speak quietly or mumble. It's a rare and whispery verb, perfect for describing someone talking to themselves, mouthing words, or trailing off mid-thought. Mussitate catches the sound of speech just under the breath.
When he became nervous, he would often mussitate without realizing it.
the process of sharing and learning about another culture
Acculturation is the process of learning or exchanging cultural traits through contact with another group. This Americanism, first recorded in the 1800s, can describe how people navigate new customs and values while maintaining elements of their own. Acculturation at its best is a dynamic blend of influence and understanding.
Studying abroad can lead to surprising acculturation as students navigate new social norms.
a quantity possessing both magnitude and direction
A vector is a quantity that includes both magnitude and direction. Often represented by arrows, vectors plays a key role in fields like physics, engineering, and meteorology. When you need to know more than just how much, a vector also tells you where something is headed.
The meteorologist determined the wind's vector, noting its speed and direction for the weather model.
relating to a transitional state, stage, or period
Liminal describes a transitional state, such as between the past and present. The word often appears in discussions of change or uncertainty. A liminal phase can feel disorienting, but it's often where the most important transformations begin.
Graduation day felt like a liminal space between who they'd been and who they were becoming.
