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
charm; magnetism.
Explanation
- In the sense of "a goblin or spirit," first recorded in 1685–95.
- In the highlighted sense, first recorded in 1955–60.
- Comes from Spanish and is shortened from duen de (casa), “master of (the house)” with duen a variant of dueño, meaning “lord; owner” from Latin dominus "to control."
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- The flamenco dancer captivated the audience with their mesmerizing duende.
- The old bookstore had an enchanting duende that made visitors feel like they were stepping into another world.
verb
to deck oneself out.
Explanation
- First recorded in 1570–80.
- May be related to prank, in the sense of "to dress or adorn in an ostentatious manner."
- Prank came from the Dutch word pronken, meaning "to show off, strut."
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- After hours of prinking in front of the mirror, he was finally ready for the party.
- The costume designer helped the actor prink in elaborate period attire for the play.
verb
to throw a thing out of a window.
Explanation
- First recorded in 1900–05.
- A back formation from defenestration, "the act of throwing a thing out of a window."
- Formed from the Latin word fenestr(a), meaning “window.”
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- During the heated argument, he threatened to defenestrate his laptop.
- The mischievous cat managed to defenestrate several objects from the second-floor apartment.
noun
a pastry-covered pie containing minced pork or other chopped meat and various chopped vegetables.
Explanation
- Entered English around 1950–55.
- The word comes from Canadian French, translating as "a plate for tarts."
- Tourte means "tart" and -ière is used for words that "facilitate the use of" something as in, a boutonniere, which is a flower that is worn in a buttonhole.
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- For their holiday celebration, the family prepared a traditional tourtière using a recipe passed down through generations.
- The aroma of the tourtière cooking in the oven filled the kitchen, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere for the guests.
noun
the official name for the # symbol.
Explanation
- First recorded in 1970–75.
- From octo-, after the eight endpoints on the perimeter of the symbol, plus a second element of disputed origin.
- Used for numerous purposes, such as before a hashtag, for representing “pound” or “pounds” as a unit of weight or mass, for representing “number” or “numbered,” or as a proofreader's symbol used to indicate the need to insert space.
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- The password must include at least one octothorpe for added security.
- The code requires an octothorpe to denote a section break.
