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.
verb
to abruptly detain someone in conversation.
Explanation
- First recorded in 1555–65.
- Formed from the words button and hole.
- Button comes from butt, meaning "to push or strike something."
- Hole comes from Old English hol, meaning “hole, cave.”
- Sign up for more Word of the Day!
- The enthusiastic salesperson, eager to showcase the latest products, buttonholed the customer as they entered the store.
- I was in a rush to catch my train, but my colleague buttonholed me in the hallway to discuss a new project.
adjective
sleepy; drowsy.
Explanation
- First recorded around 1425–75.
- Comes from late Middle English sompnolent, via Old French from Latin somnolentus.
- Somnolentus is a derivative of somnus, "sleep," plus -ulent, "having in quantity."
- Sign up for more Word of the Day!
- The warm afternoon sun shining through the window made the class feel somnolent, with many students struggling to stay awake.
- As the train rocked gently back and forth, the rhythmic motion made me feel pleasantly somnolent.
noun
a person of great and varied learning.
Explanation
- First recorded in 1565–75.
- Originally comes from Greek polyístōr “very learned.”
- The prefix poly- represents "much, many" and hístōr, “one who knows or sees.”
- Sign up for more Word of the Day!
- As I delved into the pages of her autobiography, I discovered that my grandmother was a polyhistor, with accomplishments spanning from art to politics.
- The documentary showcased Leonardo da Vinci not only as an artist but also as a polyhistor with his contributions to science and engineering.
noun
a small bunch of flowers or herbs.
Explanation
- First recorded in 1400–50.
- From late Middle English tusmose or tussemose.
- Also spelled tuzzy-muzzy.
- Sign up for more Word of the Day!
- The thoughtful hostess offered each guest a personalized tussie-mussie as they departed.
- The charming cottage was adorned with a tussie-mussie of fragrant herbs, adding a lovely touch to the decor.
noun
a soft murmuring or rustling sound; whisper.
Explanation
- First recorded in 1825–35.
- From the Latin word for "whisper."
- Sign up for more Word of the Day!
- The wind rustled through the trees, creating a gentle susurrus that echoed in the forest.
- In the library, whispered conversations created a faint susurrus in the background.
