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
the introduction of one or more words between the parts of a compound word.
Explanation
- Tmesis was first recorded in 1580–90.
- Tmesis ultimately comes from the Greek word tmêsis, “a cutting,” which is from the stem of the Greek verb témnein, meaning “to cut,” combined with the suffix -sis that appears in loanwords from Greek.
- Other more common Greek loanwords with this suffix are thesis, "a proposition stated or put forward for consideration," and stasis, "the state of equilibrium or inactivity caused by opposing equal forces."
- The TV show's theme song begins with an example of tmesis, breaking up the word "superhero" to create emphasis: "Super-duper-hero!"
- The poet used a creative tmesis in the phrase "mind-bogglingly beautiful," adding an extra word for poetic effect.
noun
a person of puzzling or contradictory character.
Explanation
- Enigma was first recorded in English around 1530–40 and comes from the Greek word aínigma, "riddle,” which derived from aînos, "fable."
- Enigma was also the name of a ciphering machine used by the German military during World War II. A precursor to computer encryption, the Enigma machine encoded messages into a seemingly random string of letters to be decoded by another Enigma machine.
- The deciphering of the Enigma code by Alan Turing and a team of codebreakers allowed the Allies to secretly read intercepted German messages and is thought to be a major factor in the Allied victory.
- His mysterious smile and cryptic words rendered him an enigma that no one could decipher.
- Trying to understand her enigma of a personality proved to be an intriguing challenge for those around her.
noun
dashing smartness, as in dress or appearance; style.
Explanation
- Swank entered English around 1800–10.
- Swank may be related to the Scots word swank, meaning "lively."
- Swank was perhaps ultimately formed from Old English swancor "lithe."
- Swank is similar to the Middle Dutch word swanc, "supple," and the Middle High German word swanken, "to sway."
- The suave gentleman effortlessly exuded swank as he greeted everyone with a charming smile and impeccable grooming.
- "The fashion show was a spectacle of swank, featuring models strutting down the runway in glamorous attire.
verb
to gather, summon, rouse (often followed by up).
Explanation
- Muster entered English around 1250–1300.
- Muster came via French from the Latin verb mōnstrāre, meaning "to show."
- Mōnstrāre derives from the Latin noun mōnstrum, meaning "portent, unnatural event, monster."
- Monster, "any animal or thing huge in size," derives from this same noun.
- They mustered up the courage to confront their fears and take a leap of faith.
- The community members mustered their resources to support those affected by the natural disaster.
noun
imperturbable self-possession, poise, or assurance.
Explanation
- Aplomb was first recorded around 1820–30.
- Aplomb is from the French phrase à plomb, “according to the plummet,” which means straight up and down or in a vertical position.
- Plummet or plumb bob refers to a weight attached to a line, used for determining perpendicularity.
- Despite facing an array of difficult questions, the speaker showed remarkable aplomb and answered each one with confidence.
- As the team captain, she handled the pressure of the final match with aplomb, leading her team to victory.
