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.
adjective
settled or confirmed in a habit, practice, feeling, or the like.
Explanation
- First recorded in 1375–1425.
- Comes from Latin, from the past participle of inveterāre, “to grow old, allow to grow old, preserve."
- Inveterāre contains veter-, the stem of vetus, meaning “old," which is also the stem of the word veteran.
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- The inveterate procrastinator always left things until the last minute.
- As an inveterate optimist, she always saw the bright side of every situation.
adjective
firm in purpose, resolution, faith, attachment.
Explanation
- First recorded before 1000.
- Comes from the Middle English word stedefast, from Old English stedefæst.
- A combination of stead, "the place of a person," and fast, "firmly fixed in place."
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- Despite facing numerous challenges, she remained steadfast in her commitment to finishing the marathon.
- The community was grateful for the steadfast support of volunteers during the crisis.
verb
to flee; abscond.
Explanation
- First recorded in 1820–30.
- Formed from ab-, "away from," and squat, "to sit in a low or crouching position."
- A pseudo-Latinism, it parallels Latin-derived words with initial abs- like abscond and abstention and final -tulate, as in congratulate.
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- The mischievous cat managed to absquatulate every time the door was left open.
- When they heard the police sirens approaching, the burglars decided to absquatulate from the scene of the crime.
verb
to overcome with surprise and bewilderment; astound.
Explanation
- First recorded around 1765–75.
- A variant of flabagast, which may be a combination of flabb(y), "hanging loosely or limply" or flap, "a blow given with something broad and flat," and aghast, "struck with overwhelming shock."
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- The magician's disappearing act never failed to flabbergast the audience.
- The unexpected news about the new mayor flabbergasted the community.
adjective
full of twists, turns, or bends; twisting, winding, or crooked.
Explanation
- First recorded in 1350–1400.
- Comes via Middle English from the Latin word tortuōsus, which derives from the verb torquēre, “to twist, bend.”
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- The tortuous road through the mountains made for a challenging but scenic drive.
- The author's writing style was known for its elegant prose and tortuous plot twists.
