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
a collection of linked fictional settings composed of multiple alternate dimensions, different timelines, etc.
Explanation
- Multiverse was coined by William James in 1895 in the sense of “the universe imagined as lacking order, unity, or a single ruling and guiding power.”
- It comes from the prefix multi-, meaning "many; multiple," and the second part of universe, "the totality of known or supposed objects and phenomena throughout space; the cosmos."
- Universe comes via French from a form of the Latin word ūniversus, which means "all; entire."
- Multiverse in the sense featured here came about in science fiction writing in the early 1960s.
- The concept of a multiverse challenges our traditional understanding of reality, suggesting that there may be countless parallel universes coexisting alongside our own.
- As the art exhibition showcased various artworks depicting alternate worlds and fantastical beings, visitors were transported into the imaginative realms of the multiverse.
verb
to walk or go aimlessly or idly or without finding or reaching one's goal.
Explanation
- Traipse was first recorded in 1585–95.
- Traipse was once spelled trapse and may be similar to an old verb trape.
- It is possible that traipse is related to tramp, "to walk heavily; to stamp."
- Traipse can also be a noun, defined as "a tiring walk."
- After getting lost in the city, we had to traipse through countless streets before finally finding our way back to the hotel.
- Rather than following a strict itinerary, they preferred to traipse through the narrow alleys of the old town, discovering hidden gems along the way.
plural noun
the earliest stages or first traces of anything.
Explanation
- Incunabula was first recorded in 1815–25.
- Incunabula comes from Latin and means variously “the straps holding a baby in a cradle," "earliest home," or "birthplace.”
- Incunabula also refers to "books produced in the earliest stages (before 1501) of printing from movable type."
- In that sense, incunabula has the singular form incunabulum.
- The discovery of crude stone tools marked the incunabula of human civilization.
- The faded photographs from the 1800s are cherished incunabula of our family history.
adjective
gruesome and horrifying; ghastly; horrible.
Explanation
- Macabre was first recorded in English in 1400–50.
- Macabre comes from French, most likely from the phrase danse (de) Macabré, "dance of death."
- Danse (de) Macabré, of uncertain origin, refers to a symbolic dance in which Death, represented as a skeleton, leads people or skeletons to their grave.
- Halloween decorations adorned the front yard, creating a delightfully macabre atmosphere.
- The artist's eerie paintings captured the macabre beauty of decay and darkness.
adjective
pleasing or enjoyable.
Explanation
- Lekker comes from Afrikaans, a creole language spoken in South Africa with roots from Dutch.
- Lekker is also a word in Dutch, meaning "tasty," which is related to the Dutch verb likken, "to lick."
- Lekker was first attested in South African English around 1900.
- They had a lekker time dancing the night away at the lively South African club.
- The warm sunshine and cool breeze made our beach picnic absolutely lekker.
