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 leap year.
Explanation
- First recorded in 1585–95.
- From the word bissextus, which refers to February 29th.
- Bissextus means literally “the second sixth,” so called because the 6th day before the first day of March in the ancient Roman calendar appeared a second time once every leap year.
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- The extra day in a bissextile helps keep the calendar in sync with the solar year.
- February 29th is an occurrence that only happens in a bissextile.
verb
to foreshadow; prefigure.
Explanation
- First recorded in 1575–85.
- Comes from the past participle of the Latin verb adumbrāre, “to shade.”
- Adumbrāre has the stem umbr(a), “shade, shadow,” also found in the Astronomy terms umbra, "the complete or perfect shadow of a planet," and penumbra, "the partial or imperfect shadow outside the complete shadow of a planet."
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- The subtle hints in her letter adumbrated her true intentions.
- The cryptic message seemed to adumbrate a dark future for the kingdom.
noun
the final resolution of the intricacies of a plot, as of a drama or novel.
Explanation
- First recorded in 1745–55.
- From French, literally means, “an untying.”
- Noer from Old French means “to knot” and comes from a Latin derivative of nōdus, “knot.”
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- As the play reached its denouement, the audience held their breath in anticipation.
- In a surprising denouement, the protagonist turned out to be the long-lost heir to the fortune.
adjective
suitable for use as food; edible.
Explanation
- First recorded in 1615–25.
- Comes from Latin ēsculentus, “edible, full of food.”
- Esculentus shares a root with escarole, "a broad leaf used in salads."
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- Explorers in the jungle had to rely on their survival skills to find esculent plants for sustenance.
- The food critic praised the restaurant for its innovative dishes featuring esculent flowers and herbs.
noun
fate; destiny.
Explanation
- First recorded in 1840–50.
- Comes from Turkish ultimately from Arabic qisma, qismat-, meaning “division, portion, lot, fate.”
- Although a term from Islam, kismet is popularly used to refer to something that one believes was meant to be or the reason why such a thing happened.
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- The unexpected encounter with an old friend at the airport felt like kismet.
- As he stood on the stage, delivering his award-winning speech, he couldn't help but feel that kismet had guided him to this moment.
