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 usually short, heavy rainstorm.
Explanation
- First recorded in 1900–05.
- Used primarily in Midland and Western United States dialects of English.
- Gully comes from gullet, "the throat," which comes from French.
- Washer comes from the English verb wash, recorded before 900.
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- The farmers rejoiced as the gullywasher replenished their parched fields.
- The residents of the desert town knew to brace themselves whenever dark clouds gathered on the horizon, signaling an imminent gullywasher.
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.”
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- 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."
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- 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.”
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- 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.
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- 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.
