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
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.
noun
generosity of spirit or attitude.
Explanation
- Largess was first recorded in 1175–1225.
- Largess is also spelled largesse and comes from the Middle English word largesse, from Old French.
- Largess is related to large, which comes from the Latin word meaning "ample, generous."
- Despite her humble beginnings, the politician displayed an incredible largess by sponsoring scholarships for underprivileged students.
- The artist's largess was displayed in his willingness to share her creative process with others, inspiring a new generation of painters.
noun
the latest fashion; last word.
Explanation
- Dernier cri entered English around 1895–1900.
- Dernier cri comes from French and means literally, "last cry."
- You may recognize cri from cri de coeur, another borrowing from French that means "outcry" or literally, "cry of the heart."
- Her outfit at the party was the dernier cri, catching everyone's attention with its cutting-edge design.
- The restaurant's menu boasted a selection of dishes that were not only delicious but also were the dernier cri in culinary innovation.
noun
reliance on temporary solutions rather than on consistent, long-term plans.
Explanation
- Ad hockery was first recorded between 1890–1900.
- Ad hockery comes from the adjective and adverb ad hoc, "for the special purpose or end presently under consideration."
- Ad hoc entered English from the Latin phrase meaning "for this" around 1550–60 when the expression was quickly being adopted into legal and judicial writings.
- The computer programmer's inclination toward ad hockery often resulted in quick fixes that failed to address the underlying issues at hand.
- The company's ad hockery in managing its budget ultimately led to financial instability and a lack of sustainable growth.
adverb
near in space, time, or relation.
Explanation
- Nigh was first recorded before 900.
- Nigh comes from the Old English word nēah, also spelled nēh.
- Nigh shares an origin with its synonym near, also first recorded before 900.
- Nigh, however, has significantly dropped in frequency since the 1890s and is considered archaic or poetic.
- With each passing day, the end of the week draws nigh and the weekend approaches.
- As the storm grew nigh, the sound of thunder grew louder.
