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 word spelled the same as another but having a different sound and meaning.
Explanation
- From the Late Greek word heterṓnymos, dating back to 1880–85.
- The prefix hetero- means "different."
- The suffix -onym means "name."
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- The word wind is a fascinating heteronym, with one pronunciation representing moving air and the other representing the act of winding a clock.
- Lead is a classic heteronym, with one pronunciation meaning to guide or direct, while the other refers to a heavy metal.
noun
the illusory perception of meaningful patterns or images of familiar things in random or amorphous data, as a face seen on the moon.
Explanation
- First recorded in 1960–65.
- Comes from German Pareidolien, plural of Pareidolie.
- Pareidolie is formed from par(a)- "at the side of; beside; beyond," and eidol(on) "phantom; apparition."
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- The excitement grew as the researchers discovered what appeared to be pareidolia in the data collected from deep space.
- As I stared at the clouds, I experienced pareidolia and saw a bunny shape formed by their fluffy contours.
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.
