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.
adjective
known or understood by very few; mysterious; secret; obscure.
Explanation
- Arcane was first recorded in 1540–50
- Arcane comes via Middle French from the Latin word arcānus, derived from arc(ēre) “to enclose, restrain, ward off.”
- Arc(ēre), in turn, is a derivative of arca, meaning “box, chest, coffer.”
- The ancient temple contained a hidden chamber where the monks practiced their arcane rituals.
- The ancient scroll revealed an arcane language that had long been forgotten.
noun
a coarse, dark, slightly sour bread made of unbolted rye.
Explanation
- Pumpernickel was first recorded in 1750–60.
- Pumpernickel comes from the German word Pumpernickel, originally a contemptuous name for anyone considered disagreeable.
- Pumpernickel in German contains the word pumper “to break wind” and Nickel, a pet name of Nikolaus “Nicholas.”
- This name was presumably applied to the bread due to its effect on the digestive system.
- The bakery offers a wide variety of bread, including a delicious pumpernickel loaf with its distinctive dark color and tangy flavor.
- The aroma of freshly baked pumpernickel filled the air, tempting passersby to step inside and indulge in a warm slice.
noun
an orange that is peeled and eaten under a steamy shower, the purported benefit being that the steam enhances the orange’s citrusy fragrance and creates a soothing experience for the person who is showering.
Explanation
- Shower orange was first recorded in 2015–20.
- Shower orange, the phenomenon and the name for it, were popularized by a viral social media trend.
- Similar practices, including shower beer and shower wine, and their terms are gaining popularity.
- Shower is an Old English word first recorded before 950, while orange is slightly newer to English, coming from Old French around the 14th century.
- I indulged in a refreshing shower orange this morning, savoring the citrusy aroma and the relaxing sensation of the warm water.
- Enjoying a steamy shower orange is not only a delicious way to satisfy your cravings but also a self-care ritual that offers an invigorating and calming experience for both mind and body.
noun
extreme nervousness; anxiety; hysteria.
Explanation
- Screaming-meemies was first recorded in 1925–30 as a World War I army slang term for a type of German rocket that made a loud noise in flight.
- Screaming-meemies expanded in meaning to refer to battle fatigue as well as to the state of drunkenness or even hysteria.
- Screaming-meemies was formed by way of reduplication with an alteration of the word screaming, and possibly influenced by the French name Mimi.
- The horror movie gave me the screaming-meemies, causing me to jump at every little sound and cling to my friend in fear.
- The dark and eerie forest triggered his worst fears, sending him into a state of screaming-meemies as he imagined all sorts of terrifying scenarios lurking in the shadows.
verb
to speak pompously.
Explanation
- Bloviate was first recorded in 1850–55.
- Bloviate is an Americanism, formed from an alteration of the verb blow with an older informal meaning of "to boast."
- Bloviate was popularized again in the 1920s in connection with the 29th U.S. President Warren G. Harding, who was known for his ornate and often incomprehensible writing.
- During the political debate, the candidate continued to bloviate about his accomplishments without offering any substantial evidence.
- The professor's lectures were often filled with bloviating, making it difficult for the students to stay engaged.
