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.
a fool.
Nincompoop has a history as unusual as its meaning. One hypothesis includes connections to the Latin phrase non compos (mentis), meaning “not of sound (mind).” Alternatively, nincompoop could simply be an elaboration based on ninny, which may come from innocent. Nincompoop was first recorded in English in the 1670s. EXAMPLE OF NINCOMPOOP USED IN A SENTENCE The emperor certainly came across as a nincompoop as he paraded around in his “new clothes.”
of or relating to the semiconscious state prior to complete wakefulness.
Hypnopompic comes from two Ancient Greek terms: hýpnos, meaning “sleep,” and pompḗ, meaning “a sending away.” Hýpnos is the name of the Greek god of sleep and is the source of the Word of the Day hypnopedia, while pompḗ is the source of pompous. Hypnopompic was first recorded in English at the turn of the 20th century. EXAMPLE OF HYPNOPOMPIC USED IN A SENTENCE In her hypnopompic state, all but the final moments of her dream quickly faded from memory.
medical; medicinal.
Aesculapian is the namesake of Aesculapius (Ancient Greek Asklēpiós), the Greek god of medicine. As with many Ancient Greek terms, Asklēpiós may be of pre-Greek extraction, originating in a long-lost Mediterranean language, similar to the Words of the Day dithyrambic and strigiform. Aesculapian was first recorded in English circa 1620. EXAMPLE OF AESCULAPIAN USED IN A SENTENCE Though home remedies may be tempting to try, the recommendations of doctors and other Aesculapian professionals are more tested.
healthy; strong.
Feirie is a Scottish dialectal term that comes from Old English fēre, “able-bodied, fit,” from the noun fōr, “journey, act of going.” Fōr, in turn, is based on the verb faran, “to go on a journey,” meaning that feirie is closely related to English fare, farewell, and wayfarer. Feirie was first recorded in English around the turn of the 15th century. EXAMPLE OF FEIRIE USED IN A SENTENCE The cyclist was hale and feirie once more after his bout of illness had passed.
a minute particle; spark; trace.
In Latin, scintilla means “spark.” Because Latin c often corresponds to English h, scintilla may be related to English sheer and shine, though scintilla may also be connected to Latin scindere “to split,” the source of rescind and scissors. Scintilla was first recorded in English circa 1680. EXAMPLE OF SCINTILLA USED IN A SENTENCE After a thorough cleaning, only a scintilla of a splotch remained of the massive wine stain on the couch.
