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.
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to make objection, especially on the grounds of moral or ethical considerations; take exception.
Explanation
- Demur comes via French from the Latin word dēmorārī, meaning "to linger, to delay."
- Demur entered English between 1175–1225.
- The adjective demure, "shy, reserved," entered English later from the past participle of the French verb "to demur."
- Despite her initial reluctance, she did not demur when asked to participate in the project.
- The committee members had no choice but to demur at the proposal, as it went against their ethical standards.
noun
eager or excessive desire, especially to possess something; greed.
Explanation
- Cupidity originally comes from the Latin word cupiditās, meaning “eager, desirous.”
- Cupid, commonly represented as a winged being symbolic of love, comes from the same Latin root.
- Cupidity was first recorded in English between 1400-50.
- Their cupidity for power blinded them to the needs of their constituents.
- The CEO's cupidity led to unethical business practices.
noun
one’s reason for being, which in principle is the convergence of one’s personal passions, beliefs, values, and vocation.
Explanation
- Ikigai was first recorded in English between 1970–75.
- It comes from Japanese and translates literally as “the value of being alive.”
- Ikigai is formed from iki, meaning “life, living, being alive,” and kai, meaning “worth, value, benefit.”
- Many people find their ikigai through pursuing hobbies or creative endeavors that align with their personal values and interests.
- Your ikigai should not be solely focused on financial success but rather on finding a balance between your passion, purpose, and profession.
noun
pull; strong influence.
Explanation
- Clout comes from the Old English word clūt, meaning "piece of cloth or metal."
- The slang meaning of clout appears as early as the 1860s, apparently based on a centuries-old sense of clout meaning “punch” or “force,” which came from the verb form clūtian, "to patch" and "to strike with the hand."
- Clout got new life again in the 2000s with the rise of social media and spread in the 2010s as a more general slang term meaning popularity and coolness.
- Despite being a newcomer to the industry, she was helped by her father's clout in securing a high-profile job.
- Many of the world leaders seek to gain diplomatic clout by forming alliances with other countries.
noun
a string or chain of flowers, foliage, ribbon, suspended in a curve between two points.
Explanation
- Festoon can also be a verb meaning "to adorn with festoons."
- Festoon entered English between 1670–80.
- It comes via French from the Italian word festone, meaning "decoration for a feast."
- The wedding arch was a festoon made of delicate white flowers that swayed in the gentle breeze.
- For the music festival, the decorators had strung a festoon with bright neon lights across the stage to illuminate the performers and audience alike.
