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.
Check out the Word of the Yeara large shade tree native to China, having fan-shaped leaves and fleshy seeds with edible kernels.
Ginkgo is a misspelling of Japanese ginkyō, with German physician Engelbert Kaempfer responsible for the original error in the early 1690s. The gin- element means “silver” and is related to Mandarin yín, while the kyō part means “apricot” and is cognate to Mandarin xìng. Gingko was first recorded in English in the early 1770s. EXAMPLE OF GINKGO USED IN A SENTENCE The immense ginkgo cast an even larger shadow over the park’s grounds.
confused; bewildered.
Ferdutzt is from Pennsylvania Dutch, similar to the recent Word of the Day ferhoodle, and comes from German verdutzt, “bewildered, nonplussed.” Verdutzt is the past participle of the verb verdutzen, “to confuse, bewilder,” in which -dutz- may be related to English dote. Ferdutzt was first recorded in English in the early 1980s. EXAMPLE OF FERDUTZT USED IN A SENTENCE The mechanic was ferdutzt and surprised that the new car had broken down so soon after its purchase.
a plant adapted for growth under dry conditions.
Xerophyte is formed from xero-, meaning “dry,” and -phyte, meaning “plant.” Xero- comes from Ancient Greek xērós, the root of the Word of the Day xeriscaping, and -phyte comes from Ancient Greek phytón, the source of the Word of the Day neophyte. Xerophyte was first recorded in English at the end of the 19th century. EXAMPLE OF XEROPHYTE USED IN A SENTENCE Cacti, aloe plants, and other xerophytes grew throughout the arid scrubland.
a sudden fright or panic.
Skrik is a borrowing from Afrikaans, a South African language descended from Dutch, and comes from Dutch schrik, meaning “fright.” While schrik is not related to English shriek, some linguists believe that it may share an origin with English shear or German schreien, “to shout, yell.” Skrik was first recorded in English in the late 1880s. EXAMPLE OF SKRIK USED IN A SENTENCE The bobcat’s screeching gave people living nearby quite a skrik.
the leading female dancer in a ballet company.
In French, première danseuse means “first dancer,” and the male equivalent is premier danseur. Danseuse comes from the verb danser, “to dance,” of unclear origin. Première ultimately derives from Latin prīmārius, “of the first rank,” from prīmus, “first.” Première danseuse was first recorded in English in the 1820s. EXAMPLE OF PREMIÈRE DANSEUSE USED IN A SENTENCE The première danseuse played the dual roles of Odette and Odile in the production of Swan Lake.
