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.
not capable of being taken away, denied, or transferred
Unalienable describes things that cannot be taken away, denied, or transferred. Thomas Jefferson memorably used the term in the Declaration of Independence to claim a right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Take a moment today to celebrate these unalienable rights!
to cleanse or purify
To mundify means "to cleanse or purify," wiping away every speck of grime. Medieval physicians swore by mundifying salves and ointments to draw infection from wounds long before antibiotics existed. Whether you're soothing a scrape or refreshing your soul, mundify what's troubling you and let purity reign!
a bird in Arabian mythology of enormous size and strength
A roc is a colossal, mythical bird of prey said to swoop across the sky and pluck elephants from the ground. Tales of the roc made their way from medieval Arabian and Persian lore into the story collection One Thousand and One Nights and even Marco Polo's travel notes. If you thought dragons sounded like fearsome creatures, imagine a roc grabbing one in its talons and carrying it away!
papery
Chartaceous means "papery in texture" — think leaves, petals, or pages that feel light and crisp. Botanists often use the word to describe leaves or grasses with smooth, flat, or thin surfaces. The next time a dried flower petal falls apart when you pick it up, just call it charmingly chartaceous and carry on!
a person who is unable to make up his or her mind on an issue
Mugwump is a playful label for someone who's unable to make up their mind on an issue. The term began as a Massachusett word meaning "war leader." Then, in the 1880s, reformers who ditched their party to back Grover Cleveland for president adopted the word, which tends to retain a political bent to this day. When the dinner-table debate starts feeling more like an election campaign, just declare yourself a mugwump and say, "I'll pass."
