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 manual of magic or witchcraft used by witches and sorcerers
A grimoire is a book of magic or spells — essential reading for any aspiring wizard or witch. The word summons visions of leather-bound books and mysterious runes. Whether you're casting spells or just collecting curious words, grimoire is a page-turner worth remembering.
The dusty grimoire contained spells that had been passed down through generations of witches.
to persuade someone using flattering words or acts
To wheedle means "to influence or persuade someone through flattering words or acts." It's been in English since the 1600s, possibly adapted from a German word that describes a dog wagging its tail. Whether you're fishing for a favor or trying to charm your way to a second slice of cake, sometimes it pays to wheedle.
She tried to wheedle her teacher into giving her a homework extension.
coarse, dark sugar
Jaggery is an unrefined sugar made from the sap of palm trees or sugarcane juice. Commonly used in various regions of Asia, it's known for its rich, caramel-like flavor and golden brown hue. Whether stirred into chai or shaped into candies, jaggery brings a depth of sweetness that's anything but ordinary.
The recipe called for jaggery to give the dessert a unique sweetness.
to approve; confirm or ratify
To homologate is to formally approve or confirm something, especially in a legal or official setting. The word took a long road to English from Greek, where it meant "to say the same." Whether you're submitting plans, passing tests, or getting certified, getting homologated is always a milestone.
The committee voted to homologate the new regulations.
an underground aqueduct
A qanat is a gently sloping underground channel used to transport water from a source to the surface, especially in arid regions. The word comes from Arabic and describes an ancient engineering marvel still in use in parts of the Middle East and North Africa. Qanats show how a clever solution can endure for millennia.
The ancient city-state relied on a qanat to bring water from the mountains to their arid fields.
