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Word of the day

adumbrate

[ ad-uhm-breyt ] [ ˈæd əmˌbreɪt ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

verb

to foreshadow; prefigure.

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Why Dictionary.com chose adumbrate

More about adumbrate

  • First recorded in 1575–85.
  • Comes from the past participle of the Latin verb adumbrāre, “to shade.”
  • Adumbrāre has the stem umbr(a), “shade, shadow,” also found in the Astronomy terms umbra, “the complete or perfect shadow of a planet,” and penumbra, “the partial or imperfect shadow outside the complete shadow of a planet.”
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EXAMPLES OF ADUMBRATE

  • The subtle hints in her letter adumbrated her true intentions.
  • The cryptic message seemed to adumbrate a dark future for the kingdom.
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Word of the day

denouement

[ dey-noo-mahn ] [ ˌdeɪ nuˈmɑ̃ ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

noun

the final resolution of the intricacies of a plot, as of a drama or novel.

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Why Dictionary.com chose denouement

More about denouement

  • First recorded in 1745–55.
  • From French, literally means, “an untying.”
  • Noer from Old French means “to knot” and comes from a Latin derivative of nōdus, “knot.”
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EXAMPLES OF DENOUEMENT

  • As the play reached its denouement, the audience held their breath in anticipation.
  • In a surprising denouement, the protagonist turned out to be the long-lost heir to the fortune.
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Word of the day

esculent

[ es-kyuh-luhnt ] [ ˈɛs kyə lənt ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

adjective

suitable for use as food; edible.

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Why Dictionary.com chose esculent

More about esculent

  • First recorded in 1615–25.
  • Comes from Latin ēsculentus, “edible, full of food.”
  • Esculentus shares a root with escarole, “a broad leaf used in salads.”
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EXAMPLES OF ESCULENT

  • Explorers in the jungle had to rely on their survival skills to find esculent plants for sustenance.
  • The food critic praised the restaurant for its innovative dishes featuring esculent flowers and herbs.
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