Word of the Day
More about kvetch
Kvetch is adapted from Yiddish kvetshn, meaning “to squeeze, pinch,” which is closely related to German quetschen, also meaning “to squeeze.” One possibility is that kvetch ultimately comes from Latin quassāre or quatere, “to shake,” which is the source of English concussion and squash. Kvetch was first recorded in English in the early 1960s.
EXAMPLE OF KVETCH USED IN A SENTENCE
The couple refused to buy an air conditioner, preferring instead to kvetch constantly about the heat in the summer.
Heiligenschein
noun
a bright ring, caused by diffraction of light rays, that appears around the shadow cast by a person’s head on wet grass.
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More about Heiligenschein
Heiligenschein (plural Heiligenscheine) is from German, in which it means “halo” or, literally, “saint’s shine.” Heiligen- is a form of Heiliger, “saint,” which is related to English hallow and Halloween. Schein means the same thing as its English relative shine. Heiligenschein was first recorded in English in the early 1910s.
EXAMPLE OF HEILIGENSCHEIN USED IN A SENTENCE
The skydivers saw Heiligenscheine around their shadows as they landed in the dewy field.
proceleusmatic
adjective
inciting, animating, or inspiring.
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More about proceleusmatic
Proceleusmatic comes from Ancient Greek prokeleusmatikós, the name of a unit of rhythm. The keleusma- part means “summons,” comes from keleúein, “to rouse to action, command,” and is the source of Spanish saloma, a rhythmic work song. Proceleusmatic was first recorded in English at the turn of the 18th century.
EXAMPLE OF PROCELEUSMATIC USED IN A SENTENCE
The proceleusmatic song motivated the rowers to push hard and in unison during their long practice.