The word for today is… vapid (adjective) – : lacking flavor, zest, interest, animation, or spirit Source : Merriam -Webster Etymology : ‘Then away goes the brisk and pleasant Spirits and leave a vapid or sour Drink.‘ So wrote John Mortimer, an early 18th-century expert on agriculture, orchards, and cider-making, in his
The word for today is… acerbic (adjective) – : sharply or bitingly critical, sarcastic, or ironic in temper, mood, or tone Source : Merriam -Webster Etymology : English speakers created “acerbic” in the 19th century by adding “-ic” to the adjective “acerb.” “Acerb” had been around since the 17th century, but for most of
The word for today is… nonplus (verb) – : to cause to be at a loss as to what to say, think, or do : perplex Source : Merriam -Webster Etymology : Some people believe the “non” in nonplus means “not” and assume that to be nonplussed is to be calm and poised when just
The word for today is… ruthless (adjective) – : having no pity : merciless, cruel Source : Merriam -Webster Etymology : Ruthless can be defined as “without ruth” or “having no ruth.” So what, then, is ruth? The noun ruth, which is now considerably less common than ruthless, means “compassion for the misery of another,
The word for today is… emprise (noun) – an adventurous, daring, or chivalric enterprise Source : Merriam -Webster Etymology :Someone who engages in emprises undertakes much, so it’s no surprise that “emprise” descends from the Anglo-French word emprendre, meaning “to undertake.” It’s also no surprise that “emprise” became established
The word for today is… mulct (verb) – 1 : to punish by a fine 2a : to defraud especially of money : swindle b : to obtain by fraud, duress, or theft Source : Merriam -Webster Etymology : A fine assessed as a penalty for an infraction is generally considered justifiable. Fraud, on the other hand,
The word for today is… incumbent (noun, adjective) – noun: 1 : the holder of an office or ecclesiastical benefice 2 : one that occupies a particular position or place adjective: 1 : imposed as a duty : obligatory – incumbent on us to take action 2 : having the status of an incumbent 3 : lying or
The word for today is… deter (verb) – 1 : to turn aside, discourage, or prevent from acting 2 : inhibit Source : Merriam -Webster Etymology : The word deter is rooted in fear. It was borrowed into English around the mid-16th century from the Latin verb deterrere, which in turn was formed by
The word for today is… patriot (noun) – : one who loves and supports his or her country Source : Merriam -Webster Etymology : The word patriot signifies a person who loves his or her country and is ready to boldly support and defend it. That meaning has endured since the word’s arrival
The word for today is… inimical (adjective) – 1 : being adverse often by reason of hostility or malevolence 2a : having the disposition of an enemy : hostile b : reflecting or indicating hostility Source : Merriam -Webster Etymology : In inimical, one finds both a friend and an enemy. The word descends from Latin inimicus,
The word for today is… gormandise (verb) – : to eat gluttonously or ravenously Source : Merriam -Webster Etymology : Gormandise entered English in the mid-1500s as a modification of gourmand, a term borrowed from the French that served as a synonym of glutton. The meaning of gourmand softened over time, developing in
The word for today is… bijou (noun) – 1 : a small dainty usually ornamental piece of delicate workmanship : jewel 2 : something delicate, elegant, or highly prized Source : Merriam -Webster Etymology : Bijou (which can be pluralized as either bijoux or bijous) has adorned English since the late 17th century. We borrowed it
The word for today is… oaf (noun) – 1 : a stupid person 2 : a big clumsy slow-witted person Source : Merriam -Webster Etymology :A long time ago in England, it was believed that goblins sometimes secretly exchanged their babies for human babies. This was used as an explanation when parents found
The word for today is… desiccate (verb) – 1 : to dry up 2 : to preserve (a food) by drying 3 : to drain of emotional or intellectual vitality Source : Merriam -Webster Etymology : Raisins are desiccated grapes; they’re also dehydrated grapes. And yet, a close look at the etymologies of desiccate and
The word for today is… thesaurus (noun) – 1a : a book of words or of information about a particular field or set of concepts especially : a book of words and their synonyms b : a list of subject headings or descriptors usually with a cross-reference system for use in the organization
The word for today is… insouciance (noun) – : lighthearted unconcern : nonchalance Source : Merriam -Webster Etymology : Don’t worry – be insouciant. Perhaps your mind will rest easier if we explain that English speakers learned “insouciance” from the French in the 1700s (and the adjective “insouciant” has been part of our language since
