The word for today is… brandish (verb): 1 : to shake or wave (something, such as a weapon) 2 : to exhibit in an ostentatious or aggressive manner Source : Merriam -Webster Etymology :Often when we encounter the word brandish in print, it is followed by a word for a weapon, such as
The word for today is… effulgence (noun): : radiant splendor : brilliance Source : Merriam -Webster Etymology :Effulgence is not a shiny “new” word, having made its English language debut in the 17th century, but it does come from the Latin verb fulgere, meaning “to shine.” Effulgence isn’t used for bog-standard
The word for today is… jaunty (adjective): 1 : sprightly in manner or appearance 2 archaic : stylish or genteel Source : Merriam -Webster Etymology :Does throwing on a jaunty hat make someone appear more genteel? Maybe, but something more definitive links the words: both jaunty and genteel come from the French word
The word for today is… devolve (verb): 1: : to pass on (something, such as responsibility, rights, or powers) from one person or entity to another 2a : to pass by transmission or succession b : to fall or be passed usually as a responsibility or obligation 3 : to come by or as
The word for today is… affidavit (noun): : a sworn statement in writing made especially under oath or on affirmation Source : Merriam -Webster Etymology :In Latin, affidavit means “he (she) has sworn an oath”, and an affidavit is always a sworn written document. If it contains a lie, the person making
The word for today is… debacle (noun): 1a : a great disaster b : a complete failure : fiasco 2 : a tumultuous breakup of ice in a river 3 : a violent disruption (as of an army) Source : Merriam -Webster Etymology :Debacle comes from the French noun débâcle, which comes from the verb débâcler,
The word for today is… vociferous (adjective): : marked by or given to vehement insistent outcry Source : Merriam -Webster Etymology :To vociferate is “to cry out loudly” so it’s perhaps unsurprising that the adjective vociferous is used to describe those who are loud and proud, who show their support or
The word for today is… overwhelm (verb): 1 : upset, overthrow 2a : to cover over completely b : to overcome by superior force or numbers c : to overpower in thought or feeling Source : Merriam -Webster Etymology :Let’s face it: life can get overwhelming. A person might be overwhelmed by a sensory
The word for today is… glitch (noun): 1a : a usually minor malfunction b : a minor problem that causes a temporary setback 2 : a false or spurious electronic signal Source : Merriam -Webster Etymology :There’s a glitch in the etymology of glitch—it may come from the Yiddish glitsh, meaning “slippery
The word for today is… rash (noun, adjective, adverb): noun 1 : an eruption on the body 2 : a large number of instances in a short period adjective 1 : marked by or proceeding from undue haste or lack of deliberation or caution 2 obsolete : quickly effective adverb archaic: in a rash
The word for today is… epitome (noun): 1 : a typical or ideal example : embodiment 2a : a summary of a written work b : a brief presentation or statement of something Source : Merriam -Webster Etymology :Epitome first appeared in print in the early 16th century, when it was used to mean “summary.
The word for today is… unabashed (adjective): : not abashed : undisguised, unapologetic Source : Merriam -Webster Etymology :To abash someone is to shake up their self-possession, as illustrated by Charlotte Brontë in her 1849 novel Shirley: “He had never blushed in his life; no humiliation could abash him.” When you are
The word for today is… charisma (noun): 1 : a personal magic of leadership arousing special popular loyalty or enthusiasm for a public figure (such as a political leader) 2 : a special magnetic charm or appeal Source : Merriam -Webster Etymology :The Greek word charisma means “favor” or “gift.” It comes from
The word for today is… immutable (adjective): : not capable of or susceptible to change Source : Merriam -Webster Etymology :Immutable may describe something that is incapable of change, but the word itself—like all words—is mutable, both capable of and prone to alteration. To put a finer point on it,
The word for today is… wreak (verb): 1 : bring about, cause wreak havoc 2a : to cause the infliction of (vengeance or punishment) b archaic : avenge 3 : to give free play or course to (malevolent feeling) Source : Merriam -Webster Etymology :In its early days, wreak was synonymous with avenge, a meaning
The word for today is… incarcerate (verb): 1 : to put in prison 2 : to subject to confinement Source : Merriam -Webster Etymology :A criminal sentenced to incarceration may wish their debt to society could be canceled; such a wistful felon might be surprised to learn that incarcerate and cancel are related.
