The word for today is… oblige (verb): 1 : to constrain by physical, moral, or legal force or by the exigencies of circumstance 2a : to put in one’s debt by a favor or service b : to do a favor for Source : Merriam -Webster Etymology : If you are obliged by a
The word for today is… festoon (noun, verb): noun 1 : a decorative chain or strip hanging between two points 2 : a carved, molded, or painted ornament representing a decorative chain verb 1 : to hang or form festoons on 2 : to shape into festoons Source : Merriam -Webster Etymology : The noun festoon
The word for today is… panacea (noun): : a remedy for all ills or difficulties Source : Merriam -Webster Etymology : English speakers took panacea from Latin, but as is the case with many Latin borrowings, the word ultimately traces its roots to Greek: panakes, meaning “all-healing,” comes from pan-, meaning “all,” and
Siobhan Lyons Macquarie University Dr Siobhan Lyons is a media scholar and casual lecturer in the Department of Media, Music, Communication and Cultural Studies at Macquarie University, where she completed her doctoral dissertation in 2017. When it was announced that the creators of Breaking Bad would be filming a prequel
The word for today is… burgle (verb): : to break into and steal from (a home, business, etc.) : to commit robbery Source : Merriam -Webster Etymology : Burglary and burglar, which refer respectively to the act of breaking into a dwelling especially at night in order to commit theft or some other crime,
The word for today is… alleviate (verb): : relieve, lessen: such as – a : to make (something, such as pain or suffering) more bearable b : to partially remove or correct (something undesirable) Source : Merriam -Webster Etymology : Alleviate derives from the past participle of Late Latin alleviare (“to lighten or relieve”), which in
The word for today is… evanescent (adjective): : tending to vanish like vapor Source : Merriam -Webster Etymology : The fragile, airy quality of evanescent things reflects the etymology of the word evanescent itself. It’s from a form of the Latin verb evanescere, which means “to evaporate” or “to vanish.” (Evanescere is
The word for today is… abrogate (verb): 1 formal : to abolish by authoritative action : annul 2 formal : to treat as nonexistent : to fail to do what is required by (something, such as a responsibility) 3 formal : to suppress or prevent (a biological function or process and especially an immune response)
The word for today is… vocation (noun): : a summons or strong inclination to a particular state or course of action especially : a divine call to the religious life b : an entry into the priesthood or a religious order 2a : the work in which a person is employed b : the persons
Myriam Renaud Union Institute & University Myriam Renaud, PhD University of Chicago (2018), serves as affiliated faculty at DePaul University where she teaches courses in bioethics, religion, and society. Her academic research focuses on constructive philosophical theology, the concept of God, global ethics, comparative theology, and world religions. Author Salman
The word for today is… sumptuous (adjective): extremely costly, rich, luxurious, or magnificent Source : Merriam -Webster Etymology : The word sumptuous typically describes things that can only be had at some significant expense, a fact that keeps the modern English word tied to its Latin source: sumptus, meaning “expense.” Another English
The word for today is… fidelity (noun): 1a : the quality or state of being faithful b : accuracy in details 2 : the degree to which an electronic device (such as a record player, radio, or television) accurately reproduces its effect (such as sound or picture) Source : Merriam -Webster Etymology : Fidelity came
I’m very familiar with Launceston’s synagogue – but only in the most superficial way. I’ve passed the modest little building in St John Street many, many times (it’s right next door to the old Tiger Hobbies shop, after all). For all that, I’ve never really given
The word for today is… decry (verb): 1 : to depreciate (something, such as a coin) officially or publicly 2 : to express strong disapproval of Source : Merriam -Webster Etymology : Decry has several synonyms in English, among them disparage and belittle. Decry connotes an open condemnation that makes it the best choice
The word for today is… punitive (adjective): : inflicting, involving, or aiming at punishment Source : Merriam -Webster Etymology : 1620s, from French punitif (16c.) or directly from Medieval Latin punitivus, from Latin punitus, past participle of punire “to punish, correct, chastise”. Punitive is an important word in the law. When you sue
The word for today is… perfunctory (adjective): 1 : characterized by routine or superficiality : mechanical 2 : lacking in interest or enthusiasm Source : Merriam -Webster Etymology : A perfunctory explanation of the origins of perfunctory would be this: it comes from Latin. Borrowed in the late 16th century, the word is specifically from
