Skip to content

The word for today is…

festinate (verb, adjective) -

verb
: hasten

adjective
: hasty

Source : Merriam-Webster

Etymology : Festinate is one among many in the category of words whose early recorded use is in the works of William Shakespeare. He used it as an adjective (which is pronounced \FESS-tuh-nut) in King Lear, for example: "Advise the Duke where you are going, to a most festinate preparation." Perhaps the Bard knew about festinatus, the Latin predecessor of festinate, or was familiar with the Latin proverb festina lente—"make haste slowly." Shakespeare also used the adverb festinately in Love's Labour's Lost: "Bring him festinately hither," Don Ariano de Armado orders. First evidence of the verb festinate, meaning "to hasten," occurs post-Shakespeare, however.

If you enjoyed this Good Oil word of the day please consider sharing it with your friends and, especially, your children.

Latest

Face of the Day

Face of the Day

Gisborne construction worker Tim Morris, 37, was driving with a friend about 1am on Saturday when he spotted a house ablaze on Aberdeen Rd. The pair quickly pulled over and braved thick smoke to haul an 89-year-old man to safety through a broken window.

Members Public
The Good Oil Word of the Day

The Good Oil Word of the Day

The word for today is… anterior (adjective) - 1: situated before or toward the front b: situated near or toward the head or part most nearly corresponding to a head 2: coming before in time or development Source : Merriam-Webster Etymology : Anterior generally appears in either medical or scholarly contexts. Anatomy

Members Public