Word of the Day (March 09, 2015)

Word of the Day

Dovetail – (v.) to fit together in a pleasing or satisfying way

Example: “The carpenter dovetailed the corners of the boards in order to provide extra strength.”

First use: circa 1656

(Reference: Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Merriam-Webster Dictionary Application. Merriam-Webster Inc., 2005)

Word of the Day (March 08, 2015)

Word of the Day

Perfidy – (n.) the act of betraying someone or something: the sate of not being loyal

Example: Maricar decided to forgive her husband’s perfidy.”

Origin: Latin perfidia, from perfidus faithless, from per- detrimental to +fides faith – more at per-, faith.

First use: 1592

(Reference: Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Merriam-Webster Dictionary Application. Merriam-Webster Inc., 2005)

Word of the Day (March 07, 2015)

Word of the Day

Despot – (n.) a ruler who has total power and who often uses that power in cruel and unfair ways

Example: “Ferdinand Marcos was one of the few Filipino despots in history.”

Origin: Middle French despote, from Greek despotes master, lord, autocrat, from des- (akin to domos house) + -potes (akin to posis husband); akin to Sanskrit dampati lord of the house – more at dome, potent.

First use: 1585

(Reference: Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Merriam-Webster Dictionary Application. Merriam-Webster Inc., 2005)

Word of the Day (March 06, 2015)

Word of the Day

Atoll – (v.) an island that is made of coral and shaped like a ring

Example: “The island of Chiki-aa is an atoll.”

Origin: Devehi (Indo-Aryan language of the Maldive Islands) atolu.

First use: 1625

(Reference: Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Merriam-Webster Dictionary Application. Merriam-Webster Inc., 2005)

Word of the Day (March 5, 2015)

Word of the Day

Otiose – (v.) producing no useful result (also: lacking use or effect)

Example: “Arguing for the hapless cause of the defense team would be otiose.”

Origin: Latin otiosus, from otium leisure.

First use: 1794

(Reference: Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Merriam-Webster Dictionary Application. Merriam-Webster Inc., 2005)

Word of the Day(March 04, 2015)

Word of the Day

Mollify – (v.) to make (someone) less angry

Example: “An apology would probably mollify Katarina.”

Origin: Middle English mollifien, from Middle French mollifier, from Latin mollificare, from Latin mollis soft; akin to Greek amaldynein to soften, Sanskrit mrdu soft, and probably to Greek malakos soft, amblys dull, Old English meltan to melt.

First use: 15^th century

(Reference: Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Merriam-Webster Dictionary Application. Merriam-Webster Inc., 2005)

Word of the Day (March 03, 2015)

Word of the Day

Vestibule – (n.) an entrance hall inside a building

Example: “Please proceed to the vestibule upon your arrival.”

Origin: Latin vestibulum forecourt.

First use: 1726

(Reference: Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Merriam-Webster Dictionary Application. Merriam-Webster Inc., 2005)

Word of the Day (March 02, 2015)

Word of the Day

Lucrative – (adj.) producing money or wealth

Example: “The selling of tea at this time of the year appears to be a lucrative business.”

Origin: Middle English lucrative, from Middle French, from Latin lucrativus, from lucratus, past participle of lucrari to gain, from lucrum.

First use: 15^th century

(Reference: Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Merriam-Webster Dictionary Application. Merriam-Webster Inc., 2005)

Word of the Day (March 01, 2015)

Word of the Day

Scandalous – (adj.) involving immoral or shocking things that a person has done or is believed to have done

Example: “The scandalous news shocked everybody in the room.”

First use: 1575

(Reference: Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Merriam-Webster Dictionary Application. Merriam-Webster Inc., 2005)