Word of the Day (February 12, 2015)

Word of the Day (February 12, 2015)

Kaleidoscope – (n.) a tube that has mirrors and loose pieces of colored glass or plastic inside at one end so that you see many different patterns when you turn the tube while looking in through the other end (also: changing pattern or scene; mixture of many different things)

Example: “Life is a kaleidoscope of different experiences where we can learn how to live to the fullest.”

Origin: Greek “kalos” beautiful + “eidos” form + English “-scope.”

First use: 1817

(Reference: Merriam Webster Dictionary. Merriam-Webster Dictionary Application. Merriam-Webster, Inc., 2015.)

Word of the Day (February 11, 2015)

Word of the Day (February 11, 2015)

Motley – (adj.) made up of many different people or things

Example: “The motley fans raced towards the actor.”

Origin: Middle English, perhaps from “mot” mote, speck.

First use: 14^th century

(Reference: Merriam Webster Dictionary. Merriam-Webster Dictionary Application. Merriam-Webster, Inc., 2015.)

Word of the Day (February 10, 2015)

Word of the Day (February 10, 2015)

Idiosyncrasy – (n.) an unusual way in which a particular person behaves or thinks (also: an unusual part or feature of something)

Example: “Jane’s idiosyncrasies hinder her to have true friends.”

Origin: greek “idiosynkrasia,” from “idio-“ + “synkerannynai” to blend, from ‘syn-“ + kerannynai” to mingle, mix.

First use: 1604

(Reference: Merriam Webster Dictionary. Merriam-Webster Dictionary Application. Merriam-Webster, Inc., 2015.)

Word of the Day (February 09, 2015)

Word of the Day (February 09, 2015)

Taciturn – (adj.) tending to be quiet (also: not speaking frequently)

Example: “Noli, a taciturn, prefers to be seated on his chair than to be mingling with his classmates.

Origin: French or Latin; French “taciturne,” from Middle French, from Latin “taciturnus,” from “tacitus” silent.

First use: 1734

(Reference: Merriam Webster Dictionary. Merriam-Webster Dictionary Application. Merriam-Webster, Inc., 2015.)

Word of the Day (February 08, 2015)

Word of the Day (February 08, 2015)

Jabberwocky – (n.) meaningless speech or writing

Example: “In order to entertain his younger sister, Brian talks in a jabberwocky kind of way.’

Origin: “Jabberwocky,” nonsense poem by Lewis Carroll.

First use: 1902

(Reference: Merriam Webster Dictionary. Merriam-Webster Dictionary Application. Merriam-Webster, Inc., 2015.)

Word of the Day (February 7, 2015)

Word of the Day (February 07, 2015)

Uncanny – (adj.) strange or unusual way that is surprising or difficult to understand

Example: “It is uncanny that two persons are really meant for each other.

First use: 1773

(Reference: Merriam Webster Dictionary. Merriam-Webster Dictionary Application. Merriam-Webster, Inc., 2015.)