Word of the Day
Word of the day
learn about the english language
Why Dictionary.com chose grice
More about grice
- First recorded between 1175–1225.
- From Old Norse grīss, meaning “a young or suckling pig.”
- Historically used in heraldry to mean “a boar.”
EXAMPLES OF GRICE
- The farmer picked up the smallest grice and placed it gently back in the pen.
- A group of grice played together in the muddy yard.
learn about the english language
Why Dictionary.com chose propitiate
More about propitiate
- First recorded in 1635–45.
- From the Latin propitiāre, meaning “to appease;” combining the Latin root propitius, meaning “falling forward; eager,” + -ate¹.
EXAMPLES OF PROPITIATE
- The company issued a public apology to propitiate its disgruntled customers.
- The ancient sailors would make offerings to propitiate the sea before setting sail.
spindrift
noun
spray swept up by wind along the surface of the sea
learn about the english language
Why Dictionary.com chose spindrift
More about spindrift
- First recorded in 1590–1600.
- Possibly a variant form of spoondrift, which combines spume, meaning “froth,” + drift, meaning “something driven (by the wind).”
EXAMPLES OF SPINDRIFT
- Each wave sent a cloud of spindrift up.
- Spindrift sprayed onto their coats as they walked along the shore.
Word of the Day Calendar