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Word of the Day

Word of the day

ennoble

[ en-noh-buhl ] [ ɛnˈnoʊ bəl ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

verb

to elevate in degree, excellence, or respect; dignify.

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Why Dictionary.com chose ennoble

More about ennoble

  • First recorded around 1425–75.
  • Comes via the late Middle English word ennobelen from the Old French ennoblir.
  • The related word noble, “distinguished,” comes from Latin adjective (g)nōbilis “notable, of high rank,” equivalent to the root of the Latin verb (g)nōscere, “to get to know, find out.”

EXAMPLES OF ENNOBLE

  • Through their charitable work, the organization seeks to ennoble the lives of those less fortunate in society.
  • We hope that the Word of the Day has ennobled vocabulary learning.
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Word of the day

backronym

[ bak-ruh-nim ] [ ˈbæk rə nɪm ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

noun

an existing word turned into an acronym by creating an apt phrase whose initial letters match the word, as to help remember it or offer a theory of its origin.

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Why Dictionary.com chose backronym

More about backronym

  • First recorded in 1980–85.
  • Formed from the word back “toward the rear” and (ac)ronym, “a word formed from the initial letters or groups of letters of words in a set phrase and pronounced as a separate word.”

EXAMPLES OF BACKRONYM

  • Some people believe the word news stands for “notable events, weather, and sports,” but that’s not accurate; it’s a backronym.
  • My neighbor insists that SOS means “Save Our Ship” and wouldn’t believe that people made up that backronym years after SOS was first used.
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Word of the day

ablution

[ uh-bloo-shuhn ] [ əˈblu ʃən ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

noun

a washing of the hands, body, etc.

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Why Dictionary.com chose ablution

More about ablution

  • First recorded around 1350–1400.
  • Comes via Middle English from the Latin stem of ablūtiō, related to abluere (from which comes abluent, “serving to cleanse”).
  • Often used in the plural, ablutions.

EXAMPLES OF ABLUTION

  • As part of his daily routine, he would perform the ablution with reverence and mindfulness, appreciating the ritual’s significance.
  • The sound of running water during ablution brought a sense of calm and tranquility to her morning routine.
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Word of the Day Calendar