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Why Dictionary.com chose augury
More about augury
- First recorded between 1325–75.
- From the Latin augurium, meaning “divination through the behavior of animals.”
EXAMPLES OF AUGURY
- She couldn’t shake the feeling that her dream was an augury for important things to come.
- The raven’s sudden appearance was an augury that unsettled the whole village.
diurnal
adjective
active by day, as certain birds and insects
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Why Dictionary.com chose diurnal
More about diurnal
- First recorded between 1400–50.
- From the Latin diurnālis, meaning “daily.”
EXAMPLES OF DIURNAL
- The squirrel, a diurnal mammal, can often be seen gathering acorns during the day.
- Butterflies are diurnal creatures, emerging in the morning to bask in the sun and feed on nectar.
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Why Dictionary.com chose footle
More about footle
- First recorded in 1890–95.
- Of uncertain origin; perhaps from the British dialectal footy, meaning “worthless or paltry.”
EXAMPLES OF FOOTLE
- They tend to footle during meetings, throwing in random comments and sidetracking the discussion.
- The children were supposed to be cleaning their room, but they just footled around, chatting and giggling instead.
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