Word of the Day
lexical
adjective
of or relating to words or vocabulary
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Why Dictionary.com chose lexical
More about lexical
- First recorded in 1830–40.
- Combines lexic(on) from Greek léxis, meaning “words,” + -al².
- From the Proto-Indo-European root *leǵ-, meaning “to gather, put in order, speak.”
EXAMPLES OF LEXICAL
- Linguists study lexical changes to track the evolution of language.
- A poet’s lexical precision can make even common words surprising.
ziggurat
noun
a tiered temple built by ancient Assyrians and Babylonians
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Why Dictionary.com chose ziggurat
More about ziggurat
- First recorded in 1875–80.
- From the Akkadian word ziqquratu, meaning “summit; temple, tower.”
EXAMPLES OF ZIGGURAT
- Archaeologists carefully excavated the lower levels of the ziggurat, hoping to uncover hidden chambers.
- The sandcastle’s layers made me think of a tiny ziggurat by the sea.
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Why Dictionary.com chose fjord
More about fjord
- First recorded in 1670–75.
- From Norwegian fiord; from Proto-Indo-European *pértu-, meaning “a passage.”
- Related to ford¹.
EXAMPLES OF FJORD
- The cruise ship slowly navigated the winding fjord, offering passengers breathtaking views.
- Strong tides surged through the narrow entrance of the fjord, creating swirling eddies.
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