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Word of the day

saturnine

[ sat-er-nahyn ] [ ˈsæt ərˌnaɪn ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

adjective

sluggish in temperament; gloomy; taciturn

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Why Dictionary.com chose saturnine

More about saturnine

  • First recorded between 1400–1450.
  • From the Middle English Saturne, meaning literally “born under the influence of the planet Saturn.”

EXAMPLES OF SATURNINE 

  • After hearing the disappointing news, he sat with a saturnine look, his eyes fixed on the floor.
  • Her saturnine glance across the room silenced the chatter, leaving everyone wondering what had caused her mood.
20240103
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Word of the day

edentate

[ ee-den-teyt ] [ iˈdɛn teɪt ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

adjective

toothless or having only few teeth

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Why Dictionary.com chose edentate

More about edentate

  • First recorded in 1820–30.
  • From the Latin ēdentāre, meaning “to knock the teeth out.”

EXAMPLES OF EDENTATE 

  • Certain species of edentate mammals, such as anteaters, have evolved to thrive without teeth.
  • Sloths are edentate animals, using tough lips to handle their plant-based diet.
20240103
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Word of the day

dungaree

[ duhng-guh-ree ] [ ˌdʌŋ gəˈri ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

noun

blue denim

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Why Dictionary.com chose dungaree

More about dungaree

  • First recorded in 1605–15.
  • From the Hindi word dungrī, meaning “coarse cloth.”

EXAMPLES OF DUNGAREE 

  • His dungarees were faded and torn, showing years of hard labor.
  • She put on a pair of sturdy dungarees for her job at the farm.
20240103
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