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Word of the Day

Word of the day

cardinal

[ kahr-dn-l ] [ ˈkɑr dn l ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

adjective

of prime importance, principal

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Why Dictionary.com chose cardinal

More about cardinal

  • First recorded as an adjective in 1340–45.
  • From Latin cardinālis, meaning “hinge;” hence, it refers to something on which other things hinge.

EXAMPLES OF CARDINAL 

  • The teacher reminded the students that curiosity is a cardinal trait of great thinkers.
  • The tire blew out on an empty highway, and that’s when she realized the cardinal lesson of always making sure to have a spare.
20240103
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Word of the day

isocracy

[ ahy-sok-ruh-see ] [ aɪˈsɒk rə si ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

noun

a government in which all individuals have equal political power

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Why Dictionary.com chose isocracy

More about isocracy

  • First recorded in 1645–55.
  • Combines iso-⁴, meaning “equal,” + -cracy, meaning “rule or government.”

EXAMPLES OF ISOCRACY

  • The student council functioned as an isocracy, giving each member an equal vote.
  • It remains uncertain whether a true isocracy can function in a complex society.
20240103
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Word of the day

shroff

[ shrof ] [ ʃrɒf ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

verb

to test (coins) to find out the purity of the metal

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Why Dictionary.com chose shroff

More about shroff

  • First recorded in 1610–20 as a noun meaning “a banker or moneychanger.”
  • Likely from Arabic ṣayrāfī, meaning “moneychanger.”

EXAMPLES OF SHROFF

  • She learned how to shroff coins by studying ancient metallurgy.
  • The appraiser shroffed the gold bars and found they were mostly lead.
20240103
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