Word of the Day
aorta
noun
the main trunk of the arterial system, conveying blood from the left ventricle of the heart to all of the body except the lungs.
More about aorta
Aorta comes by way of Latin from Ancient Greek aortḗ, “the great artery” or, literally, “something hung, carried.” Aortḗ comes from the verb aeírein, “to lift, carry,” which is also the source of meteor and may be related to the Word of the Day arioso. Aorta was first recorded in English in the 1570s.
EXAMPLE OF AORTA USED IN A SENTENCE
The surgeon replaced the patient’s heart valve so his aorta could function normally again.
More about gridiron
Gridiron originally meant “griddle” and evolved to refer to things resembling griddles and, ultimately, to sports fields that prominently feature intersecting lines. The term comes from Middle English gridirne, which became gridiron because of a false association with the unrelated word irne, “iron,” perhaps because of the metal rods used in griddles. Gridiron was first recorded in English in the late 13th century.
EXAMPLE OF GRIDIRON USED IN A SENTENCE
The staff worked all morning to clear the gridiron of snow so the game could begin.
caravel
noun
a small Spanish or Portuguese sailing vessel of the Middle Ages and later, usually with triangular sails that allowed for tacking upwind.
More about caravel
Caravel comes from Portuguese caravela, which is formed from cáravo, a kind of ship. Cáravo comes via Latin from Ancient Greek kárabos, “skiff, crayfish, type of beetle,” which likely shares an origin with scarab. For another potential (if unlikely) connection, compare the Word of the Day carapace. Caravel was first recorded in English in the 1520s.
EXAMPLE OF CARAVEL USED IN A SENTENCE
The cresting waves broke over the caravel as it left the harbor on a windy day.