Word of the Day
More about jouissance
Jouissance is a borrowing from Old French based on the verb jouir (stem jouiss-), “to enjoy.” Old French jouir comes from Latin gaudēre, “to be glad,” which is the source of gaudery and gaudy as well as joy and rejoice. Jouissance was first recorded in English in the late 15th century.
EXAMPLE OF JOUISSANCE USED IN A SENTENCE
The children’s jouissance in reading only grew when they entered the library for the first time and saw the endless stacks of books in front of them.
quixotic
adjective
extravagantly chivalrous or romantic; visionary, impractical, or impracticable.
More about quixotic
Quixotic is the namesake of Don Quixote, now spelled Quijote in modern Spanish, who is the titular hero of Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra’s most well-known novel. The character Don Quixote’s original surname was Quijano, which is the name of a community in Cantabria, Spain. Quixotic was first recorded in English around 1810. Learn synonyms for quixotic here!
EXAMPLE OF QUIXOTIC USED IN A SENTENCE
Though the couple would have loved a romantic getaway to Paris, they settled for a far less quixotic evening of a candlelit dinner at home.
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.