Word of the Day
fructify
verb
to bear fruit; become fruitful.
Why the Museum of Science chose fructify
To find out, watch this video about fructify from science communicator Maynard Okereke, better known as the Hip Hop M.D.
Learn more at the Museum of Science.
More about fructify
Fructify is based on Latin frūctus, which means “fruit.” Frūctus evolved into Old French fruit, which was borrowed into English. The change from Latin -ct- to French -it- also appears in Latin coctus, which became French cuit, “cooked” (as in biscuit). Fructify was first recorded in English around the turn of the 14th century.
EXAMPLE OF FRUCTIFY USED IN A SENTENCE
After blossoming in spring, apple trees begin to fructify by summer.
More about aliquot
Aliquot is formed from Latin alius, “some, other,” and quot, “as many as, every.” Alius is also the source of alias, alibi, and alien, all of which have to do with otherness, whether by name or location. Words of the Day altruistic and ultramafic are formed from alter, “other,” and uls, “beyond,” Latin relatives of alius. Aliquot was first recorded in English in the 1560s.
EXAMPLE OF ALIQUOT USED IN A SENTENCE
Aliquot parts of 24 include 2, 3, 4, and 6, but not 5.
solemnize
verb
to observe or commemorate with rites or ceremonies.
More about solemnize
Solemnize is equivalent to Latin sollemnis, meaning both “common, established” and “consecrated, holy.” Sollemnis may be connected to sollus, “whole,” the source of solicit and the Word of the Day insouciant, but not all linguists agree. Solemnize was first recorded in English in the late 14th century.
EXAMPLE OF SOLEMNIZE USED IN A SENTENCE
The newlyweds solemnized their marriage by exchanging vows they had written themselves.