Word of the Day
terricolous
adjective
living on or in the ground.
Why the Museum of Science chose terricolous
To find out, watch this video from science communicator Maynard Okereke, better known as the Hip Hop M.D.
Learn more at the Museum of Science.
More about terricolous
Terricolous is based on the Latin word terra, meaning “earth,” and the element -colous, meaning “inhabiting.” Terra is also the source of the Words of the Day terraqueous and terrene. Terricolous was first recorded in English around 1830.
EXAMPLE OF TERRICOLOUS USED IN A SENTENCE
A large patch of terricolous moss grew in the shade of the old shed.
hadal
adjective
of or relating to the greatest ocean depths, below approximately 20,000 feet (6,500 meters).
More about hadal
Hadal is based on Hades, the Greek god of the underworld. The Ancient Greek name for Hades, Hā́idēs, is of unclear origin, but a longtime popular explanation is that it is related to aïdḗs, meaning “invisible, unseen.” Hadal was first recorded in English in the late 1950s.
EXAMPLE OF HADAL USED IN A SENTENCE
No sunlight can ever penetrate the hadal trenches of the Pacific Ocean.
More about écossaise
Écossaise is a form of French écossais, meaning “Scottish.” Both French Écosse and English Scotland come from Late Latin Scotus, a name for Gaelic-speaking people in the British Isles. The origin of Scotus may be connected to Irish Gaelic scoith, “to cut off,” or Scottish Gaelic sgaothrach, “crowd.” Écossaise was first recorded in English in the early 1860s.
EXAMPLE OF ÉCOSSAISE USED IN A SENTENCE
The couples prepared to dance the écossaise by forming two parallel lines.