Word of the Day
aberration
noun
the act of departing from the right, normal, or usual course.
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Why Dictionary.com chose aberration
More about aberration
- Aberration was first recorded in 1585–95.
- Aberration comes from the Latin word aberrātiōn-, “distraction, diversion, relief (from pain or sorrow).”
- The Latin word aberrātiōn is equivalent to the past participle of the Latin verb aberrāre, meaning “to divert, forget for a time; to wander, deviate.”
EXAMPLES OF ABERRATION
- The sudden outburst during his composed speech was an aberration from his typically calm demeanor.
- The painting stood out in the gallery due to its vibrant colors, acting as an aberration among the more muted tones of the other artworks.
de rigueur
adjective
strictly required, as by etiquette, usage, or fashion.
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Why Dictionary.com chose de rigueur
More about de rigueur
- De rigueur was borrowed into English from French around 1825–35.
- De rigueur in French means “of rigor” or “of strictness in etiquette.”
- Rigor entered English around 1350–1400 from the Latin word rigor, meaning “stiffness,” as in the Latin phrase rigor mortis, “the stiffening of the body after death.”
EXAMPLES OF DE RIGUEUR
- Wearing black tie attire is de rigueur at formal galas and high-end restaurants.
- Exchanging business cards before a meeting is still de rigueur in many Asian cultures.
queue
verb
to form in a line while waiting (often followed by up).
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Why Dictionary.com chose queue
More about queue
- Queue was first recorded in English in 1585–95.
- Queue comes via Middle French from the Latin word cauda or cōda, meaning “tail.”
- Queue, in the highlighted sense, is more commonly used in British English.
- The first recorded meaning of queue in English was “a band of parchment attached to a document and bearing a seal.”
EXAMPLES OF QUEUE
- The eager fans queued up outside the concert venue hours before the doors opened.
- The customers patiently queued behind the counter at the popular bakery to buy their favorite pastries.
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