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Word of the day

gumbo

[ guhm-boh ] [ ˈgʌm boʊ ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

noun

a stew or thick soup, usually made with chicken or seafood, greens, and okra

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Why Dictionary.com chose gumbo

More about gumbo

  • First recorded in 1795–1805.
  • From the Kimbundu, and the Louisiana French gombo, meaning “a stew or soup.”

EXAMPLES OF GUMBO

  • Grandma’s gumbo recipe has been passed down for generations and remains a family favorite.
  • I couldn’t resist ordering a bowl of gumbo when I saw it on the menu at the New Orleans restaurant.
20240103
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Word of the day

ergatocracy

[ ur-guh-tok-ruh-see ] [ ˌɜːɡəˈtɒkrəsɪ ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

noun

government by the workers

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Why Dictionary.com chose ergatocracy

More about ergatocracy

  • First recorded in the 1920s.
  • From the Greek ergatēs, meaning “a workman,” + -cracy.

EXAMPLES OF ERGATOCRACY

  • Under an ergatocracy, decisions are made by the collective workforce.
  • Critics of the ergatocracy claimed it would lead to inefficiency and chaos without proper leadership.
20240103
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Word of the day

impermeable

[ im-pur-mee-uh-buhl ] [ ɪmˈpɜr mi ə bəl ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

adjective

impassable

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Why Dictionary.com chose impermeable

More about impermeable

  • First recorded in 1690–1700; formed from im-2permeable.
  • Ultimately from the Late Latin impermeābilis, meaning “inscrutable or impenetrable.”

EXAMPLES OF IMPERMEABLE

  • The raincoat was made from an impermeable material that kept me completely dry in the storm.
  • The mountain’s cliffs appeared impermeable, deterring any attempt to climb them.
20240103
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