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Why Dictionary.com chose canoodle
More about canoodle
- Recorded in 1855–60; perhaps formed by combining caress + noodle².
- Meaning “political manipulation” in earlier uses via Southern U.S. newspapers.
EXAMPLES OF CANOODLE
- The happy couple canoodled in the coffee shop despite glances from other customers about their public show of affection.
- I saw them canoodling on the park bench, wrapped in each other’s embrace.
incandescent
adjective
intensely bright; brilliant
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Why Dictionary.com chose incandescent
More about incandescent
- First recorded in 1785–95, combining the prefix in-¹ + candescent, meaning “glowing.”
- Borrowed directly from French and ultimately from the Latin incandescere, meaning “to become warm, glow.”
EXAMPLES OF INCANDESCENT
- The bride admired the incandescent sparkle of her diamond ring in the sunlight.
- The incandescent flames of the campfire flickered in the night as the campers roasted marshmallows.
samhainophobia
[ sou-win-uh-foh-bee-uh ]
Show IPA
noun
an abnormal or extreme fear of Halloween
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Why Dictionary.com chose samhainophobia
More about samhainophobia
- Named for the ancient Celtic festival samhain, from the Old Irish samain, literally “summer’s end” and combined with phobia, “intense fear.”
EXAMPLES OF SAMHAINOPHOBIA
- The child’s samhainophobia is so severe that he refuses to leave the house during October, fearing the costumes and decorations.
- During the Halloween season, many people with samhainophobia may isolate themselves to avoid the holiday’s triggers.
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