Word of the Day
Word of the day
samhainophobia
[ sou-win-uh-foh-bee-uh ]
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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.
unceremoniously
adverb
in a way that seems rudely abrupt or hasty
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Why Dictionary.com chose unceremoniously
More about unceremoniously
- First recorded in 1750–60, combining unceremonious + -ly.
- The adjective form was first noted in the writing of poet George Chapman.
EXAMPLES OF UNCEREMONIOUSLY
- The employee was unceremoniously dismissed from his job, receiving no explanation.
- They abandoned their camping plans unceremoniously when it started to storm.
abraxas
noun
a word of unknown significance found on charms, especially amulets, of the late Greco-Roman world
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Why Dictionary.com chose abraxas
More about abraxas
- First recorded in 1710–20.
- Borrowed directly from the French abraxas, for an amulet inscribed with the word.
- From the Post-classical Latin Abraxas, ruler of the 365 heavens. Its letters in Greek add up to 365 — representing the full cycle of time and linking Abraxas as a ruler over all aspects of creation and the cosmic order.
EXAMPLES OF ABRAXAS
- Ancient magicians and healers often incorporated the word abraxas into their spells and rituals to invoke supernatural forces.
- Scholars have long debated the meaning of abraxas, which appears frequently on charms and talismans from the Greco-Roman period.
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