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Why Dictionary.com chose abrogate
More about abrogate
- First used in English between 1520–30.
- From the Latin abrogātus, “repealed” (See ab-, rogation, -ate1).
- The meaning has expanded from officially repealing a law (doing away with it) to delaying or avoiding to do something, like a chore or another responsibility.
EXAMPLES OF ABROGATE
- By neglecting to attend the meetings, he was seen as trying to abrogate his duties.
- The committee tried to abrogate its responsibility by postponing the decision until after the holidays.
mistral
noun
a cold, dry, wind common in southern France and neighboring regions.
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Why Dictionary.com chose mistral
More about mistral
- First used between 1595–1605.
- Directly from Provençal mistral meaning “dominant wind” and from Latin magistralis ventus meaning “master wind.”
- Both dominant and master emphasize the strong nature of this regional wind.
EXAMPLES OF MISTRAL
- Farmers in southern France prepare for the mistral by securing their crops and equipment.
- Sailors dread the mistral because it can make navigating the Mediterranean Sea extremely challenging.
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Why Dictionary.com chose ergo
More about ergo
- Borrowed into English from Latin around 1350–1400.
- The word appears in a widely-known phrase by the philosopher and mathematician René Descartes: Cogito ergo sum, “I think, therefore I am.”
EXAMPLES OF ERGO
- The weather forecast predicted rain, ergo, we brought our umbrellas.
- The software had a critical flaw, ergo, it was recalled immediately.
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