Word of the Day
amethyst
noun
a purple or violet quartz, used as a gem.
More about amethyst
Amethyst comes by way of Latin from Ancient Greek améthystos, literally meaning “not intoxicating.” Perhaps because of amethyst’s winelike hue, a common belief in the ancient Mediterranean was that the stone prevented drunkenness. The ultimate origin, méthy, “wine,” is distantly related to English mead, a liquor made from fermented honey. Amethyst was first recorded in English in the late 13th century.
EXAMPLE OF AMETHYST USED IN A SENTENCE
The deep purple amethyst in her necklace contrasted with her white dress.
humicolous
adjective
of or relating to organisms that live in or on soil.
More about humicolous
Humicolous, “of or relating to organisms living in or on soil,” is based on Latin humus, “earth,” and colere, “to inhabit.” Humus comes from an Indo-European root found in numerous words related to land or humankind, such as Words of the Day chernozem, chthonian, and duniewassal. Colere also gives us colony and culture. Humicolous was first recorded in English at the turn of the 20th century.
EXAMPLE OF HUMICOLOUS USED IN A SENTENCE
As they dug through the soil in the garden, ants, worms, and other humicolous creatures kept appearing.
fructify
verb
to bear fruit; become fruitful.
Why the Museum of Science chose fructify
To find out, watch this video about fructify from science communicator Maynard Okereke, better known as the Hip Hop M.D.
Learn more at the Museum of Science.
More about fructify
Fructify is based on Latin frūctus, which means “fruit.” Frūctus evolved into Old French fruit, which was borrowed into English. The change from Latin -ct- to French -it- also appears in Latin coctus, which became French cuit, “cooked” (as in biscuit). Fructify was first recorded in English around the turn of the 14th century.
EXAMPLE OF FRUCTIFY USED IN A SENTENCE
After blossoming in spring, apple trees begin to fructify by summer.
