Word of the Day
bai
noun
a yellow mist occurring during the spring and fall, caused by dust from the interior of China.
More about bai
Bai is a loanword from Japanese and was exported from Middle Chinese to multiple languages of East Asia. In this way, bai is related to Mandarin mái and Cantonese maai, both meaning “fog” or “dust storm.” Bai was first recorded in English in the mid 1910s.
EXAMPLE OF BAI USED IN A SENTENCE
As the bai drifted over the countryside, the sun began to pale, and a thin coating of dust gathered in the treetops.
chryselephantine
adjective
made of or overlaid with gold and ivory, as certain objects made in ancient Greece.
More about chryselephantine
Chryselephantine is based on Ancient Greek chrȳsós, “gold,” and eléphās, “elephant.” Because of its similarity to Biblical Hebrew kharúts, “gold,” chrȳsós may have been borrowed from a Semitic language such as Phoenician. Eléphās may also be of Semitic origin. Chryselephantine was first recorded in English in the 1820s.
EXAMPLE OF CHRYSELEPHANTINE USED IN A SENTENCE
The chryselephantine statue of Athena glistened in the sunlight streaming through the temple.
pervicacious
adjective
extremely willful; obstinate; stubborn.
More about pervicacious
Pervicacious comes from Latin pervicāx, meaning “stubborn, willful” or, more literally, “tending to conquer completely.” The -vic- element derives from the verb vincere, “to conquer,” which is the source of invincible and victory. The -āx part appears as -acious in many English adjectives, such as audacious and loquacious. Pervicacious was first recorded in English circa 1630.
EXAMPLE OF PERVICACIOUS USED IN A SENTENCE
When the dog walker wanted to change direction, the pervicacious Yorkie dug her nails into the ground and glared.