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Word of the day

banish

[ ban-ish ] [ ˈbæn ɪʃ ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

verb

to expel from a country or place by authoritative decree

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Why Dictionary.com chose banish

More about banish

  • First recorded between 1275–1325.
  • From Middle English banisshen, from Anglo-French, Old French baniss-, (long stem of banir), from unrecorded Frankish bannjan, “to proclaim,” akin to ban1.

EXAMPLES OF BANISH

  • The council voted to banish the rebel leader to a remote island as punishment.
  • The dictator threatened to banish all citizens who spoke out against his regime.
20240103
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Word of the day

piffle

[ pif-uhl ] [ ˈpɪf əl ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

noun

nonsense, as trivial or senseless talk

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Why Dictionary.com chose piffle

More about piffle

  • First recorded in 1840–50.
  • Perhaps akin to puff.

EXAMPLES OF PIFFLE

  • Stop talking such piffle and focus on the facts!
  • His argument was full of piffle — no one took it seriously.
20240103
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Word of the day

gainsay

[ geyn-sey ] [ ˈgeɪnˌseɪ ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

verb

to deny, dispute, or contradict

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Why Dictionary.com chose gainsay

More about gainsay

  • First recorded between 1250–1300.
  • From the Middle English word gainsaien, literally “say against.” See again, say1.

EXAMPLES OF GAINSAY

  • No one could gainsay the evidence presented at the trial.
  • It’s hard to gainsay the fact that technology has drastically changed our lives.
20240103
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