Word of the Day
bowdlerize
verb
to amend a written work by removing or modifying passages considered vulgar or objectionable.
More about bowdlerize
Bowdlerize is the namesake of Thomas Bowdler, who published an edited version of Shakespeare’s plays in 1807. Bowdler claimed that he had removed “defects which diminish [the plays’] value.” The surname Bowdler has two possible origins: in reference to a person who buddles or is from Boelare (modern Nederboelare in Belgium). Bowdlerize was first recorded in English in the 1830s.
EXAMPLE OF BOWDLERIZE USED IN A SENTENCE
The students noticed that their edition of Hamlet had been bowdlerized, with several exciting yet controversial scenes significantly whittled down.
qiviut
noun
the soft, dense, light-brown woolly undercoat of the musk ox, used in making fabrics.
More about qiviut
Qiviut is the plural of qiviuq, “down, underhair.” It’s a borrowing from one of the Inuit languages, as are Words of the Day angakok and anorak. The letter q in Inuit languages is pronounced farther back in the mouth than the q in English, producing a sound about halfway between English k and French r. Give it a try! Qiviut was first recorded in English in the late 1950s.
EXAMPLE OF QIVIUT USED IN A SENTENCE
The thick lining of qiviut inside his coat kept him warm during his morning walk.
pluvial
adjective
of or relating to rain, especially much rain; rainy.
Why the Museum of Science chose pluvial
To find out, watch this video about pluvial from science communicator Alex Dainis, PhD.
Learn more at the Museum of Science.
More about pluvial
Pluvial comes from the Latin pluvia, “rain.” Another word for “rain” in Latin is imber, but while pluvia is the source of many modern Romance words for “rain” (such as French pluie, Italian pioggia, and Spanish lluvia), imber has barely any related words today. Pluvial was first recorded in English in the 1650s.
EXAMPLE OF PLUVIAL USED IN A SENTENCE
The burst of pluvial weather left mud and puddles in its wake.
