Word of the Day
caravel
noun
a small Spanish or Portuguese sailing vessel of the Middle Ages and later, usually with triangular sails that allowed for tacking upwind.
More about caravel
Caravel comes from Portuguese caravela, which is formed from cáravo, a kind of ship. Cáravo comes via Latin from Ancient Greek kárabos, “skiff, crayfish, type of beetle,” which likely shares an origin with scarab. For another potential (if unlikely) connection, compare the Word of the Day carapace. Caravel was first recorded in English in the 1520s.
EXAMPLE OF CARAVEL USED IN A SENTENCE
The cresting waves broke over the caravel as it left the harbor on a windy day.
nomophobia
noun
anxiety caused by being without access to a functioning mobile phone.
Why the Museum of Science chose nomophobia
To find out, watch this video about nomophobia from science communicator Maynard Okereke, better known as the Hip Hop M.D.
Learn more fun facts at the Museum of Science.
More about nomophobia
Nomophobia is an abbreviation of “no mobile phobia,” in which phobia refers to general worrying. While the nomophobia we’re featuring today was first recorded in English in the late 2000s, a different type of nomophobia appeared in English at the turn of the 19th century. The earlier nomophobia comes from Ancient Greek nómos, “law, management,” and means “fear of laws.”
EXAMPLE OF NOMOPHOBIA USED IN A SENTENCE
With their phones confiscated, the teens soon overcame their nomophobia by going for a walk and talking to each other face-to-face.
lambent
adjective
running or moving lightly over a surface.
More about lambent
Lambent comes from the Latin verb lambere, “to lick, wash.” Despite the similar spelling, there is no connection between Latin lambere and English lamb, bent, or the name Lambert (literally “bright land,” from Germanic). We do know that Latin lambere is related to English lap, “to wash with a light splashing sound” or “to lick up a liquid.” Lambent was first recorded in English in the 1640s.
EXAMPLE OF LAMBENT USED IN A SENTENCE
The torch produced lambent ripples of warm light along the stone walls.