Word of the Day
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Why Dictionary.com chose gaffe
More about gaffe
- Gaffe entered English around 1905–10.
- Gaffe comes from the same French word meaning “blunder.”
- The French word gaffe probably was a special use of the word gaff, an iron hook used for handling large fish.
- Gaff comes from Provençal gaf, meaning “hook,” and derived from the verb gafar “to seize.”
EXAMPLES OF GAFFE
- The politician’s gaffe during the press conference caused a media frenzy and became a topic of ridicule for weeks.
- She realized her gaffe shortly after she mispronounced her colleague’s name during an important meeting with clients.
panacea
noun
an answer or solution for all problems or difficulties.
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Why Dictionary.com chose panacea
More about panacea
- Panacea was first recorded in 1540–50.
- Panacea comes via Latin from the Greek word panákeia that includes the stem of panakḗs “all-healing.”
- Panakḗs can be separated into pan– “all” and akḗs “a cure.”
- Panacea can also mean a remedy for all disease or ills.
EXAMPLES OF PANACEA
- The new software claims to be a panacea for productivity issues, but its effectiveness remains to be seen.
- There is no magic pill or panacea that can instantly cure a broken heart; healing takes time and self-care.
concatenation
noun
a series of interconnected or interdependent things or events.
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Why Dictionary.com chose concatenation
More about concatenation
- Concatenation was first recorded in 1595–1605.
- Concatenation comes from the Late Latin word concatēnātiōn, which means “linked together, connected.”
- The catēn(a) part means “chain,” which is essentially a series of objects connected one after the other.
- Though not the sense featured here, concatenation can also refer to the act of physically linking things together in a chain.
EXAMPLES OF CONCATENATION
- The movie director used a clever concatenation of suspenseful scenes to keep the audience on the edge of their seats.
- The success of the team was a result of the perfect concatenation of talent, strategy, and hard work.
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