Word of the Day
gallinipper
noun
any of various insects that sting or bite, especially a large American mosquito.
Why the Museum of Science chose gallinipper
To find out, watch this video about gallinipper from science communicator, Alex Dainis, PhD.
Learn more at the Museum of Science.
More about gallinipper
Gallinipper is a term with an obscure history. The word previously appeared variously as gal-knipper and gurnipper, and the second half of gallinipper looks as it does because of the influence of nipper, “a thing that bites.” Gallinipper was first recorded in English around 1680.
EXAMPLE OF GALLINIPPER USED IN A SENTENCE
A few spritzes of bug spray repelled the swarm of gallinippers that was pursuing the sweaty hikers.
ceilidh
noun
a party, gathering, or the like, at which dancing, singing, and storytelling are the usual forms of entertainment.
More about ceilidh
Ceilidh is an adaptation of either Irish Gaelic céilidhe or Scottish Gaelic cèilidh, both from Old Irish céile or céle, meaning “companion.” From here, the deeper origins of ceilidh become murky. One proposal is that ceilidh is distantly related to Latin cīvis, “citizen,” the source of city and civilization. Ceilidh was first recorded in English in the early 1870s.
EXAMPLE OF CEILIDH USED IN A SENTENCE
The ceilidh, overflowing with dancing and music, went from dusk till dawn in the small countryside village.
More about bewray
Bewray is a compound of the prefix be-, which is a form of the preposition by, and wray, an obsolete verb meaning “to accuse, expose.” Because of the influence of betray, the definition of bewray may have shifted from accusation to disloyalty. The prefix be- appears in befriend, bedazzle, and bejewel. Bewray was first recorded in English in the late 13th century.
EXAMPLE OF BEWRAY USED IN A SENTENCE
Several senators bewrayed Caesar, bringing him to an untimely end.