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Word of the day

hyponym

[ hahy-puh-nim ] [ ˈhaɪ pə nɪm ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

noun

a term that denotes a subcategory of a more general class

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Why Dictionary.com chose hyponym

More about hyponym

  • First recorded in 1960–65.
  • From Greek, combining the prefix hyp-² + -onym, meaning “name.”

EXAMPLES OF HYPONYM

  • Writers use hyponyms to enhance descriptions, such as replacing “vehicle” with “van.”
  • “Beagle” is a hyponym of “dog” because it specifies a certain breed.
20240103
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Word of the day

cap-a-pie

[ kap-uh-pee ] [ ˌkæp əˈpi ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

adverb

from head to foot

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Why Dictionary.com chose cap-a-pie

More about cap-a-pie

  • First recorded in 1515–25.
  • From the Middle French de cap a pe, meaning “from head to foot.”

EXAMPLES OF CAP-A-PIE

  • Cap-a-pie in winter gear, she walked to the coffee shop during the snowstorm.
  • The knights were dressed cap-a-pie in armor, ready for battle.
20240103
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Word of the day

alliaceous

[ al-ee-ey-shuhs ] [ ˌæl iˈeɪ ʃəs ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

adjective

having the odor or taste of garlic, onion, etc

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Why Dictionary.com chose alliaceous

More about alliaceous

  • First recorded in 1785–95.
  • Combines the classical Latin allium, meaning “garlic,” + the suffix -aceous.

EXAMPLES OF ALLIACEOUS 

  • The chef added an alliaceous kick of onion to nearly every dish at her restaurant.
  • The alliaceous smell lingered in the kitchen long after the garlic bread had finished cooking.
20240103
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