Word of the Day
inveterate
adjective
settled or confirmed in a habit, practice, feeling, or the like.
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Why Dictionary.com chose inveterate
More about inveterate
- First recorded in 1375–1425.
- Comes from Latin, from the past participle of inveterāre, “to grow old, allow to grow old, preserve.”
- Inveterāre contains veter-, the stem of vetus, meaning “old,” which is also the stem of the word veteran.
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EXAMPLES OF INVETERATE
- The inveterate procrastinator always left things until the last minute.
- As an inveterate optimist, she always saw the bright side of every situation.
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steadfast
adjective
firm in purpose, resolution, faith, attachment.
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Why Dictionary.com chose steadfast
More about steadfast
- First recorded before 1000.
- Comes from the Middle English word stedefast, from Old English stedefæst.
- A combination of stead, “the place of a person,” and fast, “firmly fixed in place.”
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EXAMPLES OF STEADFAST
- Despite facing numerous challenges, she remained steadfast in her commitment to finishing the marathon.
- The community was grateful for the steadfast support of volunteers during the crisis.
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Why Dictionary.com chose absquatulate
More about absquatulate
- First recorded in 1820–30.
- Formed from ab-, “away from,” and squat, “to sit in a low or crouching position.”
- A pseudo-Latinism, it parallels Latin-derived words with initial abs– like abscond and abstention and final –tulate, as in congratulate.
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EXAMPLES OF ABSQUATULATE
- The mischievous cat managed to absquatulate every time the door was left open.
- When they heard the police sirens approaching, the burglars decided to absquatulate from the scene of the crime.
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