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Word of the Day

Word of the day

kenspeckle

[ ken-spek-uhl ] [ ˈkɛnˌspɛk əl ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

adjective

conspicuous; easily seen or recognized.

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Why Dictionary.com chose kenspeckle

More about kenspeckle

  • Kenspeckle was first recorded around 1705–15.
  • Kenspeckle features in Scottish and Northern English and derives from kenspeck, which is of Scandinavian origin.
  • Norwegian has a similar word, kjennespak, “quick at recognizing,” literally, “know-clever.”
  • The English word ken, “knowledge, understanding, or cognizance; mental perception,” is also related.

EXAMPLES OF KENSPECKLE

  • The kenspeckle neon sign outside the store attracted customers from afar.
  • Her kenspeckle sense of style made her stand out in a crowd.
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Word of the day

salubrious

[ suh-loo-bree-uhs ] [ səˈlu bri əs ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

adjective

favorable to or promoting health; healthful.

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Why Dictionary.com chose salubrious

More about salubrious

  • Salubrious entered English around 1540–50.
  • Salubrious comes from the Latin word salūbr(is), meaning “promoting health,” which is related to the Latin word salūs, “health.”
  • Salūs also gives us the Spanish word salud, “health,” which is used to say “Cheers!” (“To your health!”) when toasting drinks or instead of “Bless you!” when someone sneezes.
  • Use of salud in English dates back to at least the 1930s.

EXAMPLES OF SALUBRIOUS

  • The company’s commitment to providing a salubrious workplace includes regular ergonomic assessments and wellness programs for employees.
  • The fresh sea breeze and clean ocean air make this coastal town an incredibly salubrious place to live.
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Word of the day

pernicious

[ per-nish-uhs ] [ pərˈnɪʃ əs ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

adjective

deadly; destructive; exceedingly harmful.

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Why Dictionary.com chose pernicious

More about pernicious

  • Pernicious entered English around 1515–25.
  • Pernicious comes from the Latin word perniciōsus, meaning “ruinous.”
  • Perniciōsus combines per-, “through,” and –nici-, a form of nex, “death, murder,” that has the stem nec-.
  • A few terms that share this stem are necromancy, “a method of divination through alleged communication with the dead,” and necropsy, also known as an autopsy, “the examination of a body after death.”

EXAMPLES OF PERNICIOUS

  • The pernicious effects of smoking can lead to severe health problems, including lung cancer and heart disease.
  • The invasive species had a pernicious impact on the fragile ecosystem, wiping out native plants and disrupting the natural balance.
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