Word of the Day
modus ponens
noun
the reasoning that, when a conditional statement (if X is red) is accepted as true, a subsequent statement, beginning with “then” (then Y is blue), is also affirmed as true.
More about modus ponens
Modus ponens is borrowed from Latin and literally means “affirming mode.” Modus, which means “manner, kind, tone, way” in Classical Latin, also appears in the terms modus operandi (literally “way of working”) and modus vivendi (“way of living”). Ponens comes from Latin pōnere, “to place, put,” which is also the source of opponent, position, and postpone. Modus ponens was first recorded in English in the late 1830s.
EXAMPLE OF MODUS PONENS USED IN A SENTENCE
A common saying that uses modus ponens, with some variation, is “If there’s smoke, there’s fire.”
syzygy
noun
an alignment of three celestial objects, as the sun, the earth, and the moon.
Why the Museum of Science chose syzygy
To find out, watch this video about syzygy from science communicator Alex Dainis, PhD.
Learn more at the Museum of Science.
More about syzygy
Syzygy ultimately comes from Ancient Greek syzygía, meaning “union, pair.” Sy- means “together,” as sym- in sympathy and as syn- in sync. Zyg-, meanwhile, is a distant relative of English yoke. Syzygy is not the only English word containing three y’s, but it may be the shortest. Others include hyponymy and mystifyingly. Syzygy was first recorded in English in the 1650s.
EXAMPLE OF SYZYGY USED IN A SENTENCE
The syzygy of the Sun, Earth, and Moon caused a shadow to fall on the lunar surface.
bulwark
noun
any person or thing giving strong support or encouragement in time of need, danger, or doubt.
More about bulwark
Bulwark is likely adapted from Middle Dutch bolwerc, which is also the source of boulevard by way of French. The bul- element in bulwark is related to bole, “tree trunk,” while -wark is related to English work, wrought, and wright. Bulwark was first recorded in English around the turn of the 15th century.
EXAMPLE OF BULWARK USED IN A SENTENCE
The guidance counselor was a bulwark, calming her students’ nerves ahead of the standardized tests.