Word of the Day
mycorrhiza
noun
a symbiotic association of the mycelium of a fungus with the roots of certain plants.
More about mycorrhiza
Myco- in mycorrhiza comes from Ancient Greek mýkēs, “mushroom, fungus,” which may be a distant relative of Latin mūcus. The form -rrhiza comes from Ancient Greek rhíza, “root,” which is also the source of licorice. Mycorrhiza was first recorded in English in the early 1890s.
EXAMPLE OF MYCORRHIZA USED IN A SENTENCE
The mushrooms developed mycorrhizae with the roots of a nearby tree, allowing the tiny fungi and the tall plant to exchange nutrients with one another.
radiant
noun
the point in the heavens from which a shower of meteors appears to radiate.
Why the Museum of Science chose radiant
To find out, watch this video from science communicator Alex Dainis, PhD.
Learn more at the Museum of Science.
More about radiant
Radiant is based on Latin radiāns, “shining,” from the verb radiāre, “to shine.” While English uses -ing for present participles (as in seeing, going), Latin uses -ns, often changing to -nt-. This is why Latin pungēns, “piercing,” becomes pungent and conveniēns, “coming together,” becomes convenient. Radiant was first recorded in English in the late 15th century.
EXAMPLE OF RADIANT USED IN A SENTENCE
The meteors emerged from a radiant somewhere in the constellation Lyra and streaked across the night sky.
More about rort
The noun rort is an example of a back formation. It was formed from the adjective rorty, “boisterous, rowdy” or earlier “fine, splendid.” Rorty itself may be connected to the verb roar. Rort was first recorded in English in the mid-1920s. Learn more about common back formations in English.
EXAMPLE OF RORT USED IN A SENTENCE
The Friday night gathering turned into a wild rort, with wine and revelry lasting until dawn.