Word of the Day
nonplussed
adjective
completely puzzled or perplexed by something unexpected.
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Why Dictionary.com chose nonplussed
More about nonplussed
- Nonplussed was first recorded in 1600–10, and comes from the verb nonplus, “to render utterly perplexed by something unexpected.”
- Nonplus comes from the Latin phrase nōn plūs, which literally means, “not more, no further,” as in, not much more can be done.
- More recently, nonplussed has been used to mean “indifferent or unexcited,” a contradictory second meaning.
- One explanation for this is the analysis of nonplussed as non– “not” + plussed, interpreted as “not puzzled, perplexed, bothered, or impressed,” when in fact plussed has no meaning in English.
EXAMPLES OF NONPLUSSED
- The complex riddle posed by the professor left the students nonplussed, as they struggled to come up with a logical solution.
- Upon hearing the mind-boggling plot twist in the movie, I sat in silence, completely nonplussed by the unexpected turn of events.
aberration
noun
the act of departing from the right, normal, or usual course.
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Why Dictionary.com chose aberration
More about aberration
- Aberration was first recorded in 1585–95.
- Aberration comes from the Latin word aberrātiōn-, “distraction, diversion, relief (from pain or sorrow).”
- The Latin word aberrātiōn is equivalent to the past participle of the Latin verb aberrāre, meaning “to divert, forget for a time; to wander, deviate.”
EXAMPLES OF ABERRATION
- The sudden outburst during his composed speech was an aberration from his typically calm demeanor.
- The painting stood out in the gallery due to its vibrant colors, acting as an aberration among the more muted tones of the other artworks.
de rigueur
adjective
strictly required, as by etiquette, usage, or fashion.
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Why Dictionary.com chose de rigueur
More about de rigueur
- De rigueur was borrowed into English from French around 1825–35.
- De rigueur in French means “of rigor” or “of strictness in etiquette.”
- Rigor entered English around 1350–1400 from the Latin word rigor, meaning “stiffness,” as in the Latin phrase rigor mortis, “the stiffening of the body after death.”
EXAMPLES OF DE RIGUEUR
- Wearing black tie attire is de rigueur at formal galas and high-end restaurants.
- Exchanging business cards before a meeting is still de rigueur in many Asian cultures.
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