Word of the Day
obstreperous
adjective
noisy, clamorous, or boisterous.
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Why Dictionary.com chose obstreperous
More about obstreperous
- Obstreperous was first recorded between 1590-1600.
- It comes from the Latin word obstreperus, “clamorous,” which is similar to the verb obstrepere, “to make a noise at.”
- Obstropolous is a rare and obsolete variant of obstreperous.
- A more recent British English variant is stroppy, “bad-tempered or hostile.”
EXAMPLES OF OBSTREPEROUS
- The obstreperous crowd at the concert drowned out the performer’s voice.
- The children’s obstreperous laughter echoed through the house, leaving no doubt they were having a great time.
collywobbles
noun
a feeling of fear, apprehension, or nervousness.
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Why Dictionary.com chose collywobbles
More about collywobbles
- Collywobbles was first recorded around 1815-25.
- Collywobbles is most likely a coinage based on the words colic and wobble.
- Wobble comes from Low German wabbeln, which is akin to Middle High German wabelen, “to waver.”
- Colic comes from Middle French colique, from Latin colica (passiō), “(suffering) of the colon.”
EXAMPLES OF COLLYWOBBLES
- As the roller coaster climbed higher and higher, a wave of collywobbles washed over her, making her heart race with fear.
- Before going on stage for his first solo performance, the young dancer experienced a case of collywobbles, his stomach fluttering with nervous anticipation.
antepenultimate
adjective
third from the end.
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Why Dictionary.com chose antepenultimate
More about antepenultimate
- Antepenultimate was first recorded in 1670-80.
- It comes from the Latin word antepaenultima, the second (syllable) from the last, or literally “before the penult.”
- The penult is the next-to-last syllable in a word. It comes from a contraction of paene ultima, “almost the last.”
- Taking it to the final step, the ultima is the last syllable in a word and comes from the Latin word ultimus, “farthest.”
EXAMPLES OF ANTEPENULTIMATE
- The antepenultimate episode of the thrilling TV series kept viewers on the edge of their seats.
- As the show was winding down, the antepenultimate firework exploded into a dazzling display of colors in the night sky.
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