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persnickety

[ per-snik-i-tee ] [ pərˈsnɪk ɪ ti ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

adjective

overparticular; fussy.

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Why Dictionary.com chose persnickety

More about persnickety

  • First recorded around 1885–90.
  • Originally from Scots, persnickety is a variant of pernickety, which is of uncertain origin.
  • The prefix per– occurs in a number of other expressive words in Scots, such as pergaddus, “thump, clatter,” perskeet, “fastidious,” and perjink, “trim, neat.”
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EXAMPLES OF PERSNICKETY

  • Despite his persnickety nature, she found his attention to detail endearing.
  • The designer’s persnickety attitude ensured that every aspect of the project was perfect.
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Word of the day

sumptuous

[ suhmp-choo-uhs ] [ ˈsʌmp tʃu əs ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

adjective

luxuriously fine or large; lavish; splendid.

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Why Dictionary.com chose sumptuous

More about sumptuous

  • Entered English around 1475–85.
  • Comes from the Latin word sūmptuōsus, meaning “expense.”
  • Often confused with sumptuous, scrumptious, “very pleasing, especially to the senses; delectable,” is a possible alteration.
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EXAMPLES OF SUMPTUOUS

  • The newlyweds indulged in a sumptuous honeymoon at a luxurious resort by the beach.
  • She draped herself in a sumptuous velvet gown for the gala event.
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Word of the day

propinquity

[ proh-ping-kwi-tee ] [ proʊˈpɪŋ kwɪ ti ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

noun

nearness of relation; kinship.

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Why Dictionary.com chose propinquity

More about propinquity

EXAMPLES OF PROPINQUITY

  • The propinquity shared by the cousins led to a strong bond forged over many family gatherings.
  • The propinquity between the two siblings was evident in the way they finished each other’s sentences.
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