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Word of the day

pilcrow

[ pil-kroh ] [ ˈpɪl kroʊ ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

noun

a paragraph mark.

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Why Dictionary.com chose pilcrow

More about pilcrow

  • First recorded around 1400–50.
  • An apparent alteration of the late Middle English word pylcraft(e), perhaps from Old French paragrafe, pelagraphe.
  • Paragraph has origins in Greek paragraphḗ, meaning “marked passage.”
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EXAMPLES OF PILCROW

  • The editor asked the writer to insert pilcrows to indicate new paragraphs in the manuscript.
  • Students learning about typography are usually introduced to the concept of the pilcrow as a visual marker for paragraphs.
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Word of the day

cachet

[ ka-shey, kash-ey ] [ kæˈʃeɪ, ˈkæʃ eɪ ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

noun

a distinguishing mark or feature; stamp.

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Why Dictionary.com chose cachet

More about cachet

  • First recorded in 1630–40.
  • Can also mean “superior status; prestige.”
  • From French cachet, derived from the verb cacher, “to hide.”
  • Related to cache, “a hiding place.”
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EXAMPLES OF CACHET

  • The luxurious car had a cachet of elegance that set it apart from the rest of the vehicles on the road.
  • His eloquent speeches carried a cachet of authority and wisdom, earning him respect from his audience.
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Word of the day

bellwether

[ bel-weth-er ] [ ˈbɛlˌwɛð ər ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

noun

a person or thing that shows the existence or direction of a trend; index.

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Why Dictionary.com chose bellwether

More about bellwether

  • First recorded around 1400–50.
  • bellwether originally meant “a male sheep that leads the flock, usually bearing a bell.”
  • Formed from the words bell and wether, “a castrated male sheep,” both with Old English origins.
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EXAMPLES OF BELLWETHER

  • The sudden surge in tech stocks is often seen as a bellwether for the overall market sentiment.
  • Her fashion choices are considered a bellwether of upcoming trends in the industry.
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