Word of the Day
primordial
adjective
constituting a beginning; giving origin to something derived or developed; original.
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Why Dictionary.com chose primordial
More about primordial
- First recorded around 1350–1400.
- Comes via Middle English from the Late Latin word prīmōrdiālis, meaning “of the beginning.”
- Prīmōrdiālis contains prīm(us), “first,” and ōrd(īrī), “to begin.”
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EXAMPLES OF PRIMORDIAL
- Legends speak of primordial gods who shaped the world in its early days.
- The artist’s painting captured the essence of a primordial forest, untouched by human hands.
eustress
noun
physical, mental, or emotional tension that is caused by something positive or is psychologically or physically beneficial.
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Why Dictionary.com chose eustress
More about eustress
- First recorded in 1965–70.
- Comes from the Greek prefix eu-, which means “good” or “well,” and the word stress.
- Stress comes from distress, “great pain, anxiety, or sorrow,” which is of Middle English origins.
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EXAMPLES OF EUSTRESS
- Exercising regularly can lead to the experience of eustress, as it challenges your body in a positive way.
- Embarking on a solo travel adventure can generate eustress, fueling excitement and personal development.
unputdownable
adjective
(especially of a book or periodical) so interesting or suspenseful as to compel reading.
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Why Dictionary.com chose unputdownable
More about unputdownable
- First recorded in the late 1830s in the sense of “cannot be suppressed.”
- In the highlighted sense of “page-turning,” first recorded in the late 1930s.
- Comes from the phrase put down.
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EXAMPLES OF UNPUTDOWNABLE
- The novel was so unputdownable that I stayed up all night to finish it.
- His latest short story collection is truly unputdownable and sure to captivate readers.
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