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Why Dictionary.com chose profligate
More about profligate
- Profligate was first recorded around 1525–35.
- Profligate comes from the Latin word prōflīgātus, meaning “broken down in character, degraded.”
- The Latin word prōflīgātus was originally a past participle of prōflīgāre, meaning “to shatter, debase, ruin.”
- An obsolete definition of profligate was “defeated.”
EXAMPLES OF PROFLIGATE
- The company’s profligate spending habits eventually led to its downfall, as it couldn’t sustain its reckless financial decisions.
- His profligate shopping spree left him with an empty bank account and a pile of credit card debt.
interlocutor
noun
a person who takes part in a conversation or dialogue.
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Why Dictionary.com chose interlocutor
More about interlocutor
- Interlocutor was first recorded in 1505–15.
- Interlocutor comes from a stem of the Latin word interloquī, meaning “to speak between.”
- The loqui part, which means “to speak,” also appears in loquacious, eloquent, and circumlocution.
EXAMPLES OF INTERLOCUTOR
- The television show featured a lively discussion between the host and an interlocutor, in which they explored various perspectives on a controversial topic.
- During the language exchange program, students are assigned interlocutors who help them practice speaking more fluently.
pithy
adjective
brief, forceful, and meaningful in expression.
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Why Dictionary.com chose pithy
More about pithy
- Pithy is a Middle English word dating back to 1300–50.
- It comes from pith, the white, spongy part of a citrus fruit between the rind and the thin skin of individual segments.
- Pith can also refer to the important or essential part of something.
- Pith was first recorded before 900 and comes from the Old English word pitha, a cognate of the Dutch word pit.
EXAMPLES OF PITHY
- In one pithy statement, she encapsulated the essence of the entire debate.
- The speaker’s pithy remark resonated with the audience, leaving a lasting impression.
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