Word of the Day
quetzal
noun
any of several large Central and South American birds of the trogon family, having golden-green and scarlet plumage.
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Why Dictionary.com chose quetzal
More about quetzal
- Quetzal was first recorded in English around 1820-30.
- Quetzal comes via Latin American Spanish from the Nahuatl word quetzalli, meaning “plumage of the quetzal bird.”
- While now endangered, the quetzal was revered as a sacred bird by the Maya and Aztec peoples, who used the tailfeathers in ceremonial dress as symbols of freedom and wealth.
- Today, the resplendent quetzal is the national bird of Guatemala, even featured as their monetary unit, also called the quetzal.
EXAMPLES OF QUETZAL
- The quetzal, with its vibrant golden-green and scarlet plumage, soared gracefully through the rainforest canopy.
- As I hiked through the dense jungle, I was fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of a glittering quetzal perched on a branch.
circumlocution
noun
a roundabout or indirect way of speaking.
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Why Dictionary.com chose circumlocution
More about circumlocution
- Circumlocution was first recorded in English in 1375-1425.
- Circumlocution comes from the Latin word circumlocūtiō, “the act of speaking around; periphrasis.”
- Circum– is a prefix with the meaning “round about, around,” found in many Latin loanwords, like circumnavigate or circumstance.
- Locution comes from the Latin word locūtiō, meaning “speech, style of speech,” also present in interlocutor and eloquent.
EXAMPLES OF CIRCUMLOCUTION
- Instead of answering the simple question with a yes or no, he resorted to circumlocution, confusing everyone in the room.
- She was known for her tendency to use circumlocution, often taking a meandering path to reach her point in the conversation.
sartorial
adjective
of or relating to clothing or style or manner of dress.
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Why Dictionary.com chose sartorial
More about sartorial
- Sartorial was first recorded in 1815-25.
- Sartorial comes from the Late Latin word sartor, meaning “tailor,” from the verb sarcire, “to patch or mend.”
- Sartorial also can refer to the sartorius, which comes from the New Latin term sartorius musculus, literally “tailor’s muscle,” because it is the muscle that allows one to sit in the cross-legged position in which tailors traditionally sat while sewing.
EXAMPLES OF SARTORIAL
- Her sartorial choices were always impeccable, as she effortlessly combined different fabrics and colors to create stunning outfits.
- As a stylist, he was known for his ability to transform clients’ wardrobes, enhancing their sartorial confidence and helping them express their personal style.
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