Word of the Day
sanguivorous
adjective
feeding on blood, as a bat or insect.
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Why Dictionary.com chose sanguivorous
More about sanguivorous
- Sanguivorous was first recorded in 1835–45.
- Sanguivorous is a combination of the Latin root sangui-, meaning “blood,” and -vorous, meaning “eating or gaining sustenance from.”
- Other similar adjectives include: omnivorous, carnivorous, herbivorous, piscivorous, and frugivorous.
EXAMPLES OF SANGUIVOROUS
- Vampire legends often depict mythical creatures that are both immortal and sanguivorous, requiring human blood to sustain themselves.
- The surgeon skillfully removed a leech from the patient’s arm, a sanguivorous creature seeking a blood meal.
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Why Dictionary.com chose gaffe
More about gaffe
- Gaffe entered English around 1905–10.
- Gaffe comes from the same French word meaning “blunder.”
- The French word gaffe probably was a special use of the word gaff, an iron hook used for handling large fish.
- Gaff comes from Provençal gaf, meaning “hook,” and derived from the verb gafar “to seize.”
EXAMPLES OF GAFFE
- The politician’s gaffe during the press conference caused a media frenzy and became a topic of ridicule for weeks.
- She realized her gaffe shortly after she mispronounced her colleague’s name during an important meeting with clients.
panacea
noun
an answer or solution for all problems or difficulties.
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Why Dictionary.com chose panacea
More about panacea
- Panacea was first recorded in 1540–50.
- Panacea comes via Latin from the Greek word panákeia that includes the stem of panakḗs “all-healing.”
- Panakḗs can be separated into pan– “all” and akḗs “a cure.”
- Panacea can also mean a remedy for all disease or ills.
EXAMPLES OF PANACEA
- The new software claims to be a panacea for productivity issues, but its effectiveness remains to be seen.
- There is no magic pill or panacea that can instantly cure a broken heart; healing takes time and self-care.
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