Word of the Day
self-effacing
[ self-i-feys-ing ]
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adjective
tending to make oneself or one's actions inconspicuous, especially because of humility or timidity; modest.
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Why Dictionary.com chose self-effacing
More about self-effacing
- Comes from the noun self-effacement, which was first recorded in 1865–70.
- Efface, meaning “to wipe out,” comes from the Middle French word effacer, dating back to 1480–90.
- Self was first recorded before 900.
EXAMPLES OF SELF-EFFACING
- The actor’s self-effacing humor endeared him to fans who appreciated his lack of arrogance.
- Her self-effacing demeanor made it difficult for others to praise her talents and skills openly.
gambol
verb
to skip about, as in dancing or playing; frolic.
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Why Dictionary.com chose gambol
More about gambol
- First recorded around 1495–1505.
- Earlier forms included gambold, gambald, and gamba(u)de.
- Comes from Middle French gambade, a variant of gambado, “large protective boots or gaiters,” which originated in the Latin word for “leg.”
EXAMPLES OF GAMBOL
- After a long day of work, the friends decided to gambol on the beach, letting loose and enjoying the moment.
- The puppies would gambol around the yard, chasing each other with glee.
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Why Dictionary.com chose tutelage
More about tutelage
- First recorded around 1595–1605.
- Comes from the Latin word tūtēl(a), “guardianship,” which derived from the Latin verb tuērī, “to watch.”
- Related is tuition, “a charge or fee for instruction” or “teaching or instruction.”
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EXAMPLES OF TUTELAGE
- It was evident that the champion athlete’s success was due to the expert tutelage of her dedicated coach.
- The aspiring chef honed his culinary skills through the careful tutelage of a renowned master chef.
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