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Word of the Day

Word of the day

semaphore

[ sem-uh-fohr ] [ ˈsɛm əˌfoʊr ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

noun

a system of signaling, especially a system by which a special flag is held in each hand and various positions of the arms indicate specific letters, numbers, etc.

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Why Dictionary.com chose semaphore

More about semaphore

  • Semaphore was first recorded in 1810–20.
  • Semaphore comes from the French word sémaphore, from the Greek word sêma, “sign,” and –phore, from the Greek form –phoros, “bearing.”
  • Other words ending in –phore include ionophore, “a substance capable of transmitting ions through cell membranes,” and aerophore, “a portable device filled with compressed air.”

EXAMPLES OF SEMAPHORE

  • With a well-coordinated semaphore display, the scout effectively transmitted vital information to the rest of the team.
  • Using semaphore, the sailor signaled the approaching ship by holding her arms in precise positions, forming letters and numbers.
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Word of the day

copacetic

[ koh-puh-set-ik ] [ ˌkoʊ pəˈsɛt ɪk ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

adjective

fine; completely satisfactory; OK.

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Why Dictionary.com chose copacetic

More about copacetic

  • Copacetic is an Americanism that was first attested in Irving Bacheller’s 1919 book about Abraham Lincoln, A Man for the Ages.
  • Copacetic is also spelled copasetic and is of obscure origin.
  • Proposed languages of origin include Chinook, Italian, Louisiana French, and Hebrew, but none of the origin stories are particularly convincing.
  • Copacetic further entered the public consciousness through the Prohibition-era song “At the New Jump Steady Ball,” whose lyrics include the line “Copasetic was the password for one and all, at the new jump steady ball.”

EXAMPLES OF COPACETIC

  • The dinner party was a success, with delicious food, great company, and a copacetic atmosphere.
  • Despite some initial concerns, the project’s progress has been copacetic and is moving forward smoothly.
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Word of the day

zeitgeber

[ tsahyt-gey-ber ] [ ˈtsaɪtˌgeɪ bər ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

noun

an environmental cue, as the length of daylight or the degree of temperature, that helps to regulate the cycles of an organism's biological clock.

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Why Dictionary.com chose zeitgeber

More about zeitgeber

  • Zeitgeber was first recorded in English in 1970–75.
  • Zeitgeber comes from German, in which it was coined by J. Aschoff in 1954.
  • Zeitgeber means literally, “time-giver,” on the model of the German word Taktgeber, “electronic synchronization device, timer, metronome.”

EXAMPLES OF ZEITGEBER

  • In the absence of external zeitgebers, such as clocks or natural light, some individuals may struggle to maintain regular sleep patterns.
  • The sunrise served as a powerful zeitgeber for the birds, signaling the start of their daily singing rituals.
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