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Word of the day

smithereens

[ smith-uh-reenz ] [ ˌsmɪð əˈrinz ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

plural noun

small pieces; bits.

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Why Dictionary.com chose smithereens

More about smithereens

  • Smithereens was first recorded in 1820–30.
  • Smithereens may come from the dialectal variant smithers, “tiny pieces.”
  • Smithereens also contains the suffix –een similar to Irish –ín, which is used to emphasize the small size of something.
  • Smithereens is always used in the plural form.

EXAMPLES OF SMITHEREENS

  • She tore up the letter into tiny smithereens of paper before throwing them in the trash.
  • The old building was demolished, reducing it to smithereens in a matter of seconds.
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Word of the day

auberge

[ oh-bairzh ] [ oʊˈbɛərʒ ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

noun

an inn; hostel.

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Why Dictionary.com chose auberge

More about auberge

  • Auberge entered English from French around 1770–80.
  • The French word auberge comes from Old Provençal alberga, which meant “encampment, hut.”
  • These forms diverged from the verb arbergar, “to lodge, shelter,” which was originally from an East Germanic term meaning, “to shelter an armed force.”
  • Both harbinger, which can mean “a person sent in advance of troops,” and harbor, “shelter,” may have similar origins.

EXAMPLES OF AUBERGE

  • After a long day of hiking, we were relieved to find a welcoming auberge to rest our weary bodies.
  • The cozy auberge by the lake offered comfortable accommodations and delicious homemade meals.
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Word of the day

cavort

[ kuh-vawrt ] [ kəˈvɔrt ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

verb

to behave in a high-spirited, festive manner.

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Why Dictionary.com chose cavort

More about cavort

  • Cavort is an Americanism dating back to 1785–95.
  • Cavort comes from the earlier word cavault.
  • Cavault is perhaps a combination of the words cur(vet), “a leap of a horse from a rearing position, in which it springs up with the hind legs outstretched as the forelegs descend,” and vault, “to leap or spring.”

EXAMPLES OF CAVORT

  • After weeks of intense studying, the students decided to let loose and cavort around town at the end of the semester.
  • The dancers cavorted with contagious enthusiasm, lifting the spirits of all who were watching.
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