Word of the Day
sternutation
noun
the act of sneezing.
Why the Museum of Science chose sternutation
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More about sternutation
Sternutation is based on the Latin verb sternūtāre, “to sneeze repeatedly,” from sternuere, “to sneeze.” Though the ultimate origin of sternuere is uncertain, linguists have noted its resemblance to Ancient Greek ptárnysthai, “to sneeze,” as evidence of a deeper connection between the two words. Sternutation was first recorded in English around 1540.
EXAMPLE OF STERNUTATION USED IN A SENTENCE
“Gesundheit!” exclaimed the nurse as a fit of sternutation overcame his patient.
ahu
noun
a stone heap or platform used by the Polynesians as a marker or memorial.
More about ahu
Ahu comes from one of the Eastern Polynesian languages, possibly Rapa Nui, the language of Easter Island. On Easter Island specifically, ahu are the stone platforms on which the moai (carved stone figures) stand. Ahu was first recorded in English in the late 1910s.
EXAMPLE OF AHU USED IN A SENTENCE
The ahu stood at the center of the stone-lined clearing overlooking the shoreline.
indecorous
adjective
violating generally accepted standards of good taste or propriety; unseemly.
More about indecorous
Indecorous comes from Latin indecōrus, a compound of in-, “not,” and decōrus, “seemly, becoming.” Decōrus comes from decus (stem decor-), meaning both “honor, splendor” and “ornament,” which is why decus is the source of both decorate and decorum. Indecorous was first recorded in English in the 1670s.
EXAMPLE OF INDECOROUS USED IN A SENTENCE
He was known far and wide for his indecorous behavior, which included off-color jokes and accusatory rants.