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Word of the day

theocracy

[ thee-ok-ruh-see ] [ θiˈɒk rə si ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

noun

plural the·oc·ra·cies.

a form of government in which priests rule in the name of a deity

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Why Dictionary.com chose theocracy

More about theocracy

  • First used in English between 1615–1650.
  • From the Greek theokratía, see theo-, “god” + -cracy, “rule, government.”

EXAMPLES OF THEOCRACY

  • The citizens lived under a theocracy, where the clergy dictated all legal and moral guidelines.
  • In their theocracy, the sacred texts were considered the ultimate legal documents.
20240103
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Word of the day

foozle

[ foo-zuhl ] [ ˈfu zəl ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

verb

to bungle; play clumsily

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Why Dictionary.com chose foozle

More about foozle

  • First recorded in 1825–35.
  • Perhaps from dialectal German fuseln, “to work badly, clumsily, hurriedly.”

EXAMPLES OF FOOZLE

  • During the golf game, Lina foozled her swing, sending the ball into the rough instead of the green.
  • I was confident in my cooking skills but somehow foozled the recipe, leading to a burnt dish.
20240103
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Word of the day

ulotrichous

[ yoo-lo-tri-kuhs ] [ yuˈlɒ trɪ kəs ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

adjective

having woolly or crisply curly hair

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Why Dictionary.com chose ulotrichous

More about ulotrichous

  • First recorded in 1855–60.
  • From New Latin Ulotrich(i), formerly a name for a division of humankind; from Greek oulótrichos, “curly-haired,” equivalent to oûlo(s), “thick, fleecy” + -trichos, “-haired” + -ous.

EXAMPLES OF ULOTRICHOUS

  • The stylist specialized in ulotrichous hair, knowing the best techniques to manage and style tight curls.
  • Oh my, what thick, curly, and ulotrichous hair you have cascading down your shoulders!
20240103
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