Word of the Day
tortuous
adjective
full of twists, turns, or bends; twisting, winding, or crooked.
Why Dictionary.com chose tortuous
More about tortuous
- First recorded in 1350–1400.
- Comes via Middle English from the Latin word tortuōsus, which derives from the verb torquēre, “to twist, bend.”
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EXAMPLES OF TORTUOUS
- The tortuous road through the mountains made for a challenging but scenic drive.
- The author’s writing style was known for its elegant prose and tortuous plot twists.
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petrichor
noun
a distinctive scent, usually described as earthy, pleasant, or sweet, produced by rainfall on very dry ground.
Why Dictionary.com chose petrichor
More about petrichor
- First recorded in 1960–65.
- Comes from petro-, a combining form meaning “rock,” and ichor, which in classical mythology means “ethereal fluid flowing in the veins of the gods.”
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EXAMPLES OF PETRICHOR
- The desert landscape was quickly transformed as petrichor filled the air after a long-awaited rainstorm.
- As the storm passed, leaving behind puddles and damp earth, the sweet petrichor lingered like a fond memory.
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axolotl
noun
any of several salamanders that inhabit lakes and ponds of Mexico and remain in the larval stage as sexually mature adults.
Why Dictionary.com chose axolotl
More about axolotl
- First recorded in English around 1780–90.
- Comes from the Nahuatl word āxōlōtl.
- The word āxōlōtl combines ā(tl), meaning “water” and xōlōtl, which means “page or attendant.”
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EXAMPLES OF AXOLOTL
- Mexican lakes and ponds provide the perfect habitat for the axolotl to thrive in its unique larval form.
- Scientists study the axolotl to better understand regeneration capabilities in amphibians.
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