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tourtière

[ toor-tyair ] [ tʊərˈtyɛər ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

noun

a pastry-covered pie containing minced pork or other chopped meat and various chopped vegetables.

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Why Dictionary.com chose tourtière

More about tourtière

  • Entered English around 1950–55.
  • The word comes from Canadian French, translating as “a plate for tarts.”
  • Tourte means “tart” and –ière is used for words that “facilitate the use of” something as in, a boutonniere, which is a flower that is worn in a buttonhole.
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EXAMPLES OF TOURTIÈRE

  • For their holiday celebration, the family prepared a traditional tourtière using a recipe passed down through generations.
  • The aroma of the tourtière cooking in the oven filled the kitchen, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere for the guests.
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Word of the day

octothorpe

[ ok-tuh-thawrp ] [ ˈɒk təˌθɔrp ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

noun

the official name for the # symbol.

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Why Dictionary.com chose octothorpe

More about octothorpe

  • First recorded in 1970–75.
  • From octo-, after the eight endpoints on the perimeter of the symbol, plus a second element of disputed origin.
  • Used for numerous purposes, such as before a hashtag, for representing “pound” or “pounds” as a unit of weight or mass, for representing “number” or “numbered,” or as a proofreader’s symbol used to indicate the need to insert space.
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EXAMPLES OF OCTOTHORPE

  • The password must include at least one octothorpe for added security.
  • The code requires an octothorpe to denote a section break.
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Word of the day

persnickety

[ per-snik-i-tee ] [ pərˈsnɪk ɪ ti ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

adjective

overparticular; fussy.

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Why Dictionary.com chose persnickety

More about persnickety

  • First recorded around 1885–90.
  • Originally from Scots, persnickety is a variant of pernickety, which is of uncertain origin.
  • The prefix per– occurs in a number of other expressive words in Scots, such as pergaddus, “thump, clatter,” perskeet, “fastidious,” and perjink, “trim, neat.”
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EXAMPLES OF PERSNICKETY

  • Despite his persnickety nature, she found his attention to detail endearing.
  • The designer’s persnickety attitude ensured that every aspect of the project was perfect.
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