1. abaft

uh-BAFT
This word is from Germanic-derived English.
adverb
toward or at the stern.
The captain sent his skipper abaft to survey the damage from the storm.
2. abashed

uh-BASHT
This word came to English from Latin-derived French.
adjective
made to feel uncomfortable or embarrassed by something that has happened or been done or said.
Felix was abashed when his teacher called on him to answer a question he was not prepared for.
3. abject

AB-jekt
This word passed to English from Latin.
adjective
sunk to or existing in a low state or condition.
The Jones family rescued the abject puppy from the side of the road.
4. abolish

uh-BAH-lish
This word came to English from French, which formed it from Latin.
verb
to do away with wholly.
Politicians voted to abolish the outdated law.
5. aboriginal

a-buh-RIJ-uh-nul
This word is from a Latin word plus an English element.
adjective
first according to historical record : indigenous.
Australia's aboriginal population has lived on the continent for over 50,000 years.
6. acceptance

ik-SEP-tunts
The first part of this word passed from Latin to Anglo-French to English and the second part is an element that passed from Latin to French to English.
noun
approval.
Although Bowser’s acceptance of the family’s new kitten was slow, the two animals now seem to be best friends.
7. acclaim

uh-KLAYM
This word is originally from Latin.
noun
praise.
Gordon received great acclaim for his performance in the school play.
8. accolade

AK-uh-layd
This word came from French, which formed it from Latin and Latin-derived elements.
noun
praise or honor for something one did.
Martin received one accolade after another at the awards banquet.
9. accomplice

uh-KAHM-plus
This word is from Latin elements, but English borrowed it from French.
noun
someone who helps another commit a crime.
The juvenile who had created a diversion outside the store was convicted as an accomplice in the robbery.
10. acquit

uh-KWIT
This word is from Latin-derived French.
verb
to perform (one’s part) or conduct (oneself) usually satisfactorily.
Neda believed she could acquit herself capably in the role of Juliet, though she had only ever played the role of the nurse in rehearsals.
11. acrostic

uh-KROS-tik
This word is from Greek and French.
noun
a poem in which initial letters of words or lines spell out a word or name.
Mrs. Taylor was not at all pleased with the acrostic her students made using her name.
12. adage

A-dij
This word went from Latin to French.
noun
a saying usually representing common observation or experience, often in the form of a metaphor.
Mrs. Perkins has a colorful adage for every occasion.
13. addendum

uh-DEN-dum
This word is from Latin.
noun
a supplementary item appended to a book.
David's thesis included an addendum on the textual problems of his primary sources.
14. addition

uh-DISH-un
This word went from Latin to French to English.
noun
the result of joining or uniting so as to bring about an increase (as in number, size, or importance).
The polar bear cub was the newest addition to the zoo, as well as the most popular animal to visit.
15. addle

A-dul
This word is originally English.
verb
to throw into confusion or disorder : muddle, confound.
Rohan threw his pen down and announced that one more second of calculus would addle his brain completely.
16. adhesion

ad-HEE-zhun
This word is from a Latin word that became French.
noun
strong connection with a person or concept.
To continue riding the school bus each day, Janelle had to demonstrate adhesion to the safety rules.
17. adjudicate

uh-JOO-dih-kayt
This word is from Latin.
verb
to judge or decide on.
A council composed of students and teachers will adjudicate all reports of honor code violations.
18. admonition

ad-muh-NISH-un
This word came to English from French, which formed it from a Latin word.
noun
gentle or friendly reproof, warning, or reminder.
The customer service supervisor gave an admonition to the new representative regarding her poor manners on the telephone.
19. adnate

AD-nayt
This word is from Latin.
adjective
grown together — used especially of unlike parts in biology.
The plant's stamen was adnate to large, yellow petals.
20. adsum

AD-sum
This word is from Latin.
interjection
— used to indicate one's presence usually in answer to a roll call.
When Ben's high school Latin teacher took roll, he made each student stand up and call out "adsum" to indicate that they were there.
21. advection

ad-VEK-shun
This word is from Latin.
noun
the usually horizontal movement of a mass of fluid (such as air or an ocean current).
The advection of warm, moist air over a cold surface often causes fog.
22. adversaria

ad-vur-SAR-ee-uh
This word is from Latin.
plural noun
a mixed collection of notes.
Each month Monty would turn the adversaria he collected in his small journal into a blog post.
23. affront

uh-FRUNT
This word is from a Latin word that became French and then English.
verb
to insult by words or behavior especially to the face.
The team captains shook hands politely before the game but would affront each other mercilessly once the action began.
24. aforesaid

uh-FOR-sed
This word is originally English.
adjective
mentioned previously.
The lawyer asked that the aforesaid remarks by the witness be struck from the record.
25. afroth

uh-FRAHTH
This word is originally English.
adjective
in a state of lively or angry excitement.
Marvin was afroth with glee over the latest updates for his favorite role-playing game.
26. agility

uh-JIL-uh-tee
This word passed from Latin to French to English.
noun
quickness and dexterity of movement.
agility is a crucial skill in the vast majority of sports.
27. agitation

a-juh-TAY-shun
This word is from French, which took it from Latin.
noun
a state of disturbed excitement.
When Ty spoke, his agitation at his team's loss was obvious.
28. algae

AL-jee
This word is from Latin.
plural noun
usually greenish aquatic slime.
Alexis wondered if an accumulation of algae was causing the water in her pool to look bright green.
29. alienate

AYL-ee-uh-nayt
This word is from Latin.
verb
to make unfriendly, hostile, or indifferent especially where attachment formerly existed.
When Madeline returned from her study abroad program, she was worried the time and distance apart would alienate her from her old group of friends.
30. alms

ahmz
This word is originally English.
noun
secret agreement : secret cooperation for a fraudulent or deceitful purpose.
Helen donated most of her estate to the church and asked that her possessions be distributed as alms for the poor.
31. aloof

uh-LOOF
This word is from an English element plus an element that went from probably Dutch to French to English.
adjective
removed or distant either physically or spiritually and usually by choice and with indifference to the feelings, opinions, or interests of others.
Greg’s aloof personality discouraged even his most outgoing colleagues from befriending him.
32. alpaca

al-PA-kuh
This word went from Aymara, a native language of South America, to Spanish.
noun
a South American mammal that resembles a llama.
The petting zoo featured four goats, an alpaca, a pony and three lambs.
33. altercation

ahl-tur-KAY-shun
This word went from Latin to French to English.
noun
loud, irate disagreement.
Police broke up a minor altercation between two street vendors.
34. amass

uh-MAS
This word is from a part that went from Latin to French, plus a part that went from Greek to Latin to French.
verb
to accumulate.
Justin hopes to amass a large fortune by selling lemonade in front of his house.
35. Americana

uh-mer-uh-KAH-nuh
The first part of this word is from a Latinized Italian name and the second is a Latin-derived English element.
plural noun
items of American history or culture.
Aunt Gladys has an impressive collection of Americana that includes a road sign from Route 66, two original Norman Rockwell illustrations and a set of 1950s postcards from national parks.
36. amiably

AY-mee-uh-blee
This word came from French, which formed it from a Latin word.
adverb
in a friendly, sociable, and congenial manner.
Mr. Perry amiably gave each child a handshake as they entered the classroom.
37. Amish

AH-mish
This word is probably from a German word formed from a Swiss name.
adjective
of, belonging, or relating to a strict sect of Mennonites that settled in America.
Amish chicken has become a common feature on restaurant menus.
38. amnesty

AM-nuh-stee
This word is from Greek.
noun
the offer by a government of a general pardon for a crime.
The new president granted amnesty to all imprisoned draft evaders.
39. amulet

AM-yuh-lut
This word is from Latin.
noun
a token that is worn to protect or help the wearer.
The archaeologist discovered an amulet in the tomb of an ancient Egyptian ruler.
40. amusement

uh-MYOOZ-munt
This word came to English from Latin-derived French.
noun
pleasurable diversion : entertainment.
Jekayla’s most reliable amusement at the mountain cabin was her vast stack of books.
41. ancho

AHN-choh
This word is from American Spanish.
noun
a poblano chili pepper especially when mature and dried to a reddish black.
The recipe calls for a teaspoon of ground ancho, but Joaquin always adds more.
42. anime

A-nuh-may
This word came to English from Japanese, which took it from a Latin-derived English word.
noun
an originally Japanese style of motion picture made from drawings or computer graphics that is characterized by colorful graphics and usually large-eyed characters, and that often has fantastic or futuristic themes.
Agneta spent a happy afternoon sketching anime, trying to get just the right amount of emotion to show in her character’s eyes.
43. anklet

ANG-klut
This word consists of an originally English part plus a French-derived English element.
noun
a decorative ornament worn around the joint between the foot and the leg.
Jerusha’s anklet was patterned after an ancient Greek artifact.
44. anniversary

a-nuh-VUR-suh-ree
This word passed from Latin to English.
noun
the yearly recurrence of a date marking an event or occurrence of notable importance.
Next Thursday is the 25th anniversary of the family grocery store’s first day of business.
45. annotate

AN-uh-tayt
This word is from Latin.
verb
to make notes that accompany a book or other piece of writing.
At the request of the department head, Professor Elliott will annotate the prize-winning novel.
46. anoint

uh-NOYNT
This word went from Latin to French to English.
verb
to rub over with oil or an oily substance.
Dhyana used antibiotic gel to anoint her puppy's nose for two weeks after his encounter with a porcupine.
47. ante

AN-tee
This word is from Latin.
noun
a poker stake usually arbitrarily fixed and usually put up before the deal to build the pot.
Each player in the poker game put a nickel on the table as an ante.
48. anthropology

an-thruh-PAH-luh-jee
This word is from a Greek word that passed into Latin, plus a Greek element that became Latin and then French before becoming English.
noun
the study of humankind.
Jody created a poster that highlighted Margaret Mead’s contributions to anthropology.
49. apology

uh-PAH-luh-jee
This word is from an originally Greek word that passed into Latin and then French.
noun
an expression of remorse for having insulted, hurt or offended someone.
The teacher received a sincere apology from the disrespectful student.
50. apparel

uh-PAR-ul
This word is from a word that probably started out in Latin, but it came into English from French.
noun
a person's clothing : dress : attire.
The teacher’s daily apparel included a bow tie and suspenders.
51. apparently

uh-PAR-unt-lee
The first part of this word passed from Latin to French to English, and the second part is originally English.
adverb
in a way that is easily perceived : evidently, seemingly.
"apparently, none of you studied for this," the disappointed teacher said as she looked over the students' math tests.
52. applicable

A-plik-uh-bul
This word is from a Latin-derived French word plus an English element.
adjective
having relevance.
The teacher told Jirah that while her story about finding a dollar on the playground was compelling, it wasn’t applicable to their lesson on John F. Kennedy.
53. appraisal

uh-PRAY-zul
This word is from a French word formed from Latin elements that then became English plus an English element.
noun
an act of estimating or evaluating (as quality, status, or character) especially by one fitted to judge.
The couple was disappointed by the determined value of their house following its appraisal.
54. apprehensive

a-prih-HEN-siv
This word is from Latin.
adjective
concerned about or fearful of a future event.
Elliot felt apprehensive on the morning of his European history final exam.
55. arithmetic

uh-RITH-muh-tik
This word is from Greek, but it passed through Latin and French on its way to English.
noun
the branch of mathematics that deals with real numbers and of computations with those numbers involving addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.
Greg made a set of flash cards to practice his arithmetic.
56. Arthurian

ahr-THUR-ee-un
This word is from an English name plus an English combining form.
adjective
of, relating to, or characteristic of the legends built around King Arthur and his knights.
The quest for the Holy Grail is Greg’s favorite part of Arthurian legend.
57. astonish

uh-STAH-nish
This word consists of a part that probably went from Latin to French to English plus an English element.
verb
to surprise or fill with wonder.
After years as a private detective, nothing ever seemed to astonish Chibueze.
58. astounding

uh-STAUN-ding
This word is from a Latin-derived French word that passed into English plus an English element.
adjective
causing or capable of causing wonder and surprise in high degree: amazing.
The book was hailed as a fascinating account of an astounding epoch.
59. atomic

uh-TAH-mik
This word is from a word that went from Greek to Latin to English plus an English element.
adjective
of or relating to the smallest particles of an element.
The atomic structure is made up of protons, neutrons and electrons.
60. atonement

uh-TOHN-munt
This word is originally English.
noun
an act of making amends for an injury or an offense.
After he scratched his uncle's fancy car, Junior's attempt at atonement was washing and waxing it every weekend for two months.
61. atrophy

A-truh-fee
This word is from an originally Greek word that passed into Latin.
verb
to undergo a wasting away or progressive decline.
The doctor warned Jay that his muscles would atrophy while he recuperated from surgery, and that he would need to exercise to get strong again.
62. attempt

uh-TEMPT
This word is from Latin.
verb
to make an effort to do, accomplish, solve, or effect.
Despite his exhaustion, Bode decided to attempt the challenging hike up Mount Everest.
63. attendee

uh-ten-DEE
This word is from a word that went from Latin to French to English plus an English element.
noun
a spectator or guest at an event.
Fawzi is a regular attendee of his favorite soccer team's home games.
64. attitude

A-tuh-tood
This word passed from Latin to Italian to French to English.
noun
an emotion-based disposition that expresses opinions rather than belief.
Winnie's negative attitude towards balloons began when she realized they were both fragile and loud.
65. auction

AHK-shun
This word is from Latin.
noun
a public sale of property to the person who makes the highest offer.
Georgia bought a 19th-century desk and an art deco vase at an auction.
66. auditorium

aw-duh-TOR-ee-um
This word is from Latin.
noun
a hall in which lectures, performances and other public events take place.
Before the first rehearsal for the musical, the director held a cast meeting in the school auditorium.
67. avalanche

AV-uh-lanch
This word is from a French word partly of Latin origin and partly probably of non-Indo-European origin.
noun
a large mass of snow or rock sliding quickly down a mountain.
The movie's hero avoided getting caught in the avalanche by totally realistically grabbing onto the landing skids of a nearby helicopter.
68. avatar

A-vuh-tahr
This word is from Sanskrit.
noun
an electronic image that represents and is controlled by a computer user in a virtual space.
Lacey updated her avatar with a green mohawk and giant pink sunglasses.
69. avenue

A-vuh-noo
This word came from French, which formed it from a Latin word.
noun
a city street that is often wide and attractive.
James and Malaika strolled down the avenue, sipping coffee and doing a little window-shopping.
70. aviation

ay-vee-AY-shun
This word is from a French word that was formed from a Latin part and a Latin-derived French element.
noun
aircraft design, development and manufacture.
The sophisticated safety measures in modern aviation make air travel safer than road travel.
71. awry

uh-RAHY
This word is originally English.
adverb
wrong : amiss.
Gayle’s plans for the victory parade went hopelessly awry.
72. bachelorette

bach-luh-RET
This word is made up of a part that went from Celtic to Latin to French before becoming English plus a part that went from French to English.
noun
a woman who is young and is not married.
Molly planned to celebrate her final days as a bachelorette by spending quality time with her friends and family.
73. backgammon

BAK-ga-mun
This word is originally English.
noun
a two-person game played on a two-part board with pieces that are moved according to dice throws.
Ed explained to Tim that the game board with the tall, thin triangles was used to play backgammon.
74. badger

BA-jur
The first part of this word is probably Anglo-French, and the second part is an English element.
verb
to hound someone in an effort to annoy or wear them down.
Judge Jones has little patience with prosecutors who badger witnesses.
75. bailiff

BAY-luf
This word is from French.
noun
a court officer who seats people, announces the judge's entrance, and keeps order.
Judge Cantor asked the bailiff to remove Mr. Sims from the courtroom.
76. ballad

BAL-ud
Originally Latin, this word passed through Old Provençal and French before becoming English.
noun
a slow, usually romantic dance song.
John held Sue close as they danced to the romantic ballad.
77. banquet

BANG-kwut
This word came from a French word, which formed it from an Italian word.
noun
a mealtime gathering to mark a special occasion or triumph.
After the speech tournament, the competitors gathered to celebrate at the awards banquet.
78. baptismal

bap-TIZ-mul
This word is from an originally Greek word that passed into Latin and then French.
adjective
of or relating to the ceremony of admitting one into membership in a Christian church with the use of water by immersion, pouring, or sprinkling.
We all call my cousin Dennis, but his baptismal name is actually Dionysios.
79. barbie

BAHR-bee
This word is an alteration of a word drawn from American Spanish, probably from Taino, plus an English element.
noun
barbecue — used chiefly in Australia.
The tourists were horrified when the bush guide jokingly said he would put a crocodile steak on the barbie for their dinner.
80. bask

bask
This word passed from Old Norse to English.
verb
to expose oneself to a pleasing warmth or atmosphere : to luxuriate.
After months away at college, Malia was happy to bask in the comfort of being at home with her family again.
81. become

This word is originally English.
verb
to take on a new role or nature.
If she wins her regional bee, Janessa will become the first speller from her school to go to the Scripps National Spelling Bee.
82. Bengal

BEN-gahl
This word is from an Indian geographical name.
noun
any of a breed of large domestic cats that were developed by crossing a wild leopard cat with any of various domestic breeds of cat.
The Bengal has a long, muscular body and a thick, short to medium length coat which is spotted or marbled.
83. bespoke

bih-SPOHK
This word is originally English.
adjective
custom-made : made to order — used especially of wearing apparel.
The movie star was known for wearing perfectly tailored bespoke suits, both on and off the red carpet.
84. bias

BAHY-us
This word is perhaps from an originally Greek word that went from Provençal to French to English.
noun
a natural predilection or inclination for or against something : prejudice.
Stuart’s bias against certain groups makes him unfit to serve on the community advisory board.
85. bigotry

BIG-uh-tree
This word is from a French word that then became English.
noun
obstinate and unreasoning attachment to one’s own belief and opinions with intolerance of beliefs opposed to them.
The school’s International Relations Club strives to increase awareness of the prevalence of bigotry.
86. birdie

BUR-dee
This word is originally English.
noun
a golf score of one stroke less than par on a hole.
Eleanor putted well on the 18th hole and got a birdie.
87. biscuit

BIH-skut
This word came to English from Latin-derived French.
noun
a palm-sized soft bread made with baking powder or soda.
A hot biscuit with butter and honey was the best part of the lunch.
88. blandish

BLAND-ish
This word went from Latin to French to English.
verb
to flatter with soft words or affectionate actions.
The hotel employee was informed that the singer was already very upset about her room, and he ran to blandish her and inform her about various free upgrades.
89. blarney

BLAHR-nee
This word is from an Irish geographical name.
noun
smooth, deliberately flattering talk.
Mrs. Lewis was not impressed by Al’s blarney as he tried to talk her into raising his grade.
90. bleary

BLIR-ee
This word is originally English.
adjective
dimmed or dull particularly from sleep or fatigue — used of the eyes or vision.
Ahmad rubbed his bleary eyes and hoped his all-night study session would help him pass the test.
91. bleat

bleet
This word is originally English.
verb
to utter its natural cry — used of a sheep or goat.
The flock of sheep would bleat excitedly when they spotted the bag of alfalfa pellets.
92. blink

blingk
This word is originally English.
verb
to quickly open and shut the eyes.
Jonas had to blink rapidly to clear the smoke from his eyes as he walked away from the campfire.
93. blizzard

BLIH-zuhrd
This word is of unknown origin.
noun
a very heavy snowstorm.
Mom and Dad spent an entire afternoon digging the car out of a snowbank after the blizzard let up.
94. blooper

BLOO-pur
This word is an imitative word.
noun
an embarrassing mistake, often in live or recorded media.
The director shouted “Enough!” when the actor’s blooper evoked laughter.
95. blurb

blurb
This word was coined by an American humorist and illustrator.
noun
a short piece of praise usually printed on the dust jacket of a book.
Evan wasn't embarrassed even a little about the gushing congratulatory blurb he wrote under a pseudonym for the back cover of his new book.
96. boarders

BORD-urz
This word consists of two originally English parts.
plural noun
people who are provided with regular meals or regular meals as well as lodging.
Marisa and her husband were interested in filling some of their spare rooms with boarders in order to have an additional source of income.
97. bonanza

buh-NAN-zuh
This word is from a word that went from Greek-derived Latin to Spanish.
noun
something that yields an often unexpectedly large profit.
The movie turned out to be a box-office bonanza.
98. boogie-woogie

buh-gee-WUH-gee
This word is of unknown origin.
noun
a percussive style of playing blues on the piano characterized by a persistent rhythmic ground bass and florid figurations of a simple melody.
Ashok practiced his left hand patterns on the piano for hours until he finally got the hang of playing boogie-woogie.
99. bootless

BOOT-lus
This word is originally English.
adjective
to no advantage or avail : fruitless and frustrating.
In a famous sonnet, Shakespeare writes of troubling deaf heaven with his “bootless cries.”
100. botany

BAHT-uh-nee
This word is from an originally Greek word that passed into French before becoming English.
noun
the science of plants.
Mary has little formal education in botany, but she definitely has a green thumb.
101. bowie

BOO-ee
This word is from an American name.
noun
a large hunting knife adapted especially for knife-fighting and common in western frontier regions.
The most famous version of the bowie knife was designed by Arkansas blacksmith James Black in the early 19th century.
102. breathtaking

BRETH-tayk-ing
This word is from an originally English part and an originally Old Norse part.
adjective
striking with awe and wonder.
The view from the top of the mountain was breathtaking.
103. brick

brik
This word passed from Dutch to French to English.
noun
a typically red building or paving material that is made by molding clay into blocks.
They were entranced by the darling house made of brick and immediately made an offer to purchase it.
104. brigand

BRIG-und
Originally Celtic, this word passed from Italian to French before becoming English.
noun
one who lives by plunder usually as a member of a band : bandit.
The captured brigand refused to say a word about his group’s leader.
105. bristle

BRIH-sul
This word is originally English.
noun
a short rigid rough hair.
Each bristle on a nettle leaf has a tip so sharp that it can penetrate human skin.
106. brochure

broh-SHUR
This word is from a French word.
noun
a small booklet often created as an advertisement.
Davis designed a trifold brochure for a local tourism company.
107. broil

broil
This word passed from Latin to French to English.
verb
to cook by direct exposure to radiant heat (as on a grill over live coals or beneath a gas flame).
Sharon will broil two salmon steaks on Rishi's hibachi.
108. buffet

buh-FAY
This word is from French.
noun
a meal at which people serve themselves food that is set out on a table or cupboard.
The server took Kiana’s drink order and invited her to help herself to the buffet.
109. buffoonery

buh-FOO-nuh-ree
This word is from a French word made up of a Latin-derived element and a French element.
noun
foolish or vulgar shenanigans.
Mrs. Decker warned that she would tolerate no buffoonery in her classroom.
110. bumblebee

BUM-bul-bee
This word is made up of English elements.
noun
a large robust hairy yellow-and-black social insect that stores up honey in an underground nest.
The nest of the bumblebee is usually underground.
111. bungee

BUN-jee
This word is of unknown origin.
noun
an elasticized cord used as a fastening or shock-absorbing device.
After using rope, ratchet straps, and ties to secure the kayaks to the roof of their SUV, Arnav and Diego decided they needed at least one bungee for good measure.
112. burial

BEHR-ee-ul
This word is originally English.
noun
the act of disposing of a dead body, usually by putting it in a grave.
Family and friends attended the graveside service but departed before the burial.
113. buzzworthy

BUZ-wur-thee
The first part of this word is imitative in origin and the second part is originally English.
adjective
new and interesting in a way that attracts or deserves widespread talk or attention.
The new composting and recycling rules were a buzzworthy topic for a good month or two in the village.
114. cabbage

KA-bij
This word is from a French word that then became English.
noun
a leafy green or purple garden vegetable.
Irina's favorite comfort food is cabbage, sausage and potato soup.
115. cactus

KAK-tus
This word went from Greek to Latin.
noun
a desert plant with prickly spines or scales.
Leah always wore gloves when tending her cactus.
116. cadence

KAY-duns
This word is from an Italian word that was made up of Latin-derived elements and that passed probably through French before becoming English.
noun
vocal rhythm.
The calming cadence of her father's voice reading the storybook put the toddler to sleep in no time.
117. calendar

KAL-un-dur
This word went from Latin to French, and English borrowed it from either Latin or French.
noun
a list of planned activities for upcoming dates.
The college calendar begins with First Year Orientation Week.
118. camcorder

KAM-kor-dur
The first part of this word is from a Latin word, and the second part is from a word that passed from Latin to Anglo-French before becoming English.
noun
a small video camera for personal use.
Brin borrowed her parents' camcorder to film a video submission for the online contest.
119. candid

KAN-dud
This word went from Latin to French.
adjective
indicating or suggesting sincere honesty.
The actor's candid interview changed many people's opinion about him.
120. canoe

kuh-NOO
This word is originally from Cariban-derived Arawakan, but passed through Spanish and French-influenced Latin before entering English.
noun
a long and narrow boat that is sharp at both ends, has curved sides, and is usually propelled by hand-driven paddles.
Alvaro paddled the canoe slowly across the calm lake.
121. canteen

kan-TEEN
This word is from a perhaps Celtic-derived Latin word that became Italian and then French.
noun
a cloth-covered container for water or other liquids.
Before her camping trip, Sylvia checked to make sure her canteen and compass were in her backpack.
122. cantor

KAN-tur
This word is from Latin.
noun
a synagogue official who sings or chants liturgical music and leads the congregation in prayer.
Jacob’s vocal talent led him to consider becoming a cantor.
123. capacity

kuh-PA-suh-tee
This word went from Latin to French to English.
noun
the mental ability to understand complex ideas and solve problems; highest attainable mental ability.
Ayla wondered whether her cat lacked the capacity to learn tricks or if he was just uninterested.
124. capitalist

KA-puh-tuh-list
Originally from Latin, this word came to English from French, Dutch, or German.
adjective
practicing an economic system characterized by private or corporate ownership of accumulated goods devoted to the production of other goods and also by investments that are determined by private decision rather than by state control.
Even in capitalist nations, some businesses are given governmental aid such as tax credits and subsidies.
125. captivated

KAP-tuh-vay-tud
This word is from Latin.
verb
won over with ability, talent, or some irresistible charm.
The talented opera singer captivated the audience with ease.
126. capture

KAP-chur
This word is from Latin-derived French.
verb
to get control or secure domination of : to take over.
Milo’s plan was to capture the enemy base and then use it to launch a final, devastating attack on his video game foes.
127. caramel

KAHR-mul
This word went from Greek-derived Latin to Portuguese to Spanish to French.
noun
a rich light brown color.
Ida chose to paint her bedroom caramel with white borders, because the color reminded her of coffee with cream.
128. carnation

kahr-NAY-shun
This word consists of a Latin part that went through Italian to French plus an English element.
noun
one of various double-flowered plants that come in many colors.
Zoey picked a ruffled purple carnation as the last flower to add to her bouquet.
129. carnival

KAHR-nuh-vul
This word came from Latin-derived Italian.
noun
a traveling circus.
Joey always goes to the carnival when it comes to town.
130. carriage

KER-ij
This word came to English from French, which formed it from a Celtic-derived Latin word.
noun
a comfortable private horse-drawn vehicle.
Cinderella's carriage was a pumpkin that her fairy godmother had transformed to take her to the ball.
131. carrot

KEHR-ut
Originally Greek, this word passed through Latin and French before becoming English.
noun
a popular root vegetable that is typically long and orange or yellow in color.
Kaitlin preferred to get her vegetables through eating things like carrot cake.
132. cashier

ka-SHIHR
This word is from a French word formed on the base of a Latin-derived Italian word, but it passed through Dutch before becoming English.
noun
someone who takes money and issues receipts for purchases or services.
A cashier must keep a watchful eye for counterfeit currency.
133. casserole

KA-suh-rohl
This word is from an originally Greek word that passed into Latin and then Old Provençal and then French before becoming English.
noun
food cooked and served in a dish made of earthenware, glass or metal.
Laura's favorite meal is her mother's tuna noodle casserole.
134. casualty

KA-zhuhl-tee
This word is from an English word that came from Latin.
noun
something that is lost, damaged or destroyed.
Peter was slightly annoyed to learn that his baseball mitt was the latest casualty of his new puppy's strange appetite.
135. caterpillar

KAT-ur-pil-ur
This word came to English from French, but it was originally formed from a word that went perhaps from Hamitic to Latin and a Latin element.
noun
the larva of a moth or butterfly that looks like a worm with legs.
Shawna spotted a monarch caterpillar nibbling on a milkweed plant.
136. cathedral

kuh-THEE-drul
This word is from a Greek-derived Latin word.
noun
a large, splendid church that was once the home church of a bishop.
On her trip to Italy, Thalia visited a large cathedral with a cross-shaped floor plan and an impressive frescoed dome.
137. catnap

KAT-nap
This word consists of a probably Latin-derived English part plus an originally English part.
noun
a very short light sleep especially during the day.
Jeremy's teacher had some objections to the catnap he took at his desk during math class.
138. celebratory

SEL-uh-bruh-tor-ee
This word is from Latin.
adjective
festive, joyous.
The champions were feted at a celebratory dinner at which the trophies were presented.
139. celestial

suh-LES-chul
This word is from a Latin word that became French and then English.
adjective
relating to the sky.
The meteor shower was one of the more exciting celestial events this year.
140. cello

CHE-loh
This word is from Italian.
noun
the large bass member of the violin family that is much larger than a violin but similar in shape and is played upright from a sitting position.
Morrie hopes to play cello in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra one day.
141. census

SEN-sus
This word is from Latin.
noun
an official count of the population of a country, city or other region that includes vital statistics and other information.
The first United States census was conducted in 1790.
142. centipede

SEHN-tuh-peed
This word is from Latin.
noun
a small carnivorous arthropod with a long body, an exoskeleton, and many pairs of legs.
The centipede is so adaptable that it is found in deserts, rain forests and arctic tundra.
143. charitable

CHAR-uh-tuh-bul
The first part of this word is from an originally Latin word that went through French before becoming English, and the second part is from English.
adjective
marked by a kindly disposition to promote the happiness and prosperity of others or by generosity in and pleasure at doing good works.
Tanishka received a commendation for her charitable activities.
144. chastise

CHA-stahyz
This word is from a Latin word that became French and then English.
verb
to scold.
Nick will enter the house quietly through the back door, for he knows his grandmother will chastise him if she sees his muddy clothes.
145. chief

cheef
This word passed from Latin to French to English.
noun
the leader of a group of people (such as a commander in the army or the head of a tribe, clan, or family).
Massasoit was the chief of the Wampanoag tribe when the Mayflower landed on Plymouth Rock.
146. chortle

CHOR-tul
This word is from an imitative English word and another English word.
noun
a sound of pleasure or joy.
The whole class let out a hearty chortle when Mr. Hendricks said they'd be released early on the last day of school.
147. chowder

CHOW-dur
This word came from a French word, which formed it from a Latin word.
noun
a creamy stew of seafood.
Dina hunted online for a recipe for chowder that she could make in her slow cooker.
148. churlish

CHUR-lish
This word is originally English.
adjective
rude, coarse.
Mr. Sherman tolerated no churlish behavior in his classroom.
149. chute

shoot
This word went from Latin to French.
noun
a slide.
Perry was most excited that their new house would have a laundry chute.
150. cidery

SAHY-duh-ree
The first part of this word started as a Semitic base and passed through Hebrew, Greek, Latin, Gallo-Romance, and Anglo-French before being borrowed by English, and the second part is from English.
noun
a building where the expressed juice of apples used as a beverage or for making other products (such as vinegar) is made.
Nothing captures the essence of autumn better than the aroma of a cidery in September.
151. cinderella

sin-duh-REL-uh
This word is from a fairy tale name.
noun
one suddenly lifted often fortuitously from obscurity and neglect to honor and significance.
After its football team won the state championship in a huge upset, Fremont High became the school district’s cinderella.
152. citation

sahy-TAY-shun
This word passed from Latin to French to English.
noun
the act of quoting word for word the spoken or written words of another.
When Xue appeared skeptical that the official had actually used those words, Elena showed her the citation.
153. clarinet

kler-uh-NET
This word came to English from French, which probably took it from Italian, which probably took it from Spanish, which probably took it from another French word, but they all come ultimately from a Latin word.
noun
a long cylindrical single-reed woodwind instrument played by pressing keys and blowing into the mouthpiece.
In Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf, the cat is represented by a musical theme played on a clarinet.
154. classical

KLA-sih-kul
This word consists of an originally Latin part plus an English element.
adjective
relating to art music that is rooted in the established traditions of European culture.
Jun enjoys playing both contemporary pop and classical pieces on the piano.
155. classified

KLAS-uh-fahyd
This word is made up of parts that went from Latin to French.
adjective
forbidden to be disclosed outside a specified ring of secrecy for reasons of national security.
The government can choose to release classified information to the public once a certain amount of time has passed.
156. clearance

KLIR-uhnts
The first part of this word is from an originally Latin word that went through French before becoming English, and the second part is from English.
noun
the amount of space between two objects that allows passage between them.
The sign on the bridge warned the drivers of trucks taller than seven feet that they would not have enough clearance.
157. cleave

kleev
This word is originally English.
verb
to adhere in a firm, loyal, or unwavering manner.
The minister said that even though doubt is a natural human failing, it is imperative that believers still cleave to the doctrines of the church.
158. clickbait

KLIK-bayt
The first part of this word is probably of imitative origin, and the second came to English from Old Norse.
noun
online material (such as headlines) designed to make readers want to click on hyperlinks especially when the links lead to content of dubious value or interest.
The website's clickbait lured readers with promises of shocking revelations.
159. closure

KLOH-zhur
This word went from Latin through French to English.
noun
an often comforting or satisfying sense of finality; also : something (such as a satisfying ending) that provides such a sense.
Mimi was disappointed that the movie ended with no sense of closure, and suspected that the studio was trying to wring another sequel out of the franchise.
160. clover

KLOH-vur
This word is originally English.
noun
a plant with usually three green wedge-shaped leaves and round white or reddish flowers.
Daria's pet bunny loved to hop around and nibble on clover.
161. clowder

KLAU-dur
This word is probably a variant of an originally English word.
noun
a pack of cats.
Sara loved volunteering at the shelter and helping to care for their clowder of cats.
162. coach

kohch
Probably originally from a Hungarian geographic name, this word passed from Hungarian to German to French before becoming English.
noun
someone who teaches players the basics of a sport and who is in charge of strategy during games.
The coach put the whole team through a series of drills at practice.
163. coalition

koh-uh-LIH-shun
The first part of this word went from Latin to French, and the second part is from English.
noun
a temporary alliance of distinct parties, persons, or states for joint action or to achieve a common purpose.
Representatives from a coalition of labor unions met with the multinational corporation’s lawyers in an attempt to work out a new contract.
164. coastal

KOH-stuhl
This word went from Latin to French to English.
adjective
of or relating to the seashore or land near it.
June always enjoyed coastal vacations, where the salty air and crashing waves provided a soothing backdrop.
165. cockles

KAHK-ulz
This word is perhaps from a word that passed from Greek to Latin to French to English, and is influenced by another Latin word.
plural noun
the center or core of one's sentient being.
Every year at the Bee, watching the spellers console and congratulate each other warms the cockles of Dr. Sietsema's heart.
166. collaboration

kuh-lab-uh-RAY-shun
This word is from Latin-derived French.
noun
a product of working jointly with others especially in an intellectual endeavor.
The collaboration between Benj Pasek and Justin Paul has resulted in songs for several musicals, including The Greatest Showman and Dear Evan Hansen.
167. collar

KAH-lur
This word went from Latin to French to English.
noun
an attached or separate band that varies in shape and size and serves to finish or decorate the neckline of a garment.
Nicole's favorite blouse has a bejeweled collar.
168. collie

KAH-lee
This word is probably from an originally English word.
noun
a dog of a breed developed in Scotland and used for generations in herding sheep, and most often long-haired with profuse coat, very full ruff and feathering, and plumy tail.
The most famous collie is probably Lassie, the dog from the famous television show and movies, although nine separate dogs have actually played the role.
169. collision

kuh-LIH-zhun
This word is from a Latin word that became English.
noun
two or more things crashing together.
The collision on the highway had traffic backed up for hours.
170. combustible

kuhm-BUH-stuh-bul
The first part of this word is from an originally Latin word that passed into French, and the second part is from English.
adjective
able to catch fire and burn.
The long dry spell has made the brush and trees quite combustible.
171. commandeer

kah-muhn-DIHR
This word is from Afrikaans, which formed it from a Latin-derived French word.
verb
to seize possession of.
Arwen felt it necessary to commandeer the TV remote from her sister.
172. commercial

kuh-MUR-shuhl
This word is made up of a Latin-derived French part and an English element.
adjective
from the point of view of profit : having profit as the primary aim.
Leila was determined that her jewelry store would be a commercial success.
173. comparison

kum-PER-uh-sun
This word went from Latin to French before becoming English.
noun
the examining of two or more items to establish or ascertain their similarities and dissimilarities.
Lucia resented the constant comparison between her and her older sister.
174. compass

KUM-pus
This word is from a Latin word that became French and then English.
noun
a device for determining directions on the earth’s surface by means of a magnetic needle turning freely on a pivot and pointing to the magnetic north.
A compass is a necessary piece of equipment for the serious hiker.
175. compatriots

kuhm-PAY-tree-uts
This word came from French and was formed in Latin from Latin elements.
plural noun
associates, comrades.
Tawanda gathered her compatriots to think up ways to boost sales at the school snack bar.
176. compelling

kum-PEL-ing
This word went from Latin to French to English.
adjective
demanding and holding one's attention.
The book was so compelling that Reese was hooked within the first few pages.
177. complementary

kahm-pluh-MEN-tuh-ree
This word is from a word that went from Latin to French.
adjective
mutually supplying each other's lack.
Susan's and Stuart's complementary talents of artistry and business acumen made their boutique a success.
178. composite

kahm-PAH-zut
This word is from Latin.
adjective
made up of distinct parts.
The character in Marti's novel was a composite portrait of his three best friends.
179. conch

kahnk
This word is from an originally Greek word that passed into Latin.
noun
an edible marine mollusk with a large spiral shell.
Herbert was intrigued when he saw conch on the menu of the Caribbean restaurant.
180. concrete

kahn-KREET
This word is from a word that went from Latin to English.
noun
a hard strong building material made by mixing cementing material with a mineral aggregate (such as sand) and water so it sets.
Dobby the dog walked on the concrete before it set, leaving paw prints everywhere and annoying his owner.
181. condiments

KAHN-duh-munts
This word is originally from Latin.
plural noun
things added to or served with food to enhance flavor or to give added flavor : seasonings.
Patrizia enjoys most condiments, but she’s especially fond of spicy mustards and sweet chutneys.
182. conference

KAHN-fur-unts
This word went from Latin to French to English.
noun
a meeting of individuals or groups in order to discuss topics.
Khaled submitted a proposal to speak at an interactive technology conference.
183. considerable

kun-SID-ur-uh-buhl
This word went from Latin to English.
adjective
rather large in extent or degree.
Although Gabriella has to drive a considerable distance to reach the farmers market, she says the quality of the produce makes the trip worthwhile.
184. consideration

kun-sid-uh-RAY-shun
This word passed from Latin to French to English.
noun
continuous and careful thought : deliberation.
When Janey asked her dad to buy extra cookies at the store, he told her that her request was under consideration.
185. contemporary

kun-TEMP-uh-rer-ee
This word is from originally Latin elements.
adjective
marked by characteristics compatible with being of the present period : advanced, modern, up-to-date.
Naveed's favorite gallery is filled with contemporary art and features local artists.
186. contested

kuhn-TES-tuhd
This word passed from Latin to French.
verb
made the subject of dispute, contention, or battle.
The candidate contested the results of the election, saying there had been fraud and numerous irregularities.
187. context

KAHN-tekst
This word is from Latin.
noun
the part or parts of a written or spoken passage preceding or following a particular word or group of words and so intimately associated with them as to throw light upon their meaning.
Abigail wasn't sure what all the words in the paragraph meant, but she was able to figure most of them out from the context.
188. contraction

kun-TRAK-shun
This word is from Latin.
noun
a shortening of a word or syllable by omission.
“Can’t” is the colloquial contraction for “cannot.”
189. contradictory

kahn-truh-DIK-tuh-ree
This word is from Latin.
adjective
tending to assert the opposite of.
Basil's lavish vacation was contradictory to all of his statements about living frugally.
190. contrite

kahn-TRAHYT
This word came into English from Latin-derived French.
adjective
repentant, apologetic.
Jenna received a contrite apology after her friend's temper tantrum.
191. contusion

kuhn-TOO-zhun
This word is from Latin-derived French.
noun
a bruise.
The contusion on Wayne’s shoulder began to fade nine days after his accident.
192. conundrum

kuh-NUN-drum
This word is of unknown origin.
noun
a hard puzzle or a difficult problem.
As a mayoral candidate, Mr. Michaels spent weeks deliberating over the conundrum of how to balance the city’s budget while also maintaining its services.
193. convention

kun-VEN-shun
This word is from Latin-derived French or Latin.
noun
an agreement between persons or parties.
Dante and Henry played charades using a convention of their own devising.
194. convocation

kahn-vuh-KAY-shun
This word went from Latin to French to English.
noun
an assembly of the members of a college or university to observe a particular ceremony (as the opening of the academic year or the announcing of awards).
As an incoming first-year student at Duke University, Raj was very much looking forward to convocation.
195. convoy

KAHN-voi
This word went from Latin to French before becoming English.
noun
a protective force (as of troops or warships) escorting ships, persons, or goods moving by sea or land.
While on a roadtrip, the whole family was fascinated to watch a convoy go by.
196. cookie-cutter

KUK-ee-kuh-tur
The first part of this word is originally Dutch, and the second part is originally English.
adjective
marked by lack of originality or distinction.
Marco was bored to tears by the new bunch of cookie-cutter superhero movies.
197. cooperate

koh-AH-puh-rayt
This word is from Latin.
verb
to work together to achieve something.
The twins know that they get their chores done faster when they cooperate.
198. copperhead

KAH-pur-hed
This word has a part that derives from a Greek geographical name that passed from Latin to Germanic to English, and an originally English part.
noun
a pit viper of the eastern U.S. that is reddish brown above with dark blotches that render it inconspicuous among fallen leaves.
Aunt Janine once stepped on a copperhead in a pile of leaves, but she escaped without a bite.
199. corgi

KOHR-gee
This word is from Welsh.
noun
a short-legged, long-backed dog with a foxy head belonging to either of two Welsh varieties.
The Pembroke Welsh corgi in the photo with Queen Elizabeth II is one of several such dogs she has owned.
200. corkscrew

KORK-skroo
The origin of this word is not given.
adjective
spiral.
The corkscrew water slide had so many twists that Aya was dizzy by the time she finally came out the other side.
201. cornily

KOR-nuh-lee
This word is comprised of originally English parts.
adverb
in a manner marked by excessive theatricality or grand but commonplace sentiments.
Rajesh staggered cornily about the kitchen, acting like he would perish if his mom refused him an afternoon snack.
202. cranium

KRAY-nee-um
This word is from an originally Greek word that passed into Latin.
noun
the portion of the skull that surrounds the brain.
The carelessly tossed book encountered Zelda’s cranium with a thud.
203. criminal

KRIH-muh-nul
This word passed from Latin to French to English.
noun
someone who has been found guilty of an offense against public law, such as a misdemeanor or a felony.
The criminal dug a tunnel in an attempt to escape prison.
204. criteria

krahy-TIR-ee-uh
This word is from Greek.
plural noun
standards for evaluation.
All the entries for the short story contest were judged on the criteria of inventiveness, creativity and smoothness of style.
205. crocodile

KRAH-kuh-dahyl
This word is a Latin-influenced alteration of a word that went from Greek to Latin to French to English.
noun
an aquatic reptile with thick scaly skin and a long toothy snout.
A crocodile can replace each of its 80 teeth up to 50 times in its lifetime.
206. crucial

KROO-shuhl
The first part of this word is from Latin-derived French, and the second part is a French combining form.
adjective
extremely important or essential.
Mr. Jeter emphasized that having a plan before you begin a large project is crucial.
207. crux

kruks
This word is from Latin.
noun
a pivotal point that requires a resolution.
It seemed to Frida that the crux of the problem was that her cat, Pinto, didn't have enough costumes.
208. curator

KYUR-ay-tur
This word is from Latin.
noun
the manager of a museum exhibit.
The curator was happy to answer visitor questions about the exhibit.
209. curfew

KUHR-fyoo
This word passed to English from French, which formed it from Latin-derived elements.
noun
the time of the evening when someone is required to be indoors or at home.
Megan and all her friends have a curfew of 9:00 p.m. on weeknights.
210. curtail

kur-TAYL
This word was formed from an originally Latin-derived French word.
verb
shorten in duration or scope : abridge : reduce.
To stop oversleeping, Layla tried to curtail her snooze button addiction by placing her alarm clock on the other side of the room.
211. cushion

KUSH-un
This word is from a Latin word that became French and then English.
verb
to shield from jolting effects with or as though with a pillow.
The pillows that the chauffeur placed in the car cushion Mrs. Johnson and her guests from the potholes.
212. cyclone

SAHY-klohn
This word is from Greek.
noun
a storm with very high winds that rotate around a low-pressure center.
In 2008 a devastating cyclone in Myanmar killed nearly 140,000 people.
213. cymbals

SIM-buhlz
This word is from an originally Greek word that passed into Latin and then French before becoming English.
plural noun
large metal plates that make a clashing sound when struck together or hit with a drumstick.
The villain timed his shot to coincide with the clash of the cymbals.
214. daft

daft
This word is originally English.
adjective
silly, foolish.
"Don't be daft," Hilda told her daughter, when she asked whether they could eat the potatoes raw along with the carrots.
215. daisy

DAY-zee
This word is originally English.
noun
a plant having flower heads with small white or pink ray flowers and yellow disk flowers.
Flora picked a daisy out of the garden to put in her hair.
216. dawdle

DAW-dul
This word is of unknown origin.
verb
to take more time doing something than is needed; loiter.
Because she doesn't enjoy doing homework, Adelyn will often dawdle over her after-school snack.
217. debris

duh-BREE
This word is from a French word of Celtic origin.
noun
rubble or wreckage.
Scattered debris lies where majestic homes stood before last week’s tornado.
218. debunk

dee-BUNGK
This word is from an American geographical name and an English element.
verb
to expose the fraudulent declarations or exaggerated claims of.
The investigator could easily debunk the manufacturer's claims by demonstrating what happened when one shook the machine.
219. decor

day-KOR
This word came from French, which formed it from a Latin word.
noun
the arrangement of accessories to present a desired look.
The decor of Summer's room reflects her love of horses.
220. definitely

DEF-un-it-lee
The first part of this word is from an originally Latin word, and the second part is from English.
adverb
distinctly : unmistakably : positively.
Sarah told Angel that she will definitely go to the dance, even if she has to go alone.
221. delta

DEL-tuh
This is a Greek word of Semitic origin.
noun
the alluvial deposit at the mouth of a river commonly forming a nearly flat fan-shaped plain of considerable area.
Many varieties of plants grew near the delta due to its fertile soil.
222. derby

DUR-bee
This word is from an English name.
noun
a race or contest offering prizes to winners.
Paulo and his father worked for hours on their car for the soap box derby.
223. descent

dee-SENT
This word consists of a Latin part plus an English part.
verb
to rid of odor or smell.
Breeders of pet skunks routinely descent them.
224. designer

dih-ZAHYN-ur
This word came from French, which formed it from a Latin word.
noun
someone who creates stage settings and costumes.
The designer outdid himself with the lavish sets for the new opera.
225. detail

dih-TAYL
This word was formed in French from originally Latin elements.
noun
a part of a whole; such as : a small and subordinate part.
Though her sister dismissed it as an insignificant detail, Jenna felt the color of the icing must be a particular shade of lilac for their mother’s cake.
226. dialect

DAHY-uh-lekt
This word went from Greek to Latin to French.
noun
a regional variety of language distinguished by its vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation from other regional varieties.
Katya's mom had difficulty understanding the local dialect because of the sound of the vowels.
227. dicey

DAHY-see
The first part of this word is from an English word of Arabic-derived French origin, and the second part is from English.
adjective
risky, unpredictable.
Eliana found the prospect of going bungee jumping a bit too dicey.
228. difficult

DIH-fih-kuhlt
This word is from Latin-derived English.
adjective
arduous.
Milo thought the most difficult chore on his list was mowing the lawn.
229. digression

dahy-GRESH-un
Originally Latin, this word went through French before entering English.
noun
moving away from the main point in writing or speaking.
Though interesting, Louis felt that the lecturer's 20-minute digression on football statistics had little to do with geology.
230. dillydally

DIL-ee-dal-ee
This word is an alteration of a word that is possibly Germanic in origin, and went into French and then English.
verb
to move slowly, loaf.
Rosario tends to dillydally after school before starting her homework.
231. disaster

diz-AST-ur
This word comes to English from French, which took it from Italian, which formed it from a Latin element and a Greek-derived Latin element.
noun
a sudden calamitous event producing great damage, loss, and distress.
The violent hailstorm was a disaster that ruined the wheat crop.
232. disposition

dih-spuh-ZIH-shun
This word went from Latin to French to English.
noun
the prevailing tendency, aspect, mood or inclination of one's spirits.
Max picked the puppy with the calmest disposition of the litter.
233. distinctive

dih-STINK-tiv
This word is from Latin.
adjective
identifiably unique.
The distinctive odor of natural gas comes from an additive designed to make leaks easier to detect.
234. distinguish

dih-STING-gwish
This word went from Latin to French to English.
verb
to perceive as being separate or different : recognize a difference in.
Without his glasses, Joshua could not distinguish between his dog and a wet mop.
235. diva

DEE-vuh
This word came from Italian, which formed it from a Latin word.
noun
a person who finds it difficult to work under direction or as part of a team.
When Stella started to sulk because the group hadn't gone with her idea, her friend told her to stop being such a diva.
236. diverge

dih-VURJ
This word is from Latin.
verb
to branch off from a common point.
Deep in the forest two dangerous paths diverge from the main road.
237. diversion

dih-VER-zhun
This word is from French-derived Latin or Latin.
noun
something that turns the mind from serious concerns or ordinary matters and relaxes or amuses.
Aline sometimes doodles inside her notepad as a diversion.
238. diversity

duh-VUR-suh-tee
This word went from Latin to French to English.
noun
the condition of having differences : variety.
The diversity of races, religions, and backgrounds of the neighborhood's inhabitants made it a wonderful place to live.
239. divine

dih-VAHYN
This word is from Latin and passed through French before becoming English.
adjective
splendid, excellent.
According to Mindy, Grandma makes the most divine cupcakes on the planet.
240. divvy

DIH-vee
This word is from an originally Latin word.
verb
to share, divide, or distribute.
Rather than argue, Zita and Laurie decided to divvy up the last piece of cake.
241. docket

DAH-kut
This word is originally English.
noun
a calendar of matters to be acted on by any formally organized body (as a legislative assembly) : agenda.
Miloš fidgeted, wondering how many more items were on the docket until the board discussed his fireworks proposal.
242. domino

DAHM-uh-noh
Probably from an originally Latin word, this word passed through French before becoming English.
noun
a small dotted slab that together with other such slabs is used to play a game.
As a prank, Grandpa hid a domino before asking Billy if he'd like to play.
243. donatee

doh-nuh-TEE
This word is from an originally Latin word.
noun
a recipient of a free gift.
When Libby gave away her old sofa, it made her just as happy as the donatee.
244. doomed

doomd
This word is originally English.
verb
destined (someone or something) to a specified undesirable fate : caused (someone or something) inevitably to have an unfavorable outcome or future of a particular kind.
Despite the tarot card reading, Sheena assured her sister that she was not doomed to a lifetime of romantic disappointment.
245. downcast

DAUN-kast
The first part of this word is originally English, and the second part went from Old Norse to English.
adjective
low in spirit : dejected.
After striking out, the downcast batter returned to the bench.
246. dramatization

dra-muh-tih-ZAY-shun
This word is from an originally Greek word that passed into Latin, plus English elements.
noun
an act or product of adapting a story for theatrical presentation.
The author was well pleased with the recent television dramatization of his novel.
247. dreadlocks

DRED-lahks
This word is perhaps from two originally English parts.
plural noun
a hairstyle that consists of hair that is braided or matted into slender ropelike strands.
There are sculptures from ancient Greece showing men with dreadlocks.
248. dribbles

DRIB-ulz
This word is probably from an originally English word.
verb
moves a ball or puck forward and keeps control of it by tapping or bouncing it repeatedly with hand, foot, or stick.
As a midfielder, Shayne receives the pass from a defender and then dribbles the ball toward a forward.
249. drivel

DRIH-vul
This word is originally English.
verb
to babble thoughtlessly.
Miss Bates would drivel on and on, but she was a kind soul.
250. Dudley

DUD-lee
This word is probably from a proper name.
adjective
having a flesh or pink color undesirable in some breeds — used of a dog’s nose.
Chloe knows her pup’s Dudley nose is technically a conformation fault, but she thinks it makes him look even cuter.
251. duress

duh-RES
Originally Latin, this word went through French before becoming English.
noun
compulsion by threat of retribution.
Emily and Theo only clean their rooms under considerable duress.
252. dynamite

DAHY-nuh-mahyt
Originally formed in Swedish, this word is from two elements in International Scientific Vocabulary, which took them from Greek.
noun
an explosive containing nitroglycerin that is used especially in mining and engineering.
The Swedish chemist Alfred Nobel invented dynamite in 1866.
253. eagerly

EE-gur-lee
This word is from Latin-derived French.
adverb
with urgent desire or enthusiasm.
On her birthday, Charlene eagerly awaited the arrival of the delivery truck.
254. earmark

IR-mahrk
This word consists of originally English parts.
verb
to designate or set aside (funds) for a specific use or owner.
Seth will earmark money in the account for his grandson when he comes of age.
255. earnestly

UHR-nuhst-lee
This word is originally English.
adverb
in a serious, focused way.
Gerald performed his job so earnestly that his boss gave him a raise for hard work.
256. eclectic

eh-KLEK-tik
Both parts of this word are originally Greek.
adjective
composed of or including elements drawn from various sources.
Gaynor's eclectic taste in music permits her to appreciate CDs from many genres.
257. eclipse

ih-KLIPS
Originally Greek, this word went through Latin and French before becoming English.
noun
the alignment of two celestial bodies such that the more distant one is hidden.
Susan and Stuart flew to Mexico to view a total eclipse of the Sun.
258. editorial

ed-uh-TOH-ree-ul
The first part of this word is from Latin, and the second part is from English.
adjective
being or consisting of those who revise, correct, or arrange materials for publication.
The editorial staff at the publishing house was delighted with the manuscript.
259. eerily

IR-ih-lee
This word is from English.
adverb
weirdly.
Main Street was eerily quiet for hours after the big thunderstorm.
260. effortless

EH-furt-lis
This word is from Latin-derived French plus an English element.
adjective
seeming to have been accomplished without hard work because of smoothness and ease of performance.
Imelda was stunned at the way the older gymnasts could glide through the air and achieve seemingly effortless landings.
261. eighth

aytth
This word is from English.
adjective
being one more than seven in a countable series.
Sutton was the eighth actress to play the female lead in the long-running Broadway show.
262. Einstein

AHYN-stahyn
This word is from a German name.
noun
a math genius.
"Hey, Einstein," Juan called to his brother, "help me with my algebra homework."
263. elaborative

ih-LAB-uh-ray-tiv
This word is from Latin.
adjective
well-developed, expansive.
Each topical heading was followed by elaborative paragraphs giving details.
264. elasticity

ih-la-STIH-suh-tee
This word consists of an originally Greek word that passed into Latin plus an English element.
noun
resilience.
Nitya attributed her quick recovery in part to the elasticity of youth and in part to her grandmother’s nourishing chicken noodle soup.
265. elegant

EL-uh-gunt
This word is from a Latin word that became French.
adjective
tasteful and classic.
The debutante’s escort was dressed in an elegant silk-lined tuxedo.
266. element

EL-uh-munt
This word went from Latin to French to English.
noun
one of the substances of which early philosophers believed the earth was composed and which are earth, air, water and fire.
Nat's favorite element is water, which she thinks contributes to her love of the sea.
267. elevator

EL-uh-vay-tur
The first part of this word is from an originally Latin word, and the second part is from English.
noun
a platform or cage and its hoisting machinery for transporting people or goods to different levels.
The hotel’s architectural showpiece is its glass elevator, which many tourists make a point to ride.
268. elicitation

ee-lis-uh-TAY-shun
This word is from Latin.
noun
a drawing forth : an extraction.
The prosecutor was an expert in the elicitation of testimony from witnesses.
269. eligibility

eh-lih-juh-BIH-luh-tee
This word went through Latin and French before becoming English.
noun
the quality or state of being worthy to be chosen or selected.
At Anh's school, eligibility to participate in extracurricular activities depends on academic performance.
270. ellipse

ih-LIPS
This word is from Greek.
noun
an elongated circle.
The walking path behind the school forms an ellipse around the tennis courts.
271. elocution

el-uh-KYOO-shun
This word is from Latin.
noun
the art of oratory.
The senator’s mastery of elocution impressed his listeners.
272. elusive

ee-LOO-siv
This word is from a Latin-derived word plus an English element.
adjective
hard to catch.
The elusive con artist moved around the country, always staying one step ahead of the law.
273. emancipatory

ih-MAN-suh-puh-tor-ee
This word is from an originally Latin word and an English part.
adjective
related to freedom from bondage.
In 1865, Congress ratified the emancipatory amendment abolishing slavery in the United States.
274. embassy

EM-buh-see
This word is from a word that went from Celtic-derived Germanic to Provençal to Italian to French.
noun
the offices of an ambassador.
In front of the Indian embassy in Washington, D.C., there is a statue of Mahatma Gandhi.
275. embezzlement

im-BEH-zuhl-munt
This word is from a French word plus an English part.
noun
the theft of money by someone in a position of responsibility.
The swim club board suspected the former treasurer of embezzlement.
276. emblazoned

im-BLAY-zund
This word consists of a part that went from French to English plus English elements.
verb
decorated in a striking manner.
Steffy had her name emblazoned on the back of her school jacket.
277. emerald

EM-uh-ruld
Probably originally Semitic, this word passed into Greek and then Latin and then French before becoming English.
noun
a green precious gem.
Beth’s grandfather has a lovely unmounted emerald that he plans to give to her for a graduation present.
278. empire

EM-pahyr
This word went from Latin to French to English.
noun
an extended territory usually comprising a group of nations, states, or peoples under the control or domination of a single sovereign power.
The fall of an empire has historically led to a period of chaos and reorganization as new powers emerge to fill the vacuum.
279. empty

EMP-tee
This word is originally English.
adjective
lacking in contents.
An empty box in the corner was a perfect bed for Rowena's new ferret.
280. endearing

en-DIR-ing
This word is comprised of a part that went from Latin to French to English and an originally English part.
adjective
giving rise to affection, tenderness, or admiration.
While others found Derek's behavioral quirks annoying, his mother found them to be endearing.
281. endure

in-DUR
This word is from an originally Latin word that went through French before becoming English.
verb
to suffer.
Curtis didn't know how much longer he could endure the torture of suit shopping with his mother.
282. enervate

EN-uhr-vayt
This word is from Latin.
verb
to weaken.
Grandma knows that being outside in the heat of the day will enervate her, so she weeds her garden in the cool hours of early morning.
283. engineer

en-jih-NIR
This word is from a French word that became English.
noun
a person with technical planning and building skills.
The chief engineer and his team designed a flood control plan for the city.
284. entreat

in-TREET
This word passed to English from French, which formed it from an originally Latin word.
verb
to ask earnestly : to beg for.
Misha's dog sounds almost human when he tries to entreat her for scraps from the dinner table.
285. entrée

AHN-tray
This word came to English from French, which formed it from Latin.
noun
the main dish.
Noelle ordered roast duck with apple slaw and boiled potatoes as her entrée.
286. entrepreneur

ahn-truh-pruh-NUR
This word came from French, which formed it from Latin-derived elements.
noun
a business owner.
Ariel is an entrepreneur who runs both a cookery school and a company that manufactures kitchen equipment.
287. enviable

EN-vee-uh-bul
This word consists of a part that went from Latin to French to English plus an English element.
adjective
covetable.
Babette's ability to spell on stage under pressure was enviable.
288. epoxy

ih-PAHK-see
Both parts of this word are Greek-derived.
noun
a glue that works usually by combining a resin with a separate hardener.
Melanie reattached the handle of the serving dish with epoxy.
289. erode

ih-ROHD
This word is from Latin.
verb
to wear away.
The river will erode the rock until a deep canyon is formed.
290. eruption

ih-RUHP-shun
This word is from Latin.
noun
a sudden burst or discharge.
The 1883 volcanic eruption of Krakatoa in Indonesia killed an estimated 36,000 people.
291. escalator

ES-kuh-lay-ter
This word originated as a trademark.
noun
a staircase that moves continuously.
The security guard caught Jason running down the “up” escalator at Liberty Mall.
292. escapade

ES-kuh-payd
Originally from a Latin word, this word passed through Italian to French.
noun
an adventure or experience involving action that runs counter to set rules of conservative behavior or approved conduct.
When Mrs. Khan heard the thunderous clatter from the attic, she wondered what kind of escapade the twins were up to this time.
293. essential

ih-SEN-shul
This word is from Latin.
adjective
having the most fundamental quality or attribute peculiar to or necessary to its kind.
Larry’s essential self-reliance was tested when he broke his leg.
294. establishment

ih-STAB-lish-munt
This word is from a part that went from Latin to French to English plus an English element.
noun
the act of starting or creating something.
The establishment of an after-school spelling club made the school spelling bee much more competitive.
295. evaluate

ih-VAL-yuh-wayt
Originally Latin, this word went through French before becoming English.
verb
to judge the qualities of.
Chris is one of three employees who will evaluate the project's potential for profit.
296. ewe

yoo
This word is originally English.
noun
a female sheep, especially when mature.
The ewe was very proud of her little lamb twins.
297. exaggerate

ig-ZA-juh-rayt
This word is from Latin.
verb
to overstate.
Fishermen often exaggerate when describing the size of their catches.
298. excursion

ik-SKUR-zhun
This word is from Latin.
noun
a short, fun trip.
Dad took the family on a one-day excursion to Boston to see the Red Sox play.
299. exercise

EK-sur-sahyz
This word is from a Latin word that became French and then English.
verb
to move the body to develop stamina or physical fitness.
The sports teams exercise in the gymnasium when it rains or snows.
300. existence

ig-ZIS-tuns
This word came to English from French, which formed it from a Latin word.
noun
the state or fact of having being especially as considered independently of human consciousness and as contrasted with the negation of being.
Some scientists believe that a high-oxygen atmosphere is necessary for the existence of life on planets outside our solar system.
301. expansion

ik-SPAN-chun
This word is from Latin.
noun
the act or process of increasing in extent, size, number, volume, or scope.
Jibran was not a fan of Zaara's expansion of her pillow fort into his room, arguing that it disrupted his personal space.
302. expedition

eks-puh-DISH-un
This originally Latin word passed through French before becoming English.
noun
a journey, voyage, or excursion undertaken for a specific purpose.
The climbing team’s expedition to summit the mountain was full of breathtaking views and even more breathtaking moments of panic when Jake tried to take a group selfie on the cliff edge.
303. explode

ik-SPLOHD
This word is from Latin.
verb
to cause to burst noisily : to detonate.
Sam hopes that they will explode one or two more fireworks before the display is over.
304. extensive

ik-STEN-siv
The first part of this word went from Latin to English and the second part is an English element.
adjective
having a wide scope.
The documentary series covered an extensive array of topics regarding America in the 1920s.
305. extinct

ek-STINKT
This word came to English from Latin.
adjective
having completely died out.
Nancy, who enjoys reading books about the natural world, is especially interested in the dodo and other extinct animals.
306. extinguish

ik-STING-gwish
The first part of this word is from an originally Latin word, and the second part is from English.
verb
to cause (as a fire or light) to stop burning.
During the Fourth of July festivities, it was Georgia's responsibility to extinguish any embers or fires after the fireworks had been set off.
307. extracurricular

ek-struh-kuh-RIK-yuh-lur
This word is made up of originally Latin parts.
adjective
relating to organized student activities usually carrying no academic credit.
Among the school's extracurricular activities are soccer, drama and robotics.
308. extradition

ek-struh-DISH-un
This word came from French, which formed it from Latin elements.
noun
the surrender of an alleged criminal usually under the provisions of a treaty or statute by one country, state, or other power to another having jurisdiction to try the charge.
Mrs. Thorpe was arrested in Arkansas but is fighting extradition to Missouri, where she allegedly sold stolen goods.
309. extraordinaire

ik-stror-duh-NER
This word came from French, which formed it from a Latin word.
adjective
markedly exceptional.
Laurie considered herself a punster extraordinaire — no matter what her friends and family said.
310. exude

ig-ZOOD
This word is from Latin.
verb
to diffuse : to give off.
The candidate knew that she needed to exude confidence during the upcoming debates.
311. facade

fuh-SAHD
This word went from Latin through Italian to French.
noun
the front of a building.
Colin took a series of photographs of the facade of the 18th-century church for his photo blog.
312. factorial

fak-TOR-ee-ul
This word is from a word that went from Latin to French to English plus an English element.
adjective
involving or based on replication with a variable introduced in each replicate.
A factorial design is the most common way to frame a study of two or more variables perceived to be independent.
313. fadeaway

FAYD-uh-way
This word consists of a part that passed from Latin to French to English plus an originally English part.
noun
in basketball, a shot made or attempted while moving away from the basket.
Jessie sank a fadeaway that put her team into the lead.
314. fallacy

FAL-uh-see
This word is from Latin.
noun
a seemingly plausible argument or reasoning based on incorrect or invalid logic.
Though Ben’s argument may seem credible, it is pure fallacy.
315. fanatic

fuh-NAT-ik
This word is from Latin.
noun
a person exhibiting excessive enthusiasm and intense uncritical devotion; broadly : an enthusiast.
Irene, an exercise fanatic, criticizes anyone who has no regular workout program.
316. feeble

FEE-bul
Originally Latin, this word went through French before becoming English.
adjective
markedly lacking in normal strength or endurance : weak.
Hal quickly realized that his grandmother was much more feeble than she was the last time he saw her.
317. fellowship

FEL-oh-ship
The first part of this word went from Old Norse to English and the second part is originally English.
noun
a sum of money granted by an educational institution, organization, or foundation for research or for creative writing.
Leona was awarded an arts fellowship that supported her while she continued to paint.
318. felonious

fuh-LOH-nee-us
The first part of this word is probably Frankish in origin but passed through Latin and French, and the second part is from English.
adjective
relating to a crime that is more serious than a misdemeanor offense.
The lawyer listed the felonious charges she was bringing forth against the defendant.
319. ferret

FER-ut
Originally Latin, this word went through French before becoming English.
noun
a fur-bearing mammal of Europe that is usually albino with red eyes and used to hunt rodents.
Riley’s ferret comes to her for a reward every time Riley squeezes a squeaky toy.
320. fervently

FUR-vunt-lee
The first part of this word came to English from Latin-derived French, and the second part of this word is from English.
adverb
in a manner marked by often deep intensity of feeling or expression.
Christopher spoke fervently about his desire for more dessert and fewer vegetables at every meal.
321. fez

fez
This word comes from French, which took it from a Moroccan geographical name.
noun
a brimless cone-shaped hat, usually made of red felt, that has a flat crown usually with a long tassel attached.
In 1925, Kamal Ataturk passed a law that forced all men to wear Western-style hats in public places instead of the traditional fez.
322. fiction

FIK-shun
Originally Latin, this word went through French before becoming English.
noun
literature created by imagination (as novels, tales, romances, etc.).
Eve spends every spare moment reading the latest best-selling fiction.
323. fie

fahy
This word is from a French word that then became English.
interjection
— used to express disgust, dislike, or the affectation of being shocked.
“fie!” shouted the pirate as he turned around and faced the captain of the ship.
324. fiendishly

FEEN-dish-lee
This word is originally English.
adverb
in an extremely cruel or wicked manner.
Baron von Badguy chuckled fiendishly as he began cutting the rope.
325. filar

FAHY-lur
This word came from a Latin word plus an English part.
adjective
having threads across the field of display.
Mrs. Jensen instructed the students to use a filar microscope to take a more accurate measurement of their specimen.
326. filbert

FIL-burt
This word is from a Frankish name that passed into French and then English.
noun
a hazelnut.
Bette can always be counted on to steal the last filbert from the can of mixed nuts.
327. financier

fin-un-SIHR
This word was formed in French from Latin-derived French parts.
noun
a large-scale investor.
Marv’s uncle, a Boston financier, volunteers one day a week in a soup kitchen.
328. fission

FISH-un
This word is from Latin.
noun
the process or an instance of cleaving, splitting or breaking up into parts.
Nuclear fission is currently the main source of nuclear power.
329. flabbergast

FLA-bur-gast
This origin of this word is unknown.
verb
to overwhelm with shock or wonder (as by unexpected news).
Barb expected that the news of her election win would flabbergast her parents.
330. flashback

FLASH-bak
This word consists of two originally English elements.
noun
a literary or theatrical technique that involves interruption of the chronological sequence of events by interjection of events or scenes that happened earlier.
The movie used a flashback to show the early family life of the main character.
331. fleeciness

FLEES-ee-nus
This word is from English.
noun
the state of being covered with a coat of wool.
Little Anya was enchanted by the fleeciness of the week-old lamb and couldn't stop hugging and petting it.
332. fleetness

FLEET-nis
Both parts of this word are English in origin.
noun
the quality or state of being nimble.
The dancer in the New York City Ballet possessed fleetness and grace in every performance.
333. flexitarian

flek-suh-TER-ee-un
The first part of this word is from an originally Latin word that passed through French before becoming English, and the second part is from a word that consists of a part that went from Latin to English and an English element.
noun
one whose normally meatless diet occasionally includes meat or fish.
Having reduced her meat intake to once or twice a week, Isobel now considers herself a flexitarian.
334. flight

flahyt
This word is originally English.
noun
a journey or voyage through the air.
Jerry fell asleep during the transatlantic flight.
335. flipperling

FLIH-pur-ling
This word consists of a part that is probably originally imitative plus two English elements.
noun
a small animal with broad flat limbs adapted for swimming (as a baby seal).
Phoebe’s favorite poem is Rudyard Kipling’s “Seal Lullaby,” which features a mother seal singing to her young flipperling.
336. floridly

FLOR-ud-lee
The first part of this word is from Latin, and the second part is from English.
adverb
in an excessively ornate manner.
The restaurant's website describes its dishes so floridly that even a burger and fries sounds like a gourmet meal.
337. flounder

FLAUN-dur
This word is from a Scandinavian word that came into English.
verb
to proceed clumsily and usually self-consciously : to muddle.
When players flounder on the field, the coach quickly replaces them.
338. flourish

FLUR-ish
This word is from a word that passed from Latin into French and then English.
verb
to thrive.
Maryanne learned that petunias flourish in sunny locations with well-drained soil.
339. flout

flaut
This word is probably from an English word.
verb
to treat with contempt : to mock : to insult.
It is not uncommon for students who flout basic school policies to be suspended.
340. fluctuation

fluk-chuh-WAY-shun
This word is from Latin.
noun
a wavering, variability or changeability (such as of prices).
Investors were nervous about the big fluctuation in stock prices.
341. fluid

FLOO-ud
This word went from Latin to French.
adjective
likely to move or change : not fixed.
One of Cassie's favorite things about her new job was that it offered a fluid work schedule.
342. flummery

FLUM-ur-ee
This word is from Welsh.
noun
any of several sweet dishes; especially : a molded cold sweet of cereal with fruit or nuts.
Mary Berry asked the bakers to make her a traditional lemon flummery.
343. foible

FOY-bul
This word is from Latin-derived French.
noun
a weakness.
Esme's worst foible, according to her husband, is her tendency to hog the popcorn tub at the movies.
344. folate

FOH-layt
This word is made up of originally Latin elements.
noun
a vitamin of the vitamin B complex that is required for normal production of red blood cells and occurs chiefly in green leafy vegetables.
folate is crucial during early pregnancy, and is an essential component of prenatal vitamins.
345. folly

FAH-lee
This word is from a Latin-derived French word.
noun
a thoughtless act or irrational idea : an unconsidered or unwise procedure.
Mr. Luttrell’s scheme was the despairing folly of a powerful man who could not bear to grow old.
346. fomentation

foh-mun-TAY-shun
This word is from Latin.
noun
the action of inciting or instigating.
The fomentation of revolution in colonial America took place over a number of years and involved many well-known men.
347. foosball

FOOZ-bahl
This word probably came from a German word which was based on an English word.
noun
a table game like soccer in which figures attached to rods are used to move the ball.
Gabe challenged Dmitri to a game of foosball at the arcade.
348. foozle

FOO-zul
This word is perhaps from a German dialect word.
verb
to manage or play unskillfully or awkwardly.
Both Ted and Tim usually foozle the second hole of the golf course, even though they play it several times per week.
349. foppery

FAHP-uh-ree
This word is originally English.
noun
foolish character or action : absurdity.
There was so much foppery and nonsense in the sitcom that Jerry found it hard to enjoy.
350. forensics

fuh-REN-ziks
This word is from Latin.
plural noun
scientific analysis of material evidence, typically from a crime scene.
Latrice is studying forensics in school and hopes to work with a crime scene unit in a police department after graduation.
351. forfeit

FOR-fut
Originally Latin, this word went through French before becoming English.
verb
to lose the right to something because of an error or crime.
In many states, individuals convicted of a felony forfeit their right to vote.
352. forgeable

FOR-juh-bul
Originally Latin, this word went through French before becoming English.
adjective
capable of being heated and hammered into a particular shape.
The engineers developed new ways of making steel more forgeable.
353. formalize

FOR-muh-lahyz
The first part of this word went from Latin to French to English, and the second part is from English.
verb
to render exact or orderly.
Leticia asked her calligrapher to formalize the seating cards for her upcoming wedding.
354. fortification

for-tuh-fih-KAY-shun
Originally Latin, this word went through French before becoming English.
noun
works built to defend a location or position.
The fortification at the bridge kept enemy forces from entering the town.
355. fractions

FRAK-shunz
This word is from Latin.
plural noun
numbers that indicate that one number is being divided by another.
In class, Hannah is learning how to multiply fractions.
356. frailty

FRAYL-tee
This word went from Latin to French to English.
noun
the quality or state of being easily destroyed, unlikely to succeed, or quick to die.
The snowflake’s frailty is exceeded only by its beauty.
357. freegan

FREE-gun
This word consists of a part that is originally English and a part that is from a Latin-derived English word.
noun
an activist who scavenges for unused food (as in waste receptacles) as a means of reducing consumption of resources.
Chaz became a freegan after reading an article about the amount of fresh vegetables restaurants waste each year.
358. freight

frayt
This word comes from either a Dutch or German word.
noun
cargo.
The semi truck was delivering its freight to a vendor in Arkansas.
359. fribble

FRIB-ul
This word is of unknown origin.
verb
to act in a trifling or foolish manner.
Mr. Clyde said that students who fribble during study hall will receive detention.
360. frisket

FRIS-kit
This word is from Germanic-derived French.
noun
a sheet stretched in a frame with parts cut out to lay over an inked form so that only specific parts will be printed.
Anneli used a frisket to ensure that her design would be printed just as she envisioned.
361. frock

frahk
This word is from an originally Germanic word that passed from French to English.
noun
a dress.
Josephine's new frock was ruined when she tripped and fell in a muddy puddle.
362. frontier

fruhn-TIR
This word came to English from Latin-derived French.
noun
a region that makes up the edge of developed or settled territory.
Daniel Boone is famous for having explored the American frontier.
363. fundamental

fun-duh-MEN-tul
This word is from a word that went from Latin to English.
adjective
basic : underlying.
The ability to recognize and interpret symbols is fundamental to the skill of reading.
364. funnel

FUH-nul
Originally Latin, this word passed into Old Provençal and then English.
noun
a tool shaped like a hollow cone with a tube extending from the narrowest point used to direct a liquid or other flowing substance.
To avoid a spill, Mary Ann uses a funnel when refilling the windshield washer fluid in her car.
365. furnace

FUR-nis
This word is from a Latin word that became French and then English.
noun
an instrument for the production or distribution of heat.
Fortunately, the weather turned warmer the same week Ernie’s furnace stopped working.
366. futility

fyoo-TIL-uh-tee
This word is from Latin.
noun
uselessness.
Cecilia’s mother finally concluded that trying to look younger was an exercise in futility.
367. gab

gab
This word is probably short for a word of imitative origin.
noun
idle talk.
Sylvain considers himself a brilliant conversationalist and is irked when his roommate alludes to his "gift for gab."
368. gaffer

GAF-ur
This word is probably from an originally English word.
noun
an electrician in charge of the lighting of motion-picture or television sets.
The gaffer tried various lighting techniques to see which would be most consistent with the mood of the scene.
369. gaggle

GAG-ul
This word is originally English.
noun
a flock of geese.
The gaggle could become aggressive if any creature came too close to its nesting sites.
370. gallant

GAL-unt
This word is from an originally Germanic word that became French before becoming English.
adjective
brave, dashing, and generous.
The press conference featured speeches in praise of the gallant adventurers who had rescued the lost hikers.
371. galley

GAL-ee
This word is from a word that went from Greek probably to Old Provençal or Old Catalan, then French, and then English.
noun
a large low ship propelled by both sails and oars and used throughout medieval times especially in the Mediterranean.
The restored eighteenth-century galley is on display in the harbor.
372. gardenesque

gahr-dun-ESK
The first part of this word is from an originally Germanic word that became French before becoming English, and the second part is an English element.
adjective
resembling a plot of cultivated land devoted to the growing of herbs, fruits, flowers, or vegetables.
After Rosita had covered it with potted plants and vines, her once dreary concrete balcony became almost gardenesque.
373. gargle

GAHR-gul
This word is a modification of a French word of imitative origin.
verb
to hold liquid in the mouth or throat and keep it in motion by a stream of air from the lungs.
Dr. Tims instructed her patient to gargle salt water twice a day to help ease his sore throat.
374. garniture

GAHR-nih-chur
This word is from a French word, which formed it from an ultimately Germanic word.
noun
the material in fireworks that creates the showy effect in the sky.
Lin Yu calculated how much garniture would be needed to create the special fireworks for the Independence Day celebration.
375. gateway

GAYT-way
Both parts of this word are originally English.
noun
a means of entrance or sometimes egress.
For some young athletes, playing in high school and college leagues is a gateway to a professional sports career.
376. gaucho

GAU-choh
This word probably went from Quechua to Spanish to English.
noun
a cowboy on the plains east of the Andes in South America.
The Argentinian gaucho wore a distinctive wool poncho and a flat-brimmed leather hat.
377. gazette

guh-ZET
This word came from Italian through French.
noun
a newspaper.
The revised banking law was published in the government gazette.
378. generalization

jen-rul-uh-ZAY-shun
This word is from a French word that was formed from originally Latin and Greek elements plus an originally Latin element.
noun
the result of the process of rendering concepts, ideas, or notions that are approximate rather than strictly accurate applicable to a wider class.
Alexandra disagreed with her mother’s generalization that “all video games are a waste of time,” pointing out that playing "Animal Crossing" had helped her learn about economics.
379. genteel

jen-TEEL
This word came from French, which formed it from a Latin word.
adjective
courteous.
Despite his genteel manner, Senator Smith could be a ruthless opponent.
380. ghastly

GAST-lee
This word is originally English.
adjective
terrible.
Getting stuck on a roller coaster for hours only added to Gloria's ghastly experience at the amusement park.
381. giggle

GIG-ul
This word is an imitative word.
verb
to laugh in a silly manner.
Even when her children giggle loudly during a game of hide and seek in the house, Mrs. Welch pretends that she simply cannot find them.
382. gist

jist
This word is from a Latin word that became French and then English.
noun
the main point or material part (as of a question or debate).
The gist of Bertina’s argument was that starting school an hour later meant students would get more sleep.
383. gizzard

GIZ-urd
This word is perhaps from an Iranian word that passed from Latin to French to English.
noun
the muscular enlargement of the alimentary canal of birds that immediately follows the crop and serves to grind food.
Aunt Lena enjoys a good deep-fried chicken gizzard.
384. glacier

GLAY-shur
This word came from French, which formed it from a Latin word.
noun
a large body of ice moving slowly down a slope or valley or spreading outward on a land surface.
The melting of the glacier had accelerated due to climate change, raising concerns about rising sea levels and environmental impact.
385. glint

glint
This word is originally English.
verb
shine usually by reflection : sparkle.
The morning sun caused the dew on the grass to glint like a field of tiny diamonds.
386. glossary

GLAH-suh-ree
This word is from Latin.
noun
a collection of terms limited to a special area of knowledge or usage.
Without a glossary, understanding the medical textbook felt like reading a foreign language.
387. gnarled

nahrld
This word is probably from an originally English word.
adjective
twisted, bent or warped as if with knots.
Rheumatoid arthritis caused the gnarled appearance of Grandmother’s fingers.
388. gnome

nohm
This word is from an originally Latin word that passed to French.
noun
an ageless often deformed dwarf creature of folklore conceived as living in the earth and usually guarding precious ores or treasure.
The new garden gnome with a mischievous grin standing guard in Ayla's yard became the talk of the neighborhood.
389. Godspeed

GAHD-SPEED
This word is from an originally English phrase.
noun
a wish for success given at parting — sometimes used as an interjection.
"Good luck and Godspeed" were the last words that the Apollo 11 astronauts heard before lifting off to the moon.
390. goober

GOO-bur
This word is of Bantu origin.
noun
peanut — used in the South and Midlands.
Wyatt opened the salted goober and pried out the delicious treat inside.
391. googly

GOO-glee
The origin of this word is unknown.
noun
a bowled ball in cricket that breaks from the off side to the leg side with a leg-break action.
Jasprit's googly left the batsman utterly confused, getting a wicket and securing a victory for his team.
392. gossip

GAH-sup
This word is originally English.
noun
rumor or behind-the-scenes information usually of a personal nature.
“Turn a deaf ear to gossip,” advised Mrs. Dunbar.
393. gotcha

GAH-chuh
This word is from an English phrase comprised of a word that went from Old Norse to English plus an originally English word.
noun
an unexpected and usually disconcerting challenge, revelation, or problem.
The debate deteriorated into the candidates trading one gotcha after another, while none of them addressed the truly pressing issues.
394. graham

gram
This word is from an American name.
adjective
made of or mostly of whole wheat flour.
Regina used graham crackers to make the crust of her famous chocolate pie.
395. grandeur

GRAN-jur
This word came from French, which formed it from a Latin word.
noun
the quality of being magnificent, impressive or majestic particularly to the view.
When he toured Versailles, Sameer was stunned by the grandeur of the French palace.
396. grapple

GRAP-ul
This word is from Germanic-derived French.
verb
to attempt to deal : to cope.
The book tries to grapple with the question of why so many are hungry while so much food is wasted.
397. gridiron

GRID-ahyrn
The first part of this word went from Latin to French to English and the second part is originally English.
noun
a football field.
Remy’s secret childhood dream was to be a star of the gridiron, but as he grew older he realized racquetball was more his forte.
398. griefful

GREEF-ful
The first part of this word went from Latin to French to English and the second part is from English.
adjective
sorrowful, anguished.
The dad patiently endured his toddler's griefful wails that she needed to watch another episode of Sesame Street before her nap.
399. groom

groom
This word is originally English.
verb
to take care of the coat of an animal, such as a horse, by brushing, combing, currying, or something similar.
Every day the twins groom their horse’s coat until it shines sleekly.
400. grotto

GRAH-toh
This word came from Italian, which formed it from a Latin word.
noun
a usually arched recess or hollow place making a natural shelter and formed by or resembling the mouth of a cave.
Bernadette reported having seen visions of the Virgin Mary at a grotto on the outskirts of Lourdes, France.
401. grout

grout
This word is originally English.
noun
thin mortar fluid enough to be poured and used for filling in spaces as in the joints of masonry or brickwork.
Randy carefully spread new grout and set the tiles into the counter top.
402. gruel

GROO-ul
This word is from an originally Germanic word that passed to French before becoming English.
noun
a thin porridge.
As part of her report on Oliver Twist, Isabella made and brought in gruel for her entire class to try.
403. gymnastics

jim-NAS-tiks
This word went from Greek to Latin to French to English.
plural noun
systematic physical exercises including performance on rings, bars, or another apparatus that are designed to promote strength, flexibility, agility, coordination and body control.
Simone took up both gymnastics and cheerleading when she was 8 years old.
404. habitual

ha-BICH-uh-wul
This word is from Latin.
adjective
established through a settled tendency of behavior or normal manner of procedure.
Brian had to explain his habitual tardiness to the assistant principal.
405. haggle

HAG-ul
This word was formed from an English word of Scandinavian origin.
verb
to wrangle or bargain.
Buyers often haggle over prices simply to make themselves feel as if they have gotten a good deal.
406. handle

HAN-dul
This word is originally English.
verb
to manage : to control.
Karl will handle the financial aspects of the project, and Esther will manage the project team.
407. handyman

HAN-dee-man
This word is composed of originally English parts.
noun
a person who performs miscellaneous or routine tasks, such as at a home or laboratory.
The house was in good shape, and only needed a few tasks done by the local handyman.
408. hangar

HANG-ur
This word came from French, which probably formed it from a Latin word.
noun
a covered and usually enclosed area or a large shed for housing and repairing aircraft (as airplanes).
The huge, empty hangar made Ms. Bostock feel very small.
409. haphazard

hap-HA-zurd
The first part of this word went from Old Norse to English and the second part of this word went from Arabic to French to English.
adjective
made or selected according to chance or speculation rather than considered judgment or knowledge : aimless, random.
The apartment’s haphazard furniture arrangement made it look untidy.
410. hardtack

HAHRD-tak
This word is comprised of an originally English part and a part whose origin is unknown.
noun
a hard biscuit or loaf bread made from flour and water without salt.
hardtack was a widely disliked ration for soldiers in the American Civil War.
411. harrowing

HA-roh-ing
This word is originally English.
adjective
agonizing.
Going through airport security with three small children was harrowing for their mother.
412. hatchet

HACH-ut
This word is from a Germanic-derived French word that then became English.
noun
a small ax with a short handle, chiefly used for cutting and chopping.
The firefighter used a hatchet to break a small passageway through the burning building.
413. hazardous

HAZ-ur-dus
Originally Arabic, this word went into French before being adopted by English.
adjective
exposed or exposing one to a possible source of peril, danger, duress, or difficulty.
Walking through Xavier's room barefoot was a hazardous adventure, with hidden LEGO pieces waiting to attack unsuspecting feet.
414. hazelnut

HAY-zul-nut
This word consists of two originally English elements.
noun
a brown hard-shelled dry fruit produced by a tree and having an edible inner portion.
Vladimir sprinkled the last few pieces of chopped hazelnut on top of his ice cream sundae.
415. headlong

HED-long
This word is originally English.
adverb
without delay or pause : in a rush.
The campers moved headlong to the dining hall when the dinner bell rang.
416. heavenly

HEV-un-lee
This word is originally English.
adjective
delightful or remarkably pleasant.
Georgia couldn't stand to be stuck inside at work on such a heavenly day.
417. heiress

AYR-is
This word is from a word that went from Latin to French to English plus an ultimately Greek-derived English part that went through Latin and French.
noun
a female who inherits great wealth.
Antoine dreamed that he married an heiress and moved to an island.
418. heist

hahyst
This word is probably from an alteration of an imitative Dutch or German word.
noun
the act of breaking into and robbing an establishment, such as a bank.
The suspects were arrested in connection with the bank heist after a high-speed chase on the interstate.
419. heraldic

heh-RAL-dik
This word is from a Latin-derived French word.
adjective
of or relating to the art or practice of an officer of arms including the devising, blazoning, and granting of armorial insignia, the investigation of persons' rights to use arms or particular armorial ensigns, the tracing and recording of pedigrees, the settling of questions of precedence, the marshaling of processions, and the supervision of public ceremonies.
Mr. Choi taught his students that heraldic symbols were like medieval team jerseys, allowing knights to distinguish between enemies and allies during battles.
420. hermitage

HUR-mih-tij
This word consists of an element that went from Greek to Latin to French to English plus an element that went from Latin to French to English.
noun
a secluded residence or private retreat.
Dave's father has always dreamed of living in the city during the week and escaping to some country hermitage on the weekends.
421. Highlands

HAHY-lundz
This word is from a Scottish geographical name.
geographical entry
the chiefly mountainous northern part of Scotland.
Ashok's chief goal for his trip to the Highlands was to climb to the summit of Ben Nevis.
422. hijab

hee-JAHB
This word is from Arabic.
noun
the traditional covering for the hair and neck that is worn by Muslim women.
Zaara has a beautiful fuchsia hijab that she wears just for the holy day of Eid al-Fitr.
423. hoagies

HOH-geez
This word is of unknown origin.
plural noun
large sandwiches made of two slabs of bread cut lengthwise and usually containing meat, cheese, tomato, lettuce, and pickles.
Jake and Angela had fries and steak hoagies for lunch.
424. hoarse

hors
This word is originally English.
adjective
having a voice marked by a relatively low harsh or husky often muffled or laboriously forced quality of sound having little or no resonance.
After a marathon karaoke session with her friends, Amra's voice was so hoarse that her attempts to order coffee sounded like a ghost straight out of a horror movie.
425. hoax

hohks
This word is probably from an English word that was probably influenced by Latin.
noun
an act intended to trick or dupe.
Sarah forwarded the e-mail message, unaware she was participating in a hoax.
426. hobble

HAH-bul
This word is originally English.
verb
to walk with a halting, labored movement.
In a three-legged race, couples who coordinate their strides usually beat those who hobble to the finish line.
427. homesteader

HOHM-steh-dur
This word consists of originally English elements.
noun
the possessor of a tract of land usually consisting of 160 acres acquired from U.S. public lands by filing a record and living on and cultivating the tract.
Will’s great-grandfather was a homesteader on the frontier, living frugally and on whatever he could grow on the land.
428. horseradish

HORS-rad-ish
The first part of this word is originally English and the second part is originally Latin.
noun
a condiment made of the pungent grated root of a tall coarse white-flowered herb often moistened with vinegar or a similar substance.
Hanz likes to eat his bratwurst topped with horseradish and pickles.
429. hostile

HAH-stul
This word went from Latin to French.
adjective
marked by unfriendliness or opposition.
Though initially hostile, the relationship between Jeanette's new puppy and her cat eventually improved.
430. howler

HAU-lur
This word is originally English.
noun
a glaringly stupid and ridiculous blunder especially in the use of words.
Jerrod was amazed to discover a howler right on the front page of the newspaper.
431. humdrum

HUM-drum
This word is from an originally English word.
adjective
having a routine or commonplace character : lacking interest, excitement, or sparkle.
Ethan’s hometown was so humdrum that the biggest event of the year was when a new bench was added to the local park.
432. husk

husk
This word probably came to English from a Dutch word.
noun
one of the leaves enveloping an ear of corn.
Dani composted the corn husk that had covered her delicious tamale.
433. hydra

HAHY-druh
This word is from an originally Greek word that passed into Latin and then into French and then English.
noun
a many-sided problem that presents new difficulties each time one aspect of it is solved.
World peace is a hydra that no one has yet solved.
434. hydrant

HAHY-drunt
The first part of this word is from an originally Greek word, and the second part is from English.
noun
a discharge pipe with a valve and spout at which water may be drawn from pipes or ducts from the flow of the waterworks system.
City workers affixed a metal rod with a red diamond vertically to the hydrant so that firefighters could find it in the snow.
435. iceberg

AHYS-burg
This word was probably adopted into and influenced by English from a Danish or Norwegian word whose second part was derived from Old Norse.
noun
a very large piece of frozen water broken from a glacier that floats freely in the ocean.
The naturalist took a picture of a lone penguin standing on an iceberg.
436. Icelandic

ahy-SLAN-dik
This words consists of a Nordic geographical name plus an English combining form.
adjective
relating to a language of the people from an island near the Arctic Ocean southeast of Greenland.
There are 14 vowels and 18 consonants in the Icelandic alphabet.
437. illustrator

IL-uh-stray-tur
This word is from Latin.
noun
an artist that makes a pictures or drawings or diagrams (as for books, magazines, advertising copy) that helps make something clear or more helpful or attractive.
As an illustrator, Natalie had the unique ability to bring stories to life with her vibrant artwork.
438. imposing

im-POH-zing
This word went from Latin to French, plus an English element.
adjective
commanding attention due to magnificence, stature, size, or scope.
Aunt Elspeth seemed an imposing figure at first, but really she was a sweetheart.
439. inclusion

in-KLOO-zhun
This word is from Latin.
noun
the state of being taken in as a part of a larger group, class, or principle.
The inclusion of a written essay dismayed students who were hoping the test would be entirely multiple choice.
440. income

IN-kum
This word is from English.
noun
a gain or recurrent benefit that is usually measured in money and for a given period of time.
Bobby took his friends out to dinner to celebrate getting a new job that would nearly double his annual income.
441. individual

in-duh-VIJ-uh-wuhl
This word passed from Latin to English.
noun
a particular person.
Examining the footsteps, the detective said that the individual in question walked through the garden before reaching the house.
442. infiltrate

IN-fil-trayt
This word consists of an English part plus an originally Latin element.
verb
to enter or become established in something over time or in a way that isn't obvious and in large numbers.
The group advocating for additional recess was finally able to infiltrate student council to the point that a formal motion was passed.
443. infirm

in-FURM
This word is from Latin.
adjective
of poor or deteriorated vitality especially due to age : feeble.
Though he grew increasingly infirm, Richard's mind was still as sharp as a tack.
444. influential

in-floo-EN-chul
This word is from a word that went from Latin to French to English plus an English element.
adjective
having authority : important.
Some art historians consider Pablo Picasso the most influential artist of the 20th century.
445. inglorious

in-GLOR-ee-us
This word is from Latin.
adjective
not bringing honor or accompanied with fame.
After her inglorious performance in the basketball game, Sofia had no desire to go meet her parents in the stands.
446. injunction

in-JUNGK-shun
This word is from Latin-derived French.
noun
a writ granted by a court of equity whereby one is required to do or to refrain from doing a specified act.
The court issued a temporary injunction against the sale of the allegedly forged work of art.
447. insight

IN-sahyt
This word is originally English.
noun
clear and immediate understanding.
According to popular legend, Isaac Newton was granted sudden insight into the laws of gravity when an apple fell on his head.
448. insomnia

in-SAHM-nee-uh
This word is from Latin.
noun
prolonged and usually abnormal inability to get enough sleep : abnormal wakefulness : sleeplessness.
Sirjana’s doctor suggests that her insomnia may be caused by the emotional stress of her new job.
449. installation

in-stuh-LAY-shun
Originally Latin, this word went through French before becoming English.
noun
an art piece usually with many parts arranged in a particular way.
There was a line around the block for the opening of the famous artist's new installation at the contemporary art museum.
450. intellectual

in-tul-EK-chuh-wul
This word passed from Latin to French to English.
noun
one given to study and reflection especially concerning large, profound or abstract issues.
The guidance counselor told the student that she should embrace being an intellectual.
451. intertidal

in-tur-TAHY-dul
This word is formed from a Latin part plus an originally English word and an English element.
adjective
of, relating to, or being the part of the shore zone that is above the lowest mark of the usually twice-daily falling of the surface of the ocean.
Organisms that live in the intertidal zone must be particularly adaptable to a wide range of conditions.
452. intricate

IN-trih-kit
This word went from Latin to English.
adjective
having many interwinding or complexly interrelating parts or elements and being, as a result, perplexing and hard to execute or grasp in detail.
Jason listened intently as the clockmaker described the intricate internal mechanism of the clock.
453. invasive

in-VAY-siv
Originally Latin, this word passed through French before becoming English.
adjective
relating to or being a plant or animal native to a different region that has been introduced into a new environment where it is able to spread rapidly usually to the detriment of native species.
Theresa's dad waged an ongoing war against the invasive kudzu that grew in their backyard.
454. iris

AHY-rus
This word passed from Greek to Latin to English.
noun
a play of colors resembling a rainbow.
The leaking motor oil from the car made a dazzling iris in the parking lot when it rained.
455. irrigation

ir-uh-GAY-shun
This word is from Latin.
noun
the artificial watering of land (such as by pipes) to supply moisture for plant growth.
Farmers resorted to irrigation during the long drought.
456. island

AHY-lund
This word is from an originally English word that was influenced by a Latin-derived French word.
noun
an area of solid earth smaller than a continent and surrounded on all sides by water.
If Diego were trapped on a desert island and could only bring one thing, it would be his cell phone.
457. isms

IZ-umz
This word went from Greek to Latin to French to English.
plural noun
distinctive doctrines, causes, systems, or theories — often used disparagingly.
Constance views the Internet as a welter of competing isms, all mostly talking past each other.
458. isolation

ahy-suh-LAY-shun
This word was formed in French from originally Latin-derived elements.
noun
the action of setting apart from others or the condition of being set apart.
The patient had to be kept in isolation until the doctors could determine the cause of his illness.
459. jammer

JAM-ur
The first part of this word is perhaps of imitative origin, and the second part is from English.
noun
a transmitter that emits a signal that is intended to interfere with or make unintelligible radio or radar signals.
The bunker used a jammer to interrupt all radio and cell phone signals, ensuring that anything said inside would be completely secret.
460. jankers

JANG-kurz
The origin of this word is unknown.
plural noun
confinement, work duty, or drill imposed as punishment on someone in the armed forces — used in Britain.
Derek's untidy uniform and dirty boots got him put on jankers.
461. jersey

JUR-zee
This word is from an English geographical name.
noun
a soft knitted fabric used for making clothing, especially sportswear.
Becky prefers jersey dresses for traveling, because she can pack them tightly without causing them to wrinkle.
462. jitterbug

JIT-ur-bug
This word consists of an unknown part and a part that is originally English.
noun
a dance that originated in Harlem in the 1920s in which couples two-step, balance, and twirl in standardized patterns or with vigorous acrobatics.
Chantal's prized possession is a framed photo of her grandparents dancing the jitterbug during World War II.
463. joinery

JOY-nuh-ree
This word is from a Latin-derived French word that became English plus English elements.
noun
work done by a person whose occupation is to construct articles by fastening together pieces of wood.
Vishnoy admired the nearly seamless joinery on the Hepplewhite table at the auction but couldn’t afford to bid on the piece.
464. junior

JOON-yuhr
This word is from Latin.
adjective
designed for or done by young people, especially adolescents.
Dustin is a goaltender on a junior hockey team, and he hopes to play in the NHL one day.
465. kazoo

kuh-ZOO
This word is an imitative word.
noun
a device into which a person sings or hums and which consists of an open-ended tube with a membrane-covered side hole.
For the concert’s humorous finale, each choir member produced a kazoo and began to hum “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” into it.
466. kennel

KEN-ul
Originally Latin, this word went through French before becoming English.
noun
a shelter for a dog or pack of hounds.
Roscoe plans to help his father build a kennel for their beagles.
467. kenning

KEN-ing
This word is from Old Norse.
noun
a metaphorical compound word or phrase used especially in Old English and Old Norse poetry.
While reading Beowulf, Frieda found a kenning that referred to the ocean as a “whale road.”
468. kernel

KUR-nul
This word is originally English.
noun
a central or necessary part.
A sense of wonder is the kernel around which a good education is built.
469. kilt

kilt
This word comes from a word that came to English from Scandinavian.
noun
a pleated wraparound skirt of Scottish origin, usually made of tartan and reaching from the waist to the knee.
To celebrate his Scottish heritage, Andrew decided that he would get married in his grandfather's kilt.
470. kindred

KIN-drud
This word is from English.
adjective
related.
When Tina and Stacy showed up at back-to-school night wearing the same superhero backpack, they were sure they had found kindred spirits.
471. kiwi

KEE-wee
This word is from an imitative word in Maori, an Austronesian language of New Zealand.
noun
a bird from New Zealand that cannot fly and that has weak wings and a long bill.
An unusual feature of the kiwi is that its nostrils are located at the tip rather than at the base of its long bill.
472. knight

nahyt
This word is originally English.
noun
a mounted man-at-arms of the European feudal period; especially : a man ceremonially inducted by a feudal superior into special military rank usually after completing regular periods of service as page and squire.
The knight was known for both his bravery and his loyalty.
473. knoll

nohl
This word is originally English.
noun
a usually small rounded piece of high land : a mound.
Drusilla lay at the top of the knoll and enjoyed the warmth of the sun.
474. kodak

KOH-dak
This word is from a trademark.
verb
to take photographs with a small hand camera of the same name.
Shijay went to the woods to kodak the emerging spring flowers.
475. kudos

KOO-dahs
This word is from Greek.
noun
praise given for some achievement.
Daphne received kudos from the drama coach after her performance in the school play.
476. labradoodle

LAB-ruh-doo-dul
This word is a blend of a Canadian geographical name and a German word.
noun
a dog that is a cross between a Labrador retriever and a poodle.
Ned bought a labradoodle for his son Milosh because they are considered more allergy-friendly than most other breeds.
477. lactose

LAK-tohs
This word was probably originally formed in French from Latin elements.
noun
a type of sugar that is found in milk.
Sean cannot easily digest lactose, but he can still enjoy pizza as long as it's made with vegan cheese.
478. languish

LANG-gwish
This word passed from Latin to French to English.
verb
to lose strength or vividness : fade.
Because of the ban on watering, the gardener’s plants will languish in the drought.
479. lateral

LA-tuh-rul
This word is from Latin.
adjective
of or relating to the side.
Due to the proximity of the power lines, most of the lateral branches of the tree had to be severely trimmed.
480. latter

LAT-ur
This word is originally English.
adjective
belonging to a subsequent time or period : coming after something else.
Pete spent his latter years in the company trying to find new uses for his earlier inventions.
481. lawyer

LOY-ur
This word is formed from an English word of Scandinavian origin plus an English element.
noun
one whose profession is to conduct lawsuits or to give advice on legal rights and obligations.
Trish's parents thought that her threat to hire a lawyer to negotiate bedtimes with them was a little much.
482. league

leeg
This word went from Latin-derived Italian to French to English.
noun
an association of persons or groups united by common interests or for the achievement of common ends.
Giselle signed up three more participants for her fantasy football league.
483. leaven

LEV-un
Originally Latin, this word went through French before becoming English.
noun
a substance (as yeast) acting or used to produce fermentation in dough or a liquid.
Nina neglected to add the leaven that causes the bread dough to rise.
484. legacy

LEG-uh-see
This word passed from Latin to French to English.
noun
a gift of money or personal property acquired especially through a written will.
Demarius was surprised to learn his grandmother had left him a legacy of $10,000.
485. legitimately

lih-JIT-uh-mut-lee
This word is from a Latin-derived English word plus an English element.
adverb
according to law or rules.
Mabel owned her car legitimately, even though she couldn’t find her title or registration.
486. leisure

LEE-zhur
This word went from Latin to French to English.
noun
time free of engagements or duties that is able to be used however wished.
When Tim retired, he found many ways to occupy his leisure.
487. leotard

LEE-uh-tahrd
This word is from a French name.
noun
a close-fitting garment for the torso that is worn for practice or performance by dancers, acrobats, and aerialists.
In modern dance, performers often wear a very simple leotard.
488. lexicon

LEK-suh-kahn
This word is from Greek.
noun
the words used in a language or by a particular person or group of people.
Margo's dad says that he can't understand most of the lexicon used by teenagers these days.
489. liege

leej
Originally Germanic, this word passed through Latin and French before becoming English.
adjective
having the right to feudal allegiance.
The serfs bowed low before their liege lord.
490. ligament

LIG-uh-munt
This word passed from Latin to English.
noun
a tough band of tissue that serves to connect bones meeting in a join or to keep an organ in place within the body.
The baseball pitcher suffered a torn shoulder ligament and had to be sidelined for several weeks.
491. likelier

LAHYK-lee-ur
This word consists of an originally Old Norse part plus English elements.
adjective
of such a nature as to make something more probable.
When her dog broke through the electric fence, Darlene pondered which was likelier: that he ran into the trees or to the neighbor's house to see his poodle friend.
492. limelight

LAHYM-lahyt
This word consists of two originally English elements.
noun
the center of public attention.
The young actor enjoyed being in the limelight and having millions of fans.
493. linguistics

ling-GWIS-tiks
The first part of this word is from Latin, and the last two parts are from English.
plural noun
the study of human speech in its various aspects (as the structure of a language including phonetics, accent, syntax, semantics, grammar, and the relation between writing and speech).
The professor of linguistics spent more time in class on word formation than he had originally allocated.
494. literally

LIT-uh-ruh-lee
The first part of this word went from Latin to French to English, and the second part is from English.
adverb
without metaphor or exaggeration : explicitly.
Although Mr. Sedgly can always be taken seriously, he should not always be taken literally.
495. liturgy

LIT-ur-jee
This word passed from Greek to Latin.
noun
a rite or series of rites, observances, or procedures prescribed for public worship in the Christian church in accordance with authorized or standard form.
Since the Second Vatican Council, the use of the vernacular, rather than Latin, has become widespread in Catholic liturgy.
496. livid

LIV-ud
This word passed from Latin to French.
adjective
very angry : enraged.
Phillipa was livid when she discovered that her brother had eaten the last piece of her birthday cake.
497. logical

LAH-jih-kuhl
This word is from Greek-derived Latin.
adjective
that is in accordance with inferences reasonably drawn from preceding or surrounding or predictable facts or events or circumstances.
Kendall looked from the broken vase on the floor to the angry face of her father and reached the logical conclusion that she was grounded.
498. luau

LOO-au
This word is from a Hawaiian word.
noun
a feast with Hawaiian food and usually Hawaiian entertainment.
Sabrina wore a grass skirt to the luau.
499. lucky

LUK-ee
This word is formed from a Dutch-derived English word plus an English element.
adjective
producing good results by chance, or having a quality believed to produce success or good fortune.
Before the spelling bee, Natalie made sure her lucky coin was in her pocket.
500. lumbar

LUM-bahr
This word is from Latin.
adjective
related to or near the vertebrae that fall between the thoracic vertebrae and the sacrum.
The doctor informed Sasha that his low back pain was due to a herniated lumbar disc.
501. lupine

LOO-pahyn
This word is from Latin.
adjective
like a wolf.
Little Red Riding Hood should have known right away that the lupine creature in her grandmother’s bed was not really her grandmother.
502. lyricist

LIR-uh-sist
This word is from a part that went from Greek to Latin to French and an English element.
noun
a writer of words of a popular song or musical-comedy number.
Unhappy with the second verse of her new song, the pop star hired a lyricist to write a new one.
503. macaw

muh-KAH
This word is from Portuguese.
noun
a large long-tailed parrot that has bright, showy feathers and lives in Central and South America.
In the background of the painting, Charlie spotted a macaw on a golden perch.
504. madrigal

MAD-rih-gul
This word is from a Latin word that passed through Italian before becoming English.
noun
a homophonic vocal composition of any kind, usually in four parts and often unaccompanied.
Before the seventeenth century, it was unheard of for a madrigal to be performed with accompanying music.
505. magician

muh-JISH-un
This word is from an originally Greek word that passed into Latin and then French before becoming English.
noun
a person who entertains an audience with tricks that seem impossible.
The magician specialized in card tricks.
506. mahogany

muh-HAH-guh-nee
This word is of unknown origin.
noun
a yellowish brown to reddish brown wood of a West Indian tree that is often used for cabinetwork and fine finish work.
Kate’s bedroom furniture is made of solid mahogany.
507. maidenhair

MAY-dn-hayr
This word is originally English.
noun
a palmately branched North American fern.
Tamira was surprised to see her maidenhair begin to thrive as soon as the pot was placed closer to a window.
508. maize

mayz
Originally from Taino, a native Caribbean language, this word passed into Spanish before becoming English.
noun
corn with hard kernels of various colors (as reddish brown, dark purple, and yellow) that is typically used for ornamental purposes.
Mrs. Shawn decorated her classroom for fall with pumpkins, hay bales and maize with multicolored kernels.
509. mambo

MAHM-boh
This word is from American Spanish.
noun
a complex, staccato, usually fast dance related to the rumba and of Cuban origin.
mambo was developed in Cuba in the 1940s and quickly spread to the United States.
510. manacle

MA-nih-kul
Originally Latin, this word went through French before becoming English.
noun
a shackle for the hand or wrist : handcuff.
Mrs. Davidson used pretty fabric and Velcro fasteners to fashion a manacle that would help keep her toddler from wandering away from her at the theme park.
511. manifests

MAN-uh-fests
This word went from Latin to French to English.
verb
shows plainly : makes palpably evident or certain by showing or displaying.
The pop singer's latest album manifests a clear desire to be taken seriously as an artist, with challenging lyrics and ambitious instrumentation.
512. manta

MAN-tuh
This word is from Spanish, which took it from Latin.
noun
a large flattened fish that averages 22 feet in width with a weight reaching 3000 pounds.
Nadeem saw a young male manta while scuba diving in Hawaii.
513. mantra

MAHN-truh
This word is from Sanskrit.
noun
a mystic formula or ritualistic incantation that is used as a devotion in Buddhism and Hinduism.
While awaiting rescue from the earthquake, Ravi recited a mantra to keep his mind off the pain.
514. manure

muh-NUR
This word went from Latin to French to English.
noun
animal waste from stables and barnyards that is used to supply nutrients to soil.
Farmer Brown spread manure on the freshly plowed field before planting crops.
515. manuscript

MAN-yuh-skript
This word is from Latin.
noun
not printed.
Rob bought an eighteenth-century manuscript map from the bookshop as a gift to his father.
516. marathon

MAR-uh-thahn
This word is from a Greek geographical name.
noun
a footrace that is usually 26.2 miles in length.
Ernie’s goal is to become a successful long-distance runner and win at least one major marathon.
517. maritime

MAR-uh-tahym
This word is from Latin.
adjective
of or relating to navigation or commerce on the sea.
After Rishik graduates from college, he plans to join the navy and study maritime law.
518. marooned

muh-ROOND
This word comes to English from Spanish, which formed it from a Latin word.
verb
abandoned on the shore on a desolate island and left to survive or die.
The pirates marooned Jack and Elizabeth on a small desert island.
519. martial

MAHR-shul
This word is from Latin.
adjective
belonging to or having to do with to an army or to military life.
Recruits need to acquire martial skills before being assigned to a combat unit.
520. maternity

muh-TUR-nuh-tee
This word went from Latin to French.
noun
a hospital or a section of a hospital designed for the care of women immediately before and during childbirth and for the care of newborn babies.
Jameela’s favorite part of working in the maternity ward was seeing the thrilled faces of the new parents.
521. matrimony

MA-truh-moh-nee
This word passed from Latin to French to English.
noun
the union of two individuals in social and legal dependence.
The Las Vegas chapel specialized in instant matrimony.
522. mauve

mohv
This word is from an originally Latin word that then became French.
noun
a strong purple.
Drea painted her room mauve and added white curtains and accessories.
523. maximum

MAK-suh-mum
This word is from Latin.
noun
the greatest quantity or value attainable in a given case.
Each question on the test is worth a maximum of eight points.
524. mayhem

MAY-hem
Probably originally of Germanic origin, this word passed into English from French.
noun
needless or willful damage or violence.
The movie was filled with too much violence and mayhem for Kathy.
525. medallion

mih-DAL-yun
This word is from a Latin word that became Italian and then French.
noun
a large coin-shaped piece of metal with an inscription or other device issued to commemorate a person, action or event.
Charlie bought a World War II medallion on eBay.
526. melody

MEL-uh-dee
Originally Greek, this word passed through Latin and French before becoming English.
noun
a group of musical notes played in a series to make the main tune of a song.
Bentley hummed the melody of his favorite song.
527. melted

MEL-tid
This word is originally English.
verb
became softened : became mild, tender, or gentle.
Hetty melted when her son apologized for accidentally shattering the vase.
528. membership

MEM-bur-ship
The first part of this word passed from Latin to French to English, and the second is an English element.
noun
a body of individuals that make up a group, such as an association or a society.
The membership of the Jane Austen Society of North America was comprised mostly of women, but every once in a while a man would join.
529. memes

meemz
This word is from a word that is composed of originally Greek parts.
plural noun
entertaining or interesting items (such as captioned pictures) that are spread widely online usually through social media.
Lindy's teacher told her she couldn't do her history report entirely in internet memes.
530. memorandum

mem-uh-RAN-dum
This word came to English from Latin.
noun
a brief informal communication sent among employees or coworkers.
Britta sent a memorandum to all her employees announcing a change to the company's social media policy.
531. mentor

MEN-tor
This word is from a Greek literary name.
noun
a teacher : a tutor : a coach.
After Helen won the spelling competition, she said that her mother was her mentor.
532. merchandise

MUR-chun-dahys
This word went from Latin to French to English.
noun
goods that are bought and sold in business.
A staggering amount of merchandise was for sale at the band's 20th anniversary reunion concert.
533. mercury

MURK-yuh-ree
This word is from Latin.
noun
a heavy silver-white poisonous element that is the only metal liquid at ordinary temperatures.
Formerly very common, mercury thermometers have been phased out due the toxicity of the element.
534. Merlin

MUR-lun
This word is from an originally Welsh word that passed into Latin before becoming English.
noun
a magician and prophet in Arthurian legend.
According to legend, Merlin helped guide young Arthur to discover the sword in the stone.
535. meteor

MEE-tee-ur
Originally Greek, this word passed through Latin and French before becoming English.
noun
a streak of light in the night sky produced by small particles of solid matter from the solar system passing through Earth's atmosphere.
Hans accidentally captured a meteor on film as he was trying to take pictures of lightning.
536. metrical

MET-rih-kul
The first part of this word is from an originally Greek word that passed into Latin and then French, and the second part is an English element.
adjective
of, determined by, or in rhythm that continuously repeats a single basic pattern or rhythmic system.
The metrical quality of W. S. Gilbert’s poetry appealed to the young children.
537. Michigander

mish-uh-GAN-dur
The first part of this word is from an American geographical name, and the second part is from an originally English word.
noun
a native or resident of a state in the northern U.S. in the Great Lakes region.
Dr. Sietsema calls himself a “Michigander” with a note of pride in his voice.
538. migratory

MAHY-gruh-tor-ee
This word is from Latin.
adjective
marked by periodic movement from one region or climate to another.
The migratory monarch butterflies travel long distances southward in the fall, and those that survive return in the spring.
539. millionaire

MIL-yuh-ner
This word came to English from French, which formed it from an originally Latin word that passed through Italian into French.
noun
a person whose wealth is estimated at 100,000 times 10 or multiples of that (as of dollars).
Tommy lamented that if his allowance remained at 50 cents per week, he'd never become a millionaire by the time he reached eighth grade.
540. mince

mins
Originally Latin, this word went through French before becoming English.
verb
to chop or cut into very little pieces.
Some cooks breathe through their mouths instead of their noses when they mince onions.
541. ministry

MIN-us-tree
This word passed from Latin to English.
noun
a government department entrusted by the chief of state or the executive head of a government with the management of a division of governmental activities.
The ministry of internal affairs worked quickly to suppress the insurrection.
542. minutia

mih-NOO-shuh
This word is from Latin.
noun
a small or precise detail.
Although Bradley enjoyed the talk by the invited speaker, he could not remember every little minutia of the argument.
543. miraculous

mih-RAK-yuh-lus
This word came from French, which formed it from Latin.
adjective
understood as if accomplished through a supernatural or almighty power instead of through natural causes : supernatural.
Juan made a miraculous recovery after the accident.
544. mischief

MIS-chif
This word was formed in French from an originally Germanic element plus a word that passed from Latin to French.
noun
annoying or irritating conduct or behavior that does not cause serious harm.
Hearing the puppy’s thumping and barking, Erica went to investigate the mischief he was creating.
545. missile

MIS-ul
This word is from Latin.
noun
a self-propelling unmanned weapon.
Jordan saw a nuclear missile while touring a Cold War-era launch facility at a park in South Dakota.
546. missive

MIS-iv
Originally Latin, this word went through French before becoming English.
noun
a written and often formal or official letter.
The soldier’s mother was relieved that the missive did not contain tragic news.
547. mister

MIS-tur
This word is from a word that passed from Latin to French to English.
noun
sir – used in direct address.
"Hey, mister," Nadine asked, "would you like to buy some cookies?"
548. mockery

MAHK-ur-ee
This word is from French.
noun
insulting or contemptuous action or speech.
Corrine's mother told her to stop her mockery of their neighbor's taste in music.
549. modality

moh-DAL-uh-tee
This word went from Latin to French before becoming English.
noun
the state of relating to a musical arrangement of the tones of an octave according to one of various fixed schemes of their intervals.
The term "modality" usually refers to music that is neither major nor minor, although the Ionian mode corresponds to the traditional major scale.
550. modem

MOH-dum
This word is made up of Latin-derived English.
noun
a device that converts signals produced by one type of device (as a computer) to a form compatible with another.
When Mariah moved into a new apartment, she bought a new wireless modem to increase her Internet speed.
551. modify

MAH-duh-fahy
Originally Latin, this word went through French before becoming English.
verb
to make a basic or important change in : to alter.
Following his teacher’s advice, Peter will modify his speech to match the sophistication of his audience.
552. modular

MAH-juh-lur
This word is from Latin.
adjective
capable of being easily joined together or arranged with other parts or units.
Clay bought a modular sofa so it would fit perfectly in his living room.
553. molasses

muh-LAS-iz
This word is from a word that went from Latin to Portuguese.
noun
thick brown syrup made from raw sugar.
Mollie always adds molasses to beans before baking them.
554. monastery

MAHN-uh-ster-ee
This word is from an originally Greek word that passed into Latin and then became English.
noun
a house of religious retirement or of seclusion from the world for persons under religious vows.
Last fall Stan attended a retreat at a monastery.
555. monopolize

muh-NAH-puh-lahyz
This word is formed from a word that went from Greek to Latin to English plus an English element.
verb
to have exclusive privilege or possession of.
Sanjay always leaves the room when his parents monopolize the conversation at gatherings.
556. montage

mahn-TAHZH
This word was formed in French from originally Latin parts.
noun
a quick sequence of images in a film or television program that develop a single theme or bridge a time lapse.
The program’s opening credit sequence is a montage of white beaches, swaying palm trees, racing boats and attractive sunbathers.
557. moped

MOH-ped
This word was formed in Swedish from two originally Latin words.
noun
a lightweight low-powered motorcycle that can be pedaled.
Klara rarely turns on the engine of her moped unless she’s going uphill.
558. morose

muh-ROHS
This word is from Latin.
adjective
marked by or expressive of gloom.
The basketball team was morose after losing in the state finals.
559. mummified

MUM-uh-fahyd
This word is from a word that went from Persian to Arabic to Latin to French to English plus English elements.
verb
embalmed and dried (as the body of an animal).
Archeologists found a mummified cat in the pharaoh's tomb.
560. munchkin

MUNCH-kin
This word is from an American literary name.
noun
one that is small and charming or small and weak.
Sam refers to his little brother as “the family munchkin.”
561. musings

MYOO-zingz
This word is from a word that went from Latin to French to English.
plural noun
spoken or written expressions of ideas intended to express their author's reflections.
Oola was thoroughly tired of listening to Freddie's musings about the new Star Wars TV show.
562. mythical

MITH-uh-kuhl
This word is formed from a part that went from Greek to Latin to English and an English combining form.
adjective
imaginary, fancied, and existent only in stories.
Eunice was disappointed to learn that griffins were mythical creatures, and she could not receive one for her birthday.
563. naysayers

NAY-say-urz
This word is from an originally Old Norse part and an originally English part.
plural noun
those who deny, refuse, oppose, or are skeptical or cynical about something.
Despite the doubts of all the naysayers, Jackson's business was thriving by the end of the year.
564. neaten

NEET-un
This word has a part that passed from Latin to French to English plus an English element.
verb
to create order or make tidy.
With her parents due to arrive any minute, Sarita rushed about trying to neaten her dorm room.
565. necessity

nih-SES-uh-tee
This word passed from Latin to French to English.
noun
something that is absolutely required.
Water is a basic necessity of life.
566. nerfing

NUR-fing
This word is of unknown origin.
verb
bumping (another car) in an automobile race.
Rochelle accused Hannah of nerfing in order to win the go-kart race.
567. nervily

NUR-vih-lee
This word is probably from Latin plus an English element.
adverb
in a calmly courageous manner.
Taking a deep breath offstage, Rosanna nervily walked out, waved to the crowd, and began to sing.
568. newbie

NOO-bee
This word was formed from another English word.
noun
a beginner.
Frankie, a newbie at playing basketball, asked his coach a lot of good questions.
569. nirvana

nir-VAH-nuh
This word is from Sanskrit.
noun
a place or state of rest, harmony, or pleasure.
Felicity's idea of nirvana is a weekend at her lakeside cabin.
570. nocturnal

nahk-TUR-nul
This word is from Latin.
adjective
active at night.
Some zoos have special habitats for nocturnal animals.
571. nominee

nah-muh-NEE
The first part of this word is from an originally Latin word, and the second part is from English.
noun
a candidate picked to represent a party in an election.
John C. Fremont was the first nominee of the Republican Party for the office of President of the United States.
572. nonconformist

nahn-kun-FORM-ist
This word is made up of a part that went from Latin to French to English plus English elements.
noun
a person who deviates from a generally accepted or socially approved way of thinking or acting.
Hector's decision to wear his uniform inside-out cemented his reputation as a nonconformist.
573. nosh

nahsh
Originally German, this word became Yiddish before being adopted by English.
verb
to eat a snack.
Becky and her sister usually nosh on fruit after school.
574. notable

NOH-tuh-bul
This word is from Latin.
adjective
being of much weight, scope, or significance : memorable.
Barnaby intercepted the ball and ran 89 yards to score the most notable touchdown in his school’s history.
575. nozzles

NAH-zulz
This word is from an originally English word.
plural noun
short tubes or ducts used to direct the flow of fluid or to increase the velocity of flow.
Derrick had two different nozzles for the end of his garden hose, each designed with specific plants in mind.
576. nuggets

NUG-uts
This word is of unknown origin.
plural noun
small usually round-shaped pieces of food.
Debbie sighed as she fed her picky toddler chicken nuggets for the 14th meal in a row.
577. oatmeal

OHT-meel
This word is originally English.
noun
porridge made from ground or rolled seeds of a cereal grass that is cultivated for food.
Even with lots of brown sugar and cinnamon mixed in, the toddler refused to touch the bowl of oatmeal.
578. obliterate

uh-BLIT-uh-rayt
This word is from Latin.
verb
to destroy utterly all traces and significance of.
Scientists warn that the active volcano threatens to obliterate the nearby town.
579. oblong

AH-blahng
This word passed from Latin to English.
adjective
having a shape that is elongated beyond a square or circle.
Marta selected glasses with round frames to complement the oblong shape of her face.
580. obscure

ahb-SKYUR
This word is from Latin.
adjective
difficult to understand : not clear.
The idea the chapter was trying to convey was expressed in an unnecessarily obscure way.
581. octopus

AHK-tuh-pus
This word is from an originally Greek word that passed into Latin.
noun
a mollusk having a small saclike body, a large head, and eight arms with two rows of suckers by which the mollusk clings to the sea bottom or holds its prey.
The octopus can change its color or skin texture to hide from predators.
582. olympiad

oh-LIM-pee-ad
This word was formed in Latin from Greek-derived elements before passing into French and then English.
noun
the four-year interval between successive Olympian games.
It is widely thought that the first olympiad began in 776 B.C.
583. omega

oh-MAY-guh
This word is from Greek.
noun
the 24th and last letter of the Greek alphabet.
Uppercase omega is used as the symbol for the ohm, which is the unit of electrical resistance.
584. omission

oh-MISH-un
This word came to English from Latin.
noun
the act of failing to include or name.
Katie refused to believe that Joe’s omission of her name on the guest list was accidental.
585. onion

UN-yun
This word passed from Latin to French to English.
noun
an edible plant with a sharp smell and taste that is used as a vegetable.
Jacob loved putting onion and lettuce on his cheeseburgers.
586. optician

ahp-TIH-shun
The first part of this word is originally Greek and the second part is a Latin-derived element.
noun
one that grinds spectacle lenses to prescription and dispenses spectacles.
The new optician in town is offering a special price on prescription sunglasses.
587. opulent

AHP-yuh-lunt
This word is from Latin.
adjective
exhibiting or characterized by wealth or affluence.
The room’s opulent decor included original commissioned works of art and a crystal chandelier.
588. oracle

OR-uh-kul
This word went from Latin to French to English.
noun
a person of great authority or wisdom whose opinions or judgments are regarded with great respect.
After 35 years in the banking business, Annika was regarded as an oracle by her peers and her opinions were taken very seriously.
589. orchestra

OR-kes-truh
This word is from Latin, which took it from Greek.
noun
a large group of players of musical instruments including typically strings, woodwinds, brasses and percussion organized for performing one of the larger forms of concert music.
The orchestra impressed the audience with its performance of Tchaikovsky’s "1812 Overture."
590. oregano

uh-REG-uh-noh
This word is from a word that went from Greek to Latin to Spanish.
noun
any of various aromatic herbs that are used as seasonings in cookery.
When making spaghetti sauce, Carlo always includes some oregano.
591. organelle

or-guh-NEL
This word is formed from an element that passed from Greek to Latin to English plus an originally Latin part.
noun
a specialized part of a cell that has a specific function.
The mitochondrion, an organelle found in many cells, is sometimes described as a "cellular power plant" because it generates most of the cell's supply of chemical energy.
592. ouster

AU-stur
This word is from Anglo-French, which derived it from Latin.
noun
an ejection from a position or place : expulsion.
The ouster of the club secretary led to a brief period of confusion about who would be recording the outcome of that motion for the minutes of the meeting.
593. overtures

OH-vur-churz
This word went from Latin to French to English.
plural noun
first moves : approaches, proposals.
Several teams made overtures to the unhappy star player to see if he might be interested in playing for them instead.
594. overweening

oh-vur-WEEN-ing
This word is formed from originally English parts.
adjective
excessive : unrestrained.
Liam felt an overweening pride in every one of his amateur paintings.
595. ozone

OH-zohn
This word went from Greek to German.
noun
pure and refreshing air.
Kai stepped outside to breathe the ozone after the thunderstorm had passed.
596. packet

PAK-ut
This word was formed in French from originally Dutch and Latin elements.
noun
a small bundle or parcel.
Lila packed a sandwich, a pickle, and a packet of chips for lunch.
597. pageantry

PA-jun-tree
This word is from a word that went from Latin to English.
noun
splendid or colorful display.
Rachel could not wait to see the pageantry of the medieval festival.
598. paginate

PAJ-uh-nayt
This word is formed from a Latin word plus an English element.
verb
to number or otherwise mark for sequence the leaves of a book, magazine, newspaper, or similar article.
Hannah is grateful that word processing programs automatically paginate documents.
599. paisley

PAYZ-lee
This word is from a Scottish geographical name.
adjective
printed with an elaborate curved design.
Mr. MacDonald gave his wife a blue and green paisley scarf.
600. palatial

puh-LAY-shul
This word is formed from a Latin element plus an English element.
adjective
relating to or resembling the official residence of a powerful ruler.
When Ebba saw Clevon's palatial residence, she wondered if he was, in fact, royalty.
601. pallor

PAL-ur
This word is from Latin.
noun
abnormal paleness.
The pallor of Julian’s stage makeup gave his girlfriend a fright.
602. parkour

pahr-KOOR
This word comes from French, which formed it from an originally Latin word.
noun
the sport of traversing environmental obstacles especially in a city by quickly and efficiently running, climbing or leaping.
The movie stunt man was experienced at parkour.
603. parley

PAHR-lee
This word came from French, which formed it from a Latin word.
noun
a conversation.
Mr. Elton and Harriet had a very interesting parley about what could be done and should be done.
604. partridge

PAHR-trij
Originally Greek, this word passed through Latin and French before becoming English.
noun
a medium-sized, short-winged game bird with short legs and neck.
A partridge fluttered out of the tall grass and startled Charity.
605. passage

PAS-ij
This word is from Latin-derived French.
noun
a brief section of a written work or speech that is quoted or referred to by itself.
Graham can quote his favorite passage from A Tale of Two Cities from memory.
606. pastime

PAS-tahym
The first part of this word went from Latin through French and the other part is originally English.
noun
something that amuses; a diversion or recreation.
Listening to classical music is Ike’s favorite pastime.
607. patches

PACH-uz
This word was perhaps formed from a French word originally from Gaulish-derived Latin.
plural noun
pieces used to mend or cover holes, rents, or breaches or to reinforce or protect weak spots.
Allen sowed patches on his jeans when the cloth started to fray around the knees.
608. pathogen

PATH-uh-jin
This word consists of originally Greek elements.
noun
a cause of a disease.
The plant scientist is investigating the pathogen that is spreading a disease in grape harvests in Northern California.
609. patience

PAY-shuns
This word went from Latin to French to English.
noun
calm possession of yourself while facing delays or obstacles.
George doesn’t have the patience to wait in line for hours to buy a ticket.
610. pauper

PAH-pur
This word is from Latin.
noun
a person who is very poor.
Reggie didn't want to be a pauper, so he got a summer job at the local amusement park and opened a savings account.
611. pear

par
This word came to English from Latin, which probably formed it from a word of non-Indo-European origin.
noun
a sweet fruit that is narrow at one end and bigger and rounded at the other and that grows on trees.
Caden tried not to cover everything with juice as he ate the ripe pear.
612. peat

peet
This word is perhaps Celtic in origin, and then passed from Latin to English.
noun
a piece of turf cut to be used as fuel.
peat, an important source of fuel, covers about two percent of the total global land area.
613. peddle

PEH-dul
This word is from an originally English word.
verb
to sell or attempt to sell items from place to place.
Tommy went door-to-door to peddle gift wrap for his school fundraiser.
614. pedigree

PEH-duh-gree
This word came to English from French.
noun
a list showing the line of ancestors for a person or animal.
Jackson examined the racehorse’s pedigree closely before making his purchase offer.
615. pending

PEN-ding
The first part of this word is from an originally Latin word, and the second part is from English.
adjective
not yet decided.
Most of the cases pending before the honor council deal with cheating.
616. penguin

PEN-gwin
This word is perhaps from a word of Welsh origin, perhaps taken from a North Atlantic geographical name.
noun
any of various short-legged, flightless aquatic birds of the Southern Hemisphere that stand upright but walk clumsily and have wings that resemble flippers.
The zoo gave a birthday party for its oldest penguin.
617. peninsular

puh-NIN-suh-lur
This word came from an originally Latin word.
adjective
of, belonging to, forming, or like a piece of land jutting out into the water.
Of all the beaches in the peninsular region, the one with the seagull colony was Katerina's favorite.
618. peony

PEE-uh-nee
Originally Greek, this word passed through Latin and French before becoming English.
noun
a type of plant that is widely grown for its showy single or double red, pink or white flowers.
Ben placed a brightly colored peony in a tall vase.
619. performance

pur-FOR-muns
This word is formed from a word that passed from Latin to French to English plus an English element.
noun
an exhibition or a public presentation.
Jennifer bought a ticket to a matinee performance of “Giselle.”
620. peruse

puh-ROOZ
This word was formed in English from originally Latin-derived elements.
verb
to read something in a manner that is leisurely or attentive.
Jan will peruse several journals in the hope of getting needed material for further research.
621. pervasive

pur-VAY-siv
This word is formed from an originally Latin word plus an English element.
adjective
existing in all parts of something.
The pervasive odor of garlic in the house means mom is cooking Italian tonight.
622. photogenic

foh-tuh-JEH-nik
This word is formed from Greek elements.
adjective
extremely suitable for being photographed.
Emily Ann thought her pet corgi was extremely photogenic and had several pictures of him on her phone.
623. physical

FIZ-ih-kul
This word came from Greek-derived Latin, plus a Latin-derived element.
adjective
characterized by especially rugged and forceful activity : rough.
Contrary to popular belief, auto racing is a very physical sport.
624. physicists

FIZ-uh-sists
This word is from an originally Greek word that passed through Latin and French and into English plus English elements.
plural noun
specialists in the science of matter and energy and their interactions.
Inspired by the work of Chien-Shiung Wu, Lene Hau and other women physicists, Renee decided she wanted to be a scientist when she grew up.
625. pitiful

PIT-uh-ful
This word was formed in English from a part that passed from Latin to French to English plus an originally English part.
adjective
deserving or giving rise to compassion.
Fido the dog wore a pitiful expression as he watched his owner leave for work.
626. placards

PLA-kurdz
This word is from a Dutch-derived French word that then became English.
plural noun
signs or posters.
Chicago Cubs fans carried placards cheering their team to World Series victory.
627. placate

PLAY-kayt
This word is from Latin.
verb
to soothe or mollify especially by making concessions : to appease.
The members of the labor relations team believe that if they cooperate with the reasonable demands, they will placate the factory workers and avoid a strike.
628. platinum

PLAT-uh-num
This word was taken into Latin from a Spanish word probably derived from Greek-derived Latin.
adjective
of, relating to or made of a heavy, precious silver metallic element that is difficult to melt and is often used in electronic devices and jewelry.
Lydia inherited a platinum ring and a pair of diamond earrings from her grandmother.
629. pliant

PLAHY-unt
This word came to English from Latin-derived French.
adjective
flexible : workable : lithe.
The pliant clay hardened in the oven.
630. plover

PLUH-vur
Originally Latin, this word went through French before becoming English.
noun
any of numerous shore-inhabiting birds having a short hard-tipped bill and a stout compact build.
Taylor could see that the plover roosting outside his window had spotted upper plumage.
631. plummet

PLUM-ut
This word is from a Latin-derived French word that then became English.
verb
to drop sharply and abruptly.
The meteorologist predicts that temperatures will plummet on Tuesday.
632. polarized

POHL-uh-rahyzd
This word was formed in French from a Latin element and a French element.
verb
produced or brought about a concentration about opposing extremes of usually conflicting groups or interests formerly ranged on a continuum.
After the debate, the students were polarized into two distinct groups: those who wanted uniforms and those who didn't.
633. policy

PAHL-uh-see
This word is from Latin-derived French.
noun
a definite course or method of action selected (as by a government, institution, group or individual) to guide and usually determine present and future decisions.
The school’s policy allows students who arrive early to study quietly in the media center.
634. portal

POR-tul
This word is from Latin-derived French.
noun
a door : a gate : an entrance; especially : a grand or imposing one.
In his poem, "The Inferno," when Dante passes through the portal of hell, he reads the message, "Abandon hope, all who enter here."
635. portrait

POHR-trut
This word passed from Latin to French to English.
noun
a pictorial representation (such as a drawing or a painting) of a person that typically shows his or her face.
President Theodore Roosevelt hated his first official portrait so much that he hid it in the darkest corner of the White House.
636. praise

prayz
Originally Latin, this word went through French before becoming English.
verb
to commend : to applaud.
Teachers who praise students for good work inspire higher achievement.
637. predator

PRED-uh-tur
This word is from Latin.
noun
an animal that preys on or devours other animals for its food.
An insect may be of value because it is a predator of another insect that is a pest to humans.
638. predicament

prih-DIH-kuh-munt
This word is from Latin.
noun
a difficult situation.
After a few hours of procrastination, Justin found himself in the predicament of having too much homework and too little time.
639. premonition

prem-uh-NIH-shun
This word went from Latin to French.
noun
unconscious, intuitive anticipation of an event.
Yolanda had a premonition that she would win the lottery.
640. previous

PREE-vee-us
This word comes from Latin.
adjective
occurring earlier or before.
Chiyo was very excited to move, as she had to share a bedroom with her sister in their previous house.
641. primitive

PRI-muh-tiv
This word is from Latin.
adjective
referring to the earliest period or age (of something).
primitive humans fashioned tools from rocks.
642. principality

prin-suh-PAL-uh-tee
This word passed from Latin to French to English.
noun
a state that is minor and partially independent and that is under the rule of a monarch.
The principality of Monaco became a member of the United Nations in 1993.
643. prism

PRIH-zum
This word is from an originally Greek word that passed into Latin.
noun
a transparent body that is bounded in part by two nonparallel plane faces and is used to deviate or disperse a beam of light.
The prism cast an array of colors on the tablecloth.
644. privy

PRIH-vee
Originally Latin, this word went through French before becoming English.
adjective
admitted as one participating secretly or in a secret : privately aware as a party.
Although she was not privy to their secrets, Amanda could guess what her brothers were up to.
645. procedure

pruh-SEE-jur
This word came from French, which formed it from Latin.
noun
a particular way of getting something accomplished.
Even though he carefully followed all the steps in the procedure, Jack still couldn’t recover his email password.
646. procrastinate

pruh-KRAS-tuh-nayt
This word is from Latin.
verb
to put off doing something until some later time.
Students who procrastinate might sometimes need to pull an all-nighter to complete a project.
647. profiteer

prah-fuh-TEER
This word consists of a part that went from Latin to French to English plus an English element.
noun
someone who makes an unreasonable gain particularly on the sale of essential goods during times of emergency.
When the price of bottled water skyrocketed after the hurricane, many accused the grocer of being a profiteer.
648. prone

prohn
This word is from a word that went from Latin to English.
adjective
having a tendency or inclination : predisposed.
The grumpy cat was prone to swipe at Tasha's ankles if she walked too close.
649. proposal

pruh-POH-zul
This word consists of two parts that went from Latin to French to English.
noun
something put forward for consideration or acceptance : a suggestion, motion.
Wanda’s proposal to replace all the water in the water fountains with sugar-free lemonade was soundly rejected.
650. propulsion

pruh-PUL-shun
This word is formed from an originally Latin element plus an English part.
noun
the process or action of driving ahead or forward.
Kenny's model airplane crashed before he could figure out the right propulsion.
651. prosperous

PRAH-spuh-rus
This word went from Latin to French to English.
adjective
marked by economic well-being or success.
Adam is a prosperous entrepreneur who sells his start-up businesses when they grow large enough.
652. proxy

PRAHK-see
This word is from a word that went from Latin to Anglo-French to English.
noun
the act or practice of a person serving as an authorized agent or substitute for another.
Many governmental bodies allow voting by proxy when members cannot personally attend.
653. publish

PUB-lish
This word is an English modification of a word that went from Latin to French.
verb
to release a product of creative work for sale or distribution typically with the copyright holder's approval.
Eustace decided that if no one would publish her first novel, she would do it herself.
654. puckish

PUK-ish
This word consists of two originally English parts.
adjective
impish, whimsical.
Noah's puckish smile told Rachel that he was up to mischief.
655. pulpit

PUL-pit
This word is from Latin.
noun
a usually enclosed elevated platform or a high reading desk used in preaching.
Samantha became nervous as she approached the pulpit to read a poem during her sister’s wedding.
656. punctuation

pungk-chuh-WAY-shun
This word is from Latin.
noun
the act of inserting standardized marks or signs in written matter to clarify the meaning and separate structural units.
Ms. Winslett always refers to her old grammar textbook when she has questions about punctuation.
657. punily

PYOO-nul-ee
The first part of this word is from a word that passed from Latin to French, and the second part is an English element.
adverb
in a manner lacking in force or vitality.
The movie ends with the villain handing back the jewels and being led away punily in handcuffs.
658. puniness

PYOO-nee-nis
This word is from a word that was formed in French from originally Latin elements plus an English element.
noun
the state or quality of being sickly or weak.
Sandeep attributes his puniness to a lingering cold.
659. purification

pyur-uh-fih-KAY-shun
This word came from French, which formed it from Latin.
noun
the act or process of removing impure, harmful or foreign matter.
The campers included in their gear a portable system for the purification of water.
660. puritan

PYUR-uh-tun
The first part of this word is probably from an originally Latin word, and the second part is an English element.
noun
one who on religious or ethical grounds protests against current practices, pleasures, or indulgences.
The puritan objected to the playing of sports on the Sabbath.
661. putrid

PYOO-trud
This word is from Latin.
adjective
in an advanced state of decomposition : rotten.
The putrid heap of kitchen scraps will compost in no time.
662. puzzles

PUH-zulz
This word is of unknown origin.
plural noun
questions, problems or toys designed to test cleverness.
Katy's room was decorated with jigsaw puzzles she had completed and framed.
663. pyramid

PIR-uh-mid
This word is from a Greek-derived Latin word.
noun
an ancient, massive stone structure found especially in Egypt with usually a square ground plan, four triangular outside walls that meet in a point at the top and inner burial chambers.
Elayna's jaw dropped when she spotted a pyramid on the desert horizon.
664. quantify

KWAHN-tuh-fahy
This word is from Latin.
verb
to determine, express, or measure the total amount or number of.
Nala asked her son to quantify the number of grains of sand on the beach to keep him from getting bored while she sunbathed.
665. quart

kwahrt
This word passed from Latin to French to English.
noun
a container with the ability to hold an amount of liquid equal to two U.S. pints.
Nadia picked up a quart of milk from the store on her way home.
666. quirky

KWUR-kee
This word is formed from a part of unknown origin plus an English element.
adjective
full of peculiarities.
The young television star was often described as "quirky" both for the parts she played as well as her interesting off-screen demeanor.
667. quota

KWOH-tuh
This word is from Latin.
noun
the share or proportion assigned to each in a division or to each member of a body.
Each member of the fishing club was allowed a quota of four fish per month from the stocked lake.
668. rabid

RAB-ud
This word is from a word that went from Latin to French to English.
adjective
having some feeling, interest, or opinion in an extreme degree.
Dashawn is a rabid Packers fan and refuses to hear anything negative about the team.
669. radius

RAY-dee-us
This word is from Latin.
noun
a line segment extending from the center of a circle or sphere to the curve or surface.
Mario adjusted his protractor to draw a circle with a radius of two inches.
670. ragwort

RAG-wurt
This word is originally English.
noun
any of several herbs with heads composed of flowers.
ragwort can grow in very poor soil.
671. railroad

RAYL-rohd
The first part of this word went from Latin to French to English, and the second part is originally English.
verb
to send or put through in great haste or without due consideration (as for private benefit).
The senator was determined to railroad the funds for his county's new amusement park through the budget committee.
672. raisin

RAYZ-un
Originally from a Latin word of non-Indo-European origin, this word went through French before becoming English.
noun
a dried grape.
Max stirred the batter for his oatmeal raisin cookies before scooping it by spoonfuls onto a baking tray.
673. rebound

REE-bound
This word passed from Latin-derived French to English.
verb
to recover from or react to a setback or frustration.
The football team's end-of-season rebound surprised everyone, bringing them from the bottom half of the rankings to the top three.
674. rebuff

rih-BUF
This word went from Italian through French before coming to English.
noun
a sudden or rude rejection of an offer or advance : snub.
Too afraid of receiving a rebuff, Mortie did not ask Sasha to the dance.
675. recanted

rih-KAN-ted
This word is from Latin.
verb
withdrew or repudiated a statement or belief formally and publicly.
Years after the trial, the eyewitness recanted her testimony, leading to a new trial for the accused.
676. reckless

REK-lus
This word is originally English.
adjective
marked by a lack of caution : heedless : rash.
Courtney's continued reckless play on the swing set led to a nasty fall.
677. reconsider

ree-kun-SID-ur
This word is from a word that passed from Latin to French to English.
verb
to think over a plan or decision, especially with a view to changing or reversing it.
After vacuuming the living room for the third time that day, Tyson paused briefly to reconsider his decision to get a fourth cat.
678. recovery

rih-KUV-ur-ee
This word is perhaps from a Latin-derived French word.
noun
the act of returning toward a normal or usual state.
Trinity faced a long road to recovery after her knee surgery.
679. redemption

rih-DEM-shun
This word went from Latin through French before becoming English.
noun
atonement for guilt or wrong.
Rhys sought redemption for his wrongs through helping the poor.
680. reflect

rih-FLEKT
This word is from Latin.
verb
to think or consider while calm and quiet.
People who regularly reflect on their life goals re often high achievers.
681. regiment

REJ-uh-munt
Originally Latin, this word went through French before becoming English.
noun
a body of soldiers commanded by a colonel and consisting of a variable number of companies, troops, or batteries.
The regiment underwent special training in winter warfare before being deployed to the Arctic.
682. regional

REE-juh-nul
This word is from Latin.
adjective
of or relating especially to a geographical region.
The regional tournament brought together teams from five different states.
683. registrar

REJ-uh-strar
This word is an alteration of a word that went from Latin to French to English.
noun
an academic official who keeps academic records and registers students.
When she was applying to graduate schools, Petra requested copies of her academic transcript from the registrar.
684. reign

rayn
This word went from Latin to French to English.
noun
the authority or rule of a monarch.
In the fairy tale, the citizens thrived under the reign of the benevolent monarch.
685. reiterate

ree-IT-uh-rayt
This word is from Latin.
verb
to say or do (something) again or a number of times.
The history teacher will reiterate each point of the lesson at the end of class so that his students cannot claim they missed the information.
686. rejuvenate

rih-JOOV-uh-nayt
This word consists of a Latin-derived element plus a Latin element plus an English element.
verb
reinvigorate.
Marisol took a nap to rejuvenate herself before she went to the party.
687. remain

rih-MAYN
This word went from Latin to French to English.
verb
to stay in the same place or with the same person or group.
Margot will remain at her aunt's house until her mother has fully recovered from having the flu.
688. remnants

REM-nunts
This word was formed from an originally Latin-derived French word.
plural noun
small parts, members, or traces left when the rest is gone.
Hassan used the remnants of three broken computers to build himself a new one.
689. remorseful

rih-MORS-ful
This word is formed from a word that went from Latin to French to English plus an English element.
adjective
relating to gnawing distress caused by a feeling of guilt.
Kent was remorseful about how he had treated his little brother during their childhood.
690. renewable

rih-NOO-uh-bul
This word consists of an originally English part plus two Latin-derived English elements.
adjective
capable of being replaced by natural ecological cycles or sound management practices.
When trees are harvested sparingly and given time to regrow, wood from forests can be a renewable resource.
691. resemble

rih-ZEM-bul
This word is from a word that went from Latin to French to English.
verb
to be like or similar to.
It always surprises Grandma to see how much her grandchildren resemble each other.
692. residue

REZ-uh-doo
This word went from Latin to French to English.
noun
the part that is left of a molecule after a portion of its constituents is removed.
Sondra asked Jeff to analyze and write out the formula for the residue in the Erlenmeyer flask.
693. respite

REH-sput
Originally Latin, this word went through French before becoming English.
noun
an interval of rest or relief.
Seeking respite from the arguing of his siblings, Aaron left the table in the middle of their family dinner.
694. restive

REST-iv
This word is from a French word.
adjective
marked by fidgety or uneasy behavior.
Doris hoped she would calm the restive crowd with her rendition of the national anthem.
695. retorts

rih-TORTS
This word is from Latin.
plural noun
quick sharp witty or cutting replies.
Alison’s retorts quickly got on Ms. Turner’s nerves.
696. retriever

rih-TREEV-ur
This word consists of a part that went from Latin to French to English plus an English element.
noun
a dog of any of several breeds of vigorous active medium-sized dogs with heavy water-resistant coats, noted for the ability to bring back game or an object thrown by a person.
Jordan loved to go duck hunting with his two dogs, a beagle and a retriever.
697. revelation

reh-vuh-LAY-shun
This word passed from Latin to French to English.
noun
disclosure.
Cullen shocked his parents with the revelation that he actually enjoyed broccoli.
698. revulsive

rih-VUL-siv
This word is formed from a Latin element plus an English part.
adjective
causing extreme aversion or dislike.
Karee found the anthill revulsive, unlike her younger sister Anna, who had to be dragged kicking and screaming from her new six-legged friends.
699. riddance

RID-uns
The first part of this word came to English from Old Norse, and the second is an English element.
noun
removal or lightening of something oppressive, burdensome, painful, or distressing.
“Good riddance!” Seunga said as she finally took off her high heels and began massaging her feet.
700. riffraff

RIF-raf
The first part of this word is originally Germanic and came to English through French, and the second part went from French to English.
noun
a group of people perceived to be disreputable or common.
When Nadine won an all-expenses-paid trip to an exclusive resort, she joked about not having to vacation with the rest of the riffraff.
701. righteous

RAHY-chus
This word is originally English.
adjective
characterized by uprightness or justice.
The civil rights protesters were fearless in their righteous cause.
702. rigorous

RIHG-uh-rus
This word is from a word that went from Latin to English.
adjective
extremely or excessively strict : harsh.
Some cadets at the academy could not tolerate the rigorous discipline.
703. riviera

rih-vee-ER-uh
This word is from a Mediterranean geographical name.
noun
a coastline usually of mild climate that is often visited as a vacation destination.
Students flocked to the Florida riviera during spring break.
704. rocket

RAH-kut
Originally of Germanic origin, this word went through Italian into English.
verb
to move or travel quickly.
Joseph enjoys watching his greyhound, Zoomy McZoom, rocket around the backyard.
705. rotary

ROH-tur-ee
This word is from Latin.
adjective
of, relating to, or resembling a wheel turning on its axis.
Grandma had to show Colby how to dial a number on her old rotary phone.
706. row

rau
This word is of unknown origin.
noun
a heated argument: a quarrel.
Tatiana could hear her neighbors having a ferocious row through the thin apartment walls.
707. rubric

ROO-brik
This word is from Latin.
noun
a guide listing specific criteria for grading or scoring academic papers, projects, activities, and tests.
Krasimir used the rubric to ensure that every test was graded fairly.
708. rugby

RUG-bee
This word is from an English name.
noun
an amateur football game in which teams kick, dribble, pass, and tackle with an oval ball.
Trevor's favorite sport to watch is rugby, but he's never actually played it.
709. rumor

ROO-mur
This word went from Latin to French to English.
noun
widely spread belief having no discernible source : hearsay.
Olaf heard a rumor that the school would be changing its uniform policy so that non-gender-specific options were available to all students.
710. sacrifice

SAK-ruh-fahys
This word is from Latin.
noun
giving up of something that is desirable for something else.
The commander commended the troops for their commitment and their sacrifice.
711. salivate

SAL-uh-vayt
This word is from Latin.
verb
to produce an excessive amount of drool.
Sarah is one of many people who salivate whenever they think about sushi.
712. satchel

SACH-ul
This word passed from Latin to French to English.
noun
a small, flat-bottomed canvas or leather bag with a shoulder strap.
Emerson packed the books in his satchel and headed out for the library.
713. scalp

skalp
This word is from a Scandinavian word that came into English.
noun
the part of the covering of the human head usually topped with hair.
Granddad, whose hair is thin, often wears a knit cap to cover his scalp in the winter.
714. scandal

SKAN-dul
This word went from Greek to Latin.
noun
a circumstance or action that offends established moral conceptions and disgraces those associated with it.
Irwin's guilty pleasure is a good tabloid because he loves to read about the latest celebrity scandal.
715. scanty

SKAN-tee
This word consists of a word that passed from Old Norse to English plus an English element.
adjective
meager or barely sufficient.
Despite her scanty knowledge of the book, Jessa somehow managed to stretch the report out to five pages.
716. scent

sent
This word passed from Latin to French to English.
verb
to smell.
Frank's beagles start howling whenever they scent squirrels or rabbits.
717. scholarship

SKAHL-ur-ship
This word is formed from a word that passed from Greek to Latin to French to English plus an English element.
noun
an amount of money or its equivalent granted to a student to support their attending a school.
Pamela received a scholarship to attend the state university.
718. sci-fi

SAHY-FAHY
Both parts of this word come from words that passed from Latin to French to English.
noun
literary fantasy including a scientific factor as an essential orienting component.
Latrice's favorite book is a sci-fi that takes place on an alien planet covered with ectoplasm.
719. sconce

skahns
Originally Latin, this word went through French before becoming English.
noun
an ornamental electric light fixture for a wall that resembles a bracket candlestick or group of candlesticks.
Tamara bought an elaborate sconce for her hallway.
720. scooter

SKOO-tur
The first part of this word is probably of Scandinavian origin and the second part is from English.
noun
a foot-propelled child's vehicle with a narrow footboard mounted between two wheels and an upright handle attached to the front wheel.
Ezra rides his scooter to school every day, except when it's raining.
721. scornfully

SKORN-fuh-lee
The first part of this word is from an originally Germanic word that became French before becoming English, and the rest consists of English elements.
adverb
contemptuously : disdainfully.
When Malachi complained that he was too tired to continue playing, his little sister scornfully called him a baby.
722. scrape

skrayp
This word is from an originally Old Norse word that then passed into English.
noun
a bare place or hollow made by scratching or digging.
Carrie watched in awe as a doe and four baby rabbits emerged from a scrape.
723. scrapple

SKRAP-ul
This word is from a word that went from Old Norse to English.
noun
mush containing pieces of leftover meat and boiled cornmeal.
For breakfast, Maude fried up a piece of scrapple and served it with fruit and toast.
724. screeno

SKREE-noh
The first part of this word is from a Dutch word that passed through French to English, and the second part is perhaps from an originally English element.
noun
bingo designed for play by audiences in motion-picture theaters.
Played between feature movies on slow weeknights, screeno saw its height of popularity during the 1930s, when theaters used the game to increase attendance.
725. scripture

SKRIP-chur
This word came to English from Latin.
noun
the sacred writing of a religion.
In his comparative religion class, Ming read a smattering of scripture from diverse religions around the world.
726. scrooge

skrooj
This word is from an English literary name.
noun
a person that hates to spend money.
Devon was a scrooge who would rather be cold in the winter than pay to turn on the heat.
727. scrounge

skraunj
This word is from an originally English word.
verb
to round up or find.
Tori went home to see what she could scrounge up for dinner.
728. scrutiny

SKROOT-uh-nee
This word is from Latin.
noun
close inspection.
Laws that give unequal treatment to members of different demographic groups are often subject to increased scrutiny by the judiciary.
729. sculpture

SKULP-chur
This word came to English from Latin.
noun
a statue that has been carved.
Kelly bought a marble sculpture to place near the pool.
730. seclusion

sih-KLOO-zhun
This word is from Latin.
noun
the condition of being removed or separated from outside influence or being isolated.
The famous author believed he wrote best in the seclusion of his country home.
731. seize

seez
Originally of Germanic origin, this word passed through Latin and then French before becoming English.
verb
to clutch.
Jesse reached out to seize his little sister's hand to help her down the stairs.
732. selfie

SEL-fee
This word is made up of two originally English parts.
noun
a picture of oneself taken by oneself mostly for posting on social networks.
Hoping for the perfect selfie to post on Instagram, Aubrey took more than 40 photos with different lighting and facial expressions.
733. seller

SEL-ur
This word is originally English.
noun
one that offers for sale: a salesperson.
Reina is a seller of propane and propane accessories.
734. semester

suh-MES-tur
This word went from Latin to German.
noun
either of the two instructional periods of an academic year.
Yolanda was delighted that her grades for the first semester were all A’s.
735. sensory

SEN-sur-ee
This word consists of a Latin part plus an English part.
adjective
of or relating to the specialized functions by which an animal receives and responds to stimuli, or to the awareness resulting from this stimuli.
In some insects the sensory organs of taste, touch, smell and hearing are located in the antennae.
736. September

sep-TEM-bur
This word went from Latin to French to English.
noun
the ninth month of the Gregorian calendar.
September is Eamon's favorite month because he can finally decorate for fall.
737. sequel

SEEK-wul
This word passed from Latin to French to English.
noun
a literary work continuing the course of a narrative begun in a preceding one.
The book was so popular that the publisher asked the author to write a sequel.
738. serenade

ser-uh-NAYD
This word is from a Latin word that became Italian and then French.
verb
to perform music for or in honor of someone.
The football team will serenade its coach during the pep rally.
739. service

SUR-vus
Originally Latin, this word went through French before becoming English.
noun
the bringing of food and drink to diners seated at table.
The first thing Eliza looks for in online restaurant reviews is any commentary on the service.
740. servitude

SURV-uh-tood
This word went from Latin to French to English.
noun
a condition similar to slavery.
Moira objected to having to do chores during her summer vacation, telling her mom it was practically servitude.
741. sewage

SOO-ij
This word is formed from a probably Latin-derived word that passed from French into English plus an English element.
noun
waste matter that is carried away by a drain.
The smell of sewage permeated the dilapidated building.
742. shaggy

SHAG-ee
This word is originally English.
adjective
possessing or consisting of usually long, coarse, or matted hair.
A quick sniff told Hetta that it was time for her shaggy dog to have a long bath.
743. shamrock

SHAM-rahk
This word is from Irish Gaelic.
noun
a type of three-leaved plant that is used as an emblem of the Irish.
Chloe always wears a shamrock on her clothing on St. Patrick’s Day.
744. sheaves

sheevz
This word is originally English.
plural noun
bundles of grain or straw.
The crew worked together to bind the sheaves and carry them into the barn.
745. shindig

SHIN-dig
This word is probably from a word that is perhaps an alteration of an originally English word.
noun
a large lavish party.
Marcellus hosted the large charity shindig at the fancy hotel.
746. shipping

SHIP-ing
This word consists of originally English elements.
verb
causing to be transported.
Marcel is shipping his packages via overnight courier.
747. shore

shor
This word is originally English.
noun
the land that borders the sea : coast.
Right after breakfast, Nichelle took her children to the shore to collect seashells.
748. shrapnel

SHRAP-nuhl
This word is from an English proper name.
noun
bomb, mine, or shell fragments.
The surgeon found and removed all of the shrapnel in the soldier's leg, ensuring a swift recovery.
749. simmer

SIM-ur
This word is from an imitative English word.
verb
to cook or heat without boiling.
After the carrots simmer in the broth for several minutes, the chef will add the other vegetables.
750. sister

SIS-tur
This word is an English word partly of Scandinavian origin.
noun
a female human being related to another person having the same parents.
Georg introduced his sister to his friends, albeit reluctantly.
751. situation

sich-uh-WAY-shun
This word is from Latin.
noun
a position as relating to conditions as they currently exist.
With hours of homework left to complete and only 30 minutes before her bedtime, Harriet felt her situation was utterly hopeless.
752. skimmed

skimd
This word is an English word that is probably an alteration of a Dutch word.
verb
read, studied, or examined quickly and hastily; specifically : glanced through (as a book) for the main ideas or the plot.
Farid skimmed each book in his stack before selecting the next one to read.
753. skirmish

SKUR-mish
This word is from a French word that then became English.
noun
combat between small, detached groups of troops.
Both countries hoped that the border skirmish would not trigger a war.
754. skydiving

SKAHY-dahy-ving
The first part of this word went from Norse to English, and the second part is originally English.
noun
the sport of jumping out of a plane and performing a long free fall, then deploying a parachute.
The thrill-seekers wanted to marry while skydiving, but had a hard time finding someone to perform the ceremony.
755. slab

slab
This word is originally English.
noun
a thick plate or slice of something (as of wood or food).
After school, Ralphie cut a slab of banana bread, covered it in cream cheese, and ate it while reading his library book.
756. slender

SLEN-dur
This word is originally English.
adjective
not fleshy or large of bone.
Because Waldo had such a slender build, he never tried on anything but the slim sizes when he went clothes shopping.
757. sloop

sloop
This word probably went from French to Dutch before becoming English.
noun
a rigged boat with a single mast that is usually stepped well forward and a single headsail jib.
Diego took his sloop out for a sail around the bay.
758. slurry

SLUR-ee
This word is from English.
noun
a watery mixture or suspension of matter that does not dissolve, such as wood pulp.
A slurry of wood pulp and water is used to make paper.
759. snitch

snich
This word is of unknown origin.
noun
one who gives incriminating evidence against someone, especially an associate.
A snitch tipped the police as to where they could find the robbery suspect.
760. snowy

SNOH-ee
This word is originally English.
adjective
marked by, abounding in, or covered with a usually consolidated mass of fallen frozen water crystals.
Ellie thought the village nestled under the snowy mountain peaks looked like something right out of a postcard.
761. sodden

SAH-dun
This word is originally English.
adjective
heavy with water : soaked.
After getting caught in a rainstorm, Tom hung his sodden clothes in the shower to drip dry.
762. solicit

suh-LIS-it
This word is from Latin.
verb
to entreat.
Diane will solicit the zoning board for a hearing about the new park.
763. solidity

suh-LID-uh-tee
This word came to English from French, which took it from a Latin word.
noun
the quality or state of having an interior filled with matter.
Terrence was pleasantly surprised at the solidity of the chocolate egg the Easter Bunny left for him.
764. solitude

SAH-luh-tood
This word went from Latin to French to English.
noun
the quality or state of being alone or remote from society.
Anika’s brother barged into her room, disrupting her solitude.
765. solstice

SAHLS-tus
This word passed from Latin to French to English.
noun
either of the two points on the earth's path around the Sun where the Sun is farthest from the celestial equator, and is reached each year in June and December.
Summer solstice is the longest day of the year.
766. solvency

SAHL-vun-see
This word consists of a Latin element plus a Latin-derived English combining form.
noun
the quality or state of being able to pay all legal debts.
After Jack’s financial setbacks, he determinedly struggled back to solvency.
767. sorbet

sor-BAY
This word is from a word that went from Arabic to Persian to Turkish to Italian to French.
noun
a frozen dessert made with a mixture of fruits.
Wylie ate sorbet between courses to cleanse his palate.
768. spangled

SPANG-guld
This word is probably from a Scandinavian word that came into English.
verb
decorated with small brilliant objects.
The designer spangled the red-carpet gown with hundreds of crystals.
769. spatula

SPACH-uh-luh
This word is from Latin, which formed it from a Greek word.
noun
a flat thin tool used for spreading or mixing soft substances.
With brownie batter on his face and a spatula in his fist, Kasey smiled for his mom and her camera.
770. specificity

speh-suh-FIS-uh-tee
The first part of this word is from an originally Latin word, and the second part contains English elements.
noun
the quality or state of being free from ambiguity.
Mr. Spence values specificity in his students’ essays.
771. spectral

SPEK-trul
This word is from Latin.
adjective
ghostly.
The haunted house at the state fair was rife with spectral figures.
772. spindle

SPIN-dul
This word is originally English.
noun
a round stick that is spun around to form and twist the yarn while making yarn by hand.
After hours of having his yarn split and form unsightly clumps, Gary finally started to get the knack of using a drop spindle.
773. spiteful

SPAHYT-ful
This word was formed in English from a word that went from Latin to French to English plus an English element.
adjective
having or exhibiting a desire to vex, annoy, or injure.
Jayna’s spiteful behavior was the result of her blaming others for her problems.
774. splurge

splurj
This word is perhaps from an English word of Dutch origin plus a Latin-derived French word.
verb
to indulge in an activity or luxury one wouldn’t ordinarily indulge in.
After studying hard for all of her finals, Kendra decided to splurge on a day at the spa as a reward.
775. spreadsheet

SPRED-sheet
This word is formed from two originally English parts.
noun
an accounting program that is used on a computer.
Carolyn used color to fill the columns in the spreadsheet so it was easier for her to see different data.
776. sprite

sprahyt
This word went from Latin to French to English.
noun
elf, fairy.
Nadim searched online for the perfect insect-like wings and pointy cap to complete his sprite costume.
777. spry

sprahy
This word is perhaps of Scandinavian origin.
adjective
vigorously active : nimble.
Mr. Larsen, who is quite spry for a man in his nineties, walks over a mile each day.
778. squabble

SKWAH-bul
This word is probably of Scandinavian origin.
noun
a noisy altercation usually over something insignificant.
The twins were sent to bed after a nasty squabble over a video game.
779. squeamish

SKWEE-mish
This word came from Anglo-French into English.
adjective
having or being a stomach easily nauseated.
Murray in accounting gets squeamish, not at the sight of blood, but of red ink.
780. squirm

skwurm
This word is perhaps imitative in origin.
verb
to twist or turn because of boredom, nervousness or embarrassment.
The little boy managed to sit still for five minutes before he began to squirm in his seat.
781. stagestruck

STAYJ-struk
The first part of this word was originally Latin and went through French before becoming English, and the second part is originally English.
adjective
seized by an intense wish to become an actor.
Once someone is stagestruck, it is futile to encourage him to consider a profession other than acting.
782. stamina

STAM-uh-nuh
This word is from Latin.
noun
staying power.
The elderly senator doubted that he had the stamina to vigorously campaign for reelection.
783. stampede

stam-PEED
This word came from Spanish, which formed it from Germanic.
noun
a sudden rush of a large number of frightened animals running together.
The lightning strike caused a cattle stampede.
784. stance

stans
This word is from Latin-derived French.
noun
intellectual or emotional attitude : general standpoint.
Homer's stance on homework is "no."
785. standee

stan-DEE
This word is made up of English parts.
noun
a person who occupies an area where they are upright on their feet.
Allen wanted to see the star soprano perform so much that he didn't mind being a standee at the opera.
786. steampunk

STEEM-pungk
The first part of this word is from English and the second part is from a word whose origin is unknown.
noun
science fiction dealing with 19th-century societies dominated by historical or imagined technology powered by water vapor.
The majestic airships of the steampunk novel Mortal Engines inspired Natalie's latest artwork.
787. stencil

STEN-sil
This word is from a Latin word that passed through French and into English.
verb
to mark something with a design by forcing ink or paint onto the surface of it through an impenetrable material that has a design cut out of it.
Padma colored the entire page except the bottom corner, where she left room to stencil her name in block letters as her signature.
788. stereotypical

ster-ee-uh-TIP-ih-kul
This word is from originally Greek parts.
adjective
relating to something that conforms to a set pattern and lacks individual traits.
During the Halloween season, TV is rife with stereotypical horror tales.
789. sterling

STUR-ling
This word is originally English.
adjective
conforming to the highest standard : genuine.
The recipient of the Citizen of the Year award was cited for her sterling character and matchless energy.
790. sternum

STER-num
This word is from Latin, which took it from Greek.
noun
a bone or cartilage found in the median abdominal part of the body and connecting with the ribs.
Cartilage connects the ribs with the sternum.
791. stewardship

STOO-urd-ship
This word is from English.
noun
the careful, responsible management of something entrusted to one's care.
Mrs. West takes the stewardship of her classroom and its resources very seriously.
792. stomach

STUM-uk
Originally Greek, this word passed through Latin and French before becoming English.
noun
a saclike expansion of the digestive tract in a vertebrate that provides different digestive enzymes and grinds and mixes food.
Andrea claims that there is always room in her stomach for ice cream.
793. storm

storm
This word is originally English.
verb
to rain, hail, snow, or sleet especially in a violent manner or with high wind.
Gerald can tell by the thick, dark clouds that it will storm tonight.
794. stowaway

STOH-uh-way
This word consists of two originally English elements.
noun
a person who hides aboard a vehicle as a means of obtaining transportation.
The flight attendant discovered a frightened stowaway in a tiny closet at the rear of the plane.
795. strong

strahng
This word is originally English.
adjective
having a lot of muscular power.
Johnny is as strong as a bull.
796. stubble

STUH-bul
Originally Latin, this word went through French before becoming English.
noun
a growth of beard that is not long.
The unusual appearance of stubble on Bob's face must mean he's trying to grow a beard.
797. stupefy

STOO-puh-fahy
This word is from Latin.
verb
to astound.
Even though there was a lot of light pollution, the meteor show still had the power to stupefy.
798. subdued

sub-DOOD
This word is from Latin.
adjective
reduced or lacking in force or intensity.
The subdued dog could become ferocious when threatened.
799. substance

SUB-stuns
This word is from an originally Latin word that passed through French to English.
noun
a fundamental part, quality, or aspect : essential quality or import : the characteristic and essential part.
Though the political candidate's speech was full of energy, critics thought it lacked any real substance.
800. substitute

SUB-stuh-toot
This word is from Latin.
noun
someone who takes the place of someone else.
When Donald fouled out of the basketball game, the coach decided to send in a substitute who had been warming the bench for weeks.
801. suffix

SUH-fiks
This word is from Latin.
noun
an affix occurring at the end of a word, base or phrase.
Ms. Patel taught her class that the -ly suffix is commonly used to form adverbs.
802. suitable

SOO-tuh-bul
This word is formed from a word that went from Latin to French to English plus an English element.
adjective
appropriate for a specific use.
Rilla checked the label to see if the cheese was suitable for vegetarians.
803. sunflower

SUN-flau-ur
This word is formed from an originally English part plus a part that went from Latin to French to English.
adjective
resembling a large yellow flower.
The brown iris was slashed with yellow, the color of sunflower honey.
804. sunseeker

SUN-see-kur
This word is comprised of originally English parts.
noun
someone who travels to a place of warmth and radiant light especially in winter.
After a lifetime in New Hampshire, Mr. Rashid became a dedicated sunseeker in retirement.
805. surly

SUR-lee
This word is originally English.
adjective
ill-natured, abrupt, and rude.
Marie complained to the manager about the surly, uncooperative clerk.
806. sustain

suh-STAYN
This word came from French, which formed it from a Latin word.
verb
provide for the support or maintenance of : nourish.
Industries that sustain many seacoast settlements include the fishing trade and tourism.
807. swannery

SWAHN-uh-ree
This word is made up of an originally English word plus a French-derived English element.
noun
a place where usually white, long-necked aquatic birds are housed or bred.
Reportedly established by Benedictine monks in the 11th century, Abbotsbury swannery is home to the world's only managed colony of nesting mute swans.
808. sweltering

SWEL-tur-ing
This word is originally English.
adjective
oppressively hot.
Despite the sweltering heat, thousands of people lined the streets to watch the Fourth of July parade.
809. sword

sohrd
This word is originally English.
noun
a weapon with a long blade for slicing or thrusting.
For his knight costume, Curtis purchased a realistic-looking sword.
810. sympathy

SIM-puh-thee
This word is from Latin, which took it from Greek.
noun
the feeling of being sensitive to or affected by someone else's emotions.
Andy sent a card to his teacher to express his sympathy for the loss of her dog.
811. talent

TAL-unt
This word is from a word that passed from Greek to Latin to English featured in a biblical parable.
noun
a special ability to do something well.
Sterling's talent for basketball is a combination of natural ability and years of hard practice.
812. tango

TANG-goh
This word is from Spanish, probably from a language in the Niger-Congo family.
noun
a ballroom dance of Spanish-American origin.
Ned and Naomi learned the Argentine tango while in college.
813. tariff

TEHR-uf
Originally Arabic, this word went into Italian before being adopted by English.
noun
the duty or rate of duty imposed by a government on imported or exported goods for the production of revenue, for the artificial fostering of home industries, or as a means of coercing foreign governments to grant reciprocity privileges.
A high tariff protects the home industries from foreign competition.
814. tase

tayz
This word is formed from a word that is a trademark.
verb
to shoot (someone) with a gun that fires electrified darts that stun and immobilize.
The security personnel were sternly instructed not to tase peaceful protesters.
815. tawny

TAH-nee
This word went from French to English.
adjective
of a brownish orange to light brown hue.
Joseph’s favorite book is a classic children’s story about a tawny scrawny lion who loves carrot stew.
816. teamwork

TEEM-wurk
This word is originally English.
noun
a labor, task, or duty done by a number of associates with usually each doing a clearly defined portion but all subordinating personal prominence to the efficiency of the whole.
Ricardo's teacher told his group she was proud of their teamwork while completing the science project.
817. teenagers

TEE-nay-jurz
This word consists of a part that is from an originally English word, a part that went from Latin to French to English, and an English element.
plural noun
individuals from the ages of 13 to 19.
With a house full of teenagers and only one bathroom, Hetty knows her best strategy is to get up ahead of her children.
818. tendency

TEN-dun-see
This word is from Latin.
noun
a proneness to a particular kind of thought or action.
Thomasina has a tendency to eat a large breakfast and a small dinner instead of the other way around.
819. terrier

TER-ee-ur
This word came from French, which formed it from Latin.
noun
a type of small dog now mainly kept as a pet but originally used for hunting.
Different breeds of terrier range greatly in size, from just a couple of pounds to more than 70 pounds.
820. thawed

thahd
This word is originally English.
verb
became free of the results of cold (such as stiffness, numbness or ice) after being warmed.
Marcus waited until the meat thawed before grilling it.
821. thespian

THEH-spee-un
This word is from a Greek name plus an English part.
noun
an actor.
Frederick became stagestruck at an early age and was determined to become a thespian.
822. thicket

THIH-kut
This word was formed from an originally English word.
noun
a concentrated growth of shrubs or small trees that usually has a clear edge.
Maisie planted some lilies next to the thicket of trees at the back of her property.
823. thorn

thorn
This word is originally English.
noun
the runic letter þ used in Old English and Middle English and early Icelandic for either of the sounds of Modern English th (as in thin, then) but in modern Icelandic use only for th as in thin.
thorn is the 30th letter in the Icelandic alphabet.
824. thrift

thrift
This word went from Old Norse to English.
noun
careful management especially of financial affairs : wise frugality in expenditure.
Through thrift, Mom was able to save enough to take us to Scotland for two weeks.
825. throughout

throo-AUT
This word is originally English.
preposition
to or in all parts of.
The English department decided to assign the same summer homework to all students throughout the school.
826. tickled

TIK-uld
This word is originally English.
verb
made pleased.
The young actor was tickled to be offered the leading role in his next movie.
827. timber

TIM-bur
This word is originally English.
noun
wood prepared for use as building material.
The timber used for Mr. Bowling's wood floors was imported from Brazil.
828. toastmaster

TOHST-mast-ur
The first part of this word is originally English, and the second part went from Latin to French to English.
noun
one that presides (as at a banquet) and introduces the after-dinner speakers.
Eric will serve as toastmaster at the Golden Lamp banquet.
829. toilsome

TOYL-sum
This word is formed from a part that went from Latin to French to English plus an English element.
adjective
full of or characterized by effort or tiring work.
Tula set herself the toilsome job of cleaning the garage.
830. touted

TOU-tid
This word is from a perhaps originally imitative word.
verb
proclaimed boldly : overly publicized.
The energy drink was touted as giving anyone who drank it the energy of "a thousand rampaging elephants."
831. transference

tranz-FUR-uns
This word is from Latin.
noun
an instance of moving something from one area or person to another.
When it's time to restock, Ralph’s dad is in charge of the transference of fish from the fishery to the lake.
832. traverse

truh-VURS
This word passed from Latin to French to English.
verb
to journey over or across.
Jacques and his family will traverse the heart of Yosemite National Park on their yearly hike.
833. treasury

TREZH-uh-ree
This word passed from Greek to Latin to French to English.
noun
a room or building in which stores of wealth or valuable objects are kept.
The tour guide showed the group the treasury of the cathedral, tucked away in the basement where robbers wouldn't have thought to look.
834. treatise

TREE-tus
This word came to English from French, which probably formed it from a Latin-derived French word.
noun
a piece of writing that provides a thorough and careful discussion or argument about a subject.
Victor’s treatise on international relations was well received by his colleagues.
835. trendy

TREN-dee
This word is from originally English parts.
adjective
particularly fashionable.
Chloe bought her trendy new scarf on sale.
836. trespass

TREH-spas
This word is from a Latin-derived French word that then became English.
verb
to pass over an existing boundary line.
A large sign warns passersby not to trespass on Farmer Brown’s property.
837. trifle

TRAHY-ful
This word went from French to English.
noun
a small amount of something, such as money.
Though the bracelet from her grandmother was worth only a trifle, Morgan treasured it always.
838. trinkets

TRING-kuts
This word is perhaps from a French-derived English word that is probably from a Latin word.
plural noun
things of little value : trifles.
The actor decided to leave the industry, saying that the fame and money were mere trinkets compared to peace of mind and time spent with family.
839. troll

trohl
This word went from Old Norse to Norwegian and Danish.
noun
a supernatural creature in Germanic and Scandinavian legend that takes the form of either a giant or a dwarf and lives in mountains or caves.
Gerda’s grandmother told her a fairy tale about a troll who was really a prince.
840. troop

troop
This originally Germanic word passed through French before entering English.
noun
a group of soldiers.
The troop was directed to relocate to the southern border to help the infantry there.
841. trounce

trauns
This word is of unknown origin.
verb
to win victory over in a decisive manner.
Brian is hoping that Michigan will trounce Ohio State in their next football game, but Molly knows they won't.
842. trove

trohv
Originally Latin, this word passed through French before becoming English.
noun
a collection of objects deliberately concealed, previously lost sight of, or not appreciated at its real value.
Jamie found a trove of his grandfather’s baseball cards in the attic.
843. truffle

TRUH-ful
This word is from a word that went from Latin to Old Provençal to French.
noun
a ball-shaped candy made of chocolate, sugar, and butter and covered with cocoa or other toppings.
Wendy decided that she could eat just one more truffle.
844. truly

TROO-lee
This word is originally English.
adverb
indeed.
truly, Mary is the best leader the student government association has had in many years.
845. truncate

TRUNG-kayt
This word is from Latin.
verb
to make something shorter by or as if by cutting.
Ella learned how to use JavaScript to truncate a text string to a fixed length.
846. tubers

TOO-burz
This word is from Latin.
plural noun
a crop of potatoes.
Farmer Jones knew that it would be time to harvest her tubers soon.
847. tunnel

TUH-nul
This word went from Celtic to Latin to French to English.
noun
a covered passageway.
Georgina's favorite part of the road trip was when her family's van passed through a giant tunnel and everything turned dark.
848. tutorial

too-TOH-ree-ul
This word consists of a Latin element plus an English part.
adjective
of, relating to, or involving a private teacher or instructor.
Chuck’s physics teacher advised him to get tutorial help if he intended to pass the final exam.
849. unabridged

un-uh-BRIJD
This word consists of an originally English element plus a part that passed from Latin to Anglo-French to English.
adjective
complete.
Milo purchased the unabridged audiobook of his favorite novel to listen to on his road trip.
850. unbeknownst

un-bih-NOHNST
This word is originally English.
adjective
happening without one's being cognizant, conscious, or aware.
unbeknownst to Olesya, her friends were planning a surprise party at the ranch.
851. uncle

UNG-kul
Originally Latin, this word passed through French before becoming English.
noun
the brother of one of your parents.
Sonya's uncle is a famous politician.
852. undercroft

UN-dur-krahft
The first part of this word is originally English, and the second part went from Greek to Latin to Dutch to English.
noun
an underground room; especially : a vaulted chamber under a church.
Toni will visit the cathedral's undercroft to see the exhibit on embroidered medieval vestments.
853. undertake

un-dur-TAYK
This word was formed from an originally English element plus an Old Norse-derived English element.
verb
to enter upon : to set about : to attempt.
Emily watched excitedly as the protagonist of her favorite TV show decided to undertake a new adventure.
854. unfazed

un-FAYZD
This word is originally English.
adjective
not disturbed or worried.
Despite the difficulty of the task at hand, Kaz remained unfazed.
855. unfurl

un-FURL
This word is formed from an originally English element plus a word formed in French from Latin elements that passed into English.
verb
to unroll or free something from a rolled-up condition.
Kendra embroidered her school’s motto on the new flag she will unfurl during tomorrow’s assembly.
856. universal

yoo-nuh-VUR-suhl
This word went from Latin to French to English.
adjective
present or occurring as indicated throughout the whole world : encountered everywhere.
Music is often called a universal language because it crosses cultural and linguistic barriers.
857. university

yoo-nuh-VER-suh-tee
Originally Latin, this word went through French before becoming English.
noun
a school that has the authority to confer academic degrees and has teaching and research facilities.
The university offered Stephanie a very generous scholarship package.
858. uppercut

UP-ur-kut
This word is originally English.
noun
a swinging blow directed upward with a bent arm.
The boxer ended the round with a devastating uppercut to the chin.
859. urgency

UR-jun-see
This word is from Latin.
noun
the condition of needing immediate attention : insistence.
The urgency of the situation in the cafeteria required Principal Brown to cancel her lunch plans.
860. useful

YOOS-ful
This word is formed from a word that passed from Latin to French to English plus an English element.
adjective
bringing about or being able to bring about good : advantageous.
The Internet is useful for finding information quickly.
861. usher

UH-shur
Originally Latin, this word went through French before becoming English.
noun
someone who escorts people to seats at a gathering.
The usher informed the latecomers that they would not be seated until the end of the first act.
862. various

VAYR-ee-us
This word is from Latin.
adjective
of differing kinds : being an assortment.
When Tasha explained that she was allergic to shellfish, the seafood restaurant assured her that they had various other options.
863. varnish

VAHR-nish
Probably originally a geographical name, this word passed from Greek to Latin to Italian to French before becoming English.
verb
to coat with a thin layer of liquid that dries to produce a hard glossy surface.
Rebecca will varnish her dresser to make it look new again.
864. varsity

VAHR-suh-tee
This word is formed from a word that went from Latin to French to English.
noun
the main team representing a school or club in a sport or other competition.
Micah was proud to represent his school's varsity soccer team even though he was only a sophomore.
865. vascular

VAS-kyuh-lur
This word is from Latin.
adjective
relating to a tube for the transport of a fluid, such as blood or sap, within something living.
Janice’s grandmother will see a specialist to discuss nonsurgical ways to treat her vascular disease.
866. vault

vahlt
This word went from Latin to French before becoming English.
noun
a room to keep valuables safe that is usually built of steel.
The treasure hunters managed to break into the underground vault only to find it empty.
867. veered

veerd
Probably originally of Celtic origin, this word passed from French to English.
verb
changed direction : turned.
Speeding down the street on her skateboard, Sky veered away from the pothole at the last instant.
868. vendetta

ven-DEH-tuh
This word came from Italian, which formed it from a Latin word.
noun
a prolonged feud marked by bitter hostility.
The official who was fired accused the mayor of having a vendetta against him.
869. vendors

VEN-durz
This word is from Latin-derived French.
plural noun
persons that offer goods for sale especially habitually or as a means of livelihood : sellers.
Joaquin walked along the row of vendors at the craft show, looking for the perfect gift for his sister.
870. venue

VEN-yoo
This word came from French, which formed it from a Latin word.
noun
a space picked to be the location of a gathering, such as for a sporting event.
The local spelling bee became so popular that they had to move the competition to a larger venue.
871. versatile

VUR-suh-tul
This word is from French, which formed it from Latin.
adjective
possessing a broad range of interests or proficiencies.
Hannah is a versatile athlete who participates in many different sports.
872. version

VUR-zhun
This word came to English from French, which took it from Latin.
noun
an account from one point of view particularly when contrasted with another.
Ms. Jakes was not surprised when one twin had a different version of the story from the other.
873. vindictive

vin-DIK-tiv
This word is formed from an originally Latin part plus an English element.
adjective
spiteful.
Chester tried to ignore the vindictive comments that were anonymously posted on his blog.
874. vinegar

VIN-ih-gur
This word was formed in French from originally Latin elements before becoming English.
noun
a sour liquid used to preserve foods or as a condiment.
Jacques enjoys making his own pickles using cucumbers, vinegar, salt and spices.
875. vineyard

VIN-yurd
This word is from a word that passed from Latin to French to English plus an originally English word.
noun
a field of plants that produce grapes.
While touring a Napa Valley winery, Jamie wandered through the vineyard.
876. violate

VAHY-uh-layt
This word went from Latin to English.
verb
to interfere with by interruption or disturbance.
Trina could not believe her little brother would violate her privacy by reading her top-secret diary.
877. virtually

VUR-chuh-wuh-lee
This word is from a word that went from Latin to English plus an English element.
adverb
nearly completely.
With the blackout curtains drawn in his hotel room, Soren was virtually unable to see.
878. visibility

vih-zuh-BIL-uh-tee
This word is from Latin.
noun
the degree to which someone or something can be seen.
The captain announced that visibility was approximately five miles.
879. vlogging

VLAHG-ing
The first part is from a word from Latin and the second part is from an English word made up of English and probably Scandinavian parts, plus an English combing form.
verb
writing or keeping a blog that has video material.
Robin spent her time after school vlogging about her family and her two cuddly kittens.
880. volcano

vahl-KAY-noh
This word is from Italian, which took it from a Roman mythological name.
noun
a vent in Earth’s crust that sometimes throws out steam and hot or molten rock.
While on vacation, Sally toured a Hawaiian volcano.
881. votive

VOH-tiv
This word is from Latin.
adjective
performed or done to fulfill a vow or pledge.
This year Sue made her votive pilgrimage to the estate of her favorite performer.
882. waiver

WAY-vur
This word is from a French word that is probably originally Scandinavian in origin.
noun
the act of purposely giving up a known claim or right.
The attorney explained to her client how a waiver of a jury trial could be to his advantage.
883. wamble

WAHM-bul
This word is originally English.
verb
to move unsteadily or with a weaving or rolling motion.
The babies who wamble across the floor in the diaper commercial are Beth’s siblings.
884. wand

wahnd
This word passed from Old Norse to English.
noun
a slender rod often carried by magical or supernatural beings, such as fairies.
With a wave of her wand, the fairy turned Sinead's hovel into a cozy stone cottage.
885. warning

WAHR-ning
This word is originally English.
noun
a notice that cautions that danger is coming.
When Rosie got to the beach, she was surprised to see a warning about high surf posted near the edge of the water.
886. wasp

wahsp
This word is originally English.
noun
any of a number of colony-dwelling, stinging social insects that have biting mouthparts.
The well-known yellow jacket is a wasp with a hurtful sting.
887. wattage

WAH-tij
This word is from a Scottish name plus an English element.
noun
total quantity of power expressed in 1/746 horsepower.
wattage is the indication of how much power a light bulb consumes, not the amount of light it generates.
888. weald

weeld
This word is originally English.
noun
a forest.
After three days of hiking, the tired and dirty scouts finally emerged from the weald.
889. wealthy

WEL-thee
This word is originally English.
adjective
having much money : affluent.
Walter became wealthy through investment in the stock market.
890. weaponry

WEH-pun-ree
The first part of this word is originally English and the second part is originally French.
noun
a mass or body of instruments of offensive or defensive combat.
At the socially distanced birthday party, Harry and Varshaa sat 10 feet apart and discussed the virtual weaponry of their favorite video games.
891. welding

WEL-ding
This word is from an originally English word.
verb
uniting parts by heating the surfaces to be joined and then allowing the metals to flow together.
The plumber rerouted the drain by welding the two pipes together.
892. welterweight

WEL-tur-wayt
This word is formed from originally English elements.
noun
a wrestler or a boxer who belongs to a weight class between a middleweight and a lightweight.
Bianca, a welterweight, was excited to watch the Olympic women's wrestling competitions.
893. western

WES-turn
This word is originally English.
adjective
of or relating to the American West.
Muhsin and his friends had a marathon of old western films over the weekend, complete with cowboy hats and homemade chili.
894. wharf

hwahrf
This word is originally English.
noun
a structure built at the water's shore so that ships can load and unload passengers and cargo.
As the freighter docked at the wharf, workers were waiting to unload its cargo.
895. wheedle

WEE-dul
This word is of unknown origin.
verb
to get or get away with something by using flattery.
Ginger was sure she could wheedle 10 dollars out of her father.
896. whelp

hwelp
This word is originally English.
noun
one of the young of a number of carnivorous mammals.
Wendy spotted the tracks of a fox and what appeared to be a single whelp by the path.
897. whereas

wayr-AZ
This word consists of two originally English elements.
conjunction
while on the contrary.
Aimee enjoys dramatic movies, whereas her brother prefers comedies.
898. whey

hway
This word is originally English.
noun
the watery part of milk that is separated from the curd in the process of making cheese.
whey is an excellent source of protein and is often fed to farm animals after the processing of cheese.
899. whimsical

WIM-zih-kul
This word is from an English word of unknown origin plus an English element.
adjective
resulting from or determined by sudden, capricious, unpredictable ideas.
The author has written a volume of whimsical poetry that is delightful reading for kids and parents alike.
900. whirlybird

HWUR-lee-burd
The first part of this word consists of a probably Scandinavian-derived English word plus an English element, and the second part is originally English.
noun
a helicopter.
The company asked the aeronautics board to approve new flights for the whirlybird.
901. whisk

hwisk
This word is probably from a Scandinavian word that came into English.
noun
a small kitchen tool used for beating food (such as eggs) by hand.
Rose used a whisk to beat the egg whites into a stiff froth.
902. wield

weeld
This word is from English.
verb
to use a tool or instrument, especially with full command or power.
Gabe's favorite scene in the movie is the one in which the firefighters wield their tanks and hoses.
903. wimple

WIM-pul
This word is originally English.
noun
a cloth that covers the neck and the sides of the face that is attached to the hair or a hat and is worn especially by nuns.
The nun smoothed out her robe and wimple after the long flight.
904. wince

wins
This word came to English from Germanic-derived French.
verb
to shrink back involuntarily (as from pain) : to flinch.
Taylor tried not to wince when she saw the needle approach, but she did anyway.
905. windbaggery

WIND-bag-uh-ree
The first part of this word is from an originally English word and the second part is originally French.
noun
pompous meaningless talk.
Maeve disliked the windbaggery that went on at her investment firm’s social hours.
906. wordmonger

WURD-mung-gur
This word is from an English part plus a part that went from Greek to Latin to English.
noun
someone who uses words in a flashy way without sufficient consideration for what they mean.
When Violet accused Noel of being a wordmonger, he said she was just a pusillanimous flügelhorn.
907. wring

ring
This word is originally English.
verb
to compress by squeezing or twisting especially so as to make dry or to extract moisture or liquid.
Henri's dad asked him to wring the excess water out of the sponge.
908. yammer

YAM-ur
This word is a German-influenced alteration of an English word.
verb
to talk rapidly, for a long time, and often loudly.
Julianne was very patient while her toddler would yammer about his adventures at preschool.
909. yawl

yahl
This word is from German.
noun
a rigged sailboat with a mainmast stepped a little farther forward than in a sloop.
Historically, the yawl has been used for fishing as well as for racing.
910. yeanling

YEEN-ling
This word is formed from originally English parts.
noun
lamb.
The farmer explained to the children that the yeanling would render several pounds of wool during its lifetime.
911. yippee

YIP-ee
This word is probably imitative in origin.
interjection
— used to express joyous delight or triumph.
“yippee!” called the boys as the roller coaster started its long descent toward the double loop.
912. yonder

YAHN-dur
This word is originally English.
adjective
being at a distance within sight, or at a location or in a direction known or pointed out.
Cecil could not see any trees except one that was in that field yonder.
913. yoo-hoo

YOO-hoo
The origin of this word is unknown.
interjection
— used to get attention or as a call to people.
The boys had hoped to pass by Aunt Millie's house unnoticed, but suddenly they heard a loud "yoo-hoo" from her front window.
914. yore

yohr
This word is originally English.
noun
time past and especially long since past.
"Ah, the days of yore," Dad said, when he found a set of his old baseball and basketball cards in a shoebox.
915. zither

ZITH-ur
Originally Greek, this word passed from Latin to German before becoming English.
noun
an instrument that has a shallow horizontal soundboard topped with 30 to 40 strings that are typically plucked by a performer.
On his zither, the musician played covers of several popular songs by the Beatles.
916. aberration

a-buh-RAY-shun
This word is from Latin.
noun
a shift from the usual state of things.
Jane’s outburst at the meeting was a shocking behavioral aberration, for her manner is usually very reserved.
917. ablation

a-BLAY-shun
This word passed to English from Latin-derived French.
noun
a decrease in ice or snow in or on a glacier primarily as a result of melting and evaporation.
Glacial ablation can be caused by melting, wind erosion, or calving, the process of large ice chunks falling into the water.
918. ablaut

AH-blout
This word is from German.
noun
a change in vowels between different forms of a word.
Mr. Treacher used "sing" and "sang" as an example of ablaut where the different vowel marks a different tense.
919. abnegation

ab-nih-GAY-shun
This word is from Latin.
noun
denial or the practice of renouncing.
Monasticism involves the disciplining, limitation or abnegation of the material aspects of human life.
920. abominable

uh-BAHM-nuh-bul
This word is from a Latin word that became French and then English.
adjective
horrible or loathsome.
Charlie’s abominable pretense of being attracted to Jane was the result of a dare by his friends.
921. abrogate

A-bruh-gayt
This word is from Latin.
verb
to put an end to something by official ruling.
The 13th amendment was intended to abrogate all forms of involuntary servitude except in cases of criminal convictions.
922. abscess

AB-ses
This word is from Latin.
noun
an aggregation of pus encircled by irritated tissue.
A dental abscess results from a bacterial infection of the pulp of the tooth.
923. abscond

ab-SKAHND
This word is from Latin.
verb
to depart secretly : to withdraw and hide oneself.
The spy planned to abscond with the stolen documents at the first opportunity.
924. absolution

ab-suh-LOO-shun
This word is from a Latin word that became French and then English.
noun
a ceremony in which a priest forgives someone's sins.
Father O’Malley performed the rite of absolution on behalf of the thief who had just made his confession.
925. abstemious

ab-STEE-mee-us
This word is from Latin.
adjective
restrained in how much one eats and drinks.
Evelyn is abstemious by nature and never orders dessert.
926. Acadians

uh-KAY-dee-unz
The first part of this word is from a French geographical name and the second part is originally Latin.
plural noun
people who were from or lived in a French colony of the 17th and 18th century consisting primarily of what is now Nova Scotia.
After the British gained political control of the region, many Acadians immigrated to Louisiana, forming the Cajun culture.
927. accentuate

ik-SEN-shuh-wayt
This word is from Latin.
verb
to make something more noticeable.
The columns of the ancient Greek temple accentuate its height.
928. accrual

uh-KROO-ul
The parts of this word went from Latin to French before becoming English.
noun
a growing sum of money for a certain purpose.
Marty calculated the daily interest accrual on his student loan.
929. acerbity

uh-SUR-buh-tee
This word went from Latin to French.
noun
a harsh or irritated manner.
Rosemary remarked with acerbity that her son had not done his chores in days.
930. achromatic

ak-ruh-MAT-ik
This word is made up of parts of Greek origin.
adjective
colorless.
Jens proudly described his minimalistic living room as "practically achromatic."
931. acoustic

uh-KOO-stik
This word is from Greek-derived Latin.
adjective
related to the sense of hearing.
Seals and sea lions have a wider acoustic range than dolphins and porpoises.
932. acquiesce

a-kwee-ES
This word came from Latin-derived French.
verb
to accept without protest.
Because he hates to argue, Stephen tends to acquiesce in most situations involving conflict.
933. acral

AK-rul
The first part of this word is originally Greek, and the second part is from English.
adjective
relating to the extremities of surface body parts.
George has been diagnosed with acral melanoma of the feet.
934. acuity

uh-KYOO-uh-tee
Originally Latin, this word passed through French before becoming English.
noun
unusually strong awareness, especially of a physical sense.
Good near, intermediate and distant visual acuity is vital to pilots.
935. acumen

uh-KYOO-mun
This word is from Latin.
noun
keenness of perception or discernment : shrewdness in practical matters.
Della’s business acumen helped her amass a fortune of over $50 million.
936. acupuncture

AK-yuh-pungk-chur
This word is from Latin.
noun
an originally Chinese practice of inserting fine needles through the skin at specific points to cure disease or relieve pain.
Some professional athletes use acupuncture to treat muscle soreness before big games.
937. Adirondack

ad-uh-RAHN-dak
This word is from a U.S. geographical name.
adjective
made with wide wooden slats — used of furniture.
The rustic Adirondack coffee table Sadie purchased works beautifully with her soft sofa.
938. adjugate

A-juh-gut
This word is from Latin.
noun
the mathematical transpose of a matrix in which each element is replaced by its cofactor.
The adjugate of a matrix is a scalar multiple of the inverse of the matrix, as everyone knows.
939. adjure

uh-JOOR
This word went from Latin to Anglo-French to English.
verb
to charge or command solemnly as if under oath or penalty of a curse.
Before each witness takes the stand, the judge will adjure them to tell "the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth."
940. adolescence

ad-uh-LES-uns
This word came from a Latin word that became French and then English.
noun
teenagerhood.
Tracie wonders if her nerves will survive her daughters' adolescence.
941. adulation

a-juh-LAY-shun
This word went from Latin to French to English.
noun
gushy praise.
The pop star claimed not to need the adulation of her fans, but secretly enjoyed the flattery.
942. advertisement

ad-vur-TAHYZ-munt
This word passed from Latin-derived Anglo-French to English.
noun
a paid notice or announcement published in some public print (as a newspaper, periodical, poster, or handbill) or broadcast over radio or television.
The advertisement featured a sleek, electric vehicle driving through a picturesque landscape.
943. advocatory

ad-VAH-kuh-toh-ree
This word consists of originally Latin parts.
adjective
of or relating to one that argues for, defends, maintains, or recommends a cause or proposal.
Jace knows it’s important to take an advocatory role if he wants to see change enacted.
944. aerobics

er-OH-biks
This word is from originally Greek parts that passed through French.
plural noun
exercises that improve heart and lung function by making those organs work harder.
Muriel's resolution to attend aerobics classes twice a week quickly fell apart in favor of lying on the couch and thinking about being healthy.
945. affable

A-fuh-bul
This word went from Latin to French to English.
adjective
easy to get along with.
affable and knowledgeable, the tour guide was well suited to her job.
946. affeer

uh-FEER
Originally from Latin elements, this word passed from French to English.
verb
to assess or fix the amount of something, such as a penalty — used in law.
The judge decided to affeer the fine at $250, since it was the defendant's first infraction.
947. affianced

uh-FAHY-unst
This word is from a Latin word that became French and then English.
verb
engaged oneself or someone else to be married.
The archduke of Austria affianced his daughter to the king of France.
948. affiliate

uh-FIL-ee-ayt
This word is made up of Latin elements, but English probably got it from French.
verb
to connect or associate oneself.
The agency will affiliate with a larger organization in order to provide better benefits to its employees.
949. affluent

A-floo-uhnt
This word went through Latin to French to English.
adjective
wealthy.
Ads for luxury cars are generally directed to affluent consumers.
950. affogato

ah-foh-GAH-toh
This word is from Latin-derived Italian.
noun
a dessert served in Italy consisting of vanilla ice cream topped with a shot of espresso.
Micah's favorite dessert is affogato with an extra sprinkle of cocoa powder.
951. afghan

AF-gan
This word is from Persian.
noun
a colorful blanket made of knitted or crocheted strips that are joined together.
Mrs. Campbell knitted a striped afghan as a housewarming present for her new neighbors.
952. aficionado

uh-fish-uh-NAH-doh
This word went from Latin to Spanish before becoming English.
noun
an enthusiastic devotee or fan.
Morgan was such an aficionado of The Hunger Games that she took up archery as a hobby.
953. agalma

uh-GAL-muh
This word is from Greek.
noun
an ancient Greek statue of a god that serves as a relic or remembrance.
The archaeologist thought that the agalma found in the temple ruins was likely a votive offering to Demeter, the goddess of agriculture.
954. agate

A-gut
This word is from an originally Greek word that passed into Latin and then French before becoming English.
noun
a fine-grained translucent mineral frequently mixed with opal and having various colors.
Samhita inherited a brooch made of agate and diamond from her great-grandmother.
955. agave

uh-GAH-vee
Originally Greek, this word passed into Latin and then English.
noun
a plant native to tropical America and to the southwestern U.S. having heavy stiff often spiny persistent leaves and tall spikes of flowers that are cultivated for fiber (as sisal) or for other economic products (as mescal).
The nectar of some species of agave is used as a sweetener, being sweeter and less viscous than honey.
956. agelicism

uh-JEL-uh-siz-um
This word is from Greek elements plus an English element.
noun
the idea that society determines one's personal thoughts and actions.
The psychologist criticized the sociological journal for its preference of agelicism over individualism when choosing articles for publication.
957. aggrandizement

uh-GRAN-duz-munt
This word came from French, which formed it from a Latin word.
noun
the act, action, or result of making great or greater (as in power, honor, or wealth) : advancement.
Because she was a commoner, Ruth was accused of marrying the prince for her personal aggrandizement.
958. aglossal

ay-GLAH-sul
The first two parts of this word are Greek, and the last part is from English.
adjective
having no tongue — used in zoology.
The waters of the Amazon basin are home to a species of aglossal frogs.
959. agnail

AG-nayl
This word is from Germanic-derived English.
noun
a piece of skin hanging loose at the side or root of the hard protective cover at the end of the finger.
Hassan’s agnail bothered him so much that he clipped it off.
960. agonistic

ag-uh-NIS-tik
This word passed from Greek to Latin.
adjective
aggressively argumentative.
Andrew enjoyed talking with Uncle Scott about political matters, but sometimes their discussions became far too agonistic.
961. agoraphobia

ag-uh-ruh-FOH-bee-uh
This word was borrowed from German, which formed it from two Greek parts.
noun
fear of being outside or out in public.
Charles doesn't have agoraphobia, but he does much prefer staying home to going out.
962. aikido

ahy-KEE-doh
This word is from Japanese.
noun
a Japanese martial art that uses techniques emphasizing throws and holds to neutralize or redirect an opponent’s attacks.
Developed by Morihei Ueshiba during the late 1920s, aikido is influenced by other, older martial arts styles.
963. aioli

ahy-OH-lee
This word comes from Provençal, which formed it from Latin-derived elements.
noun
garlic mayonnaise.
In the Mediterranean region, aioli is served with fish and potatoes.
964. albeit

AHL-bee-ut
This word is originally English.
conjunction
although.
The cat thought the dog was just a nuisance, albeit a very persistent one.
965. alembroth

uh-LEM-broth
This word is originally English.
noun
a double chloride of ammonium and mercury believed by the alchemists to be a universal solvent.
The alchemist carefully measured the alembroth, believing it to be the key to transforming base metals into gold.
966. Alexandria

al-ig-ZAN-dree-uh
This word is an Egyptian geographical name.
geographical entry
city and port between Lake Mareotis and the Mediterranean Sea in northern Egypt.
Historically, Alexandria was a major center of early Christianity.
967. alimentation

al-uh-mun-TAY-shun
This word is from Latin.
noun
the process of giving nourishment.
Raquel required intravenous alimentation while she recovered from surgery.
968. allergenic

al-ur-JEN-ik
This word is from a German word formed from Greek elements.
adjective
related to things that cause mild to serious physical reactions like sneezing or itching in some people.
Eggs are an allergenic food for many unfortunate people.
969. allocable

AL-uh-kuh-bul
This word was formed in English from originally Latin parts.
adjective
able to be assigned to a specific account or time period.
The treasurer noted that there were currently not enough allocable funds to complete the project.
970. allonym

AL-uh-nim
This word is from a French word formed from Greek elements.
noun
an author's pen name that is someone else's real name.
For his first novel, Greg considered using “Suzanne Collins” as an allonym, but then thought better of it.
971. alluvial

uh-LOO-vee-ul
This word is composed of an originally Latin word plus an English element.
adjective
made up of sand and gravel that is deposited by moving water.
Yannick thought his toy sailboat was long gone after being carried off by the quick current, but thankfully it had gotten stuck on an alluvial deposit only a couple hundred feet downstream.
972. alma mater

al-muh-MAH-tur
This word entry is from Latin.
noun
the school or university that one attended or graduated from.
Lisbeth is excited to be attending her mother's alma mater next fall.
973. alpestrine

al-PES-trin
This word is from a Latin element plus an English element.
adjective
growing at high elevations but not above the timber line.
Climbing up the mountain, Bruce saw various alpestrine flowers appear among the trees, and then gradually vanish as he approached the summit.
974. althorn

ALT-horn
The first part of this word went from Latin-derived Italian to German, and the second part is from German.
noun
the alto part of the saxhorn family used often in bands.
Mimi stomped the floor, whistled, and clapped after the virtuoso althorn solo.
975. amalgam

uh-MAL-gum
This word is probably from an originally Arabic word that passed from Latin through French to English.
noun
a mixture of elements.
The plot of the hit novel was an amalgam of history, drama and romance.
976. ambiguous

am-BIG-yuh-wus
This word is from Latin.
adjective
able to be understood in more than one way : having more than one possible meaning.
The instructions were so ambiguous that none of the students were sure what was expected of them.
977. ambrosial

am-BROH-zhul
This word is from a Greek-derived Latin word plus an English element.
adjective
extremely delicious or fragrant.
Nora reported that her tour of the chocolate factory was an “ambrosial treat.”
978. ammonite

AM-uh-nahyt
The first part of this word went from Egyptian to Greek to Latin and the second part went from Greek to Latin to French.
noun
a fertilizer made largely from dried meat residues.
Hilda swore that ammonite was the secret to her prize-winning begonias.
979. ammunition

am-yuh-NIH-shun
This word came from French, which formed it from a Latin word.
noun
the materials (such as bullets) that are fired from weapons.
The colonel requisitioned more ammunition for his troops before their mission.
980. amygdala

uh-MIG-duh-luh
This word is from a Latin word that was originally Greek.
noun
a group of nerve cells in each hemisphere of the brain that is essential to processing emotions.
Damage to the amygdala may result in an inability to feel fear.
981. anabolic

an-uh-BAH-lik
Both parts of this word are originally Greek.
adjective
related to the building up of tissues and organs in the body.
The weightlifter was disqualified after it was discovered he had used anabolic steroids to illegally increase muscle size.
982. anachronism

uh-NAK-ruh-niz-um
This word is from Greek.
noun
a chronological misplacing of persons, events, objects, or customs in regard to each other.
The soda can on the fence post in the movie depicting colonial life is an anachronism the film editors missed.
983. anaglyphy

uh-NA-gluh-fee
This word is from a Greek word plus an English element.
noun
the art of carving a form from a flat surface.
Determined to learn all she could about anaglyphy, Karen watched many YouTube videos of gem and cameo carving.
984. analects

AN-uh-lekts
This word passed from Greek to Latin.
plural noun
selected miscellaneous written passages.
The scroll contains the analects of a Chinese sage.
985. analepsis

an-uh-LEP-sis
This word is originally Greek.
noun
a flashback in literature.
Harriet found the author's use of analepsis difficult to follow.
986. analgesia

an-ul-JEE-zhuh
This word is from an originally Greek word that became Latin.
noun
insensitivity to pain.
Dr. Wu is researching the effectiveness of acupuncture as a method of inducing analgesia.
987. anatomical

an-uh-TAH-mih-kuhl
This word consists of an originally Greek part that passed from Latin to French to English plus an English combining form.
adjective
of or relating to the branch of morphology that deals with the structure of animals.
The paper Jordan submitted to the anatomical journal discussed replacing real-life frog dissection in classrooms with a virtual reality experience.
988. anchorage

ANK-uh-rij
This word is from a word that went from Greek to Latin to English plus an English element.
noun
a place where boats are moored.
The harbor could easily provide anchorage for 10 ships.
989. ancillary

AN-suh-ler-ee
This word is from Latin.
adjective
additional or supplementary.
Merv brought a stack of ancillary documents to court to prove his case.
990. anemic

uh-NEE-mik
This word is from Greek-derived Latin.
adjective
dull, lifeless.
The review in the paper panned the symphony's performance as having ranged from sleepy to anemic.
991. anent

uh-NENT
This word is originally English.
preposition
in reference to : about, concerning.
Mila’s great-grandfather is always ready to share his thoughts anent the outcome of the 1948 presidential election.
992. anglophile

ANG-luh-fahyl
This word is made up of a part that is originally Latin and a part that is originally Greek.
noun
someone who loves England and its culture.
Todd is such an anglophile that he only watches English TV shows.
993. anhinga

an-HING-uh
This word is from an originally Tupi [tue-PEE] word that passed into Latin.
noun
a long-necked bird that lives near fresh water and eats fish.
Tanya spotted an anhinga while exploring the Everglades.
994. anicca

uh-NIK-uh
This word is from Pali, which took it from Sanskrit.
noun
fleetingness or impermanence of existence — used in Buddhism.
anicca, an essential doctrine of Buddhism, asserts that all conditioned things are inconstant and in a continuous state of change.
995. anionic

a-nahy-AH-nik
This word is made up of ultimately Greek elements.
adjective
relating to or consisting of negatively charged atoms or groups of atoms.
By gaining an electron, a chlorine atom becomes anionic.
996. anise

A-nus
This word went from Greek to Latin to French to English.
noun
an herb cultivated for its aromatic seeds.
The flavor of anise is similar to that of licorice.
997. Anjou

AN-joo
This word is from a French geographical name.
noun
a large, common pear having usually yellowish-green skin and sweet, juicy, relatively firm flesh.
Elizabeth packed an Anjou in her lunch and hoped it would be ready to eat, since it's common knowledge that pears are ripe for precisely 28 seconds and then turn to mush.
998. ankh

ahnk
This word is from Egyptian.
noun
the ancient Egyptian symbol for life that looks like a cross with a loop on top.
Roger’s first discovery as an Egyptian archaeologist was a gold ankh.
999. anneal

uh-NEEL
This word is originally English.
verb
to heat and then cool usually for softening and rendering less brittle, gradual cooling being required for some but not all materials.
As soon as the oven is hot enough, the glassblower will anneal his glassware.
1000. annuity

uh-NOO-uh-tee
This word is from a Latin word that became French and then English.
noun
money that is paid in installments on a regular basis.
Carl’s grandparents set up a trust fund that will provide him with an annuity for the next 20 years.
1001. annulment

uh-NUL-munt
This word is from a Latin word that became French and then English plus a Latin-derived English element.
noun
a legal declaration that a marriage was not valid.
The couple's annulment freed them both to remarry.
1002. anodyne

AN-uh-dahyn
This word went from Greek to Latin.
adjective
having a pain-relieving or calming effect.
Before aspirin was developed, certain herbs were highly valued for their anodyne properties.
1003. anole

uh-NOHL-ee
This word came to English from French, which borrowed it from a Carib word.
noun
a lizard of a genus of small American lizards that have the power of changing color.
Joe feeds his pet anole crickets as well as other insects he finds in the yard
1004. anonymity

an-uh-NIM-uh-tee
This word is from an originally Greek word that passed into Latin plus an English element that passed from Latin to French.
noun
the state or quality of being nameless or having the name unknown.
After years in the spotlight, the actor was looking forward to living out his retirement in relative anonymity.
1005. anorak

AN-uh-rak
This word is from a Greenland Inuit word that passed into Danish.
noun
a windproof pullover jacket with a hood.
Geraldine bought a purple anorak for her backpacking trip.
1006. anserine

AN-suh-rahyn
This word is from an originally Latin word.
adjective
of, relating to, or resembling a goose.
For amusement, Marta and her sister pretended they were anserine creatures by squawking at one another and flapping their arms as if they were wings.
1007. antacid

ant-A-sud
This word consists of two Latin elements.
noun
an agent that counteracts or neutralizes the quality, state, or degree of being sour or corrosive.
The tablet that Mr. Branson keeps popping between classes is an antacid.
1008. antagonistic

an-tag-uh-NIH-stik
This word is made up of Greek-derived elements.
adjective
hostile or oppositional.
Barb knew it would take patient diplomacy to win over those who were antagonistic to her ideas and authority.
1009. anthropomorphic

an-thruh-puh-MOR-fik
This word consists of Greek-derived Latin element plus an English element.
adjective
described or thought of as having human form or attributes : ascribing human characteristics to nonhuman things.
The new children's cartoon starred an anthropomorphic badger that danced and sang.
1010. antipathy

an-TIP-uh-thee
This word went from Greek to Latin.
noun
steadfast dislike or aversion.
Bo's antipathy for vegetables is well known.
1011. antiquarian

an-tuh-KWER-ee-un
This word is from a Latin word plus an English element.
adjective
having a business in old books.
Pamela went to an antiquarian bookseller to have her first edition of Oliver Twist appraised.
1012. antithesis

an-TIH-thuh-sus
This word is from a Greek word that became Latin.
noun
the exact opposite.
French fries are Connor's guilty pleasure, as he knows they are the antithesis of healthy eating.
1013. anxiety

ang-ZAHY-uh-tee
This word is from Latin.
noun
a strong feeling of worry or unease.
To relieve her occasional anxiety, Meaghan goes for long walks and drinks herbal tea.
1014. aperture

AP-ur-chur
This word is from a Latin word that passed into English.
noun
the hole in a camera lens that is adjustable and lets the light in.
A photographer typically has to adjust the shutter speed and set the aperture.
1015. apiary

AY-pee-er-ee
This word is from Latin.
noun
beehives kept for honey production.
Mr. Dean set up his apiary near a clover field so that the bees could easily collect nectar.
1016. aporia

uh-POR-ee-uh
This word is from a Greek word that became Latin.
noun
a speech or piece of writing that expresses some doubt or difficulty.
Hamlet's question "To be, or not to be?" is an aporia.
1017. apothecary

uh-PAH-thuh-ker-ee
Originally Greek, this word went into Latin before becoming English.
noun
a person who readies and dispenses medicines : a pharmacist.
Samuel spent his summer as a volunteer acting in the role of the apothecary at the Shelburne Museum in Vermont.
1018. apotheosis

uh-pah-thee-OH-sus
This word is from Greek-derived Latin.
noun
elevation to the status of a god.
The emperor Caligula announced his own apotheosis to his terrified subjects.
1019. apparatus

ap-uh-RAT-us
This word is from Latin.
noun
any complex device or instrument created for a specific chemical or mechanical operation or action : a mechanism.
The trainer went into much detail about which apparatus is best for a cardiovascular workout.
1020. approbatory

A-pruh-buh-tor-ee
This word consists of Latin-derived English parts.
adjective
expressing praise and commendation.
Mayor Watkins gratefully sent an approbatory letter to each of the police officers involved in the rescue.
1021. aqueduct

AK-wuh-dukt
This word is from Latin.
noun
a channel for transporting water.
Rishi visited an ancient Roman aqueduct while traveling in Spain.
1022. aqueous

AY-kwee-us
This word is from Latin.
adjective
made from, by using, or with water.
Priyanka set up the lab for the next experiment, which dealt with electrolysis of an aqueous solution of sodium chloride.
1023. aquiclude

AK-wuh-klood
This word is from Latin elements.
noun
a layer of rock that keeps water enclosed in an adjacent layer.
Sebastien had to break through the aquiclude in order to dig a usable well.
1024. arbitrary

AHR-buh-trer-ee
This word went from Latin to French to English.
adjective
random or capricious.
Milo's decision on where to spend his vacation seemed to be arbitrary rather than based on any research or recommendations.
1025. arboretum

ahr-buh-REE-tum
This word is from Latin.
noun
a place where trees and shrubs are grown for scientific and educational purposes.
A plant sale was held at the arboretum every spring to raise money for botanical research.
1026. archetype

AHR-kih-tahyp
This word is from a word that went from Greek to Latin.
noun
the original pattern from which something is developed.
Diane bragged that her dress design was the archetype that other designers had merely copied.
1027. arduous

AHR-juh-wus
This word is from Latin.
adjective
demanding, difficult.
Alan began the arduous task of planning every aspect of his family's annual vacation.
1028. argot

AHR-gut
This word is from a French word.
noun
slang that is known by a particular group.
Nowadays the argot of many spellers includes the word “spellebrity.”
1029. arietta

ah-ree-ET-uh
This word is originally Latin.
noun
a short accompanied and usually elaborate melody sung by a single voice (as in an opera or oratorio).
To close the recital, Janai sang an arietta she wrote herself about the woes of dining alone, entitled "O Solo Meal."
1030. armaments

AHR-muh-munts
This word came from French, which formed it from a Latin word.
plural noun
weapons and the equipment that goes with them.
Computers are a vital component of state-of-the-art armaments, making modern weapons high-tech devices.
1031. armature

AHR-muh-chur
This word is from Latin.
noun
an organ or structure that functions as protection.
As part of the preparation for the contest at the medieval fair, the jousters were given their choice of armature.
1032. armistice

AHR-muh-stus
This word came from French, which formed it from a Latin word.
noun
an agreement to end hostilities or war.
The Korean War was ended with an armistice.
1033. arpeggio

ahr-PEH-jee-oh
This word is from a Germanic element that went into Italian.
noun
production of the notes of a chord one after another rather than at the same time.
The opening measure of Ryan’s piano recital piece featured a difficult arpeggio.
1034. arraign

uh-RAYN
This word is from a Latin word that became French and then English.
verb
to hold a court session in which a charge is announced and the individual is expected to respond.
Candace lost several nights’ sleep after becoming convinced that the legal system would arraign her on a charge of removing the tags from her pillows.
1035. arrearage

uh-RIR-ij
The first part of this word is from Latin elements that went through French before becoming English, and the second part is from English.
noun
something that remains unpaid and overdue after previous payment of a part.
Mr. Olson’s medical bills remained in arrearage until the insurance claims were settled.
1036. arrieros

ar-ee-EH-rohz
This word is from Spanish.
plural noun
Mexican men’s fiesta dances that follow two local patterns.
Both types of arrieros were featured at the town’s Mexican heritage festival.
1037. art brut

AHRT-BROOT
This entry is from Latin-derived French elements.
noun
art produced by untrained or naïve artists (such as children or psychiatric patients) who are not part of the mainstream art tradition.
The exhibit of art brut, which included clay figurines made by kindergartners, held a fascination that many a professional sculptor could only hope to match.
1038. artesian

ahr-TEE-zhun
This word is from a French geographical name.
adjective
related to the bubbling up of underground water due to the pressure of layers of rock.
The water bubbling up in the pasture was coming from an artesian spring.
1039. artifice

AHRT-uh-fus
This word is from a Latin word that became French.
noun
a crafty practice or trick meant to deceive.
Richie thought he sensed some artifice in the student government president's speech promising more breaks in the school day.
1040. asado

uh-SAH-doh
This word is from a word that went from Latin to Spanish.
noun
meat prepared in barbecue sauce.
Tina is sure that La Piñata has the best asado in town.
1041. ascension

uh-SEN-chun
This word passed from Latin to French to English.
noun
the process of rising upward to a higher degree or level.
The magazine article describes Steph Curry’s rapid ascension to the top rank of basketball players.
1042. ascertain

a-sur-TAYN
This word came to English from French, which formed it from Latin.
verb
to find out or learn beyond doubt : discover.
Auditors will ascertain the value of all of the assets of the late governor.
1043. ascetic

uh-SEH-tik
This word is from Greek.
adjective
extremely self-disciplined and austere.
Ricky’s lavish lifestyle contrasts sharply with his brother’s more ascetic existence.
1044. Asgard

AS-gahrd
This word is from Old Norse.
noun
the home of the Gods in Norse mythology.
In Norse mythology, Asgard can only be reached from Earth via a rainbow bridge called Bifrost, which is guarded by Heimdall, the watchman of the Gods.
1045. Asiago

ah-zhee-AH-goh
This word is from an Italian geographical name.
noun
an Italian cheese that is pungent, hard, yellow, and suitable for grating when aged and mild, semisoft, and whitish when fresh.
Asiago is made from cow’s milk and is sold in the form of small wheels with glossy rinds.
1046. aspish

ASP-ish
This word is from a Greek-derived Latin word and an English element.
adjective
like that of a small venomous snake of Egypt.
The seemingly adorable puss caterpillar of Florida is actually highly dangerous, with its spines delivering an aspish toxin.
1047. assailant

uh-SAY-lunt
This word is from a Latin word that became French and then English.
noun
a forceful attacker.
In her self-defense class, Nima learned how to disarm an assailant.
1048. assiduous

uh-SIJ-uh-wus
This word is from Latin.
adjective
industrious and persistent.
Lucy was assiduous in her preparation for the spelling bee, devoting an hour of each day to practice and constantly searching for new words.
1049. assumption

uh-SUMP-shun
This word is from a Latin word that became English.
noun
something that is taken for true.
While writing on the whiteboard, Mrs. Minter learned quickly that her assumption that she knew how to spell "assumption" was in fact incorrect.
1050. assure

uh-SHOOR
This word passed through Latin and French before becoming English.
verb
to encourage or give strength to someone.
Gordy's mother tried to assure him that he would do well on his big test.
1051. asthmatic

az-MA-tik
This word is from an originally Greek word that passed into Latin.
adjective
caused by or affected with labored breathing.
Bryant makes light of his asthmatic attacks, saying that he is just "going over to the dark side" for a while.
1052. astigmatism

uh-STIG-muh-tiz-um
This word is made up of a Greek-derived element and an English element.
noun
a defect of vision due to a defect of the refractive system of the eye commonly caused by irregular conformation of the cornea.
Amy’s new eyeglasses correct her astigmatism.
1053. astral

AST-rul
This word was formed in Latin from a Greek-derived element.
adjective
of or relating to the stars.
The story of Juno and the baby Hercules is an astral myth about the origin of the Milky Way.
1054. astringent

uh-STRIN-junt
This word probably came from French and is formed from a Latin word.
adjective
causing cells to tighten.
Lorelei applied an astringent lotion to her face every night before bedtime.
1055. astrobleme

AS-truh-bleem
This word consists of two Greek-derived parts.
noun
a meteorite crater on Earth.
Sudbury Crater in Ontario, Canada, is the second-largest known astrobleme in the world.
1056. astronaut

AST-ruh-naht
This word is formed from originally Greek parts.
noun
a traveler in interplanetary space.
On June 16, 1963, Valentina Tereshkova became the first female astronaut to travel into space.
1057. Astur

A-stur
This word is from Latin.
noun
a genus consisting of the goshawks and sometimes considered a subgenus.
Gary thought that all birds of prey were cool, but coolest of all were those of the genus Astur.
1058. asylum

uh-SAHY-lum
Originally Greek, this word went into Latin before becoming English.
noun
a refuge or haven.
The escaped hostage found asylum in a country church.
1059. ataxia

uh-TAK-see-uh
This word is from Greek.
noun
inability to control one's muscles.
Cerebellar ataxia after a severe brain injury can inhibit a patient's ability to walk and control other motor functions.
1060. Aten

AH-tun
This word is from an originally Egyptian word.
noun
any of a class of asteroids having orbits that are mainly within the Earth's orbit but that may extend beyond it at their outermost point — used in astronomy.
Some of the asteroids in the Aten group are considered potential hazards to life on Earth.
1061. atlatl

AHT-lah-tul
This word is of Uto-Aztecan origin.
noun
an ancient tool used to add momentum to a thrown weapon like a spear.
Taylor's favorite piece in the National Museum of the American Indian's collection was the wooden atlatl.
1062. atrabilious

a-truh-BAHYL-yus
This word consists of Latin elements plus an English element.
adjective
melancholy : gloomy.
Mark’s atrabilious outlook on life was dispelled when he won the state lottery.
1063. atresia

uh-TREE-zhuh
This word is from Greek-derived Latin.
noun
absence or closure of a natural passage of the body.
Biliary atresia is a childhood liver disease involving missing bile ducts, which can sometimes be treated through surgery.
1064. attaché

a-tuh-SHAY
This word is from French, which formed it from Germanic and Latin.
noun
a technical expert who is part of a country's diplomatic staff.
The retired colonel served as an attaché in Japan.
1065. attributive

uh-TRIH-byuh-tiv
This word is from Latin-derived French.
adjective
modifying a noun.
In the phrase "hair clip," the word "hair" is attributive.
1066. attrition

uh-TRISH-un
This word is from Latin.
noun
a gradual reduction in the number of employees or participants often without filling the vacancies.
The CEO promised that the reduction in staff required by the budget cuts would come from attrition, not from layoffs.
1067. aubergine

OH-bur-zheen
Originally Arabic, this word passed through Catalan and French.
noun
a very dark purple.
Kimmie's decision to paint all the walls of her room aubergine did not go over well with her father.
1068. auburn

AH-burn
This word is from an originally Latin word that then became French before becoming English.
adjective
of a moderate reddish-brown color.
Rita Hayworth and Greer Garson were famous actresses who had auburn hair.
1069. aughts

ahts
This is from an alteration of an originally English word.
plural noun
the 10-year period from 2000 through 2009.
Pritikaa considers pop music from the aughts to be trite and banal because of the "millennial whoop" that shows up in so many songs.
1070. augment

ahg-MENT
This word is from a Latin word that became French and then English.
verb
to make something larger or greater.
The recent heavy rainfall will probably augment the creek’s water level to that of a 100-year flood.
1071. auklet

AHK-lut
The first part of this word was derived from Old Norse and came to English from Norwegian or Icelandic, and the second is an English element.
noun
any of several small black and white short-necked diving seabirds of the North Pacific coasts.
The auklet, with its bright breeding plumage, was one of thousands that had arrived in the Bering Sea to find a mate.
1072. aureole

AHR-ee-ohl
This word is from Latin.
noun
a quality that surrounds and glorifies something.
The dean told the graduates to relish the aureole of academic success.
1073. auricular

ah-RIK-yuh-lur
This word is from Latin.
adjective
comprehended by the ear : perceived through the sense of hearing.
Kellie’s understanding of words is largely auricular, so she often reads aloud to herself.
1074. aurora

uh-ROR-uh
This word is from Latin.
noun
a luminous phenomenon that consists of streamers of light appearing in the upper atmosphere of a planet's polar regions.
Remi was stunned at the beauty of the aurora he saw while visiting Alaska.
1075. auspices

AHS-puh-suz
This word is from Latin.
plural noun
protection and supportive advice.
The medical team entered the country under the auspices of the International Red Cross.
1076. austere

ah-STIR
This word is from an originally Greek word that passed into Latin and then French before becoming English.
adjective
simple and without decoration.
Martin’s living room was comfortable but austere, with Danish modern furniture and no pictures on the wall.
1077. avarice

AV-uh-rus
Originally Latin, this word went through French before becoming English.
noun
unquenchable greed or acquisitiveness.
In Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol," Jacob Marley comes back from the grave to warn Ebenezer Scrooge of the dangers of avarice.
1078. avifauna

ay-vuh-FAH-nuh
This word is from Latin.
noun
the birds of a particular area or environment.
Many of the avifauna of the Caribbean are migratory birds from North America.
1079. avuncular

uh-VUNG-kyuh-lur
The first part of this word is from an originally Latin word, and the second part is from English.
adjective
like a kindly uncle.
The librarian was always avuncular in his dealings with young children.
1080. bacteriolytic

bak-tir-ee-uh-LIH-tik
This word was formed in Latin from Greek elements.
adjective
related to the destruction of bacteria.
The bacteriolytic power of white blood cells helps the body overcome many diseases.
1081. ballyhooed

BAL-ee-hood
This word is of unknown origin.
verb
advertised by means of exaggerated claims and cheap sensationalism.
Every mile or two along the highway there were large signs that ballyhooed the popular amusement park.
1082. balsamic

bahl-SA-mik
Probably originally of Semitic origin, this word passed through Greek, then Latin, and then French before entering English.
adjective
made with or containing an aged Italian vinegar made from the must of white grapes.
Anson tried to impress his parents by serving an original recipe of chicken marinated in a balsamic dressing.
1083. bandicoot

BAN-dih-koot
This word is from Telugu, a language of India.
noun
a small marsupial mammal of Australia, Tasmania, and New Guinea that eats insects and plants.
The Australian bandicoot has a long pointed muzzle and a long tail.
1084. bango

BANG-goh
This word is from a native name in East Africa.
noun
an East African grass used in thatching buildings.
The Ugandan village had a number of small, circular huts being thatched with thick bunches of bango.
1085. bannock

BAN-uk
This word is from a probably Scottish Gaelic word that passed into English.
noun
cornbread; especially : a thin cake baked on a griddle -- used in New England.
Dwayne sopped up his fish stew with a piece of fresh bannock.
1086. baronetcy

BER-un-ut-see
This word is from a Germanic-derived French part and English elements.
noun
the rank or position of the holder of a dignity or degree of honor, the lowest that is hereditary.
Although a baronetcy is now considered a hereditary rank, it was offered for sale to men of good birth during the reign of James I in England.
1087. basilica

buh-SIL-ih-kuh
This word is from an originally Greek word that passed into Latin.
noun
a rectangular building with a wide central hall, columned aisles or porticoes, and a semicircular area at one end.
Many American barns borrow their shape from that of the basilica.
1088. Bavarian cream

buh-VER-ee-un-KREEM
The first part of this word entry is from a German place name plus an English element, and the second part went from Latin to French to English.
noun
a dessert of a flavored whipped gelatine mixture into which whipped cream is folded.
Dieter can never get his Bavarian cream to taste as good as the one Oma Johanna makes.
1089. beatific

bee-uh-TIH-fik
This word is from Latin.
adjective
appearing blissfully happy.
Janelle's smile was positively beatific after she sampled her grandmother's famous pumpkin cheesecake for the first time.
1090. beguile

bih-GAHYL
This word was formed in English from an English element plus an element that went from Germanic to French to English.
verb
to entice or charm.
Students who thought they would beguile Mrs. Albert into giving them a good grade were grossly mistaken.
1091. Belgravia

bel-GRAY-vee-uh
This word is from the name of an English residential section.
noun
an upscale neighborhood.
The debutante ball was held at a private home in the heart of the city's Belgravia.
1092. Bellatrix

BEL-uh-triks
This word is from Latin.
noun
in astronomy, a bluish variable star of the second magnitude that forms the right shoulder of the constellation Orion as seen from the ground and is the third brightest star in that constellation.
The name of the star Bellatrix means "female warrior," and may derive from the Arabic name for the constellation Orion, which is "the conqueror."
1093. bellwether

BEL-weh-thur
This word was formed in English from English elements.
noun
a leader or initiator.
Brooke's firm has long been considered a bellwether in the construction industry.
1094. benison

BEH-nuh-sun
This word is from a Latin word that became French and then English.
noun
blessing.
The rich soil left behind by the floods was a benison to local farmers.
1095. Berber

BUR-bur
This word is from Arabic.
noun
a branch of the Afro-Asiatic language family comprising languages spoken by various peoples in North Africa and the Sahara.
Alex speaks enough of several dialects of Berber to ask directions in rural Morocco.
1096. bereavement

bih-REEV-munt
This word is made up of originally English elements.
noun
death of a loved one.
Some scientific studies have shown that bereavement, such as the loss of a spouse, can affect one’s immunity to illness.
1097. beret

buh-RAY
This word is from a word that went from Celtic to Latin to Provençal to French.
noun
a soft flat woolen cap with no visor, generally associated with the French.
The painter’s beret was a bit tattered and moth-eaten.
1098. bermudas

bur-MYOO-duz
This word is from a North Atlantic geographical name.
plural noun
knee-length walking shorts.
Mr. Parker seems to have a different pair of floral-print bermudas for every day of the month.
1099. beseech

bih-SEECH
This word is originally English.
verb
to implore.
Aided by the most dejected expression she can muster, Margaret will beseech her father to lend her the car keys.
1100. besieged

bih-SEEJD
This word is from an originally English word plus a Latin word that became French and then English.
verb
crowded around.
Of the numerous fans who besieged the athlete, Michelle was the only one to get an autograph.
1101. besmirch

bih-SMURCH
This word consists of two originally English elements.
verb
to stain or tarnish.
Allegations of kickbacks will surely besmirch the senator’s reputation.
1102. bethesda

buh-THEZ-duh
This word is from a Greek biblical geographical name.
noun
a chapel.
Dorcinda attended a memorial service at the bethesda.
1103. bibliopegist

bih-blee-AH-puh-jist
This word came from French, which formed it from Greek-derived elements.
noun
a bookbinder.
Rebecca took her grandmother’s memoirs to a bibliopegist to have them professionally bound.
1104. bicameral

bahy-KAM-uh-rul
This word is composed of an originally Latin part, a Greek-derived Latin part, and an originally Latin part.
adjective
having or composed of two distinct legislative bodies.
The U.S. Congress is bicameral, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
1105. bifurcate

BAHY-fur-kayt
This word is from Latin.
verb
to separate into two parts.
In Wyoming, the waters of North Two Ocean Creek bifurcate into two streams, one of which flows to the Atlantic Ocean and the other to the Pacific.
1106. bilaterian

bahy-luh-TIR-ee-un
The first two parts of this word are originally Latin and the final part is from English.
noun
an animal having the condition of having the right and left sides (as of the body) symmetrical.
The jellyfish is one of the few animals that is not a bilaterian.
1107. bilbo

BIL-boh
This word is from a Spanish place name.
noun
a finely tempered sword.
The pirate drew his gleaming bilbo and told the terrified passengers to throw their jewels on the deck.
1108. billabong

BIL-uh-bahng
This word is from a native Australian name.
noun
a stagnant pond by a river.
Janiya's postcard from Australia pictured a crocodile lurking in a billabong.
1109. billingsgate

BIL-ingz-gayt
This word is from the name of an English landmark.
noun
coarse or offensive and scornfully abusive language.
The billingsgate in the film was excessive and unnecessary, serving only to give it an “R” rating.
1110. biltong

BIL-tahng
This word was formed in Afrikaans from two Dutch words.
noun
jerked beef, venison, or ostrich — used in Africa.
Tribespeople cut the antelope meat into strips and hung them to dry for biltong.
1111. binomial

bahy-NOH-mee-ul
This word is from Latin plus an English element.
adjective
having two names.
In the binomial system of plant names, the first term identifies the genus and the second term identifies the species.
1112. biomimicry

bahy-oh-MIH-mih-kree
The first part of this word is from Greek, the second part is from Latin, and the final part is from English.
noun
the imitation of natural biological designs or processes in engineering or invention.
The Velcro fastener, designed like the burrs on a burdock plant, is an example of biomimicry.
1113. birria

BIR-ee-ah
This word is from Mexican Spanish.
noun
a Mexican dish of stewed meat seasoned with chili peppers.
The aroma of the spicy birria had people lining up to fill their plates.
1114. bittern

BIH-turn
This word is perhaps from a Latin word, but English borrowed it from French.
noun
any of several herons of small or medium size.
Linda photographed a bittern in the marsh.
1115. blastema

bla-STEE-muh
This word is from a Greek word that passed to Latin.
noun
undifferentiated tissue that can grow and differentiate, sometimes to the extent of restoring a missing part.
An adult salamander can regrow an amputated leg from the blastema that forms at the site of the amputation.
1116. blastogenesis

blas-toh-JEN-uh-sus
This word was formed from parts that passed from Greek to Latin.
noun
reproduction by budding.
blastogenesis is a developmental stage of the cell, characterized by increased metabolism and enhanced biosynthesis.
1117. blatant

BLAY-tunt
The first part of this word is perhaps from a Latin word and/or perhaps imitative, and the second part is an English element.
adjective
shamelessly obvious.
Mr. Nall suspended Eddie for blatant disobedience during the fire drill.
1118. bloviate

BLOH-vee-ayt
This word is made up of a probably English part plus English elements.
verb
to babble tediously.
Aunt Edith had such a tendency to bloviate that a phone call with her could last hours.
1119. bodega

boh-DAY-guh
This word is from a Greek-derived Latin word that became Spanish and then English.
noun
a store that sells both groceries and wine.
Ada stopped by the bodega to buy a gallon of milk on her way home from work.
1120. bodkin

BAHD-kun
This word is originally English.
noun
a dagger with a usually slender triangular or square blade.
Hamlet mentions a "bare bodkin" in the famous soliloquy that begins "To be, or not to be: that is the question."
1121. boffin

BAH-fun
This word is of unknown origin.
noun
a scientific expert.
The word "boffin" was first used to describe the heroic scientists who helped the Allies win World War II.
1122. boiserie

bwah-zuh-REE
This word was formed in French from an originally Germanic element and a Latin-derived part.
noun
paneling of carved wood.
In Arthur’s living room, painted boiserie provides a backdrop for a pair of upholstered armchairs.
1123. boisterous

BOY-stur-us
This word is perhaps from a French word.
adjective
full of exuberant uninhibited and often excessive spirits : completely unrestrained.
After the Broncos clinched the 2015 Super Bowl, boisterous fans rushed the streets of Denver.
1124. bona fide

BOH-nuh-fahyd
This phrase is from Latin.
adjective
genuine or legitimate.
The pilot was a bona fide hero who had earned several medals for bravery.
1125. bonobo

buh-NOH-boh
This word is perhaps from Mongo or Ngando, which are Bantu languages of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
noun
a rare ape that is closely related to the chimpanzee.
Breaking and folding branches, the bonobo made a nest in a tree to sleep in at night.
1126. boomslang

BOOM-slahng
This word is from Afrikaans, which took it from Dutch.
noun
a large venomous tree snake of sub-Saharan Africa.
The boomslang is able to open its jaw up to 170 degrees when biting.
1127. boondoggle

BOON-dah-gul
This word was coined in American English.
noun
an essentially useless project that wastes money and time.
Opponents of the new stadium call it a gargantuan boondoggle.
1128. borough

BUR-oh
This word is originally English.
noun
one of the five political divisions of New York City.
Many visitors are surprised to see farmland in the borough of Staten Island.
1129. bouffant

boo-FAHNT
This word is from French and is imitative in origin.
adjective
voluminous.
Lady Bird Johnson and Betty Ford, both wives of U.S. Presidents, wore their hair in bouffant styles popular in the 1960s and 1970s.
1130. bowsprit

BAU-sprit
This word probably came to English from German.
noun
a large pole projecting forward from the stem of a ship.
Jair decided to outfit his old sailboat with a modern aluminum bowsprit.
1131. braille

brayl
This word is from a French name.
noun
a system of writing for the visually impaired that uses characters consisting of raised dots so that they can be read with the fingertips.
Many books and magazines are printed in braille for use by the visually impaired.
1132. Brandywine

BRAN-dee-wahyn
This word is from a Dutch word made up of a Dutch part plus a Latin-derived Dutch part.
noun
a popular large red heirloom tomato.
After mowing the lawn, Paula made herself a huge bacon sandwich with onion, horseradish and a sliced Brandywine.
1133. bravado

bruh-VAH-doh
This word came to English from Latin-derived Italian, Spanish and French.
noun
flashy or extravagant conduct or action often characterized by assertiveness and boastfulness.
Much of Leo's arrogance is based on bravado and cannot be supported by his skills.
1134. breviloquence

breh-VIL-uh-kwunts
This word is from Latin.
noun
speaking concisely.
For their banquet, the committee recommended a speaker noted for her breviloquence.
1135. Brigadoon

BRIG-uh-doon
This word is from the title of an American musical.
noun
an idyllic place.
The sleepy village Charlie stumbled upon was something of a Brigadoon, beautiful and peaceful and off the beaten path.
1136. Broccolini

brah-kuh-LEE-nee
This word is a trademark.
trademark
— used for a hybrid green vegetable plant that produces long, thin, tender stems and loose clusters of florets.
Jose squeezed a little lemon juice on the plate of roasted Broccolini.
1137. brockage

BRAHK-ij
This word is originally English.
noun
a coin that has been imperfectly minted.
Alastair found a brockage in his piggy bank.
1138. brogue

brohg
This word is perhaps from Irish Gaelic.
noun
an Irish accent.
The leprechaun spoke with a charming brogue.
1139. bromide

BROH-mahyd
This word was formed in German from a part that went from Greek to French plus an originally Greek element.
noun
an overused saying or idea.
Alan has a gift for making an old bromide seem new and funny.
1140. brontophobia

brahn-tuh-FOH-bee-uh
This word was formed in Latin from Greek elements.
noun
a strong, irrational fear of thunder.
As he got older, Xavier gradually overcame his brontophobia.
1141. bruja

BROO-hah
This word is from Spanish.
noun
witch.
After hearing the frightening story about the bruja, Mariela was afraid to go down to the river alone at night.
1142. bruxism

BRUHK-siz-um
This word is from a Greek word plus an English element.
noun
clenching or grinding the teeth.
Ellie’s bruxism is so pronounced that her dentist is making a bite guard for her to wear at night.
1143. bubonic

byoo-BAHN-ik
This word consists of a Greek-derived Latin part plus an English element.
adjective
related to the swelling of lymph nodes due to serious infection.
If diagnosed early, bubonic plague can be successfully treated with antibiotics.
1144. buffa

BOO-fuh
This word is from Latin-derived Italian.
noun
a female singer of comic operatic roles.
Lorelei admired the beautiful voice of the buffa in the Metropolitan Opera production of Così Fan Tutte.
1145. bulgogi

BUL-GOH-gee
This word is from Korean.
noun
a Korean food consisting of marinated, thin-sliced beef that is served panfried or grilled.
To make her bulgogi, Bora marinates the thin strips of beef for eight hours before searing them in a pan for a minute or so.
1146. bulgur

BUHL-gur
This word is from Turkish.
noun
wheat that has been parboiled and dried so that it can be cooked quickly into a rice-like dish.
Omar’s favorite dish is a salad made with bulgur, pine nuts and raisins.
1147. bulwark

BUL-wurk
Originally German, this word went through Dutch before becoming English.
noun
significant protection or defense against danger.
In the video game, Jeff's character was part of the last bulwark against alien invasion.
1148. Bundt

bunt
This word is a trademark.
trademark
— used for a cake pan having a tube in the center and scalloped sides.
Nadiya poured lemon drizzle batter into the Bundt and popped it in the oven.
1149. buoyancy

BOY-un-see
This word is from a word that is probably from French-derived Spanish plus an English element.
noun
the tendency of an object to float in a liquid.
The boat's previous buoyancy was destroyed by a leak.
1150. bureau

BYUR-oh
This word is probably from an element of non–Indo-European origin that passed through Latin and French before entering English.
noun
a low dresser with a mirror above it that is often used in a bedroom.
Casey carefully folded his clothes and put them away in his bureau.
1151. burglarious

buhr-GLEH-ree-us
This word is probably from an originally Germanic-derived Latin word that went to French, plus an English element.
adjective
suitable for use by a thief.
The prosecutor asked the defendant to explain why he had burglarious tools in his automobile.
1152. burgoo

bur-GOO
This word is of unknown origin.
noun
a well-seasoned stew comprised of meat and vegetables originally served at community gatherings.
Everyone looks forward to eating burgoo at Cait and Scott's Derby Day party.
1153. busby

BUZ-bee
This word is probably from a proper name.
noun
a military full-dress hat made of fur with a bag usually of cloth of the color of the facings of the regiment hanging from the top on the right.
The drum major strutted proudly in his white uniform and black busby.
1154. cabaret

ka-buh-RAY
This word is from French, which probably took it from Greek-derived Latin.
noun
a restaurant that offers a show with singing and dancing.
Sheila’s training in tap dancing helped her get a job at the local cabaret.
1155. cacao

kuh-KAU
This word is from a word that went from Nahuatl to Spanish.
noun
a tree native to South America and now extensively cultivated that bears fleshy yellow pods six or more inches long and three or four inches in diameter containing numerous seeds used in the preparation of cocoa, chocolate, and cocoa butter.
New disease-resistant varieties of cacao are being developed to increase productivity.
1156. cacophonous

ka-KAH-fun-us
This word is from Greek.
adjective
marked by harsh or discordant sound.
The song that one critic called a "cacophonous mess resembling the trumpeting of a herd of distressed elephants" ended up rocketing to the top of the charts.
1157. cadge

kaj
This word is from an originally English word.
verb
to beg, particularly as a way of making a living.
Preferring to make her own way in the world, Deanna refused to cadge money from her parents.
1158. caduceus

kuh-DOO-see-us
This word is from a word that went from Greek to Latin.
noun
a conventionalized representation of a staff with two snakes curled around it and with two wings at the top.
The wall of Dr. McArthur’s veterinary office bore a caduceus with the letter “V” superimposed.
1159. caducity

kuh-DOO-suh-tee
This word came from French, which formed it from a Latin word.
noun
feebleness from age.
Georgette is convinced that green tea prevents arteriosclerosis and thus helps stave off caducity.
1160. caftan

KAF-tan
This word is from a Persian word that passed through Turkish and then Russian.
noun
a coatlike garment of ankle length with long sleeves.
All of the band members were colorfully dressed, but the lead singer, who was wearing an elaborately striped caftan, stood out the most.
1161. calcify

KAL-suh-fahy
This word is made up of a part that went from Greek to Latin and a part that went from Latin to French to English.
verb
to make inflexible or unchangeable.
Kieran wanted to calcify the rules to his card game with Elena, as she kept changing them to ensure her victory.
1162. calendula

kuh-LEN-juh-luh
This word is from Latin.
noun
any plant of a small genus of herbs native to temperate regions and having alternate simple oblong to oblong-ovate leaves and large heads of yellow-rayed flowers.
Daphne planted a calendula in her garden for its showy color and daisy-like flowers.
1163. callow

KA-loh
This word is originally English.
adjective
young and inexperienced.
Malik was surprised by the callow behavior of the new employees at the orientation session.
1164. calumet

kal-yuh-MET
This word came from French, which formed it from a Latin word.
noun
a highly ornamented ceremonial pipe of various indigenous peoples of North America.
In 1730, a leader of the Illinois tribe presented a calumet to the governor of French New Orleans as a symbol of diplomatic alliance between their two peoples.
1165. calypso

kuh-LIP-soh
This word is from Trinidad English and is perhaps ultimately of African origin.
noun
a style of music originating in the West Indies, marked by lively duple meter, and having lyrics that are often improvised and usually satirize local personalities and events.
Harry Belafonte gained fame as a singer of calypso.
1166. cambio

KAM-bee-oh
This word is from Latin-derived Italian.
noun
a money exchange especially in a Latin country.
When she arrived in Spain, Deliana stopped by a cambio to trade her dollars for Euros.
1167. cameist

KAM-ee-ust
This word comes from an Italian word plus an English element.
noun
a maker of gems that are carved in relief.
One afternoon in Venice, Sara spent several hours watching a cameist at work.
1168. campanology

kam-puh-NAH-luh-jee
The first part of this word is from a Latin word from an Italian place name, and the second part is a Greek-derived English element.
noun
the methods and traditions of ringing sets of large bells.
After she was invited to help the village church bell ringers at their weekly practice, Teena took a keen interest in campanology.
1169. cancion

kan-SYAHN
This word is from Latin-derived Spanish.
noun
a popular song of Spain or Spanish America.
Walking through the plaza, Ernesto heard the strains of a haunting cancion floating down from a window.
1170. candelabrum

kan-duh-LAH-brum
This word is from Latin.
noun
a large branched holder for a number of lights, especially for long cylinders of wax with wicks that are lit with a flame.
Germaine admired the ornate silver candelabrum in the center of the table.
1171. cannoli

kuh-NOH-lee
This word came from Italian, which formed it from a Latin word.
plural noun
fried pastry tubes filled with flavored sweetened cheese.
Aunt Carla’s cannoli are so good that an Italian restaurant offered to buy her recipe.
1172. cantankerous

kan-TANG-kuh-rus
This word consists of a part that is perhaps from a word that went from French to English plus an English element.
adjective
grumpy and argumentative.
George tried in vain to avoid his cantankerous roommate.
1173. capillary

KA-puh-leh-ree
This word came from French, which formed it from a Latin word.
noun
the tiniest blood vessels in the body.
The major function of a capillary is to deliver vital materials to the cells.
1174. capnometer

kap-NAH-muh-tur
The first part of this word is from Greek and the second part went from Latin to French to English.
noun
a monitoring device that measures and numerically displays the concentration of carbon dioxide in exhaled air.
The doctor made a quick check with her capnometer to ensure that the breathing tube had been placed in the patient correctly.
1175. capricious

kuh-PRISH-us
This word is from Latin-derived Italian.
adjective
not guided by steady judgment, intent, or purpose.
Hazel's capricious behavior is a source of constant annoyance for her sister Ruth.
1176. capstan

KAP-stun
This word is originally English.
noun
a pulley used to control the movement of magnetic tape through a recorder.
Regular cleaning of the capstan with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol is part of a tape recorder’s maintenance.
1177. capsule

KAP-sul
This word came from French, which formed it from a Latin word.
noun
a compartment or container that is compact and often sealed and detachable.
While renovating their kitchen, Cindy and Davis found a time capsule that contained a newspaper from 1946, three coins and an old photograph.
1178. carbohydrates

kahr-boh-HAHY-drayts
The first part of this word is from an originally Latin word that passed to French, and the second part is from originally Greek and Latin elements.
plural noun
sugars and starches.
Zakir is making a concerted effort to lower his intake of carbohydrates, but he occasionally splurges on a bowl of pasta.
1179. carcass

KAHR-kus
This word is from an originally Persian word that passed into Arabic and then into Latin and then into French.
noun
a dead body of a human being or an animal : a corpse.
Kasey found the fresh carcass of one of his cows and knew that the wolves were back.
1180. cardoon

kahr-DOON
This word is from French, which formed it from a Latin word.
noun
a large thistlelike plant related to the artichoke, the cooked stalks and thick main roots being used as food.
The cardoon, well-known in ancient Rome, has been a culinary treat for centuries.
1181. caricature

KER-ih-kuh-chur
This word came from Italian, which formed it from a Celtic-derived Latin word.
noun
an artistic representation that exaggerates or distorts some aspects.
Skilled in caricature, Seth believes that he might have a future as a political cartoonist.
1182. carnage

KAHR-nij
This word is from an originally Latin word that then became French.
noun
slaughter or massacre.
The carnage on the battlefield at Antietam in 1862 was the greatest for a single day in American combat history.
1183. carnassial

kahr-NAS-ee-uhl
This word is from a word that went from Latin to Provençal to French.
adjective
of, being or relating to carnivorous mammal teeth that are longer and bigger than other teeth and used for cutting instead of tearing.
Josef found a fossilized carnassial tooth at the bottom of a dry creek bed.
1184. carnitas

kahr-NEE-tuz
This word is from Spanish, which formed it from Latin.
plural noun
small pieces of crisp cooked meat, especially pork.
Addison looked over the menu before selecting tacos filled with carnitas and spicy salsa.
1185. carnitine

KAHR-nuh-teen
This word was formed in German and passed into International Scientific Vocabulary.
noun
a quaternary ammonium compound that is present especially in vertebrate muscle that in humans is obtained from food (such as meat or milk).
Karina's cardiologist suggested that she might feel more energetic if she took a supplemental capsule of carnitine every morning.
1186. cartilage

KAR-tuh-lij
This word is from Latin.
noun
whitish elastic tissue that is a structural part of the skeleton but is much softer and more flexible than bone.
Hans had a small piece of cartilage removed from his elbow.
1187. Cassandra

kuh-SAN-druh
This word is from Greek.
noun
one who prophesies misfortune or disaster.
Cianna’s accurate intuition about impending adversity makes her a Cassandra whose warnings should be heeded more often.
1188. cassock

KA-suk
This word is from a word that went from Persian to French.
noun
a full-length close-fitting robe worn by clergy and those assisting in the service in some churches.
The acolyte's mother gasped when her child tripped on the hem of his overlong cassock.
1189. castellated

KAS-tuh-lay-tud
The first part of this word is from Latin and the second is from English.
adjective
built like a fortress.
Elon's castellated sand sculpture took first place in the competition.
1190. castigate

KAS-tuh-gayt
This word is from Latin.
verb
to reprove for error or criticize with drastic severity.
Mr. Scrooge was quick to castigate poor Bob Cratchit for trying to order more coal for the office.
1191. Castilian

ka-STIL-yun
This word is from Latin-derived Spanish.
adjective
related to the standard Spanish language.
Juan incorporates so many English words in his conversation that his speech is far from Castilian.
1192. castor

KAS-tur
This word went from a Greek mythological name to Latin to English.
noun
a creamy orange-brown substance with strong penetrating odor and bitter taste that consists of the dried perineal glands of the beaver that is used by perfumers and professional trappers.
Once a common food and tobacco additive, castor is rarely used today.
1193. catadromous

kuh-TAD-ruh-mus
This word was formed in Latin from originally Greek parts.
adjective
living in fresh water and going to the sea to spawn.
The American eel is catadromous, journeying from rivers to the depths of the ocean to lay eggs in the water.
1194. catalepsy

KA-tuh-lep-see
This word is from a Greek word that passed through Latin before becoming English.
noun
a still, trancelike state.
Doctors were confounded by Leonard’s continued catalepsy.
1195. catalina

ka-tul-EE-nuh
This word is from an American geographical name.
noun
a synchronized swimming stunt.
The swimmer executed a perfect catalina, but bumped into the next swimmer as she surfaced.
1196. catalyst

KA-tuh-lust
This word is from Greek.
noun
something that starts a process or change.
Many teachers use brainstorming as a catalyst for class discussion.
1197. cathect

kuh-THEKT
This word is from an originally Greek word.
verb
to invest with emotional or psychic energy.
Uncle Tim could choose to cathect on politics, but Aunt Shelby wanted to spend her energy in a less frustrating arena.
1198. cathode

KA-thohd
This word is from Greek.
noun
the positive terminal of a primary cell or of a storage battery that is delivering current.
When placing a battery, it's important to line up the the plus and minus sides so that the cathode is in the right place.
1199. cattalo

KA-tl-oh
This word consists of a part that went from Latin to French to English plus a part that went from Greek to Latin to Italian and Spanish.
noun
a hybrid between the American bison and domestic cow.
Nora raised a cattalo for her 4-H project.
1200. caudex

KAH-deks
This word is from Latin.
noun
the woody base of a perennial plant.
The striking caudex of the desert rose bonsai, along with its lovely flowers, makes it a popular houseplant.
1201. causal

KAH-zul
This word is from Latin.
adjective
expressing or indicating a reason or motive for an action or condition.
Kylie explained to her son that there would be a direct causal relationship between not doing his chores and being grounded.
1202. caustic

KAH-stik
This word went from Greek to Latin to English.
adjective
characterized by incisive wit.
Politicians dreaded having their statements discussed on the comedian's caustic weekly podcast.
1203. cauterize

KAHT-uh-rahyz
This word is from an originally Greek word that passed into Latin and then French.
verb
to seal off a wound by burning or searing.
The eye surgeon explained that she would cauterize the abnormal blood vessels in the retina with a laser.
1204. cavalcade

KA-vuhl-kayd
This word was borrowed from French, which formed it from a word that went from Latin to Italian.
noun
a procession on horseback or in vehicles.
The grand marshal of the Opening Day parade rode in a red convertible at the beginning of the cavalcade.
1205. cayenne

kahy-EN
This word is from a French Guiana geographical name that was formed from a Tupi word.
noun
a very spicy powder made from dried hot peppers.
Paolo’s chili was too mild for his taste, so he sprinkled some cayenne on it.
1206. cellophane

SEH-luh-fayn
This word came to English from French, which formed it from originally Latin and Greek elements.
noun
transparent, impermeable cellulose that is used to protect food and other items that are being displayed.
Nina refuses to buy tomatoes packaged in cellophane.
1207. Celsius

SEHL-see-us
This word is from a Swedish name.
adjective
measured by the international temperature scale on which 0 is the freezing point and 100 is the boiling point of water.
Normal human body temperature is 37 degrees Celsius.
1208. cenotaph

SEHN-uh-taf
This word is from a Greek word that passed through Latin and then French.
noun
a monument honoring someone who is buried in another place.
The magnificent cenotaph honoring Abraham Lincoln has been a major attraction in Washington, D.C.
1209. centennial

sen-TEN-ee-uhl
This word is from a Latin element plus another Latin element that had become English.
noun
a 100th anniversary or its celebration.
To celebrate the centennial of the first cross-country road trip by a female driver in America, Larry asked his wife to go down the street and get some milk.
1210. cerebellum

ser-uh-BEL-um
This word is from Latin.
noun
the lower back area of the brain that controls movement and balance.
Sheila's vertigo results from damage to her cerebellum.
1211. cetology

see-TAHL-uh-jee
The first part of this word is from Latin, and the second part is from an originally Greek word that passed through Latin and French before becoming English.
noun
the study of whales.
Many renowned scientists in the field of cetology assembled in Japan to discuss recent beaching incidents.
1212. chamberlain

CHAYM-bur-lun
This word is from a Germanic word that became French before becoming English.
noun
a bedroom attendant for royalty or nobility.
The grand council insisted that the chamberlain wake the king.
1213. chancellor

CHAN-suh-lur
This word is from a Latin word that went through French to English.
noun
a post equivalent to prime minister in some countries.
In 2005, Angela Merkel became the first female chancellor of Germany.
1214. chaperonage

SHAP-uh-roh-nij
This word was formed from two originally Latin-derived French elements.
noun
supervision by a reliable person.
The note to parents explains that ample chaperonage will be provided by the faculty.
1215. charcuterie

shahr-koo-tuh-REE
This word is from Latin-derived French.
noun
the meat dishes and cold cuts sold in a delicatessen.
Akash laid out the charcuterie next to the cheese and crackers.
1216. charismatic

ker-uhz-MA-tik
This word is from a Greek word plus an English element.
adjective
highly appealing, with captivating charm.
Mr. Brown's charismatic teaching style inspired his students to put in extra effort on their assignments.
1217. château

sha-TOH
Originally Latin, this word passed into French before entering English.
noun
a mansion or large country house.
Every summer, Yvie visits her grandparents' large château outside of Paris.
1218. chemise

shuh-MEEZ
This word is probably from a Germanic word that passed through Latin and French before becoming English.
noun
a loose straight dress.
chemise dresses became very popular in the 1950s, particularly through the innovative designs of Dior and Balenciaga.
1219. Cheshire cat

CHEH-shur-KAT
There is no origin provided in the dictionary.
noun
a fictitious domesticated carnivorous mammal with a broad grin.
Barney was smirking like a Cheshire cat in his mug shot, because it was taken before he learned that his lawyer had also been arrested.
1220. chevalier

sheh-vuh-LIHR
This word is from a Latin-derived French word that became English.
noun
a member of a French order of merit.
Henri has the honor of being a chevalier in the Order of Arts and Letters in France.
1221. chide

chahyd
This word is originally English.
verb
to scold mildly.
As soon as he saw the swirls of jelly mixed in with the peanut butter, Antawn went upstairs to chide his little sister.
1222. Chihuahua

chuh-WAH-wah
This word is from a Mexican geographical name.
noun
a very small large-eared dog reputed to predate Aztec civilization.
A popular fast-food chain once used a talking Chihuahua in its advertisements.
1223. chimera

kahy-MIR-uh
This word went from Greek to Latin.
noun
an imaginary creature depicted as having parts of various real or imaginary animals.
Desmond painted a chimera with the body of a goat, the wings of a dragon and the face of his art teacher.
1224. chinook

shuh-NUK
This word is from Chehalis, a native language of the Pacific Northwest.
noun
a warm dry wind blowing down the eastern side of the Rocky Mountains.
The sudden rise in temperature was caused by a chinook that rolled over the Canadian Rockies.
1225. chintzy

CHIN-see
This word consists of an originally Hindi part plus an English element.
adjective
cheap and showy.
Allen had a gift for transforming chintzy furniture into elegant pieces.
1226. cholera

KAHL-uh-ruh
This word is from a Greek-derived Latin word that became English.
noun
a gastrointestinal disease of humans and domestic animals.
Access to clean water is one of the most effective ways to prevent outbreaks of cholera.
1227. cholesterol

kuh-LES-tuh-rahl
The first two parts of this word are originally Greek, and the last part comes from a word that went from Arabic to Spanish to Latin.
noun
a steroid alcohol that is present in animal cells and body fluids, regulates membrane fluidity, and functions as a precursor molecule in various metabolic pathways.
Siddharth told his doctor that he wanted to try controlling his cholesterol with diet rather than drugs.
1228. chrysalis

KRIH-suh-lus
This word is from a word that went from Semitic to Greek to Latin.
noun
the case of an insect in an intermediate form between the larval and the final adult stages.
Henrietta and Sam put the chrysalis in a dry container and kept it in the hope that a butterfly would later emerge.
1229. chrysolite

KRIH-suh-lahyt
This word went from Greek to Latin to French to English.
noun
any of several semiprecious yellow or greenish gemstones.
The mysterious woman had a beautifully cut chrysolite set into her ring.
1230. chupacabra

choo-puh-KAH-bruh
The first part of this word is from Spanish, probably imitative in origin, and the second part is from Latin-derived Spanish.
noun
a grotesque creature that drinks the blood of livestock and is reported to live in South and North America.
The mysterious marks on her goats led Valencia to wonder if the chupacabra was in fact real.
1231. churchianity

chur-chee-AN-uh-tee
This word is made from a part that went from Greek to Gothic to Germanic to English plus Latin-derived English elements.
noun
the usually excessive or sectarian attachment to the practices and interests of a particular church.
The pastor urged the congregation to move past churchianity and find common cause with people of different faiths.
1232. cicada

suh-KAY-duh
This word is from Latin.
noun
a locust.
The male cicada produces sound by vibrating miniature “drumheads” on the lower surface of its abdomen.
1233. Cincinnati

sin-suh-NA-tee
This word is a U.S. geographical name.
geographical entry
city on the Ohio River in southwestern Ohio.
No trip to Cincinnati would be complete without a stop at the American Sign Museum and a trip to Graeter's for ice cream.
1234. circadian

suhr-KAY-dee-un
This word was formed from Latin elements and an English part.
adjective
having a 24-hour cycle.
Jet lag can adversely affect a person's circadian rhythms.
1235. circuitous

suhr-KYOO-uh-tus
This word is from Latin.
adjective
winding or meandering.
The road ascending the mountain became increasingly circuitous.
1236. circumflex

SUHR-kuhm-fleks
This word is from Latin.
noun
a mark used in various languages to indicate vowel qualities, contractions or tone.
The French phrase “raison d’etre” is usually written with a circumflex over the first “e.”
1237. civet

SIH-vut
Originally Arabic, this word passed through Italian and then French before becoming English.
noun
any of various carnivorous mammals; especially : a brownish gray black-marked African animal two to three feet long that produces a secretion used in perfumery.
While traveling through Africa last summer, Hadley learned that the civet is nocturnal.
1238. cladistics

kluh-DIH-stiks
Both parts of this word are originally Greek.
plural noun
a system of biological classification that uses inferred evolutionary relationships to arrange groups in a branching hierarchy so that all members of a given group have the same ancestors.
One of the most controversial assumptions of cladistics is that any group of organisms is related by descent from a common ancestor.
1239. cladogram

KLAD-uh-gram
This word consists of originally Greek elements.
noun
a branching diagrammatic tree used in cladistic classification to illustrate phylogenetic relationships.
Biologists use a cladogram to illustrate the evolutionary relationships among various species of birds.
1240. clairvoyance

klehr-VOI-uhnts
This word is from Latin-derived French.
noun
the act or ability claimed of seeing objects which are hidden from view or far away.
Ethel claimed she found the missing keys through clairvoyance, but in reality they had been in her pocket the whole time.
1241. clandestine

klan-DEH-stun
This word is from Latin or French.
adjective
covert, done in secret.
Michael and Jacob made clandestine preparations for their mom’s surprise birthday party.
1242. clarion

KLAR-ee-un
This word is from a Latin word that became French and then English.
noun
a trumpet of the medieval era.
A clarion was visible in one of the tapestries of the museum’s collection from the Middle Ages.
1243. clavichord

KLA-vuh-kord
This word was formed in Latin from a Latin element and a Greek-derived element.
noun
a small keyboard instrument used from the Renaissance through the classical era.
Although Fiona plays the piano well, she prefers the clavichord for its subtle tones.
1244. clemency

KLEH-muhnt-see
This word is from Latin.
noun
compassion in judgment and punishment.
Julius Caesar was famous for his clemency toward defeated Roman enemies.
1245. cloture

KLOH-chur
This word is from a Latin-derived French word.
noun
the concluding or limitation of debate in a legislative body by calling for a vote.
In the U.S. Senate, cloture requires a supermajority of voting members.
1246. coalescence

koh-uh-LEH-suhnts
This word is from Latin.
noun
consolidation into one body or group.
Rain is the result of the coalescence of water droplets within a cloud.
1247. coaxation

koh-ak-SAY-shun
This word is from an originally Greek word that passed into Latin.
noun
the deep harsh sound or croaking associated usually with frogs.
The pulsing coaxation from the pond kept Bud awake all night.
1248. cochin

KOH-chin
This word is from a Chinese geographical name.
noun
a large domestic fowl of an Asian breed having soft thick plumage of white, black, buff or partridge, small wings and tail, and densely feathered legs and feet.
The cochin at Fireside Farm is the friendliest hen in the henhouse and has the prettiest plumage.
1249. cochlear

KOH-klee-uhr
The first part of this word is from an originally Greek word that passed into Latin, and the second part is a Latin-derived English element.
adjective
of or belonging to a division of the labyrinth of the ear that in humans consists of a spiral canal in the temporal bone.
cochlear implants have been controversial in the deaf community.
1250. codswallop

KAHDZ-wah-lup
This word is of unknown origin.
noun
hogwash, nonsense.
Zane's British cousin Lettice dismissed his story as so much codswallop.
1251. coercive

koh-UR-siv
This word is comprised of originally Latin parts.
adjective
serving or meant to bring about, establish, or enforce by pressure.
Deanna resorted to coercive measures to get her children to clean their rooms.
1252. coeval

koh-EE-vul
This word consists of a Latin part plus an English element.
adjective
of the same age or antiquity.
Nearly the same in mass and brightness, the stars were thought to be coeval.
1253. cogently

KOH-junt-lee
The first part of this word is originally Latin and the second part is from English.
adverb
in a manner that is convincing.
Helena argued her proposal deliberately and cogently to the board of her condo association.
1254. cogitation

kah-juh-TAY-shun
This word came to English from French or Latin and is originally from a Latin word.
noun
reflection, meditation.
After considerable cogitation, Maurice declared mint chocolate chip to be his all-time favorite ice cream flavor.
1255. cognizant

KAHG-nuh-zunt
This word is from a Latin word that became French and then English.
adjective
aware, conscious.
Watching television commercials can make viewers more cognizant of fads and fashions.
1256. cohesive

koh-HEE-siv
This word consists of an originally Latin part plus an English element.
adjective
fitting together in a natural and consistent way, characterized by appropriate proportion, order, and similarity of tone.
Max was pleased with the cohesive feel of the decor in his new apartment.
1257. cohosh

koh-HAHSH
This word is of Algonquian origin.
noun
a large perennial herb native to moist woodlands of the eastern U.S. and Canada and with compound leaves and stalks of small white flowers.
The roots of cohosh are sometimes used medicinally to treat pain, fatigue, and anxiety.
1258. coiffure

kwah-FYOOR
This word is from a Latin-derived French word.
noun
hairstyle.
Ms. Jacobstein’s stylish coiffure makes her look much younger than her actual age.
1259. colic

KAH-lik
This word is from an originally Greek word that passed into Latin and then French before becoming English.
noun
an attack of sharp, severe abdominal pain confined to a hollow organ and often caused by twisting, obstruction or spasm.
When Sandi's baby had colic, it cried for hours on end.
1260. collectanea

kah-lek-TAY-nee-uh
This word is from Latin.
plural noun
literary items forming a group.
The editor assembled collectanea related to the proper use of power by finding striking passages on the subject from various literary and historical works.
1261. collegiality

kuh-lee-jee-A-luh-tee
This word is made up of a Latin-derived French word plus an English element.
noun
friendly collaboration.
The principal was proud of the sincere collegiality among the teachers and teachers' aides.
1262. collimate

KAH-luh-mayt
This word is from Latin.
verb
to adjust the line of sight of (a transit or level) to proper position relative to the other parts.
Zhang and another amateur astronomer will collimate the telescope before the eclipse begins.
1263. collude

kuh-LOOD
This word is from Latin.
verb
to connive with another : conspire, plot.
Leah will collude with Desmond to defeat the other candidates in the school elections.
1264. colocate

koh-LOH-kayt
This word is made up of Latin parts.
verb
to place (two or more units) close together so as to share common facilities.
The university decided to colocate the new dorms and the new dining hall to improve students’ residential life.
1265. comminatory

KAH-mun-uh-tor-ee
This word is from Latin.
adjective
conveying warning or threat of punishment or vengeance.
A comminatory glance from the principal caused the student to stop in the middle of his sentence.
1266. commiserative

kuh-MIZ-uh-ray-tiv
The first part of this word is from an originally Latin word, and the second part is from English.
adjective
given to feeling or showing sorrow or expressing condolence for the wants or distresses of another.
Bobby received a commiserative hug from his mom after he fell off his bike.
1267. commissioner

kuh-MIH-shuh-nur
The first part of this word is from an originally Latin word, and the second part is from English.
noun
the officer in charge of a department of the public service.
The police commissioner awarded the officer a medal for his heroic rescue of a child.
1268. commodious

kuh-MOH-dee-us
This word is from a Latin-derived French word.
adjective
roomy.
Leo and his family rented a modest but commodious villa in Spain.
1269. commove

kuh-MOOV
This word passed from Latin to French to English.
verb
to move violently : stir up : agitate.
The impassioned speech aimed to commove the audience, stirring them to take action against the injustice.
1270. compendium

kuhm-PEN-dee-um
This word is from Latin.
noun
a work that briefly covers the significant features of an entire field of knowledge or subject area.
Eileen is writing a compendium of investment information for small company shareholders.
1271. con forza

kahn-FORT-sah
This word is from Italian.
adverb
with force — used as a direction in music.
The conductor indicated that the recapitulation of the main theme needed to be played con forza.
1272. concision

kun-SIH-zhun
This word is originally from Latin.
noun
the quality of being marked by brevity in expression without elaboration or superfluous detail — used especially of literary style.
The writing of Ernest Hemingway is famous for its concision and clarity.
1273. conclave

KAHN-klayv
This word is from a Latin word that became French and then English.
noun
the body of cardinals especially when gathered for an election.
A puff of white smoke signified that the conclave had elected a new pope.
1274. concordance

kun-KOR-dn(t)s
This word went from Latin to French to English.
noun
an alphabetical verbal index showing the places in the text where each principal word may be found.
Remembering the unusual word he had read, but not sure where in the book he had seen it, Malik decided to consult the concordance.
1275. condign

kun-DAHYN
This word is from a Latin word that became French and then English.
adjective
entirely in accordance with what is deserved or merited.
The attorney argued that expulsion was not a condign punishment for the student’s offense.
1276. conduit

KAHN-doo-ut
This word is from a Latin-derived French word that then became English.
noun
a water channel.
Grandfather showed Logan the conduit that irrigated his large garden.
1277. Conestoga

kah-nuh-STOH-guh
This word is from a U.S. geographical name.
noun
a large covered wagon drawn by horses and used to transport goods.
The Conestoga was loaded with goods to take from the city to more rural communities.
1278. confabulation

kun-fab-yuh-LAY-shun
This word passed from Latin.
noun
conversation : chat.
Kerry and Juliana ducked into the stairwell for a little private confabulation.
1279. congeniality

kun-jee-nee-A-luh-tee
This word consists of originally Latin parts.
noun
mutual agreeableness.
Captain Schreiner fostered a spirit of congeniality between the officers and the enlisted men.
1280. conglutinant

kun-GLOO-tuh-nunt
This word is from Latin.
adjective
causing to adhere.
Used chewing gum was the conglutinant substance that held the papers together.
1281. connivery

kuh-NAHY-vuh-ree
The first part of this word is from an originally Latin word, but English may have borrowed it from French, and the second part is from English.
noun
collusion; the act of conspiring to cheat or deceive.
Allen suspects Brenda of connivery in the mysterious sale of the mansion.
1282. consecrate

KAHN-suh-krayt
This word passed from Latin to English.
verb
to make or declare sacred.
The bishop will consecrate the new chapel next Sunday.
1283. consecutive

kun-SEK-yuh-tiv
This word was formed in French from an originally Latin word plus a French element.
adjective
one right after the other often with small intervening intervals.
Mario's hockey team won seven consecutive games to get to the play-offs.
1284. consequent

KAHN-suh-kwunt
This word went from Latin to English.
adjective
ensuing particularly as an effect or result; resulting.
Gigi feared that her company's failure to digitize its materials would lead to job loss and consequent loss of revenue.
1285. constabulary

kuhn-STAB-yuh-ler-ee
This word is from English, which took it from Latin.
noun
a police force.
The local constabulary was out in force to keep the peace at the Halloween celebration.
1286. consternation

kahns-tur-NAY-shun
This word is from Latin, but it might have come into English from French.
noun
intense annoyance or perturbation.
Tanya and Kyle looked at each other in consternation as their mother kept adding to their list of summer chores.
1287. constituent

kun-STIH-choo-unt
This word is from Latin.
noun
a member of a group of citizens that can elect a representative to a legislative assembly or to a public office.
By the end of the campaign, the incumbent felt as though she had shaken the hand of every constituent.
1288. consul

KAHN-sul
This word is from Latin.
noun
a government-appointed official that lives in a foreign country and acts to promote and protect the appointing country's interests there.
The business owner and the consul discussed the feasibility of opening a company branch in Milan.
1289. conticent

KAHN-tih-sunt
This word is from Latin.
adjective
unaccustomed or indisposed to speak : not conversing or answering.
Lola, usually talkative, was uncharacteristically conticent after accidentally gluing her lips together during an ill-fated DIY project.
1290. contiguous

kun-TIG-yoo-us
This word is from Latin.
adjective
touching or connected throughout.
Mr. Wallace understands but resents higher shipping fees charged to U.S. customers living in states outside the contiguous 48.
1291. continuous

kun-TIN-yoo-us
This word is from Latin.
adjective
characterized by uninterrupted extension in time or sequence : continuing without intermission or recurring regularly after minute interruptions.
One of the rules of the dance marathon was that every team needed continuous presence on the dance floor by at least one team member in order to stay in the competition.
1292. continuum

kuhn-TIN-yoo-um
This word is from Latin.
noun
cohesion, constancy.
The continuum of care tracks patients over time through an array of health services.
1293. contrariwise

kahn-TRER-ee-wahyz
The first part of this word was originally Latin and went through French before becoming English, and the second part is originally English.
adverb
conversely.
Kerry wasn’t a reckless driver; contrariwise, he had a perfect driving record.
1294. contrivance

kun-TRAHY-vunts
This word is from a perhaps Greek-derived Latin word that became French.
noun
artifice or manipulation.
Patrick’s novel lacked emotional resonance, the effect of a too-obvious contrivance in the plot.
1295. contumelious

kahn-too-MEE-lee-us
This word is from a word that went from Latin to French to English.
adjective
nastily demeaning.
The mayor was outraged by the contumelious cartoon about him in the newspaper.
1296. Coptic

KAHP-tik
This word is from a Greek geographical name that passed into Coptic and then Arabic before entering English.
noun
an Afro-Asiatic language descended from ancient Egyptian and used by the Egyptians from about the 3rd century A.D. to about 1500 when it was superseded by Arabic.
The archaeologists struggled to decipher the Coptic figures carved into artifacts throughout the pharaoh's tomb.
1297. coqui

koh-KEE
This word is from Spanish.
noun
a small, chiefly nocturnal tree-dwelling frog native to Puerto Rico that has a high-pitched call and has been introduced into Hawaii and southern Florida.
According to a Taino folktale, the coqui's nightly calls are the heartbroken cries of a goddess who lost her lover to the wrath of the god of chaos.
1298. cordillera

kohr-duhl-YEH-ruh
This word is from a word that went from Latin to Spanish.
noun
a chain of mountain ranges.
The Andean cordillera extends along the west coast of South America.
1299. corduroy

KOHR-duh-roy
This word is perhaps an alteration of an English name.
noun
a fabric with a cut pile surface, having upright ridges or wales, typically made of cotton.
Vijay bought a corduroy suit to wear to his job interview.
1300. coriander

KOR-ee-an-dur
Originally Greek, this word went through Latin and French before becoming English.
noun
a pungent herb whose seeds and leaves are used in cooking.
Jane almost always uses coriander to season her stew.
1301. Corinthian

kuh-RIN-thee-un
This word went from a Greek geographical name to Latin to English.
adjective
of or belonging to the lightest and most ornate of the three Greek types of columns that is characterized especially by its bell-shaped capital enveloped with acanthuses.
Corinthian columns can be found in many of America's most famous government buildings, including the Capital and the Supreme Court.
1302. corm

korm
This word is from Greek-derived Latin.
noun
a rounded thick modified underground stem base bearing membranous or scaly leaves and buds and acting as a vegetative reproductive structure in certain plants (as gladiolus).
The saffron crocus, which produces the world's most expensive spice, is a well-known corm.
1303. cornea

KOR-nee-uh
This word is from Latin.
noun
the membrane that covers the iris and pupil and lets light pass through to the retina.
Laser surgery was used to reshape Janet’s cornea so that she would not have to wear glasses to correct her eyesight.
1304. cornel

KOR-nul
This word is probably from a German word, which took it from a Latin-derived French word.
noun
a common spring-flowering white-bracted dogwood.
The flowering cornel in Helen's front yard is one of her favorite things about spring.
1305. cornucopia

korn-uh-KOH-pee-uh
This word is from Latin.
noun
a design element consisting of a hollow horn overflowing with fruits and vegetables, also known as a horn of plenty.
Robert placed various kinds of rolls in the basket shaped like a cornucopia and set it in the center of the table.
1306. corollary

KOR-uh-ler-ee
This word is from a word that went from Latin to English.
noun
a proposition that naturally follows one just proved, and which does not need to be proved on its own.
After proving the theorem, Mr. Barnes showed how the corollary logically followed.
1307. coroner

KOR-uh-nur
This word came to English from French, which formed it from Latin-derived elements.
noun
a public officer investigates (as by inquest) the cause of any death when the death was not due to natural causes or when the cause of death is undetermined.
The job of coroner combines elements of medicine and detective work.
1308. corral

kuh-RAL
This word is from a word that went from Latin to Spanish.
verb
to gather and confine livestock in a pen or enclosure.
With the help of his dog, Jerry will corral the herd.
1309. corroborate

kuh-RAHB-uh-rayt
This word is from Latin.
verb
to provide evidence of the truth of : to confirm.
The witness who will corroborate Zorba’s alibi is a highly respected member of the community.
1310. corrosive

kuh-ROH-siv
This word is from English, which took it from French or Latin.
adjective
able to wear away by gradual disintegration.
Acetic acid, the active component in vinegar, can be corrosive if not diluted sufficiently.
1311. corsage

kor-SAHZH
This word is from Latin-derived French.
noun
an arrangement of flowers to be worn as an accessory.
David brought his prom date a corsage of a single red rosebud surrounded by baby's breath.
1312. cortex

KOR-teks
This word is from Latin.
noun
the outer layer of gray matter of the cerebrum and cerebellum that contains most of the higher nervous centers.
The chief function of the cerebral cortex is to regulate higher nervous functions such as the collection and interpretation of data relating to the senses.
1313. cotyledon

kaht-uh-LEE-dun
This word is from an originally Greek word that passed to Latin.
noun
the first leaf or pair of leaves in seed plants and ferns that primarily functions as stored food for the growing plant.
After seeing the cotyledon of her bean plant emerge, Sara joked that it was just like watching her baby take its first steps.
1314. cozen

KUH-zun
This word came from Italian, which formed it from a Latin word.
verb
to persuade dishonestly; to defraud.
Aaliyah’s father told her that he fears that the car dealer will cozen her, but she is well prepared.
1315. credence

KREE-dunts
This word went from Latin to French to English.
noun
acceptance (as of a story or statement) as true : belief.
Joelle’s reaction gave credence to the gossip swirling around the school.
1316. credulity

krih-DYOO-luh-tee
This word came from a Latin word that passed into French before becoming English.
noun
willingness to trust or believe.
Demario likes to test his little sister's credulity by telling her ridiculous, made-up stories and seeing if she'll believe them.
1317. creel

kreel
This word is from a Latin word that became French and then English.
noun
a wickerwork basket for carrying fish caught by an angler.
Ewan tossed the carp into his creel.
1318. crepuscular

krih-PUHSK-yuh-lur
The first part of this word is from an originally Latin word, and the second part is from English.
adjective
active in the evening.
Darnel blurted out “firefly” when the teacher asked for an example of a crepuscular insect.
1319. crescive

KREH-siv
This word is from Latin plus an English element.
adjective
growing.
The crescive vines slowly entangled the trellis.
1320. Cretaceous

krih-TAY-shus
This word is from Latin.
adjective
of or relating to the final part of the Mesozoic era.
The Cretaceous climate was very warm and wet and large expanses of the continents were covered with shallow seas.
1321. cribbage

KRIB-ij
The first part of this word is originally English, and the second part is from English.
noun
a card game for two and sometimes three or four players.
Kathy and her cousins are ferociously competitive when they play cribbage.
1322. cribble

KRIB-ul
This word is from Latin-derived French.
noun
a meshed or perforated device or utensil through which dry loose material (such as flour or ashes) is winnowed or refined : a strainer.
The farmer used a simple cribble to try to remove the debris and chaff from his crop of dry lentils.
1323. cribo

KREE-boh
This word is of unknown origin.
noun
a large harmless snake of the West Indies and tropical America.
The cribo is nonvenomous and feeds on smaller animals.
1324. crinoline

KRIH-nuh-lun
This word is from an Italian word made up of Latin-derived parts, and it passed through French before entering English.
noun
a full stiff petticoat.
The crinoline that Andrea wore in the pageant made her knees itch.
1325. crith

krith
This word is from Greek.
noun
the weight of a liter of hydrogen at 0 degrees Celsius and 760 millimeters pressure.
The crith is a unit of mass used for weighing gases.
1326. cruciferous

kroo-SIH-fuh-ruhs
The first part of this word is from an originally Latin word, and the second part is from English.
adjective
belonging to the mustard family of plants.
cruciferous vegetables are an excellent source of beta carotene.
1327. cryogenic

krahy-uh-JEN-ik
The first part of this word is from Greek and the second part was formed from Greek and Latin elements.
adjective
being or occurring at very cold temperatures.
Liquid oxygen is cryogenic and forms at ?297 °F.
1328. cudgel

KUH-jul
This word is originally English.
noun
a short heavy stick used to inflict punishment or as a weapon.
A nightstick is one kind of cudgel.
1329. cum laude

koom-LAU-duh
This word is from Latin.
adverb
with distinction — used as a mark of meritorious achievement in the academic requirements for graduation.
Within the first five minutes of meeting any new person, Brandon made sure they knew he had graduated cum laude from Harvard.
1330. cumbersome

KUHM-bur-sum
The first part of this word is perhaps from a French word that then became English, and the second part is from an originally English word.
adjective
excessively large or unwieldy.
Eric dragged his cumbersome duffel bag by its strap.
1331. cumulus

KYOO-myuh-lus
This word is from Latin.
noun
a puffy cloud form with a flat base that can resemble a mountain.
The fluffy cumulus reminded Ashley of cotton candy.
1332. curie

KYUR-ee
This word is from a French name.
noun
a unit of radioactivity equal to 37 billion disintegrations per second.
While studying nuclear engineering, Melissa learned to use the curie to quantify radioactive decay.
1333. curmudgeon

kuhr-MUH-jun
This word is of unknown origin.
noun
a grouchy person.
The curmudgeon criticized the book as having too many pages between the covers.
1334. cutis

KYOO-tus
This word is from Latin.
noun
the dermal layer of the skin.
Wearing sunscreen can help protect the cutis from sun damage.
1335. cyanosis

sahy-uh-NOH-sus
This word is from Greek.
noun
a bluish cast to the skin caused by insufficient oxygen in the blood.
cyanosis may result from pneumonia, asphyxiation, heart failure or heart anomalies.
1336. cybernetics

sahy-buhr-NEH-tiks
This word is from Greek.
plural noun
the comparison of communication and control functions in human and artificial intelligences.
Bertha’s new robotics software promised to revolutionize cybernetics.
1337. cygnet

SIG-nut
The first part of this word is from an originally Greek word that passed into Latin and then French before becoming English, and the second part is from English.
noun
a juvenile swan.
Natalie took many pictures of the beautiful black swan sitting on the grass next to a little gray cygnet.
1338. cynicism

SIN-uh-siz-um
Part of this word went from Greek to Latin to French and part is from English.
noun
the quality or state of being given to faultfinding.
Tom’s constant cynicism has become tiresome to all his friends.
1339. dactylic

dak-TIH-lik
This word is from a word that went from Greek to Latin to English.
adjective
having a three-syllable cadence with the first syllable stressed, as in the word "outfielder."
Homer’s two epics are written in dactylic hexameter.
1340. Dalmatian

dal-MAY-shun
This word is from a geographical name.
noun
a large white short-haired dog with black spots.
Dalmatian puppies are born with white coats; their first spots appear at about three weeks old.
1341. damascened

dam-uh-SEEND
This word is from a Syrian geographical name that went to Greek and then Latin before becoming English.
adjective
adorned with precious metal inlay.
The damascened sword, with its intricate inlays of gold and silver, was a masterpiece of medieval craftsmanship.
1342. dandle

DAN-dul
The origin of this word is unknown.
verb
to make much of : to pamper.
Grandmother says it's not necessary to dandle a child, but she does it anyway.
1343. danseur

dahnh-SUR
This word is from French, which perhaps borrowed it from Latin.
noun
a ballet dancer who is male.
The director chose a tall, graceful danseur for the part of Siegfried in Swan Lake.
1344. danta

DAN-tuh
This word is from a Portuguese and Spanish word, and was formed from a Latin-derived component and an Arabic-derived component.
noun
any of a genus of herbivorous mammals of tropical America and southeastern Asia that have a heavy, sparsely hairy body and the snout and upper lip prolonged into a short flexible snout : a tapir.
The danta has a symbiotic relationship with the caracara, and will often lie down so that the birds can eat ticks off their body.
1345. darnel

DAHR-nul
Originally Germanic, this word passed through French before becoming English.
noun
any of several grasses that have small, many-flowered spikes.
darnel is sometimes called "false wheat" because of its visual similarity to wheat up until the development of the ear of grain.
1346. dashiki

duh-SHEE-kee
This word is from Yoruba, a Niger-Congo language of West Africa.
noun
an often brightly colored unfitted tunic originating in Africa.
While traveling in Ghana, Cyril saw a drummer wearing a bright dashiki.
1347. daubster

DAHB-stur
This word was formed in English from a French-derived part that probably came from Latin, plus an originally English element.
noun
an incompetent painter.
Although Vernon claimed to be an expert artist, his painting of Abraham Lincoln resembling a pineapple with a beard proved he was really a daubster.
1348. davenport

DA-vun-port
This word is of unknown origin.
noun
a large upholstered sofa often convertible into a bed.
Mother made up the davenport for Cousin Lydia to sleep on.
1349. deathin

DETH-in
This word is probably from originally English elements.
noun
a poisonous plant closely related to the water hemlock.
Lucretia seemed just a bit too cheery about telling her neighbors that the flowery growth around her koi pond was deathin.
1350. debilitate

dih-BIL-uh-tayt
This word is from Latin.
verb
to disable or weaken.
Jacob's disease will debilitate him for a while.
1351. debutante

deb-yuh-TAHNT
This word is from a French word.
noun
a young woman making her formal entrance into society.
Each debutante was required to provide the name of her escort for inclusion in the printed program.
1352. deceitful

dih-SEET-ful
This word is from a Latin-derived French word that passed into English plus an English element.
adjective
dishonest.
The Better Business Bureau warned Jovid of the awning company’s deceitful business practices.
1353. deceleron

dee-SEL-uh-rahn
This word is comprised of originally Latin elements plus an English element.
noun
a split lateral control surface combining the functions of a movable portion of an airplane wing and air brakes on an airplane.
The pilot employed the deceleron to slow the plane for a landing.
1354. decennial

dih-SEN-ee-ul
This word is from a Latin word plus an English element.
adjective
being done or happening every 10 years.
In the year 2020 the government will again conduct the decennial census taking.
1355. deciduous

dih-SIH-juh-wus
This word is from Latin.
adjective
shed after a period of development.
deciduous trees drop their leaves each fall.
1356. decimation

des-uh-MAY-shun
This word is from Latin.
noun
the destruction of a considerable part.
“decimation of Earth’s rain forests” is the topic Gabby chose for her research paper.
1357. declamatory

dih-KLA-muh-toh-ree
This word is from Latin.
adjective
characterized by rhetorical display or effect : stilted.
Minna’s declamatory sermon alienated many of her listeners.
1358. declension

dih-KLEN-chun
This word is probably from a word that went from Latin to French.
noun
a presentation in some specific order of the inflectional forms of a pronoun, noun or adjective.
A complete Latin noun declension consists of up to seven different grammatical cases.
1359. declination

dek-luh-NAY-shun
This word passed from Latin to French to English.
noun
angular distance from the celestial equator measured along a great circle passing through the celestial poles.
declination and right ascension together define the position of an object in the sky.
1360. decurion

di-KYUR-ee-un
This word passed to English from Latin.
noun
a Roman cavalry officer in command of 10 men.
The decurion marshalled his troops to mount another charge.
1361. defiant

dih-FAHY-unt
This word was formed in French from Latin-derived elements.
adjective
bold, unafraid.
Despite threats of being sent to his room, Avi remained defiant and would not eat his peas.
1362. deglaciation

dee-glay-shee-AY-shun
This word is made up of Latin-derived elements.
noun
the disappearance of glaciers.
The deglaciation period at the end of the Ice Age lasted for several years.
1363. déjà vu

day-zhah-VOO
This phrase is from French.
noun
a sensation that one has heard or seen something before.
Robby felt a sense of déjà vu as soon as he walked into the classroom.
1364. delectable

di-LEK-tuh-bul
Originally Latin, this word passed through French before becoming English.
adjective
deliciously flavored.
JoAnne selected Black Forest cake from the delectable dessert offerings.
1365. deleterious

del-uh-TIR-ee-us
This word is from Greek.
adjective
damaging.
The museum did not permit flash photography because of its possible deleterious effects on the paintings.
1366. deliquesce

deh-luh-KWES
This word is from Latin.
verb
to turn liquid or soft with age.
After a few days in the refrigerator, cilantro will deliquesce.
1367. deltoidal

del-TOI-dul
This word is from Greek.
adjective
triangle-shaped.
Peter was astonished to see that his 5-year-old daughter Charlotte had constructed a deltoidal icosahedron out of magnetic preschool blocks.
1368. dementia

duh-MEN-shuh
This word is from Latin.
noun
a condition of mental deterioration.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia.
1369. demerits

dih-MER-uts
This word is from Latin-derived French.
plural noun
marks usually meaning lost privileges given to an offender by one in authority, such as a teacher or an officer.
The school rule book states that if you receive four demerits during a term, you will be expelled.
1370. demographics

dee-muh-GRA-fiks
This word came from French, which formed it from Greek elements.
plural noun
the statistics of a particular population.
demographics are used widely in public opinion polling and marketing.
1371. demonstrative

dih-MAHN-struh-tiv
This originally Latin word passed through French before becoming English.
adjective
pointing out the thing or person that is referred to and differentiating it from others of the same class — used of a word in grammar.
In the phrase, "Somebody catch that cat!" the word "that" serves as the demonstrative adjective.
1372. demulcent

dih-MUHL-sunt
This word is from Latin.
adjective
soothing, like a balm.
The pharmacist told Boris that a demulcent syrup would be best for his sore throat.
1373. denominator

duh-NAH-muh-nay-tur
This word is from Latin.
noun
the bottom part of a fraction.
The teacher spent today’s math period teaching the students how to find the least common denominator of the fractions 1/5, 1/6 and 1/15.
1374. depose

dih-POHZ
Originally Latin, this word went through French before becoming English.
verb
to remove from a throne or other high position.
The citizens protested the unjust rule of the tyrant and wished to depose him in favor of his sister.
1375. depreciate

dih-PREE-shee-ayt
This word is from Latin.
verb
to fall in value or esteem.
Collectible figurines depreciate as soon as they are taken out of their original packaging.
1376. depredation

deh-pruh-DAY-shun
This word is from a Latin word that passed through French before becoming English.
noun
the act of plundering or pillaging.
Faced with certain depredation by the hostile mob, the villagers hurriedly hid their valuables and food.
1377. deprivation

deh-prih-VAY-shun
This word is from Latin.
noun
the act of taking something away.
Harrison complained to his parents that losing his cell phone privileges was a form of sensory deprivation forbidden by the Geneva Convention.
1378. derelict

DER-uh-likt
This word is from Latin.
adjective
abandoned, dilapidated.
While out for a hike, Theo and Gabby discovered a derelict cabin in an overgrown clearing.
1379. derisive

dih-RAHY-sihv
This word is from a Latin word plus an English element.
adjective
scornful, sarcastic.
Leila couldn't stand the derisive attitude of the news commentator, so she changed the channel.
1380. derivative

dih-RIV-uh-tiv
This word is from Latin.
adjective
made up of or marked by elements or qualities taken or received from something else : lacking originality.
Janeesha believes that all creative works are derivative of what came before.
1381. deserter

dih-ZUR-tur
This word went from Latin to French to English.
noun
a member of a military force who abandons service without leave.
The deserter was caught, court-martialed, and imprisoned.
1382. desertification

dih-zuhr-tuh-fuh-KAY-shun
This word is from a Latin word that passed through French plus a Latin-derived English element.
noun
the process of becoming parched and barren land.
In the 1920s and 1930s, prolonged drought and unrestricted agricultural practices led to the desertification of a significant portion of the Central Plains of the United States.
1383. desolate

DEH-suh-lut
This word came to English from Latin.
adjective
empty, abandoned.
The Williamsons drove through a desolate town before arriving at their destination.
1384. desuetude

DES-weh-tood
This word is from Latin.
noun
a state of seeming abandonment.
In some schools the practice of memorizing great poems has fallen into desuetude.
1385. detritus

duh-TRAHY-tus
This word came from French, which formed it from a Latin word.
noun
rubble or sediment.
The aerial photo of Don’s ranch shows a fan of detritus at the mouth of the gulch.
1386. diacritic

dahy-uh-KRIT-ik
This word is from Greek.
noun
a modifying mark on or around a character indicating a phonetic value or change.
While proofreading, Roland found a misplaced diacritic and a few other errors.
1387. diadem

DAHY-uh-dem
This word is from an originally Greek word that passed into Latin and then French before becoming English.
noun
an ornate headband worn as a royal crown.
Nichelle admired the jewel-encrusted Persian diadem on display at the museum.
1388. dialysis

dahy-A-luh-sis
This word is from Greek.
noun
separation of the components in a solution using membranes.
Blood was removed from the patient, purified by dialysis and then returned to the patient’s bloodstream.
1389. Dianthus

dahy-AN-thus
This word consists of two originally Greek parts.
noun
a large Old World genus of herbs including the pinks and carnations.
Ahmad chose several varieties of Dianthus, including carnations and Sweet William, to plant in his garden.
1390. diaspora

dahy-AS-puh-ruh
This word is from Greek.
noun
a dispersion or migration (as of people of a common national origin).
Many families were separated by the diaspora of Gulf Coast residents following hurricane Katrina.
1391. diathermy

DAHY-uh-thurm-ee
Both parts of this word are originally Greek.
noun
the generation of heat in tissue for medical or surgical purposes by the application of high-frequency electric currents.
Nikola Tesla was an early researcher in the use of diathermy.
1392. diatonic

dahy-uh-TAHN-ik
This word went from Greek to Latin.
adjective
relating to a standard major or minor scale of eight tones to the octave without chromatic deviation.
Most American folk melodies are diatonic.
1393. diatribe

DAHY-uh-trahyb
This word is from Greek.
noun
a bitter, abusive and usually lengthy speech or piece of writing.
After supper, Deirdre launched into her familiar diatribe against commercial television.
1394. diaulos

dee-AU-lahs
This word is from Greek.
noun
the double course for races on foot in ancient Greece during which runners went down one side of the stadium, turned around a post and returned to the starting point.
In gym class, Mrs. Whalen set up a race course modeled on the ancient Greek diaulos.
1395. dietetic

dahy-uh-TEH-tik
This word is from a Greek word that passed into Latin.
adjective
suitable for a restricted eating plan.
Most grocery stores now offer a wide selection of dietetic foods.
1396. dihedral

dahy-HEE-drul
This word consists of an originally Greek element plus Greek- and Latin-derived English elements.
adjective
having or formed by two plane faces.
In geometry, the dihedral angles in a cube measure 90 degrees.
1397. dilapidated

dih-LAP-uh-day-tid
This word is from Latin.
adjective
in a state of disrepair.
Only birds and bats resided in the dilapidated old house.
1398. diligence

DIL-uh-juns
This word went from Latin to French.
noun
devoted and sometimes painstaking adherence to accomplish a task or undertaking.
Preparing for a marathon requires a hefty amount of diligence and commitment to training.
1399. diluent

DIL-yuh-wunt
This word is from Latin.
noun
a neutral ingredient added to a mixture to water it down.
Water added to the insecticide acts as a diluent and a carrier.
1400. dimorphism

dahy-MOR-fiz-um
This word is from originally Greek elements.
noun
difference between two individuals or kinds of individuals that might be expected to be similar or identical.
Screech owls exhibit color dimorphism, being either gray or reddish.
1401. diocese

DAHY-uh-sis
This word is from an originally Greek word that passed into Latin and then French before entering English.
noun
the district in which a bishop has ecclesiastical authority.
The bishop’s diocese spans three counties.
1402. diptych

DIP-tik
This word is from a Latin word formed from Greek parts.
noun
a picture or series of pictures painted on two tablets connected by hinges.
The museum exhibit featured a diptych that showed contrasting paintings of a bustling city and a calm countryside.
1403. dirigible

DIR-uh-juh-bul
The first part of this word is from Latin, and the second part is from English.
adjective
steerable.
Louis Brennan was a mechanical genius from Ireland whose inventions included the dirigible torpedo and the monorail train.
1404. discombobulate

dis-kuhm-BAH-byuh-layt
This word may be an alteration of a word that went from Latin to French.
verb
to confuse.
Changing the rules just before the game will no doubt discombobulate the team.
1405. discountenance

dis-KAUN-tuh-nunts
This word is from a Latin-derived English element plus a Latin word that became French and then English.
verb
to disapprove of.
Frank stated that he did not wish to discountenance other opinions, but his dad's mashed potatoes are quite possibly the best mashed potatoes ever.
1406. discreetly

dih-SKREET-lee
This word is made up of a word that went from Latin to French to English plus an English element.
adverb
carefully, tactfully.
The news anchor hired a public relations agent to discreetly manage the announcement of her retirement.
1407. discretionary

dih-SKREH-shuh-ner-ee
This word consists of a part that went from Latin to French to English plus an English element.
adjective
left to individual judgment.
Whether or not to prosecute a case is the district attorney’s discretionary decision.
1408. disembogue

dis-im-BOHG
This word was formed in Spanish from Latin-derived elements.
verb
to emit water from an outlet.
Many streams disembogue into the river along its course.
1409. disjunct

dis-JUNGKT
This word is from Latin.
adjective
marked by separation of or from usually contiguous parts or individuals.
Although belonging to the same species, the crabs survived in disjunct tidal pools and had almost no relationship with each other.
1410. Disneyfication

diz-nee-fih-KAY-shun
This word consists of an American name plus an English element.
noun
the transformation (as of something unsettling) into carefully controlled and safe entertainment or an environment with similar qualities.
Big Joey complained bitterly about the Disneyfication of his favorite Las Vegas casino.
1411. disparate

dih-SPAR-ut
This word is from Latin.
adjective
highly varied.
Talia's favorite aspect of her sociology seminar is the disparate collection of backgrounds, beliefs and experiences represented by her classmates.
1412. disproportionate

dis-pruh-POR-shuh-nit
This word was formed in English from Latin-derived elements.
adjective
excessive, unequal.
Gordon thought the new mansion looked disproportionate next to the older ranch houses in his neighborhood.
1413. dissemble

dih-SEM-bul
This word came to English from French, which formed it from a Latin word.
verb
to hide facts or feelings.
When her boss asked how her day was going, Ash tried to dissemble by pasting on a bright smile.
1414. dissonance

DIS-uh-nunts
This word is from a Latin word that became French.
noun
a harsh combination of sounds.
The composer relied on dissonance to express the tension in a particular passage.
1415. distraught

dih-STRAHT
This word is from a word that went from Latin to English.
adjective
profoundly troubled.
For four days, distraught friends and relatives waited for news of the lost skiers.
1416. dodecahedron

doh-deh-kuh-HEE-drun
This word is from Greek.
noun
a solid shape with 12 flat sides.
A dodecahedron is used as a die in some role-playing games.
1417. dogana

doh-GAH-nuh
This word came to English from Italian, which took it from Persian-derived Arabic.
noun
a customhouse in Italy.
Maurizio visited the dogana to pay customs before reentering the country.
1418. doldrums

DOHL-drumz
This word is perhaps based partly on another English word.
plural noun
a spell of listlessness or despondency : the blues.
The best cure for the winter doldrums, Missy believed, was staying busy.
1419. dolma

DOHL-muh
This word is from Turkish.
noun
a grape leaf or cabbage leaf stuffed with seasoned rice or meat.
Loubna stole the last dolma from her brother's plate.
1420. dolmen

DOHL-mun
The first part of this word went from Latin to Breton [BRET-un] to French, and the second part went from Breton to French.
noun
a prehistoric monument made of two or more upright stones supporting a horizontal stone slab.
Connor made a model of a dolmen enclosed by a stone circle as part of his English history project.
1421. domesticity

doh-meh-STIS-uh-tee
This word is made up of a part that went from Latin to French to English and an English element derived from Latin or French.
noun
the quality or state of being related to the household.
After several months at home, Elaine decided that domesticity did not agree with her.
1422. domiciled

DAHM-uh-sahyld
This word went from Latin to French.
adjective
having a home to live in.
Tom recently became domiciled after spending a decade traveling all over the world.
1423. domineering

dah-muh-NIHR-ing
This word is made up of a part that went from Latin to French to Dutch plus an English element.
adjective
overbearing, bossy.
Fredo protested his brother’s domineering behavior.
1424. dopamine

DOH-puh-meen
This word was formed from International Scientific Vocabulary elements that came largely ultimately from Greek, but one came originally from Latin and one from Egyptian via Greek and Latin.
noun
a neurotransmitter associated with learning, attention, movement, and the brain's reward and pleasure system.
dopamine plays a major role in the brain system that is responsible for reward-driven learning.
1425. Doppler

DAH-plur
This word is from an Austrian name.
adjective
of, relating to, or utilizing a shift in frequency caused by motion between the source of electromagnetic waves and the observer.
The Doppler effect explains why the siren of an approaching ambulance sounds higher-pitched than when it moves away.
1426. Dorking

DOR-king
This word is from an English geographical name.
noun
an English breed of large domestic fowls having five toes or the hind toe double.
The Dorking is said to have been brought to Britain by the Roman forces under Julius Caesar in the 1st century C.E.
1427. dowager

DAU-uh-jur
This word is from a Latin-derived French word plus a French element.
noun
an older woman who is prominent in a community.
At Downton Abbey, the dowager countess usually gets the last scone and the last laugh.
1428. dowdy

DAU-dee
This word is originally English.
adjective
not modern in style : old-fashioned.
Her stepsisters told Cinderella that she couldn't possibly go to the ball in her mother's dowdy old dress.
1429. dromic

DRAH-mik
This word is from Greek.
adjective
of, relating to, or in the form of a racecourse.
Many Eastern churches exhibit the dromic form.
1430. druid

DROO-id
This word went from Gaulish to Latin.
noun
a member of a priesthood in ancient Gaul, Britain, and Ireland who appeared in legends as magicians and wizards.
The tour guide speculated that Stonehenge had been built by a lone druid seeking immortality.
1431. drumlin

DRUM-lin
The first part of this word is from Irish Gaelic, and the second part is originally English.
noun
an elongate or oval hill of glacial drift.
Last summer the cousins built a bonfire atop the drumlin on Granddad’s farm.
1432. drupiferous

droo-PIH-fuh-rus
This word is from a Greek-derived Latin word plus an English element.
adjective
bearing a closed fruit with a single pit.
Huyen didn't want to plant a drupiferous tree next to her driveway.
1433. du jour

duh-ZHUR
This phrase is from Latin-derived French.
adjective
as cooked or prepared on a particular day.
The server filled their water glasses and described the specials du jour.
1434. duplicitous

doo-PLIH-suh-tus
Originally Latin, this word passed through French before becoming English.
adjective
deceiving by displaying feelings that don't match actions.
The ambassador was denounced as being duplicitous when he openly advocated peace as his own country prepared for war.
1435. durango

duh-RANG-goh
This word is from a Mexican geographical name.
noun
a moderate brown.
Tyrone wanted to buy a new leather sofa in durango, but Maria thought the shade was too yellowish and asked if they could order it in adobe brown.
1436. dysgraphia

dis-GRA-fee-uh
This word was formed in Latin from originally Greek parts.
noun
impairment of the ability to write.
Although Wayne can read and speak very well, he cannot write a single word because of his dysgraphia.
1437. dyspeptic

dis-PEP-tik
This word is from Greek.
adjective
ill-tempered.
The blogger’s dyspeptic views on the popular TV show irritated many readers.
1438. dystopia

dihs-TOH-pee-uh
This word consists of Greek-derived elements.
noun
a dismal imaginary place.
The popular novel The Giver is set in a dystopia.
1439. ebullience

ih-BOOL-yuhntz
This word is from Latin.
noun
exuberance.
Molly loved the ebullience with which her puppy greeted her every time she came home.
1440. eburnean

eh-BUR-nee-un
This word is from Hamitic-derived Latin.
adjective
similar to the color of ivory.
Kwame was relieved to learn that the eburnean piano keys were made of plastic, not ivory.
1441. echidna

eh-KID-nuh
This word is from Greek-derived Latin.
noun
a burrowing mammal that lays eggs, is active at night and has a tapered snout and a lengthy tongue for gathering ants to eat.
To evade its enemies in areas with loose soil, an echidna may dig straight down and roll itself into a ball.
1442. ectoplasm

EK-tuh-pla-zum
This word is made from two Greek-derived elements.
noun
a spiritual emanation.
In the movies people are always getting slimed by what they call “ectoplasm.”
1443. Ecuador

EK-wuh-dor
This word is a South American geographical name.
geographical entry
country of western South America bordering on the Pacific and crossed by the Equator.
With its varied soils and topography, Ecuador's fantastic biodiversity has long attracted naturalists, including Charles Darwin and Alexander von Humboldt.
1444. educand

eh-juh-KAND
This word is from Latin.
noun
a student.
The study tried to measure the impact the relationship between teacher and student had on the educand.
1445. Edwardian

eh-DWAHR-dee-un
This word is from an English name.
adjective
of, relating to, or having the characteristics of the era of Edward VII of England (1901–10).
The Edwardian period was characterized by significant changes in fashion, technology, and social norms, such as the rise of the suffragette movement and the introduction of the automobile.
1446. efface

ih-FAYS
This word came from French, which formed it from Latin elements.
verb
to remove oneself completely from attention.
Many celebrities efface themselves in public by wearing sunglasses and dressing in a way they do not normally dress.
1447. effervescent

ef-uhr-VEH-suhnt
This word is from Latin.
adjective
animated, bubbly.
Sean’s effervescent personality caught the attention of the job recruiter.
1448. efflux

EH-fluks
This word is from a Latin word.
noun
the act or process of flowing or appearing to flow out.
After Jake pulled the plug from the drain, the efflux of the water was quick, leaving just the bubbles behind.
1449. effraction

eh-FRAK-shun
This word went from Latin to French.
noun
the action of forcing entry.
Marcel calmly explained that what looked like criminal effraction was actually him trying to get back into his house after forgetting his key.
1450. effusive

ih-FYOO-siv
This word is made up of Latin-derived elements.
adjective
showing uncontrolled enthusiasm or emotion; gushing.
Troy was bowled over by the effusive greeting of his Labrador retriever.
1451. eggcorn

EG-korn
This word is an alteration of an originally English word.
noun
a word or phrase that sounds like and is mistakenly used in a seemingly logical or plausible way for another word or phrase either on its own or as part of a set expression.
The editor left a tactfully worded comment explaining that “pass mustard” is actually an eggcorn for “pass muster.”
1452. egress

EE-gres
This word is from Latin.
noun
the act of exiting.
Every hotel should provide accessible ways of egress.
1453. embolus

EM-buh-lus
This word went from Greek to Latin.
noun
a foreign particle in the bloodstream.
Troy's grandfather had emergency surgery to remove an embolus from his right lung.
1454. embryo

EM-bree-oh
This word is from an originally Greek word that passed into Latin and then English.
noun
the early stage of development of an animal in the womb.
Photos of the chick embryo fascinated Carla.
1455. emeritus

ih-MER-uh-tus
This word is from Latin.
adjective
retired from an important position.
Our summer school teacher, Dr. Benteen, is Professor emeritus of history from Dartmouth College.
1456. eminent

EH-muh-nunt
This word is from a word that went from Latin to French.
adjective
noteworthy.
The National Cathedral is a building of eminent beauty.
1457. emissary

EH-muh-ser-ee
This word is from Latin.
noun
an agent or representative usually empowered to act more or less independently.
Each belligerent nation sent an emissary to the peace talks.
1458. emulsify

ih-MUHL-suh-fahy
This word is made up of Latin-derived elements.
verb
to combine two hard-to-mix liquids.
Using a hand mixer, Monika will emulsify the eggs and oil for her special salad dressing.
1459. en masse

ahn-MAS
This word is from French.
adverb
in a group.
When the last bell rang students rushed en masse to their lockers.
1460. encomium

en-KOH-mee-um
Originally Greek, this word passed into Latin before coming to English.
noun
an often formal expression of warm or high praise : a eulogy.
At the retirement party, Mr. Kang received an encomium from his colleagues, praising his dedication and hard work.
1461. ensconced

in-SKAHNST
The first part of this word is from English, and the second part went from German to Dutch to English.
verb
settled or established firmly, snugly, or comfortably.
The dog ensconced himself in the chair by the fire, indicating he had no intention of giving up his spot.
1462. ensued

in-SOOD
This word went from Latin to French to English.
verb
followed as a consequence : resulted.
After the results of the referee's review were announced over the loudspeakers, chaos ensued in the stadium.
1463. entente

ahn-TAHNT
This word came from French, which formed it from a Latin word.
noun
an international agreement less binding than an alliance.
The president decided that her government’s policy of isolationism would not be broken by an entente.
1464. environs

in-VAHY-runz
This word is from French, which formed it from Latin-derived elements.
plural noun
surrounding area.
Residents of the subdivision and its immediate environs are eligible to join the neighborhood pool association.
1465. epenthesis

ih-PEN-thuh-sis
This word is from Greek.
noun
the addition of a sound to the middle of a word.
Because the "b" in the word "nimble" arose from epenthesis and not from historical or etymological reasons, it was not part of the original spelling of the word in Middle English.
1466. epidermis

eh-puh-DUHR-mis
This word is from Greek.
noun
the outer layer of the skin.
The paper cut, though painful, barely broke Kayla’s epidermis.
1467. epidural

eh-pih-DUR-ul
This word consists of originally Latin and Greek parts.
adjective
situated upon or administered outside the tough fibrous membrane that covers the spinal cord.
The technique of administering epidural anesthesia can be dated to 1921, and it is a relatively common method for delivering pain-relieving medication.
1468. episcopal

ih-PIS-kuh-pul
This word came to English from Greek-derived Latin.
adjective
of, being, or befitting a bishop.
The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome.
1469. epithet

EH-puh-thet
This word is from a word that went from Greek to Latin.
noun
a word or phrase meant as an insult.
Donnie apologized for shouting an epithet at Mr. Garibaldi.
1470. epoch

EH-pahk
This word is from an originally Greek word that passed into Latin.
noun
a long period in which something important happened.
For her paper, Tiara is going to write about the animals that lived thousands of years ago during the Pleistocene epoch.
1471. equinox

EEK-wuh-nahks
This word is from a word that went from Latin to French to English.
noun
either of the two days each year when day and night are of equal length.
Clark always looked forward to the fall equinox because that meant it would start getting colder outside.
1472. equivalent

ih-KWIV-uh-lunt
This word is from a word that went from Latin to French to English.
adjective
almost entirely identical or corresponding especially in function or effect.
While butter and margarine are equivalent in function in most recipes, they are not equivalent in taste.
1473. equivocate

ih-KWIV-uh-kayt
This word is from Latin.
verb
to beat around the bush.
Mitch will equivocate even when he is confronted with facts.
1474. eradicate

ee-RAD-uh-kayt
This word is from Latin.
verb
to fully destroy.
By using aerial sprays, wheat farmers eradicate weeds, diseases and insect pests from their fields.
1475. ergo

ER-goh
This word is from Latin.
adverb
therefore : hence.
Luciano forgot to set his alarm; ergo, he had to sprint to the bus stop in his pajamas, becoming the neighborhood's early morning entertainment.
1476. ermine

UHR-min
This word is from an originally Germanic word that became French before becoming English, and was influenced by a Latin-derived French geographical name.
noun
any of several weasels that have white fur in winter.
Despite the outcry of animal activists, the fine fur of the ermine is still used for ornamentation of some designer clothing.
1477. errata

eh-RAH-tuh
This word is from Latin.
plural noun
a list of errors in a printed work.
errata may be published to correct text or information that appears anywhere in an earlier published novel or article.
1478. erroneous

ih-ROH-nee-us
This word is from Latin.
adjective
inaccurate.
The judge ordered a new trial for the defendant because of the lower court’s erroneous interpretation of the evidence presented.
1479. erstwhile

URST-wahyl
This word consists of two originally English elements.
adjective
former.
Claude is suing his erstwhile friend and business partner for the collapse of their corporation.
1480. erubescent

ehr-yuh-BES-unt
This word is from Latin.
adjective
blushing.
Rosa’s erubescent complexion made her embarrassment obvious.
1481. eructation

ih-ruk-TAY-shun
This word is from Latin.
noun
the act of belching gas from the stomach.
The first class after lunch is often punctuated with an eructation or two.
1482. escarpment

ih-SKARP-munt
This word is from a word that started out probably Germanic, then went to Italian, then French, plus a Latin-derived French element.
noun
a steep slope between two flat surfaces.
From the top of the escarpment, Peter had a great view of both baseball fields.
1483. eschew

us-CHOO
This word is from English, which formed it from a French word of Germanic origin.
verb
to avoid.
Paris tries to eschew stereotypes and not judge people before she meets them.
1484. espousal

ih-SPAU-zul
This word is from a word that went from Latin to French to English.
noun
a supporting or taking up as a belief or cause.
The senator’s espousal of a national health program has not wavered during his three terms.
1485. étude

AY-tood
This word is from French, which formed it from Latin.
noun
a piece of music intended for study or exercise.
Justin sat down to practice the étude his teacher assigned him.
1486. eucalyptus

yoo-kuh-LIP-tus
This word is from originally Greek parts.
noun
an evergreen tree native to Australia that is a source of oils and resins.
The eucalyptus is the koala's main source of food.
1487. eucrasia

yoo-KRAY-zhuh
This word went from Greek to Latin.
noun
a normal state of health : physical well-being.
To the ancient Greeks, eucrasia resulted from the appropriate balance of the four humors: blood, yellow bile, black bile and phlegm.
1488. euphonious

yoo-FOH-nee-us
This word is from Greek plus an English element.
adjective
pleasant to the ear.
Sabine is noted for her euphonious voice and clear enunciation.
1489. europium

yuh-ROH-pee-um
This word consists of a part from a geographical name plus a Latin element.
noun
a metallic element of the rare-earth group found in very small amounts in monazite sand.
Although many minerals contain europium, it is not found in nature as a free element.
1490. eustress

YOO-stres
There is no origin provided in the dictionary.
noun
a positive form of tension having a beneficial effect on health, motivation, performance, and emotional well-being.
Whenever Silvana has a frustrating week at work, she craves the eustress of a long, hilly bicycle ride on the weekend.
1491. Evactor

ih-VAK-tur
This word was a trademark.
noun
a jet pump.
Janey's grandfather told her how they once used an Evactor to draw water up from their well.
1492. evacuees

ih-va-kyuh-WEEZ
This word went from Latin to French before becoming English.
plural noun
persons who are removed from their home or community in time of war or danger as a protective measure.
One hundred evacuees spent the night at a school during the storm.
1493. evanescent

eh-vuh-NEH-sunt
This word is from Latin.
adjective
short-lived.
In Franklin D. Roosevelt's first inaugural address, he stated that "The joy and moral stimulation of work is often forgotten in the mad chase of evanescent profits."
1494. evo-devo

EE-voh-DEE-voh
There is no origin provided in the dictionary.
noun
a field of biology that combines the disciplines of evolutionary biology and developmental biology to study the relationship between evolution and developmental processes and mechanisms.
Charles Darwin anticipated the field of evo-devo when he suggested that the origins of new species could be understood better by studying embryos.
1495. evzone

EV-zohn
This word is from Greek.
noun
a member of a select infantry corps in the Greek army.
Latrice’s favorite memento of her trip to Athens is a pompon that fell off the shoe of an evzone on guard at the Monument of the Unknown Soldier.
1496. ex libris

eks-LEE-bris
This word entry is from Latin.
noun
a book owner's identification label that is usually engraved or printed, has a distinctive design, and is pasted to the inside front cover of a book.
Ingrid was thrilled to open her great-grandmother's copy of Sense and Sensibility and discover her ex libris inside.
1497. exaugural

ek-SOG-yuh-rul
This word consists of Latin elements.
adjective
at the end of a term of office.
The president’s exaugural address recounted the important events of his administration.
1498. excelsior

ik-SEL-see-ur
This word is from Latin.
noun
fine curled shavings of wood used especially for packing fragile items.
Rhoda opened the box hurriedly, scattering excelsior all over the carpet.
1499. excision

ek-SIH-zhun
This word went from Latin to French.
noun
removal by surgery.
The physician informed Michael that the excision of his infected appendix was necessary.
1500. execrable

EK-sik-ruh-bul
This word is from Latin.
adjective
worthy of being declared detestable or evil.
For his execrable cruelty to the victim, the assailant was given the maximum prison sentence.
1501. exeunt

EK-see-unt
This word is from Latin.
verb
go out : go off the stage — used as a stage direction.
The next stage direction read "exeunt all except Hamlet."
1502. exiguous

eg-ZIG-yuh-wus
This word is from Latin.
adjective
meager.
Fran’s father disapproves of her plan to use her exiguous savings for the down payment on a motorcycle.
1503. existential

eg-sih-STEN-chul
This word is from Latin.
adjective
of, relating to, or dealing with the totality of being.
The cat considered the new puppy to be an existential threat, and refused to be in the same room with it.
1504. exodus

EK-suh-dus
This word went from Greek to Latin.
noun
emigration : a mass departure from a place of residence or country.
The recent civil war prompted an exodus of civilians to neighboring countries.
1505. exogenous

ek-SAH-juh-nus
This word consists of two Greek-derived elements that passed into French plus an English element.
adjective
externally caused.
The politician argued that the labor strife in his city was exogenous in nature.
1506. exorbitant

ig-ZOR-buh-tunt
This word is from a word that went from Latin to French to English.
adjective
excessive.
The ferry operator charged an exorbitant rate to carry people across the strait.
1507. expatiate

ek-SPAY-shee-ayt
This word is from Latin.
verb
to discuss in great detail.
Mr. Chen's deep enthusiasm for tennis enabled him to expatiate tirelessly on the most recent Wimbledon match.
1508. expectorant

ik-SPEK-tur-unt
This word is from Latin.
noun
an agent tending to promote discharge of mucus from the respiratory tract.
An expectorant containing eucalyptus oil is often effective as a cough remedy.
1509. exposé

eks-poh-ZAY
This word is from a Latin-derived French word.
noun
a disclosure or revelation of something discreditable.
Emmett published an exposé in the school newspaper on the decreasing nutritional value of the cafeteria lunch.
1510. exposition

eks-puh-ZISH-uhn
This word came to English from French, which took it from a Latin word.
noun
a public exhibition or show (as of industrial and artistic productions).
The cooking exposition had all of the latest kitchen gadgets, including a crepe-making robot.
1511. expostulate

ik-SPAHS-chuh-layt
This word is from Latin.
verb
to reason with a person seriously and intently in order to dissuade or oppose them.
Jason is one of those people who will expostulate about politics without being invited to do so.
1512. expugnable

ek-SPUG-nuh-bul
This word is from Latin.
adjective
able to be conquered by violent attack.
A gentle slope leading up to the castle’s left side made it easily expugnable.
1513. expunge

ik-SPUNJ
This word consists of two originally Latin elements.
verb
to remove from existence (a material record or trace) by any means.
The criminal was careful to expunge his fingerprints from the crime scene.
1514. extant

EK-stunt
This word is from Latin.
adjective
currently in existence.
Some scientists believe that they can use cloning to bring back creatures that are no longer extant.
1515. extemporaneous

ek-stem-puh-RAY-nee-us
This word is from Latin.
adjective
composed, performed, or uttered on the spur of the moment.
Suzi gave an extemporaneous talk about bonsai at the craft club meeting.
1516. extravasate

ik-STRAV-uh-sayt
This word is made up of Latin elements plus an English element.
verb
to pour or erupt out of.
When heat and pressure build to a critical point within a volcano, sparks and molten lava extravasate into the air.
1517. extrorse

EK-stors
This word is from Latin.
adjective
turned away from the axis of growth.
When the anther, the part of the flower that contains pollen, turns away from the pistils and toward the petals, it is said to be “extrorse.”
1518. facetious

fuh-SEE-shuhs
This word came from French, which formed it from a Latin word.
adjective
characterized by pleasantry or levity : meant to be humorous or funny : not serious.
When the radio host asked the pop star about his motorcycle accident, the interviewee dodged the question with a facetious comment.
1519. facile

FA-sul
This word is from Latin.
adjective
easily achieved or accomplished.
Don’s facile backgammon victory over his sister made him suspicious of her intent.
1520. factitious

fak-TISH-us
This word is from Latin.
adjective
produced artificially or through special effort.
The mayor’s grin looks especially factitious on the new poster.
1521. facundity

fa-KUN-duh-tee
This word is from Latin.
noun
eloquence.
Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address is a shining example of facundity.
1522. fajitas

fuh-HEE-tuz
This word is from Spanish.
plural noun
marinated strips of beef, chicken or shrimp cooked and served on a flour tortilla with savory fillings.
Caroline couldn't decide whether to order the steak fajitas or a bean burrito.
1523. farcical

FAHR-sih-kul
This word is from an originally Latin word that passed into French and then English plus an English element.
adjective
receiving laughter or amused scorn because of perceived incompetence or lack of skill.
Shakespeare employed farcical characters in many of his plays to provide comic relief.
1524. fardel

FAHR-dul
Probably originally from an Arabic word, this word passed through French before entering English.
noun
a bundle or parcel (as of raw silk).
The peddler arrived at the market with a fardel tossed over his shoulder.
1525. farkleberry

FAHR-kul-ber-ee
This word is probably from an English word.
noun
a shrub or small tree of the southeastern U.S. having coriaceous often evergreen leaves and a black dry berry with hard stony seeds.
The fruit of the farkleberry is edible but tends to be overshadowed by that of its much more palatable cousin, the blueberry.
1526. Farsi

FAHR-see
This word is from Persian.
noun
the modern language of Iran and western Afghanistan : Persian.
The young diplomat prepared for her first assignment by studying Farsi and Arabic.
1527. farthingale

FAHR-thing-gayl
This word is from a word that went from Latin to Spanish to French.
noun
a support (as of hoops or a padded roll) worn especially in the 16th century beneath a skirt to extend it at the hip line.
No lady-in-waiting at the court of Queen Elizabeth I would have been seen in public without a farthingale.
1528. fastuous

FAS-chuh-wus
This word is from Latin or French.
adjective
ostentatious : showy.
Even though the fashion press loved the designer’s fastuous creations, he eventually went bankrupt.
1529. fatuously

FA-chuh-wus-lee
This word is from Latin and an English element.
adverb
done in a way that is foolish or absurd.
The clown performed fatuously to the children’s delight.
1530. fealty

FEE-uhl-tee
Originally Latin, this word went through French before becoming English.
noun
faithfulness or dedication.
One by one, the nobles knelt before the queen and swore fealty to the crown.
1531. feckless

FEK-lus
This word is from an element that went from Latin to French to English and an English part.
adjective
indifferent to responsibility : unreliable.
Mom thought our teenage neighbor was nice but feckless and refused to hire her as a babysitter.
1532. fecund

FEH-kund
This word is from Latin-derived French.
adjective
notable for productivity of thought and invention.
The Renaissance was a fecund era for the arts.
1533. feign

fayn
Originally Latin, this word went through French before becoming English.
verb
to give the false appearance of.
In an emergency, Maris will feign composure to save her pride.
1534. fenestrated

FEN-uh-stray-tid
This word is from Latin.
adjective
having or notable for windows.
Trapezoidally fenestrated buildings characterize Incan architecture.
1535. fenster

FENZ-tur
This word is from a word that went from Latin to German.
noun
an erosional opening down through overthrust rock exposing the underlying rock.
Gabe took a long hike in the national park to find the large fenster mentioned in his guidebook.
1536. fervorous

FUR-vur-us
This word is from Latin-derived French plus an English element.
adjective
passionate.
The crowd couldn’t help but be swayed by Greg’s fervorous speech.
1537. festooned

feh-STOOND
This word is from a Latin word that became Italian and then French.
verb
suspended in chains that have been decorated and which are typically hung in a curve between two fixed points.
Trees in New Orleans are often festooned with beads long after Mardi Gras festivities are over.
1538. feudalism

FYOO-duh-liz-um
This word comes from a word that was originally Latin plus an English element.
noun
a social system in which large landowners derive profit from the land and fulfill the functions of government in their domain.
Karl Marx identified feudalism as the stage before capitalism in the economic and political development of societies.
1539. fiat

FEE-aht
This word is from Latin.
noun
official endorsement or sanction : permission.
When the CEO was unavailable, the Senior Vice President had fiat to act in her stead.
1540. fibula

FIB-yuh-luh
This word is from Latin.
noun
the outer and smaller of the two bones between the knee and ankle.
After breaking his fibula while sliding into second base, Roderick knew his baseball season was over.
1541. fictile

FIK-tul
This word is from Latin.
adjective
molded or capable of being molded into the form of an art work or artifact.
The fictile possibilities of the clay in her own backyard surprised Bonnie.
1542. Ficus

FAHY-kuss
This word is from Latin.
noun
a large genus of tropical trees or shrubs with a round or pear-shaped edible fruit.
The weeping fig, a houseplant of the genus Ficus, is commonly kept in homes and offices as a decorative element.
1543. fiduciary

fuh-DOO-shee-ehr-ee
This word is from Latin.
adjective
having to do with or involving a confidence or trust.
A fiduciary relationship exists between a caregiver and the person receiving care.
1544. finial

FIN-ee-ul
Originally Latin, this word went through French before becoming English.
noun
a capping ornament or detail.
Many flagpoles are topped with a spherical finial.
1545. fipple

FIP-ul
This word is of unknown origin.
noun
a grooved plug in the end of a whistle, flute, or organ pipe.
Jason inserted a fipple into his flute before playing the next piece on the program.
1546. firkin

FUR-kin
This word is from a Dutch word that then became English.
noun
a small wooden vessel or cask of indeterminate size.
The firkin on the mantel had been used as a flour container many, many years ago.
1547. fjeld

fee-ELL
This word is from Danish.
noun
a raised and relatively flat expanse of land in the higher elevations of Scandinavia that is usually devoid of vegetation.
Gunnar told his children a tale of the days when Viking warriors roamed the fjeld.
1548. flagon

FLAG-un
Perhaps originally Germanic, this word passed through Latin and French before becoming English.
noun
a large metal or pottery vessel with a handle and spout and often a lid.
The flagon on Mrs. Wilburn’s mantel was made in England by a famous pewter smith.
1549. flambé

flahm-BAY
This word is from Latin-derived French.
adjective
(of a food) served covered with flaming liquor.
For dessert Lamont served mangoes flambé with ice cream.
1550. flaneur

flah-NUR
This word is from Old Norse-derived French and a Latin-derived French element.
noun
one who dabbles in intellectual matters superficially.
Morgan denied he was a flaneur, despite his college transcript recording two years of only survey and introductory courses.
1551. flauta

FLAU-tuh
This word is from American Spanish.
noun
a usually corn tortilla that is rolled tightly around a filling (such as meat) and deep-fried.
Ellen enjoyed everything on the sampler platter, but her favorite was the spicy beef flauta.
1552. flavedo

fluh-VEE-doh
This word is from Latin.
noun
the colored outer layer of the peel or rind of a citrus fruit.
Orange oil is extracted from the flavedo of the orange.
1553. flèche

flaysh
This word is from Germanic-derived French.
noun
a move in fencing in which one takes several rapid steps forward in order to reach the opponent.
Nate's coach advised him to take advantage of his speed and try a flèche against his next opponent.
1554. flittern

FLIT-urn
This word is of unknown origin.
noun
a young oak.
Betsy planted a flittern in her front yard to replace a majestic old oak that had been struck by lightning.
1555. Florentine

FLOR-un-teen
This word is from a Latin geographical name.
adjective
served or dressed with spinach.
Rena made a chicken Florentine for the potluck supper.
1556. floribunda

flor-uh-BUN-duh
This word is from Latin.
noun
a hybrid bush rose with large fragrant flowers.
Nelson planted a pink floribunda beside the back door.
1557. floruit

FLOR-uh-wit
This word is from Latin.
noun
a time period during which someone or something (such as a school, person or movement) thrived the most.
Professor Snodgrass explained that when we don't know the birth and death dates of an ancient author, we often still know a floruit.
1558. FLOTUS

FLOH-tus
There is no origin provided in the dictionary.
noun
the first lady of the United States.
Selena wished that the media would cover the social initiatives of each FLOTUS more than their sense of fashion.
1559. fluoride

FLOR-ahyd
This word is made up of a French-derived element of Latin origin plus an English element.
noun
a binary compound of a nonmetallic element that is a powerful oxidizing agent.
The addition of fluoride to drinking water is denounced by some and advocated by others.
1560. focaccia

foh-KAH-chuh
This word went from Latin to Italian to English.
noun
a flat bread originating in Italy that is usually flavored with herbs and olive oil.
focaccia is Eva's favorite sandwich bread.
1561. follicle

FAH-lih-kul
This word is from Latin.
noun
a little cavity or deep hollow with a narrow opening.
Ellen was surprised to learn that the average follicle holds more than one hair.
1562. fontina

fahn-TEE-nuh
This word is from Italian.
noun
a ripened cheese of Italian origin.
To mix things up, Leroy made his grilled cheese sandwich with fontina instead of American cheese.
1563. forbivorous

for-BIV-uh-rus
This word consists of originally Greek and Latin parts.
adjective
feeding on broadleaf herbs.
Some grasshoppers eat grass, while others are forbivorous.
1564. fortissimo

for-TIS-uh-moh
This word came from Italian, which formed it from a Latin word.
adjective
very loud, as a direction in music.
When playing the fortissimo passage of her lesson, Suzanne banged so loudly on the piano that the neighbor’s dog began to bark.
1565. Franciscan

fran-SIS-kun
This word is from an Italian name plus an English element.
adjective
of or relating to the various religious foundations established by St. _____ of Assisi.
The Franciscan church in Basel, Switzerland, was used for a long time as a warehouse for salt.
1566. frass

fras
This word is from German.
noun
debris or excrement produced by insects.
Some caterpillars fling their frass far from their homes to avoid attracting predators that hunt by smell.
1567. fratority

fruh-TOR-uh-tee
This word is a blend of two English words, the first a Latin-derived word from French and the second a Latin-derived English word.
noun
a society or club open to all genders.
Eli and Kaitlyn want to start their own fratority and hold the meetings in the tree house in their backyard.
1568. fraudulent

FRAH-juh-lunt
This word is from an originally Latin word that passed into French and then English.
adjective
marked by trickery or falsehood especially when involving misleading or untrue representation.
The manufacturer was charged with fraudulent advertising.
1569. frazil

FRAZ-ul
This word passed from Latin to French to Canadian French.
noun
ice crystals sometimes similar to slush that are formed in turbulent water.
On his early morning walk, James noticed that frazil had formed on the upstream side of the rocks near the edge of the river.
1570. Freudian

FROY-dee-un
This word is from an Austrian name plus an English element.
adjective
relating to or in agreement with the theories of Austrian neurologist Sigmund _____ and his system of investigating unconscious brain content and mechanisms.
According to certain theories of psychoanalysis, a Freudian slip of the tongue may reveal the speaker’s deep-seated concerns and reasons for action.
1571. frison

free-ZOHN
This word is from a French word.
noun
a type of waste silk taken from outside the cocoon.
In an attempt to reduce waste, the textile company purchased a machine for the treatment of frison.
1572. fritillary

FRIT-uhl-er-ee
This word is from Latin.
noun
any of a large genus of butterflies mostly dull brownish yellow above with small black spots or markings and with silvery spots on the underside of the hind wings.
During their hike, Naya and Tim spotted a fritillary resting on a thistle, its wings shimmering in the sunlight.
1573. frittata

free-TAH-tuh
This word came to English from Italian, which formed it from a Latin word.
noun
an omelet that is unfolded and often made with vegetables or meats.
Tony’s frittata was filled with seasoned asparagus tips.
1574. froufrou

FROO-froo
This word is from an imitative French word.
noun
abundant or excessive decoration in women’s clothing (as ruffles, beading or flowers).
While the slippers covered with froufrou were beautiful, they were too impractical for everyday wear.
1575. froward

FROH-wurd
The first part of this word went from Old Norse to English, and the second part is originally English.
adjective
habitually inclined to disobedience and opposition.
After being warned repeatedly about Jeremy's froward nature, the teacher was surprised to find him a total delight.
1576. fructiferous

fruk-TIF-uh-rus
This word is from a Latin word plus an English element.
adjective
producing fruit.
A section of the ranch was planted with fructiferous trees.
1577. frugivore

FROO-juh-vohr
This word consists of two Latin elements.
noun
a fruit-eating bird or mammal.
As she peeled a banana, the zookeeper explained to the group that the monkey was a frugivore.
1578. fucoid

FYOO-koid
The first part of this word went from Semitic-derived Greek to Latin, and the second part went from Greek to Latin.
adjective
resembling or being like seaweeds.
The scuba diver swam through some fucoid plants in search of the sea snake’s habitat.
1579. fugue

fyoog
This word is a French-influenced Italian word that is from Latin.
noun
a pathological disturbance of consciousness during which the patient performs acts of which they appear to be conscious but of which on recovery they have no recollection.
A fugue can involve confusion about one's identity or a sudden, unexpected journey along with amnesia.
1580. fulminate

FUL-muh-nayt
This word is from Latin.
verb
to issue censures or intense verbal attacks menacingly or authoritatively.
Dad says that people who fulminate under their breath are not only rude, but also cowardly.
1581. funambulist

fyu-NAM-byuh-list
This word is from Latin.
noun
one performing gymnastic feats requiring skillful body control on a rope extended through the air at a great height.
A hush came over the crowd as the funambulist balanced himself on one foot.
1582. fungible

FUN-juh-bul
This word is from Latin.
adjective
capable of being used in place of each other : interchangeable.
The cookbook offered several variations on recipes by listing fungible ingredients.
1583. furcula

FURK-yuh-luh
This word is from Latin.
noun
wishbone.
In birds, the clavicles are fused together to form the furcula.
1584. fusiform

FYOO-zuh-form
This word consists of two originally Latin elements.
adjective
shaped like a spindle : tapering toward each end.
fusiform rust, a common disease of loblolly pine trees, causes rod-shaped cankers to develop on the branches.
1585. fussbudget

FUS-buh-jut
One part of this word is perhaps imitative, and the other part has no clear etymology in the dictionary.
noun
one who worries or frets about trifles.
Lucy's mother calls her a natural-born fussbudget, but Lucy claims it takes a lot of work to be this fretful.
1586. galapago

guh-LAH-puh-goh
This word is from Spanish.
noun
a very large land tortoise native to a Pacific island group west of Ecuador.
The giant galapago at the San Diego zoo weighed around 500 pounds.
1587. Gallic

GAL-ik
This word is from a Latin geographical name.
adjective
French in character.
Lourdes had a hard time understanding Brigitte's Gallic humor.
1588. gambit

GAM-but
This word is from a Latin-derived Italian word that was probably influenced by a word that went from Italian to Spanish to French.
noun
a calculated move, maneuver, or device.
Calling for a strike is a gambit that negotiators can use in an attempt to obtain concessions.
1589. ganache

guh-NAHSH
This word is from a word that went from Greek to Italian to French.
noun
a dessert filling or frosting flavored with chocolate.
Betty’s favorite chocolates are the ones filled with ganache.
1590. gasiform

GAS-uh-form
The first part of this word went from Greek to Latin and the second part is originally Latin.
adjective
in the form of a shapeless fluid that lacks volume and expands indefinitely.
The water found in the air around us is generally in a gasiform state.
1591. gastronome

GAS-truh-nohm
This word is from Greek-derived French.
noun
a person who is extremely fond of high quality food and drink and is qualified to judge the quality.
The gastronome winced when he saw the diner put ketchup on her filet mignon.
1592. gaudery

GAH-duh-ree
This word consists of a part that went from Latin to French to English plus an English element.
noun
flashy and overly elaborate display or items that make up such a display.
Alex loves to dress up in the most outrageous gaudery.
1593. gaur

gaur
This word went from Sanskrit to Hindi.
noun
a large East Indian wild ox with a broad forehead and short thick conical horns.
The gaur, also known as the Indian bison, is the largest extant bovine.
1594. gelatinous

juh-LA-tuh-nus
This word consists of a part that went from Latin to Italian to French plus an English element.
adjective
resembling, especially in appearance and consistency, jelly or a gluey material obtained from animal tissues by prolonged boiling.
Troy was thrilled to find a gelatinous mass of frog eggs at the pond.
1595. Gemini

JEM-uh-nahy
This word is from Latin.
plural noun
the third of the 12 astrological signs.
Gemini is Latin for "twins" and is often symbolized in written form as the Roman numeral for two.
1596. genealogical

jee-nee-uh-LAH-jih-kul
This word was formed in French from Greek parts before becoming English plus an English element.
adjective
relating to or concerning an account or history of the descent of a person, family or group.
A family tree is a representation of genealogical relationships.
1597. geniture

JEN-uh-chur
This word is from Latin.
noun
nativity : birth.
The geniture of the politician became an issue of national debate, as people born outside out of the country were not eligible to run for office.
1598. genome

JEE-nohm
This word was formed in German from originally Greek parts.
noun
a set of chromosomes and the genes they contain.
The human genome is made up of 3.2 billion bases of DNA, while the wheat genome has 16 billion.
1599. geocaching

JEE-oh-kash-ing
The first part of this word is of ultimately Greek origin, and the second part went from Latin to French.
noun
a game where players are provided with coordinates to locate hidden items.
Sung was looking forward to geocaching on his weekend trip with his uncle.
1600. geriatric

jer-ee-AT-rick
This word was formed in English from originally Greek parts.
adjective
relating to elderly people or the process of aging.
Grandpa often said there was nothing wrong with him except all that geriatric business.
1601. germane

jur-MAYN
Originally Latin, this word went through French before becoming English.
adjective
pertinent.
Judge Beacon ruled that the plaintiff’s past record was not germane to the current case.
1602. gibbous

JIB-us
This word is from a word that went from Latin to French to English.
adjective
seen with more than half but not the entire visible surface lit up — used of a planet or a moon.
Sonya took a long, dreamy walk under the bright gibbous moon.
1603. gingivitis

jin-juh-VAHY-tis
This word is made up of a Latin-derived part and an English element.
noun
inflammation of the gums.
Beth has her teeth cleaned regularly to prevent gingivitis.
1604. gladiatorial

glad-ee-uh-TOR-ee-ul
This word is formed from a probably Celtic word that passed into Latin plus English and Latin elements.
adjective
suggestive of combatants in ancient Rome who fought against other people or wild animals to entertain the public.
Mona was amused when her brothers' fight over the last pork chop at dinner began to resemble gladiatorial combat.
1605. glazier

GLAY-zhur
This word is originally English.
noun
a person who cuts and sets glass for a living.
Henrietta called a glazier who agreed to repair the broken windowpanes on Thursday.
1606. glissando

glih-SAHN-doh
This word is an Italian-influenced modification of a French word.
noun
a quick series of notes played by sliding fingers across adjacent keys or a piano or strings of a harp.
Joachim diligently practiced the glissando at the end of the first movement.
1607. glossolalia

glah-soh-LAY-lee-uh
Both parts of this word are originally Greek.
noun
speaking in tongues.
The congregation was deeply moved by the preacher's glossolalia, which added a mystical element to the service.
1608. gluttonous

GLUT-uh-nus
This word is formed from a Latin-derived French word and an English element.
adjective
prone to greedy indulgence in any desire or activity.
Faye was a gluttonous reader who finished eight novels a week.
1609. gnathic

NATH-ik
This word is from originally Greek and Latin elements.
adjective
of or relating to the jaw.
Anthropologists study the gnathic structure of ancient skeletons to uncover details about the diets of early humans.
1610. gnocchi

NAH-kee
This word is from an Italian word which is possibly of Germanic origin.
plural noun
pasta dumplings often made with cheese or riced potato.
Celeste ladled a cream sauce over the gnocchi before serving them.
1611. goji berry

GOH-jee-BER-ee
The first part of this entry is from an originally Chinese word and the second part is an English word.
noun
the dark red, mildly tart fruit of a thorny, chiefly Asian shrub that is typically dried and used in beverages.
Sebastian says that goji berry gives his ginger tea some "pucker power."
1612. golem

GOHL-um
This word is from a word that went from Hebrew to Yiddish.
noun
an artificial, humanlike figure in some Jewish traditions that is endowed with life.
Some people believe that Mary Shelley based her story of Frankenstein on the ancient Jewish tradition of the golem.
1613. Goliath

guh-LAHY-uth
This word is from a biblical name.
noun
giant.
The basketball player was a fast-moving Goliath of a man.
1614. gossamer

GAHS-uh-mur
This word is originally English.
noun
a fragile filmy substance made of strands of cobweb frequently seen caught on grass or shrubs.
The dew and gossamer had dried from the grass by midmorning.
1615. Gothamite

GAH-thuh-mahyt
The first part of this word is from a United States geographical nickname and the second part is from English.
noun
a person who is from or who lives in New York City.
A Gothamite through and through, Bruce refuses to live anywhere but the Big Apple.
1616. grande dame

GRAHN-DAHM
This word consists of Latin-derived French elements.
noun
a usually elderly lady of great prestige, of high rank, or of extremely dignified or imposing manner.
Andy's first job out of college was as an assistant to a fashion magazine editor and grande dame of New York society.
1617. grandiloquent

gran-DIL-uh-kwent
This word is probably formed from a word that is probably from Latin-derived French.
adjective
marked by a pompous or bombastic style, especially in language.
The wedding guests started getting nervous when the best man's grandiloquent speech showed no signs of winding down.
1618. grandrelle

gran-DREL
This word is of unknown origin.
noun
a yarn with two strands of different colors.
Bernice knitted a holiday hat of red and white grandrelle for her daughter.
1619. graticule

GRA-ti-kyool
This word came from French, which formed it from a Latin word.
noun
the network of lines of latitude and longitude upon which a map is drawn.
Jeff plotted a graticule before he began to draw his map of the islands.
1620. gravimetry

gruh-VIM-uh-tree
This word consists of a Latin part and a Greek part plus an English element.
noun
the measurement of weight or density.
Arleen’s physics book has a chapter devoted to the study of gravimetry.
1621. gravitas

GRAV-uh-tahs
This word is from Latin.
noun
high seriousness (as in a person's bearing or the treatment of a subject).
Although known as a comedic actress, Amberley was confident she could the play the dramatic role with the necessary gravitas.
1622. grazioso

graht-see-OH-soh
This word came from Italian, which formed it from a Latin word.
adverb
graceful, smooth, or elegant in style — used as a direction in music.
Several of Mozart’s piano sonatas include movements that are played grazioso.
1623. greaves

greevz
Perhaps of Germanic origin, this word passed from French to English.
plural noun
armor for the legs below the knee.
The squire polished Sir Hector's greaves until they shone like the sun depicted on his shield.
1624. Gregorian

grih-GOR-ee-un
This word consists of a Roman name plus an English element.
adjective
having to do with or being like the monophonic and rhythmically free liturgical chants of the Roman Catholic Church.
As the last haunting strain of the Gregorian chant faded, Jasper was suddenly filled with an appreciation for the simplicity of medieval music.
1625. gressorial

greh-SOHR-ee-uhl
This word consists of originally Latin elements.
adjective
adapted for walking.
The ostrich’s gressorial legs make it a speedy runner across the savannah.
1626. grissino

grih-SEE-noh
This word is from Italian.
noun
a long slender crusty breadstick usually of Italian style or origin.
A grissino was all that Amelia needed for a mid-afternoon snack.
1627. groats

grohtz
This word is originally English.
plural noun
the hulled kernels of barley, oats, or buckwheat.
During her short-lived healthy phase, Raina would only eat a mixture of soaked and sprouted groats for breakfast.
1628. grobian

GROH-bee-un
This word is from a German name.
noun
a slovenly crude often buffoonish individual.
Chinenye knew better than to expect Prince Charming on her blind date, but she never envisioned a grobian like Ted.
1629. grotesqueness

groh-TESK-nis
This word was formed from a Greek-derived Latin word that passed into Italian and then French plus an English element.
noun
the state of being laughably ill-fitting or absurd.
Each horror movie seems to be trying to outdo the others in grotesqueness.
1630. grouse

graus
This word is of unknown origin.
verb
to complain typically with sustained grumbling.
Daris' mother pointed out that chores go faster if you don't grouse while you do them.
1631. gubernatorial

goo-bur-nuh-TOR-ee-ul
The first part of this word is from an originally Latin word, and the second part is from English.
adjective
of or relating to a governor or to government.
A gubernatorial signature was required for the law to become effective.
1632. gudgeon

GUH-jun
This word is from a French word which perhaps came from a Celtic-derived Latin word.
noun
a small European freshwater fish related to the carps that is often used for food and for bait.
The gudgeon, which is found in rivers and lakes throughout Europe, is an easy fish to catch for those just learning to fish.
1633. gules

gyoolz
This word is from a Latin-derived French word that then became English.
noun
the heraldic color red.
One should never arbitrarily change a coat of arms, because even the use of gules has a certain meaning.
1634. gullibility

gul-uh-BIL-uh-tee
This word consists of an English element perhaps of Latin-derived French origin plus English elements.
noun
the quality of being easily tricked or cheated.
Marina's extreme gullibility often made her the center of her friends' practical jokes.
1635. gumption

GUMP-shun
This word is of unknown origin.
noun
blended initiative, resolution, and effort.
Of all his brothers, only Grandpa had the gumption to leave the old country and come to America.
1636. habeas corpus

HAY-bee-us-KOR-pus
This word passed from Latin to English.
noun
a type of common-law writ for inquiring into the lawfulness of the restraint of a person who is imprisoned or detained.
The petitioner brought a writ of habeas corpus to the court to determine if the prisoner had been unlawfully detained.
1637. habiliments

huh-BIL-uh-munts
This word is from a French word.
plural noun
clothing suited to or required for a certain occasion or occupation.
Burt dressed for the rodeo in the habiliments of a cowboy.
1638. hackneyed

HAK-need
This word is probably from an English geographical name.
adjective
trite : commonplace.
The marketing adjective “extreme” soon became as hackneyed as “super” and “ultra.”
1639. hadith

huh-DEETH
This word is from Arabic.
noun
a narrative record of the sayings or customs of Muhammad and his companions.
The hadith is a crucial source of guidance on law and ritual to devout Muslims, second only to the Qur'an in authority.
1640. hagiographer

ha-gee-AH-gruh-fur
This word is comprised of Greek-derived Latin elements and an English element.
noun
someone who writes about the life of a saint.
Most biographies of the saints are anonymous, but some are attributed to a particular hagiographer.
1641. Halifax

HAL-uh-faks
This word is a Canadian and English geographical name.
geographical entry
an Atlantic port and the capital of Nova Scotia, Canada.
Founded in 1749, Halifax served as a strategic center during the Anglo-French rivalry in the area and is now a bustling maritime municipality.
1642. hallucinate

huh-LOO-suh-nayt
This word is from Latin, which probably formed it from Greek.
verb
to perceive things that do not exist in reality or feel sensations with no real-world cause.
Maureen became so hungry on her walk home from school that she began to hallucinate, smelling delicious food on every corner that was nowhere to be found.
1643. haplography

ha-PLAH-gruh-fee
This word is made up of originally Greek parts.
noun
the leaving out in writing or copying of one of two or more letters, syllables, words, or lines that are similar and are next to each other.
Due to haplography, some words lose a syllable as language develops.
1644. harangue

huh-RANG
This word is from a probably Germanic element that went to Italian to French to English.
noun
a showy or ranting speech or piece of writing, especially one marked by anger or complaint.
Amasa’s harangue at the sophomore assembly offended nearly everyone in attendance.
1645. harbinger

HAHR-bun-jur
This word is from an originally Germanic word that became French before becoming English.
noun
something that foreshadows or predicts what is to come.
The howling wind was the harbinger of a storm.
1646. harrier

HAR-ee-ur
This word is originally English.
noun
any of various slender hawks with long angled wings and long legs that hunt by flying low over open ground and usually nest on the ground.
The harrier is an indefatigable hunter of small field animals such as mice.
1647. Hathor

HA-thur
The origin of this word is not given.
noun
the ancient Egyptian goddess of the sky, women, fertility, and love.
More temples were dedicated to Hathor than to any other ancient Egyptian goddess.
1648. hauberk

HAH-burk
This word is from an originally Germanic word that became French before becoming English.
noun
a long tunic of ring or chain mail that formed part of the defensive armor of soldier of the 12th to 14th centuries in Europe along with a helmet and shield.
Most Norman soldiers wore a hauberk, which was put on over the head.
1649. hauteur

hah-TUR
This word is influenced by a set of English words but came from a Latin-derived French word.
noun
an arrogant or condescending manner.
The waiter’s hauteur caused many patrons to leave less-than-average tips.
1650. Hawaiian

huh-WAH-yun
This word is from a Pacific geographical name plus an English element.
noun
a native of a group of islands in the central Pacific belonging to the U.S. who is of Polynesian ancestry.
Leah was intrigued to learn that her dormmate would be a Hawaiian.
1651. hawok

HAH-wahk
This word is from Maidu, an indigenous language of Northern California.
noun
Native American money of California that consists of shells or buttons and that isn't used anymore.
The museum's exhibit on the history of currency included a small section devoted to hawok.
1652. hegemony

hi-JEM-uh-nee
This word is from Greek.
noun
overwhelming influence or authority (as of a government or state) : domination.
Nazi Germany attempted world hegemony and failed.
1653. heleoplankton

HEL-ee-oh-plangk-tun
This word is made up of originally Greek parts.
noun
the floating or weakly swimming animal and plant life found in small bodies of still fresh water.
The microbiologist is classifying the heleoplankton taken from the pond.
1654. heliacal

hih-LAHY-uh-kul
This word consists of a part that passed from Greek to Latin plus an English element.
adjective
relating to or near the sun — used especially of a star's setting while in astronomical conjunction with the sun.
The Egyptian rural year was determined by the heliacal rising of Sirius.
1655. hennery

HEN-uh-ree
This word consists of two English parts.
noun
an enclosure for poultry.
Bill painted the small hennery and put fresh straw inside it for the chickens.
1656. heptad

HEP-tad
This word is from Greek.
noun
a group of seven people or things.
A heptad of Charles’s closest friends roasted him at his retirement party.
1657. hermeneutics

her-muh-NOO-tiks
This word is from Greek.
noun
the study of explaining and interpreting written texts, especially the Bible.
All theology majors are required to take courses in hermeneutics.
1658. hermetically

hur-MET-ik-lee
The first part of this word is from a Greek name of an Egyptian god, and the remaining parts are English elements.
adverb
in a manner that prevents entry or change.
With its flowered wallpaper and quaint furniture, the old house looked as though it had been hermetically sealed sometime in the 1880s.
1659. heterochromia

het-uh-roh-KROH-mee-uh
Both parts of this word are originally Greek.
noun
a difference in color between two parts (especially body parts) which are normally alike in color.
The starlet was nearly as well known for the striking heterochromia of her irises as she was for her acting.
1660. heterophony

het-uh-RAH-fuh-nee
This word is from Greek.
noun
a singing or sounding of the same melody by two or more voices or instruments usually with some modifications (as in rhythm or ornamentation) by one or both of the performers.
The choir began the last verse a capella as the lead soprano sang a highly ornamented variation on the melody, resulting in a glorious heterophony.
1661. hetman

HET-mun
This word went from German to Polish.
noun
a leader of a favored military caste of Russian frontiersmen and border guards in Czarist Russia.
Catherine the Great of Russia abolished the office of hetman in 1764.
1662. heuristic

hyur-IS-tik
This word is from a word that went from Greek to Latin to German.
adjective
serving to aid learning or problem-solving through trial-and-error practices.
The computer that beat Gary Kasparov in the chess tournament was programmed to use heuristic methods to improve its game play.
1663. hibernaculum

hahy-bur-NAK-yuh-lum
This word is from Latin.
noun
a shelter in which an insect or other animal lives dormantly for the winter.
Jewel Cave in South Dakota is an important hibernaculum for several species of bats.
1664. hierurgical

hahy-uh-RUR-jih-kul
This word is based on a word originally formed in Greek from Greek parts, plus an English element.
adjective
of or relating to worship or the act of worshipping.
The seminarians were well trained in the hierurgical ceremonies of the church.
1665. hinoki

hih-NOH-kee
This word is from Japanese.
noun
the wood of a Japanese evergreen tree that is often cultivated as an ornamental or for its fragrant weather-resistant lumber.
Traditional Japanese bathtubs were often made of hinoki.
1666. hipsterism

HIP-stuh-riz-um
This word consists of a part of unknown origin, an originally English part, and an English element.
noun
the quality or state of having a keen informed awareness of or interest in what is new or smart : extremely alert and knowing.
Jory reached the height of hipsterism when absolutely no one else knew about any of the bands he listened to.
1667. histrionics

his-tree-AH-niks
This word is from Etruscan-derived Latin plus a Greek-derived Latin element.
plural noun
staged or stagy conduct or exhibition of temperament usually intended to produce some particular effect or response in others.
Kate patiently explained to her toddler that his use of histrionics was unlikely to get him more dessert.
1668. Hitchcockian

hich-KAH-kee-un
This word is from an English name.
adjective
of, relating to, or suggestive of the cinematic style of an English-born American motion-picture director.
One Hitchcockian mark was to put himself in the background of a scene in the film, usually when the audience would least expect to see the director.
1669. hoity-toity

hoy-tee-TOY-tee
This word is from English.
adjective
acting in such a way as to suggest superiority or arrogance : pompous.
Taryn tries not to affect a hoity-toity manner when babysitting the young children next door.
1670. holmium

HOHL-mee-um
This word was formed in Latin from a Latinized geographical name plus a Latin element.
noun
a trivalent metallic element of the rare-earth group that forms compounds which are among the most highly magnetic known.
holmium is the 56th most abundant element in the earth's crust.
1671. Holocaust

HAHL-uh-kahst
Originally Greek, this word passed from Latin to French before becoming English.
noun
the mass slaughter of European civilians and especially Jews by the Nazis during World War II.
Myra spoke to the assembly about her horrific experiences in the World War II Holocaust.
1672. hologram

HAH-luh-gram
The first part of this word went from Greek to Latin to French to English and the second part is from Greek-derived Latin.
noun
a three-dimensional picture that is made without the use of a camera, that consists of an interference pattern produced by a split coherent beam of radiation and especially light, and that is viewed illuminated from behind.
Naysa enjoyed the virtual-reality jungle exhibit, which featured a life-size hologram of a jaguar.
1673. holotype

HAH-luh-tahyp
This word consists of originally Greek elements.
noun
the single specimen designated by an author as the type of a species or lesser taxon at the time of establishing a group.
During a research expedition in the Amazon, Dr. Vazquez identified a new butterfly species and selected a unique specimen to serve as the holotype.
1674. Holstein

HOHL-steen
This word is from a German geographical name.
noun
any of a breed of large usually black and white dairy cattle that produce large amounts of comparatively low-fat milk.
Farmer Jay milks his Holstein regularly.
1675. homeostasis

hoh-mee-oh-STAY-sus
This word was formed from originally Greek elements.
noun
the maintenance of a stable internal environment in the bodies of mammals and higher vertebrate animals through a series of interacting physiological processes.
homeostasis allows mammals and other vertebrates to thrive in a wide variety of environmental conditions.
1676. homester

HOHMZ-tur
Both parts of this word are originally English.
noun
one whose life centers around one's house and its activities.
Lilian is a homester, so the pandemic lockdowns weren't as difficult for her as they were for some of her friends.
1677. homiletics

hah-muh-LEH-tiks
This word is from Greek.
plural noun
an area of theology that deals with sermons.
In his course in homiletics, the seminarian learned how to prepare and deliver sermons.
1678. Honolulu

hah-nuh-LOO-loo
This word is a U.S. geographical name.
geographical entry
the most populous city, port and capital of Hawaii.
Naomi and Konrad spent part of their honeymoon in Honolulu.
1679. humerus

HYOO-muh-rus
This word is from Latin.
noun
the long bone of the upper arm.
Alvin fractured his humerus in a rock-climbing accident.
1680. humidistat

hyoo-MID-uh-stat
This word is from an originally Latin word that passed through French into English plus a part that went from Greek to Latin.
noun
a device for regulating or maintaining the degree of moisture in an environment.
Since he installed the humidistat, Rudy has experienced fewer nosebleeds.
1681. hummock

HUM-ik
This word is an alteration of a word that went from Taino [TIE-no], a native Caribbean language, to Spanish to English.
noun
a small hill that is rounded or conical : a slight rise of ground above a level surface.
The house was built on a hummock near a rolling river.
1682. Hungary

HUNG-guh-ree
This word is a European geographical name.
geographical entry
a landlocked country in central Europe.
The highlight of Elena's trip to Hungary was a sublime dish of chicken paprikash at a restaurant in Budapest.
1683. hydriotaphia

hahy-dree-oh-TAF-ee-uh
This word is from originally Greek parts.
noun
burial in which an urn is used to hold the remains of the dead.
During the archaeology lecture, students learned about hydriotaphia and how ancient Greek and Roman cultures used pottery urns for cremated remains.
1684. hydrocortisone

hahy-droh-KOR-tuh-sohn
This word is made up of originally Greek and Latin elements.
noun
a synthetic form of a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal cortex used pharmaceutically (such as to treat inflammation).
At one time available only in compounds prescribed by doctors, hydrocortisone is now found in many over-the-counter medications.
1685. hydrophobia

hahy-druh-FOH-bee-uh
This word was formed in Latin from Greek parts.
noun
rabies.
hydrophobia has been known to affect wild raccoon populations.
1686. hypochondria

hahy-puh-KAHN-dree-uh
This word is from Greek-derived Latin.
noun
extreme depression often centered on imaginary ailments.
Having found nothing physically wrong with her, Sylvia’s doctor noted that her persistent complaints about her health are probably due to hypochondria.
1687. hypogeous

hahy-puh-JEE-us
This word comes from Greek, plus an English element.
adjective
growing under the surface of the ground.
Many trees with large seeds -- including oaks, black walnuts, and pecans -- have hypogeous germination, with cotyledons remaining under the soil.
1688. hypotenuse

hahy-PAH-tun-oos
This word is from a Greek word that passed through Latin before becoming English.
noun
the side of a right-angled triangle that is opposite the right angle.
Trina easily calculated the length of the triangle’s hypotenuse once she found out the lengths of the other two sides.
1689. hyrax

HAHY-raks
This word is from Greek.
noun
a small thickset mammal of Africa and the Middle East that has short legs and ears, feet with soft pads and broad nails, and a tail.
The hyrax feeds on a wide variety of plants and can digest fiber very efficiently.
1690. ibex

AHY-beks
This word is from Latin.
noun
a wild goat with large curved horns living chiefly in high mountain areas.
While on a ski trip in the Swiss Alps, Pierre spotted an ibex.
1691. ibuprofen

ahy-byu-PROH-fin
This word is constructed from several originally Greek parts.
noun
an anti-inflammatory drug used to relieve pain and fever.
Because aspirin upsets her stomach, Angela takes ibuprofen to relieve minor pains.
1692. Icarian

ahy-KER-ee-un
This word is from Latin, which formed it from a Greek name.
adjective
inadequate for or incapable of bringing about an ambitious project.
William’s problem-solving methods are usually Icarian, but this time his approach provided the perfect solution.
1693. idiosyncratic

id-ee-oh-sin-KRAT-ik
This word is from an originally Greek word that passed into English.
adjective
marked by a peculiar way of behaving, being or thinking.
In his autobiography, Andrew described the idiosyncratic behavior of his quirky upper-class family.
1694. illative

IL-uh-tiv
This word is from Latin.
adjective
relating to or marked by the use of an inference.
The detective made an illative assumption when she saw the unlocked window.
1695. illicitly

il-LIS-ut-lee
The first part of this word is from an originally Latin word, and the second part is from English.
adverb
in an unlawful manner.
The illicitly imported antiquities were sold on the black market for a fraction of their actual value.
1696. illustrious

ih-LUS-tree-us
This word is formed from an originally Latin part plus an English element.
adjective
notably or brilliantly outstanding.
After a long and illustrious career in politics, the senator was ready to retire.
1697. immolate

IM-uh-layt
This word is from Latin.
verb
to sacrifice or deny (as oneself) in the interests of some goal or cause.
The leader urged his followers to immolate their ambitions for the revolutionary efforts.
1698. immortality

im-mor-TAL-uh-tee
This word passed from Latin to French to English.
noun
exemption from death or annihilation : unending existence : everlasting life.
If Karina could have any superpower, she would choose immortality so that she could live to see the year 3000.
1699. impasse

IM-pas
This word is from a Latin-derived French word.
noun
a road or way that is incapable of being traveled, traveled through, or crossed.
A rockslide created an impasse on the mountain road.
1700. impasto

im-PAS-toh
This word is from Italian.
noun
the thick application of paint.
Because oil paint is thick and dries very slowly, it is the medium most fit for impasto.
1701. impecunious

im-pih-KYOO-nee-us
This word is made up of originally Latin parts that passed into French and then English.
adjective
having very little or no money usually habitually : penniless.
The impecunious graduate student made sure to sign up to attend every noontime talk that included a free lunch.
1702. impediment

im-PED-uh-munt
This word is from Latin.
noun
a hindrance : a block.
Clementine's lack of a college degree is an impediment to her getting the job that she hopes for.
1703. imperious

im-PIR-ee-us
This word is from Latin.
adjective
overbearing : domineering.
Cinderella wanted nothing more than to escape her imperious stepmother.
1704. impetus

IM-puh-tus
This word is from Latin.
noun
an impelling or driving force.
Ralph’s new girlfriend was the impetus behind his new exercise program.
1705. implacable

im-PLAK-uh-bul
This word came from French, which formed it from a Latin word.
adjective
not capable of being calmed or soothed.
Austin was nearly implacable after another toddler in the sandbox broke his favorite toy truck.
1706. implicative

im-PLIK-uh-tiv
This word consists of an originally Latin part plus an English element.
adjective
tending to suggest or hint at.
Devan’s hesitant, stumbling answers were implicative of a lie.
1707. imponderabilia

im-pahn-dur-uh-BIL-ee-uh
This word is from Latin.
plural noun
things, elements, or agencies incapable of being weighed, measured, or evaluated with exactness.
The painter's work captured the imponderabilia of emotions, expressing feelings that couldn't be easily quantified or explained.
1708. impoverish

im-PAHV-rish
This word is from a Latin-derived French word that then became English.
verb
to make poor : to reduce to indigence.
Medical bills will impoverish the Williams family if outside aid is not available.
1709. imprecatory

IM-prih-kuh-tor-ee
This word is from Latin.
adjective
invoking evil : cursing.
With his dying breath, the vanquished warrior directed an imprecatory phrase at his enemy.
1710. impresario

im-pruh-SAHR-ee-oh
This word is from Italian, which probably formed it from Latin parts.
noun
the manager or conductor of an opera or concert company.
The impresario arranged for the opera company to perform in several cities.
1711. impromptu

im-PRAHMP-too
This word came from French, which formed it from Latin parts.
adverb
without previous preparation or consideration : on the spur of the moment.
Hannah is able to speak impromptu and at great length on numerous subjects.
1712. incessant

in-SEH-sunt
This word is from Latin.
adjective
unceasing.
incessant changes in other parts of the restless country seemed to bypass the inhabitants of Sleepy Hollow.
1713. incinerate

in-SIN-uh-rayt
This word is from Latin.
verb
to cause to burn to ashes.
People who fear identity theft often incinerate or shred their mail after reading it.
1714. incisiform

in-SAHY-zuh-form
This word consists of two Latin-derived elements.
adjective
having the form of a tooth adapted for cutting.
The biologist studied the eruption of incisiform teeth in caribou.
1715. incitive

in-SAHY-tiv
This word is from a word which passed from Latin to French to English.
adjective
tending to stir up or urge on.
The court debated whether the speaker's statement could have been considered incitive of violence.
1716. inclement

in-KLEH-munt
This word is from Latin.
adjective
of weather: harsh, rough or stormy.
Stevie's soccer game was postponed due to inclement weather.
1717. incompetent

in-KAHM-puh-tunt
This word came from French, which formed it from originally Latin parts.
adjective
lacking the qualities (as maturity, capacity, initiative, intelligence) necessary for effective independent action.
When the new roof collapsed, the investigators blamed an incompetent contractor.
1718. incubate

ING-kyuh-bayt
This word is from Latin.
verb
to sit upon eggs so as to hatch them by the warmth of the body.
Hens normally incubate their eggs for about 21 days.
1719. indemnity

in-DEM-nuh-tee
This word went from Latin to French to English.
noun
protection from harm or loss.
The doctor secured an indemnity policy to insure herself in case of lawsuits.
1720. indicia

in-DISH-uh
This word is from Latin.
plural noun
distinctive marks that indicate or that are felt to indicate the nature, quality, existence, or reality of something : signs, tokens.
The reporter used many different indicia of public sentiment to obtain a reliable rating of the leader’s popularity.
1721. indict

in-DAHYT
This word is from a word that passed from Latin to French to English.
verb
to charge with a crime by the finding of a jury in due process of law.
After much deliberation, the jury voted to indict the defendant on seven counts of theft.
1722. indigent

IN-dih-junt
This word went from Latin to French to English.
adjective
impoverished or needy.
The basketball star donated money to build a community center for the indigent residents of his old neighborhood.
1723. indistinguishable

in-dih-STING-gwish-uh-bul
This word is from Latin-derived French plus English elements.
adjective
not capable of being perceived as separate or different.
Inside their matching masks and Halloween costumes, Ethan was basically indistinguishable from his friends.
1724. indolent

IN-duh-lunt
This word is from Latin.
adjective
constantly enjoying rest or ease : averse to labor or exertion.
Doctors warn that an indolent lifestyle can contribute to numerous diseases.
1725. inducement

in-DOOS-munt
Both parts of this word passed from Latin to French to English.
noun
a motive or consideration that leads one to action.
Emma’s desire to see her friend Harriet better informed was an inducement to read more herself.
1726. ineffable

in-EF-uh-bul
This word passed from Latin to French to English.
adjective
not able to be expressed in words : indescribable.
Billy felt ineffable joy when his parents gifted him with a puppy for his birthday.
1727. ineluctable

in-il-UK-tuh-bul
This word is from Latin.
adjective
not able to be avoided or resisted : inescapable.
Mrs. Biggers joked that death and taxes are the only two ineluctable aspects of life.
1728. ineptitude

ih-NEP-tuh-tood
This word is from Latin.
noun
unfitness : unsuitableness.
Doreen blamed the recession on governmental ineptitude.
1729. inerrancy

in-ER-un-see
This word is from Latin.
noun
exemption from falsehood : infallibility.
Immanuel, who trusted the inerrancy of everything his mother told him, never stopped believing the sky was blue because it was his favorite color.
1730. ingenuous

in-JEN-yuh-wus
This word is from Latin.
adjective
innocent or childlike in simplicity or straightforwardness.
Frank's ingenuous question about the meaning of the joke left the room in an awkward silence.
1731. ingratiate

in-GRAY-shee-ayt
This word was formed in English from originally Latin parts.
verb
to make agreeable to someone.
The new employee tried to ingratiate herself with her boss.
1732. inimical

ih-NIM-ih-kul
This word is from Latin.
adjective
viewing with disfavor : hostile.
Nila is inimical to any proposal involving an increase in city taxes.
1733. inoculate

in-AH-kyuh-layt
This word came to English from Latin.
verb
to introduce microorganisms or vaccines into a living body especially in order to establish immunity to a disease.
Dr. Cooper knows that she will only be able to inoculate Frank if she bribes him with a lollipop.
1734. insignia

in-SIG-nee-uh
This word is from Latin.
noun
a distinguishing mark of authority, office, or honor : an emblem.
The insignia of a brigadier general is a single silver star.
1735. instigate

IN-stuh-gayt
This word is from Latin.
verb
to provoke or incite.
Harry swore that he never tried to instigate trouble, but that trouble somehow always just happened to find him.
1736. insufflator

IN-suh-flayt-ur
The first part of this word is from an originally Latin word, and the second part is from English.
noun
a device used in medicine for blowing a gas or drug into a cavity of the body.
An insufflator filled the abdomen with carbon dioxide to allow the surgeon a clear view of all the organs.
1737. interred

in-TURD
This word is an alteration of a word that went from Latin to French to English.
verb
buried a dead body.
For weeks after her grandmother was interred, Stacy still couldn't believe that she was gone.
1738. interrogative

in-tuh-ROG-uh-tiv
This word is from Latin.
adjective
requiring or seeming to require an answer from the hearer or reader.
Pamela’s debate coach commented that her tendency to end her remarks with an interrogative upward inflection suggests that she lacks confidence in what she is saying.
1739. intersperse

in-tur-SPURS
This word is from Latin.
verb
to scatter or set here and there among things : to insert at intervals.
Cora decided to intersperse round tables with the rectangular ones at the banquet.
1740. inveterate

in-VEH-tur-ut
This word is from Latin.
adjective
continuous, recurrent, chronic.
The inveterate lateness of Brylie’s mail delivery caused her concern.
1741. inviolable

in-VAHY-uh-luh-bul
This word passed from Latin to French to English.
adjective
secure from attack or trespass : untouchable.
Even a 10-foot-high, electrified security fence did not make the film star’s estate inviolable.
1742. iridescent

ir-uh-DES-unt
This word is formed from a part that passed from Greek to Latin plus a Latin-derived English element.
adjective
showing colors like those of the rainbow especially in shifting patterns that vary with a change or light or point of view.
Louis C. Tiffany developed a famous type of iridescent glass.
1743. Iroquois

IR-uh-kwoi
This word went from Algonquin to French.
adjective
of, relating to, or characteristic of Native American people comprising a confederacy of the Cayuga, Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga and Seneca.
The museum displayed a pair of Iroquois moccasins made from corn husks.
1744. irrevocable

ih-REV-uh-kuh-bul
This word came to English from Latin.
adjective
incapable of being changed or taken back : unalterable.
The king pronounced an irrevocable sentence of exile on the traitorous knight.
1745. Isle Royale

AHYL-ROYUL
This word is an American geographical name.
geographical entry
a Michigan island in northwestern Lake Superior located in a national park of the same name.
Isle Royale is located in the only national park to entirely close during the winter months, which contributes to it being the least-visited national park in the contiguous United States.
1746. jackal

JA-kuhl
This word is from a Sanskrit word that went to Persian and then Turkish.
noun
any of several small wild dogs of the Old World, sometimes hunting in packs but more usually singly or in pairs, and feeding on carrion and small animals.
The zoologist explained that the popular image of a jackal as a cowardly scavenger is not justified by the facts.
1747. jactance

JAK-tuns
This word came from French, which formed it from a Latin word.
noun
vainglorious boasting.
Elton's undue pride in his modest accomplishments takes the form of jactance.
1748. jadeite

JAY-dahyt
This word was formed in French from a Latin-derived Spanish word plus a Greek-derived element before coming to English.
noun
a green mineral found chiefly in Myanmar that when cut constitutes a valuable variety of jade.
Alexis bought a necklace made of jadeite and black onyx at the craft bazaar.
1749. jalapeño

hal-uh-PAYN-yoh
This word is from Mexican Spanish.
noun
a dark green hot pepper common to Mexico.
Nita stuffed the last jalapeño with cheese, rolled it in breadcrumbs and dropped it in the deep fryer.
1750. jambalaya

jum-buh-LAHY-uh
This word is from a word that went from Provençal to Louisiana French.
noun
rice cooked with ham, sausage, chicken, shrimp or oysters and usually tomato and seasoned with herbs.
No trip to New Orleans would be complete without sampling a bowl of spicy jambalaya.
1751. jarl

yahrl
This word is from Old Norse.
noun
a medieval Scandinavian noble ranking immediately below the king.
In medieval Sweden, usually only one nobleman at a time could hold the title of jarl.
1752. jaundiced

JAHN-dist
The first part of this word is from an originally Latin word that went through French before becoming English, and the second part is from English.
adjective
exhibiting or affected by envy, distaste, or hostility.
The critic's jaundiced outlook made her a poor judge of which books were actually worth reading.
1753. jeepney

JEEP-nee
This word is from an English word plus a part from an English word of unknown origin.
noun
a small passenger bus in the Philippines converted from a multipurpose motor vehicle equipped with four-wheel drive.
David found a job driving tourists to and from the airport in a jeepney.
1754. jettison

JEH-tuh-sun
This word passed from Latin to French and then English.
verb
to drop (as extra equipment, bombs, cargo or fuel) from an airplane while flying.
The captain explained that he would jettison the cargo if the plane kept losing altitude.
1755. jicama

HEE-kuh-muh
This word went from Nahuatl to Spanish.
noun
a climbing Mexican vine with a sweet watery root that is sometimes eaten raw or cooked.
Suleika combined jicama, carrot, peppers and cabbage into a delicious slaw.
1756. jiggery-pokery

jig-uh-ree-POHK-uh-ree
This word is from a part of unknown origin and a part from dialectal English.
noun
underhanded dealings, conniving, or manipulations : skulduggery.
Lavinia angrily declared that there would be no more jiggery-pokery and that the prankster must be found.
1757. jimberjawed

JIM-bur-jahd
This word is from a part that possibly went from Latin to French to English plus a part that possibly went from French to English.
adjective
having a lower mandible that projects.
The jimberjawed actor was typecast early in his career as a strong, silent cowboy.
1758. jingoism

JING-goh-iz-um
The first part of this word is from a British name that probably ultimately derives from a biblical name, and the second part is from English.
noun
loud or arrogant nationalism especially when accompanied by a foreign policy given to warmongering.
jingoism can contribute strongly to a nation’s involvement in war.
1759. jitney

JIT-nee
This word is of unknown origin.
noun
a small bus designed to carry paying passengers over a regular route according to a flexible schedule.
Newt took a jitney from the airport to his office.
1760. jocularity

jahk-yuh-LAR-uh-tee
This word is from Latin.
noun
a tendency to act or speak in an amusing manner.
Monique's jocularity was inappropriate given the seriousness of the situation.
1761. joie de vivre

zhwah-duh-VEEV
This word entry is from Latin-derived French.
noun
keen or buoyant enjoyment of life.
Issa's joie de vivre was inspiring to her classmates during remote learning.
1762. judicious

joo-DISH-us
This word came from French, which formed it from Latin.
adjective
marked or governed by a careful, unbiased evaluation of options and alternatives.
Rashida’s mom sees to it that her summer activities are a judicious mixture of chores and amusement.
1763. julienne

joo-lee-EN
This word is probably from a French name.
verb
to slice into thin strips alike in size to matchsticks.
Bruce asked Liza to julienne the celery before adding it to the salad.
1764. Jurassic

juh-RA-sik
This word was formed in French from a Latin-derived European geographical name plus an originally French element.
adjective
constituting or relating to the period of the Mesozoic era preceding the Cretaceous and succeeding the Triassic.
The Jurassic period is sometimes referred to as the "Age of Reptiles."
1765. juvenilia

joo-vuh-NIL-ee-uh
This word is from Latin.
plural noun
art or literature produced early in an artist’s or writer’s career often marked by incomplete development of thought or style.
The artist’s juvenilia demonstrated that he had been interested in similar themes throughout his career.
1766. juxtapose

JUKS-tuh-pohz
This word was probably formed in English from a Latin part plus a part that passed from Latin to French to English.
verb
to place side by side to create some sort of effect.
For his upcoming presentation on 19th-century art, Gregg plans to juxtapose two iconic paintings that clearly demonstrate how techniques developed through the decades.
1767. kaiser

KAHY-zuhr
This word is from German, which ultimately took it from a Latin name.
noun
the ruler of Germany from 1871 to 1918.
Wilhelm I was king of Prussia and the first German kaiser.
1768. kanban

KAHN-bahn
This word is from Japanese.
noun
a manufacturing strategy in which parts are produced on an as-needed basis.
The factory converted to kanban in order to meet the new owner’s efficiency goals.
1769. kanji

KAHN-jee
This word is from Japanese.
noun
a Japanese system of writing based on the Chinese one.
As part of a unit on Japan, the students read a short paper on the history of kanji.
1770. karst

kahrst
This word is from German.
noun
a limestone region marked by caverns and underground streams.
The unique features of karst topography have made Mammoth Cave in Kentucky the longest cave in the world, with more than 400 miles of mapped passages.
1771. kerchief

KUR-chif
This word came to English from French, which formed it from originally Latin parts.
noun
a square of cloth often worn folded by women as a head covering.
Before Eileen went out to tend to her garden, she put on a blue and white kerchief.
1772. Kildare

kil-DER
This word is an Irish geographical name.
geographical entry
county in the eastern Ireland province of Leinster.
St. Brigid, one of the three patron saints of Ireland, founded a monastic community in Kildare in the 5th century.
1773. kinesiology

kuh-nee-see-AH-luh-jee
This word is formed from originally Greek parts.
noun
the study of physical mechanics and anatomy as they relate to human movement.
Juliette received her bachelor's degree in kinesiology before going to graduate school for physical therapy.
1774. kiskadee

KIS-kuh-dee
This word is of imitative origin.
noun
a large flycatcher with notable markings found in tropical America and north to southern Texas.
The name of the noisy kiskadee is derived from the sound of its distinct call.
1775. klippe

KLIP-uh
This word passed from Old Norse-derived Swedish to German.
noun
a coin with a square or lozenge-shaped flan.
The klippe was often produced during times of emergency, such as when the city of Vienna was under siege by the Ottoman Empire, because it was easier to make than circular coins.
1776. koto

KOH-toh
This word is from Japanese.
noun
a long Japanese zither having 13 silk strings.
The strings of the koto are generally plucked with small plectra fastened on the fingers of the performer.
1777. krausen

KROI-zn
This word is from German.
verb
to add an infusion of strong, newly fermenting malt to beer to carbonate the beer.
German brewers traditionally krausen lagers in order to add carbonation to those whose yeast has gone dormant during the fermentation process.
1778. krypton

KRIP-tahn
This word is from Greek.
noun
a colorless gas that occurs in air and in other natural gases and is used in electric lamps for extremely bright illumination.
A light bulb filled with krypton will last longer and shine more brightly than a regular bulb of the same wattage.
1779. kufi

KOO-fee
The origin of this word is unknown.
noun
a close-fitting brimless cylindrical or round hat.
Malik has a cotton kufi for the summer and a wool one for the winter.
1780. kugel

KOO-gul
This word came from Yiddish, which formed it from German.
noun
a baked pudding (as of potatoes, noodles, bread, or cabbage) served as a side dish or dessert.
Natalie often makes a noodle kugel to accompany a roast chicken.
1781. kung pao

KUNG-PAU
This word is from Chinese.
adjective
stir-fried or sometimes deep-fried and served in spicy hot sauce with peanuts.
Chicken, beef, or tofu: Terrence likes anything prepared in the kung pao style.
1782. labroid

LAY-broid
This word consists of a Latin element plus an English part.
adjective
related to a large and important family of fishes with a toothless palate.
Hettie caught a labroid fish on her recent ocean fishing trip.
1783. labyrinthine

lab-uh-RIN-thun
This word is from a probably Carian word that passed through Greek and Latin before becoming English, plus an English element.
adjective
like a structure full of intricate passageways that make it difficult to find the way from the interior to the entrance or from the entrance to the center.
Sarah enjoyed exploring the labyrinthine alleyways of the medieval town.
1784. laconic

luh-KAH-nik
This word is from an originally Greek word that passed into Latin.
adjective
spoken or written briefly or tersely : pithy.
Mrs. Fitzpatrick’s laconic speaking style was quite popular with her students.
1785. lacustrine

luh-KUS-trin
This word was formed in English from a Latin-derived French or Italian part plus an English element.
adjective
growing or living in lakes.
The Cornell labs measured the pollution levels in lacustrine fishes.
1786. laity

LAY-uh-tee
The first part of this word is from an originally Greek word that passed through Latin and French before becoming English, and the second part is from Latin-derived English.
noun
the body of people belonging to a religious faith or institution who are not ordained ministers or other religious officials.
In most churches, many tasks and duties are given to the laity.
1787. lambently

LAM-bunt-lee
This word is from Latin.
adverb
in a light and brilliant manner.
Carla’s eyes flashed lambently under her dark brows.
1788. lambkin

LAM-kin
This word is formed from an English word plus a part that passed from Dutch to English.
noun
used as an endearment for a child.
Marie's grandmother calls her "lambkin" when tucking her into bed at night.
1789. languorous

LANG-guh-rus
This word was formed in French from Latin-derived elements.
adjective
producing or tending to produce laziness or apathy.
Finding the warm weather and the slow pace of the school bus rather languorous, Janice dozed off during her ride home.
1790. lanolated

LAN-uh-lay-tid
This word is formed from a Latin-derived English word plus two English elements.
adjective
containing wool grease refined for use in ointments and cosmetics.
Katherine used lanolated cream to treat her dry, rough skin.
1791. lantana

lan-TAH-nuh
This word passed from Italian dialect to Latin.
noun
any plant of a genus of tropical shrubs having clustered heads of small bright-colored flowers and juicy drupaceous fruit.
Every summer, Jalyn chooses a new color of lantana to grow in Ma's weathered concrete swan planter.
1792. larceny

LAHR-suh-nee
This word consists of two parts that each passed from Latin to French to English.
noun
the unlawful taking of personal property without the consent of its legal owner.
When Tina first saw Victor’s art collection, she suspected him of larceny.
1793. largesses

lahr-ZHES-iz
This word came to English from a Latin-derived French word.
plural noun
aid, support, or other valuables received as or as if as a gift or through the benevolence of another.
The charity was founded on the largesses of several major donors.
1794. larnax

LAHR-naks
This word is from Greek.
noun
an ornamented storage chest made of terra cotta that was used in ancient Greece as a burial chest.
Francis saw a larnax in Greece that was said to contain the remains of a general in Alexander the Great’s army.
1795. lassitude

LAS-uh-tood
This word came from French, which formed it from a Latin word.
noun
fatigue.
lassitude is a symptom of many tropical diseases.
1796. latigo

LAH-tih-goh
This word is from Spanish.
noun
a long strap on the frame of a saddle to tighten and fasten the cinch — used chiefly in the West.
Abraham made sure the latigo was secure and the saddle was steady before hopping on his horse.
1797. laudatory

LAH-duh-tor-ee
This word is from Latin.
adjective
relating to or containing praise.
Seth made sure everyone saw his laudatory letter from the dean.
1798. lavender

LAV-in-dur
This word went from Latin to French to English.
noun
a fragrant mint plant with narrow leaves and spikes of lilac-purple flowers.
lavender does not require much water or attention, and it can bring both color and fragrance to a garden.
1799. legalese

lee-guh-LEEZ
The first part of this word passed from Latin to French to English, and the second is an English element from Italian and Portuguese.
noun
the specialized language of the legal world that is typically wordy and complicated and difficult to understand outside of the profession.
Kenya took a deep breath before continuing to wade through the dense bog of legalese in the contract.
1800. legato

lih-GAH-toh
This word came from Italian, which formed it from Latin.
adverb
in a manner that is smooth and connected between successive tones.
The passage lacked clear musical direction, so Charles took a guess and played legato.
1801. legerity

lih-JEH-ruh-tee
This word came from French, which formed it from a Latin word.
noun
nimbleness.
The gymnast performed on the balance beam with remarkable legerity.
1802. lemniscus

lem-NIH-skus
This word is from an originally Greek word that passed into Latin.
noun
a band of nerve fibers of the second nerve cells in the sensory path that ends in the thalamus in the brain.
In anatomy class, Masha learned that the brain has a medial lemniscus, a trigeminal lemniscus and a lateral lemniscus.
1803. leviathan

lih-VAHY-uh-thun
This word went from Hebrew through Latin to English.
noun
a notably large sea animal.
By the time the story reached its third telling, the sea turtle that had bumped into Brad’s kayak had become a leviathan from which he had barely escaped with his life.
1804. liaise

lee-AYZ
This word is from a word that was formed in French from Latin-derived French elements.
verb
to establish communication in order to develop and maintain mutual understanding.
The U.S. Treasury agents will liaise with the local and state police in the matter of the suspected counterfeiters.
1805. lidocaine

LAHY-duh-kayn
This word was formed from a part that went from Sanskrit to Arabic to Portuguese to French to German plus another German part derived from originally Spanish and Latin elements.
noun
a chemical compound often used as a local anesthetic because of its tissue-numbing effects.
Leroy’s dentist generally uses lidocaine as a painkiller.
1806. limned

limd
Originally Latin, this word passed to French before becoming English.
verb
outlined in clear sharp detail.
The rising sun limned the valley below with brilliant morning light.
1807. limpa

LIM-puh
This word is from Swedish.
noun
a type of rye bread that is made with brown sugar or molasses.
For a little added sweetness, Martine adds a hint of orange and anise to the dough when she's making limpa.
1808. limpet

LIM-pit
This word is from a Latin word that was probably from a Gaulish word.
noun
a mollusk with a low cone-shaped shell that browses over rocks or timbers and hangs on very tightly when disturbed.
A single limpet clung to the rock Peter picked up on the beach.
1809. limpid

LIM-pud
This word came from French, which formed it from Latin.
adjective
free from cloudiness or other matter that might prevent the passage of light.
Molly got an eerie feeling when she looked into the limpid blue eyes of the Siberian Husky.
1810. limpkin

LIMP-kin
The first part of this word is probably from English, and the second part passed from Dutch to English.
noun
a large brown wading bird that resembles a bittern.
The limpkin is known for its wailing or screaming vocalization, which has been used for sound effects in movies.
1811. lingua franca

LING-gwuh-FRANG-kuh
This phrase is from Italian.
noun
something that acts like a common language in making individuals comprehensible to one another (as, for example, a system of shared social symbols).
Kotori believes that money is the lingua franca of private business.
1812. linnet

LIN-it
This word was formed in French from a Latin-derived element probably of non-Indo-European origin plus an originally Latin-derived element.
noun
a small Old World finch found with feathers of a variety of colors.
Tommy spotted a red and brown linnet in the orchard.
1813. linstock

LINZ-tahk
This word is a combination of a Dutch word with a word that is made up of a perhaps Latin-derived English word and an originally English word.
noun
a staff used to hold a lighted match for firing cannon.
Captain Brown waved the linstock over his head to indicate he was ready to fire.
1814. literatim

lit-uh-RAY-tim
This word is from Latin.
adverb
letter for letter.
The Latin text was printed literatim from the manuscript.
1815. lithium

LIH-thee-um
This word is made up of a part that went from Greek to Latin plus a Latin part.
noun
a soft silver-white element of the alkali metal group that is the lightest metal known and that is used chiefly in nuclear reactions, for removing gases from molten metals, in making light alloys, and in the manufacture of compounds.
Like all alkali metals, lithium is highly reactive and flammable.
1816. lithophone

LIH-thuh-fohn
The dictionary provides no information regarding the origin of this word.
noun
any of a class of percussion instruments (such as the qing) that are made of stone and whose sound is produced by striking.
Silvana was delighted by a rendition of the Flintstones theme music played on a lithophone made of Petoskey stones.
1817. litmus

LIT-mus
This word is from Scandinavian.
noun
a coloring matter obtained from several lichens that is used as an acid-base indicator on account of its turning red in acid solutions and blue in alkaline solutions.
Liev will use litmus to test for acidity in the chemical solution.
1818. lobectomy

loh-BEK-tuh-mee
This word is from originally Greek elements.
noun
surgical removal of a gland or division of a body organ marked off by a fissure on the surface, specifically : excision of a such a division of a lung.
Ruth underwent a lobectomy as a treatment for her lung cancer.
1819. lobotomy

loh-BAH-tuh-mee
This word is formed from a part that passed from Greek to Latin to French to English plus a Greek-derived English element.
noun
a cutting into the brain to sever nerve fibers, formerly but no longer used in the treatment of certain mental disorders.
lobotomy is no longer an accepted method of treatment for psychosis, no matter how extreme.
1820. locavore

LOH-kuh-vor
Both parts of this word went from Latin to French before becoming English.
noun
a person who eats foods grown nearby whenever possible.
The locavore was careful to eat only foods grown near Baltimore, but made a necessary exception for coffee.
1821. loch

lahk
This word went from Scottish Gaelic to Scots English.
noun
a lake — used in Scotland.
A ruined castle loomed over the northern end of the loch.
1822. logographic

log-uh-GRAF-ik
This word is formed from two originally Greek elements plus an English element.
adjective
relating to or making use of written signs that each represent a complete word or morpheme.
Chinese is a logographic language that uses thousands of characters.
1823. lolled

lahld
This word is from an originally English word of imitative origin.
verb
lounged, sprawled.
While her family swam, Adelaide lolled on the beach and read.
1824. longitude

LAHN-juh-tood
This word came to English from Latin.
noun
the arc or portion of Earth's equator expressed either in degrees or in time.
The longitude of Rome, Italy, is about 12 degrees east.
1825. lorikeet

LOR-ih-keet
This first part of this word is from Malay, and the second part is from a word from Spanish or French.
noun
any of numerous small arboreal parrots that are found mostly in Australasia and that feed largely upon the nectar of flowers.
Ginger has a pet lorikeet that rides on her shoulder.
1826. lossy

LAH-see
This word is originally English.
adjective
involving or causing some failure to keep possession of data.
In lossy compression, some data is unfortunately left out in the compression process.
1827. lousicide

LAU-suh-sahyd
This word is made up of an originally English element plus a Latin-derived element.
noun
an agent for destroying lice.
There was a run on lousicide at the local pharmacy when the school nurse discovered several cases of head lice among the kindergartners.
1828. lovage

LUV-ij
Originally from Latin, this word passed through French before becoming English.
noun
a coarse herb of rocky or marshy coasts with fleshy leaves sometimes used as a potherb.
Juliet planted lovage, basil, and thyme in her herb garden.
1829. luculent

LOO-kyuh-lunt
This word came to English from Latin.
adjective
extremely clear and convincing in thought or expression.
The audience was amazed at the luculent commentary on the state of the economy.
1830. ludicrous

LOO-duh-krus
This word is from Latin.
adjective
deserving of scorn for being absurdly inept, false, or foolish.
The jury was instructed to disregard the ludicrous remarks made by the defendant.
1831. lumen

LOO-mun
This word is from Latin.
noun
a unit of radiant flux equal to the light emitted in a unit solid angle by a uniform point source of one candle.
The lumen is used in calculations regarding artificial lighting.
1832. luthier

LOO-tee-ur
This word was formed in French from an originally Arabic word that passed into Provençal and then French.
noun
a maker of stringed musical instruments.
The luthier gave Dolores a choice of inlay patterns for her new guitar.
1833. lutrine

LOO-trahyn
This word is from Latin.
adjective
relating to otters.
The lutrine opossum of South America was so named because it strongly resembles the otter.
1834. luxuriate

lug-ZHUR-ee-ayt
This word is from Latin.
verb
to indulge oneself.
Guests at the resort luxuriate in hot tubs and poolside chaises longues.
1835. macadam

muh-KA-dum
This word is from a British name.
noun
shattered stone used to pave roads.
Depending on the climate, some roads are better made of macadam than of asphalt.
1836. machicolation

muh-chik-uh-LAY-shun
This word is from a French word of imitative origin plus a Latin element.
noun
an opening in a structure used for the purpose of shooting at or attacking assailants.
When the castle was stormed in the movie, the defenders poured boiling oil through a machicolation onto the enemy attacking the gates.
1837. machination

mak-uh-NAY-shun
This word is from an originally Greek word that passed into Latin.
noun
a scheme or subtle maneuver intended to accomplish some end.
The risky political machination led to the loss of the election.
1838. macular

MAK-yuh-lur
This word consists of a Latin part plus an English element.
adjective
spotty.
A macular stain is the most common type of birthmark.
1839. malady

MAL-uh-dee
Originally Latin, this word went through French before becoming English.
noun
a disease, distemper, disorder, or indisposition of the animal body proceeding from impaired or defective functions.
In the fourteenth century the malady known as “the Black Death” swept across Europe, killing about 25 million people.
1840. malapropism

MAL-uh-prah-piz-um
This word is from a French-derived English theater name.
noun
a blundering, often ludicrous, or absurd use of the wrong word.
No matter how careful he tries to be, Sherman usually utters at least one malapropism in every campaign speech.
1841. malevolent

muh-LEV-uh-lunt
This word is from Latin.
adjective
marked by deep-seated hatred or ill will.
The malevolent queen kicked her stepdaughter out of the castle.
1842. malfeasance

mal-FEE-zunts
This word consists of two parts that both went from Latin to French to English.
noun
an instance of wrongdoing by a public official under the guise of authority of the office.
Several instances of malfeasance by the city manager resulted in his forced resignation.
1843. malinger

muh-LING-gur
This word is from French, which formed it from an originally Latin part and a part that is perhaps of Germanic origin.
verb
to pretend to be ill so as to avoid duty or work.
School officials are accustomed to students who malinger in order to avoid taking exams.
1844. mano a mano

mah-noh-ah-MAH-noh
This word entry is from Spanish.
adverb
in direct competition or conflict especially between two people — chiefly used in the United States.
After trading insults all day, the boys finally went mano a mano in a thumb wrestling contest after school.
1845. manumit

man-yuh-MIT
This word passed from Latin to French to English.
verb
to set free, especially from slavery.
Just before the start of the Civil War, the farmer announced that he would manumit his single slave.
1846. marginalia

mahr-juh-NAY-lee-uh
This word is from Latin.
plural noun
notes written in the border of a page.
Arnav regretted his decision to write “I heart Jenna” as marginalia in his history notes when Jenna asked to borrow his history notes.
1847. marimba

muh-RIM-buh
This word is of African origin.
noun
a metal xylophone that differs from earlier wooden forms in that it produces tones of a gentler character and plays a lower range of notes.
The distinctive tone of the marimba was the sound Samantha’s group sought.
1848. marring

MAHR-ing
This word is originally English.
verb
spoiling the good condition or perfection or wholeness or beauty of.
Julie loves the newly fallen snow, when there are no footprints or tire tracks marring its perfection.
1849. marsupial

mahr-SOO-pee-ul
This word is formed from a Greek-derived Latin word plus an English element.
noun
a mammal such as the kangaroo, wombat or opossum that has a pouch for carrying its young.
Perhaps the best-known example of a marsupial is a female kangaroo with a large joey in her pouch.
1850. mastodon

MAS-tuh-dahn
This word is formed from Greek elements.
noun
someone or something of gigantic size or unusually large size.
The mastodon in Mrs. Campbell’s antique automobile collection is a 1950 Dodge Power Wagon Woodie.
1851. matriculation

muh-trik-yuh-LAY-shun
This word was formed in English from a Latin-derived English word plus an English element.
noun
admission and enrollment in a college, university, or other institution.
Some universities require students to pay a matriculation fee when they accept an offer of admission.
1852. mawkish

MAH-kish
This word was formed in English from an Old Norse word that passed into English plus an English element.
adjective
falsely or immaturely sentimental.
Though universally berated by reviewers as mawkish, the movie grossed over $40 million its opening weekend.
1853. mea culpa

may-uh-KUL-puh
This word entry is from Latin.
noun
a formal acknowledgment of personal fault or error.
Maxine's sincere mea culpa for her mistake won over all of her previously angry teammates.
1854. mecca

MEK-uh
This word is from a Saudi Arabian geographical name.
noun
a place considered a center or focal point for a certain activity or interest.
Mr. and Mrs. Darcy's sweet shop, with its homemade peanut butter fudge and dark chocolate raspberry mousse, is a dessert lover's mecca.
1855. medusa

mih-DOO-suh
This word is from Latin, which formed it from a Greek mythological name.
noun
a small hydrozoan jellyfish.
The medusa propels itself by contracting its bell-shaped body and ejecting water from under the bell.
1856. megalomaniac

meg-uh-loh-MAY-nee-ak
This word is made up of Greek-derived Latin elements.
noun
one exhibiting an enthusiasm for doing great or grandiose things.
The candidate denounced his opponent as a publicity-seeking megalomaniac.
1857. melamine

MEL-uh-meen
This word was formed in German from a part of unknown origin plus an element that probably went from Egyptian to Greek to Latin, plus an English element that went from Latin to French to English.
noun
a resin made from a white crystalline high-melting organic base and an aldehyde, characterized by resistance to heat and water and good electrical resistance, or a plastic made from such a resin.
Galina placed the hot casserole on a trivet made of melamine.
1858. melee

MAY-lay
This word came to English from French, which probably formed it from a Latin word.
noun
a confused fight or struggle between individuals.
The soccer match turned into a melee after angry fans stormed the field.
1859. melismatic

mel-iz-MA-tik
This word is made up of a Greek element plus an English element.
adjective
relating to or having melodic embellishment or ornamentation — used of music.
The chorus’ melismatic treatment of the anthem made it hardly recognizable.
1860. mendacious

men-DAY-shus
This word is formed from an originally Latin part plus an English element.
adjective
likely to deceive or tell lies.
Dan called the umpire a "mendacious varmint" and stalked off the field.
1861. mendicity

men-DIS-uh-tee
This word went from Latin to French to English.
noun
begging.
The millionaire never forgot what it was like to lead a life of homelessness and mendicity.
1862. meningitis

men-in-JAHY-tis
This word is from an originally Greek word that passed into Latin.
noun
a disease marked by swelling of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord.
Trudy had a severe case of meningitis when she was seven that took months to recover from.
1863. mephitic

mih-FIT-ik
This word is from Latin, which took it from Oscan.
adjective
displeasing to the sense of smell : noxious.
Molly could tell by the mephitic smell of her dog's fur that he had met with a skunk while playing outdoors.
1864. merganser

mur-GAN-sur
This word is made up of Latin elements.
noun
a diving duck with a slender bill, crested head and short clumsy wings that usually feeds on fish.
The hooded merganser nests in holes in trees near the ponds where it finds its food.
1865. meridian

mih-RID-ee-un
This word went from Latin to French to English.
noun
a great circle of the celestial sphere passing through the poles and the point that is vertically above any given point on the earth's surface.
The apparent solar day is measured by the interval of time between two successive passages of the sun across the observer’s celestial meridian.
1866. merino

muh-REE-noh
This word is from Spanish.
noun
a fine wool and cotton yarn.
Darcy decided to use the leftover skein of merino to knit a pair of mittens.
1867. mesial

MEE-zee-ul
This word consists of a part that went from Greek to Latin plus a part that went from Latin to French to English.
adjective
middle or median.
One type of epilepsy, mesial temporal lobe epilepsy, can arise in structures that are located in the inner aspect of the temporal lobe of the brain.
1868. Mesopotamian

mes-uh-puh-TAY-mee-un
This word is from Greek.
adjective
relating to or characteristic of the region between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers in southwestern Asia.
The “Code of Hammurabi” and “Gilgamesh” are famous Mesopotamian literary documents.
1869. metaplasia

met-uh-PLAY-zhuh
This word was formed in Latin from originally Greek parts.
noun
transformation of one tissue into another.
One example of metaplasia is when cells in the human esophagus transform into intestinal cells in response to chronic acid reflux.
1870. metastasize

muh-TAS-tuh-sahyz
This word is comprised of a word that passed from Greek to Latin plus an English element.
verb
to spread from an original site of disease to another part of the body — used chiefly of malignant tumors.
The oncologist pointed on the drawing to where he believes the cancer cells will metastasize next.
1871. metatarsal

met-uh-TAHR-sul
This word is from two parts that went from Greek to Latin plus an English element.
adjective
relating to the part of the foot that forms the instep.
Arlo dropped a hammer on his left metatarsal bone and began hopping around the room.
1872. Michaelmas

MIK-uhl-mus
This word is from a biblical name plus a Latin-derived English element.
noun
the feast of the archangel Michael that is a church festival celebrated on September 29.
Fall arrived so early that the tomatoes in Phyllis' garden were gone by Michaelmas.
1873. MIDI

MID-ee
This word is from an English acronym.
noun
an electronic standard used for the transmission of digitally encoded music.
Many digital music tools, such as samplers, communicate with computers using MIDI.
1874. millennial

muh-LEN-ee-ul
This word is formed from a Latin-derived English word plus an English element.
noun
a 1000th anniversary or its celebration.
In 2010, Vietnam celebrated the millennial of the founding of its capital, Hanoi, which was founded in the year 1010 with the name Thang Long.
1875. millet

MIL-ut
This word went from Latin-derived French to English.
noun
a grass grown widely in Europe and Asia for its grain, which is used as food for people and birds.
Risa placed a few millet seeds in the cage as a snack for her bird.
1876. millisecond

mil-uh-SEH-kund
This word is from originally Latin parts.
noun
one thousandth of the 60th part of a minute of time.
Computer imaging revealed that the runner won the sprint by about a millisecond.
1877. minacious

mih-NAY-shus
This word is formed from an originally Latin part plus an English element.
adjective
of a threatening character.
Though the butler seemed minacious, he was not the culprit.
1878. minestra

mih-NEST-ruh
This word is from Italian, which took it from a Latin word.
noun
Italian vegetable soup.
On rainy days, Elizabetta looks forward to coming home from school to her grandmother's freshly made minestra topped with finely grated parmesan.
1879. minette

mih-NET
This word was formed in French from an originally Celtic-derived Latin word, plus a French element, before passing to German.
noun
an iron ore that is plentiful in Luxemburg and Lorraine and is adapted for the basic Bessemer process.
minette was deposited during the Jurassic period.
1880. minuscule

MIN-uh-skyool
This word came from French, which formed it from Latin.
adjective
very small in size or importance.
Having eaten too much at dinner, Josh wanted only a minuscule slice of cake for dessert.
1881. Miranda

muh-RAN-duh
This word is from an American name.
adjective
of, relating to, or being the legal rights of an arrested person to have an attorney and to remain silent so as to avoid self-incrimination.
Arrested individuals must be advised of their Miranda rights at the time of arrest.
1882. misnomer

mih-SNOH-mur
This word went from Latin to French to Anglo-French before becoming English.
noun
an incorrect designation or term.
The name “Greenland” is a misnomer because an ice cap covers most of the island.
1883. mitigative

MIT-uh-gay-tiv
This word passed from Latin to French to English.
adjective
tending to make less severe : alleviating.
Mariko’s herbal tea had a mitigative effect on her sore throat.
1884. mochi

MOH-chee
This word is from Japanese.
noun
a doughlike mass made from cooked and pounded glutinous rice that is used in Japanese cuisine as an unbaked pastry.
mochi is traditionally served to celebrate the new year in Japan.
1885. moissanite

MOIS-un-ahyt
This word is from a French name and an English element.
noun
a silicon carbide found in the Diablo Canyon meteoric iron.
Lab-grown moissanite is sometimes used in place of diamonds in engagement rings and other jewelry.
1886. mollify

MAH-luh-fahy
This word passed from Latin to French to English.
verb
to soothe in temper or attitude : soften.
The barber hopes that giving the crying boy a lollipop will mollify him.
1887. monitory

MAH-nuh-tor-ee
This word is from Latin.
adjective
giving a gentle warning or reminder.
Randall spoke gently to his nephew, but the monitory tone was unmistakable.
1888. monochrome

MAH-nuh-krohm
This word is from an originally Greek word that passed into Latin.
noun
the art of producing paintings or drawings in a single hue.
During his Blue Period, Pablo Picasso produced paintings using monochrome.
1889. monture

MAHN-chur
This word is from a Latin-derived French word.
noun
a frame or setting especially for a jewel.
The diamond’s monture was platinum, but the band was gold.
1890. moratorium

mor-uh-TOR-ee-um
This word is from Latin.
noun
a delay officially set by some authority.
After the Deep Water Horizon oil spill, President Obama issued a moratorium on deep-water drilling.
1891. mordant

MOR-dunt
This word came from French, which formed it from Latin.
adjective
sharp and biting in manner or style.
One particularly mordant online review convinced Tabitha that she should choose a different restaurant for her parents' anniversary dinner.
1892. morphological

mor-fuh-LAH-jih-kul
This word was formed from a word formed in German from Greek-derived elements plus English elements.
adjective
of, relating to, or concerned with form or structure.
Ornithologists study the various morphological differences among related species of birds.
1893. mortician

mor-TIH-shun
The first part of this word is from an originally Latin word, and the second part is from English.
noun
one whose profession is the management of funeral and burial preparations and observances and who is usually an embalmer — called also funeral director.
Rodolfo's friends were surprised when he decided to become a mortician.
1894. Motrin

MOH-trun
This word is a trademark.
trademark
— used for a preparation of ibuprofen (a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug used in over-the-counter preparations to relieve pain and fever).
Denzel popped a Motrin, downed a lemonade, and got back to work in his yard.
1895. movimento

mohv-uh-MEN-toh
This word is from a word that went from Latin to Italian.
noun
the rate of speed of a musical piece or passage indicated by one of a series of directions associated conventionally with speed (as largo, presto, allegro) and often by an exact metronome marking — called also tempo.
The movimento of a minuet is typically slow and stately.
1896. muchacha

moo-CHAH-chuh
This word is from Spanish.
noun
a young woman : a girl.
The cheeky young man at the party addressed Jane as "muchacha" before asking for her phone number.
1897. mulligan

MUL-ih-gun
This word is probably from an English name.
noun
a free shot awarded a golfer in nontournament play when their previous shot was bad.
Gordon took a mulligan after hitting a “worm burner” on the first tee.
1898. Munich

MYOO-nik
This word is a European geographical name.
geographical entry
city on the Isar River in southern Germany and capital of the state of Bavaria.
Munich is known for its varied architecture, famous football club, and prominence in the publishing world.
1899. municipal

myoo-NIS-uh-pul
This word is from Latin.
adjective
relating to an urban political unit (as a town or city) that usually has powers of self-government.
Property taxes in most U.S. states are set by municipal governments.
1900. muskeg

MUH-skeg
This word is of Algonquian origin.
noun
a peat bog of northern North America frequently with tussocks.
In the 1870s in northern Ontario, a railroad engine was reportedly swallowed when the tracks were laid on muskeg instead of bedrock.
1901. musketeers

muh-skuh-TIRZ
This word is from a word formed in French from an element that came from Latin-derived Italian plus a Latin-derived element.
plural noun
close companions.
Growing up, Lionel and his friends were known around the neighborhood as the Five musketeers.
1902. Mylar

MAHY-lahr
This word is a trademark.
trademark
— used for a polyester film.
Sheldon kept all of his collectible comic books inside protective Mylar bags.
1903. myocarditis

mahy-uh-kahr-DAHY-tis
This word is made up of originally Greek elements, some of which came into English from Latin.
noun
inflammation of the middle muscular layer of the heart wall.
A severe case of myocarditis can result in heart failure.
1904. myoglobin

MAHY-uh-gloh-bin
This word is formed from a Greek part, a Latin part, and an English element.
noun
a red iron-containing pigment in muscles that has a large capacity for combining with oxygen.
myoglobin provides extra oxygen to a person's muscles, helping them to maintain high levels of activity for a longer period of time.
1905. myopic

mahy-AH-pik
This word was formed from a word that passed from Greek to Latin to French to English plus an English element.
adjective
lacking in foresight or keenness of insight.
Asking for different opinions is a good way to come up with a solution that is broad and not myopic.
1906. Namibian

nuh-MIH-bee-un
This word is from an African geographical name.
adjective
having to do with a country on the Atlantic Ocean in southwestern Africa or that country's inhabitants.
Jeremy hired a Namibian surfing guide to show him the best waves along the Skeleton Coast.
1907. narcoleptic

nahr-kuh-LEP-tik
This word was formed in French from originally Greek parts that passed into Latin.
adjective
relating to or having a condition in which one experiences strong but passing onsets of heavy drowsiness or deep sleep usually without a known cause.
Steve becomes narcoleptic whenever he is under great stress.
1908. nautilus

NAH-tuh-lus
This word is from an originally Greek word that passed into Latin.
noun
a mollusk found in the southern Pacific and Indian Oceans with a spiral chambered shell that is pearly inside.
Frank keeps the polished shell of a nautilus on his bookcase.
1909. Neapolitan

nee-uh-PAHL-uh-tun
This word was formed in Latin from a Greek word derived from an Italian geographical name plus a Latin element.
adjective
related to the city or people of Naples, Italy.
Merri enjoys going to an Italian restaurant where the waiters sing Neapolitan folk songs.
1910. nectarine

nek-tuh-REEN
This word is formed from two parts that both passed from Greek to Latin to English.
noun
a sweet fruit that is like a peach with smooth skin.
Jason ate a nectarine as a light after-school snack.
1911. neonatology

nee-oh-nay-TAH-luh-jee
This word is formed from an English word derived from Greek and Latin elements plus a Greek-derived English element.
noun
a branch of medicine dealing with the health and growth of newborn babies.
Imani hopes to specialize in either pediatrics or neonatology.
1912. neoterism

nee-AH-tuh-riz-um
This word is from Greek.
noun
a word or phrase that has been recently invented.
“Selfie” is a neoterism recently added to some dictionaries.
1913. nepotism

NEP-uh-tiz-um
Formed in Italian from Latin- and Greek-derived elements, this word passed into French before becoming English.
noun
favoritism shown to relatives by allowing them opportunities because of their relationship rather than on their own merits.
Most employees resent nepotism because it reduces the opportunity for advancement via hard work.
1914. netiquette

NET-ih-kit
This word is formed from an originally English element plus a part that went from Dutch to French.
noun
the rules of conduct for communication over the Internet.
Typing in all capital letters is the online equivalent of shouting and a breach of good netiquette.
1915. neuropathy

noo-RAH-puh-thee
This word is formed from two originally Greek elements.
noun
an abnormal state of nerves or the nervous system especially when causing deterioration of physical characteristics or vitality.
neuropathy can lead to numbness and weakness of the hands, feet or limbs.
1916. neuroticism

nyu-RAH-tuh-siz-um
This word was formed from a Greek-derived English word plus an English element.
noun
a trait or condition involving obvious fear, anxiety or obsession.
The critic observed that narcissism and neuroticism are the trademarks of many television sitcoms.
1917. Newfoundland

NOO-fund-land
This word is from a Canadian geographical name.
noun
a dog of a breed of very large vigorous highly intelligent dogs that are believed to have been developed in Canada during the 17th century.
A Newfoundland makes a wonderful pet as the breed is gentle, loyal, and protective; the downside is that they drool all the time.
1918. nitrate

NAHY-trayt
This word was formed in French from a part that went from Egyptian to Greek to Latin to French plus a element that went from Latin to French to English.
noun
a salt or ester of a type of corrosive liquid inorganic acid used chiefly as an oxidizing agent (as in rocket propellants) and in the manufacture of fertilizers, dyes, and a variety of other organic compounds.
Sodium nitrate is often used in plant fertilizer.
1919. nocive

NOH-siv
Originally from Latin, this word came to English from Latin or French.
adjective
harmful.
The laboratory assistant wore a mask to protect himself from nocive fumes.
1920. noctambulist

nahk-TAM-byuh-list
This word is formed from a word made up of originally Latin parts plus an English element.
noun
one who walks at night especially while asleep.
At night everyone keeps an eye on Jamie, the family noctambulist.
1921. no-goodnik

noh-GUD-nik
The first two parts of this word are originally English, and the last part is a Yiddish element derived from Polish and Ukranian.
noun
a person without virtue, honor, or morals : lowlife.
Adelaide's father insisted that Nathan was a no-goodnik and would not allow her to go to prom with him.
1922. nomancy

NOH-mun-see
This word is an alteration of a word formed in French from originally Greek parts.
noun
divination by letters.
The fortune teller claimed to be able to predict Cooper’s future by nomancy.
1923. nomenclature

NOH-mun-klay-chur
This word is from Latin.
noun
the collective names given to or borne by places in a particular region or area.
The nomenclature of Boston streets confused Ling when she first arrived.
1924. nomophobia

noh-muh-FOH-bee-uh
The first part of this word comes from an originally English word and an originally Latin word, and the second part is from Greek.
noun
fear of being without access to a working cell phone.
Yvette's nomophobia is so pronounced that she keeps a charger and two power banks in her bag at all times.
1925. nonage

NAH-nij
This word was formed in French from Latin-derived elements before coming to English.
noun
a period of youth, childhood or infancy.
The pieces that Mozart wrote in his nonage demonstrate an understanding of music that few adults ever attain.
1926. nonchalance

nahn-shuh-LAHNTS
This word was formed in French from originally Latin elements.
noun
a display or air of jaunty unconcern or indifference.
When Sarah learned that she won the science prize, she reacted with surprising nonchalance.
1927. nonvolatile

nahn-VAH-luh-tul
This word is formed from Latin-derived elements.
adjective
not easily turning into a vapor at a low temperature.
Meteoric matter provides much information about the abundance of nonvolatile elements in space.
1928. Norovirus

nor-uh-VAHY-rus
This part is from an English geographical name and a Latin element.
noun
any virus of a genus of highly infectious RNA viruses with strains of one species causing gastroenteritis in people and animals.
The Norovirus affected so many students, and required so much cleanup, that school was cancelled for the rest of the week.
1929. Nostradamus

noh-struh-DAH-mus
This word is from a French name.
noun
one who claims to be able to foretell future events.
Wally consulted the local Nostradamus for football predictions.
1930. notoriety

noh-tuh-RAHY-uh-tee
This word is from Latin.
noun
the state of being famous or well-known for something negative.
The poorly sung songs Natasha put on YouTube increased her notoriety.
1931. novemdecillion

noh-vem-dih-SIL-yun
The first part of this word is from Latin, and the second part went from Latin to Italian to French to English.
noun
the number equal to 10 to the 114th power.
The Milky Way galaxy is roughly 150 novemdecillion cubic feet in size, some say.
1932. noxious

NAHK-shus
This word is from Latin.
adjective
harmful or destructive to humans or other organisms.
Emma is studying the noxious effects of gasoline fumes.
1933. nubuck

NOO-buk
This word perhaps derives from an English word plus a Germanic-derived English word.
noun
a soft sueded leather.
Cedric bought a sturdy pair of loafers made of nubuck.
1934. nuciform

NOO-suh-form
This word was formed in French from Latin elements.
adjective
shaped like a nut.
Preston gave Anna a box of nuciform chocolate candies.
1935. nucleated

NOO-klee-ay-tud
This word is formed from an originally Latin word.
verb
formed into a collected mass : clustered together.
Brent's dirty clothes aren't so much in the laundry hamper as they are nucleated around it.
1936. numerology

noo-muh-RAH-luh-jee
This word is formed from a Latin-derived element and a Greek-derived element.
noun
the study of the secret or magical significance of numbers.
The devotee of numerology had been convinced the world would end in 2012.
1937. nutation

noo-TAY-shun
This word is from Latin.
noun
a motion of the earth's axis similar to the nodding of a top due to joint action of the sun and moon.
Janos finally observed the nutation of the earth by graphing the daily position of the North Pole over many months.
1938. nutria

NOO-tree-uh
This word is from a word that went from Latin to Spanish.
noun
a South American aquatic rodent now naturalized on the U.S. Gulf Coast and Pacific Northwest.
The nutria is an invasive species in North America that destroys vegetation and wetland habitat.
1939. nuzzer

NUZ-ur
This word went from Arabic to Hindi.
noun
a ceremonial gift given to someone of higher rank in India.
In his memoir of a trip to India in the 1840s, the author recounts meeting the king and presenting him with a nuzzer.
1940. oblast

AH-blast
This word is from a word that went from Old Slavic to Russian.
noun
a governmental subdivision of the former USSR corresponding to an autonomous province or state.
The Volga River flows through part of the Ivanovo oblast.
1941. oblique

oh-BLEEK
This word came to English from Latin.
adjective
having a slanting direction or position.
All triangles have at least one oblique side.
1942. obloquy

AH-bluh-kwee
This word is from Latin.
noun
a strongly and often intemperately condemnatory utterance.
Mr. Willett recited the names of the pranksters with uncharacteristic obloquy.
1943. obnebulate

ahb-NEB-yuh-layt
This word was formed in English from Latin-derived parts.
verb
to cover with clouds or fog.
The early morning haze will obnebulate the mountainscape.
1944. obsecration

ahb-suh-KRAY-shun
This word is from Latin.
noun
a humble and earnest prayer mentioning in its appeal things or events held to be sacred.
“Through thy victory over death, O Lord, deliver us” is an obsecration.
1945. obsolete

ahb-suh-LEET
This word is from an originally Latin word.
adjective
of a kind or style no longer current : no longer acceptable or usable.
Sahira is working on a project that is intended to make pneumatic tires obsolete.
1946. obstetrician

ahbs-teh-TRISH-un
This word is probably formed from a Latin-derived element and an English element.
noun
a physician or veterinarian specializing in birth and the events, conditions, situations, or circumstances preceding and following and often influencing it.
The elderly obstetrician is now delivering the grandchildren of patients she helped in the early days of her career.
1947. obstreperous

ub-STREP-uh-rus
This word is from Latin.
adjective
stubborn and defiant often with a show of noisy disorder.
When the diner was asked to leave because the restaurant was closing, he became obstreperous and had to be escorted out.
1948. occultation

ah-kul-TAY-shun
This word passed from Latin to English.
noun
disappearance from the public eye.
After a scandal the previous year, the celebrity was grateful for the occultation brought about by fickle public interests.
1949. Oceanian

oh-shee-A-nee-un
This word is from a word that was formed in French from a central and south Pacific geographical name plus a Latin-derived element.
adjective
of, relating to, or characteristic of the region comprising the islands and archipelagos of the central and south Pacific.
After traveling extensively through the South Pacific for research, Ophelia wrote her thesis on the migrations of the Oceanian peoples.
1950. octonocular

ahk-tuh-NAHK-yuh-lur
This word consists of a Latin element plus a Latin-derived English word.
adjective
having eight eyes.
Although there are six-eyed spiders and even eyeless spiders, the tarantula is an octonocular spider.
1951. octuplicate

ahk-TOO-plik-ut
This word is from Latin.
noun
eight copies all alike — used with in.
The documentation had to be submitted in octuplicate so that each judge could review it independently and simultaneously.
1952. odometer

oh-DAH-muh-tur
This word is from French, which took it from a Greek word.
noun
an instrument attached to a vehicle to measure the distance traveled.
A quick glance at the car's odometer told Oscar that it was time for an oil change.
1953. Odysseus

oh-DIS-ee-us
This word is from Greek.
noun
in Greek mythology, a king of Ithaca who after being a leader in the Trojan War roams for a decade before arriving home.
In Latin, the Greek hero Odysseus was known as Ulysses.
1954. officinal

uh-FIH-suh-nul
This word is from Latin.
adjective
kept in stock by pharmacists : available without special preparation or compounding.
Mr. Patel inventories his officinal substances by their Latin names.
1955. okapi

oh-KAH-pee
This word is from a native name in Africa.
noun
an African mammal with a solid reddish coat with black and cream rings on its legs and is related to the giraffe.
Talia's favorite animal at the zoo is the okapi because it looks like a giraffe and a zebra put together.
1956. olfactory

ohl-FAK-tur-ee
This word is from Latin.
adjective
relating to or connected with the sense of smell.
Humans have relatively weak olfactory abilities compared with many other animals.
1957. olingo

oh-LING-goh
This word is of unknown origin.
noun
a type of thin, raccoon-like carnivore of South and Central America with a long nonprehensile tail.
Isabel saw an olingo on her trip to the Costa Rican rain forests.
1958. omnilegent

ahm-NIL-uh-junt
This word is from Latin.
adjective
reading or having read everything.
Charles was omnilegent in his research before he started writing his biography of the queen.
1959. omniscient

ahm-NIH-shunt
This word is from Latin.
adjective
having infinite awareness, understanding and insight.
Many people believe in an omniscient Deity.
1960. onus

OH-nus
This word is from Latin.
noun
something distasteful and difficult to bear.
In the eyes of many employees, an annual performance evaluation is an onus.
1961. oompah

OOM-pah
This word is of imitative origin.
noun
a persistent, continuous bass accompaniment in a band or orchestra.
Dorian’s main job as third tuba in the marching band was to provide the oompah.
1962. operose

AH-puh-rohs
This word is from Latin.
adjective
requiring or involving effort.
Mother assigned the most operose chores, like cleaning the basement, to all of the children to do together.
1963. ophthalmologist

ahf-thal-MAHL-uh-jist
This word is from Greek.
noun
a physician that specializes in the study and treatment of defects and diseases of the eye.
Monica goes to the ophthalmologist once a year because she has a family history of glaucoma.
1964. opprobrious

uh-PROH-bree-us
This word is from Latin.
adjective
expressing contempt or distaste while implying inferiority.
The principal denounced the vandals in opprobrious terms.
1965. oppugn

uh-PYOON
This word is from Latin.
verb
to challenge the accuracy, properness, or other quality of.
In their postings, political bloggers frequently oppugn the actions of Congress.
1966. Orion

uh-RAHY-un
This word is originally from Greek.
noun
in astronomy, a constellation that is represented by the figure of a hunter with belt and sword.
Masha loved to look at the stars, but she admitted that the only constellation she could pick out was Orion.
1967. orthogonal

or-THAH-guh-nul
This word is from an originally Greek word that passed into French before becoming English.
adjective
lying in or intersecting at right angles.
The streets in the new subdivision are laid out in an orthogonal pattern.
1968. oscitation

ah-suh-TAY-shun
This word is from Latin.
noun
the condition of being drowsy.
The truck driver stopped every few hours for coffee, hoping that doing so would ward off oscitation.
1969. osculatory

AHS-kyuh-luh-tohr-ee
This word is from Latin.
adjective
of, relating to, or characterized by kissing.
Sydney had no idea Shaun was talking about kissing when he asked if she would help him refine his osculatory skill.
1970. Osloite

AHZ-loh-ahyt
This word consists of a part from a European geographical name plus an English element.
noun
someone who lives in or is from the capital city of Norway.
An Osloite since birth, Aksel can't possibly imagine living anywhere else in Norway.
1971. osprey

AH-spree
This word passed from Latin to French to English.
noun
a large hawk that is a dark brown color above and mostly pure white below and feeds on fish that it captures by hovering and diving.
Because of its preferred diet, the osprey is also called a “fish hawk.”
1972. ossicle

AH-sih-kul
This word is from Latin.
noun
any of certain small bones.
The sports doctor told Nate that an ossicle in his left ear had been damaged by the blow from his opponent.
1973. ossuary

AHSH-uh-wer-ee
This word is from Latin.
noun
a depository (as a vault, room or urn) for the bones of the dead.
Zelda got the shivers as she explored the ossuary.
1974. ostensibly

ah-STEN-suh-blee
This word is from Latin-derived French plus an English element.
adverb
to all outward appearances.
ostensibly, Brent needed the computer to help him with his homework, but he really wanted it so he could play video games.
1975. osteopath

AH-stee-uh-path
This word is from a word that was formed in Latin from Greek parts.
noun
a practitioner of a system of medical practice based on the theory that diseases are due chiefly to a loss of structural integrity in the tissues.
If Dr. Fletcher can’t cure Reba’s headaches, she plans to consult an osteopath.
1976. ottoman

AH-tuh-mun
This word is probably from a Turkish name that passed through Italian and French before becoming English.
noun
an overstuffed footstool.
Daniel spilled orange juice all over the antique ottoman.
1977. oxalis

ahk-SAH-lis
This word is from Latin, which took it from Greek.
noun
a plant or flower of a genus of stemless or apparently stemless herbs that have acid foliage, compound leaves, and usually white, pink or purple flowers.
Ned planted oxalis along the edge of his flower garden for a splash of color.
1978. pabulum

PAB-yuh-lum
This word is from Latin.
noun
writing that is sentimental or basic.
The famous poet’s earliest work was pure pabulum.
1979. pagoda

puh-GOH-duh
This word is from Portuguese, which ultimately formed it from Sanskrit.
noun
an Asian structure resembling a tower of several stories that is often richly decorated.
The tour guide claimed that 1,000 pounds of gold went into the decoration of the ornate pagoda.
1980. Paleozoic

pay-lee-uh-ZOH-ik
This word is formed from Greek parts.
adjective
relating to a division of geological history.
Seed-bearing plants and amphibians first appeared in latter periods of the Paleozoic era.
1981. palmate

PAL-mayt
This word is from Latin.
adjective
resembling a hand with the fingers spread.
The leaves of the chestnut and the horse chestnut (or "buckeye") are palmate.
1982. palpebral

PAL-puh-brul
This word is from Latin.
adjective
of, relating to, or located on or near the eyelids.
Lixin's palpebral spasms were alleviated when he was treated with a muscle relaxant.
1983. palpitant

PAL-puh-tunt
This word is from Latin.
adjective
trembling : quivering.
Darryl jabbed his knife into the palpitant jelly.
1984. Panama

PAN-uh-mah
This word is a Central American geographical name.
geographical entry
a fine lightweight hat of natural-colored straw hand-plaited of narrow strips from the young leaves of the jipijapa.
While on vacation, Mr. Tulley bought a handwoven Panama to shade his head.
1985. panary

PAN-uh-ree
This word is from Latin-derived French.
adjective
related to breadmaking.
Gia took a panary course during her stay in San Francisco and became skilled in the art of making sourdough bread.
1986. pancetta

pan-CHET-uh
This word came from Italian, which formed it from Latin.
noun
a type of bacon which is unsmoked and used in Italian cuisine.
pancetta, which is cured with salt rather than smoked, is used in Italy to make pasta carbonara.
1987. panchreston

pan-KRES-tun
This word is from Greek.
noun
a broadly inclusive and often oversimplified thesis that is intended to cover all possible variations within an area of concern.
Tay's teacher noted that his thesis that "cats rule and dogs drool" was so broad as to be a panchreston.
1988. pancreas

PANG-kree-us
This word is from Latin, which took it from Greek.
noun
a large gland that is in front of the upper lumbar vertebrae and behind the stomach in humans and acts to secrete digestive enzymes and insulin.
When there is a sudden rise in the blood sugar level, the pancreas secretes more insulin to counteract it.
1989. pantomime

PAN-tuh-mahym
This word is from an originally Greek word that passed into Latin.
noun
a series of movements or expressions without words.
Lola's elaborate pantomime managed to convey both boredom and frustration.
1990. papyrus

puh-PAHY-rus
This word passed to English from Latin, which took it from a Greek word.
noun
a writing material used by the ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans.
Sara joked that her father was so old that his original driver’s license was probably printed on papyrus.
1991. par excellence

PAHR-ek-suh-LAHNS
This word is from French.
adjective
better than all others of its type.
Of all the students in the middle school cooking class, Aaron was singled out as the pastry chef par excellence for his innovative coconut peanut cookies.
1992. parabola

puh-RA-buh-luh
Both parts of this word are originally Greek.
noun
a curve that lies in a single plane generated by a point moving so that its distance from a fixed point divided by its distance from a fixed line is equal to 1.
A sportswriter would have to be both a poet and a mathematician to describe the perfect parabola of Daisuke's low-breaking slider.
1993. parameters

puh-RA-muh-turz
This word is made up of originally Greek elements.
plural noun
boundaries or limits.
The students had to choose a topic to write about from within the given parameters.
1994. paraplegic

par-uh-PLEE-jik
This word is from an originally Greek word.
adjective
affected with paralysis of the lower half of the body including both legs.
With much determination, effort and training, the paraplegic patient learned how to take care of himself at home.
1995. parasol

PAR-uh-sahl
Composed of originally Latin parts, this word went from Italian to French to English.
noun
a lightweight umbrella used as a sunshade.
Ismena decided to splurge on an antique parasol even though it was too fragile to use.
1996. pariah

puh-RAHY-uh
This word is from Tamil, a Dravidian language of southern India.
noun
an outcast.
The political candidate became a pariah to his party, and many members refused to be seen with him.
1997. parochial

puh-ROH-kee-ul
Originally formed in Latin from a Greek word, this word passed through French and then into English.
adjective
supported by, managed by or within the jurisdiction of a church parish.
Five of Susan’s friends attended parochial schools.
1998. parodic

puh-RAH-dik
This word is from a word formed in Greek that passed into Latin and then English plus an English element.
adjective
having the character of a writing in which the language and style of an author or work is closely imitated for comic effect or in ridicule.
Erica considers "Weird Al" Yankovic to be the world's greatest parodic artist.
1999. parr

pahr
This word is of unknown origin.
noun
a young salmon in the stage when it has dark traverse bands on its sides and is actively feeding in fresh water.
A parr feeds on aquatic insects in fresh water for one to three years, until it grows large enough to prepare for its next phase of life in the ocean.
2000. parsec

PAHR-sek
The first part of this word is from an originally Greek word, and the second part is from an originally Latin word.
noun
a unit of measure for interstellar space equal to 3.26 light-years or to 19.2 trillion miles.
The parsec is a unit of length used to measure the distance to galaxies far, far away.
2001. parsimony

PAHR-suh-moh-nee
This word is from Latin.
noun
carefulness in the expenditure of money or resources : thrift.
parsimony taken to extremes can cripple the administration of almost any organization.
2002. partiality

par-shee-AL-uh-tee
Originally Latin, this word went through French before becoming English.
noun
a predilection or fondness for one person or one thing rather than others : a special taste or liking.
Jim enjoys anything sweet, but he readily admits a partiality to caramel.
2003. particulate

pahr-TIK-yuh-lut
This word consists of a Latin part and a Latin-derived English element.
adjective
existing in the form of minute separate fragments.
particulate matter is a form of pollution that consists of small fragments suspended in the air.
2004. parturient

pahr-TUR-ee-unt
This word is from Latin.
adjective
being at the point of producing something (as an idea, discovery, or literary work).
The parturient author grew more and more disheveled as his manuscript's due date approached.
2005. parvo

PAHR-voh
This word is a shortening of a word composed of originally Latin parts.
noun
a highly contagious febrile disease of dogs that is caused by a virus, is spread especially by contact with infected feces, and is marked by loss of appetite, lethargy, often vomiting, and sometimes death.
Mike thinks that Boomer caught parvo from a neighbor dog who dug his way under the fence into the yard.
2006. pashmina

puhsh-MEE-nuh
This word is from Persian.
noun
the under fleece of upland goats that was used to make rugs and shawls but is now mostly exported.
While traveling the Himalayas, Gabrielle purchased a beautiful shawl woven from pashmina.
2007. pastrami

puh-STRAH-mee
Perhaps originally Latin, this word passed from Romanian to Yiddish to English.
noun
a highly seasoned smoked beef prepared especially from shoulder cuts.
For lunch Ollie made a sandwich with pastrami and mustard.
2008. patella

puh-TEL-uh
This word is from Greek-derived Latin.
noun
a thick flat triangular movable bone that forms the anterior point of the knee and protects the front of the joint : kneecap.
Deetya bumped her patella against the bottom of the desk when she crossed her legs too quickly.
2009. pathos

PAY-thahs
This word is from Greek.
noun
an element in artistic representation evoking pity or compassion.
The actress was highly praised for the pathos she evoked in her death scene.
2010. patronymic

pa-truh-NIM-ik
This word went from Greek to Latin.
noun
a name formed or developed from that of the father.
The surname MacDonald, meaning “the son of Donald,” is a common Scottish patronymic.
2011. paucity

PAH-suh-tee
Originally Latin, this word came to English from Latin or French.
noun
smallness of number.
The community struggled with an extreme paucity of resources.
2012. peacenik

PEE-snik
This word is made up of one element that went from Latin to French to English and another that went from Ukrainian and Polish to Yiddish.
noun
someone who opposes war.
Brenna made Grandma promise to look for the scrapbook with pictures of her days as a peacenik in the 1970s.
2013. peculate

PEH-kyu-layt
This word is from Latin.
verb
to embezzle.
The company informed its employees that if they peculate petty cash, they will be fired.
2014. pecuniary

pi-KYOO-nee-er-ee
This word is from Latin.
adjective
consisting of or taking the form of money.
Margaret appreciates her grandmother’s engagement ring for its sentimental value rather than its pecuniary worth.
2015. pedantry

PEH-dun-tree
This word is from French or Italian, which perhaps took it from a Greek-derived Latin word.
noun
an ostentatious presentation or application of knowledge or learning especially by a teacher or scholar.
Lydia sometimes worries that her constant, painstaking efforts to help other people improve their grammar might be misconstrued as pedantry.
2016. pelagial

puh-LAY-jee-ul
This word is formed from a part that passed from Greek to Latin plus an English element.
adjective
of the ocean.
Among the pelagial organisms Yazmin has studied, the moon jellyfish is her favorite.
2017. pelerine

pel-uh-REEN
This word came from French, which formed it from a Latin word.
noun
a woman’s narrow cape of fabric or fur usually with long ends hanging down in front.
Cynthia, dressed in a black jumpsuit and a red pelerine, was ready for the party.
2018. pelf

pelf
This word passed from French to English.
noun
money, wealth.
The financier hoarded his pelf like a dragon.
2019. pendentive

pen-DEN-tiv
This word came from French, which formed it from a Latin word.
noun
any supporting member at the corner of a square or polygonal plan for making the transition to a circular or octagonal plan.
The ingenious pendentive attracted the attention of the architectural historian.
2020. pendragon

pen-DRAG-un
The first part of this word is from Welsh, and the second part is from Latin-derived Welsh.
noun
a chief leader among the ancient British chiefs (as in time of war) : head of all the chiefs : king.
The young knight saluted the pendragon before heading out to battle.
2021. pendulous

PEN-juh-lus
This word is from Latin.
adjective
suspended in such as manner as to allow free swinging.
The pendulous wisteria drooped from the garden trellis.
2022. penitentiary

peh-nuh-TEN-shuh-ree
This word came to English from Latin.
noun
a public institution where people who break the law are confined for detention or for punishment, discipline and reformation.
The judge sentenced the convicted felon to 10 years in a federal penitentiary in upstate New York.
2023. penultimate

pih-NUL-tuh-mut
This word is from Latin.
adjective
next to the last.
In the word “ammunition” the stress falls on the penultimate syllable.
2024. pepita

peh-PEET-ah
This word is from Spanish.
noun
the edible seed of a pumpkin or squash often dried or toasted.
Carina tossed a pepita to the squirrel sitting patiently at her feet.
2025. per se

pur-SAY
This phrase is from Latin.
adverb
in, by, or of itself : intrinsically.
Kaylee knew she wasn't a chef per se, but she felt that her mastery of microwave popcorn was a step in the right direction.
2026. peradventure

pur-ud-VEN-chur
Originally Latin, this word went through French before becoming English.
noun
an opinion formed on guesswork.
Thinking that Phil’s favorite color is red just because he purchased a red car is a peradventure.
2027. perceptible

pur-SEP-tuh-bul
This word is from Latin.
adjective
capable of being identified or recognized through the senses.
The beating of the hummingbird’s wings was barely perceptible.
2028. periodontist

per-ee-oh-DAHN-tist
This word consists of originally Greek elements.
noun
a specialist in a branch of dentistry that is concerned with diseases of the supporting structures of the teeth.
Gertie's dentist reminded her that daily brushing and flossing would help her avoid a trip to the periodontist.
2029. peripheral

puh-RIF-uh-rul
This word is formed from a part that passed from Greek to Latin to French to English plus an English element.
adjective
located at the surface of the body or near to it : external to the body.
The nerves in the skin are part of the peripheral nervous system.
2030. periwinkle

PER-ih-wing-kul
This word is from a word that went from Latin to English.
noun
a trailing foliage plant often variegated and used for window boxes.
Because periwinkle tolerates shade, Lionel decided it would be perfect to plant as ground cover under the large tree.
2031. permutation

pur-myoo-TAY-shun
This word came to English from French, which took it from Latin.
noun
transformation.
Lex preferred to call his sudden decision to dye his hair his "purplish permutation."
2032. pernicious

pur-NISH-us
This word passed from Latin to French.
adjective
highly injurious or destructive : deadly.
The doctors finally eradicated the pernicious infection from the patient's lungs.
2033. perpetrator

PUR-puh-tray-tur
This word is from Latin.
noun
someone who commits an offense or a crime.
After a long investigation, police finally identified the perpetrator of the robbery.
2034. perquisite

PUR-kwuh-zut
This word is from Latin.
noun
a privilege, gain, or profit incidental to an employment in addition to regular salary or wages; especially : one expected or promised.
A perquisite of being a domestic servant in 18th-century England was being given their employer's old clothes, which the servant would often sell as being too fancy for their own use.
2035. perseverance

pur-suh-VIR-uns
This word passed from Latin to French to English.
noun
continued or steadfast pursuit of objectives or carrying out of a plan, project, or course of action.
After much perseverance, Frankie successfully rode her bicycle.
2036. perspicacious

pur-spuh-KAY-shus
This word is formed from an originally Latin part plus an English element.
adjective
of keen, shrewd mental vision or discernment.
The chief financial officer attributed the company’s record profits to perspicacious management.
2037. persuasible

pur-SWAY-zuh-bul
This word came from French, which formed it from Latin.
adjective
capable of winning over (as someone) by an appeal to one's reason and feelings (such as to do or believe something).
The self-help guru proved to be a persuasible orator.
2038. pertinacity

pur-tuh-NAS-uh-tee
This word came from French, which formed it from Latin.
noun
the state or quality of being doggedly unshakable.
The athlete was known for his pertinacity in the face of injuries.
2039. pestilence

PEH-stuh-luns
This word is from Latin.
noun
a contagious or infectious epidemic disease that has a rapid and severe course and is devastating.
The pestilence known as the Black Death killed 25 million people in Europe between 1347 and 1352.
2040. petroleum

puh-TROH-lee-um
This word was formed in Latin from a Greek part plus another Greek part probably of non-Indo-European origin.
noun
an oily, flammable bituminous liquid that is typically greenish or dark brown and that is refined to produce useful products (such as gasoline, kerosine and asphalt).
The country became wealthy from the several large petroleum deposits found within its borders.
2041. phenotype

FEE-nuh-tahyp
This word was originally formed in German from Greek-derived elements.
noun
the observable characteristics of an organism.
A phenotype may be a physical characteristic or a behavior of an organism.
2042. philosophize

fih-LAH-suh-fahyz
This word is formed from a part that passed from Greek to Latin to French to English plus an English element.
verb
to theorize or reflect.
Jermain will philosophize about any topic if given the opportunity.
2043. philtrum

FIL-trum
This word is from Greek.
noun
the vertical indentation on the midline of the upper lip.
Macy used her napkin to dab the sauce from her philtrum.
2044. phishing

FISH-ing
This word is an alteration of an originally English word.
noun
a scam by which an e-mail user is duped into revealing personal or confidential information (such as a password, bank account, or social security number) which the scammer can use illicitly.
When anyone called Aubrey for the purposes of phishing, she kept the conversation going for as long as possible just to frustrate them.
2045. phlebotomy

flih-BAH-tuh-mee
Originally Greek, this word passed through Latin and French before becoming English.
noun
the releasing of blood to treat a disease.
phlebotomy is performed to reduce excessive iron accumulation in the blood.
2046. phoenix

FEE-niks
This word is from an originally Greek word that passed into Latin.
noun
a legendary bird that is consumed in fire by its own act and then rises from its own ashes.
The phoenix is a prominent symbol on the flag and seal of the city of San Francisco.
2047. phonetician

foh-nuh-TISH-un
This word is from a word that passed from Greek to Latin to English plus an English element.
noun
someone who specializes in the study of spoken sounds as they are produced by the organs of speech and as they register on the ear.
When Omar decided to become a phonetician, he never dreamed he'd be working on speech recognition software.
2048. phosphorescent

fahs-fuh-RES-unt
This word is from a word that passed from Greek to Latin to French to English plus an English element.
adjective
characterized by or displaying luminescence.
The phosphorescent glow of decaying wood lit up the forest.
2049. phraseology

fray-zee-AHL-uh-jee
This word was formed in Latin from originally Greek elements.
noun
vocabulary.
The candidate’s careful phraseology avoided any hint of controversy.
2050. phycology

fahy-KAH-luh-jee
This word is made up of Greek-derived elements.
noun
the science of algae.
After studying phycology and business at university, Scott became an edible algae entrepreneur.
2051. phylum

FAHY-lum
This word is from an originally Greek word that passed into Latin.
noun
a division or category of the animal kingdom that is usually one of the primary ones.
Insects belong to the phylum Arthropoda.
2052. Pierre

pir
This word is a United States geographical name.
geographical entry
city and capital of South Dakota on the Missouri River in the central part of the state.
Pierre has been South Dakota’s capital since it became a state in 1889.
2053. piety

PAHY-uh-tee
This word came from French, which formed it from Latin.
noun
devoutness or zeal in religious worship or service.
Deacon Jones, noted for his piety and devotion to the church, has greeted visitors every Sunday for nearly 30 years.
2054. pilaster

pih-LAS-tur
This word is from French, which formed it from an Italian, which probably formed it from a Greek-derived Latin word.
noun
a rectangular upright architectural column that usually partially projects from the wall, and that may be load-bearing or merely surface decoration.
The architect explained that because the pilaster was merely a decoration, removing it for the room's renovation would not render the building structurally unstable.
2055. pileus

PAHY-lee-us
This word is from Latin.
noun
an umbrella-shaped upper cap of mushrooms and other fungi.
The forager examined the pileus of the mushroom to determine its type and whether it was edible.
2056. pilferer

PIL-fur-ur
This word is from a French word.
noun
a thief who steals items of small value.
The pilferer of pencils and paper from the office supply closet was identified on surveillance tape.
2057. pilosity

pahy-LAH-suh-tee
This word is from Latin.
noun
hairiness.
Body pilosity is often included in entomologists’ descriptions of insects.
2058. pilotage

PAHY-luh-tij
This word is formed from an originally Greek word that passed into Italian and then French before becoming English plus a Latin-derived English element.
noun
the act or business of steering or setting a course.
The ship's navigator was commended for his faultless pilotage of the ocean liner.
2059. pinnacle

PIN-ih-kul
This word passed from Latin to French to English.
noun
a high peak.
The clouds obscured the pinnacle from the view of those in the valley below.
2060. pinnate

PIH-nayt
This word is from Latin.
adjective
resembling a feather — used especially of compound leaves.
The chick-pea plant bears pinnate leaves.
2061. pious

PAHY-us
This word is from Latin.
adjective
devout.
Susan is pious and attends Mass daily.
2062. Pisces

PAHY-seez
This word is from Latin.
noun
the 12th sign of the zodiac.
Pisces falls between Aquarius and Aries, and as a water sign, is identified with people who are intuitive and creative, but also indecisive.
2063. pituitary

pih-TOO-uh-ter-ee
This word is from Latin.
adjective
relating to the small, oval endocrine organ attached to the base of the brain.
The pituitary gland produces various internal secretions that exert a controlling and regulating influence on growth and development.
2064. placoderm

PLAK-uh-durm
This word is formed from originally Greek elements.
noun
an extinct armored prehistoric fish.
Ksenia couldn't pronounce the name of the 33-foot long fossilized placoderm that she saw at the museum.
2065. plagiarism

PLAY-juh-rih-zum
This word is formed from a word that passed from Latin to English plus an English element.
noun
an act or an instance of stealing the words or ideas of another and passing them off as one's own.
The punishment for plagiarism in Mrs. Williams' class is an automatic zero on the assignment.
2066. plaintiff

PLAYN-tuf
This word passed from Latin to French to English.
noun
someone who initiates a lawsuit or personal action suit to get a remedy for an injury to his or her rights.
The plaintiff was suing the hospital for negligence because he developed a bacterial infection after surgery.
2067. planetesimal

plan-uh-TES-uh-mul
This word is formed from a word that passed from Greek to Latin to French to English plus a Latin-derived element.
noun
one of a number of small, solid celestial bodies of undetermined traits or qualities that may have existed at an early stage of the solar system's development.
Some scientists have proposed that the moons of Mars may have been created when Mars collided with a planetesimal.
2068. plangency

PLAN-jun-see
This word is formed from a word that passed from English to Latin plus an English element.
noun
an expressive, especially plaintive quality.
Regret and grief were expressed in the plangency of the singer’s voice.
2069. planisphere

PLAN-ih-sfir
This word was formed in Latin from an originally Latin part and a part that went from Greek to Latin.
noun
a polar projection of the apparent surface of the heavens and the stars on a flat surface with adjustable circles or other appendages for showing celestial phenomena for any given time.
A simple planisphere allows amateur astronomers to identify constellations and stars that are currently visible.
2070. planogram

PLAN-uh-gram
Both parts of this word are originally Greek.
noun
a schematic drawing or plan for displaying merchandise in a store so as to maximize sales.
Five minutes before the board meeting began, Sammy realized his planogram for the new store had no cashier stations.
2071. plantain

PLAN-tayn
This word passed from Latin to French to English.
noun
the starchy fruit of the tree of the same name that is distinguished from the banana by its angular shape and green color.
Fried chips of plantain are a common snack in the Caribbean.
2072. plantigrade

PLAN-tuh-grayd
This word was formed in French from Latin-derived elements.
adjective
walking on the sole with the heel touching the ground.
Most primates are not plantigrade.
2073. plaudits

PLAH-dits
This word is from Latin.
plural noun
strong approval that is expressed openly : enthusiastic commendations.
The senator earned plaudits for his speech against racism.
2074. plenitude

PLEN-uh-tood
This word passed from Latin to French to English.
noun
an abundance or great sufficiency of something.
Carina stared at the plenitude of books surrounding her and vowed never to leave the library, not even for meals.
2075. plentiful

PLEN-tih-ful
The first part of this word is from an originally Latin word that went through French before becoming English, and the second part is an English element.
adjective
containing or yielding abundance.
The orange growers are looking forward to a plentiful harvest.
2076. plumbago

plum-BAY-goh
This word is from Latin.
noun
graphite.
Mr. Conroe was surprised to learn that what he had always called "lead pencils" were filled with plumbago, never with lead.
2077. Plumeria

ploo-MIHR-ee-uh
This word is from a Latinized French name.
noun
a genus of tropical American shrubs or trees with thick fleshy branches and large highly fragrant, waxy-looking white, yellow, red or pink flowers.
Heinrich and Mandy received beautiful leis made from Plumeria blossoms when they landed at the airport in Hawaii.
2078. plutonomy

ploo-TAHN-uh-mee
This word is formed from originally Greek elements.
noun
a modern social science that deals with how economic and political processes relate to each other.
Scandal in the banking and investment industries in the past few years has caused a surge of public interest in plutonomy.
2079. poblano

poh-BLAH-noh
This word is from a Mexican geographical name.
noun
a large usually mild heart-shaped chili pepper especially when fresh and dark green.
Miranda added one more chopped poblano to the pot of chili she was making.
2080. podsnappery

pahd-SNAP-ur-ee
This word is from an English literary name plus an English element.
noun
an attitude toward life marked by complacency and a refusal to recognize unpleasant facts.
The professor tried to come up with ways to combat the podsnappery of some of his students.
2081. Podunk

POH-dungk
This word is from an American geographical name.
noun
a town that is isolated, small and not important.
The movie's plot featured a famous star whose car breaks down in a Podunk, resulting in her staying there for weeks.
2082. pointelle

poyn-TEL
This word is perhaps from a word that went from Latin to French to English plus a French element.
noun
an design of openwork usually in the shape of chevrons, or a fabric with this design.
Carlette wanted to try knitting pointelle but didn't have much money for yarn, so she started with a hat.
2083. politick

PAH-luh-tik
This word is from Greek.
verb
to engage in discussion or activity relating to matters of government.
The student body president decided that he would politick with the university’s board of regents on the matter of student financial aid.
2084. pollutant

puh-LOO-tunt
This word is formed from a word that passed from Latin to English plus an English element.
noun
a substance, medium or agent that makes (something) physically impure, unclean or dirty.
Ethylene gas is an air pollutant associated with industrial manufacturing and automobile exhaust.
2085. polonium

puh-LOH-nee-um
This word was formed in Latin from a Latinate European geographical name plus a Latin element.
noun
a radioactive metallic element that occurs in uranium-containing ores and in radium-lead residues.
polonium is extremely toxic and handling it requires extraordinary caution.
2086. polyester

pah-lee-EH-stur
The first part of this word is from Greek, and the second part is from a Greek- and Latin-derived German word.
noun
a synthetic fiber consisting wholly or chiefly of a complex ester formed by polymerization or condensation.
Bridget bought the loudest polyester jacket she could find at the thrift store to wear on Halloween.
2087. polygenous

puh-LIJ-un-us
This word is made up of originally Greek parts.
adjective
containing or consisting of many kinds or elements.
The polygenous contents of Sam's stocking on Christmas morning included socks, a yo-yo, and a book of jokes about goats.
2088. polypeptide

pah-lee-PEP-tahyd
This word was probably formed in German from originally Greek elements.
noun
a polymeric amide that by hydrolysis yields amino acids and that is obtained by partial hydrolysis of proteins or by synthesis.
A polypeptide combines with other polypeptides to form a protein.
2089. polysemy

PAH-lee-see-mee
This word is from Latin, which took it from Greek.
noun
the quality or state of having multiple meanings.
polysemy and misspelling are both obstacles to clear, coherent writing.
2090. polysyllabic

pah-lee-suh-LA-bik
The first part of this word is from an originally Greek word that passed into Latin, and the second part is from an English element.
adjective
having three or usually four or more units of spoken language.
Asher often uses polysyllabic words in an attempt to impress his teachers.
2091. pomato

puh-MAYT-oh
This word is a blend of an originally Taino word and an originally Nahuatl word, both of which passed into Spanish.
noun
a plant produced by grafting detached living portions of one plant that yields large, red berries onto a different plant that produces edible, starchy tubers.
Because the pomato plant produces both of the crops it's named for, it can help a farmer maximize productivity.
2092. pomegranate

PAH-muh-gra-nut
This word passed to English from French, which formed it from two originally Latin elements.
noun
the several-celled berry of a tropical African and Asiatic tree that is about the size of an orange, contains many seeds in a crimson acid pulp, and has a thick astringent rind.
The bright red splotches on Kiera’s hands testified to her having eaten a pomegranate.
2093. Pomeranian

pah-muh-RAY-nee-un
This word is from a historical European geographical name.
noun
a breed of very small compact short-coupled long-haired dogs of the Spitz type.
Colleen begged her mom for a little Pomeranian, explaining that it would help keep her warm during the winter.
2094. pomology

poh-MAH-luh-jee
The first part of this word is from an originally Latin word, and the second part is from an originally Greek word.
noun
the science of the growing of fruits.
John became familiar with fungi such as American brown rot, apple rust and banana freckle in his course in pomology.
2095. pomposity

pahm-PAHS-uh-tee
This word was formed in Latin from an originally Greek element plus Latin elements.
noun
an action, demeanor or speech that is self-important.
Although he had much power, the leader exhibited no trace of pomposity.
2096. pongee

pahn-JEE
This word is from Pekingese, a dialect of Chinese.
noun
a thin soft Chinese fabric that is usually tan color and is woven from raw silk.
Sap’s grandmother, who lives in China, sent her some beautiful curtains made of pongee.
2097. pontiff

PAHN-tif
This word came from French, which formed it from a Latin word.
noun
a head religious figure or a high priest.
Pope John Paul I was the Roman Catholic pontiff for only one month.
2098. populace

PAH-pyuh-lus
Originally Latin, this word passed from Italian to French.
noun
the total number of people or inhabitants.
When the state tried to change the motto on their license plate, the populace erupted in protest.
2099. porcelain

POHR-suh-lun
This word is from a Latin word that became Italian and then French.
noun
a hard, white, delicate ceramic substance that is fired at a high temperature and is used especially for table and ornamental goods.
Some old houses have doorknobs made of porcelain.
2100. porosity

puh-RAH-suh-tee
This word was formed in Latin from an originally Greek element plus Latin elements.
noun
the state or quality of being able to absorb moisture.
Because of eggplant's porosity, it soaks up oil and marinades very easily.
2101. portico

POHR-tih-koh
This word is from a Latin word that passed through Italian before becoming English.
noun
a colonnade or covered walkway particularly in classical architecture that typically is at a building's entrance.
The couple entered the shaded portico for a private conversation.
2102. posada

poh-SAH-duh
This word is from Spanish, which took it from a Greek-derived Latin word.
noun
an inn or hotel in countries where Spanish is spoken.
While traveling around Venezuela, Patricia and Maria stayed at a posada near the beach.
2103. posse

PAH-see
This word is from Latin.
noun
a large group of people who usually share some common interest.
Jordy led a posse of chemistry students around his lab.
2104. possessive

puh-ZES-iv
This word came from French, which formed it from a Latin word.
adjective
showing the desire to make one’s own or hold as one’s own.
Tom’s mother taught him that there was no need to be possessive about his toys.
2105. posterity

pah-STER-uh-tee
Originally Latin, this word went through French before becoming English.
noun
all succeeding generations.
The 7th grade class put together a time capsule for posterity.
2106. posthumous

PAHS-chuh-mus
This word is from Latin.
adjective
occurring after or following someone's death.
Mycah's favorite rapper achieved posthumous fame after her single was used on a soundtrack.
2107. postural

PAHS-chuh-rul
The first part of this word went from Latin to Italian to French to English and the second part is an English element.
adjective
relating to the characteristic position or bearing of the body.
postural scoliosis is a curvature in the spine caused by back pain or an imbalance in the base of support.
2108. potassium

puh-TAS-ee-um
This word was formed in Latin from a Dutch-derived English word plus a Latin element.
noun
a silver-white element of the alkali metal group that occurs abundantly in nature.
One medium banana packs only about 11 percent of the 4,700 milligrams of potassium that adults should aim to get daily.
2109. potentate

POHT-un-tayt
This word is from Latin.
noun
one who possesses great power or sway : a dictator.
Barry acts more like a potentate than a leader in his role as class president.
2110. potoroo

poh-tuh-ROO
This word is from an Australian name.
noun
a very small kangaroo from Australia and Tasmania that has a long and frequently prehensile tail — called also rat kangaroo.
The potoroo forages at night for grass, tubers, and underground fungi, which it digs up with its forepaws.
2111. prehensile

pree-HEN-sul
This word was formed in French from originally Latin parts.
adjective
suited for grasping or holding especially by wrapping around.
Upon waking from his dream, Claudio was disappointed when he realized he really did not have a prehensile tail.
2112. prelapsarian

pree-lap-SAR-ee-un
This word is made up of Latin and Latin-derived English elements.
adjective
characteristic of or belonging to the time before humankind’s departure from innocence or goodness.
The painting depicted Adam and Eve in prelapsarian paradise.
2113. preponderance

pri-PAHN-duh-runs
This word is from Latin.
noun
an excess in number.
The preponderance of people on low-carb and gluten-free diets threatened the local baker’s business.
2114. preposterous

prih-PAH-stuh-rus
This word is from Latin.
adjective
absurd, nonsensical, or contrary to reason or nature.
Louise woke up laughing from her preposterous dream.
2115. preprandial

pree-PRAN-dee-ul
This word is made up of ultimately Latin elements.
adjective
relating to the time immediately before dinner.
Before the dinner party guests were seated, Benito served a refreshing preprandial drink.
2116. prerogative

prih-RAH-guh-tiv
This word is from Latin.
noun
a special right or privilege belonging to a person, group or class of individuals.
Mom says that it's a mother's prerogative to change her mind.
2117. presentient

pree-SEN-chunt
This word is from Latin.
adjective
perceiving or feeling in advance of something.
Kate was presentient of her lost dog’s return.
2118. prespinous

pree-SPAHY-nus
This word is made up of originally Latin parts.
adjective
of, relating to, or being the part of the scapula situated above the spine.
The pitcher's unusual throwing motion had resulted in extreme strain on his prespinous area.
2119. prevenient

pree-VEEN-yunt
This word is from Latin.
adjective
happening or existing earlier in time or order, often with adverse effects.
prevenient exposure to difficult concepts before the lesson in which they are to be taught may actually improve students' accomplishments in class.
2120. prima donna

pree-muh-DAH-nuh
This word is from Latin-derived Italian.
noun
someone who finds it hard to work as part of a team or under direction, or who is impatient of criticism.
The singer was such a spoiled prima donna that no one wanted to work with her.
2121. primeval

prahy-MEE-vul
This word consists of an originally Latin part plus an English element.
adjective
relating to the earliest ages of the world or human history : ancient.
The beautiful tall trees and abundant wildlife led Giovanni to feel as though he were walking through a primeval forest.
2122. primogeniture

prahy-moh-JEN-uh-chur
This word is from Latin.
noun
the state of being the firstborn of the children of the same parents.
Male primogeniture was used to determine inheritance of real estate and titles in Scotland until an act of Parliament abolished the practice in 1964.
2123. princeps

PRIN-seps
This word is from Latin.
noun
a first edition of a work.
The princeps of the Bible was famously printed by Johannes Gutenberg in 1455.
2124. privatim

prahy-VAY-tum
This word is from Latin.
adverb
not in public or openly.
The university awarded the professor an honorary Master of Arts degree privatim.
2125. privet

PRIH-vit
This word is of unknown origin.
noun
an ornamental shrub used extensively for hedges.
Mr. Dursley planted a privet to close off the gap on the edge of his front yard.
2126. probative

PROH-buh-tiv
This word went from Latin to English.
adjective
serving to provide, establish, or contribute toward proof.
The defense attorney knew that the probative burden in the case was placed on the testimony of the eyewitness.
2127. procrustean

proh-KRUS-tee-un
This word is from a Greek name that then went into Latin plus a Latin-derived English element.
adjective
marked by complete disregard of individual differences or special circumstances and that arbitrarily often ruthlessly or violently forces into conformity with or subservience to something (as a system, policy, doctrine).
The designer was known for his procrustean attitudes, including one infamous pronouncement that people would simply have to change their bodies to fit his clothes.
2128. procurement

pruh-KYUR-munt
This word is made up of originally Latin parts.
noun
the act of taking possession of or obtaining.
Each August, Henry looks forward to the procurement of new back-to-school supplies.
2129. prodigious

pruh-DIH-jus
This word is from Latin.
adjective
enormous or immense.
The mayor complimented the public works crews for their prodigious efforts in coping with this year’s heavy snowfalls.
2130. profligacy

PRAH-flig-uh-see
This word is formed from a Latin word plus an English element.
noun
reckless extravagance and wastefulness.
Arno’s profligacy during his sophomore year forced him to apply for additional student loans.
2131. profundity

pruh-FUN-duh-tee
This word passed from Latin to French to English.
noun
keen understanding and insight : intellectual depth.
The profundity of Ned’s remark about the nature of the universe quieted the lunchroom crowd.
2132. proletarian

proh-luh-TER-ee-un
This word is from an originally Latin word plus an English element.
adjective
of, relating to or representative of a community’s lowest economic or social class.
Gina’s proletarian background proved to be an asset in her campaign for mayor.
2133. proliferate

pruh-LIF-uh-rayt
This word came from French, which formed it from a Latin word.
verb
to expand, to multiply, to spread.
Blackberry vines will proliferate very quickly if they are not cut back.
2134. prolix

PROH-liks
This word went from Latin to French to English.
adjective
given to wordiness in speaking or writing : long-winded.
Quentin’s prolix style was not well suited to a short-answer exam.
2135. prolusory

proh-LOO-sur-ee
This word is from Latin.
adjective
of, relating to or having the characteristics of an exercise or trial preliminary to a contest or performance.
Before her violin recital, Alba warmed up by playing some prolusory pieces.
2136. promontory

PRAH-mun-tohr-ee
This word is from Latin.
noun
a high point of rock or land protruding into a body of water beyond the coastline.
The architect designed a home that blended with the rocky promontory.
2137. proprietary

pruh-PRAHY-uh-ter-ee
This word is from Latin.
adjective
made and marketed by a person or group of people who have the only right to manufacture and sell the item(s).
The company’s computer system uses both free and proprietary software.
2138. proprioceptive

proh-pree-oh-SEP-tiv
This word is formed from two originally Latin-derived elements.
adjective
relating to stimuli that are produced or felt within an organism.
Daniel’s study tested whether blindfolded subjects could use proprioceptive feedback to move one arm a prescribed distance.
2139. prorogue

proh-ROHG
This word passed from Latin to French to English.
verb
to postpone or delay.
Parliament will prorogue discussion of the bill until after the election.
2140. prosody

PRAH-suh-dee
This word passed to English from Latin, which took it from a Greek word.
noun
the systematic study of metrical structure in verse.
The prosody of Horace’s first ten odes was Calvin’s downfall on the exam.
2141. protectorate

pruh-TEK-tuh-rit
This word is from Latin elements that passed through French.
noun
a territory that is protected and controlled politically by a larger, more powerful state especially for foreign relations and defense.
Cambodia became a French protectorate in 1864.
2142. protuberant

proh-TOO-buh-runt
This word is from Latin.
adjective
jutting out or bulging beyond the adjacent or surrounding surface : prominent.
The protuberant mound on Samantha's bed tipped her off as to the location of her cat.
2143. provenance

PRAH-vuh-nuns
This word came from French, which formed it from a Latin word.
noun
place of origin.
The lecturer maintained that Africa was the provenance of all human life.
2144. proviant

PRAH-vee-unt
This word passed from Latin to Italian to German.
noun
food, provisions.
Isaac made sure there was adequate proviant in his backpack before heading out on his hike.
2145. provincial

pruh-VIN-shul
This word came to English from Latin.
adjective
displaying the manners and ways of a rural area : unsophisticated.
Katie's open midwestern friendliness was labeled "provincial" by the snooty big-city dwellers.
2146. proviso

pruh-VAHY-zoh
This word came to English from Latin.
noun
a clause or article (such as a statute) that introduces a condition or qualification.
The Wilmot proviso of 1846 stipulated that no territory acquired by ending the Mexican-American War should be open to slavery.
2147. puchero

poo-CHEH-roh
This word is from Latin-derived Spanish.
noun
a stew or boiled dinner of Latin American origin that contains bacon, beef and sausage as well as a variety of vegetables.
Olivia sampled puchero at an Argentine restaurant.
2148. pugilist

PYOO-juh-list
This word is formed from a Latin element plus an English element.
noun
a person who boxes professionally.
Leo’s many years as a pugilist took a toll on his health after retirement.
2149. pugnacious

pug-NAY-shus
This word is from an originally Latin word plus an English element.
adjective
having an assertive, aggressive or combative nature.
The safari leader told the group about his encounter with a pugnacious bushpig.
2150. pulchritude

PUL-kruh-tood
This word came to English from Latin.
noun
physical beauty.
When he was a sixth grader, Richard composed a mushy ode to his girlfriend’s pulchritude.
2151. purvey

pur-VAY
This word went from Latin to French to English.
verb
to make available something wanted or needed.
The organization was supposed to purvey necessary information to people applying for government grants, but their website almost never worked.
2152. pyrite

PAHY-rahyt
This word is from Latin, which took it from Greek.
noun
a common mineral that is metallic and pale yellow in color — called also “fool’s gold.”
Lateesha bought a piece of pyrite to add to her rock and mineral collection.
2153. pyrotechnics

pahy-ruh-TEK-niks
This word was probably formed in French from originally Greek elements.
plural noun
a fireworks display.
The baseball team celebrated each victory with pyrotechnics.
2154. quadriceps

KWAH-druh-seps
This word is formed from originally Latin elements.
noun
the large extensor muscle of the front of the thigh that is separated into four parts that unite in a single tendon.
The soccer player was taken out of the game when he strained his right quadriceps.
2155. quadrilateral

kwah-druh-LAT-ur-ul
This word is from Latin.
noun
a two-dimensional figure with four sides and four angles.
The perimeter of a baseball diamond forms a quadrilateral.
2156. quadrillion

kwah-DRIL-yun
This word was formed in French from Latin-derived French elements.
noun
one followed by 15 zeros, or 10 to the 15th power.
Berkley could think of a quadrillion things she would rather be doing than weeding her father's garden.
2157. qualms

kwahmz
This word is of unknown origin.
plural noun
sudden misgivings or faintheartedness.
Colby had absolutely no qualms about skydiving until it was his turn.
2158. questionnaire

kwes-chuh-NER
This word is from a Latin-derived French word plus a part that went from Latin to French to English.
noun
a commissioned officer in the army, navy, air force or marine corps.
At the end of the novel, the young naval hero was finally promoted to questionnaire.
2159. quid pro quo

kwid-proh-KWOH
This phrase is from Latin.
noun
something that is given to or done for you in return for something you have given to or done for someone else.
Lacy made Paul lunch as a quid pro quo for helping her paint the living room.
2160. quiddity

KWIH-duh-tee
This word is from Latin.
noun
the ultimate form or the essential nature of something.
Maryn is a popular wedding photographer, in part due to her innate ability to capture the quiddity of her subjects.
2161. quinary

KWAHY-nuh-ree
This word is from Latin.
adjective
consisting of five : arranged by fives.
For fun, the 4th grade class renumbered all the schools' rooms using the quinary system.
2162. quince

kwints
Probably originally from a Mediterranean geographical name, this word passed from Greek to Latin to French before becoming English.
noun
an acidic yellow fruit that looks similar to an apple.
Ryan poached the quince and then added it to his pie filling.
2163. quirt

kwurt
This word is from a word that went from Latin to Spanish.
noun
a short-handled riding whip used especially in the western U.S.
Eager to get home, Juanita urged her horse on by using the quirt.
2164. quittance

KWIT-unts
This word was formed in French from Latin-derived elements before becoming English.
noun
discharge from a debt or an obligation.
Joseph offered his cousin an official deed of quittance, saying that what he had already received was payment enough.
2165. quixotic

kwik-SAH-tik
This word is from a Spanish literary name plus an English element.
adjective
idealistic and utterly impractical.
Some thought Eduardo's plan to a build a seaworthy boat out of marshmallows was quixotic, but others called it visionary.
2166. quotidian

kwoh-TID-ee-un
This word went from Latin to French to English.
adjective
common, ordinary, or everyday.
Gina's job was to deal with the quotidian customer service complaints, such as incorrect pricing and products being out of stock.
2167. QWERTY

KWUR-tee
This word is from English.
noun
a computer keyboard of standard design.
The QWERTY was initially designed to reduce the jamming of typewriter keys.
2168. rabato

ruh-BAYT-oh
This word is a modification of an originally Latin-derived French word.
noun
a wide lace-edged collar of the early 17th century worn turned down to lie across the shoulders or stiffened to stand high at the back and often open in front.
The 17th-century Dutch portrait depicted a man wearing a rabato.
2169. rabbinic

ruh-BIN-ik
The first part of this word came to English from French, which perhaps took it from Aramaic, and the second part is from English.
adjective
of or relating to the religious leaders of Jewish congregations or their writings.
Professor Gelb delivered a lecture on modern rabbinic thought.
2170. rambla

RAHM-bluh
Originally Arabic, this word went into Spanish before being adopted by English.
noun
a very wide street.
Beatriz enjoys strolling along the rambla, with its quaint cafes on either side and the throngs of people enjoying the open space.
2171. rambunctious

ram-BUNK-shus
This word is probably from another English word derived from Latin and English parts.
adjective
extremely high-spirited : wild.
Nothing pleases a group of rambunctious youngsters more than a good pillow fight.
2172. ramson

RAM-zun
This word is originally English.
noun
a broad-leaved garlic common in European gardens.
Vishal knows a spot in the woods where he forages for wild ramson.
2173. rankles

RANG-kulz
Originally Greek, this word passed from Latin to French before becoming English.
verb
causes irritation or bitter feelings in : makes angry.
Gina's superior tone when explaining things always rankles her sister a little.
2174. rapscallion

rap-SKAL-yun
This word is an alteration of a word with parts that went from Latin to French to English.
noun
a rascal; a good-for-nothing.
The rapscallion is auctioning goods from the villagers.
2175. raptatorial

rap-tuh-TOHR-ee-ul
This word is formed from an originally Latin element plus an English element.
adjective
taking other animals as prey.
As the number of raptatorial birds decreased, the rat and mouse population exploded.
2176. rasorial

ruh-SOHR-ee-ul
The first part of this word is from an originally Latin word, and the second part is from English.
adjective
habitually scratching the ground in search of food — used of a bird.
The chicken is a familiar rasorial bird.
2177. raucous

RAHK-us
This word is from Latin.
adjective
noisily unrestrained and rowdy : disorderly.
Randy enjoyed watching football, but preferred not to go to games as he found the crowd too raucous.
2178. reagent

ree-AY-junt
This word is from Latin.
noun
a substance used for various purposes because it takes part in one or more chemical reactions or biological processes.
Stuart explained that the substance used up first in the experiment is called a “limiting reagent.”
2179. realgar

ree-AL-gahr
Originally Arabic, this word passed through Catalan and Latin before entering English.
noun
an orange-red mineral that is made up of arsenic sulfide.
realgar is often used to create white fireworks.
2180. realm

relm
This word passed from Latin to French to English.
noun
domain.
Rian is convinced that time travel will be within the realm of possibility in the near future.
2181. Realtor

REEL-tur
This word is a collective mark.
collective mark
— used for a real estate agent who has been admitted into the National Association of Realtors.
Joe’s mother was named “Realtor of the Year” by the local chamber of commerce.
2182. rebarbative

ree-BAHR-buh-tiv
This word is from French, which formed it from Latin.
adjective
tending to irritate.
Teresa complained that she found the school play rebarbative.
2183. reboation

reb-uh-WAY-shun
This word is formed from a Latin element plus an English element.
noun
a loud sound reflected repeatedly after the source has ended.
The reboation of the ship’s foghorn signaled the ship’s entrance into the harbor.
2184. reciprocity

reh-suh-PRAH-suh-tee
This word is formed from an originally Latin element plus an English element.
noun
give-and-take.
A treaty of reciprocity called for the lowering of protective tariffs by both countries.
2185. reconcilable

rek-un-SAHY-luh-bul
This word is formed from a word that passed from Latin to French to English plus an English element.
adjective
capable of being resolved.
Avi hopes that his differences with Sheila are reconcilable.
2186. reconnoiter

reh-kuh-NOY-tur
This word is from Latin-derived French.
verb
to preliminarily examine or survey (something).
Jay's dad sent him ahead to reconnoiter any good restaurants nearby.
2187. recreant

REK-ree-unt
Originally Latin, this word went through French before becoming English.
noun
a deserter.
In some countries the punishment for a wartime recreant is exceptionally harsh.
2188. recriminatory

rih-KRIM-uh-nuh-tor-ee
This word is formed from an originally Latin element plus an English element.
adjective
having the character of a counter accusation.
When charged with insubordination, the soldier filed recriminatory charges against his commanding officer.
2189. recrudescent

ree-kroo-DES-unt
This word is from Latin.
adjective
renewal of disease after it has slowed, been suppressed or ended.
Due to the recrudescent nature of tuberculosis, those who have been exposed to the disease should be tested for it periodically.
2190. recumbent

rih-KUM-bunt
This word is from Latin.
adjective
having a horizontal position : lying down.
Several sheep, recumbent in the field, were roused and herded into their pen for the night.
2191. recusancy

rih-KYOO-zun-see
This word is from a word that passed from Latin to English plus an English element.
noun
refusal to comply with a regulation or conform to authority.
Anthony was sentenced to prison for his recusancy in not paying federal taxes.
2192. redolent

REH-duh-lunt
This word passed from Latin to French to English.
adjective
giving off fragrance.
Ryan could smell the redolent bouquet from the other side of the kitchen.
2193. refrigerant

rih-FRIJ-ur-unt
This word is originally from Latin.
noun
a substance (such as ice, ammonia, or carbon dioxide) used to make or keep something cool.
Mr. Horton wants to replace his current air-conditioning system with one that uses an ozone-friendly refrigerant.
2194. refugium

ruh-FYOO-jee-um
This word is from Latin.
noun
an area of relatively unaltered climate that is inhabited by plants and animals during a period of continental climatic change.
A large area of southern France and northern Spain was a refugium during the Last Glacial Maximum.
2195. regalia

rih-GAYL-yuh
This word is from Latin.
plural noun
badges, emblems or special costume that indicate achievement of an office or of membership in a group.
Clad in full regalia, the Pope addressed the small group that had been granted an audience.
2196. reggae

REH-gay
This word is of unknown origin.
noun
popular Jamaican music that combines rock and soul with indigenous musical styles.
The travel documentary about Jamaica featured a soundtrack of reggae.
2197. regnal

REG-nul
This word is from Latin.
adjective
relating to a reign, a monarch, or a kingdom.
A regnal name is a name used by a monarch or pope while reigning, and is not necessarily a birth name.
2198. regurgitate

ree-GURJ-uh-tayt
This word is from Latin.
verb
to bring, forcefully impel, or pour back out again.
Mrs. Thompson explained to her son that many birds regurgitate their food to feed their nestlings.
2199. reimbursable

ree-im-BURS-uh-bul
This word is made up of elements that passed from Latin to French to English.
adjective
able to be repaid.
Agatha’s medical insurance company did not consider a face-lift a reimbursable expense.
2200. reminiscent

rem-uh-NIS-unt
This word is from Latin.
adjective
serving to suggest or remind of something familiar.
The perfume’s fragrance is reminiscent of fresh lilacs.
2201. remonstrance

rih-MAHN-strunts
This word is from Latin-derived French.
noun
an act or instance of stating in opposition or protesting.
The loud remonstrance of the home team’s supporters caused the officials to award the away team two free throws.
2202. remuda

ruh-MOO-duh
This word is from a word that went from Latin to Spanish.
noun
a herd of saddle horses from which are chosen those to be used for the day by the ranch hands.
The foreman told Alonzo to go to the corral and choose another horse from the remuda.
2203. remuneration

rih-myoo-nuh-RAY-shun
This word is from Latin.
noun
compensation for a service or expense.
Mr. Shimada gave Sophie two tickets to Disneyland as remuneration for the many errands she had run for him.
2204. renegotiate

ree-nih-GOH-shee-ayt
This word consists of originally Latin elements.
verb
to again communicate or confer with another so as to arrive at the settlement of some matter.
After a year at her new job, Juanita asked if she could renegotiate her contract in order to receive a higher salary.
2205. renitency

REN-uh-tun-see
This word is from Latin.
noun
resistance, opposition.
The student’s renitency to accept the consequences of his actions led to his expulsion.
2206. reparations

reh-puh-RAY-shunz
This word is from a word that passed from Latin to French to English.
plural noun
compensation for damages sustained or money spent during hostilities paid by a defeated nation to another nation.
After World War I, Germany was forced to pay heavy reparations to the victors.
2207. repentant

rih-PENT-unt
This word went from Latin to French before becoming English.
adjective
experiencing contrition for one’s sins together with a dedication to changing one’s life and values for the better.
When Scarlett O’Hara finally understood what Rhett Butler meant to her, she was repentant for the many wrongs she had done him.
2208. repercussion

ree-pur-KUH-shun
This word is from Latin.
noun
an impact, action, or effect given or exerted in return : a consequence.
Fetin voted to kick Raul out of the club without fear of repercussion.
2209. repository

rih-PAH-zuh-tor-ee
This word is from Latin.
noun
a container, room or place where something is stored or kept.
The local library would be a suitable repository for Mr. Leopold’s autograph collection.
2210. reprieve

rih-PREEV
This word is probably from a word that passed from Latin to French to English.
noun
a temporary escape or a postponement (such as from trouble or death).
The rainstorm brought a brief reprieve from the hot, dry summer weather.
2211. reprisal

rih-PRAHY-zul
Originally formed in Italian from Latin-derived elements, this word passed through French before becoming English.
noun
an act of inflicting in return (as for an injury or other harm).
Terrorists began to escalate their attacks in reprisal for the bombing raids on their encampments.
2212. Requiem

REK-wee-um
This word came to English from Latin.
noun
a grand song of praise or joy made to honor the dead.
Many orchestras include a classical Requiem in their repertoire.
2213. requisition

rek-wuh-ZISH-un
This word is from Latin.
noun
a request made in writing for something that is permitted but not automatically provided.
The teacher filled out a requisition to have new supplies for her classroom before the start of the school year.
2214. resilience

rih-ZIL-yunts
This word is formed from a Latin element plus an English element.
noun
the capacity to easily adjust or recover from change or adversity.
Vera showed her resilience by recovering quickly from her skiing accident.
2215. restitutory

res-tuh-TOO-tur-ee
This word is from Latin.
adjective
of, relating to, or aiming at the return of something to its rightful owner, or giving an equivalent for some injury (as a loss of or damage to property).
The judge’s verdict included punitive as well as restitutory features.
2216. résumé

REZ-uh-may
This word is from Latin-derived French.
noun
a brief summary of a person's education and professional experience.
Ferdinand realized he had forgotten to update his résumé with his summer job at the Snack Shack.
2217. resuscitate

rih-SUS-uh-tayt
This word is from Latin.
verb
to bring (someone) back to life or from unconsciousness.
Jenna peeked ahead to the last chapter of the book and learned that a young hospital intern would resuscitate the main character.
2218. retina

RET-uh-nuh
This word is from a word that went from Latin to English.
noun
the sensory membrane that lines most of the large posterior chamber of the vertebrate eye, receives the image formed by the lens, is the immediate instrument of vision, and is connected to the brain by the optic nerve.
The ophthalmologist treated Mrs. Simpson for a detached retina.
2219. retinol

REHT-un-ahl
This word is formed from Latin-derived elements.
noun
a pale yellow unsaturated alcohol used in various medicines.
retinol is used frequently in skin care products.
2220. retinoscopy

reh-ten-AHS-kuh-pee
This word is formed from a Latin-derived element plus a Greek-derived element.
noun
observation of the sensory membrane that lines most of the back of the eye in vertebrates.
The ophthalmologist always included a retinoscopy as part of the eye exam.
2221. retrocedence

ret-ruh-SEE-dents
This word is from Latin.
noun
the act of giving territory back again.
In 1997, the British government completed the retrocedence of Hong Kong to China.
2222. retrodict

reh-truh-DIKT
This word was formed in English from originally Latin parts.
verb
to infer a past state of affairs from present observational data.
Based on present data, the astronomer was able to retrodict every solar eclipse from the past two millennia, down to the minute each occurred.
2223. retrograde

RET-ruh-grayd
This word is from Latin.
adjective
tending or moving backward.
The soldiers fought a retrograde action.
2224. revenant

REV-uh-nunt
This word is from a Latin-derived French word.
adjective
happening again or coming back.
The more Rachel tries to put the revenant dream out of her mind, the more often it recurs.
2225. reverberant

rih-VURB-uh-runt
This word is from Latin.
adjective
marked by or tending to repeat in or as if in repeated echoes.
We could hear the wolf's reverberant call from the hills.
2226. rhapsody

RAP-suh-dee
This word is from an originally Greek word that passed into Latin.
noun
an instrumental composition that is irregular in form like an improvisation or free fantasia.
Gershwin’s “rhapsody in Blue” is one of the best-known examples of the form.
2227. rhizome

RAHY-zohm
This word is from Latin, which took it from Greek.
noun
a long stem or branch of a plant that usually grows horizontally underground and differs from a root in having buds, nodes and usually scalelike leaves.
The fronds of a fern grow up from the rhizome.
2228. ricochet

RIK-uh-shay
This word is from French.
noun
skipping or a springing back.
Albert and Tyler carefully counted each ricochet in the stone-skipping contest.
2229. rictus

RIK-tus
This word is from Latin.
noun
a gaping grimace.
Reuben’s face was frozen in a rictus of horror during the movie’s last scene.
2230. rigatoni

rig-uh-TOH-nee
This word is from a Germanic element that was used to form an Italian word that then entered English.
noun
hollow pasta made in short curved fluted pieces.
Maurice served rigatoni with sausage and fennel.
2231. ritziness

RITS-ee-nis
This word was formed in English from a Swiss name plus English elements.
noun
the quality of being very luxurious, elegant or expensive in a showy way.
The ritziness of the country club made Shawna feel out of place.
2232. rollicking

RAH-lik-ing
This word is of unknown origin.
adjective
full of or expressing light-hearted joyfulness.
Shivani had promised they would have a rollicking good time, but Jeb didn't think the cactus exhibition really sounded all that fun.
2233. Romano

roh-MAH-noh
This word went from Latin to Italian.
noun
a sharp hard cheese of pale color and granular texture made of ewe’s milk and now also of milk from cows and goats.
Rosella always adds a generous heap of freshly grated Romano to her pasta dishes.
2234. rosin

RAHZ-in
This word is from a word that passed from Greek to Latin to French to English.
noun
a brittle translucent pine resin that is used in varnishes, inks, polishes and on bows for string instruments.
Amber rubbed a block of rosin on her violin's bow hair so that the bow would grip the strings and make them vibrate clearly.
2235. rostrum

RAH-strum
This word is from Latin.
noun
a pulpit or platform occupied by an orator or public speaker.
Robin stepped up on the rostrum, took a drink of water, and then began her speech.
2236. rotulet

RAHCH-uh-lit
This word is from Latin.
noun
a small scroll or register.
The circuit judge logs all her court business in a rotulet.
2237. roustabout

RAUS-tuh-baut
This word consists of two originally English parts.
noun
a laborer with some or no technical training.
The roustabout assisted in general work around the oil rig.
2238. Rubicon

ROO-buh-kahn
This word is from a Latin name for an Italian river.
noun
a boundary line that when crossed represents an unalterable commitment to something.
Alta put off choosing a college major because she felt that to do so would be crossing the Rubicon.
2239. rudiments

ROO-duh-munts
This word is from Latin.
plural noun
foundational skills that are learned or taught at school.
Reading, writing and arithmetic are the rudiments of elementary school education.
2240. rugose

ROO-gohs
This word is from Latin.
adjective
having the spaces between veinlets elevated.
Sage has rugose leaves that are used as a flavoring in cooking.
2241. ruminate

ROO-muh-nayt
This word is from Latin.
verb
to carefully think about something for a while or periodically.
Thelma and Ruby often sit back in their rocking chairs and ruminate on how the world has changed since they were children.
2242. rustication

rust-ih-KAY-shun
This word is from Latin.
noun
retreat to or living in the country.
The poet enjoyed a temporary rustication in Glacier National Park every summer in order to clear his mind and draw new inspiration from the natural environment.
2243. sabbatical

suh-BAT-ik-ul
This word is formed from a part that went from Hebrew to Greek to Latin plus an English element.
noun
an authorized, paid absence from a position for research, rest or travel.
Professor Scheuer spent his sabbatical in Kenya studying elephants.
2244. sabermetrics

say-bur-MET-riks
This word is formed from an English acronym plus a Greek-derived English element.
plural noun
the application of statistical analysis to factual information from baseball.
Richard, whose favorite hobby is sabermetrics, knows the RBI of every Cincinnati Reds player for the last two decades.
2245. sacrament

SAK-ruh-munt
This word went from Latin to French to English.
noun
a Christian act, practice or ceremony considered to have been established or recognized by Jesus Christ.
In the Catholic Church, the first sacrament is baptism.
2246. sacrosanct

SAK-roh-sangkt
This word is from Latin.
adjective
inviolable.
The use of loud voices is inappropriate in the sacrosanct temple.
2247. sailage

SAYL-ij
This word is made up of two English parts.
noun
the total amount of canvas by means of which the wind is used to move ships through the water.
Ishmael examined the sailage for any defects before setting out on the long ocean voyage.
2248. salience

SAYL-yuns
This word is from Latin.
noun
the quality of being of noteworthy significance.
Dad acknowledged the salience of Brewster's argument, but still said dessert before supper was out of the question.
2249. saltatory

SAL-tuh-tor-ee
This word is from Latin.
adjective
of or relating to dancing.
Mumtaz, dressed in her new leotard, took a few saltatory steps around the living room.
2250. saltern

SOL-turn
This word is originally English.
noun
a building or place where a colorless or white crystalline compound of sodium chloride is made by boiling or evaporation.
An early saltern likely existed at Xiechi Lake in China in approximately 6000 B.C.E.
2251. sapphire

SA-fahyr
This word is from an originally Sanskrit word that went through Hebrew, Greek, Latin, and French before becoming English.
noun
a valuable precious transparent blue stone.
To celebrate her September birthday, Kate bought herself a necklace with two diamonds and a single sapphire.
2252. sardonic

sar-DAHN-ik
This word is from an originally Greek word that passed into French before becoming English.
adjective
indicative of or marked by mockery, ridicule or scorn.
"Revenge is mine!" exclaimed Frank with a sardonic laugh.
2253. sarmentum

sahr-MEN-tum
This word is from Latin.
noun
a slender running stem : a runner.
Ian spotted a new sarmentum forming on one of his strawberry plants.
2254. sartorial

sahr-TOR-ee-ul
This word is formed from a Latin part plus an English element.
adjective
relating to clothing generally.
Daisy, who longed to be a sartorial rebel, sometimes went to school wearing purple tights under her uniform.
2255. sashay

sa-SHAY
This word comes from a Latin-derived French word.
verb
to walk around or move about in such a way as to attract or seek to attract attention often by gaudiness or obviousness.
Tasha began to sashay around the room, showing off her new shoes.
2256. saturnine

SAT-ur-nahyn
This word is from Latin.
adjective
sullen.
Shirley’s father-in-law is a saturnine person with a quick temper.
2257. sauerkraut

SAU-ur-kraut
This word is from German.
noun
cabbage cut fine and allowed to ferment in a brine made of its own juice with salt.
Every Oktoberfest, Hans's grandmother makes a large platter of pork sausages with sauerkraut.
2258. scarab

SKAR-ub
This word went from Latin to French.
noun
a type of large usually dung beetle with a plate or shield that stretches over its head to cover the mouthparts.
To the Ancient Egyptians the scarab was a symbol of Khepri, the early morning manifestation of the sun god Ra.
2259. scarlatina

skahr-luh-TEEN-uh
This word is from Latin, which ultimately formed it from a word of Persian origin.
noun
an acute contagious disease marked by fever and rash.
Diseases such as scarlatina were once the scourge of childhood.
2260. scenographer

see-NAHG-ruh-fur
This word is from a Greek word plus an English element.
noun
a person who paints stage scenery.
The scenographer painted a mountainous background for a setting of "The Sound of Music."
2261. scherzo

SKURT-soh
This word is from Italian.
noun
a sprightly humorous instrumental musical composition or movement that is commonly in quick triple time.
The lively scherzo lifted Barb's spirits.
2262. schism

SKIZ-um
Originally Greek, this word went from Latin to French before becoming English.
noun
a split or division of a group into two disagreeing groups.
The Civil War was the result of a deep schism between the North and South.
2263. schnell

shnel
This word is from German.
adverb
in a rapid manner : quickly - used as a direction in music.
Although the music instructed the passage to be played schnell, Hyung couldn’t play it quickly enough until he had had several days’ practice.
2264. schooner

SKOON-ur
This word is of unknown origin.
noun
a type of boat with a fore-and-aft rig and at least two masts, and that is designed to sail close to the wind.
India won the Miami-to-Nassau yacht race with her 80-foot schooner.
2265. sclerosis

sklih-ROH-sis
This word went from Greek to Latin before becoming English.
noun
pathological hardening of body tissue.
The sclerosis of Shamir’s arteries puts him at risk of having a heart attack.
2266. scrivener

SKRIV-uh-nur
This word is from a word that passed from Latin to French to English.
noun
a typically unimportant or unknown author.
The critic dismissed the novel as the uninspired work of a scrivener.
2267. scrumptiously

SKRUM-shus-lee
This word is probably an alteration of a word that went from Latin to French to English.
adverb
in an excellent or highly pleasing way.
Phoenix thanked his mom for the scrumptiously prepared meal in honor of the A+ on his pre algebra test.
2268. scumble

SKUM-bul
This word is from a Dutch-derived English word.
verb
to soften a drawing's lines by rubbing them lightly.
The art teacher showed the class how to scumble an area of canvas to achieve a softer effect.
2269. scuppers

SKUP-urz
This word is originally English.
plural noun
drains set in the deck of a ship.
scuppers are used to drain ocean and rainwater from the deck of a ship.
2270. scythe

sahyth
This word is originally English.
noun
a tool with a long handle and a long curving blade that is used for cutting grass or crops such as grain.
A worker used a scythe to cut the tall grass growing alongside the road.
2271. secant

SEE-kant
This word is from Latin.
noun
a straight line that cuts a curve into at least two parts.
Hajra learned to calculate the secant in trigonometry class.
2272. secession

sih-SESH-un
This word is from Latin.
noun
the act of formally withdrawing from an organization.
The declaration of independence by Lithuania in 1990 marked the first secession of a state from the Soviet Union.
2273. sedentary

SED-un-ter-ee
This word went from Latin to French.
adjective
requiring or characterized by sitting or limited activity.
Heidi accused Adrian of being a couch potato but he preferred to say he had a sedentary lifestyle.
2274. sedge

sej
This word is originally English.
noun
a solid-stemmed perennial grasslike herb.
One of the numerous types of sedge is the papyrus, from which ancient Egyptians crafted their famous writing material.
2275. sedum

SEE-dum
This word is from Latin.
noun
any plant of a genus of fleshy herbs having yellow, white or pink flowers, membranous fruit and often tufted stems.
The company's green roof was planted with drought-tolerant sedum.
2276. seethe

seeth
This word is from English.
verb
to be in an state of passionate emotion or inner agitation.
When he found out he hadn't gotten the part, Rob began to quietly seethe with fury.
2277. senecio

sih-NEE-see-oh
This word is from Latin.
noun
a plant of a genus of very widely distributed herbs, shrubs, and trees that have alternate or basal leaves and yellow-rayed flowers.
Avielle's favorite houseplant is her senecio because it's easy to care for and provides a splash of fun color to her kitchen.
2278. seneschal

SEN-ih-shul
This word came to English from Germanic-derived French.
noun
an agent or steward of a powerful medieval lord or king.
The seneschal pounded his staff on the floor three times and announced the king’s visitors.
2279. senna

SEN-uh
This word passed from Arabic to Latin.
noun
the dried leaflets of various plants of the genus Cassia used in medicine as a purgative.
senna has been used for thousands of years for its medicinal properties and remains in use to this day.
2280. sensei

SEN-say
This word is from Japanese.
noun
a teacher or instructor usually of Japanese martial arts.
The judo students were taught to line up behind their sensei at the beginning of each class.
2281. septennial

sep-TEN-ee-ul
This word consists of a Latin part plus an English element.
adjective
lasting for a seven-year period.
Since legislation in 1716, the British government has had septennial parliaments; previously they were triennial.
2282. septum

SEP-tum
This word is from Latin.
noun
the peak of a gradual increase (as in physical or emotional force or intensity).
As soon as his boat sailed out of the harbor, Angus realized that the wind was nearing a septum.
2283. sepulchral

sih-PUL-krul
This word is from Latin.
adjective
having qualities suggestive of a funeral.
Dusk and a vase of gardenias gave the parlor a sepulchral air.
2284. seraphic

sih-RAF-ik
This word is from a word that went from Hebrew to Latin.
adjective
of or relating to an angel of the highest order : sublime.
The youth choir ended its concert with a seraphic chorale.
2285. serrated

SEH-ray-tid
This word is from Latin.
adjective
having an edge that is toothed or notched.
Cody always uses a knife with a serrated blade to slice bread.
2286. sesame

SES-uh-mee
This word is from a word that went from Semitic to Greek to Latin and was influenced by French.
noun
small flattish seeds that are used in cooking and as a source for oil.
Hoi likes to eat her hamburgers on sesame buns.
2287. settee

seh-TEE
This word is from English.
noun
a couch of medium size.
Shobha decided that a red-upholstered settee would look perfect in the corner in her living room.
2288. severance

SEV-uh-runts
This word is from a word that went from Latin to French to English.
noun
the act of dividing or breaking up into parts.
The unprovoked attack led to the severance of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
2289. shaman

SHAH-mun
Originally Sanskrit, this word passed from Pali to Tungus to Russian.
noun
a priest-doctor who uses magic to cure the sick, to divine the hidden, and to control events.
The shaman performed a ritual to heal the afflicted woman.
2290. shazam

shuh-ZAM
This word is an acronym formed from several names and was originally used in a comic strip.
interjection
— used to reveal a sudden transformation or appearance.
The magician shouted “shazam!” when she opened the cabinet.
2291. shebang

shih-BANG
This word is perhaps an alteration of an originally Irish Gaelic word.
noun
thing.
The other members of the prom committee left early, leaving Manny to plan the whole shebang by himself.
2292. sheldrake

SHEL-drayk
This word is formed from originally English parts.
noun
a common coastal European duck that is a bit larger than a mallard.
The sheldrake is remarkable for its size as well as for the beauty of its plumage.
2293. Shenandoah

shen-un-DOH-uh
This word is a North American geographical name.
geographical entry
a river 55 miles long in northern Virginia flowing northeast between the Allegheny and Blue Ridge Mountains across the northeastern tip of West Virginia and into the Potomac River and forming the valley of the same name.
Dilip pulled over to the scenic overlook on Skyline Drive to see the Shenandoah winding through the valley.
2294. shenanigans

shuh-NAN-ih-gunz
This word is of unknown origin.
plural noun
pranks.
On the first day of school, Mrs. Gibson warned the class that she would not put up with any shenanigans in her classroom.
2295. Shetland

SHET-lund
This word is from a Scottish geographical name.
noun
an animal of a breed or type native to or developed in an archipelago off northern Scotland.
Small and stocky, the Shetland pony is used for riding and driving.
2296. shirk

shurk
This word is of unknown origin.
verb
to avoid a disagreeable task because of laziness or distaste.
After receiving some negative feedback from her boss, Maura pledged never to shirk even the smallest responsibility in the future.
2297. shoji

SHOH-jee
This word is from Japanese.
noun
a paper screen used as a divider or sliding door.
Kayoko bought a beautifully painted shoji for her mother.
2298. sieve

siv
This word is originally English.
noun
a meshed or perforated tool or utensil that is used to refine dry material and strain liquid.
The operator of the gem mine handed each person a sieve and wished everyone good luck.
2299. simpatico

sim-PAH-tih-koh
Originally from a Greek-derived Latin word, this word passed into Italian and Spanish.
adjective
likable.
The hero of the novel is a thoroughly simpatico character.
2300. simultaneity

sahy-muhl-tuh-NEE-uh-tee
This word is from Latin.
noun
the quality or state of happening or operating at the same time.
The simultaneity of the two graduation parties forced Betsy to choose between them.
2301. singultus

sing-GUHL-tus
This word is from Latin.
noun
a hiccup.
A singultus interrupted the vocalist's last line of her song.
2302. sirenian

sahy-REE-nee-un
This word is formed from a Greek-derived Latin word plus an English element.
noun
one of a type of aquatic, plant-eating mammals, such as the manatee.
The future of the sirenian in Florida is in doubt because of the increasing boat traffic.
2303. Sirius

SIR-ee-us
This word passed from Greek to Latin to English.
noun
in astronomy, a white star visible in the constellation Canis Major that is the brightest star in the night sky.
Sirius, also called the Dog Star, is actually a pair of stars orbiting around a single center of gravity.
2304. slalom

SLAH-lum
This word is from Norwegian.
noun
skiing in a curvy course between obstacles.
Tully did the slalom down the mountainside.
2305. slumgullion

SLUM-gul-yun
This word is from a part that probably came from German plus a part that probably went from Latin to French to English.
noun
a stew made of meat.
Mom told Colin that he was eating a traditional bowl of slumgullion, but he quickly figured out it was just her regular Friday night stew recipe.
2306. smellfungus

SMEL-fung-gus
This word is from an English literary name.
noun
someone who tends to find fault in others.
Troy thinks his Spanish teacher is a smellfungus, because she is constantly yelling "Silencio!" and glaring at him when all he is doing is whispering to his best friend.
2307. smithereens

smith-uh-REENZ
This word is from Irish Gaelic.
plural noun
fragments.
Elden watched in horror as the delicate bowl fell and smashed into smithereens.
2308. snell

snell
This word is originally English.
adjective
having a keen edge : piercing, biting.
As day gave way to night, a snell chill swept the land.
2309. sobersides

SOH-bur-sahydz
This word consists of a part that went from Latin to French to English plus an originally English part.
plural noun
one who is of a serious nature or not given to levity.
The novel features an aged sobersides who spends her day reading and rereading the books in her library.
2310. solon

SOH-lun
This word is from a Greek name.
noun
a wise and skillful lawgiver or statesperson.
The senator is revered throughout the county as a solon.
2311. somatotype

SOH-muh-tuh-tahyp
This word is formed from two elements that passed from Greek to Latin.
noun
body type.
W.H. Sheldon developed the now obsolete concept of the somatotype in the 1940s to categorize human body types.
2312. somniloquy

sahm-NIH-luh-kwee
This word is comprised of originally Latin parts.
noun
the action or practice of talking in sleep.
The girls in Cabin 12 exploited their counselor's somniloquy to learn where the confiscated candy had been hidden.
2313. soothsayer

SOOTH-say-ur
This word is formed from originally English elements.
noun
someone who makes predictions based on symptoms or signs.
A gaudy painting of a hand with an eye in its palm marks the house of the soothsayer.
2314. sophomoric

sof-uh-MOR-ik
This word is from Greek.
adjective
superficial.
Cora’s sophomoric analysis irritated her Quidditch teammates.
2315. soppiness

SAHP-ee-nis
This word is originally English.
noun
the condition of being soaked through or very wet.
There had been too much rain and the soppiness of the field meant that baseball practice was cancelled.
2316. sousaphone

SOOZ-uh-fohn
This word is from an American name plus a Greek-derived English element.
noun
a large round tuba with a flared bell.
Mr. Morris, the band director, was looking for someone who could play the sousaphone.
2317. Spaniel

SPAN-yul
Originally Latin, this word passed from Italian to Old Provençal to French before becoming English.
noun
a short-legged, droopy-eared dog with long wavy hair and feathered legs and tail.
Gemma's Spaniel loves to go to the beach and play in the waves.
2318. spathe

spayth
This word is from a word that passed from Greek to Latin.
noun
a sheathing bract or pair of bracts embracing or enclosing an inflorescence that varies in form and coloring and occurs typically in plants whose inflorescence is a spadix.
The spathe of a corpse flower is petal-like, furrowed, and, when opened, a dark red or purple inside.
2319. speciation

spee-shee-AY-shun
This word is from originally Latin parts.
noun
formation of a group of intimately related and physically similar organisms that actually or potentially interbreed.
Darwin believed that the migration of finches to different islands in the Galapagos showed how speciation could rapidly occur from a common ancestor.
2320. spectrometer

spek-TRAH-muh-tur
This word is formed from originally Latin and Greek parts.
noun
a tool designed to examine and measure chemical compounds.
The mass spectrometer is used to identify atoms and molecules according to their atomic masses.
2321. spinosity

spahy-NAH-suh-tee
This word is from Latin.
noun
a quality or thing that is prickly or difficult.
The spinosity of Eleanor’s relationship with her boss is causing her to look for a new job.
2322. spiracle

SPIR-uh-kul
This word is from Latin.
noun
one of the breathing pores that are usually in 10 pairs on the thorax and abdomen of an insect.
The muscular valve of a spiracle relaxes and opens to allow the uptake of oxygen and the escape of carbon dioxide.
2323. spirulina

spahyr-uh-LAHY-nuh
This word is from Latin.
noun
a very small thready aquatic bacterium or blue-green alga that is developed for use as a dietary supplement.
Abilene always adds a spoonful of spirulina to her morning smoothie for protein.
2324. splenetic

splih-NET-ik
This word is from Latin, which formed it from Greek elements.
adjective
characterized by spiteful anger.
The splenetic critic gave the musical a scathing review.
2325. sponsalia

SPAHN-say-lee-uh
This word is from Latin.
noun
a formal promise or contract for a future marriage between persons competent to make such a contract.
In Renaissance Italy, a sponsalia resembled the brokering of a modern-day corporate merger.
2326. spontaneity

spahn-tuh-NEE-uh-tee
This word is from Latin.
noun
the trait of being impulsive.
Brian has always liked to stick to a schedule, but lately he has shown more spontaneity than usual.
2327. sprightliness

SPRAHYT-lee-nis
This word consists of a part that went from Latin to French to English plus English elements.
noun
cheerful liveliness.
It was obvious from the sprightliness of Brenna’s manner that she was in a good mood.
2328. sprue

sproo
This word is from a Dutch word.
noun
a chronic hereditary intestinal disorder in which an inability to a part of gluten triggers an immune response that damages the lining of the small intestine : celiac disease.
When Derrick eliminated gluten from his diet, he no longer suffered symptoms of sprue.
2329. spurious

SPYUR-ee-us
This word is from Latin.
adjective
outwardly comparable to something without having its real qualities.
Lily didn’t impress her friends with her spurious “diamond” ring.
2330. stagflation

stag-FLAY-shun
This word is formed from two words of Latin derivation.
noun
continual increases in the costs of goods and services combined with low demand for those goods and services and relatively high unemployment.
Many worried that the recent economic downturn would lead to a period of stagflation.
2331. staid

stayd
Originally Latin, this word went through French before becoming English.
adjective
grave.
Scrooge was a stingy, staid curmudgeon.
2332. stalwart

STAHL-wurt
This word is formed from originally English parts.
adjective
brave.
Samson the pug was Nora's stalwart companion throughout all her childhood adventures.
2333. statistician

stat-ih-STISH-un
This word is formed from a part that went from Latin to German plus an English element.
noun
someone whose job is to compile masses of numerical data or who is skilled in that field.
Caleb’s career as a statistician began with following baseball scores.
2334. statuesque

stach-uh-WESK
This word is from a word that went from Latin to French to English plus a French-derived English element.
adjective
majestic.
A statuesque sculpture stood in the town square.
2335. statusy

STA-tus-ee
The first part of this word is originally Latin and the second part is an English element.
adjective
having, showing, or conferring superior rank or high prestige.
When people dine at Thalia's restaurant, they pay for the fancy decor and statusy location, not for great food.
2336. steeve

steev
Originally Latin, this word probably passed through Spanish or Portuguese to English.
verb
to stow especially in a ship’s hold.
Most passengers on the transatlantic voyage steeve their large trunks because the typical cabin is small.
2337. stegosaur

STEG-uh-sor
This word is from Greek.
noun
a dinosaur with two lines of bony plates on its back.
The diorama depicted a stegosaur whacking an attacker with its tail.
2338. steinkirk

STEEN-kurk
This word is from French, which took it from a Belgian geographical name.
noun
a band or scarf of fine cloth with long hanging ends worn especially in the 18th century by men and women.
The portrait features a dapper gentleman wearing an artfully arranged, yet deliberately messy and untidy, steinkirk.
2339. stellular

STEL-yuh-lur
This word is from Latin.
adjective
shaped like a little star.
For each grammatical error in the essay, the teacher placed a stellular mark in the margin.
2340. stentorian

sten-TOR-ee-un
This word is from a Greek name plus an English combining form.
adjective
extremely loud : capable of powerful utterance or sound.
Mitchell’s stentorian voice could be heard by everyone on the bus.
2341. steppe

step
This word is from Russian.
noun
one of the large, flat stretches of land in southeastern Europe or Asia that do not have woods.
The scientists explored the steppe in search of exotic wildlife.
2342. stevia

STEE-vee-uh
This word was formed from a Spanish name plus a Latin-derived element.
noun
a white powder that is used as a calorie-free sweetener.
David has begun to use stevia to sweeten his morning coffee.
2343. stimuli

STIM-yuh-lahy
This word is from Latin.
plural noun
things that temporarily increase an organism's physiological activity.
Sensitivity is the ability of an organism to respond to external or internal stimuli.
2344. stipulate

STIP-yuh-layt
This word is from Latin.
verb
to state as a term or requirement in an agreement.
Many corporations that allow employees to telecommute also stipulate the working hours and equipment to be used.
2345. stratification

strat-uh-fuh-KAY-shun
This word is from Latin.
noun
a structuring of social classes into a hierarchy based on importance.
The stratification among the spouses of military personnel is unofficial but sometimes obvious.
2346. stratocracy

struh-TAHK-ruh-see
The first part of this word is from Greek, and the second part passed from Greek to Latin to French.
noun
a military government : government based on an army.
A small group of civilians ousted the stratocracy and set up a democratic government.
2347. stratosphere

STRAT-us-fir
This word was formed in French from originally Latin and originally Greek elements.
noun
an upper part of the atmosphere in which the temperature does not change much with altitude and water-filled clouds are rare.
Scientists regularly measure the amount of ozone at various altitudes in the stratosphere.
2348. striation

STRAHY-ay-shun
This word is formed from a Latin-derived English word plus an English element.
noun
the state of being marked with narrow lines or bands.
striation in bedrock is sometimes the result of glacial abrasion.
2349. stricture

STRIK-chur
This word is from Latin.
noun
an abnormal narrowing of a tubular organ.
The stricture of Amahl's throat was caused by an allergic reaction to a bee sting.
2350. stridency

STRAHY-dun-see
This word is from Latin.
noun
the state of loudly demanding notice.
The politician's stridency on the controversial issue incited anger in some voters.
2351. Styrofoam

STAHY-ruh-fohm
This word is a trademark.
trademark
– used for an expanded rigid polystyrene plastic.
Albertus brings his own travel mug to coffee shops so he doesn’t have to use a Styrofoam cup.
2352. subjugate

SUB-juh-gayt
This word passed from Latin to English.
verb
force to submit to control and governance : make submissive or subject : master.
Horse whisperers subjugate traumatized animals by using communication techniques derived from observing the behavior of wild horses.
2353. subliminal

suh-BLIM-uh-nul
This word is from Latin.
adjective
designed to affect the mind on an unconscious level.
subliminal advertising makes the most lasting impression when it is subtle and clever.
2354. subluxated

sub-LUK-say-tid
This word is from Latin plus an English element.
adjective
partially dislocated, as of a joint.
The chiropractor told Tara that her cervical vertebrae were probably subluxated as a result of the car accident she had been in three years earlier.
2355. submersible

sub-MUR-suh-bul
This word is formed from an originally Latin element plus an English element.
adjective
able to operate under water.
The earliest designs for submersible vehicles date to antiquity.
2356. subrident

suh-BRAHY-dunt
This word is from Latin.
adjective
presented with a smile.
Eilene’s subrident answer belied the furious feelings she had toward the questioner.
2357. subsequent

SUB-sih-kwunt
This word is from a word that went from Latin to English.
adjective
being or occurring after something else.
Derrick's accident and subsequent surgery to repair the damage kept him away from work for two weeks.
2358. subsistence

sub-SIS-tuns
This word is from Latin.
noun
a mode of obtaining the necessities of life : livelihood.
Brianne moved to Costa Rica after graduating from college to gain experience in subsistence farming.
2359. substrate

SUB-strayt
This word is originally Latin.
noun
the base on which an organism lives.
Keisha found that the milkweed seeds germinated best in a substrate of moist, sandy soil.
2360. subterranean

sub-tuh-RAY-nee-un
This word is formed from a Latin element plus an English element.
adjective
functioning below the earth's surface.
The mole is a subterranean creature.
2361. subtlety

SUH-tul-tee
This word passed from Latin to French to English.
noun
the characteristic of being tenuous or vague.
When asking his mom for a favor, Gary preferred subtlety to a more direct approach.
2362. subversive

sub-VUR-siv
This word is from Latin and contains an English part.
adjective
having a tendency to overthrow, upset or destroy.
The court found the defendant's actions subversive and convicted him of treason.
2363. successive

suk-SEH-siv
This word passed from Latin to English.
adjective
following in order : following each other without interruption.
After his sixth successive month achieving the highest profits in the company, James was named employee of the year.
2364. succumb

suh-KUM
This word is from Latin.
verb
to yield to a stronger force.
Laney refused to succumb to the temptation that was her mom's chocolate trifle.
2365. suet

SOO-it
This word passed from Latin to French to English.
noun
a type of hard fat from cattle and sheep that can be melted into a white tasteless solid.
Lucy added a mixture of suet and peanut butter to her bird feeder.
2366. suffrage

SUH-frij
This word came to English from French, which formed it from a Latin word.
noun
the right to take part in electing public officials.
The 19th amendment to the United States Constitution gives women suffrage.
2367. Sumatran

soo-MAH-trun
The first part of this word is from an Indonesian geographical name, and the second part is from English.
adjective
characteristic of an island of western Indonesia south of the Malay Peninsula.
The Sumatran striped rabbit is so rare that there have been only four confirmed sightings in the wild since 1972, and the local population doesn’t even have a name for it.
2368. summoned

SUH-mund
This word is from a word that went from Latin to French to English.
verb
bade to come or go : commanded or requested the presence or service of : sent for.
Mr. Patel summoned a doctor after his daughter fell and injured her ankle.
2369. superficiality

soo-per-fish-ee-AL-uh-tee
This word is formed from a Latin-derived English word plus an English element.
noun
the state of being interested only in what is obvious.
The superficiality of the news report omitted the real importance of holding the world's largest cowbell ensemble.
2370. superstitious

soo-pur-STISH-us
This word passed from Latin to French to English.
adjective
based on a belief that results from fear of what is not known.
Adanna regarded her friend's fear of black cats as superstitious nonsense.
2371. supine

soo-PAHYN
This word is from Latin.
adjective
reclining on the back.
Hunter's dog stayed supine while getting her belly rubbed.
2372. supplicate

SUHP-luh-kayt
This word is from Latin.
verb
to request modestly and earnestly of someone or something.
The defendant wondered how he would best supplicate the court for mercy.
2373. supremacy

suh-PREM-uh-see
This word is formed from a Latin element plus an English element.
noun
ultimate or final authority.
The supremacy Clause of the United States Constitution establishes that the Constitution and federal law take precedence over state laws.
2374. surcease

sur-SEES
This word is from a word that went from Latin to French to English.
verb
to discontinue.
Because of the upcoming holiday, the union members will probably surcease their protest.
2375. surety

SHUR-uh-tee
This word passed from Latin to French to English.
noun
ground of confidence or security, such as against loss or damage.
Terence's mother took away his screen time as a surety that he would rake the front yard, promising she'd give it back as soon as he'd finished.
2376. surmountable

sur-MAUN-tuh-bul
This word is formed from a Latin-derived French word that then became English plus an originally Latin element.
adjective
able to be overcome.
Rob is confident that most of the problems associated with his learning disability are surmountable.
2377. surrealist

suh-REE-uh-list
This word was formed in French from originally Latin elements.
adjective
having the traits of producing fantastical imagery in literature or art.
"The Persistence of Memory," a painting by Salvador Dalí depicting melting watches, is a famous surrealist work.
2378. swale

swayl
This word probably came to English from a word of Scandinavian origin.
noun
a low-lying stretch of land, such as a low area between two ridges of a beach or sandspit.
Reina watched the dog and his owner walk along the beach until they disappeared into a swale beyond the high curve of a sand dune.
2379. sycophant

SIK-uh-funt
This word is from Latin, which took it from Greek.
noun
a flatterer or person who is only seeking their own advantage or pleasure.
Hoping to gain royal favor, the sycophant used every opportunity to flatter the king.
2380. syllabus

SIL-uh-bus
This word is from an originally Greek word that passed into Latin.
noun
a summary of a course of study.
After reading the syllabus for the seminar, Brad realized he had made a terrible mistake by enrolling.
2381. sylph

silf
This word is from Latin.
noun
an imaginary being that lives in the air.
Karina chose to be a sylph in her new online game, using air magic to defeat her enemies.
2382. symmetrical

suh-MEH-trih-kul
This word is from a Greek-derived Latin word plus English elements.
adjective
balanced.
The structure of the human body is generally symmetrical.
2383. symposium

sim-POH-zee-um
The word went from Greek to Latin.
noun
a conference at which people give short speeches about a topic or related topics.
As a graphic design student, Quincy was sure he would learn a lot from the International symposium on Computer Animation.
2384. syndactylism

sin-DAK-tuh-liz-um
This word is from a Greek-derived French word.
noun
a union of two or more digits that is typical for some animals but appears as an inherited disorder in humans characterized by webbed fingers or toes.
syndactylism is fairly common and affects about one of every 2,500 children born.
2385. syndicate

SIN-duh-kut
This word was formed from an originally Greek word that passed through Latin and into French.
noun
a loose union of people who extort money or advantages.
The police have spent years trying to get evidence to convict the head of the local crime syndicate.
2386. syntonize

SIN-tuh-nahyz
This word is from originally Greek parts.
verb
to put (two or more radio instruments or systems) in resonance : to tune.
The engineers worked to syntonize the drones with each other and with the central computer before the light show.
2387. syntrophism

SIN-truh-fiz-um
This word is from originally Greek elements.
noun
mutual dependence for the satisfaction of nutritional needs.
The two bacterial strains exhibit syntrophism, with each strain synthesizing the growth factor needed by the other.
2388. syringe

sih-RINJ
This word is from an originally Greek word that passed into Latin and then English.
noun
a tool used to inject medicines.
The nurse gave Myra the shot using a syringe.
2389. tabernacle

TAB-ur-nak-ul
Originally Latin, this word went through French before becoming English.
noun
a building used principally for religious services.
The camp meeting will be held at the tabernacle on 21st Street.
2390. tableau

ta-BLOH
This word is from French, which formed it from a Latin word.
noun
a stationary grouping of people usually arranged on a stage and dressed in costume.
The second act of the play ended with a tableau featuring the cast gathered around a kitchen table.
2391. tabulate

TA-byuh-layt
The first part of this word is from Latin and the second part is an English element.
verb
to set up (as data) in rows and columns.
Filiberto was asked to tabulate the results of the dorm assignments for first-year students.
2392. taciturn

TAS-uh-turn
This word came from French, which formed it from a Latin word.
adjective
hesitant to talk.
Mrs. Gibbons found it challenging to draw the taciturn student into class discussions.
2393. tae kwon do

tahy-kwahn-doh
This word is from Korean.
noun
a martial art of Korean origin that resembles karate.
tae kwon do made its Olympic debut at the 2000 games in Sydney.
2394. tai chi

TAHY-CHEE
This word is from the Beijing dialect of Mandarin Chinese.
noun
an ancient Chinese discipline practiced as a system of exercises for attaining bodily or mental control and well-being.
Since starting tai chi six months ago, Kareem has seen an improvement in his balance and flexibility and a reduction of his arthritis pain.
2395. talisman

TAL-us-mun
This word came from Italian or Spanish or French, which took it from a Greek-derived Arabic word.
noun
an object thought to work as a charm to ward off evil and bring good fortune.
Claude keeps his rabbit's foot with him at all times as a talisman against bad luck.
2396. tambourine

tam-buh-REEN
This word is from an originally Persian word that passed into Arabic and then into French.
noun
a shallow one-headed drum with loose metallic disks or jingles at the sides that is played by shaking, striking with the hand, or rubbing with the thumb.
Shaquille’s baby sister banged the tambourine on the floor.
2397. tamworth

TAM-wurth
This word is from an English geographical name.
noun
an animal of a breed of large long-bodied red swine.
Jane named her tamworth "Ruby" because of its reddish color.
2398. tangerine

tan-juh-REEN
This word is from a Moroccan geographical name plus an English element.
noun
a citrus fruit with deep orange flesh and skin.
Gretchen put a tangerine in the toe of Joe's Christmas stocking.
2399. tantrum

TAN-trum
This word is of unknown origin.
noun
a sudden outburst of bad temper.
The spoiled child threw a tantrum when he didn't get his way.
2400. tapioca

tap-ee-OH-kuh
This word is from an originally Tupi word that came to English from Portuguese and Spanish.
noun
a compound of processed cassava starch that is used to thicken food, such as pudding.
Sam’s recipe for blueberry pie calls for two tablespoons of quick-cooking tapioca.
2401. tappet

TAP-it
This word consists of an English element partly of Germanic-derived French origin and partly of Scandinavian origin, plus an English element.
noun
a lever or projection moved by some other piece or intended to tap or touch something else to cause a particular motion.
In an internal combustion engine, the tappet converts the rotation of the camshaft into an upward motion that opens and closes a valve.
2402. tarlatan

TAHR-luh-tun
This word is from French.
noun
a sheer cotton fabric used for dresses, costumes, dust covers, trimmings, and some industrial purposes.
Historically, tarlatan was often used for summer dresses because the stiffened fabric kept its shape like silk but was airy and cooler to wear.
2403. Tasmanian

taz-MAY-nee-un
This word is from a Pacific geographical name, plus an English element.
adjective
of or belonging to an island in the South Pacific separated from the southeastern part of mainland Australia by Bass Strait.
The Tasmanian wolf is a marsupial animal that used to live in Australia as well as Tasmania.
2404. taverna

tah-VER-nuh
This word went from Latin to Greek.
noun
a Greek café.
The taverna on 8th street makes all of their moussaka in-house.
2405. taxidermy

TAK-suh-dur-mee
This word consists of originally Greek parts.
noun
the art of preparing lifelike representations of animals by stuffing the skin.
Georgette found taxidermy to be an odd practice but recognized that to be done well it required a lot of skill.
2406. taxonomic

tak-suh-NAHM-ik
This word was formed in French from originally Greek elements.
adjective
relating to the systematic classification of organisms by their common characteristics.
The zoologist's study included taxonomic and distributional information about the amphibians and reptiles of Texas.
2407. tectonic

tek-TAHN-ik
This word is from an originally Greek word that passed into Latin.
adjective
relating to the folding, faulting, shearing or compression of the crust of the earth, the forces that cause it, and the rock structures that occur because of it.
tectonic activity generated the monster tsunami.
2408. teemed

teemd
This word is originally English.
verb
abounded.
As evening fell, the area around the lake teemed with mosquitoes.
2409. Tejano

tay-HAH-noh
This word is from a Spanish word for an American geographical name plus a Latin-derived English element.
noun
Tex-Mex popular music combining elements of traditional, rock, and country music and often featuring an accordion.
The singer Selena is often referred to as the "Queen of Tejano music," and her birthday, April 16th, is still celebrated each year as Selena Day in Texas.
2410. telepathic

tel-uh-PATH-ik
Both parts of this word are originally Greek.
adjective
relating to communication between minds that is perceived outside the five senses.
The twins seem to have some sort of telepathic mode of communication.
2411. telmatology

tel-muh-TAHL-uh-jee
This word is made up of Greek elements.
noun
a branch of science concerned with the study of wetlands.
Karen dropped the class on telmatology from her schedule second semester in order to keep from getting bogged down.
2412. temblor

TEM-blur
This word came to English from Latin-derived Spanish.
noun
an earthquake.
Municipal authorities said that the old hotel would not withstand a strong temblor.
2413. tempestuous

tem-PES-chuh-wus
This word is from Latin.
adjective
relating to or being like a turbulent, violent storm.
When the novice sailors began to doubt that they would be able to handle the tempestuous conditions, they radioed the Coast Guard for help.
2414. tempura

tem-PUR-uh
This word is from Japanese.
noun
seafood and vegetables that are dipped in batter and deep fried.
The waiter brought a small dish of vegetable tempura as an appetizer.
2415. tenaciously

tuh-NAYSH-us-lee
This word is formed from an originally Latin element plus English elements.
adverb
persistently.
On the first day of school, Sybil vowed to tenaciously pursue her goal of being named to her school's honor roll.
2416. tenement

TEN-uh-munt
This word passed from Latin to French to English.
noun
an apartment.
Polly grew up in a tenement on the north side of the city.
2417. tensile

TEN-sul
This word is from Latin.
adjective
relating to the act of stretching.
tensile structures are often used in architecture for bridges or roofs.
2418. tentacled

TEN-tih-kuld
This word is from Latin.
adjective
having elongated flexible parts that project outward from the main mass of an organism, borne by animals chiefly on the head or about the mouth, and that are usually able to feel or grasp.
All tentacled animals fascinate Navneeth, but jellyfish are his favorite.
2419. tepidity

tih-PID-uh-tee
This word is from Latin.
noun
lukewarmness.
The tepidity of the audience’s response embarrassed the orchestra conductor.
2420. tercentenary

tur-sen-TEN-uh-ree
This word is formed from originally Latin parts.
noun
a 300th anniversary of an event.
In 2016 Natchez, Mississippi, celebrated the tercentenary of its founding in 1716 by French settlers.
2421. terminus

TUR-muh-nus
This word is from Latin.
noun
the end in either direction of a transportation line.
Tacoma was the western terminus of the Northern Pacific Railroad.
2422. terra-cotta

ter-uh-KAHT-uh
This word is from Italian.
noun
a reddish ceramic material that is usually left unglazed.
Mei Li bought a pot made of terra-cotta to hold plants by her front door.
2423. terrarium

tuh-RER-ee-um
This word is from Latin.
noun
an enclosed glass container for the indoor cultivation of moisture-loving plants.
Mosses and other small woodland plants thrive in a terrarium.
2424. tertiary

TUR-shee-ehr-ee
This word is from Latin.
adjective
third in order or importance : preceded by two others.
Hitting a home run was tertiary to Larry; getting on base and winning the game were more critical.
2425. Thailand

TAHY-land
This word is an Asian geographical name.
geographical entry
a country in southeastern Asia on the Andaman Sea whose capital is Bangkok.
Albin spent a year in Thailand after college, studying Buddhism and working to protect endangered animal species.
2426. theomachy

thee-AH-muh-kee
Both parts of this word are originally Greek.
noun
a struggle, quarrel or battle among the gods.
In the “Iliad” and the “Odyssey,” Homer relates many instances of theomachy in which humans are the unfortunate victims.
2427. theorem

THEE-uh-rum
This word went from Greek to Latin.
noun
a mathematical statement that has been proved or whose truth has been inferred by way of surmise.
Although Pythagoras is credited with the Pythagorean theorem, it is sometimes argued that the knowledge it is based on predates him.
2428. theosophy

thee-AH-suh-fee
Formed in Latin, this word is made up of ultimately Greek parts.
noun
a body of doctrine relating to deity, cosmos, and self.
Those interested in theosophy seek to understand the mysteries of the universe and the bonds that unite the human and the divine.
2429. theriatrics

thir-ee-AT-riks
This word is formed from originally Greek elements.
plural noun
the study or practice of veterinary medicine.
Joanna bewildered her friends when she said that her father is a specialist in theriatrics.
2430. thoroughbred

THUR-uh-bred
This word is formed from originally English parts.
noun
a light, quick English horse that is kept mostly for racing and that originated from crosses between English mares and Arabian stallions.
Aviva’s thoroughbred comes from a line of Kentucky Derby winners.
2431. thrasonical

thray-SAHN-ih-kul
This word is from a Roman literary name plus an English element.
adjective
boastful.
Cleo’s father asked her not to be thrasonical about her birthday presents in front of her brother.
2432. thwartwise

THWORT-wahyz
The first part of this word is from an originally Old Norse word that then passed into English, and the second part is originally English.
adverb
crosswise.
During the ice storm, a huge tree fell thwartwise across the path to the lake.
2433. thyme

tahym
This word is from an originally Greek word that passed through Latin and French into English.
noun
a garden herb used to season food and that used to be used in medicine.
The chicken recipe called for a teaspoon of dried thyme.
2434. tiffany

TIH-fuh-nee
This word is probably from a word that passed from Greek to Latin to French.
noun
a sheer silk gauze formerly used for clothing and trimmings.
An antique tiffany shawl was draped around the mannequin in the fashion museum.
2435. tiffin

TIF-in
This word is probably from another English word of unknown origin.
noun
a luncheon.
The tiffin that Ashani prepared for her college roommates rivaled a gourmet dinner.
2436. Tinseltown

TIN-sul-taun
The first part of this word is from Latin-derived French, and the second is originally English.
noun
the American film industry : Hollywood.
After her fourth starring role in a box office smash, Jen was dubbed the "Queen of Tinseltown."
2437. titian

TISH-un
This word is from an Italian name.
noun
someone who has brownish-orange hair.
Bored with her usual raven locks, Carrie decided that she would spend a month or two as a titian.
2438. titration

tahy-TRAY-shun
This word is made up of a Latin-derived French word and an English element.
noun
a determination of the reactive capacity usually of a solution.
Mark prepared to do a titration by transferring 40 milliliters of sodium hydroxide into a flask.
2439. tomfoolery

tahm-FOOL-uh-ree
This word is derived from an English word formed from an English nickname and a word that went from Latin to French to English plus an English element.
noun
nonsense.
Grandpa gave the boys a stern warning that he would tolerate no tomfoolery at the dinner table.
2440. tommyrot

TAH-mee-raht
The first part of this word is from a nickname, and the second part is from Scandinavian-derived English.
noun
complete foolishness or nonsense.
Mom told Trevor that although his excuse was creative, she simply couldn't believe such tommyrot.
2441. tomography

tuh-MAH-gruh-fee
This word was probably originally formed in German from Greek parts.
noun
a method of medical radiography that produces an image that is clear and sharp for one area of the body but blurry for the surrounding areas.
Magnetic resonance imaging is one form of tomography.
2442. toorie

TOOR-ih
This word was formed in Scots English from a word that passed from Greek to Latin to English plus a part from Scots English.
noun
a tassel on a Scotch bonnet.
Alistair has a large collection of tams, caps, and bonnets, each one a traditional plaid and sporting a jaunty toorie.
2443. topgallant

tahp-GAL-unt
This word is formed from an originally English word plus a word that went from Germanic to French to English.
adjective
relating to a part between the royal mast and the topmast.
The sailor raised a flag on the topgallant mast.
2444. topiary

TOH-pee-er-ee
This word is Latin, which formed it from a Greek word.
noun
a decorative shrub or tree that has been shaped by training and pruning.
The entrance to the zoo features many plants, including a topiary shaped like an elephant.
2445. toploftical

tahp-LAHF-tih-kul
This word probably consists of an originally English part, a part that went from Old Norse to English, and an English element.
adjective
extremely haughty in manner or attitude.
Gracie’s toploftical verbal and written expression both amaze and alienate her classmates.
2446. toponymic

tah-puh-NIM-ik
This word is formed from two parts that went from Greek to Latin plus an English element.
adjective
relating to names of geographical places or the study of the origins of the names.
A study of toponymic names in England reveals their Celtic, Latin, Anglo-Saxon, Danish and French origins.
2447. torsion

TOR-shun
This word is formed from a Latin element plus an English element.
noun
the condition of turning or being twisted.
torsion catapults were used frequently in medieval warfare.
2448. tosh

tahsh
This word is of unknown origin.
noun
sheer nonsense : foolish talk or actions.
Albert didn't believe one word of the tosh he read in the online forum.
2449. toties quoties

TOH-tee-ays-KWOH-tee-ays
This word entry is from Latin.
adverb
repeatedly — used of an indulgence in the Roman Catholic Church that may be gained or granted as often as the required works are performed.
Lilly learned about an indulgence granted toties quoties in her religious studies class.
2450. toxicosis

tahk-suh-KOH-sis
This word consists of two originally Greek parts.
noun
a disease caused by a poisonous substance.
The Chihuahua exhibited no symptoms of toxicosis after eating the soap.
2451. tractability

trak-tuh-BIL-uh-tee
This word is from Latin.
noun
the quality of being easily taught or managed.
A dog's tractability is a measure of how well he focuses on and follows direction from his master.
2452. traiteur

tray-TUR
This word is from Latin-derived French.
noun
the keeper of a French or Italian eating house.
The traiteur offered a daily special at an extra discount for his regular customers.
2453. transcend

tran-SEND
This word is from Latin.
verb
exceed.
The dire needs of the earthquake victims transcend the political differences between the multicultural teams of rescuers.
2454. transducer

trans-DOO-sur
This word is from Latin plus an English element.
noun
a device actuated by power from one system and supplying power to a second system.
A common transducer is a microphone, which converts sound waves into electrical signals.
2455. transhumance

tranz-HYOO-muns
This word is from a word that went from Latin to Spanish to French.
noun
the movement of livestock between pastures and mountains that occurs seasonally.
transhumance remains an essential pastoral activity in many sheep-raising areas.
2456. transience

TRAN-shee-unts
This word is from Latin.
noun
the characteristic or state of lasting only a short time.
The photographer is able to capture transience by being ready to click the shutter at the crucial moment.
2457. transmissibility

trans-mis-uh-BIL-uh-tee
This word consists of originally Latin parts.
noun
the capability of something to be conveyed to another person or place.
Scientists quickly determined that the rate of transmissibility for the pathogen was low.
2458. transmontane

tran-smahn-TAYN
This word is from Latin.
adjective
being from the other side of a mountain.
The transmontane grass simply isn't always greener.
2459. transpiration

tranz-puh-RAY-shun
This word is from Latin-derived French.
noun
the emission of watery vapor from the surfaces of leaves or other parts of plants.
The transpiration of moisture from large forests can have a large impact on rainfall patterns even in distant areas.
2460. transposable

tranz-POH-zuh-bul
This word is from a word that passed from Latin to French to English plus an English element.
adjective
able to be changed with something else.
In the early 1950s, geneticists discovered that transposable genes may change their position on the chromosome.
2461. trapezoid

TRA-puh-zoyd
This word went from Greek to Latin.
noun
a quadrilateral having only two sides parallel.
Mr. Thomas asked his math class to find the area of a given trapezoid.
2462. travails

truh-VAYLZ
This word came to English from French, which probably formed it from a Latin word.
plural noun
mental or physical work that is very hard or painful.
In spite of all the travails of medical school, Lupe was able to graduate on time and with honors.
2463. treadle

TREH-dul
This word is originally English.
noun
a swiveling or lever device pressed by the foot to drive a machine.
Janna gingerly applied pressure to the treadle and began sewing new pajamas.
2464. trefoil

TREE-foyl
Originally Latin, this word went through French before becoming English.
noun
clover.
The hunter came upon several rabbits feeding on a patch of trefoil.
2465. trellis

TREH-liss
This word went from Latin to French to English.
noun
a frame made of crossing pieces of wood that is used as a screen or to hold up climbing plants.
Elizabeth's favorite spot in the backyard is the trellis covered in morning glory vines.
2466. trepanation

treh-puh-NAY-shun
This word is from a word formed in French from an originally Greek word that passed into Latin and then French plus Latin-derived French elements.
noun
the process or action of making a hole in a skull with a surgical tool.
Alison’s favorite exhibit at the old museum of science and history was a diorama of a Neolithic trepanation.
2467. trepidation

trep-uh-DAY-shun
This word is from Latin.
noun
apprehension.
Mary walked onstage with eagerness and not a hint of trepidation when it was her turn to perform at the recital.
2468. triage

TREE-ahzh
This word is from a French word.
noun
the administration of treatment to victims of disasters or wars based on urgency of need.
Once the system of triage was implemented, medics were better able to decide which soldiers should receive immediate treatment.
2469. tributary

TRIB-yuh-ter-ee
This word is from Latin.
noun
a body of running water feeding a larger body of running water or a lake.
The Ohio River is a tributary of the Mississippi River.
2470. trice

trahys
This word is from a word that went from Dutch to English.
noun
an instant or a moment.
After spending all day outside playing with friends, Elton fell asleep in a trice.
2471. tricenary

TRAHY-sun-eh-ree
This word is from Latin.
adjective
having or occurring for 30 days.
Cameron never can remember which months are tricenary.
2472. triceratops

trahy-SER-uh-tahps
This word is from Latin, which formed it from Greek parts.
noun
a type of huge, plant-eating dinosaur with a large crest over its neck and three horns on its skull.
Of all the dinosaurs, the triceratops is Og's favorite.
2473. triforium

trahy-FOH-ree-um
This word is from Latin.
noun
a gallery that forms an upper story to the aisle of a church and that usually sits between the clerestory and the nave arches.
The duke and duchess observed the pageantry from the triforium.
2474. trigeminal

trahy-JEM-uh-nul
This word is formed from a Latin element plus an English element.
adjective
relating to the pair of cranial nerves with the sensory root separating into three nerves and the motor root providing fibers to the mandibular nerve and through this to the chewing muscles.
trigeminal neuralgia is a condition characterized by intense pain in the face.
2475. triglycerides

trahy-GLIH-suh-rahydz
This word is formed from originally Greek elements.
plural noun
lipid compounds each made up of three molecules of one or more fatty acids plus a molecule of glycerol.
Researchers report that triglycerides significantly contribute to the progression of coronary artery disease.
2476. trillium

TRIL-ee-um
This word is from Latin.
noun
a type of primarily North American plant that has an upright stem with a whorl of three leaves and one large flower at the top.
Rhoda planted a fragrant yellow trillium next to the sidewalk.
2477. triste

treest
Originally Latin, this word went through French before becoming English.
adjective
sad.
The wavering notes of a triste string quartet piece could be heard floating through the window.
2478. trituration

trih-chuh-RAY-shun
This word is from Latin.
noun
the act or process of rubbing or crushing to a very fine powder.
The pharmacist's trituration of the medicine allowed it to be suspended in a syrup.
2479. trophic

TRAH-fik
This word is from Greek-derived French.
adjective
relating to or functioning in nutrition : nutritional.
The oceanic food chain is an example of a trophic system with which most students are familiar.
2480. Truckee

TRUH-kee
This word is a U.S. geographical name.
geographical entry
a river in eastern California and western Nevada.
Last summer, Jane and her family went white-water rafting on the Truckee.
2481. tsk-tsked

TISK-tiskt
The origin of this word is not given.
verb
expressed disapproval of (someone or something).
Peering sternly over his spectacles, the librarian tsk-tsked the giggling young boys paging through the anatomy textbook.
2482. tubular

TOO-byuh-lur
This word is formed from a Latin part plus an English element.
adjective
made of or having a long, hollow cylindrical shape.
With its splendid color and tubular flowers, the trumpet vine is known for its ability to attract hummingbirds.
2483. tumpline

TUM-plahyn
The first part of this word is from Algonquian, and the second part is partly originally English and partly from Latin-derived French.
noun
a sling formed by a strap slung over the forehead or chest for carrying a pack on the back or in hauling loads.
A tumpline places the weight of a load on the wearer’s spine rather than the shoulders, which reportedly can prevent or minimize chronic back pain.
2484. tungsten

TUNG-stin
This word is from Swedish.
noun
a hard, grayish-white metal that is used mainly for electrical purposes (such as for thin wires used in light bulbs).
tungsten was first used to make the filaments in incandescent light bulbs by a Hungarian company in 1904.
2485. turbinado

tur-buh-NAH-doh
This word was formed in Spanish from a word that went from Latin to French.
noun
partly refined cane sugar.
A shipment of turbinado was mistakenly delivered to the pharmacy.
2486. turducken

tur-DUK-un
This word is from a geographical name and two words that are originally English.
noun
a boneless chicken stuffed into a boneless duck stuffed into a boneless turkey.
Travis offered to bring a bacon-wrapped turducken to his family's Thanksgiving dinner before remembering they were all vegetarians.
2487. turgor

TUR-gur
This word is from Latin.
noun
the normal state of distension and tension in living cells.
The loss of turgor in a plant's cells causes its leaves and flowers to wilt.
2488. turken

TUR-kun
This word consists of a part from a Middle Eastern geographical name plus a part from an originally English word.
noun
a type of domestic fowl sometimes held to constitute a separate breed and distinguished by a rough red unfeathered neck.
Also known as the Transylvanian Naked Neck, the turken owes its characteristic unfeathered neck to one dominant gene near the middle of Chromosome 3.
2489. turophile

TUHR-uh-fahyl
This word is formed from Greek parts.
noun
a cheese connoisseur.
Anna, a turophile, was dismayed when her doctor informed her that she is allergic to dairy products.
2490. turpentine

TURP-un-tahyn
This word is from an originally Greek word that passed into Latin and then French before becoming English.
noun
the yellowish or colorless flammable acrid essential oil that is the result of distilling various oleoresins.
The most common use of turpentine is in paint and lacquer thinners.
2491. tussock

TUH-sik
This word is of unknown origin.
noun
a bit of solid ground in a marsh or bog typically held together by and covered with roots of grasses or other small plants.
After tromping adventurously into the bog, Leah sat down on the first dry tussock she came to.
2492. tutelage

TOO-tuh-lij
This word is from an originally Latin word plus an English element.
noun
individual instruction with close attention and guidance.
Evan made astounding progress under the tutelage of his new trumpet teacher.
2493. tutti-frutti

TOO-tee-FROO-tee
This word is from Italian.
noun
a confection or ice cream containing chopped usually candied fruits.
The cup of tutti-frutti he bought at the piazza in Rome was everything Richard could have hoped for.
2494. twain

twayn
This word is originally English.
noun
a couple or pair.
The twain of volunteers who made the fundraiser a success are Mr. Burgess and Ms. Kent.
2495. twang

twang
This word is imitative in origin.
noun
the characteristic speech of a region, locality or group of people.
Because her character was originally from Tennessee, the actress adopted a Southern twang for the role.
2496. tympanum

TIM-puh-num
This word is from a word that went from Greek to Latin.
noun
the typically triangular face of a pediment that is set back and is located within the frame made by the top and bottom cornices.
The tympanum over the cathedral entrance was highly decorated and carved with human figures.
2497. typhlology

tahy-FLAH-luh-jee
This word is from Greek.
noun
the scientific study of blindness, its causes, effects and control.
Researchers in typhlology have found that certain nutritional deficiencies can result in the clouding and softening of the cornea.
2498. ubiquity

yoo-BIK-wuh-tee
The first part of this word is from an originally Latin word, and the second part is an English element.
noun
presence everywhere or in many places especially simultaneously : omnipresence.
The ubiquity of "Skoosh My Boosh" on the Internet and radio made it a huge hit, although even people who liked the song admitted that it made no sense.
2499. ufology

yoo-FAH-luh-jee
The first part of this word is from an English acronym, and the second part is a Greek-derived English element.
noun
the acquisition of knowledge about unidentified flying objects.
Much research in ufology is not institutional but done by individuals at their own expense.
2500. Ukrainian

yoo-KRAY-nee-un
This word is from a European place name plus an English element.
adjective
relating to an eastern European country on the northern coast of the Black Sea.
Most native Ukrainian speakers also know Russian as a second language.
2501. ulna

UL-nuh
This word is from Latin.
noun
the inner of the two bones of the forearm.
Pedro told his friends the fracture to his ulna was from a biking accident and not from high-fiving the upper bunk bed while he was dreaming.
2502. ultradian

ul-TRAY-dee-un
This word is from originally Latin elements.
adjective
being, characterized by, or occurring in periods or cycles (as of biological activity) of less than 24 hours.
Cycles of sleep and body temperature are two of the many ultradian activities of the human body.
2503. umbelliferous

um-buh-LIF-ur-us
This word is from an originally Latin word and a Latin-derived English element.
adjective
producing inflorescences having the flower stalks in a cluster arising from a common point at the apex of the main stalk.
The nectar of certain umbelliferous flowers, such as Queen Anne's Lace, is especially attractive to many insects.
2504. umbilical

um-BIL-ih-kul
This word is from Latin.
adjective
attached by or as if by a cord arising at the navel that connects a fetus with the placenta.
Medical research is being done with stem cells obtained from umbilical cord blood.
2505. umbrage

UM-brij
Originally Latin, this word went through French before becoming English.
noun
displeasure.
Guillermo took great umbrage at the newspaper's review of his new film.
2506. una corda

OO-nuh-KOR-duh
This word is from Italian.
adverb
with soft pedal depressed — used as a direction in piano music.
Kyranna got up at 6 a.m. and began practicing her scales una corda, so as not to wake the family upstairs.
2507. unchristened

un-KRIH-sund
This word is from an English part, plus a part that went from Greek to Latin to English, plus an English element.
adjective
not named.
On her hike through the mountains, Michelle ate her lunch by an as-yet unchristened stream that did not appear on her map.
2508. unctuous

UNGK-chuh-wus
This word is from Latin.
adjective
showing or characterized by a smug, artificial earnestness.
Hoping to flatter his boss, Oscar was unctuous in his praise for the project.
2509. unilaterally

yoo-nuh-LAT-ur-uh-lee
This word is formed from two originally Latin elements plus English elements.
adverb
one-sidedly.
The dictator unilaterally proclaimed the action a breach of international law and an act of war.
2510. univocal

yoo-NIH-vuh-kul
This word is from Latin.
adjective
having a single meaning.
Craig contemplated the exact wording of his parents' note instructing him to finish his chores, trying to find a loophole in what they'd said, but unfortunately their instructions were, alas, univocal.
2511. unmoored

un-MOORD
This word is formed from English elements.
verb
loosed from lines or other equipment used to tether an object (such as a boat) in place.
The boat became unmoored and drifted down the river.
2512. unremitting

un-rih-MIT-ing
This word consists of an originally English element plus an originally Latin word.
adjective
constant : incessant.
Dora was a careful and unremitting student of political thought.
2513. untenable

un-TEN-uh-bul
This word is formed from an English element plus a word that went from Latin to French to English.
adjective
not possible to be justified, defended, or upheld.
Arlen found himself in an untenable position when his boss asked him to lie to the auditors.
2514. upbraid

up-BRAYD
This word is originally English.
verb
reprimand severely.
Alexis’ dad began to upbraid her when he realized she had taken the family car out without permission.
2515. upsilon

OOP-suh-lahn
This word is from Greek.
noun
the letter that is 20th in the Greek alphabet.
The upsilon corresponds with the Latin letter "Y."
2516. ursine

UR-sahyn
This word is from Latin.
adjective
relating to a bear.
Some children are particularly fascinated by ursine hibernation.
2517. usurper

yoo-SUR-pur
This word is formed from a word that passed from Latin to French to English plus an English element.
noun
a person who breaches or intrudes on somebody else's property or rights.
By the end of his term, the mayor had become known as a usurper of authority.
2518. utilitarian

yoo-til-uh-TER-ee-un
This word is formed from a word that passed from Latin to French to English plus an English element.
adjective
marked by or striving for usefulness rather beauty or decoration.
Dean chose a utilitarian briefcase over the fancy leather model.
2519. uveal

YOO-vee-ul
This word is from a Latin word plus an English element.
adjective
affecting or relating to the pigmented layer situated toward the back of the iris of the eye.
uveal cysts are most commonly seen in dogs but can also occur in cats and horses.
2520. uvula

YOOV-yuh-luh
This word is from Latin.
noun
the hanging fleshy lobe in the soft palate.
Using a flashlight and a mirror, Derek examined the red spots on his uvula.
2521. vaccination

vak-suh-NAY-shun
The first part of this word was formed in French from a Latin word, and the second part is from English.
noun
the introduction of microorganisms into humans that have previously been treated to make them harmless for the purpose of inducing the development of immunity.
Alma received a vaccination for shingles as soon as she was eligible, knowing that a shot was far better than coming down with the terribly painful disease.
2522. vagabonds

VA-guh-bahndz
This word passed from Latin to French to English.
plural noun
people who go idly from place to place.
Jill and Jenny enjoyed being vagabonds in Europe the summer after they graduated from high school.
2523. vague

vayg
This word is from French, which formed it from Latin.
adjective
not expressed in an easily understood manner.
Mr. Armstrong's directions for the assignment were so vague that the class had to ask him to explain again.
2524. vainglorious

vayn-GLOHR-ee-us
This word was formed in Latin and passed into French before becoming English.
adjective
boastful.
The chef's vainglorious ways were often blamed for high turnover among her staff.
2525. valerian

vuh-LIR-ee-un
Originally a Roman geographical name, this word passed from Latin to French to English.
noun
a drug consisting of dried rhizome and roots of garden heliotrope formerly used as a carminative and sedative.
Along with its use in many herbal sleep-inducing teas, valerian is also highly attractive to cats.
2526. valiant

VAL-yunt
This word passed from Latin to French to English.
adjective
courageous.
The monument was dedicated to the memory of the valiant warrior.
2527. valuator

VAL-yuh-way-tur
Both parts of this word came from Latin and passed through French before becoming English.
noun
an appraiser.
Ichika was stunned when she heard the estimate from the valuator about her grandmother's old dishes.
2528. vandalize

VAN-duh-lahyz
This word is from an English word derived from a Latin name of Germanic origin plus an English element.
verb
to destroy or deface property, usually with malicious intent.
Individuals who vandalize tombstones at Hope Cemetery and are caught will be fined and sentenced to community service.
2529. vanguard

VAN-gahrd
This word came to English from French, which formed it from originally Latin and Germanic elements.
noun
the forefront of thought, taste or opinion in a field, school or movement.
Miguel claimed he was in the vanguard of a new impressionist movement, but Dora just thought his art looked messy.
2530. vanquish

VANG-kwish
This word passed from Latin to French to English.
verb
to defeat an opponent in a battle or contest.
The crime fighters in Frank’s favorite cartoon always vanquish the villains.
2531. vaporetto

vah-puh-REH-toh
This word is from Italian, which formed it from a Latin word.
noun
a boat used as a bus in the canals of Venice, Italy.
Elise met her future husband on a vaporetto crossing the Grand Canal.
2532. varicose

VAR-uh-kohs
This word is from Latin.
adjective
excessively dilated, bulging or swollen.
Extreme cases of varicose veins can be helped by surgical treatment.
2533. variegated

VER-ee-uh-gay-tud
This word is from a Latin-derived word.
adjective
marked with spots or streaks in various shades or colors.
A shady corner of the garden was brightened by a clump of variegated coleus plants.
2534. Vatican

VAT-ih-kun
This word is from Latin.
adjective
relating to the official residence of the pope in _____ City, Rome.
The Vatican collection of religious art is the largest in the world.
2535. vaudeville

VAHD-vil
This word is from a French geographical name.
noun
a stage entertainment popular in the early 20th century that consisted of a variety of unrelated acts such as comedians, dancers, or singers.
Some of the stars of vaudeville went on to become movie actors.
2536. veganism

VEE-guh-nih-zum
This word is formed from a part from a Latin-derived English word plus an English element.
noun
the conduct or belief system of a vegetarian who eats and drinks absolutely no animal food or animal products.
Jory consulted a nutritionist before she began to practice veganism.
2537. vegetarian

vej-uh-TER-ee-un
This word is from a word that went from Latin to English plus an English element.
adjective
made up entirely of plants that can be eaten.
After spending two years in Japan, Annabelle followed a vegetarian diet.
2538. vehemence

VEE-uh-muns
This word is from an originally Latin word that then became French.
noun
the quality of being marked by intense hostility.
Miranda was surprised by the vehemence of the candidate's argument.
2539. vehicular

vee-HIK-yuh-lur
This word is from Latin.
adjective
made for or relating to a machine that is used to carry goods or people from one place to another.
The vehicular ferry boat carried Mick's car across the river.
2540. vendage

VEN-dij
This word is from a word that went from Latin to French to English.
noun
the period to harvest a grape crop.
Emanuel looked forward to visiting his grandparents' vineyard every year to help with the vendage.
2541. veneer

vuh-NIR
This word went from Germanic to French to German.
noun
a thin sheet of wood cut or sawed from a log and adapted for adherence to a smooth surface.
The maple veneer really spruced up the old pine table.
2542. vengeance

VEN-juns
Originally Latin, this word went through French before becoming English.
noun
imposition of punishment to compensate for an injury or wrong.
Chris swore vengeance after the prank his brother played on him.
2543. venial

VEE-nee-ul
Originally Latin, this word passed through French before becoming English.
adjective
meriting no particular notice : insignificant.
Mrs. Dawson could only find venial faults in Theo's research paper.
2544. venomous

VEH-nuh-mus
Originally Latin, this word went through French before becoming English.
adjective
capable of causing a sting, bite or injury that is poisoned.
Simone won’t go near any spiders, even the ones she knows are not venomous.
2545. ventail

VEN-tayl
This word came to English from Latin-derived French and a French element.
noun
the lower movable front of a medieval helmet designed for the admission of air.
At the museum, Izzy spotted a ventail that would have extended over its wearer's entire nose and mouth.
2546. ventricle

VEN-trih-kul
This word is from Latin.
noun
a chamber of the heart from which blood is pushed into the arteries and that takes in blood from an accompanying atrium.
The heart patient’s right ventricle is the source of his trouble.
2547. ventriloquy

ven-TRIL-uh-kwee
This word is from Latin.
noun
the act of talking so that the lips don't move or hardly move and so that the voice seems to come from a source other than the speaker.
Ryn's stage show involved both magic and ventriloquy.
2548. veracity

vuh-RAS-uh-tee
This word is from Latin.
noun
truthfulness.
The prosecutor questioned the veracity of the witness called by the defense.
2549. verbena

vur-BEE-nuh
This word is from a Latin word.
noun
garden plants that are grown for their flashy spikes of pink, red, white or blue flowers.
Verne noticed tiny flower buds on his verbena in early April and anxiously awaited its full bloom.
2550. verism

VIH-riz-um
This word is from a word that went from Latin to Italian.
noun
a realistic or objective manner of musical composition or of painting suitable for the treatment of everyday material.
Artists of the Ashcan School practiced a verism that was sometimes shocking to art aficionados of the early 20th century.
2551. veritable

VER-uh-tuh-bul
This word was formed in French from Latin-derived elements before becoming English.
adjective
not imaginary or unreal.
Tommy's family often looks back at the 2018 Thanksgiving Gravy Incident as a veritable disaster.
2552. vermicide

VUR-muh-sahyd
This word is formed from two originally Latin elements.
noun
a substance that kills worms, primarily parasitic intestinal worms.
The vet administered a vermicide to deworm the puppy.
2553. vernal

VUR-nul
This word is from Latin.
adjective
relating to the spring.
Cherry trees produce some of the prettiest vernal blossoms.
2554. vespertine

VES-pur-tahyn
This word is from Latin.
adjective
passing below the horizon along with the sun.
Venus is the most prominent vespertine planet.
2555. vestibule

VES-tuh-byool
This word came from French, which formed it from a Latin word.
noun
a space (such as a hall) between the outside door and the inside of a building.
Vitor asked his guests to leave their wet umbrellas in the vestibule.
2556. vetiver

VET-uh-vur
Originally Tamil, this word passed through French before becoming English.
noun
a fragrant grass with particularly aromatic roots that produce an oil used in perfumes.
Oliver's cologne held such a strong scent of vetiver that it made Paula sneeze.
2557. vetoed

VEE-tohd
This word is from Latin.
verb
refused to admit or approve : prohibited; also: refused assent to a legislative bill so as to prevent enactment.
Samma's mom immediately vetoed the idea of her and her friends spending all day alone at the mall.
2558. vicarious

vahy-KEH-ree-us
This word is from Latin.
adjective
experienced through imaginative or sympathetic participation in the experience of another.
J.P. prefers the vicarious enjoyment of watching professionals play sports rather than playing them himself.
2559. vice versa

vahys-VUR-suh
This phrase is from Latin.
adverb
conversely.
Patricia can translate from Spanish to English and vice versa.
2560. vicenary

VIS-uh-ner-ee
This word is from Latin.
adjective
founded on the number 20.
Because Mr. Maloney thought that people should count on their toes as well as their fingers, he tried to convince his colleagues to switch from a decimal number system to a vicenary one.
2561. viceroy

VAHYS-roy
This word was formed in French from two Latin-derived forms.
noun
the governor of a country or province who rules as the representative of his sovereign.
The viceroy was required to report to the king the principal deeds and events of his administration.
2562. victimology

vik-tuh-MAH-luh-jee
The first part of this word is from Latin, and the second part is a Greek-derived English element.
noun
the study of the ways in which the behavior of targets of crime may have contributed to why they were targeted.
The professor's research on victimology received criticism for seeming to shift responsibility away from the actual perpetrators.
2563. vigil

VIH-jul
This word is from Latin-derived French.
noun
a religious service on the morning of the day before a holy day.
Deborah enjoyed the Christmas Eve vigil as a respite from her hectic family life.
2564. vincible

VIN-suh-bul
This word is from Latin.
adjective
able to be overcome or subdued.
The bully proved to be quite vincible when confronted by reason.
2565. virga

VUR-guh
This word is from Latin.
noun
wisps of precipitation that come from a cloud but evaporate before they can hit the ground.
The winning picture in the weather calendar competition depicted the red light of sunset caught in a virga.
2566. virulence

VIR-yuh-luns
This word is from Latin.
noun
the characteristic of being able to get the better of the host's defenses.
virulence is the capacity of an infectious agent to damage living cells.
2567. vis-à-vis

vee-zuh-VEE
This word is from French.
preposition
in comparison with.
Hilde was appalled to see that her favorite cookies were less popular vis-à-vis other kinds.
2568. viscidity

vih-SID-uh-tee
This word consists of a Latin part plus a Latin-derived English element.
noun
the quality or state of being gluey or sticky : stickiness.
The size of the drops of a liquid increases as the viscidity of the liquid increases.
2569. vitriolic

vih-tree-AH-lik
This word is from a word that passed from Latin to French to English plus an English element.
adjective
characterized by a sharp biting quality.
Howard had to be reprimanded for his vitriolic outbursts against the referees and opposing players.
2570. vituline

VIHCH-uh-lahyn
This word is from Latin.
adjective
of, relating to, or like a calf or veal.
Stressful conditions such as extreme weather can contribute to outbreaks of vituline disease in herds of cattle.
2571. volary

VOHL-uh-ree
This word is formed from a Latin element plus an English element.
noun
the birds in an enclosure for birds.
The zoo has collected an exotic volary from South America.
2572. volatile

VAHL-uh-tul
This word came from French, which formed it from a Latin word.
adjective
tending to burst forth or erupt into violent action : explosive.
Katie's study abroad was cancelled because the political situation in her country of destination was very volatile.
2573. volition

voh-LIH-shun
This word is from French, which took it from Latin.
noun
the action of deciding, choosing, or willing.
The notary public asked Paulina to state that she was signing the document of her own volition.
2574. volumetric

vahl-yuh-MEH-trik
The first part of this word is from an originally Latin word, and the second part is from an originally Greek word.
adjective
relating to the measured amount of space filled by cubic units.
The expensive volumetric flask shattered when it slipped from the chemistry professor's hands.
2575. Vulcan

VUL-kun
This word is from a Latin name.
noun
a worker in metals; especially: a blacksmith.
During the summers, Adrian works as an apprentice to a master Vulcan at Colonial Williamsburg Historic Area in Virginia.
2576. wallaby

WAH-luh-bee
This word is from a native name in Australia.
noun
any of numerous small to midsized kangaroos that differ from typical kangaroos in that they are not as large but are more brightly colored.
The average lifespan of a wallabyin the wild is nine years.
2577. Walter Mitty

WAHL-tur-MIT-ee
This word entry is from a literary name.
noun
a commonplace unadventurous person who seeks escape from reality through daydreaming.
Yarrah's uncle is the type of Walter Mitty who reads travel books all day instead of actually traveling.
2578. werf

vurf
This word passed from Dutch to Afrikaans.
noun
southern Africa: the space around homestead and outbuildings : a farmyard.
Thandiwe led the goat to the feed trough in the werf.
2579. widdershins

WIH-dur-shinz
This word is from German.
adverb
counterclockwise.
Legend has it that anyone who walks around the school’s flagpole widdershins will not graduate.
2580. wilco

WIL-koh
This word consists of a part from an originally English word and a part from an originally Latin-derived English word.
interjection
– used mostly in signaling and radio to mean that the person who receives a message will comply.
When told which frequencies to monitor, the ham radio operator’s reply was “Roger, wilco.”
2581. wobbulator

WAH-byuh-lay-tur
The first part of this word is probably from German, and the second part is a Latin-derived English element.
noun
a testing mechanism for radio sets in which the frequency is altered automatically and at regular intervals over a range that is fixed in advance.
The primary function of a wobbulator is broadcast receiver testing.
2582. woebegone

WOH-bee-gahn
This word is originally English.
adjective
displaying misery, distress, suffering or sadness.
The children’s woebegone faces began to brighten as they saw the cake and ice cream.
2583. wolfsbane

WULFS-bayn
Both parts of this word are originally English.
noun
a yellow-flowered Eurasian herb with a somewhat fibrous rootstock and broadly lobed leaves.
wolfsbane was used as a poison in ancient Greece, Rome and China.
2584. wootz

woots
This word is probably an alteration of a word from Kannada, a South Indian language.
noun
a steel made anciently in India in small crucibles according to the oldest known process for making fused steel.
Swords made from wootz were famous for their sharp, durable blades.
2585. yabbies

YAB-eez
This word is from a native name in Australia.
plural noun
small burrowing crayfish that live in most Australian creeks and water holes.
Catching yabbies is a popular activity in Australia, so much so that in some areas there is a limit as to how many a person can catch in one day.
2586. yardang

YAHR-dahng
This word is from Turkish.
noun
a ridge with a sharp point or crest formed by wind erosion from matter that is soft but firmly held together.
A yardang marked the boundary between the sand dunes and the surrounding hillside.
2587. yawmeter

YAH-mee-tur
The first part of this word is of unknown origin, and the second part is of Greek origin.
noun
an instrument for measuring the angular motion about the normal axis of an airplane.
The pilot was sure her yawmeter was malfunctioning.
2588. Yorkshire

YOHRK-shir
This word is from an English place name.
noun
any of various types of white swine that come from a part of England by the same name.
Gregory's famous prizewinning Yorkshire, Mork from York, has finally retired to the farm.
2589. Yoruba

YOHR-uh-buh
The origin of this word is not given in our dictionary.
noun
a Niger-Congo language of a people of southwestern Nigeria and parts of Benin [buh-NEEN] and Togo.
Yoruba is spoken by over 20 million people and has produced a rich literature, including works by D.O. Fagunwa and Amos Tutuola, who wrote in English but was inspired by Yoruba folktales.
2590. zeitgeist

ZAHYT-gahyst
This word is originally German.
noun
the general cultural, ethical, and intellectual spirit of an era.
The fact that speed is part of our zeitgeist is one explanation for the popularity of Twitter and text messages.
2591. zeppelin

ZEH-puh-lin
This word is from a German name.
noun
an inflexible tube-shaped airship made of a covered frame supported by gas cells inside.
Ekaterina's dream is to one day make a transatlantic flight by zeppelin.
2592. zirconium

zur-KOH-nee-um
This word consists of a part that went from Italian to French to German plus a Latin element.
noun
a steel-gray metallic element that is strong and high-melting and that is used in steelmaking and other industrial processes.
zirconium is more plentiful than copper and several other well-known metals.
2593. zoetic

zoh-EH-tik
This word is from a Greek part plus an English element.
adjective
of or relating to life.
Nancy hopes to major in one of the zoetic sciences, like microbiology or biochemistry.
2594. zoolatry

zoh-AH-luh-tree
This word is made up of parts that went from Greek to Latin.
noun
worship of animals frequently as symbolic of a natural force, a guardian or a power, or an embodiment of a god or goddess.
The ancient Greeks considered the zoolatry of the Egyptians to be depraved.
2595. zowie

ZAU-ee
This word is imitative in origin.
interjection
used to express astonishment, admiration, or delight especially over something sudden or speedy.
“zowie!” Shireen exclaimed in surprise at the speed of the Olympic sprinters leaving their blocks.
2596. zurna

ZUR-nuh
There is no origin provided for this word in our dictionary.
noun
a traditional Middle Eastern woodwind instrument.
The high-pitched, piercing sound of the zurna was accompanied by the rhythm of a bass drum.
2597. zygote

ZAHY-goht
This word is from an originally Greek word.
noun
a cell formed by the union of two gametes : a fertilized egg.
A normal human zygote quickly divides into multiple cells and becomes an embryo.
2598. à fond

ah-FOHN
This word entry is from French.
adverb
thoroughly.
The historian knew her subject à fond, and handled the audience's difficult questions with ease.
2599. à la grecque

ah-luh-GREK
This word entry is from French.
adjective
served in a sauce of olive oil, lemon juice, and seasonings.
The highlight of the meal in the fancy restaurant was salmon à la grecque.
2600. ab aeterno

a-bee-TUR-noh
This word is from Latin.
adverb
from an infinitely remote point of time in the past.
Damon was only 15, and so despite all appearances, his habit of discarding food wrappers under his gaming station could not have been going on ab aeterno.
2601. abaculus

uh-BAK-yuh-lus
This word is a misreading of an originally Latin word.
noun
a tile used in mosaic : tessera.
All the seminarians cheered when Brigid spotted the fallen abaculus in a crack between two floorboards.
2602. abomasum

ab-oh-MAY-sum
This word is from two originally Latin elements.
noun
the fourth and final stomach of a mammal that chews cud.
The abomasum secretes rennet, which is used in making cheese.
2603. abraum

AH-praum
This word is from an English word that passed from Latin to French.
noun
a red ocher used to darken mahogany.
Terence used abraum to darken the wood he had bought for his new dining room floor.
2604. acacia

uh-KAY-shuh
This word is from an originally Greek word that passed into Latin.
noun
a plant with symmetric leaves and yellow or white flowers.
Giraffes have specialized teeth that help them comb leaves from the spiny branches of the acacia.
2605. accordatura

uh-kor-duh-TOO-ruh
This word is from a word that went from Latin to Italian.
noun
the tuning scheme of a stringed musical instrument.
A typical accordatura for a six-stringed guitar is E-A-D-G-B-E.
2606. aceituna

as-uh-TOO-nuh
This word is from an Arabic word that passed to Spanish.
noun
a tree from the West Indies with wood that is soft and light.
The paleness of the wood helped Felipe identify it as aceituna.
2607. acerola

a-suh-ROH-luh
Originally Arabic, this word was borrowed from American Spanish.
noun
the mildly acid cherrylike red fruit of the Barbados cherry that is very rich in vitamin C.
The acerola has become a popular source of nutritional supplements because of its high vitamin C content.
2608. acetaminophen

uh-see-tuh-MIN-uh-fun
The parts of this word came from Latin, but one came to Latin via Egyptian and Greek, and another came via Greek, and they all passed through French or German before the word was formed from them.
noun
a common medicine that reduces pain and fever and can be used in place of aspirin.
Ingo took the recommended dose of acetaminophen to relieve his headache.
2609. acetone

AS-uh-tohn
This word was formed from Latin-derived French and a Greek-derived element.
noun
a flammable, strong-smelling liquid used mainly as a solvent, such as in nail polish remover.
The simplest ketone is acetone, a liquid that is used mainly as a solvent for organic compounds.
2610. acharya

ah-CHAHR-yuh
This word is from Sanskrit.
noun
a Hindu religious teacher.
The acharya wrote a book in which he offered insights into the Bhagavad Gita.
2611. Achernar

AY-kur-nahr
This word was formed in Arabic based on a Greek name, but it came into English via Latin.
noun
the brightest star in the constellation Eridanus.
Due to the brightness of Achernar, Gigi thought it was the North Star until her aunt corrected her.
2612. acicula

uh-SIK-yuh-luh
This word is from Latin.
noun
a needlelike spine, bristle, or crystal.
Dave’s heart sank when the most prominent acicula of his beautiful malachite specimen broke off.
2613. acidophilus

a-suh-DAH-fuh-lus
This word is formed in Latin from a Latin and an originally Greek element.
noun
a lactic-acid producing bacterium that is added to dairy products (such as yogurt) or prepared as a dietary supplement to promote intestinal health.
After a course of antibiotics, Addie's doctor advised her to eat some plain yogurt and take an acidophilus capsule to help restore her gut bacteria.
2614. acoel

ay-SEEL
This word is from an originally Greek word that passed into German and then Latin.
noun
a marine flatworm that doesn't have a definite-walled digestive cavity.
The fish store owner identified the small orange flatworm in Emily’s saltwater aquarium as an acoel.
2615. acrogeria

ak-roh-JER-ee-uh
This word is formed in German from originally Greek parts.
noun
a rare congenital disorder that is chiefly characterized by thinning and wrinkling of the skin of the hands, feet, and often face giving the appearance of premature aging.
Although certain genes have been associated with acrogeria, the definitive cause of the condition is still unknown.
2616. acropachy

AK-roh-pak-ee
This word is made up of Greek elements and an English element.
noun
a condition marked by enlargement of the terminal bones of the hand or foot, thickening of the joint surfaces, and curving of the nails.
Some forms of acropachy are closely associated with Graves' disease, an autoimmune thyroid condition whose underlying cause is still unknown.
2617. ad nauseam

ad-NAH-zee-um
This word entry is from Latin.
adverb
sickeningly.
Miranda has a tendency to brag about her successes ad nauseam.
2618. adieu

uh-DOO
This word was formed in French from Latin-derived elements before becoming English.
interjection
goodbye.
“adieu, my friends!” called the fur trapper as he paddled away from the shore.
2619. adscititious

ad-suh-TIH-shus
This word is from Latin plus an English element.
adjective
additional, extra.
Maribel thought the adscititious materials at the back of her textbook served little purpose and were there just to make the book heavier.
2620. Aegilops

EE-juh-lahps
This word went from Greek to Latin.
noun
a genus of grasses sometimes used to include the presumed wild ancestors of domestic wheat which are now usually placed in the genus Triticum.
Aegilops, also known as goatgrass, is thought to have hybridized with emmer about 8,000 years ago to form common bread wheat.
2621. aegrotat

ee-GROH-tat
This word is from Latin.
noun
a medical certificate testifying that a student is unable to attend lectures or examinations as a result of illness — used in England.
On reading Alistair's aegrotat, the tutor agreed to let him take a make-up exam.
2622. aerocele

ER-oh-seel
This word was probably borrowed from a French word formed from originally Greek elements.
noun
an abnormal cavity or pouch that is swollen with gas — used in medicine.
The patient had an aerocele that formed as a result of surgery and needed further medical intervention.
2623. aerophilatelic

This word is made up of an element from Greek plus an element formed in French from Greek elements.
adjective
related to airmail.
Geoffrey treasures the early aerophilatelic collection he inherited from his great-grandfather.
2624. aes rude

AHYS-roo-day
This word entry is from Latin.
noun
ancient money of Rome and Italy consisting of rough masses of bronze with no markings.
The archaeologist stumbled upon a lumpy piece of bronze that she eventually determined was aes rude dating back to the 6th century B.C.E.
2625. Aesir

AY-zir
This word is from Germanic-derived Old Norse.
plural noun
the chief gods of pagan Scandinavia.
Although the Norse Aesir aged like mortal beings, they could become young again by eating magic fruit.
2626. aethalium

ee-THAYL-ee-um
This word was formed in Latin from Greek elements.
noun
a sessile flat encrusted fruiting body in several genera of the slime molds formed by the fusion of many plasmodia.
Beto watched with fascination as the slime mold formed an aethalium and eventually released its spores in what looked like a cloud of smoke.
2627. affiche

a-FEESH
This word came from French, which formed it from Latin.
noun
a notice printed on one side of a sheet for posting in a public place.
Marie posted the affiche on the coffeehouse bulletin board.
2628. ageusia

uh-GYOO-zee-uh
This word came from Greek and Latin elements.
noun
the loss of the sense of taste.
The hot pizza burned Bart's tongue, causing him to experience temporary ageusia.
2629. agitprop

A-jut-prahp
This word is from a Russian word that came from Latin-derived French parts.
noun
political propaganda, especially supporting communism.
agitprop describes stage plays, pamphlets, movies and other art forms with an explicitly political message.
2630. Aglaia

uh-GLAHY-uh
This word is from Greek-derived Latin.
noun
one of the three sister goddesses (known as the three Graces) who are the givers of charm and beauty in Greek mythology.
Though Taj meant to compliment Chaitra by calling her “the very offspring of Aglaia,” she just wished he would stop embarrassing her.
2631. agrypnia

uh-GRIP-nee-uh
This word is from Greek.
noun
insomnia.
Lucinda took melatonin supplements every night to help with her agrypnia.
2632. ahimsa

uh-HIM-sah
This word is from Sanskrit.
noun
the concept that humans should not hurt or kill anyone or anything.
Mahatma Gandhi went from village to village trying to restore peace by preaching ahimsa.
2633. ahuatle

AH-waht-lee
This word passed from Nahuatl to Mexican Spanish.
noun
water-insect eggs dried and used as food in Mexico.
ahuatle is sometimes nicknamed the "caviar of Mexico," due not to its popularity but to its difficulty to acquire and resulting high price.
2634. Ahuehuete

ah-wee-WAY-tee
This word went from Nahuatl to Spanish.
noun
a Mexican cypress of great circumference.
The 30 children in Señora Ortega's class, joining hands around the massive trunk of the Ahuehuete, could not encircle it completely.
2635. Ahura Mazda

uh-hur-uh-MAZ-duh
This word entry is from Avestan.
noun
the Supreme Being represented as a deity of goodness and light in Zoroastrianism.
In the Avesta, the central text of Zoroastrianism, Ahura Mazda is opposed by Ahriman, the spirit of darkness and death, who is also called Angra Mainyu.
2636. ailanthus

ay-LAN-thus
This word was formed in Latin from a phrase in Amboinese [am-boi-NEEZ], a language of Indonesia.
noun
a tree of a small genus of East Indian and Chinese trees with greenish flowers that are followed by oblong twisted winged seedpods.
The ailanthus is a central metaphor in Betty Smith's novel "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn," as it is able to thrive in even the most inhospitable conditions.
2637. aileron

AYL-uh-rahn
This word came from French, which formed it from a Latin word.
noun
a movable portion of an airplane wing or a movable airfoil external to the wing whose function is to impart a rolling motion and thus provide lateral control.
The pilot adjusted the aileron to stabilize the plane during the turbulent flight.
2638. ailette

ay-LET
This word is from Latin-derived French.
noun
an iron or steel plate worn over armor to protect one's shoulder.
A leather cord was used to attach the ailette to the knight's shoulder.
2639. aistopod

ay-IST-uh-pahd
This word is from Greek-derived Latin.
adjective
of or relating to an order or other group of extinct Carboniferous and Permian amphibians having a snakelike body and no limbs.
The paleontologist studying the fossils determined from the elongated shape and number of vertebrae that they were likely aistopod.
2640. Aitutakian

ahy-tuh-TAH-kee-un
This word is from a South Pacific name.
noun
an inhabitant of an island in the Cook Islands.
While the Aitutakian enjoyed peak tourist season on the island because of the revenue it brought, he longed for the peace and quiet of the off season.
2641. ajimez

ah-kee-MAYTH
This word is from Spanish, which formed it from Arabic.
noun
a pair of narrow windows set very close together.
The master bedroom in the couple's new home included an ajimez that looked out upon the spacious front lawn.
2642. akaryote

ay-KAR-ee-oht
This word is from Latin, which formed it from Greek elements.
noun
a cell without a nucleus.
The virus is an example of an akaryote, having only a protein shell surrounding DNA or RNA.
2643. akkum

AH-kum
This word is from Hebrew.
noun
a star worshiper versed in the occult arts.
The akkum cast a propitious horoscope for the king on the day of the battle.
2644. alate

AY-layt
This word is from Latin.
adjective
having wings.
Misty was surprised when she spotted an alate ant.
2645. alcarraza

al-kuh-RAH-zuh
Originally Arabic, this word went into Spanish before being adopted by English.
noun
a jug or similar container made of porous earthenware.
A liquid placed in an alcarraza can be kept cool through evaporation.
2646. Alfvén

al-VAYN
This word is from a Swedish name.
adjective
of, relating to, or having the characteristics of a transverse electromagnetic wave that propagates along the lines of force in a magnetized plasma.
Scientists hypothesize that the corona of the sun is much hotter than its surface because energy is propagated in Alfvén waves through the solar plasma.
2647. alleluiatic

al-uh-loo-YAT-ik
This word came from Latin, which formed it from a Hebrew-derived Greek element.
adjective
of or relating to a religious interjection used to express praise, joy, or thanks.
The preacher was particularly drawn to the five final alleluiatic psalms, and meditated upon them often.
2648. allochroous

uh-LAHK-ruh-wus
This word came from a Greek word.
adjective
altering color.
Timmy's favorite exhibit at the zoo features allochroous frogs and lizards.
2649. almuerzo

ahl-MWER-soh
This word went from Latin to Spanish.
noun
the first substantial meal of the day taken usually just before noon.
When visiting Barcelona, Luis usually ate a simple sandwich for almuerzo.
2650. alouatte

a-luh-WAT
Originally of Cariban origin, this word passed from French to English.
noun
any of various South and Central American monkeys that make remarkable howling noises and have a long prehensile tail — called also "howler monkey."
The howling of the alouatte drowned out all other animal noises at the zoo.
2651. alpargata

al-pur-GAH-tuh
This word is from a word that went from Spanish to Arabic and back to Spanish.
noun
a flat sandal with a sole made of rope, like an espadrille.
Leah couldn't decide whether to wear the navy alpargata or the white wedge sandal with her new sailor dress.
2652. altazimuth

al-TA-zuh-muth
This word is made up of a Latin-derived element plus an element that went from Arabic to Latin to English.
noun
a mounted telescope that moves both horizontally and vertically so that it can observe any point in the sky.
Josh saw an antique altazimuth in the maritime museum.
2653. amaryllis

am-uh-RIL-us
This word is probably from a Roman literary name.
noun
an African plant with a large bell-shaped flower that is typically white, pinkish or red.
Deborah’s amaryllis bloomed just in time for the December holidays.
2654. amertoy

AM-ur-toy
The first part of this word is from a geographical name, and the second part is an originally English word.
noun
a small terrierlike dog having a short sleek satiny coat and weighing between six and ten pounds.
The energetic amertoy, Bo, dashed across the yard, his sleek coat gleaming in the sunlight.
2655. amour propre

ah-moor-PROHP-ruh
This word entry is from Latin-derived French elements.
noun
self-love : self-respect, self-esteem.
After months of counseling, Mason came to understand that a healthy amour propre is the only true basis for loving one's neighbor as oneself.
2656. amphistylar

am-fuh-STAHY-lur
The first part of this word is from a Greek word that became Latin, and the second part is from a Greek word plus an English element.
adjective
having columns at entrances on two opposite sides.
amphistylar temples were built throughout the Greco-Roman world.
2657. amuse-gueule

ah-mooz-GUL
This word is from French.
noun
a small complimentary appetizer offered at some restaurants.
For an amuse-gueule, the server brought a small ramekin of asparagus soup for each person at the table.
2658. anabathmoi

ah-nuh-bahth-MEE
This word is from Greek.
plural noun
the 15 psalms in the series Psalms 120 to 134 in the Eastern Church.
As the chanter intoned the anabathmoi, billows of incense arose from behind the curtains of the altar.
2659. anaphylaxis

an-uh-fuh-LAK-sus
This word consists of two originally Greek elements that both became Latin.
noun
extreme sensitivity (typically to an insect bite or sting) after the initial exposure.
Fortunately, there were no signs of anaphylaxis after Daphne was stung by a bee.
2660. anathema

uh-NATH-uh-muh
This word is from a Greek word that passed into Latin.
noun
something that is hated.
Studying is anathema to Kai during the summer.
2661. ancien régime

ahns-yahn-ray-ZHEEM
This word is from French.
noun
a system or mode no longer prevailing.
Wilfie became the head of the homeowners' association in March and immediately began reversing the draconian rules of the ancien régime.
2662. andouille

ahn-DOO-ee
This word is from a word that went from Latin to French.
noun
a spicy pork sausage.
Clara served her guests a dish of red beans and rice with andouille on the side.
2663. anemone

uh-NEM-uh-nee
This word came to English from Latin, which took it from Greek, which perhaps took it from a word of Semitic origin.
noun
a brightly colored sea animal with a cluster of tentacles around the mouth resembling a flower.
An anemone attaches itself to a rock or coral reef and feeds on organisms that pass by.
2664. angiitis

an-jee-AHY-tis
This word was formed in Latin from two Greek parts.
noun
inflammation of blood vessels.
Certain immune system disorders may trigger angiitis.
2665. aniseikonia

a-nahy-sahy-KOH-nee-uh
This word is from three parts that went from Greek to Latin plus a Latin element.
noun
a vision problem where the two retinas produce differently sized images.
The optometrist prescribed special lenses to correct Jennifer’s aniseikonia.
2666. Anno Hegirae

A-noh-hih-JAHY-ree
This entry is from a Latin element and an Arabic-derived Latin element.
adverb
used to indicate that a time division falls within the Islamic era — abbreviation A.H. often printed in small capitals.
The first year Anno Hegirae is 622 in the Western calendar, and marks Mohammed's migration from Mecca to Medina to escape persecution.
2667. anomaliped

uh-NAHM-uh-luh-ped
This word was formed in French from an originally Greek part and an originally Latin part.
adjective
having more or less of the digits united.
Both the kingfisher and the kangaroo have anomaliped feet.
2668. anosognosia

an-oh-sahg-NOH-zhuh
This word was formed in French from originally Greek parts before coming to English.
noun
an inability or refusal to recognize a defect or disorder that is clinically evident - used in medicine.
Consuela's anosognosia has worsened since her last emergency room visit; she is now flat-out denying that she is paralyzed.
2669. antenatus

an-tih-NAY-tus
This word is from Latin.
noun
someone who was born before a certain event or point in time particularly in regard to the existence of political rights.
Geoffrey found it fascinating to talk to Mrs. Carver, a neighbor who was an antenatus to the civil rights movement.
2670. Antigua

an-TEE-guh
This word is a Caribbean geographical name.
geographical entry
an island of the British West Indies.
Antigua was named by Christoper Columbus in 1493.
2671. Apabhramsa

up-uh-BRUM-shuh
This word is from Sanskrit.
noun
an Indic language that was used as a vehicle for poetry from approximately the 6th to the 12th centuries and that shows linguistic changes not found in Prakrit.
Many of the prominent texts written in Apabhramsa involve mythology and legends related to Jainism.
2672. ape-ape

ah-pee-AH-pee
This word is from Hawaiian.
noun
a rhizomatous herb of Hawaii having a branched arrangement of flowers and bluntly heart-shaped leaves several feet in diameter that rise from a short fleshy crown.
ape-ape is sometimes also called "elephant's ear" because of its enormous leaves.
2673. aperçu

a-pur-SOO
This word is from Latin-derived French.
noun
a brief impression; especially : an intuitive insight.
Full of political beliefs, the graduate student gave each aperçu a place in her alphabetically arranged notebook.
2674. aphasia

uh-FAY-zhuh
This word is from Greek-derived Latin.
noun
inability to use words to represent ideas.
As a speech therapist, Jenna works with several patients struggling with aphasia.
2675. Apistogramma

uh-pist-uh-GRAM-uh
This word was formed in Latin perhaps from Greek elements.
noun
a genus of small cichlid fishes including a species commonly kept in the tropical aquarium.
Fish of the genus Apistogramma are common in tropical aquariums because of their hardiness, colorfulness, and inquisitive temperament.
2676. apocryphal

uh-PAHK-ruh-ful
This word is from a Greek word that went into Latin plus an English element.
adjective
questionable; likely to be false.
Campfire stories of the man who had a hook for a hand are widely dismissed as apocryphal.
2677. apophyge

uh-PAH-fuh-jee
This word is from Greek.
noun
the small hollow curvature given to the top (as in a Doric column) or bottom (as in an Ionic or Corinthian column) of the shaft of a column where it expands to meet the edge of the fillet.
The apophyge was likely included in the design of ancient columns to avoid cracking of the marble.
2678. Apostolici

a-puh-STAHL-uh-sahy
This word is from an originally Greek word that passed into Latin.
plural noun
members of various ascetic sects of the 3rd and 4th centuries C.E. who sought purity of life by renouncing marriage and private property.
Max had to learn ancient Greek to research the dietary rules of the Apostolici.
2679. Appaloosa

a-puh-LOO-suh
This word is probably from an American Indian name.
noun
a sturdy North American horse with spotted hindquarters.
In vain, Kiri begged her father to buy her an Appaloosa.
2680. appetitost

AH-puh-tee-tust
This word consists of a part that went from Latin-derived French to German to Danish plus a Danish part.
noun
a soft Danish cheese made from sour buttermilk.
When Jan's Scandinavian relatives visit, they often bring along some appetitost.
2681. après

ah-PRAY
This word went from Latin to French.
preposition
after.
Janine and her family went to a concert après dinner.
2682. Aramaic

ar-uh-MAY-ik
This word was formed in Greek from a Hebrew geographical name.
noun
an ancient Near Eastern language.
Aramaic is the source of many languages in the Middle East and Asia, but the ones that still survive are currently endangered.
2683. Ardhamagadhi

ahr-duh-MAH-guh-dee
This word is from Sanskrit.
noun
a Prakrit language of north India used in a large part of the Jain canon.
The central text of Jainism is the Agamas, written in Ardhamagadhi.
2684. Ardipithecus

ahr-duh-PITH-uh-kus
The first part of this word is from Arabic-derived Latin and the second part is from Greek-derived Latin.
noun
a genus of extinct early hominids known from skeletal remains from northeastern Ethiopia that includes two identified species having a grasping big toe and capable of some form of upright walking.
The hand bones of the Ardipithecus may display adaptation for the use of stone tools.
2685. ardoise

ahr-DWAHZ
This word is from French.
noun
a shade of gray that is tinted with purple.
Lindsay decided to paint her room ardoise.
2686. arenaceous

ar-uh-NAY-shus
This word is from Latin.
adjective
growing in sandy soil.
arenaceous plants develop blossoms after the first spring rain.
2687. aretalogy

a-ruh-TA-luh-jee
This word is originally Greek.
noun
an account of the miraculous deeds of a god or hero.
Dr. MacDougall focused her research on a particular section of an aretalogy of Isis, which told tales of the Egyptian goddess' good deeds.
2688. as nas

AHS-nahs
This word entry is from Persian.
noun
a Persian card game similar to poker and by some thought to be its progenitor.
as nas is similar to poker, but flushes (all cards of the same suit) and sequences are not part of the game.
2689. ascites

uh-SAHY-teez
This word went from Greek to Latin to English.
noun
the abnormal gathering of fluid in the stomach.
ascites that does not respond to treatment can be an indication of liver disease.
2690. aspidistra

as-puh-DIS-truh
This word is originally from Greek.
noun
any plant of a genus of Asian herbs with large pointed leaves and flowers in sets of four borne close to the ground.
Jeremiah chose an aspidistra as his first houseplant because they are hardy and can survive shade and neglect.
2691. astaxanthin

a-stuh-ZAN-thun
This word is made up of two originally Greek parts plus a part that went from Latin to French.
noun
a carotenoid pigment found in red- or pink-colored aquatic organisms (such as shrimp, lobster, and salmon) and the feathers of some birds.
astaxanthin for nutritional supplementation is often derived from a kind of algae.
2692. astilbe

uh-STIL-bee
This word was formed in Latin from originally Greek parts.
noun
any plant of a genus of Asiatic perennials with leaves in groups of three and large flower clusters composed of spikes and small white flowers.
Of the many perennials in her garden, the red astilbe is Molly’s favorite.
2693. Asura

UH-suh-ruh
This word is from Sanskrit.
noun
one of a class of demons or titans in later Hinduism and Buddhism, the enemies of the gods.
The battle between the Deva and the Asura filled the sky with flashes of lightning.
2694. asylee

uh-sahy-LEE
This word consists of a Greek element that passed through Latin to English plus an English element.
noun
someone who is seeking or who has been granted protection from arrest and extradition.
The asylee was granted protection due to his fear of returning to his home country.
2695. attacca

uh-TAHK-uh
This word is from Germanic-derived Italian.
verb
to attack at once — used as a direction in music at the end of a movement to begin the next without pause.
“attacca!” called the conductor, pointing her baton at the violin section.
2696. au bleu

oh-BLEUH
This word is from French.
adjective
cooked by boiling in water immediately after being killed and cleaned but without being washed or scaled — used especially of trout.
Yifan grumbled about lugging so much cooking gear to the remote campsite, right up until his first bite of freshly caught trout au bleu.
2697. au courant

oh-koo-RAHN
This phrase is from French.
adjective
well-informed.
Guangli reads daily newspapers to keep au courant with sports events.
2698. au jus

oh-ZHOO
This word entry is from French.
adjective
served in the meat juice obtained from roasting.
Antwan's favorite Friday lunch involves walking down to the local diner and ordering the roast beef au jus.
2699. avgolemono

ahv-goh-LEM-uh-noh
This word is from Greek.
noun
a chicken soup made with egg yolks and lemon juice.
Nick ate three bowls of his grandmother’s avgolemono after his soccer game.
2700. azotea

a-zoh-TAY-uh
Originally Arabic, this word went into Spanish before being adopted by English.
noun
a flat roof on top of a house or another building.
Pedro likes to sleep on the azotea on warm nights.
2701. azulejo

ah-soo-LAY-hoh
This word is from Portuguese or Spanish.
noun
a colorful ceramic tile from Portugal or Spain usually in shades of blue.
Dawn uses an azulejo she bought in Lisbon as a coaster on her desk.
2702. baccate

BAK-ayt
This word is formed from a Latin word plus an English element.
adjective
bearing berries.
Abigail helped her mom plant a pear tree and two baccate bushes in their backyard.
2703. bagwyn

BAG-win
This word is of unknown origin.
noun
a fabulous beast like an antelope but having a goat's horns and a horse's tail.
Jordan won the creative contest in his art class with his charcoal drawing of a bagwyn.
2704. bahr

bahr
This word is from Arabic.
noun
a body of water (as a lake, river, or sea).
For the weekly geography lesson, Mrs. Rogers had the class name each large bahr on a map of North America.
2705. bailiwick

BAY-lih-wik
This word is originally English.
noun
jurisdiction.
The sheriff’s deputy stopped chasing the speeding car at the county line, not wanting to make an arrest outside his bailiwick.
2706. balata

buh-LAH-tuh
This word is from Spanish, which took it from Cariban [KER-uh-bun], an indigenous language of Central and South America.
noun
a hard substance made by drying the milky juice of a type of tropical tree and that is used primarily in making golf balls and belts.
Once extremely popular, balata has been replaced as a covering for golf balls by newer, more durable materials.
2707. balbriggan

bal-BRIG-un
This word is from an Irish geographical name.
noun
a knitted typically cotton fabric used primarily for underwear, hosiery, or sweaters.
Moira’s imported Irish sweater was made of balbriggan.
2708. baleen

buh-LEEN
This word is from a Greek-derived Latin word that became French and then English.
noun
a filter of bristles inside the mouths of whales that collects small food from seawater.
baleen continues to grow throughout a whale's life.
2709. banh mi

BAHN-MEE
This word is borrowed from Vietnamese.
noun
a usually spicy sandwich in Vietnamese cuisine consisting of a split baguette filled typically with meat (such as pork or chicken) and pickled vegetables (such as carrot and daikon) and garnished with cilantro and often cucumbers.
Clark's noontime ritual in Manhattan was to walk down to the street vendor on the corner and get a banh mi for lunch.
2710. Barnumesque

bahr-nuh-MESK
The first part of this word is from an American surname, plus an originally Germanic element that went through Italian and French before becoming English.
adjective
of, relating to, or suggestive of an American showman.
Isabella reveled in the lurid, Barnumesque style of the New Orleans wax museum.
2711. Bartókian

bahr-TAH-kyun
This word is from a Hungarian name and an English element.
adjective
of, relating to, or suggestive of a Hungarian composer or his musical compositions.
The artist's Bartókian composition has its roots in folk melodies yet with an avant garde sense of harmony and instrumentation.
2712. Barylambda

bar-uh-LAM-duh
This word is from Greek-derived Latin.
noun
a genus of large powerful herbivorous mammals from the upper Paleocene of Colorado that have tails like kangaroos and small heads.
Animals of the genus Barylambda, it is thought, could potentially use their powerful tails as supports to help raise themselves onto their hind legs.
2713. bas-relief

bah-rih-LEEF
This word is from Latin-derived French, which formed it from an Italian word.
noun
a sculptural technique in which the image projects slightly from the background plane.
Jasper ran his finger over the bas-relief image on his lucky coin.
2714. batamote

bah-tuh-MOHT
This word is from American Spanish.
noun
a shrub of the U.S. through South America used for thatching and in making brooms — called also water wally.
batamote grows along streams or near other water and has been known to attract butterflies.
2715. battue

ba-TOO
This word came from French, which formed it from a Latin word.
noun
the driving or drawing out of game from cover especially by beating woods and bushes.
Charlene made sketches of the figures and patterns etched on the sticks that the tribe used for battue.
2716. Baucis

BAH-sus
This word came to Latin from a Greek name.
noun
a poor, aged Phrygian in Greek mythology who with her husband Philemon treats the disguised gods Zeus and Hermes hospitably and is saved from destruction by Zeus.
The characters of Baucis and Philemon appear in Ovid's Metamorphosis and again in the second volume of Goethe's Faust.
2717. bauxite

BAHK-sahyt
This word was formed in French from a French geographical name plus a French element.
noun
an impure mixture of aluminum oxides that is the main source of commercial aluminum.
Australia, China, Brazil, India and Guinea are among the world's top producers of bauxite.
2718. bavardage

ba-vur-DAHZH
This word came from French, which formed it from a Latin word.
noun
trivial chatter.
After a stressful math class, Consuela welcomed the opportunity for bavardage with her friends in the cafeteria.
2719. Beauceron

BOH-suh-rahn
There is no origin given.
noun
any of a French breed of short-haired, medium-sized herding dogs with a typically black-and-tan or harlequin coat and double dewclaws on the hind legs.
Milly was charmed by the hardworking Beauceron when she visited the French sheep farm.
2720. beaumontage

boh-MAHN-tij
This word is of unknown origin.
noun
a substance used to fill holes in wood or metal.
Fatima asked the conservator to replace all the old beaumontage in the bronze statuette.
2721. Beaux arts

BOH-ZAHR
This word entry is from French.
plural noun
art (such as painting, sculpture, or music) concerned primarily with the creation of beautiful things.
After he received his inheritance, Filbert quite his job at the firm and dedicated himself entirely to the Beaux arts.
2722. beccafico

beh-kuh-FEE-koh
This word came from Italian, which formed it from Latin-derived elements.
noun
a European songbird that is eaten as a delicacy particularly in autumn.
The beccafico is said to be a glutton for figs.
2723. Bêche-de-Mer

besh-duh-MER
This word is from French.
noun
any of several English-based pidgins spoken on islands of the western Pacific.
The fisherman in New Guinea spoke in Bêche-de-Mer as he attempted to sell his catch of sea cucumbers.
2724. becquerel

beh-KREL
This word is from a French name.
noun
a unit of radioactivity the equivalent of one disintegration per second.
A radon concentration of one becquerel per cubic meter of air in a dwelling is insignificant.
2725. ben trovato

ben-troh-VAH-toh
This word entry is from Italian.
adjective
characteristic or appropriate but not true.
Izzy's story of her friend's forgetfulness was certainly ben trovato, but Hilary knew that it hadn't actually happened that way.
2726. Beowulf

BAY-uh-wulf
This word is from an English literary name.
noun
a legendary Geatish warrior and hero of the Old English poem of the same name.
Beowulf kills the monster Grendel with his bare hands, then kills Grendel's mother with a sword.
2727. berceuse

ber-SUZ
This word is from a French word.
noun
a lullaby.
Priya hummed a berceuse to her daughter in the crib to soothe her to sleep.
2728. bergère

behr-ZHER
This word is from a French word that came from Latin.
noun
an armchair with upholstered fabric popular in the 18th century.
In 1817, President James Monroe purchased a bergère constructed by the French master craftsman Bellangé for the White House.
2729. Bernoulli effect

bur-NOO-lee-eh-FEKT
This word entry is from a Swiss name and a word that passed from Latin to French to English.
noun
an effect observed in hydrodynamics where the pressure in a stream of fluid is reduced as the speed of flow is increased.
The Bernoulli effect can be observed whenever a pipe constricts, leading to quicker fluid flow, and has many practical applications including automobile carburetors.
2730. Bessemer

BES-uh-mur
This word is from an English name.
noun
a type of furnace used in making steel from crude iron.
The Bessemer furnace made mass production of steel possible.
2731. bêtise

bay-TEEZ
This word is from an originally Latin-derived French word.
noun
a foolish or unthinking act.
Colman told his sister Alice that she had just committed the greatest bêtise of her 10 years on Earth.
2732. betony

BET-uh-nee
This word is from a Latin name that became a Latin word before going to French and then English.
noun
an herb whose soft leaves can be used to dress wounds.
In the Middle Ages, betony was often planted in churchyards in the belief that it kept evil spirits at bay.
2733. Bezier curve

BEH-zee-ay-KURV
The first part of this word entry is a French surname, and the second part is from Latin.
noun
a mathematical bend that is often used in computer graphics to model fluid shapes and in animation.
Gabriella loves the natural elegance that a Bezier curve gives to her animations.
2734. bhangra

BAHNG-grah
This word is from Panjabi.
noun
a fusion of Western pop music and traditional Punjabi music.
bhangra was developed in the 1980s when Punjabi immigrants began integrating Western-style music with the folk sounds of their home country.
2735. bhikshuni

BIK-shuh-nee
This word is from Sanskrit.
noun
a woman belonging to a Hindu or Buddhist monastic order : a Hindu or Buddhist nun.
The bhikshuni shaved her head and donned orange robes to mark her entry into the order.
2736. bibelot

BEE-buh-loh
This word is from French.
noun
a trinket or knickknack.
Mrs. Carnes gave her toddler a bibelot to play with while the women discussed plans for the rally.
2737. bibimbap

BEE-BEEM-BAHP
This word is from Korean.
noun
a rice dish of Korean origin with cooked vegetables, often meat, and usually an egg.
Ha-Joon declared her grandma's spicy beef bibimbap to be the best comfort food ever.
2738. bisbigliando

bis-beel-YAHN-doh
This word is from an Italian word.
adjective
very light and murmuring — used as a direction in harp music.
Raquel played a bisbigliando improvisation with her left hand while playing "Happy Birthday" with her right.
2739. bismillah

bih-SMIH-luh
This word is originally Arabic.
interjection
— used as a Muslim invocation.
Sohail called out to the child crying on the balcony, "bismillah, I promise we will rescue you!"
2740. blatherskite

BLA-thur-skahyt
This word is made up of Old-Norse-derived elements.
noun
a garrulous, usually ineffective person.
After realizing that the bank manager was a blatherskite, Jay moved his account to another branch.
2741. blottesque

blah-TESK
The first part of this word perhaps came to English from French, which perhaps took it from Germanic, and the second part is originally Germanic and passed from Italian to French.
adjective
heavy paintwork that looks like spots.
Jeremy thought the painter's blottesque canvases were too childish to be interesting.
2742. bobolink

BAH-buh-link
This word is from an imitative English word.
noun
a small American songbird that resembles the blackbird.
The bobolink breeds in North America and migrates in winter to southern South America.
2743. Boise

BOI-see
This word is a U.S. geographical name.
geographical entry
city and capital of Idaho.
Joelle was intrigued to learn that the largest concentration of Basque Americans is in Boise.
2744. Bolognese

boh-luh-NYEEZ
This word is from an Italian word formed from an Italian geographical name plus an Italian element.
adjective
having or served with a tomato sauce mixed with meat.
Spaghetti Bolognese is Giuseppe's favorite meal for cold nights.
2745. boniface

BAH-nuh-fus
This word is from a literary name.
noun
the proprietor of a hotel, nightclub, or restaurant.
The boniface of the Red Horse Inn loves to have his picture taken with visiting celebrities.
2746. bordereaux

bor-duh-ROH
This word is from Germanic-derived French.
plural noun
detailed notes of accounts.
The insurance clerk worked half the night preparing bordereaux for the audit.
2747. Bosc

bahsk
This word is from a French name.
noun
a pear with firm flesh and brown or dark yellow skin.
The Bosc can be eaten when crunchy, or allowed to ripen further until soft and especially sweet.
2748. bouclé

boo-KLAY
This word is from Latin-derived French.
noun
a rough, loopy fabric.
For the winter, Emily bought a jacket and skirt of bouclé.
2749. boudin

boo-DAN
This word is from a French word.
noun
a spicy meat or fish sausage.
Maurice ate boudin with red beans and rice at the Cajun festival.
2750. bouillon

BOO-yahn
This word is from a Latin-derived French word.
noun
a type of broth made by slowly boiling meat, usually beef, in water.
Benny learned how to make bouillon in his home economics class.
2751. boulevardier

boo-luh-vahr-DYAY
This word is from a Dutch-derived French word plus a French element.
noun
a stylish man.
The boulevardier subscribed to multiple men's fashion magazines to stay ahead of the trends.
2752. boutade

boo-TAHD
This word is from Germanic-derived French plus a French element.
noun
a temper tantrum.
When the general received news of his losses, he reacted with a violent boutade.
2753. bozzetto

but-SET-oh
This word is from Latin-derived Italian.
noun
a rough, small clay study that is for a larger sculpture — used in particular of baroque sculpture.
Ervin was sure he had discovered a hitherto unknown bozzetto by Bernini.
2754. Braeburn

BRAY-burn
This word is from a New Zealand geographical name.
noun
a crisp, juicy, sweet red apple of New Zealand origin.
Carol always has a Braeburn as a snack between lunch and dinner.
2755. brouhaha

BROO-hah-hah
This word is from French, which possibly formed it from a Hebrew word.
noun
excitement and clamor over a minor event.
Sean dropped his tray in the cafeteria, causing quite a brouhaha.
2756. brume

broom
This word went from Latin to Occitan to French.
noun
fog or mist.
The ship's foghorn blared through the drifting brume.
2757. bruschetta

broo-SHEH-tuh
This word is from Italian, which may have taken it from a Latin word.
noun
an appetizer of grilled bread topped with tomatoes, olive oil, garlic and herbs.
Fabio likes to roast the tomatoes before adding them to the bruschetta.
2758. buccal

BUH-kul
The first part of this word is from an originally Latin word, and the second part is from English.
adjective
related to the cheeks.
The diagram clearly showed the buccal salivary glands near the cheek muscle.
2759. buñuelo

boon-yuh-WAY-loh
This word is from Spanish.
noun
a flat semisweet deep-fried cake usually served with sugar and cinnamon or cane syrup.
Rodrigo always looks forward to eating a buñuelo on Christmas morning.
2760. Bunyanesque

buhn-yuh-NESK
This word is from an American name plus a French-derived English element.
adjective
enormous, gargantuan.
No amount of food can satisfy Raymond's Bunyanesque appetite.
2761. burelage

bur-uh-LAHZH
This word is from French, which probably formed it from an ultimately Latin word, and a Latin and French derived English element.
noun
a fine network or pattern of lines or dots printed on the face or back of stamp paper as a protection against fraudulent changes.
Joe’s stamp collection includes two forgeries that have neither burelage nor watermark.
2762. burgee

bur-JEE
This word is from a French word.
noun
a swallow-tailed flag used especially by ships for signals and house flags.
The burgee of the yacht Regina drooped listlessly, flapping occasionally against her mast.
2763. Burkinabe

bur-KEE-nuh-bay
This word is from an African geographical name.
adjective
of or relating to a landlocked republic in western Africa or its inhabitants.
Kwabena and Tessa cried tears of joy when they saw that their Burkinabe friends had come to attend their wedding.
2764. cabochon

KA-buh-shahn
This word is from a French word.
noun
a gem or bead that has been cut and polished but left unfaceted.
Kate's pendant featured a green jasper cabochon.
2765. cabotage

KAB-uh-tahzh
This word is from a word that went from Latin probably to Spanish and then French plus a Latin-derived French element.
noun
commerce or transit in coastal waters or between two places within a nation, especially by foreign carriers.
The company specialized in cabotage, providing shipping services along the coastal waters of the Mediterranean.
2766. ca'canny

kah-KAN-ee
The first part of this word is from a Scottish variant of an Old Norse-derived English word, and the second part is originally English.
verb
to work slowly in order to prolong work — used in Britain.
Unhappy with working conditions, the employees at the plant resolved to ca'canny to reduce productivity until management made certain changes.
2767. cacaxte

kuh-KAHS-tee
This word went from Nahuatl to American Spanish to English.
noun
a square wooden packing frame or crate that has four legs and a net cover and is carried on the back especially by native Guatemalans with the help of a sling.
Marta stared at the cacaxte in the museum and wondered how hard it would be to carry on her back.
2768. cachexia

kuh-KEK-see-uh
This word is from an originally Greek word that passed into Latin.
noun
emaciation that is caused by a disease such as cancer.
The patient suffering from cachexia was given nutrients intravenously.
2769. cacoëthes

kak-oh-EE-theez
This word is from a Greek word that passed into Latin.
noun
a habitual and uncontrollable desire : a mania.
Arnold spends little time outdoors now that he has developed an undeniable cacoëthes for playing video games.
2770. Caerphilly

kahr-FIL-ee
This word is from a Welsh geographical name.
noun
a mild white cheese of Welsh origin that is easily crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder.
Brenda clipped a recipe from the newspaper for an omelette made with Caerphilly and fresh garden peas.
2771. caesious

SEEZ-ee-us
This word is from Latin.
adjective
having a blue color very low in chroma.
Theresa painted a caesious sky to finish up the landscape she'd been working on.
2772. cahiers

kah-YAYZ
This word came from French, which formed it from a Latin word.
plural noun
sheets of paper put together for binding or bound loosely together to form a notebook or pamphlet.
Trying to brush up on her French after many years, Susan started reading through the cahiers of notes and exercises from her school days.
2773. caique

kah-EE-kay
This word is from Spanish or Portuguese.
noun
a small stocky brightly colored parrot native to northeastern South America.
Claude's pet caique has a bright green back, yellow throat, and black beak.
2774. cairn

kern
This word went from Scottish Gaelic to English.
noun
a heap of stones, often in a rounded or pyramidal shape, made as a monument or as a landmark.
Modern hikers will commonly build a cairn as a landmark on a trail, a practice that has been in place since ancient times.
2775. caisson

KAY-sahn
This word is from a word that went from Latin to Old Provençal to French.
noun
a watertight chamber that enables underwater construction.
When building the Brooklyn Bridge, workers regularly dug within a sunken caisson until they reached the bedrock beneath the East River.
2776. calabash

KA-luh-bash
This word went from perhaps Arabic to Spanish then French, and English borrowed either the Spanish or the French.
noun
a common cultivated gourd having fruit in a variety of shapes with a hard shell that can be used as a container.
A calabash with a hole cut in it makes a fine birdhouse.
2777. calamondin

kal-uh-MAHN-dun
This word is from Tagalog.
noun
a small hybrid citrus tree native to the Philippines and cultivated as an ornamental plant.
The fruit of the calamondin looks like a tiny orange.
2778. calenture

KAL-un-chur
This word is from a word that went from Latin to Spanish.
noun
any fever apparently caused by heat.
The captain kept a close eye on the sailor suffering from a calenture after labor in the tropical sun.
2779. caló

kuh-LOH
This word is from Romany-derived Spanish.
noun
a language spoken by Spanish Romany and widely influencing the argots of the Spanish-speaking underworld and of bullfighting.
Sandra enjoyed supplementing her study of Spanish with a few slang terms from caló.
2780. calusar

kuh-loo-SHAHR
This word is from Romanian.
noun
a Romanian hobbyhorse dance done by members of a sworn brotherhood in wild steps and fierce mock combat.
The calusar resembles the Morris dances of England and the ritual dances of many other cultures, possibly pointing to an ancient Indo-European origin.
2781. calvities

kal-VISH-ee-eez
This word is from Latin.
noun
baldness.
Larry’s calvities is intentional, for he shaves his head every morning.
2782. camarilla

ka-muh-RIH-luh
This word is from a word that went from Latin to Spanish.
noun
a cabal of unofficial often secret advisors to someone in power.
The camarilla planned to convince the king that he should invade a neighboring country.
2783. Camembert

kam-um-BER
This word is from a French geographical name.
noun
a soft French cheese.
Brenda served a ripe Camembert after the dessert course.
2784. canaille

kuh-NAHY
This word is from a Latin word that became Italian and then French.
noun
a mob.
The canaille shouted for the prisoners to be freed.
2785. cantatrice

kahn-tuh-TREE-chay
This word is from a Latin word that became Italian and then French.
noun
a female singer, especially of opera.
The cantatrice sang most poignantly when she bade her lover goodbye in her death scene.
2786. caprifig

KAP-ruh-fig
Part of this word is from Latin, and part went from a word of non-Indo-European origin to Latin, to Old Provençal, to French, and finally to English.
noun
a wild fig of southern Europe and Asia Minor used in most fig-raising countries for pollination of the edible fig.
The inedible fruit of the caprifig serves as a home for the fig wasp.
2787. Caracas

kah-RAH-kahs
This word is from a South American geographical name.
geographical entry
the capital of Venezuela.
Caracas is the capital of Venezuela.
2788. carcajou

KAHR-kuh-joo
This word is from a word that went from Algonquian Montagnais [mahn-tun-YAY] to French.
noun
a carnivorous mammal of North America, Europe, and Asia that is dark brown with a light band on each side of the body and is noted for its strength : a wolverine.
Though the carcajou mainly eats carrion and smaller animals, it can kill an adult deer many times larger than itself.
2789. carnifices

kahr-NIF-uh-seez
This word is from Latin.
plural noun
executioners; specifically : the public executioners in ancient Rome.
In ancient Rome, the carnifices performed public executions as mandated by the state.
2790. carrageenan

kar-uh-GEE-nun
This word is from an Irish place name plus an English element.
noun
a gel-forming polysaccharide extracted from various red algae that is often used in the food and beverage industry as a thickener to improve texture, viscosity, and shelf life.
The canned good manufacturer uses carrageenan in their products in order to improve shelf stability.
2791. Carrickmacross

KAR-ik-muh-krahs
This word is from an Irish geographical name.
noun
a lace of Irish origin usually having floral or foliage designs.
One of Susan's treasured possessions is a square of Carrickmacross from her Irish great-grandmother.
2792. cartouches

kahr-TOO-shuz
This word came to English from French, which formed it from an Italian word which was formed based on Greek-derived Latin.
plural noun
ovals with a horizontal line underneath and the names of Egyptian pharaohs inscribed inside.
During the unit on Ancient Egypt, Mr. Greene used an online tool to generate cartouches featuring each of his students' names.
2793. caryatid

keh-ree-A-tud
This word is from a Greek geographical name that went into Latin before becoming English.
noun
a carved female figure that acts as a support in place of a column.
According to the Roman writer Vitruvius, a caryatid represented one of the women of Caryae who were doomed to hard labor because their town sided with the Persians who invaded Greece.
2794. Casimir effect

KA-zuh-mir-ih-FEKT
The first part of this word entry is from a Dutch surname and the second part went from Latin to French to English.
noun
an attractive force created by the net action of virtual photons on physical objects in close proximity.
In every vacuum there is electromagnetic energy of varying wavelengths, and these variations cause certain objects to attract one another via the Casimir effect.
2795. Castalia

ka-STAYL-yuh
This word is from a word that went from Greek to Latin.
noun
something that serves as poetic inspiration.
Though many poets use the natural world as inspiration, classical literature is also a common Castalia.
2796. catachresis

ka-tuh-KREE-sus
This word is from a Greek word that became Latin.
noun
the incorrect use of a word.
Tobias has a bad habit of ill-timed catachresis, which is a consistent source of mirth in his family.
2797. cataphora

kuh-TA-fuh-ruh
This word is made up of Greek elements.
noun
the use of a grammatical substitute (such as a pronoun) that refers to a word or phrase that follows.
Although some grammarians dislike the use of cataphora, it is a common style that some argue can build suspense in sentence construction.
2798. catarrh

kuh-TAHR
This word is from an originally Greek word that passed into Latin and then French.
noun
irritation of a mucous membrane that results in congestion.
catarrh can be brought on by infection, allergies, dry air or chemical irritants.
2799. catjang

KAH-chahng
This word passed to English from Dutch, which took it from a Malay and Sundanese word.
noun
a tropical woody herb with showy yellow flowers and flattish pods much cultivated especially in the tropics : pigeon pea.
Pranathi was fascinated by the dark, shiny seeds of the catjang that her host was about to add to the stew.
2800. cavalletti

kav-uh-LET-ee
This word came from Italian, which formed it from a Latin word.
noun
a series of timber jumps that are adjustable in height for schooling horses.
Black Beauty easily jumped over the cavalletti as Justin watched with pride.
2801. caveola

kah-vee-OH-luh
This word came from an originally Latin word.
noun
a cavity or pouch of the plasma membrane that is involved in the incorporation of substances into a cell by pinching off and forming vesicles in the cytoplasm.
The caveola was originally discovered by E. Yamada in 1955 and is involved in flow sensation in cells.
2802. cecidium

sih-SID-ee-um
This word passed from Greek to Latin.
noun
a swelling or excrescence of the tissues of a plant that results usually from the attacks of insects, mites, or other parasites and is often distinguished by characteristic shape or color — also called a gall.
A kind of cecidium that is produced by fungus growing on wild rice plants in China is a valuable food source.
2803. cephalopod

SEF-uh-luh-pahd
This word was formed in Latin from originally Greek elements.
noun
a marine creature that has a head and an array of long arms with suckers or hooks.
The squid is a 10-armed cephalopod.
2804. cermet

SUR-met
This word is from Greek parts, one of which went from Greek to Latin to French before becoming English.
noun
a strong alloy of a heat-resistant compound and a metal used especially for turbine blades and other objects made by powder metallurgy.
cermet is often used for cutting tools and parts that need to be highly resistant to wear.
2805. certiorari

sur-shee-uh-RAR-ee
This word passed to English from Latin.
noun
a writ issuing out of a superior court to call up the records of an inferior court or a body acting in a quasi-judicial capacity in order that the party may have more sure and speedy justice or that errors and irregularities may be corrected.
Andy’s attorney asked the state supreme court to issue a certiorari to obtain the proceedings of the insurance commission.
2806. chalaza

kuh-LAY-zuh
This word went from Greek to Latin.
noun
either of a pair of spiral bands of thickened albuminous substance in the white of a bird's egg that extend out from opposite sides of the yolk to the ends of the egg.
When a chicken lays an egg, the chalaza helps keep the yolk perfectly suspended in the white albumin.
2807. champignon

sham-pee-NYOHN
This word is from Latin-derived French.
noun
a button mushroom.
The waiter offered Jamie a stuffed champignon from the appetizer tray.
2808. Charon

SHAYR-un
This word went from Greek to Latin to English.
noun
in Greek mythology, a son of Erebus who ferries the souls of dead people over the Styx.
In the myth Henry was reading, the line of dead started to become impatient on the banks of the Styx, as Charon was nowhere to be found.
2809. chastushka

cha-STOOSH-kuh
This word is from Russian.
noun
a four-line poem of the common people about politics or current events.
While researching Russian history, Andrei discovered a chastushka that satirized the Russian monarchy.
2810. chasuble

CHA-zuh-bul
This word came from French, which formed it from a Latin word.
noun
a sleeveless outer garment that is open at the sides and is worn by an officiating priest.
The priest wore a white chasuble to celebrate Sunday mass.
2811. chauve-souris

shohv-soo-REE
This word is from Latin-derived French.
noun
a bat.
Amandine was happy to see a chauve-souris living on the farm because they eat so many mosquitoes.
2812. cheongsam

CHONG-sahm
This word is from Cantonese.
noun
a fitted Chinese dress with a slit skirt and a stand-up collar.
A frog button closed the teardrop-shaped opening below the collar of Yining’s cheongsam.
2813. chèvre

SHEV-ruh
This word is from French.
noun
a cheese made from goats' milk.
Deciding he wanted to make his own chèvre, Robert closely followed the instructions he'd found online.
2814. chevrotain

SHEV-ruh-tayn
This word is from French, which ultimately took it from Latin.
noun
any of several tiny hornless deerlike ruminant mammals reaching only about a foot in height.
In western Africa, the population of the water chevrotain is declining due to a loss of habitat.
2815. chopine

shah-PEEN
This word is from an originally Spanish word, probably of imitative origin, that passed into French.
noun
a woman’s shoe of the 16th and 17th centuries having a high often stiltlike sole designed to increase stature and protect the feet from mud and dirt.
While the chopine elevated a lady’s height, it could also lead to her downfall.
2816. chorten

CHOR-ten
This word is of Tibetan origin.
noun
a Tibetan Buddhist shrine or monument.
The chorten by the stream had a prayer wheel that was constantly turned by the flowing water.
2817. choucroute

shoo-KROOT
This word is made up of a French part and a part that went from German to French.
noun
salted and fermented cabbage.
Elena ordered a bratwurst covered with choucroute.
2818. ciénaga

SYAY-nuh-guh
This word is from Latin-derived Spanish.
noun
a swamp or marsh formed by hillside springs.
Jolene and her friends played frisbee every Tuesday down by the ciénaga.
2819. ciliopathy

sil-ee-AH-puh-thee
This word is from Latin and Greek parts.
noun
any of a group of genetic disorders (such as polycystic kidney disease) that are caused by the abnormal formation or function of cellular hairlike processes, and often share common features (such as brain anomalies and retinal degeneration).
There were many individuals with six fingers on each hand in the remote mountain village, due to the ciliopathy that had been passed down across generations.
2820. cioppino

chuh-PEE-noh
This word is from an Italian word.
noun
a dish of seasoned fish and shellfish cooked in tomato sauce.
Dave's favorite restaurant on Fisherman's Wharf serves cioppino with plenty of crusty bread to sop up the sauce.
2821. cire perdue

SIR-per-DOO
This word entry is from French.
noun
a process used in metal casting that consists of making a wax model, coating it to form a mold, heating until the wax melts, and then pouring metal into the space left vacant.
The sculptor used cire perdue to create an intricate bronze sculpture of Aphrodite.
2822. cirri

SIR-ahy
This word is from Latin.
plural noun
white filmy varieties of cloud usually formed in the highest cloud region and normally consisting of minute ice crystals.
Yolanda loves the gauzy halo around a full moon created by cirri on a cold winter's night.
2823. clerihew

KLER-ih-hyoo
This word is from an English name.
noun
a whimsical four-line poem about a person.
Gabriel wanted to write a clerihew about President Grover Cleveland but couldn't think of a good rhyme.
2824. cobalamin

koh-BA-luh-mun
The first part of this word is from a German word, and the second part is from an element that consists of a part that went from Egyptian to Greek to Latin plus an originally Latin element.
noun
a member of the vitamin B12 group.
The doctor gave Arjun a list of foods high in cobalamin that might keep him from being anemic.
2825. coccygeal

kahk-SIH-jee-ul
This word is from an originally Greek word that passed into Latin.
adjective
of the tailbone.
When Tonio fell from the ladder, he sustained a coccygeal injury.
2826. cochineal

kah-chuh-NEEL
This word is from Spanish and French.
noun
a red dyestuff consisting of the dried bodies of small red insects.
The vivid red cochineal came from the crushed bodies of insects, harvested from cacti in Mexico.
2827. colcannon

kahl-KAN-un
This word was formed in Irish Gaelic from a part that went from Latin to Irish and two parts that were originally Irish.
noun
potatoes boiled and mashed with cabbage or other greens.
The restaurant changes its menu regularly, but the side dish of colcannon is always featured.
2828. colloque

kuh-LOHK
This word is from Latin.
verb
to converse.
The inspector invited Colonel Mustard to colloque about the sad demise of his friend Mr. Boddy in the drawing room with the candlestick.
2829. colluctation

kah-luk-TAY-shun
This word is from Latin.
noun
a struggle.
The all-night colluctation between Jacob and the angel is one of Beth’s favorite Bible stories.
2830. colporteur

KAHL-por-tur
This word is from Latin-derived French.
noun
a distributor or seller of books, especially of a religious nature.
The colporteur sold many Bibles to both the Union and Confederate armies.
2831. colubrine

KAH-luh-brahyn
This word is from Latin.
adjective
relating to or resembling a snake.
Kendall is particularly fond of her designer shoes that are made of leather dyed with colubrine markings.
2832. concatenate

kahn-KA-tuh-nayt
This word is from Latin.
verb
to join or link together.
The student said that he would concatenate his research results into a final report.
2833. concours

kohn-kur
This word is from Latin-derived French.
noun
a public competition : contest.
Mr. Sanders' class gathered in the school auditorium to watch the spelling concours and cheer on their champion.
2834. connoisseur

kah-nuh-SUR
This word came from French, which formed it from a Latin word.
noun
one who is an authority on a subject.
The connoisseur who judged the culinary creations is a chef at a five-star restaurant.
2835. consanguine

kahn-SANG-gwun
This word is from Latin-derived French.
adjective
having a common ancestor.
Though not consanguine, Loretta and her adopted sister were as close as could be.
2836. consigliere

kohn-sil-YEHR-eh
This word went from Latin to Italian.
noun
a counselor or adviser.
Tom considers Joseph his best friend as well as his consigliere.
2837. conteur

kohn-TUR
This word was formed in French from an originally Latin word.
noun
a reciter or composer of short tales especially of adventure : a storyteller.
The library hired a conteur to entertain its young patrons every Saturday morning.
2838. contrapposto

kohn-truh-PAH-stoh
This word is from Italian, which formed it from Latin.
noun
a body position used in art in which the hips, shoulders and head are turned in different directions.
The Greek sculptor Praxiteles used contrapposto to give his statues a natural-looking equilibrium.
2839. contretemps

kahn-truh-TAHN
This word is from a French word made up of Latin-derived elements.
noun
mishap, predicament.
Jeremy moved steadily from blunder to contretemps to embarrassment to disaster.
2840. copernicium

koh-pur-NIS-ee-um
This word was formed in Latin from a proper name.
noun
a short-lived artificially produced radioactive element that has 112 protons.
The creation of some atoms of copernicium was first announced in 1996 by Scientists at the Institute for Heavy Ion Research in Darmstadt, Germany.
2841. corrigenda

kohr-uh-JEN-duh
This word is from Latin.
plural noun
a list of corrections to mistakes in a printed work.
Readers of the news magazine were delighted when the editors decided that the corrigenda should be more prominently placed.
2842. corybantic

kah-ree-BAN-tik
This word is from Greek.
adjective
wild, frenzied.
Many fans of the band engaged in corybantic dancing at the rock concert.
2843. coterie

KOH-tuh-ree
This word is from Latin-derived French.
noun
a clique or tight-knit group.
Justine and her coterie arrived fashionably late for the gallery opening.
2844. cotoneaster

kuh-toh-nee-AST-ur
This word was formed in Latin from a probably originally ancient Cretan geographical name that passed through Greek to Latin plus a Latin element.
noun
a shrub of a genus of Old World shrubs with small, numerous, and mostly entire leaves and fruit a pome containing two to five nutlets.
Sidonie loved the red berries of her cotoneaster in the late fall, when most of the other color had gone from her yard.
2845. coulibiac

koo-lee-BYAHK
This word is from a word that went from Russian to French.
noun
fish that has been wrapped in pastry dough and baked.
Burton substituted trout for the more traditional salmon or sturgeon in his coulibiac.
2846. coulisse

koo-LEES
This word is from a Latin-derived French word.
noun
a side scene of the stage in a theater or the space between the side scenes.
Stagehands waited behind the coulisse, ready to change the scenery for the next act.
2847. coulrophobia

kool-ruh-FOH-bee-uh
There is no origin provided in the dictionary.
noun
abnormal fear of clowns.
When the king banished every harlequin, jester, and mime from the realm, the queen realized that his coulrophobia was nothing to laugh at.
2848. coup de grace

koo-duh-GRAHS
This word entry is made up of Latin-derived French elements.
noun
an occurrence or action that brings an end to something.
The state tax cuts delivered the coup de grace to the proposed new highway.
2849. courgette

koor-ZHET
This word is from a part that went from Latin to French plus a French part.
noun
a smooth, slender cylindrical summer squash with dark green skin : zucchini — chiefly used in Britain.
Emma was pleased to find chopped courgette in her helping of shepherd's pie.
2850. couverture

koo-vur-TOOER
This word is from French.
noun
chocolate which contains large amounts of cocoa butter, typically used for candy coating.
Nina savored the couverture atop the chocolate truffle.
2851. creances

KREE-un-siz
This word went from Latin to French to English.
plural noun
fine lines used to leash a hawk during training.
The birds were still young, so the falconers used creances that were about sixty feet long to keep them close.
2852. crokinole

KROH-kuh-nohl
This word is from French.
noun
a game in which disks are driven or snapped from the edge of a table at a mark in the center.
After dinner, Mary-Catherine challenged her sister to a game of crokinole.
2853. croquembouche

kroh-kahnh-boosh
This word is from a French word.
noun
a dessert made of stacked cream puffs and caramelized sugar.
A croquembouche is a traditional type of French wedding dessert.
2854. croquignole

KROH-kuh-nohl
This word is from a French word.
noun
a method of waving the hair by winding it on curlers from the ends toward the scalp.
Jessica asked her hair stylist to wave her hair using croquignole.
2855. croustade

kroo-STAHD
This word is from a word that went from Latin-derived Provençal to French.
noun
an edible crisp shell in which food is served.
Louise didn’t know whether or not she was supposed to eat the croustade in which her salad was served.
2856. cryptozoa

krip-tuh-ZOH-uh
This word is from originally Greek elements.
plural noun
microscopic animals that live unseen in forest debris.
cryptozoa are generally microscopic animals that have not yet been identified by science.
2857. cushag

KUH-shag
This word is from a Manx word.
noun
a common ragwort with compact clusters of yellow flower heads that is native to Europe, North Africa, and western Asia but that has become a dangerous and aggressive weed on other continents.
According to legend, King Orry of the Isle of Man chose the flower of the cushag as his emblem so that each petal could represent one of the islands in his domain.
2858. cynocephali

sin-uh-SEF-uh-lahy
This word is from a Greek-derived Latin word.
plural noun
people of a fabled race of dogheaded people.
Marco Polo wrote about cynocephali of the Andaman Islands who grew spices but behaved cruelly.
2859. daguerreotype

duh-GER-oh-tahyp
This word is from a French name plus a part that went from Greek to French.
noun
a photograph produced on a silver-plated sheet of copper.
The daguerreotype was popular from its invention in 1839 until 1860.
2860. Darjeeling

dahr-JEEL-ing
This word is from an Indian geographical name.
noun
a tea regarded as of high quality, grown especially in the mountainous districts of northern India.
Akshay's father will drink nothing but Darjeeling, even when Akshay gives him other fancy teas as gifts.
2861. darmstadtium

dahrm-STA-tee-um
This word was formed in Latin from a German geographical name.
noun
a short-lived artificially produced radioactive element with atomic number 110.
Anneke was thrilled to be on the team of physicists who produced the first verifiable sample of darmstadtium.
2862. de rigueur

duh-ree-GUR
This word entry is from French.
adjective
required by etiquette or custom.
At Jada's office, wearing suits to work is de rigueur.
2863. decastich

DEK-uh-stik
This word consists of Greek elements that passed through Latin before becoming English.
noun
a 10-line poem or stanza of poetry.
The English teacher challenged the students to compose a decastich in one class period.
2864. degauss

dee-GAUS
This word consists of an English element plus a German name.
verb
to neutralize the magnetic field of something.
Electric currents degauss the ship to prevent the detonation of magnetic mines.
2865. Deimos

DEE-mohs
The origin of this word is not given.
noun
the smaller and outermost of the two satellites of Mars.
With its small size and geological composition, some scientists believe that Deimos is an asteroid-like object that was captured by the gravitational field of Mars.
2866. Delmarva Peninsula

del-MAHR-vuh-puh-NIN-su-luh
This word is a U.S. geographical name.
geographical entry
a portion of land in the eastern U.S. that is connected with the mainland and is between two particular bays in the Atlantic Ocean, and that comprises most of one state and parts of two others.
The highest point on Delmarva Peninsula is Stillpond Neck.
2867. demitasse

DEM-ee-tas
This word is from a French word formed from a Latin-derived part plus a part that went from Persian to Arabic to French.
noun
a small cup of black coffee.
Nathan sipped his demitasse nervously while he waited for his attorney.
2868. démodé

day-moh-DAY
This word is from French.
adjective
no longer fashionable : out-of-date.
Millie enjoys spending time with her cousin Marcia, though she does tire occasionally of being told that every piece of clothing she wears is "so démodé."
2869. demurrage

duh-MUHR-ij
This word comes from a Latin-derived French word plus an English element.
noun
a fee for keeping a freight vehicle off the road longer than the base time needed for loading or unloading.
Linford demanded that the warehouse owner pay a stiff demurrage for taking longer than three hours to unload his truck.
2870. Déné

day-NAY
This word is from French, which took it from the Déné language.
noun
the language of an Athapaskan people occupying most of the interior of Alaska and northwestern Canada.
There is currently a linguistic hypothesis that Déné may have a relationship with the Yeniseian languages of Central Siberia.
2871. dentifrice

DEN-tuh-fris
This word is from an originally Latin word that then became French.
noun
a paste, liquid, or powder used for cleaning teeth.
John uses a dentifrice that contains baking soda.
2872. derring-do

DER-ing-DOO
This word is originally English.
noun
bold, courageous, or fearless action : bravery.
Narita loved to read tales of Robin Hood's derring-do in Sherwood Forest.
2873. Deseret

deh-zuh-RET
This word is a U.S. geographical name.
geographical entry
proposed southwestern state that was organized in 1849 by Mormons but was refused recognition by the U.S. Congress.
The provisional state of Deseret existed for about two years and was often associated with the symbol of a beehive.
2874. desiccate

DEH-suh-kayt
This word is from Latin.
verb
to dehydrate or parch.
The hot sunshine and the dry wind will no doubt desiccate Margaret's tomato plants.
2875. Devanagari

day-vuh-NAH-guh-ree
This word is from Sanskrit.
noun
the alphabet that is usually employed for Sanskrit and is also used as a literary hand for various modern languages of India.
Devanagari is said to be the fourth most commonly used alphabet in the world.
2876. dghaisa

DAHY-suh
This word is from Maltese.
noun
a small boat resembling a gondola that is common in Malta.
The operator of a traditional dghaisa rows while standing and facing forward.
2877. dhole

dohl
This word is perhaps from Kanarese, a south Indian language.
noun
a fierce wild dog of Asia that hunts in packs.
The dhole is known for the russet color of its coat.
2878. dhurrie

DUR-ee
This word is from Hindi.
noun
a thick fabric or carpet made in India out of cotton.
The dhurrie in Asifa’s foyer is one she purchased during her trip to Delhi.
2879. diapason

dahy-uh-PAY-zun
This word is from an originally Greek word that passed into Latin before entering English.
noun
an intense burst of sound.
The trumpeters filled the courtyard with thrilling diapason.
2880. diaphanous

dahy-A-fuh-nus
This word is from an originally Greek word that passed into Latin.
adjective
delicate and transparent.
The jellyfish were so diaphanous that swimmers could be next to them in the water and never know they were there.
2881. Djibouti

juh-BOO-tee
This word is an African geographical name.
geographical entry
a country in eastern Africa on the Gulf of Aden.
Although Djibouti is a multilingual nation, its two official languages are French and Arabic.
2882. doxycycline

dahk-sih-SAHY-kleen
This word is made up of originally Greek- and Latin-derived elements.
noun
a broad-spectrum antibiotic used orally to treat various bacterial infections.
When John found a tick attached to his skin, his doctor prescribed a small dose of doxycycline as a precautionary measure against Lyme disease.
2883. dragée

dra-ZHAY
This word is from French, which probably took it from a word that went from Greek to Latin.
noun
a nut coated in sugar.
Jordan almonds are Melissa's favorite type of dragée.
2884. drahthaar

DRAHT-hahr
This word is from German.
noun
a dog of a German breed of wire-haired pointers.
Amanda enjoys taking her drahthaar bird hunting with her.
2885. Dubhe

DOOB-heh
The origin of this word is not given.
noun
a group of stars of the second magnitude that is the second brightest component of the constellation Ursa Major.
Two of the stars of Ursa Major, Dubhe and Merak, are called the pointers because a line drawn between them will direct one to the North Star.
2886. Dubuque

duh-BYOOK
This word is an American geographical name.
geographical entry
city on the Mississippi River in eastern Iowa.
Dubuque is named after the first European settler in the Iowa region, a Quebecois who received permission from the local Indian population to mine lead in the area.
2887. duello

doo-EL-oh
This word is from Latin-derived Italian.
noun
the rules of two-person combat.
The rules of modern fencing are descended from duello.
2888. duxelles

dook-SEL
This word is from a French name.
noun
a sauce made of mushrooms and tomato puree.
The saucier perfected his duxelles during his tenure at the French restaurant.
2889. dvandva

DVAHN-dvah
This word is from Sanskrit.
noun
a class of compound words having two components that are equal in rank and related to each other as if joined by “and.”
The word “secretary-treasurer” is an example of a dvandva.
2890. Dvorak

duh-VOR-ak
This word is from an American name.
noun
a typing keyboard with frequently used letters placed centrally.
Siri traded her original keyboard in for a Dvorak in the hopes that she would make fewer typos.
2891. dysphasia

dis-FAY-zhee-uh
Both parts of this word are originally Greek.
noun
a loss of language ability caused by brain injury or disease.
Ellen’s dysphasia was caused by a stroke she had suffered.
2892. ecchymosis

ek-uh-MOH-sis
This word is from an originally Greek word that passed into Latin.
noun
a highly discolored bruise.
A black eye results from ecchymosis.
2893. echelon

ESH-uh-lahn
This word came from Latin-derived French.
noun
a level of responsibility in an organization.
Melody quickly rose to the top echelon in her company's administration.
2894. echinoderm

ih-KAHY-noh-durm
This word is constructed from Greek elements.
noun
a radially symmetrical marine creature with an exoskeleton and a water-vascular system that provides tentacles and organs of locomotion.
The starfish is a familiar echinoderm.
2895. edamame

eh-duh-MAH-may
This word is from Japanese.
noun
young, soft soybeans in the pod.
Thea's favorite appetizer is edamame topped with a sprinkling of sea salt, which she insists on calling "beans in the shell."
2896. effete

ih-FEET
This word is from Latin.
adjective
soft or decadent as a result of easy living conditions.
With our climate control, communication devices, and fast transportation, we would no doubt be considered effete by our pioneer ancestors.
2897. effleurage

ef-luh-RAHZH
This word came from French, which formed it from Latin-derived elements.
noun
a gentle stroking motion in massage.
Abdominal effleurage is one of many techniques taught during pregnancy and childbirth classes.
2898. Egeria

ij-JIR-ee-uh
This word is from a Latin name.
noun
a woman adviser or companion.
Anne Sullivan began as young Helen Keller's teacher, but later became her Egeria.
2899. eisteddfod

ahy-STETH-vahd
This word is from Welsh.
noun
a Welsh competitive festival of the arts especially in singing.
Bryn went to Wales to adjudicate at a local eisteddfod, where there were three choirs competing in the finals.
2900. élan

ay-lahnh
This word is from a French word.
noun
spirit and flair.
Grandmother always said that if she had to be poor, she would do it with élan.
2901. eleemosynary

el-uh-MAHS-uhn-er-ee
This word went from Greek to Latin.
adjective
philanthropic.
Participation in eleemosynary activities is a graduation requirement at Janie’s school.
2902. eluate

EL-yuh-wut
This word consists of an originally Latin element plus an English element.
noun
the washings obtained by extraction (as from a solution containing a previously adsorbed substance).
After the blood had been drawn and combined with a solvent, the resulting eluate was inspected under a microscope.
2903. embouchure

AHM-boo-shur
This word came from French, which formed it from Latin-derived elements.
noun
the position of the lips in playing a wind instrument.
Kirsten’s clarinet playing greatly improved after she perfected her embouchure.
2904. emollient

ih-MAHL-yunt
This word is from Latin.
adjective
soothing and softening to the skin.
Ella usually applies an emollient cream to her hands after washing dishes.
2905. emolument

ih-MAHL-yuh-munt
This word is from Latin.
noun
salary.
The waitress who left her tips out of the emolument she reported faces incarceration for tax evasion.
2906. emphysema

em-fuh-ZEE-muh
This word is from Greek.
noun
a chronic lung disease.
Most cases of emphysema are caused by smoking.
2907. en arrière

ahn-ahr-yehr
This word entry is from Latin-derived French.
adverb
toward the back : backward — used of a movement or of the execution of a step in ballet.
In ballet class, performing a perfect pirouette en arrière was the test of skill every dancer aspired to master.
2908. Enoch Arden

ee-nuk-AHR-dun
This word entry is from an English literary name.
noun
a person missing and believed dead usually through no fault of his own who subsequently is found alive.
Based on a famous poem by Tennyson, the Enoch Arden concept has influenced legal statutes about how long a person can be missing before their spouse can remarry.
2909. enoki

eh-NOH-kee
This word is from Japanese.
noun
a small edible mushroom.
David was determined to use his chopsticks to remove every last enoki from his ramen.
2910. epideictic

eh-puh-DAHYK-tik
This word is from Greek.
adjective
designed to display oratorical skill.
The principal's graduation speech was an epideictic oration of praise and congratulations.
2911. epinicion

ep-uh-NISH-ee-ahn
This word is from Greek.
noun
a song of triumph or a choral ode in honor of a victor in war or games (as in the Olympian or Pythian games).
The typical epinicion in modern Olympic Games is the national anthem of the gold medalist’s country.
2912. epistemology

uh-pist-uh-MAHL-uh-jee
This word is from originally Greek elements.
noun
the study of the method and grounds of knowledge especially with reference to its limits and validity; broadly : the theory of knowledge.
Many scholars hold that the middle books of Plato’s “Republic” are the key to his epistemology.
2913. epixylous

ep-uh-ZAHY-lus
This word is from Greek elements plus an English element.
adjective
growing on wood.
The lower part of the oak tree was covered with epixylous fungi.
2914. Equatoguinean

ih-kway-toh-GIH-nee-un
This word is from an African geographical name.
adjective
of or relating to a country of western Africa on the Bight of Biafra.
Demetri hoped he had enough Equatoguinean currency left to buy some lunch before his flight home.
2915. Erewhonian

er-uh-WAH-nee-un
This word is from a literary geographical name plus an English element.
adjective
of or suggestive of the utopia described in the book Erewhon.
Nick wondered if Erewhonian thoughts ran through Garry Kasparov’s mind when the computer known as “Deep Blue” first beat him at chess in 1996.
2916. ergatogyne

ur-GAT-uh-jahyn
This word is from Greek.
noun
a wingless queen ant resembling a worker.
The ergatogyne in the ant colony played a vital role, laying eggs and ensuring the survival of the colony.
2917. Eris

ER-is
This word is from a Greek mythological name.
noun
a dwarf planet with a mean distance from the sun of 67 astronomical units and a diameter of 1,500 miles.
Professor Lambert mused aloud that it would be the opposite of irony, were the nations of Earth to fight over the resources of tiny Eris.
2918. erythroblast

ih-RITH-ruh-blast
This word was made up in modern science out of Greek-derived elements.
noun
a type of cell with a nucleus appearing in red marrow as a step in the formation of red blood cells.
An erythroblast is a red blood cell with a nucleus, usually found in the circulation of fetuses and newborns.
2919. Esau

EE-sah
This word is from a name that went from Hebrew to Greek to Latin.
noun
one that sacrifices a permanent interest for a more immediate but temporary interest; also : one that may easily be taken advantage of.
Frances knew her sister was an Esau and could easily be convinced to trade her extra blanket for a chocolate bar.
2920. escarole

ES-kuh-rohl
This word is from a Latin word that became Italian and then French.
noun
endive.
Helga tossed a salad of escarole, mushrooms and tomatoes.
2921. escheator

is-CHEE-tur
This word is from a Latin-derived French word that then became English.
noun
a legal officer formerly designated to care for land returned to state or royal ownership.
The escheator lived in a stone cottage on royal land.
2922. esclandre

esk-lahahn-druh
This word came from French, which formed it from Greek-derived Latin.
noun
an incident that arouses unpleasant talk or gives rise to scandal.
During the campaign, the candidate was careful to avoid any esclandre that could sully his name.
2923. espadrille

ES-puh-dril
This word is from a word that went from Latin to Provençal to French.
noun
a casual shoe with a fabric upper and a rope sole.
Melinda put on her other espadrille and headed for the boardwalk.
2924. espalier

ih-SPAL-yur
This word is from a Greek word that became Latin then Italian and then French.
noun
a fruit tree or other plant trained to grow flat against a building, wall, railing, trellis, or other support.
An espalier, because it takes up less room than a traditional fruit tree, is sometimes planted in gardens having limited space.
2925. espial

ih-SPAHY-ul
This word is from an originally Germanic word that became French before becoming English.
noun
the act of watching stealthily for the purpose of secretly obtaining information.
The private investigator withdrew from his place of espial once he had obtained several incriminating photos.
2926. estancia

e-STAHNTS-yah
This word probably went from Latin to American Spanish.
noun
a South American cattle ranch or stock farm.
The gaucho herded the sheep into a pen on the south side of the estancia.
2927. estovers

ih-STOH-vurz
This word went from a Latin phrase to a French word to English.
plural noun
wood that a tenant is allowed to take from the landlord's premises for necessary fuel.
Because his rented cottage was heated only by wood, Dustin was instructed to take his estovers directly from his landlord's woodpile.
2928. estrepe

ih-STREEP
This word came from French, which formed it from a Latin word.
verb
to wreak needless destruction or waste upon.
The mansion’s absentee owner will not rent it out because she fears that a tenant will estrepe her property.
2929. ethylene

ETH-uh-leen
This word was created by modern science out of Greek-derived elements.
noun
a petrochemical gas used as an anesthetic and to ripen fruits.
When ethylene is polymerized, the product is polyethylene, a plastic material used for making containers.
2930. étouffée

ay-too-FAY
This word came from French, which formed it from a Latin word.
noun
a shellfish stew of Cajun influence served over rice.
While visiting Louisiana, Murray discovered a small café that served a sublime crawfish étouffée.
2931. eudiometer

yoo-dee-AHM-uh-tur
This word was formed in Italian from Greek elements.
noun
an instrument for the volumetric measurement and analysis of gases.
Rodney managed to set the chemistry lab on fire because he did not understand how to use the eudiometer.
2932. Euroclydon

yuh-RAK-luh-dahn
This word was formed in Greek from an originally Greek part and an originally Latin part.
noun
a strong cold northeast wind of the central Mediterranean.
It is said that the Euroclydon once swept all the trees off the island of Malta.
2933. exchequer

EKS-chek-ur
This word is from a Persian-derived Arabic word that passed into French before becoming English.
noun
a royal or national treasury.
Inspector Fitzhugh was assigned to temporary duty at the exchequer.
2934. faipule

fahy-POO-lay
This word is from Samoan.
noun
a Samoan indigenous councillor heading a political district and belonging to a council that forms the central political structure of a village, district, or island.
The village faipule led the community meeting, discussing plans for the new school being built.
2935. farfalle

fahr-FAH-lay
This word is from Italian.
noun
pasta that is shaped like a butterfly.
Amalia’s favorite comfort food is farfalle alfredo.
2936. farouche

fuh-ROOSH
This word came from French, which formed it from a Latin word.
adjective
shy or lacking social graces.
As a teenager, Inez was rather farouche, hesitant to make eye contact with strangers.
2937. farrago

fuh-RAH-goh
This word is from Latin.
noun
a disordered or confused collection (as of words or ideas).
The candidate’s concession speech was a rambling farrago that underscored his lack of focus during the campaign.
2938. Fatimid

FAT-uh-mud
This word is from an Islamic name.
noun
a member of a dynasty ruling portions of North Africa during the period A.D. 909–1171.
Fatimid astronomers built enormous towers to observe the sun, planets, and other astronomical phenomena such as supernovas.
2939. fatshedera

fat-SED-ruh
This word is from Latin elements.
noun
a vigorous upright ornamental foliage plant with glossy leaves that is a hybrid between ivy and a type of prickly tree.
Kimmy decided to plant fatshedera in the shady parts of her backyard where nothing else would grow.
2940. fauchard

foh-SHAHR
The first part of this word is originally Latin and went through French, and the second part is from French.
noun
a long-handled medieval weapon with a long convex edge.
The fauchard was one of the most formidable weapons used from the 13th to the 16th centuries.
2941. Feldenkrais

FEL-dun-krahys
This word is from a trademark.
trademark
— used for a system of body movements that increase awareness and ease tension in the body.
Madison sought relief from the pain of a repetitive stress injury through Feldenkrais.
2942. fellahin

fel-uh-HEEN
This word is from Arabic.
plural noun
peasants or agricultural laborers in Egypt, Syria, and other Arabic-speaking countries.
The historian Winifred Blackman, one of the first Westerners to study the fellahin, found many similarities between their culture and what is known of the ancient Egyptians.
2943. ferruginous

fuh-ROO-juh-nus
This word is from Latin.
adjective
containing iron.
Nearby ferruginous rocks affected the direction of the compass needle.
2944. fête champêtre

FAYT-shahm-PET-ruh
This word entry is from a Latin-derived French word and a French word.
noun
a gathering for amusements in a rural setting of members of an 18th-century French court costumed as shepherds and shepherdesses.
A fête champêtre sometimes included musicians hidden in trees to provide entertainment without destroying the illusion of a pastoral scene.
2945. fetticus

FET-ih-kus
The first part of this word is from Dutch, and the second part went from Latin to French to Dutch before becoming English.
noun
a plant of a genus of originally Old World herbs that is widely cultivated as a salad plant.
fetticus is commonly known as “corn salad.”
2946. fibromyalgia

fahy-broh-mahy-AL-juh
This word was formed from Latin and Greek elements.
noun
a chronic disorder in which the symptoms most frequently are widespread pain, tenderness and stiffness of muscles that is usually accompanied by fatigue, headache and sleep disturbances.
Because fibromyalgia has many symptoms and often mimics other diseases, it can be difficult to diagnose.
2947. Firbolg

FIR-bul-ug
This word is from Irish.
plural noun
an ancient group of people in Ireland.
According to Irish mythology, the Firbolg ruled for 37 years before being conquered.
2948. flehmen

FLAY-mun
This word is from German.
noun
a mammalian behavior (as of horses) in which the animal inhales with the mouth open and upper lip curled to facilitate exposure of a nasal organ to a scent.
A horse may exhibit flehmen when it is given an unfamiliar food or when it is meeting a new horse.
2949. force majeure

fors-mah-ZHUR
This word entry is from French.
noun
an event that cannot reasonably be foreseen or controlled.
The landlord was not responsible for damages caused by flooding, storms or any other force majeure.
2950. Formica

for-MAHY-kuh
This word is from a trademark.
trademark
used for different laminated plastic products used primarily as part of furniture.
Grandma Josie's kitchen table has a red Formica top.
2951. frabjous

FRAB-jus
This word is perhaps from another English word that is of Latin origin.
adjective
wonderful.
Vonda thought happily that her graduation party was the final event of a simply frabjous day.
2952. fracas

FRAY-kus
This word is from a Latin word that became Italian and then French.
noun
a loud brawl or fight.
Mr. McNally alerted the police when he saw a fracas breaking out down the street from his shop.
2953. funori

foo-NOHR-ee
This word is from Japanese.
noun
any of several fleshy marine algae that furnish a tough glue.
Kaisho wore thick gloves to harvest funori from the beach.
2954. furan

FYUH-ran
This word is made up of a Greek- and a Latin-derived element of International Scientific Vocabulary.
noun
a flammable liquid compound that is obtained from wood oils of certain pines but is usually made synthetically and that is used chiefly in making intermediates for the manufacture of nylon.
furan is toxic and may cause cancer in humans.
2955. Furneaux

FUR-noh
This word is an Australian geographical name.
geographical entry
islands of Australia off northeastern Tasmania.
The Furneaux islands were exploited for their seal population in the 19th century.
2956. furuncle

FYUH-rung-kul
This word is from Latin.
noun
an inflamed, local swelling of the skin that discharges a central core of dead tissue — called also boil.
A painful furuncle developed inside Amy’s elbow.
2957. gabarit

ga-buh-REE
This word is from a French word that came from probably Latin-derived Provençal as well as Germanic-derived Provençal.
noun
an outline on a drawing of an object that moves showing the space required to allow its motion.
Alan was careful to add to his architectural drawing of the dungeon the gabarit for the trapdoor.
2958. gabbro

GA-broh
Originally Latin, this word came through Italian before becoming English.
noun
a rock of a family of granular igneous rocks composed essentially of three parts.
An outcropping of gabbro showed through the soil.
2959. gaffe

gaf
This word is from a word that went from Provençal to French.
noun
an action or mistake that causes social or political embarrassment.
After realizing that he had eaten his soup with the dessert spoon, Roscoe concentrated on getting through the formal dinner without committing another gaffe.
2960. Gaia

GAHY-uh
This word is from Greek.
noun
the hypothesis that the living and nonliving components of earth function as a single system in such a way that the living component regulates and maintains conditions so as to be suitable for life.
The movie "Avatar" uses Gaia as a crucial premise, albeit for a planet other than Earth.
2961. gaillardia

guh-LAHR-dee-uh
This word is from a French name.
noun
a western American herb with downy leaves and long showy flower heads.
The gaillardia often has bright yellow or purple blooms.
2962. Galahad

GAL-uh-had
This word is from an English name.
noun
a person who demonstrates selfless devotion to a worthy cause.
A true Galahad, Jean has spent her entire life trying to find solutions to the problem of poverty.
2963. galatea

gal-uh-TEE-uh
This word is from a British maritime name ultimately derived from a Greek mythological name.
noun
a striped cotton cloth formerly used for uniforms and playclothes.
The fabric known as galatea takes its name from a British warship, as the cloth was often used to make children's sailor suits.
2964. galena

guh-LEE-nuh
This word is from Latin.
noun
a bluish gray mineral consisting of native lead sulfide occurring in cubic or octahedral crystals.
Ali gave his brother a near-perfect cube of galena for his mineral collection.
2965. gallivat

GAL-uh-vat
This word is probably from a word that passed from Latin to Spanish to Portuguese.
noun
a ship of the East Indies that was propelled by sails and oars and frequently used by pirates.
A gallivat typically had two sails and up to 20 benches on either side for oarsmen, and was sometimes equipped with a small cannon or two.
2966. gambol

GAM-bul
This word went from Greek to Latin to Old Portuguese to French.
verb
to jump or skip around playfully.
Olga watched the puppies gambol about in the sunshine.
2967. Gaspesian

ga-SPEE-zhun
This word is from a Canadian geographical name and an English element.
adjective
of or relating to a peninsula in southeastern Quebec, Canada, between the mouth of the Saint Lawrence River and Chaleur Bay.
The Gaspesian caribou is highly endangered due to forest loss and the encroachment of other prey and predator populations.
2968. gasthaus

GAHST-haus
This word consists of two German elements.
noun
a German inn.
Kurt and his wife enjoyed the ambience of the Bavarian gasthaus.
2969. gattine

ga-TEEN
This word is from French.
noun
an epidemic and fatal disease of silkworms.
A silkworm infected with gattine will eventually become emaciated and nearly transparent.
2970. Geatish

GEE-tish
This word is from Old English.
adjective
of or relating to a Scandinavian people of southern Sweden subjugated by the Swedes in the 6th century and believed to be ancestors of the Gotlanders.
In the Anglo-Saxon epic poem, Beowulf is a Geatish hero who comes to the aid of Hrothgar, the king of the Danes.
2971. gegenschein

GAYG-un-shahyn
This word is from originally German elements.
noun
a faint elliptical nebulous light in the sky opposite the sun — called also counterglow.
The gegenschein is lost in the light of the Milky Way in the summer and winter months.
2972. gelilah

guh-LEE-luh
This word is from Hebrew.
noun
the rolling up of the scroll of the law preparatory to wrapping it in its vestments after reading from it in the synagogue.
Whether an elder or a young boy performs the gelilah depends on the specific practice of different branches of Judaism.
2973. gendarme

ZHAHN-dahrm
This word is from a French word.
noun
a European police officer, especially one in France.
The gendarme sighed heavily when he realized the only witness to the burglary was a mime.
2974. genet

zhuh-NAY
This word is from Latin-derived French.
noun
a yellow-flowered Eurasian shrub common as a weed in England, beginning to naturalize in North America, and sometimes cultivated for ornament.
genet is also sometimes called dyer's broom because of the useful yellow dye it produces.
2975. gesellschaft

guh-ZEL-shahft
This word is from German.
noun
a rationally developed social relationship based on impersonal relationships between individuals.
Todd held forth on his pet theory that Facebook was merely a popular gesellschaft.
2976. giallolino

jah-luh-LEE-noh
This word is from Italian.
noun
any of a variety of yellow pigments.
giallolino has been used by Italian painters for several centuries.
2977. ginglymus

JING-glih-mus
This word is from Greek.
noun
a hinge joint that allows movement in one plane only.
In anatomy class, Jerry learned that there is a ginglymus connecting the humerus and the ulna in the human arm.
2978. Gippsland

GIPS-land
This word is an Australian geographical name.
geographical entry
a coastal region of eastern Australia extending from near Melbourne to the border with New South Wales.
Gemaine saw a stunning, iridescent abalone shell at a coastal market in Gippsland.
2979. glabella

gluh-BEL-uh
This word is from Latin.
noun
the smooth prominence of the forehead between the eyebrows.
Doctors can test for dehydration by gently pinching and lifting the skin of the glabella; in a dehydrated patient, the skin will remain tented rather than returning to its normal shape.
2980. glacis

gla-SEE
This word came from French, which formed it from a Latin word.
noun
a natural or artificial slope used for defense against attack.
The barrels of several black cannons pointed out over the sloping glacis.
2981. glengarry

glen-GAR-ee
This word is from a Scottish geographical name.
noun
a woolen cap of Scottish origin usually having a crease from front to back and edges bound with ribbon.
Each bagpiper was wearing a glengarry, a kilt, a sporran, and spats.
2982. gliriform

GLIR-uh-form
This word consists of ultimately Latin-derived elements.
adjective
looking like a rodent.
Paleontologists were excited to find a gliriform fossil, which provided new information about the dietary habits of a possible ancestor to modern rodents.
2983. glyceraldehyde

glih-sur-AL-duh-hahyd
This word is from a part that went from Greek to French plus a part that went from Arabic through Spanish to Latin plus a part that went from Greek to Latin.
noun
a sweet crystalline compound formed in the breakdown of sugars.
glyceraldehyde is but one of many compounds involved in cellular metabolism.
2984. Gondwana

gahn-DWAHN-uh
This word is from a Sanskrit word that was borrowed into English and then into German and back into English.
noun
a former land mass that was an independent continent around 600 million years ago and that included land that currently forms many modern continents.
The supercontinent of Gondwana existed from around the end of the Neoproterozoic Era until the mid-Jurassic period.
2985. goondie

GUN-dee
This word is from an Australian name.
noun
an aboriginal hut in Australia.
Thor’s long trek in western Australia included an overnight stay in a goondie.
2986. graywacke

GRAY-wak-uh
This word is a translation of a German word.
noun
a coarse, usually dark sandstone or fine-grained conglomerate that is composed of fragments of dark-colored minerals or rocks firmly cemented.
The majority of the mountain range that comprises the backbone of New Zealand is composed of graywacke.
2987. griot

GREE-oh
This word is from French.
noun
any of a class of West African musician-entertainers or storytellers whose performances include tribal genealogies and histories.
While researching his book Roots, Alex Haley was stunned to meet a griot who was able to tell the story of how Haley’s ancestors were captured by slave traders and sent to America.
2988. Groenendael

GROO-nun-dahl
This word comes from a Belgian place name.
noun
a hardy Belgian dog developed to herd sheep which has long, straight, black hair and can grow to over 50 pounds in weight.
Because of its intelligent nature, police departments sometimes use the Groenendael in bomb detection.
2989. Gruyère

groo-YEHR
This word is from a Swiss geographical name.
noun
a type of light yellow whole-milk cheese with a nutty flavor and tiny holes.
Kelly loves macaroni and cheese made with Gruyère.
2990. guan

gwahn
This word is from American Spanish.
noun
any of various large tropical American birds that are used for sport and food, somewhat resemble turkeys, and live in dense lowland forests.
Ricardo spotted a crested guan eating fruit at the end of a branch.
2991. guapena

gwuh-PEEN-uh
This word went from Taino to American Spanish.
noun
a ribbon fish from the West Indies.
Peter caught a guapena on his first fishing trip in the West Indies.
2992. Guarnerius

gwahr-NIR-ee-us
This word is from Latin, which formed it from an Italian name.
noun
a violin made in the 17th and 18th centuries by a member of a famous Italian family.
The Guarnerius owned by the violinist Paganini is now displayed in the town hall of Genoa, Italy.
2993. guayabera

gwahy-uh-BEHR-uh
This word is from American Spanish.
noun
a usually short-sleeved lightweight sport shirt designed to be worn untucked.
Uncle Santiago’s favorite attire is a pair of shorts and a guayabera.
2994. guerite

gay-REET
This word is from a French word, which was perhaps from a Germanic-derived Old Provençal word.
noun
a turret or shelter for a soldier standing guard on an old fort.
Most of the crumbling fort was in disrepair, but Max could just make out part of the guerite where the corners of the wall met.
2995. guichet

gee-SHAY
This word is from an originally Germanic word that became French before becoming English.
noun
a ticket window.
Lyle waited in line at the guichet to buy tickets for the big game.
2996. Guidonian

gwee-DOH-nee-un
This word is from a name and an English element.
adjective
of or relating to the theories of a medieval music theorist; especially : relating to his system of solfège and theory of movable hexachords.
Guidonian innovations were hugely helpful to singers trying to sight-read melodies from written music.
2997. Gurmukhi

GUR-muh-kee
This word passed to English from Panjabi, which took it from a Sanskrit word probably partly of Dravidian origin.
noun
the alphabet that the sacred texts of the Sikhs in whatever language are written in and that is also used by the Sikhs in secular writing in Panjabi.
Ikbir has a special calligraphy pen that he uses to practice writing the symbols of Gurmukhi.
2998. gyascutus

gahy-uh-SKOO-tus
This word is of unknown origin.
noun
a large, imaginary creature having four legs, of which one side are longer than the other for walking on hills.
Jenny sketched a gyascutus grazing on a steep hillside for the cover of her report on fictitious animals.
2999. gyokuro

GYOH-kuh-roh
This word is from Japanese.
noun
a high-grade tea made in Japan from the leaves of shaded bushes and used for domestic consumption.
In Japan, gyokuro is considered to be the most exquisite green tea.
3000. gypsophila

jip-SAH-fuh-luh
The first part of this word is from an originally Semitic word that passed through Greek to Latin, and the second part is from Greek-derived Latin.
noun
a plant with small delicate pyramid-shaped flower clusters — called also baby’s breath.
Lena was quite proud of her beautiful gypsophila, with its light scent and delicate white blossoms.
3001. halala

huh-LAH-luh
This word is from Arabic.
noun
a Saudi Arabian monetary unit equal to 1?100 riyal.
About to fly home from Riyadh, Hector decided to save a halala for his extensive coin collection.
3002. halcyon

HAL-see-un
Originally Greek, this word went into Latin before becoming English.
adjective
pleasingly calm or peaceful in its natural simplicity : serene.
Aaron spent the halcyon afternoon in his hammock.
3003. Hamtramck

ham-TRAM-ik
This word is a North American geographical name.
geographical entry
city surrounded by Detroit in southeastern Michigan.
Hamtramck is famous for P?czki [PAHNCH-kee] Day, celebrated on Fat Tuesday, when people eat the distinctive Polish filled doughnuts.
3004. hangul

HAHNG-gul
This word is from Kashmiri.
noun
a deer of Kashmir in Asia that is closely related to the European red deer.
The number of hangul existing in the wild is dangerously low, with only 160 remaining when last surveyed in 2008.
3005. haupia

hau-PEE-uh
This word is from Hawaiian.
noun
a pudding of Hawaiian origin made from coconut cream and cornstarch.
The Rosenthals' Hawaiian wedding included a luau and a wedding cake filled with haupia.
3006. hebdomadal

heb-DAH-muh-dul
This word is from an originally Greek word that passed into Latin plus an English element.
adjective
weekly.
The hebdomadal occurrence of Monday depresses Garfield to no end.
3007. hei-tiki

HAY-TEE-kee
This word is from Maori.
noun
a greenstone charm in the shape of a human figure worn as a neck pendant by the Maoris.
The hei-tiki is often passed from generation to generation, and its magical powers are said to increase as it is passed down.
3008. hellebore

HEL-uh-bohr
This word went from Greek to Latin.
noun
an alkaloid-rich powder or extract from the dried root of a poisonous plant related to the lily.
hellebore has sometimes been used in medications that help to slow the functioning of the heart and lungs.
3009. hemorrhage

HEM-rij
This word is from an originally Greek word that passed into Latin and then French.
noun
a rapid, uncontrollable loss or flowing out.
The company had a disastrous first quarter that was described as a hemorrhage of money.
3010. hennin

HEN-in
This word is from French.
noun
a tall headdress shaped like a cone often with a light veil attached at the top used by women in 15th-century Europe.
At the Renaissance fair, Arabella wore a hennin, its tall, pointed shape adding elegance to her costume.
3011. henotheism

HEN-uh-thee-ih-zum
This word was formed in German from Greek elements.
noun
the worship of one god without denying the existence of other gods.
Historically, henotheism has been a transitional stage in religion between the worship of many gods and only one god.
3012. hepatectomy

hep-uh-TEK-tuh-mee
This word is made up of originally Greek elements.
noun
a medical procedure involving the removal of the liver or a part of the liver from the body.
Kira's doctors discussed the possibility of a partial hepatectomy to remove the tumor.
3013. Herodotean

hih-rah-duh-TEE-un
This word is from a Greek name and an English element.
adjective
of, relating to, or suggestive of a 5th century B.C.E. Greek historian.
The professor's history of the French and Indian War was described as Herodotean in its scope and range.
3014. Hessian

HESH-un
This word is from a German place name plus an English element.
noun
a mercenary soldier.
The term Hessian originally referred to mercenary soldiers from Germany who were employed by the British during the American Revolutionary War.
3015. Hippolyta

hih-PAHL-uh-tuh
This word went to Latin from a Greek name.
noun
a queen of the Amazons given in marriage to Theseus by Hercules.
In DC Comics, Hippolyta is the mother of Wonder Woman.
3016. hirsute

hur-SOOT
This word is from Latin.
adjective
hairy, shaggy.
Lena told Tom to shave because he was looking a little hirsute.
3017. hoi polloi

hoy-puh-LOY
This word entry is from a Greek phrase.
plural noun
ordinary people : multitude, masses.
Rami dreamed of flying first class to avoid being crammed in coach with the hoi polloi.
3018. holobenthic

hahl-oh-BEN-thik
Both parts of this word are originally Greek.
adjective
living in the deep sea throughout all stages of life.
holobenthic species typically do not go through a free-swimming larval stage.
3019. hominin

HAH-muh-nun
This word is from Latin.
noun
any of a taxonomic tribe of upright bipedal primate mammals that includes recent humans together with extinct ancestral and related forms.
Only a specialist like Dr. Givens could speculate whether the fossil came from a hominin or from one of the great apes.
3020. homoscedasticity

hoh-moh-sih-da-STIS-uh-tee
Both parts of this word are originally Greek.
noun
the quality or state of having equal standard deviations.
homoscedasticity is important in statistical tests because uneven variances will result in skewed test results.
3021. hordeolum

hor-DEE-uh-lum
This word is from Latin.
noun
an inflamed swelling of a fatty gland at the margin of an eyelid : a sty.
Lakshmi’s doctor recommended that she use a warm compress on her hordeolum twice daily.
3022. houppelande

HOO-plahnd
This word is from French.
noun
a loose belted overgown of the 14th and 15th centuries usually with long wide sleeves, jagged edges, a fur lining and full-length skirt often with slits in it.
At the medieval fair, Henri's elaborate houppelande, complete with fur lining and gold embroidery, made him look like royalty from the Middle Ages.
3023. Hsia

shee-AH
This word is from Pekingese.
noun
the first dynasty of China, said to have been founded by the legendary emperor Yu.
The Hsia dynasty is said to have begun after the subsidence of the waters of a great flood.
3024. Huallaga

wah-YAH-gah
This word is a South American geographical name.
geographical entry
a river 700 miles long in north central Peru.
Beatriz was captivated by the video footage from a drone flying over the Huallaga for a stretch of 10 miles.
3025. huerta

WAYR-tah
This word is from Spanish, which formed it from Latin.
noun
a plot of highly cultivated land in Spain, such as for an orchard.
For their fifth anniversary, Pablo and Claudia had an evening picnic on the family's huerta.
3026. Humboldt

HUM-bohlt
This word is a U.S. geographical name.
geographical entry
river in northern Nevada flowing into Rye Patch reservoir and formerly into a lake of the same name.
According to numerous sources, the Humboldt is the longest continental U.S. river to begin and end in the same state.
3027. hutia

hoo-TEE-uh
This word passed from Taino to American Spanish and Spanish.
noun
a type of large edible rodent now extinct over much of its range.
Only two species of hutia remain common in the wild.
3028. hypaethral

hahy-PEETH-rul
This word is from an originally Greek word that passed into Latin and an English element.
adjective
open to the sky.
Our football team plays in a hypaethral stadium.
3029. hyssop

HIH-sup
Originally of Semitic origin, this word passed through Greek and Latin and French before becoming English.
noun
a European mint with fragrant leaves that is often grown in gardens as a remedy for bruises.
Aunt Cara made a paste of hyssop and oil and applied it to Darien’s bruised shoulder.
3030. hysteresis

hist-uh-REE-sis
This word went from Greek to Latin.
noun
the lagging of a physical effect on a body behind its cause.
Shola's mom explained to her that the Jell-O showed hysteresis because it took it a while to set even after it had cooled.
3031. hysteron proteron

HIS-tuh-rahn-PROH-tuh-rahn
This word passed to English from Latin, which took it from Greek.
noun
a figure of speech consisting of reversal of a natural or rational order (as in “then came the thunder and the lightning”).
"Your command to put on my shoes and socks," declared Malcolm to his mother, "is both an instance of hysteron proteron and quite literally preposterous!"
3032. Iceni

ahy-SEE-nahy
This word is from Latin.
plural noun
an ancient British people that under its queen Boadicea [boh-uh-duh-SEE-uh] revolted against the Romans in 61 B.C.E.
Artifacts from the Iceni tribe provide valuable insights into the way of life on Great Britain before it was conquered by the Roman empire.
3033. ichthyology

ik-thee-AHL-uh-jee
This word is formed from Greek parts.
noun
the study of fishes.
Mr. Pout didn’t need a degree in ichthyology to see that he had caught a dead branch.
3034. icosahedron

ahy-koh-suh-HEE-drun
This word is from Greek.
noun
a three-dimensional figure or solid having 20 sides or faces.
The icosahedron occurs frequently in nature in molecular and viral structures.
3035. ikebana

ih-kih-BAH-nuh
This word is from Japanese.
noun
the Japanese art of flower arranging that emphasizes form and balance.
Michiko is trained in ikebana, and her arrangements are displayed in many restaurants throughout the city.
3036. immie

IM-ee
The first part of this word was formed from a Latin word, and the second part is from English.
noun
a glass marble with colored streaks.
The prize item in Corinne's marble collection was an immie that looked exactly like the planet Jupiter.
3037. in medias res

in-MAY-dee-ahs-RAYS
This word entry is from Latin.
adverb
in or into the middle of a narrative or plot without the formality of an introduction or other preliminary.
Many Bond films open in medias res, usually with an elaborate action sequence.
3038. in nuce

IN-NOO-kay
This word entry is from Latin.
adverb
in a nutshell.
A good thesis statement will introduce the main point of an essay in nuce.
3039. in silico

in-SIH-lih-koh
This word is from Latin.
adverb
in or on a computer : done or produced by using computer software or simulation.
"It is one thing to run your experiment in silico," said Dr. Karpalus, "but quite another to perform it in an actual lab."
3040. incunabula

in-kyuh-NA-byuh-luh
This word is from Latin.
plural noun
books printed before 1501.
Among the library’s recent acquisitions are several incunabula, most of which were written in Latin.
3041. inglenook

ING-gul-nook
This word is from an originally Scottish Gaelic word plus an English word that is perhaps of Scandinavian origin.
noun
a high-backed wooden bench near a fireplace.
The quaint cottage featured an inglenook and two window seats.
3042. insouciance

in-SOO-see-unts
This word was formed in French from Latin-derived elements.
noun
an attitude of not worrying about what others think of one's work or behavior.
Liam's mother did not appreciate the insouciance he displayed every time she suggested he put a bit more effort into his homework.
3043. integument

in-TEG-yuh-munt
This word is from Latin.
noun
an external enveloping layer, membrane or structure.
The children were fascinated by the dried cicada integument attached to the brick wall.
3044. internecine

in-tur-NEH-seen
This word is from Latin.
adjective
deadly.
Many areas of the former Yugoslavia have been plagued with internecine struggles.
3045. interregnum

in-tur-REG-num
This word is from Latin.
noun
the time during which a throne is vacant between the reign of two sovereigns.
The prime minister urged citizens to band together during the interregnum.
3046. Inugsuk

EE-nug-sook
The dictionary gives no etymology for this word.
adjective
of or relating to a stage of indigenous culture in west Greenland (1200–1400 C.E.) resulting from contact between the Thule peoples and medieval Norse cultures.
The influence of Norse culture on Inugsuk artifacts can be seen in the shape of certain harpoon heads and the development of new kinds of items, such as woven woolen cloth.
3047. Inuk

ih-NOOK
This word is from Inuit.
noun
a member of the Inuit people.
An Inuk spoke to the school about the impact of climate change on indigenous populations.
3048. isagoge

AHY-suh-goh-jee
This word is from an originally Greek word that passed into Latin.
noun
an academic introduction to a branch of research or study.
The philosophy student found Porphyry’s isagoge on Aristotle’s logic very helpful.
3049. Ishihara test

ish-ee-HAHR-uh-TEST
This word entry is from a Japanese name and a word that passed from Latin to French to English.
noun
a widely used test for the detection of color blindness.
Trina took an Ishihara test at her annual ophthalmologist appointment.
3050. ivermectin

ahy-vur-MEK-tin
The first part of this word is perhaps derived from an originally Greek part, and the second part is from an English word ultimately derived from parts of Latin, unknown, and Greek origin.
noun
a drug used by veterinarians to kill insects, mites, and worms.
Treatment and prevention of parasitic infections with ivermectin is an effective way to keep your pets healthy.
3051. Jahiliya

jah-huh-LEE-yuh
This word is from Arabic.
noun
the pre-Islamic period in Arabia.
In Arabic, the term Jahiliya literally means "ignorance," indicating the generally low opinion of Muslims of this era.
3052. jai alai

HAHY-lahy
This word went from Basque to Spanish.
noun
a ball game played on a large walled court by two or four players who wear long curved wicker baskets strapped to their wrists.
Some people consider jai alai the fastest game in the world because of how quickly the ball travels.
3053. janthina

JAN-thuh-nuh
This word is from Greek-derived Latin.
noun
a snail of a genus of sea snails that have a thin spiral purple shell, a large head, and gills that can protrude.
Each janthina begins life as a male and later changes to a female.
3054. jasmone

JAZ-mohn
The first part of this word is from a word that went from Persian to Arabic to French, and the second part is from Greek.
noun
a liquid ketone that has an extremely fragrant floral odor, is found especially in a type of plant oil, and is used in perfumery.
The perfume label listed a slew of ingredients, including alcohol, rose water, and jasmone.
3055. je ne sais quoi

zhuh-nuh-say-KWAH
This word entry is from French.
noun
something that cannot be adequately described or expressed.
Jun's drawings had a certain je ne sais quoi that set them apart from the rest of the art in the gallery.
3056. jerboa

jur-BOH-uh
This word is from Arabic.
noun
any of several social nocturnal Old World jumping rodents with long hind legs and a long tail.
The well-developed jumping ability of the jerboa enables it to escape from many predators.
3057. jocote

hoh-KOH-tay
This word passed from Nahuatl to American Spanish.
noun
the edible purplish fruit of a common tropical American shrub or small tree with compound leaves and purple paniculate flowers.
Javier will let the jocote ripen before eating it, since he knows that the unripe fruit would be bitter.
3058. joropo

huh-ROH-poh
This word is from Spanish.
noun
the national ballroom dance of Venezuela featuring rhythmic stamping steps in three-quarter time.
The joropo is usually danced wherever and whenever Venezuelans gather to celebrate.
3059. Jumada

juh-MAH-duh
This word is from Arabic.
noun
either of two months of the Islamic year.
Both the fifth and the sixth months of the Islamic year are called Jumada, with suffixes attached to specify which one is meant.
3060. Jungian

YUHNG-ee-un
This word is from a Swiss name plus an English element.
adjective
related to the psychological doctrines of Swiss psychologist Carl G. Jung.
Becky elaborated on how the novel “Mists of Avalon” makes extensive use of Jungian archetypes.
3061. kakapo

KAH-kuh-poh
This word is from Maori, an Austronesian language of New Zealand.
noun
a New Zealand parrot with soft green and brown plumage that has well-developed wings but little power of flight, lives in burrows in the ground and is active mostly at night.
The kakapo is critically endangered with nearly the entire population of less than 150 birds living in the wild.
3062. kaleidoscope

kuh-LAHY-duh-skohp
This word was formed in English from two originally Greek parts plus an element that went from Greek to Latin to English.
noun
a device containing small pieces of colored glass that are contained between two plates and that uses mirrors so that changing the position of the glass exhibits a variety of symmetrical forms.
Ronnie received a fancy brass kaleidoscope for a birthday present.
3063. kalimba

kuh-LIM-buh
This word is from Bantu, a group of languages native to central and southern Africa.
noun
an African thumb piano derived from an earlier musical instrument with graduated sets of wood or metal tongues resonated by a wooden box.
The musician played the kalimba and sang a traditional song.
3064. kalopanax

kuh-LAH-puh-naks
This word is made up of originally Greek parts.
noun
a showy Japanese tree of the family Araliaceae that has foliage like that of the castor-oil plant.
Seth was stunned to find a kalopanax growing in the wild in Connecticut just off the Appalachian Trail.
3065. kangri

KUNG-gree
This word is from Hindi.
noun
in Kashmir, a wicker basket that is small, portable, lined in pottery and used as a warming stove.
Traditionally, a kangri would be worn tucked into the clothing to keep the cold away.
3066. Kannada

KAH-nuh-duh
This word is from Kanarese, a language of southern India.
noun
the major Dravidian language of Mysore, south India.
The numbers one through five have more than one form in Kannada, varying according to the gender of the noun they go with.
3067. kapparah

kah-pah-RAH
This word is from Hebrew.
noun
a symbolic ceremony practiced by some Orthodox Jews on the eve of Yom Kippur in which typically a rooster, hen, or coin is swung around the head and offered in atonement or as ransom for one’s sins.
Abraham is saving money to fly to Israel next year and take part in a kapparah there.
3068. katakana

kah-tuh-KAH-nuh
This word is from Japanese.
noun
a set of symbols for writing Japanese script that are more square and angular than those of other scripts used to transcribe foreign words.
In written Japanese, katakana is used mostly for the transcription of foreign words and the writing of loan words.
3069. katana

kuh-TAHN-uh
This word is from Japanese.
noun
a single-edged sword that is the longer of a pair worn by the Japanese samurai.
Hiroko proudly showed the guests her great-grandfather’s katana, which was hanging on the wall.
3070. kathakali

kah-tuh-KAH-lee
This word is from a word that went from Sanskrit to Malayalam, a Dravidian language of southern India.
noun
a spectacular lyric dance drama of southern India based on Hindu literature and performed with acrobatic energy and highly stylized pantomime.
The performers of the kathakali will enact a love story that has charmed audiences for many generations.
3071. kentledge

KENT-lej
This word is of unknown origin.
noun
pig iron or scrap metal used as ballast.
After delivering its cargo, the clipper ship was loaded with kentledge for the return voyage.
3072. Keplerian

kep-LIR-ee-un
This word is from a German name plus an English element.
adjective
being in accord with the laws of planetary motion established by a specific German astronomer.
The six Keplerian elements define satellite orbits.
3073. kerril

KER-il
This word is from a native name in India.
noun
an Asiatic sea snake.
The kerril, sometimes known as Jerdon's sea snake, is a common venomous sea snake in Asia.
3074. kichel

KIH-k?ul
This word came from Yiddish, which formed it from German.
noun
a semisweet baked product made of eggs, flour and sugar cut into a diamond shape and baked until puffed.
David became sad when he found only one kichel left in the box of homemade goodies his mother had sent to him.
3075. kipuka

kee-POO-kuh
This word is from Hawaiian.
noun
an area of older land surrounded by more recent lava flows.
The kipuka looked like a tropical island floating in an ocean of hardened lava.
3076. Kitksan

kit-kuh-SAN
This word is from Tsimshian, an indigenous language of the northwestern United States and British Columbia, Canada.
noun
a dialect of the Tsimshian language.
Kitksan, spoken along the upper Skeena River in British Columbia, is one of three Tsimshian dialects.
3077. kiva

KEE-vuh
This word is from Hopi, a Native American language.
noun
a Pueblo Indian structure used as a ceremonial, council, work, and lounging room for men that is usually round and is at least partly underground.
Visitors to Mesa Verde National Park can descend by ladder into a kiva.
3078. Kjeldahl

KEL-dahl
This word is from a Danish name.
adjective
relating to or being a method for determining the amount of nitrogen in a substance by measuring the amount of ammonia expelled when boiled with sulfuric acid.
The Kjeldahl method is widely used for estimating the protein content in foods based on the nitrogen they release in digestion.
3079. koh-i-noor

KOH-uh-noor
This word is from Persian.
noun
something felt to be the best of its kind, such as a valuable diamond.
The queen's crown was made of gold with a koh-i-noor of a diamond in the center.
3080. Koine

koi-NAY
This word is from Greek.
noun
the Greek language commonly used in the Greek-speaking eastern Mediterranean countries during the Roman and Hellenistic periods.
Kevin translated the Koine inscribed on the ancient stone tablet.
3081. koji

KOH-jee
This word is from Japanese.
noun
a yeast or other starter prepared in Japan from rice inoculated with the spores of a mold and permitted to develop.
koji is used to ferment soybeans and make rice vinegars.
3082. korrigan

KOR-ih-gahn
This word is from Breton, a Celtic language of northwestern France.
noun
a long-haired nocturnal often malevolent Breton fairy sorceress.
The villain in the French children’s film was a korrigan.
3083. krewe

kroo
This word is from another English word taken from Latin-derived French.
noun
a private organization staging festivities such as parades and balls during Mardi Gras in New Orleans.
The members of the Basin Street krewe decorated a huge castle-shaped float for the parade.
3084. kriegspiel

KREEGZ-peel
This word is from an originally German word.
noun
chess in which neither player sees the other’s board but is given some information as to the opponent’s moves by a referee who keeps track of all moves on a third board.
Orville attributes his ability to mentally picture a chessboard in play to his fondness for kriegspiel.
3085. Kuiper Belt

KAHY-pur-BELT
The first part of this phrase is from a Dutch name, and the second part is originally English.
noun
a band of small celestial bodies beyond the orbit of Neptune from which many short-period comets are believed to originate.
Learning that the Kuiper Belt is shaped like a doughnut made Olly's stomach grumble.
3086. Kutani

kuh-TAH-nee
This word is from a Japanese geographical name.
noun
a Japanese porcelain originally produced in and about the village of the same name on Honshu Island beginning in the mid-17th century and esteemed for originality of design and coloring.
The Antiques Roadshow appraiser identified the bowl as a valuable piece of Kutani.
3087. kwashiorkor

kwah-shee-OR-kur
This word is from a native word in Ghana.
noun
severe malnutrition in infants and children characterized by a failure to grow and develop normally and caused by a diet high in carbohydrates and low in protein.
Supplying protein supplements to affected children is one method aid workers use to eradicate kwashiorkor.
3088. kyphoplasty

KAHY-foh-plas-tee
The first part of this word is from a Greek-derived German word, and the second part is from a Greek-derived element.
noun
a medical procedure that uses acrylic cement to stabilize and reduce pain associated with a vertebral compression fracture.
Grandma couldn't believe how much less pain she had after healing from her spinal kyphoplasty.
3089. La Tène

lah-TEN
This word is from a Swiss geographical name.
adjective
of or relating to the later period of the Iron Age in Europe.
The La Tène culture extended across most of continental Europe and parts of Britain, practiced by those called Celts and Gauls by ancient writers.
3090. laccolith

LAK-uh-lith
This word is formed from a Greek word plus an originally Greek part.
noun
a mass of igneous rock intruded between sedimentary beds and producing a dome-like bulging of the overlying strata.
The Henry Mountains in Utah contain a well-known laccolith.
3091. lanceolate

LAN-see-uh-lit
This word is from Latin.
adjective
shaped like the head of a spear.
The flowering dogwood tree has lanceolate leaves.
3092. langrage

LANG-grij
This word is of unknown origin.
noun
shot formerly used in naval warfare that was designed to tear rigging and sails.
It was reported that Blackbeard sometimes armed his guns with langrage.
3093. Latinxua

LA-tun-hwah
This word is an irregular formation from a Latin word plus an element for which the dictionary gives no etymology.
noun
a system for romanization of the Chinese language utilizing an alphabet of 28 romanized characters based on Chinese phonetic principles.
Latinxua is used to romanize written Mandarin but does not indicate the language’s tones.
3094. lebensraum

LAY-bunz-raum
This word is from German.
noun
land considered necessary for the self-sufficiency of a nation or state.
The king was convinced that the country needed more land as lebensraum.
3095. leberwurst

LAY-bur-vurst
This word is from German.
noun
liver sausage.
The Bavarian sausage shop in Madison is known far and wide for its goose leberwurst.
3096. lebkuchen

LAYP-koo-kun
This word is from an originally German word.
noun
a Christmas cookie usually made with honey, brown sugar, almonds, candied fruit peel, and spices.
Hans slipped a lebkuchen to the schnauzer.
3097. lecithin

LES-uh-thin
This word is formed from a Greek-derived part plus an English element.
noun
a substance manufactured for medical use that contains a waxy yellowish solid obtained from egg yolk.
lecithin is used in medicine to treat memory disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and dementia.
3098. lefse

LEF-suh
This word is from Norwegian, which formed it from Old Norse.
noun
a large thin potato pancake served folded and with butter.
While Grandmother complains that Liz puts too much sugar on her lefse, Liz claims she learned exactly how much sugar to use from Grandmother.
3099. lierre

lee-AYR
This word is from Latin-derived French.
noun
a shade of olive.
Edmund's favorite color is lierre, which he feels brings out the green flecks in his eyes.
3100. ligas

lee-GAHS
This word is from Tagalog.
noun
a poisonous tree of the Philippines that has hardwood and produces an illuminating resin.
The ligas grows primarily in lowland forest regions.
3101. lilliputian

lil-uh-PYOO-shun
This word is from an English literary name plus an English element.
adjective
excessively small.
The lilliputian furniture and fixtures in the dollhouse astounded and delighted the museum visitors.
3102. limaçon

lee-muh-SOHN
This word went from Latin to French to English.
noun
a plane curve consisting of the collection of points obtained by taking a fixed distance in both directions along a half line from a fixed point on a circle measured from its second intersection with the circle.
A limaçon might look like a circle with a dimple, a rounded heart, or a snail shell.
3103. Llullaillaco

yoo-yahy-YAH-koh
This word is a South American geographical name.
geographical entry
a volcano in the Andes of northern Chile on the border with Argentina.
At the summit of Llullaillaco, which is the highest archaeological site in the world, the mummified remains of three humans were discovered in 1999.
3104. lobscouse

LAHB-skaus
This word is of unknown origin.
noun
a sailor’s dish of meat, vegetables, and hardtack stewed or baked together.
After Fritz returned from his fishing trip, he ordered a hearty portion of lobscouse for dinner.
3105. loggia

LOH-jee-uh
This word is from a French word that passed to Italian.
noun
an open gallery in the side of a building, often facing an open court.
An airy second-floor loggia ran around three sides of the tiny courtyard.
3106. logodaedaly

lah-guh-DEE-duh-lee
This word went from Greek to Latin to English.
noun
random creation of words.
The columnist's style was marked by punchy syntax, flagrant logodaedaly, and irreverent humor.
3107. logothete

LAH-guh-theet
This word went from Greek to Latin to English.
noun
one of various functionaries (as an administrator) under the Byzantine emperors.
Theodore Roosevelt called Woodrow Wilson a "Byzantine logothete," suggesting that Wilson cared more about words than actions.
3108. lokelani

loh-kay-LAH-nee
This word is from Hawaiian.
noun
a small fragrant pink or red rose common in Hawaii.
Luana planted a pink lokelani in a sunny location in her new garden.
3109. louche

loosh
This word came from French, which formed it from a Latin word.
adjective
sinister : devious.
After she caught the boys who had teased her poodle, Miss Vorrell told them she had “never seen such louche behavior.”
3110. loupe

loop
This word is from French, which probably formed it from a Germanic word.
noun
a tool used by jewelers and watchmakers for magnification.
At his jewelry store Arlo always wears a loupe on a chain around his neck.
3111. luftmensch

LOOFT-mench
Originally German, this word became Yiddish before being adopted by English.
noun
an impractical contemplative person having no definite trade, business, or income : a dreamer.
Every large family seems to have at least one luftmensch among its members.
3112. lunulae

LOON-yuh-lee
This word is from Latin.
plural noun
the whitish marks at the base of fingernails.
Jenny likes to put her thumbs together and compare the lunulae on her thumbnails.
3113. Lupercalia

loo-pur-KAY-lee-uh
This word is from Latin.
noun
an ancient Roman festival celebrated February 15 to ensure fertility for the people, fields, and flocks.
Roman priests sacrificed goats and dogs to the fertility gods during the annual Lupercalia.
3114. macchiato

mah-kee-AH-toh
This word is from Italian.
noun
espresso that is topped with a thin layer of milk that has been foamed.
Marisol ordered a pumpkin muffin and a macchiato for breakfast.
3115. macigno

muh-CHEEN-yoh
This word is from a Greek-derived Latin word that passed to Italian.
noun
a thick and extensive deposit of primarily sandstone formed adjacent to a rising mountain belt that is especially common in the Alpine region of Europe.
The geologist analyzed samples of the macigno to determine when the rock was formed.
3116. mackinaw

MAK-uh-nah
This word is from a United States geographical name.
noun
a short usually double-breasted and belted coat.
“No guts, no glory!” exclaimed the skier in a plaid mackinaw as he pushed off down the steep slope.
3117. macushla

muh-KOOSH-luh
This word is from Irish Gaelic.
noun
one dearly beloved : darling — used in Ireland.
The tenor sang a heartbreaking ballad about missing his green-eyed macushla.
3118. mademoiselle

ma-dum-wuh-ZEL
This word is from French, which probably formed it from a Latin word.
noun
a French governess or nurse.
Pierre and his family spend every summer in a house in the French countryside accompanied by a cook and a mademoiselle to help take care of his younger siblings.
3119. maillot

ma-YOH
This word is from a French word, which formed it from a Latin word.
noun
a woman’s bathing suit.
Becky thought that the maillot was out of fashion until she saw several in the catalog.
3120. majuscule

MA-juh-skyool
This word came from French, which formed it from a Latin word.
adjective
written in the size or style of large letters (as capitals).
Dr. Mehta could see immediately that the majuscule scripts of the two letters were identical and surmised that the same scribe had written both.
3121. Makgadikgadi Pans

mah-kah-dee-KAH-dee-PANZ
This is a geographical entry.
geographical entry
large basin containing salt pans in northeastern Botswana.
The Makgadikgadi Pans are some of the largest salt pans in the world, and during the rainy season become home to thousands of flamingos.
3122. malaise

ma-LAYZ
This word was formed in French from two originally Latin parts.
noun
an indefinite feeling of general lack of health.
Jerome's malaise gradually shifted to a mild flu.
3123. Mandelbrot set

MAN-dul-braht-SET
The first part of this word entry is a Polish-American name, and the second part is originally English.
noun
a fractal that roughly resembles a series of heart-shaped disks to which smaller disks are attached.
The equation for a Mandelbrot set can be used to generate visual representations of stunning beauty.
3124. mandorla

MAHN-dohr-lah
This word came from Italian, which formed it from a Latin word.
noun
a pointed oval figure typically composed of two intersecting arcs; specifically : an aureole of this shape surrounding a representation of a sacred personage.
Professor Najim pointed out that in the icon of the Transfiguration, Christ is depicted standing within a mandorla on Mount Tabor, with Elijah and Moses on either side.
3125. mandragora

man-DRAG-uh-ruh
This word is from an originally Greek word that passed through Latin to English.
noun
an herb that has a large forked root that resembles a human and is the subject of superstitions — called also mandrake.
Holly wanted to grow mandragora in her garden because its root is so weirdly human-looking, but decided not to because it is so poisonous.
3126. mange-tout

manzh-TOO
This word is from French.
noun
a pea of a variety with edible pods.
The overcooked mange-tout slipped limply off Sonika's fork and into her lap.
3127. mangonel

MANG-guh-nel
Originally Greek, this word passed through Latin and French before becoming English.
noun
a military machine historically used for throwing missiles (such as stones or javelins).
The mangonel hurled a boulder at the castle gate.
3128. Manu

MA-noo
This word is from Sanskrit.
noun
one of a series of progenitors of human beings and authors of human wisdom in Hindu mythology.
The Sanskrit term for "human" means "of Manu" or "children of Manu."
3129. Marathi

muh-RAH-tee
This word is from a Sanskrit word that passed into a language of the same name as the word.
noun
the main Indic language of a part of India.
Marathi is spoken by roughly 83 million people in India, making it the third most common language in the country.
3130. marcel

mahr-SEL
This word is from a French name.
noun
a soft wave or series waves made in the hair with a heated curling iron.
Hazel added a marcel to her hair for the Roaring Twenties party.
3131. marcescent

mahr-SES-unt
This word is from Latin.
adjective
withering without falling off — used of a plant part.
Last autumn’s first cold snap left many marcescent leaves in its wake.
3132. maringouin

ma-ran-GWAN
This word came from French, which took it from Tupi, an indigenous language of Amazonian South America.
noun
a small two-winged biting fly : a blackfly.
The itching and swelling from the bite of a maringouin can persist for days or even weeks.
3133. martinoe

MAHR-tun-oh
This word is from a Latin word that consists of an English name plus a Latin element.
noun
a North American plant with spotted flowers and a capsule with a long curving beak — called also unicorn plant.
Ainslie planted a martinoe because she thinks they're pretty, but she also enjoys telling her friends her garden is full of unicorns.
3134. mascarpone

mas-kahr-POH-nay
This word is from Italian.
noun
an Italian cream cheese.
Luca likes to use mascarpone when making cheesecake.
3135. mässig

MAY-sik
This word is from German.
adjective
moderate in tempo — used as a direction in music.
The score directed the movement to be played mässig.
3136. mediobrome

MEE-dee-uh-brohm
The first part of this word is from Latin, and the second part is from Greek.
noun
a process for altering tone values, removing distracting parts and shifting emphasis in monochrome photographic prints by the use of oil paints.
The photographer achieved the diffusion of light she sought by using mediobrome.
3137. medulla

muh-DUH-luh
This word is from Latin.
noun
a posterior portion of the vertebrate brain.
The medulla governs various involuntary vital functions such as respiration.
3138. megrims

MEE-grumz
This word is from an originally Greek word that passed into Latin and then French before coming to English.
plural noun
low spirits : the blues.
Whenever Ben got the megrims, he would play a recording of the “William Tell” Overture to revive his spirits.
3139. meiosis

mahy-OH-sis
This word is from an originally Greek word that passed into Latin.
noun
a method of cell reproduction in which the cells produced contain half the number of chromosomes present in the original cell.
meiosis is one of two main mechanisms for cell reproduction.
3140. mele

MAY-lay
This word is from Hawaiian.
noun
a Hawaiian chant or song.
Leilani's father sang her a traditional mele about a songbird that he learned from his parents.
3141. Menaia

muh-NAY-uh
This word is from Greek.
plural noun
collections of hymns and prayers for all days of the year in the Eastern Orthodox Church arranged in calendar order and usually divided into 12 volumes each for a different month.
The priest had an impressive collection of Menaia.
3142. Merak

MIR-ak
The origin of this word is not given in our dictionary.
noun
a blue star of the second magnitude that is seen in the constellation Ursa Major and forms part of the base of the Big Dipper.
Melissa and her mother enjoyed pointing out Merak every time they saw the Big Dipper.
3143. meringue

muh-RANG
This word is from French.
noun
a mixture of beaten egg whites and powdered sugar baked at low temperature and used as a topping.
Thelma scraped the meringue off her pie and ate it first.
3144. Metonic cycle

meh-TAHN-ik-SAHY-kul
This word entry consists of a part from a Greek name plus an English element plus a word that went from Greek to Latin to French.
noun
a period of 19 years after the lapse of which the phases of the moon return to a particular date in the calendar year.
The astronomer couple threw a huge party on their 19th wedding anniversary instead of their 20th in order to coincide with the completion of the Metonic cycle.
3145. micellar

mahy-SEL-ur
This word is made up of originally Latin elements.
adjective
of, relating to, or characterized by highly associated particles of a colloidal solution built up from polymeric molecules or ions.
micellar water is popular among some makeup artists and dermatologists because of its ability to easily remove waterproof makeup with no skin irritation.
3146. microfiche

MAHY-kroh-feesh
This word was formed in French from an originally Greek part and a part that went from Latin to French.
noun
a sheet of film with several rows of photographic records that are enlarged for reading or viewing.
The university library is in the process of converting all of its microfiche archives to a digital format.
3147. millegrain

MIL-grayn
This word was formed in French from originally Latin parts.
adjective
of a gem setting: having the edge shaped into a fine beading.
The ring Marissa inherited from her great-grandmother has a large diamond and a band decorated with a millegrain edge.
3148. miombo

mahy-AHM-boh
This word is from an East African name.
noun
a thinly scattered forest of deciduous trees found in the dry areas of eastern Africa.
The Oyondi family lived near a small grove in the miombo, where there was some shade from the hot sunshine.
3149. Mirach

MAHY-rak
There is no origin for this word in our dictionary.
noun
in astronomy, a red giant star in the constellation Andromeda.
Stargazers often use Mirach to find the Andromeda Galaxy.
3150. miscible

MIS-uh-bul
This word is from Latin.
adjective
able to be mixed together without separating.
Water and vinegar are miscible, but oil and vinegar are not.
3151. mittimus

MIT-uh-mus
This word is from Latin.
noun
a warrant committing the person specified to prison.
In some states no person can be committed to a correctional facility without a mittimus from a judge.
3152. moiety

MOY-uh-tee
This word passed from Latin to French to English.
noun
one of the portions into which something is divided : component, part.
The whistle-blower received a moiety of the large fine imposed upon his employer for supplying faulty engine parts to the military.
3153. moline

MOH-lin
This word is from Latin-derived French.
adjective
having the end of each arm forked and recurved — used of a cross.
There are 12 families of millers who bear crosses moline on their family crests.
3154. mondegreen

MAHN-duh-green
This word is from an English phrase.
noun
a word or phrase that results from a mishearing of something said or sung.
One famous recent mondegreen is the phrase "you're simply the best, better than an hour's rest" instead of "you're simply the best, better than all the rest."
3155. MOOC

mook
This word is from an English phrase.
noun
an online academic course of study that is freely available to Internet users.
To pass the time during the pandemic lockdown, Francie took a Harvard MOOC on Buddhism.
3156. moraine

muh-RAYN
This word is from a French word.
noun
a collection of earth and stones carried and finally deposited by a glacier.
moraine is composed of an unsorted mix of earth and stones that range in size from powdery sediment to large boulders.
3157. morion

MOH-ree-ahn
This word is from a French word.
noun
a high-crested helmet of Spanish origin worn by foot soldiers in the 16th and 17th centuries.
The morion worn by the Spanish conquistador in the painting had a brim with high peaks at the front and back.
3158. mortadella

mor-tuh-DEL-uh
This word came from Italian, which formed it from a Latin word.
noun
a beef and pork sausage seasoned with pepper and garlic that is stuffed into large casings, cooked and smoked.
Vittoria made a sandwich of Italian bread, provolone cheese and sliced mortadella.
3159. motherumbung

muh-thuh-RUM-bung
This word is a native name in Australia.
noun
a shrub or small tree of Australia having the spiked flowers in pairs or threes and narrow, flat fruit.
Sheila thought the flowers of the motherumbung looked like bright yellow motherumbung.
3160. mozo

MOH-soh
This word is from Spanish.
noun
a waiter in a restaurant or other dining room — chiefly used in the Southwest.
Felipe saved up for a new car by working as a mozo in the evenings.
3161. muesli

MYOOS-lee
This word is from Swiss German.
noun
a breakfast cereal of Swiss origin consisting of rolled oats, nuts and fruit.
Heidi likes to start the day with a bowl of her grandmother’s muesli.
3162. mufti

MUF-tee
This word is from Arabic.
noun
a jurist whose job is to interpret Islamic religious law.
A mufti is qualified to give a fatwa, which is an authoritative legal opinion.
3163. muktuk

MUK-tuk
This word is from an Aleut language: Aleut is here used to refer to a group of languages spoken in the far north between Siberia and Greenland.
noun
whale skin used for food.
muktuk is usually eaten raw, but it can also be cooked or pickled.
3164. muliebrity

myoo-lee-EB-ruh-tee
This word is from Latin.
noun
the state of being a woman or of possessing full womanly powers.
The new mother was awed that her body had sustained the life of such a beautiful infant, and in that moment, she appreciated the wonders of her own muliebrity.
3165. Muzak

MYOO-zak
This word is a trademark.
trademark
— used for recorded background music (as at an office or restaurant).
Justin often wore headphones at his desk to avoid listening to the Muzak played over the office speaker system.
3166. myeloma

mahy-uh-LOH-muh
This word is comprised of Greek elements.
noun
a tumor of the bone marrow.
A combination of radiation and drugs is being used to treat Carla’s myeloma.
3167. Nabal

NAY-bul
This word is from a Hebrew name.
noun
a churlish person : a person who lives miserably in order to hoard wealth.
The minister urged each member of the flock to think and act with charity and not to become a Nabal.
3168. nacelle

nuh-SEL
This word came from French, which formed it from a Latin word.
noun
an enclosure on an aircraft that protects the engine or sometimes the crew.
An engine nacelle must withstand tremendous abuse while protecting the engine, the most expensive component of an aircraft.
3169. nahcolite

NAH-kuh-lahyt
The first part of this word is from a chemical formula, and the second part is from English.
noun
a mineral that is made of natural sodium bicarbonate.
Baking soda is produced by the processing of nahcolite.
3170. naricorn

NAR-uh-kahrn
This word is from Latin.
noun
the hornlike covering protecting the nostrils of albatrosses and some other birds.
The naricorn is an irregularly convoluted little scroll, very thin and delicate in texture.
3171. Naugahyde

NAH-guh-hahyd
This word is a trademark.
trademark
— used for fabrics coated with vinyl.
Jesse wishes that the recliner were upholstered with leather instead of Naugahyde.
3172. naumachia

naw-MAY-kee-uh
This word is from an originally Greek word that passed into Latin.
noun
an impressive display in ancient Rome that depicted a naval battle.
To celebrate the naval victory, the emperor ordered an elaborate naumachia.
3173. neem

neem
This word comes from Hindi and Sanskrit.
noun
a large tropical Asian tree having a bitter bark used as a tonic, and leaves and seeds that have insecticidal and antiseptic properties and yield a medicinal aromatic oil.
Twigs of the neem are used in traditional medicine for cleaning one's teeth.
3174. neophyte

NEE-uh-fahyt
This word is from Latin, which took it from Greek.
noun
a beginner.
Fatima has been dancing classically for years, but she is a neophyte when it comes to dancing hip-hop.
3175. Ner Tamid

nayr-tah-MEED
This word is from Hebrew.
noun
a light that hangs in front of and above the ark in the synagogue and is symbolic of the light of truth and the presence of God.
At 80 years old, Mr. Dresher considers it an honor to climb a ladder every day to tend to the Ner Tamid at Temple Beth Emet.
3176. nescience

NEH-shuns
This word is from Latin.
noun
ignorance.
The teacher made the study of history seem like an epic journey from nescience to knowledge.
3177. Nethinim

net-ee-NEEM
This word is from Hebrew.
plural noun
servants performing the lowest menial services about an ancient Jewish tabernacle and temple.
The earliest Nethinim may have been assigned heavy work like cutting firewood and drawing water.
3178. Nicoise

nee-SWAHZ
This word is from a French word derived from a French geographical name.
adjective
served with the ingredients (such as olives, tomatoes, tuna and green beans) found in a salad of the same name.
Elizabeth loves olives and tomatoes and is notorious for tweaking many recipes into dishes Nicoise.
3179. nidicolous

nahy-DIK-uh-lus
This word is formed from a Latin element plus a Latin-derived English element.
adjective
nest-dwelling, often in another animal's nest.
Many insects are nidicolous, sharing the nests of birds that sometimes eat their larvae.
3180. nimiety

nih-MAHY-uh-tee
This word is from Latin.
noun
excess or superfluity.
Usually Caleb’s writing is concise, but his most recent essay is a glowing example of nimiety.
3181. niminy-piminy

nim-uh-nee-PIM-uh-nee
This word is probably from a word based on a nickname.
adjective
absurdly nice : ridiculously delicate.
Liesl is so niminy-piminy that she insists on changing her clothes if she gets the smallest bit of food on them.
3182. nisi

NAHY-sahy
This word is from Latin.
adjective
not final or absolute — used in law.
The queen’s order nisi noted that the enemy might surrender and make an attack unnecessary.
3183. nisus

NAHY-sus
This word is from Latin.
noun
a striving : an inclination.
Professor Williams explained that there is a nisus towards the new in art.
3184. nival

NAHY-vul
This word is from Latin.
adjective
living in or under snow.
Dr. Sorenson’s thesis explores deer and caribou reactions to nival conditions.
3185. ni-Vanuatu

nee-van-wah-TOO
This word comes from a south Pacific geographical name.
adjective
of, relating to, or from islands in the southwestern Pacific northeast of New Caledonia and west of Fiji.
Songs and dances are an important part of ni-Vanuatu culture, conveying history and values from one generation to the next.
3186. niveau

nee-VOH
This word is from French, which probably formed it from a Latin word.
noun
a level (as of existence or achievement) especially in a progression.
Ben’s tennis class is at the intermediate niveau.
3187. nodosity

noh-DAHS-uh-tee
This word is from Latin.
noun
a protuberance or swelling.
Andre felt a slight nodosity on the cat’s back.
3188. notturno

nuh-TUR-noh
This word came from Italian, which formed it from a Latin word.
noun
an 18th-century piece for an instrumental group composed in several movements.
The chamber orchestra played a Beethoven notturno.
3189. noumenon

NOO-muh-nahn
This word is from a Greek word that was taken into German.
noun
an object that is only understood rationally and not as something that can be physically perceived.
Although Ramy admits that he can see individual members of a species, he insists that the species itself is a noumenon.
3190. nouveau

noo-VOH
This word is from a Latin-derived French word.
adjective
newly arrived or developed : immature.
Hardly a nouveau speller, Sangit spelled the German word without difficulty.
3191. Novanglian

noh-VANG-glee-un
This word consists of two Latin parts plus an English element.
adjective
of, relating to, or characteristic of New England.
Tyra headed to Florida every October to escape the harsh Novanglian winters.
3192. nyctinasty

NIK-tuh-nas-tee
This word is made up of Greek elements that were probably first brought together in German.
noun
movement of a flat plant part (as the opening and closing of some flowers) that is associated with daily changes of temperature or light.
nyctinasty can be observed in the opening and closing of morning glories throughout the day.
3193. Oaxaca

wah-HAH-kah
This word is a Mexican geographical name.
geographical entry
a city and capital of a state of southeastern Mexico bordering on the Pacific Ocean.
Every December 23rd, Oaxaca holds its annual radish-carving competition called the "Night of the Radishes."
3194. obeisant

oh-BEE-sunt
This word passed from Latin to French to English.
adjective
exhibiting ready and willing compliance to the will of another : obsequious.
By the third course, the waiter’s obeisant behavior was starting to get on Tara’s nerves.
3195. oeuvre

UV-ruh
This word came from French, which formed it from a Latin word.
noun
the complete body of completed work of a writer, artist or composer.
The poet won the award not for any particular work but for his oeuvre.
3196. ogival

oh-JAHY-vul
This word was formed in French from probably Latin-derived elements.
adjective
having a curved head like a bullet or other projectile.
Model rockets usually have ogival nose cones for optimum aerodynamics.
3197. olecranon

oh-LEH-kruh-nahn
This word is from Latin, which took it from Greek.
noun
the bone that sticks out behind the elbow : the funny bone.
When accused of not having a funny bone in her entire body, Eunice calmly held up her elbow, pointed to her olecranon and explained that it was right there.
3198. onomatopoeia

ah-nuh-mah-tuh-PEE-uh
This word is from Latin, which took it from Greek.
noun
formation of words in imitation of natural sounds.
Humans most often employ onomatopoeia when mimicking animals noises such as "baaa" and "mooo."
3199. onychorrhexis

ahn-ih-kuh-REK-sis
This word is formed from Greek elements.
noun
longitudinal ridging and splitting of the finger and toe nails.
Activities that dry out one’s nails, such as frequent hand washing and excessive use of polish removers, are among the causes of onychorrhexis.
3200. oolite

OH-uh-lahyt
This word was probably formed in French from originally Greek parts.
noun
a variety of limestone that consists of small round grains clustered together and resembling the eggs of fish.
The Florida Keys are formed of two distinct limestone substrates: coral rock in the Upper Keys and oolite in the Lower Keys.
3201. oopuhue

oh-oh-puh-HOO-ee
This word is from Hawaiian.
noun
a puffer fish.
George wanted an oopuhue for his saltwater fish tank.
3202. Oort cloud

OHRT-KLAUD
The first part of this term is from a Dutch name, and the second part is originally English.
noun
a spherical shell of cometary bodies which is believed to surround the sun far beyond the orbit of Pluto and from which some are dislodged when perturbed (as by a passing star) to fall toward the sun.
Astronomers hypothesize that many comets originate from the remote, frigid reaches of the Oort cloud.
3203. oppidan

AH-puh-dun
This word is from Latin.
adjective
related to a town.
The painter sold his oppidan scenes of market day, earning just enough to live on.
3204. Orinoco

or-ee-NOH-koh
This word is a South American geographical name.
geographical entry
river in Venezuela flowing from the Brazilian border to the Colombia border and from there into the Atlantic Ocean through a wide delta.
The rich aquatic life of the Orinoco includes the piranha, the electric eel, and the famous Orinoco crocodile that can grow to be over 20 feet long.
3205. ormolu

OR-muh-loo
This word is from French.
noun
brass made to imitate gold and used for furniture and other decorative purposes.
The large mirror’s frame was decorated with ormolu.
3206. orogeny

ah-RAH-juh-nee
This word is from Greek parts.
noun
the process of forming mountains.
Mrs. Scott was demonstrating orogeny when she used a piece of carpet to show how mountains form.
3207. orphéon

or-fay-ohn
This word is from French, which took it from a Greek-derived Latin name.
noun
a French male choral society.
When he moved to the village, Didier joined the orphéon to make friends and have an activity in the evenings.
3208. oryx

OH-riks
This word is from an originally Greek word that passed into Latin.
noun
any antelope of a genus of large African antelopes having long cylindrical nearly straight horns projecting backward.
The adaptations of the Arabian oryx to the desert include its predominantly white coat to reflect heat and its splayed hooves for walking on sand.
3209. ostium

AH-stee-um
This word is from Latin.
noun
one of the slits in the heart of an arthropod by which the blood enters from the pericardium.
The ostium allows blood to reenter the insect’s heart from the insect’s one blood vessel, which runs dorsally the length of its body.
3210. Ouagadougou

wah-gah-DOO-goo
This word is from a western African geographical name.
geographical entry
the capital city of Burkina Faso.
Helen purchased a dress in Ouagadougou during her trip to Burkina Faso last fall.
3211. oud

ood
This word is from Arabic.
noun
a musical instrument resembling a mandolin.
As he passed the alleyway, Hamid heard a few plaintive notes from an oud.
3212. outré

oo-TRAY
This word is from Latin-derived French.
adjective
bizarre, extravagant.
The singer's outré ensembles turned heads at every awards ceremony.
3213. oviparous

oh-VIP-ur-us
This word is from Latin.
adjective
bearing eggs that develop and then hatch outside of the body of the mother.
The platypus is an oviparous mammal.
3214. oxyacetylene

ahk-see-uh-SET-uh-leen
This word is from Greek-derived and Latin-derived elements.
adjective
utilizing a mixture of oxygen and a colorless explosive hydrocarbon gas that is used in welding and soldering.
The welder used an oxyacetylene torch to unite the metal parts.
3215. paella

pah-AY-yuh
This word went from Latin to French to Catalan.
noun
a saffron-flavored dish containing rice, chicken, seafood, and various vegetables.
Nicolette's Spanish host mother made a delicious seafood paella.
3216. pahoehoe

puh-HOH-ee-hoh-ee
This word is from Hawaiian.
noun
smooth cooled lava.
The geologist showed the class samples of different types of lava, including pahoehoe.
3217. palaver

puh-LAV-ur
This word is from a Portuguese word that was formed from a Greek-derived Latin word.
noun
worthless chatter.
Dean left the seminar when discussion degenerated into palaver.
3218. palooka

puh-LOO-kuh
This word is of unknown origin.
noun
an inexperienced or incompetent boxer.
The boxing manager told his fighter to box like a palooka for one round but then come out swinging hard.
3219. pampootie

pam-POOT-ee
This word is perhaps from a Persian-derived French word.
noun
a shoe of untanned cowhide worn in the Aran Islands of County Galway, Ireland.
When Siobhan cleaned out her closet, she found six books, three crayons, eight pennies, and a single pampootie.
3220. panacea

pan-uh-SEE-uh
This word is from Latin, which took it from Greek.
noun
a cure-all.
Ari refused to believe that technology is a panacea for the world's problems.
3221. Panathenaea

pa-nath-uh-NEE-uh
This word is from an originally Greek part and a Greek name.
plural noun
the annual or quadrennial festivities of ancient Athens in honor of a major Greek deity celebrated in their greater form for several days during the third year of each olympiad and including a great procession.
The Panathenaea included animal sacrifices, musical performances, athletic contests, and the reciting of portions of epic poems.
3222. Panchen Lama

PAHN-chen-LAH-muh
This word entry consists of a Chinese and a Tibetan element.
noun
the priest or monk who is the chief spiritual adviser of the spiritual head of Tibetan Buddhism.
With the help of a council, the Panchen Lama is entrusted with seeking out the next spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism.
3223. panettone

pah-nuh-TOH-nee
This word is from Italian, which formed it from Latin-derived elements.
noun
a yeast-leavened holiday bread with raisins and candied fruit.
Tad received a delicious panettone in the mail from his Italian grandmother.
3224. panjandrum

pan-JAN-drum
This word is from an English literary name.
noun
a powerful person of distinction or a pompous official.
The panjandrum declared a holiday in honor of his own birthday.
3225. pannose

PA-nohs
This word is from Latin.
adjective
having the texture or appearance of felt or woolen cloth.
The commercial artist was particularly good at rendering the pannose texture of winter clothing.
3226. pappardelle

pah-pahr-DEL-ay
This word is from Italian.
noun
a wide, flat pasta that looks like ribbon.
Enzo served the pappardelle with arugula and mushrooms.
3227. parallax

PAR-uh-laks
This word is from an originally Greek word that passed into French.
noun
the effect whereby the displacement or apparent direction of an object differs as seen from two different points that aren't on a straight line with the object.
Sujata carefully allowed for the parallax when framing the picture in her viewfinder.
3228. pareidolia

per-ahy-DOH-lee-uh
This word was formed in German from Greek parts before becoming English.
noun
in psychology, the tendency to perceive a specific, often meaningful, image in a random or ambiguous visual pattern.
pareidolia explains why people are able to see familiar shapes in the clouds or a man's face in the moon.
3229. Parmentier

par-mahn-tyay
This word is from a French name.
adjective
served or prepared with potatoes.
Nicolette worked all day to prepare her signature duck confit Parmentier for the dinner party.
3230. parquet

pahr-KAY
This word is from a Latin-derived French word.
noun
a patterned flooring made of joinery consisting of an inlay of geometric or other patterns usually of different colors.
Terry had expensive parquet installed in the foyer.
3231. parterre

pahr-TUR
This word was formed in French from originally Latin elements.
noun
a garden with an ornamental arrangement of beds or plots separated by paths, especially one in which flowers are grown.
The grounds of the estate included an elegant parterre composed of perennials and boxwoods.
3232. parti pris

pahr-tee-PREE
This word entry is from French.
noun
a preconceived opinion : bias, partiality, prejudice.
Beth has such parti pris about politics that she finds it hard to calmly hear views that she disagrees with.
3233. pas seul

pah-SEUL
This word entry is from Latin-derived French words.
noun
a solo performance of a dance or a dance figure.
The flamenco dancer's pas seul was entrancing.
3234. pasilla

pah-SEE-yah
This word probably went from Latin to Spanish.
noun
a long, thin, usually dried chili pepper.
For dinner, Aaron grilled a steak that he had rubbed with ground pasilla mixed with salt and herbs.
3235. pastitsio

pah-STEET-see-oh
This word is from Greek, which formed it from Latin-derived Italian.
noun
a baked dish of Greece that is made of layers of ground meat and pasta and usually topped with cheese and white sauce.
Andreas had pastitsio and a side salad for dinner.
3236. patois

PA-twah
This word came to English from French, which took it from an imitative Latin word.
noun
a dialect other than the literary or standard dialect.
During the 11th to 14th centuries, Parisians considered the French spoken in the English court to be a patois.
3237. Patripassianism

pa-truh-PAS-ee-uh-niz-um
This word is from Latin plus an English element.
noun
the doctrine that in the sufferings of Jesus Christ God the Father also suffered.
Patripassianism was discussed as early as the 2nd century C.E.
3238. pejorate

PEH-juh-rayt
This word is from Latin.
verb
to make something worse or lower its value.
Claude worried that his daughter's determination to paint her bedroom black would pejorate the house.
3239. pekoe

PEE-koh
This word is from Amoy, a Chinese dialect.
noun
an Indian tea.
Nina offered Aunt Jane a cup of brewed pekoe.
3240. perciatelli

per-chuh-TEL-lee
This word was formed in Italian from an element that went from Latin to French to Italian and an Italian element.
noun
long tubular pasta slightly thicker than spaghetti.
The specialty at Antonio’s restaurant is perciatelli with meatballs.
3241. perianth

PER-ree-anth
This word was formed in Latin from Greek-derived elements.
noun
the external envelope of a flower.
The perianth consists of the sepals and the petals of a flower.
3242. petechia

puh-TEE-kee-uh
This word went from Latin to Italian.
noun
a minute reddish or purplish spot containing blood that appears in skin or mucous membrane as a result of localized hemorrhage.
After crying at the end of the movie, Sylvie noticed a petechia under her left eye.
3243. Philistine

FIH-luh-steen
This word is from a word that went from Hebrew to Greek to Latin to English.
adjective
unaware of aesthetics : insensitive.
Nineteenth-century essayists derided the English middle class as vulgar and Philistine.
3244. philopatry

fuh-LAH-puh-tree
There is no origin given for this word in our dictionary.
noun
the tendency of an animal to remain in or return to the area of its birth.
Salmon exhibit philopatry when they return to the stream where they were born in order to spawn.
3245. phloem

FLOH-em
This word is from a word that went from Greek to German.
noun
a complex tissue in the vascular system of higher plants functioning chiefly in the transfer of food from one part of a plant body to another but also in storage and support.
Mr. Cartwright pointed out the xylem and the phloem of the newly cut tree.
3246. phlox

flahks
This word is from Latin, which took it from Greek.
plural noun
plants of a genus of American herbs that have white, red, purple or variegated flowers, tray-shaped corollas, and three-valved capsular fruit.
Dean planted phlox along the sidewalk to attract butterflies.
3247. Phobos

FOH-bohs
There is no origin given for this word in our dictionary.
noun
in astronomy, the larger and innermost of the two moons of Mars with an irregular shape and a diameter of approximately 15.6 miles.
Phobos is named after the Greek god of fear and panic.
3248. photovoltaic

foh-toh-vahl-TAY-ik
This word was formed from an originally Greek part, an Italian name, and an English element.
adjective
relating to the generation of a force tending to produce an electric current from beams of light energy.
A photovoltaic effect can be produced with cuprous oxide and copper or with an electrode and an electrolyte.
3249. piatti

PYAH-tee
This word is from a word that went from Greek to Latin to Italian.
plural noun
cymbals.
The composer should exercise restraint when writing for piatti as the instrument can easily be overused.
3250. piccata

pih-KAH-tuh
This word is from Italian, which probably formed it from a Latin-derived French word.
noun
thin slices of meat (such as veal) that are sautéed and served in a sauce of butter and lemon.
Julia couldn't decide whether she wanted the veal piccata or the baked chicken, both listed as house specialties on the menu.
3251. pierrot

PEE-uh-roh
This word is from a French name.
noun
a standard comic character of old French pantomime usually with a whitened face and loose white clothes.
Hallie studied the painting of the pierrot to get an idea for her costume.
3252. piloncillo

pee-lohn-SEE-yoh
This word is from Spanish, which formed it from a Latin word.
noun
unrefined sugar that is usually shaped into sticks or cones.
Rosita grated piloncillo into a bowl of custard.
3253. pinniped

PIN-uh-ped
This word is from Latin.
noun
an animal in a suborder of water-dwelling, flesh-eating mammals that includes the walruses and the seals.
Although the pinniped finds its food in the sea, it needs to be on land or ice to give birth to its young.
3254. pistou

pees-TOO
This word is from a word that went from Latin to Provençal to French.
noun
a type of vegetable soup that is accompanied by a puree consisting of herbs, oil, garlic, cheese and often tomatoes.
Chantal brought home a recipe for pistou from a charming restaurant in Provence.
3255. pitanga

pih-TANG-guh
This word passed from Tupi to Portuguese.
noun
the fruit of a Brazilian tree often cultivated in California and Florida for its spicy red fruit that resembles a cherry.
Elizabeth bit into a dark red pitanga and let the sweet juice dribble down her chin.
3256. Plantagenet

plan-TA-juh-nit
This word is from an English name.
noun
a member of an English royal family to which belonged the rulers of England from 1154 to 1485.
The missing remains of Richard III, the last Plantagenet king, were found in 2012 buried under a parking lot.
3257. pneumatocyst

NOO-muh-toh-sist
This word is formed from originally Greek elements.
noun
a root that can be either submersed or exposed and that often functions as a respiratory organ of plants that grow in marshes or swamps.
Sandy enjoyed finding out that the name for those little gas-filled sacs on seaweed is "pneumatocyst," but she enjoyed popping them at her brother even more.
3258. pochoir

pohsh-WAHR
This word is from French, which took it from a word of Germanic origin.
noun
a process of stenciling that is used to make colored prints or to add color to a printed key illustration.
The use of pochoir was especially popular in illustrating French fashion journals of the 1920s.
3259. podagra

puh-DAG-ruh
This word passed from Greek to Latin to English.
noun
an abnormality of the big toe that is painful and is caused by gout.
George’s doctor said that if ibuprofen did not relieve his podagra, steroids would be the next resort.
3260. podotheca

pahd-uh-THEE-kuh
This word was formed in Latin from Greek parts.
noun
the layer on a bird's or reptile's foot that is scaly.
On examining the injured bird, the veterinarian noticed the cuts in the podotheca of its right foot.
3261. point d'appui

pwan-da-PWEE
This word entry is from French.
noun
a base from which a military operation can be carried on.
In the novel, the hero quickly ascertained that there was no good location for the troops' point d'appui.
3262. polyandry

PAHL-ee-an-dree
This word is from Greek.
noun
the condition of having more than one male mate at one time.
polyandry is a common practice in Ladakh and other states in northern India, Tibet, and Nepal.
3263. Ponzi

PAHN-zee
This word is from an Italian-American name.
noun
a type of investment fraud.
The mastermind behind the Ponzi scheme was sent to jail for many years for stealing millions of dollars.
3264. portugais

pohr-chuh-GAY
This word was formed in French from a European geographical name.
noun
a black angelfish.
The portugais, which is the largest of the marine angelfish, feeds mostly on sponges.
3265. porwigle

POR-wig-ul
This word is from an English word that consists of Dutch- and German-derived English elements.
noun
a tadpole.
The porwigle has a powerful tail by which it pushes itself through the water.
3266. pot-au-feu

pah-toh-FUUH
This word is from French.
noun
a French dish consisting of a thick soup of meat and many vegetables.
Jeannine made pot-au-feu on the first snowy day of the year.
3267. pothos

POH-thahs
This word is from an originally Sinhalese word.
noun
any of various woody vines cultivated as ornamentals for their glossy often slotted and variegated foliage.
Liljana bought a pothos in a hanging planter to brighten up her cubicle at work.
3268. potpourri

poh-puh-REE
This word was formed in French from originally Germanic and Latin elements.
noun
a mixture of flower petals and spices kept in a jar and used for perfume or scent.
Stella makes her own potpourri to keep on her kitchen windowsill.
3269. pou sto

POO-STOH
This word is from Greek.
noun
a standing place or vantage point.
Raghav calls his blog the pou sto from which he hopes to move the world towards justice and peace.
3270. poudre B

pau-dur-BEE
This word was formed in French from an originally Latin word and a part derived from a French name.
noun
a smokeless French rifle powder consisting essentially of about two thirds guncotton and one third pyroxylin.
Created in 1884, poudre B was the first practical smokeless gunpowder.
3271. prajna

PRUJ-nuh
This word is from Sanskrit.
noun
in Buddhism, transcendental wisdom or supreme knowledge gained through insight.
In Mahayana Buddhism, the concept of compassion is often emphasized alongside prajna.
3272. pralltriller

PRAHL-tril-ur
This word consists of a German part plus an Italian-derived German part.
noun
a melodic musical decoration made by the quick alternation of a principal tone with an upper tone.
Uriah misread the symbol above the note and played a turn instead of a pralltriller.
3273. pratique

pra-TEEK
This word is from a word that went from Greek to Latin to French.
noun
permission to hold intercourse given to a ship after compliance with quarantine regulations or on presenting a clean bill of health.
At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, a cruise ship was forced to anchor in Japan for several weeks before receiving a pratique that allowed the boat to dock.
3274. presidio

prih-SID-ee-oh
This word is from a word that went from Latin to Spanish.
noun
a military post or fortified settlement in areas currently or originally under Spanish control.
The U.S. Department of Defense now uses the presidio in Monterey as a training location for foreign language acquisition.
3275. prêt-à-porter

pret-ah-por-TAY
This word is from French.
noun
ready-to-wear clothes.
The fashion world was shocked when the actress chose to wear prêt-à-porter instead of haute couture to the prestigious award ceremony.
3276. prion

PREE-ahn
This word is formed from a part of an originally Greek word, a part of an originally Latin word, and an English element.
noun
any of various infectious proteins that are abnormal forms of normal cellular proteins and that in mammals include pathogenic forms that can cause brain disease.
Bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or "mad cow disease," is caused by a prion that disrupts the nervous system.
3277. Promethean

pruh-MEETH-ee-un
This word is from a word formed from a Greek name that passed into Latin plus an English element.
adjective
relating to or resembling the Titan pioneer of civilization, his art, or his experiences ; especially : daringly creative or original.
Naidu's success as an inventor is largely the result of his Promethean approach to problem solving.
3278. promyshlennik

prah-muh-SHLEN-ik
This word is from Russian.
noun
a Russian trapper and fur trader of Siberia and Alaska.
Unlike the French who sought beaver pelts for the European markets, the promyshlennik sought the rich pelts of sea otters for trade with China.
3279. pruritus

pruh-RAHY-tus
This word is from Latin.
noun
itching due to irritation of sensory nerve endings.
Alice rubbed an ointment on her arm to relieve her pruritus.
3280. psalmody

SAH-muh-dee
This word passed from Greek to Latin to English.
noun
the act or practice of singing religious songs in worship.
Although the New England Puritans did away with church organs and instruments, they kept their psalmody.
3281. pschent

skent
This word is from an Egyptian-derived Greek word.
noun
the headdress of the later Egyptian pharaohs formed of the two crowns worn by the respective pharaohs of Upper Egypt and Lower Egypt before the union of the country under one rule.
The pharaoh’s statue stood 66 feet high from the feet to top of the pschent covering his head.
3282. psoriasis

suh-RAHY-uh-sis
This word is from Latin, which took it from Greek.
noun
a long-lasting, frequently recurring skin condition characterized by confined red patches covered with white flakes or scales.
Perry's doctor prescribed a topical steroid to treat his psoriasis.
3283. ptyxis

TIK-sis
This word went from Greek to Latin to English.
noun
the arrangement of a single leaf in the bud.
One type of ptyxis in budding leaves is involute, with both margins folded inwards, as in the water lily.
3284. pudibund

PYOO-duh-bund
This word is from Latin.
adjective
characterized by extreme modesty or decorousness.
Janelle expected her great-aunt to be elderly and pudibund and was surprised when a young woman arrived in a sundress and platform shoes.
3285. pulvillus

puhl-VIL-us
This word is from Latin.
noun
a pad frequently covered with short hairs or something resembling a cushion or sucker that occurs between the claws of the last segment of an insect's foot and often constitutes an adhesive organ.
The adhesive properties of the pulvillus help an insect stick to the surface on which it is standing.
3286. pylorus

pahy-LOHR-us
This word came from Latin, which took it from Greek.
noun
the opening from the stomach into the intestine.
The pylorus regulates the flow of food and liquid from the stomach.
3287. Pythagorean

pih-thag-uh-REE-un
This word is from a Latin word derived from a Greek name plus an English element.
adjective
of or relating to a particular Greek philosopher or his philosophy.
The Pythagorean theorem states that in a right triangle, the square of the hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the squares of the other two sides.
3288. Pyxis

PIK-sus
There is no origin given for this word.
noun
a dim southern constellation.
James had to adjust his telescope several times before he could finally see Pyxis in the night sky.
3289. qiyas

kee-YAHS
This word is from Arabic.
noun
the principle of analogy applied in the interpretation of points of Islamic law not clearly covered in the Koran or sunna.
qiyas was often used to infer new beliefs and practices on the basis of past practices and beliefs.
3290. Quaoar

KWAH-uh-wahr
The origin of this word is not given.
noun
a probable dwarf planet that orbits far beyond the orbit of Neptune.
Desmond wanted to write a song about loving Penny all the way to Quaoar and back, but he had trouble finding workable rhymes.
3291. quasar

KWAY-zahr
This word is made up of two parts of ultimately Latin origin.
noun
an area at the center of a galaxy that produces a huge quantity of radiation.
A quasar can emit up to 1,000 times the energy output of the entire Milky Way.
3292. quattrocento

kwah-troh-CHEN-toh
This word is from Latin-derived Italian.
noun
the 15th-century period in Italian art and literature.
Lorenzo de Medici was one of the chief supporters of Italian art during the quattrocento.
3293. Quito

KEE-toh
This word is an Ecuadorian geographical name.
geographical entry
city and capital of Ecuador, located on a fertile plateau just south of the Equator.
Quito is situated on the lower slopes of the Pichincha volcano, which last erupted in 1666.
3294. quokka

KWAH-kuh
This word is from a native name in Australia.
noun
a small, stocky wallaby with a reddish-brown coat and a short tail.
The quokka is able to climb trees and shrubs and can survive for long periods of time without fresh water.
3295. quonk

kwahngk
This word is an imitative word.
noun
noise (as from conversation) that disturbs or disrupts a television or radio program because of its proximity to the microphones or cameras.
Advancements in electronics have virtually eliminated the problem of quonk.
3296. Quonset

KWAHN-sit
This word is a trademark.
trademark
— used for a prefabricated shelter set on a foundation of bolted steel trusses and built of a semicircular arching roof of corrugated metal insulated inside with wood fiber.
The quartermaster lived in a tent next to the Quonset where the food supplies were stored.
3297. raclette

ra-KLET
This word is from French, which formed it from an Old Provençal word that probably derives from Latin.
noun
a dish of Swiss origin consisting of melted cheese traditionally served with tiny boiled potatoes and sour pickles.
Roderick stopped at a small restaurant and ordered raclette and a warm drink.
3298. rafflesia

ruh-FLEE-zhuh
This word was formed from an English name plus a Latin-derived element.
noun
any of a type of Malaysian stemless, leafless plants that have huge, apetalous flowers, grow as parasites on other plants, and usually give off an odor like that of putrefying flesh.
It took Charles precisely one whiff of the foul-smelling rafflesia to know why it had earned its nickname: "corpse flower."
3299. railleur

ra-YUR
This word was formed in French from a word that went from Latin to Provençal to French.
noun
one given to good-natured ridicule.
Most people found the railleur's political comedy amusing, but some of the senator's staunch supporters were outraged.
3300. rajpramukh

RAHJ-pruh-muk
This word went from Sanskrit to Hindi.
noun
the elected constitutional head of an Indian state formed from a number of former princely states.
The administrative title of rajpramukh existed from 1947 until 1956, when new states were created along ethnic and linguistic lines.
3301. rapparee

rap-uh-REE
This word is from Irish Gaelic.
noun
an Irish soldier of the 17th century not belonging to the regular army organization.
Redmond O'Hanlon, a famous rapparee in the Irish Rebellion of 1641, inspired a legend much like that of Robin Hood.
3302. rapprochement

ra-prohsh-MAHN
This word is from French, which formed it from originally Latin elements.
noun
a state or the establishment of relations that are friendly.
The small country has called for continued rapprochement and exchanges with its larger neighbor.
3303. Rastafarian

rahs-tuh-FAR-ee-un
This word is formed from an Ethiopian name plus an English element.
noun
a member of a Jamaican religious ideology that venerates Haile Selassie as a god.
The Rastafarian explained that his religion requires that he eat only natural and lightly cooked food.
3304. Rayleigh wave

RAY-lee-WAYV
The first part of this entry is from an English name, and the second part is originally English.
noun
an elastic wave traveling along the surface of the earth with the plane of vibration coincident with the plane of propagation that is observed especially in seismic disturbances.
Sensors placed on the moon have detected the pulse of a Rayleigh wave.
3305. realpolitik

ray-AHL-poh-lih-TEEK
This word was formed in German from Latin- and Greek-derived elements.
noun
politics based on practical instead of ethical, moral or theoretical considerations.
Harold pointed out that realpolitik ignores issues of justice and human rights.
3306. recamier

ray-kah-MYAY
This word is from a French name.
noun
a usually backless couch with a high curved headrest and low footrest.
The college theater department was given a recamier for use in plays.
3307. redingote

REH-ding-goht
This word is from an originally English phrase that passed through French before coming back into English.
noun
a lightweight woman's coat that is belted with the front open.
The bride's grandmother wore a periwinkle dress with a matching redingote.
3308. rembrandt

REM-brant
This word is from a Dutch name.
noun
a dark grayish brown color.
The color rembrandt is similar to the dark backgrounds of paintings by the artist of the same name.
3309. rennet

REN-it
This word was formed in English from an originally English word and an English element.
noun
something used to cause milk to form curds.
Meera added vegetable rennet to curdle the milk she was using to make homemade cheese curds.
3310. renvoi

ren-VOY
This word is from Latin-derived French.
noun
the act by a government of returning a foreign-born resident to his or her original country.
In a 2009 renvoi, John Demjanjuk was deported from the U.S. to Germany to stand trial as an accessory to the murder of thousands of Jews during World War II.
3311. rescissible

rih-SIS-uh-bul
This word is formed from a Latin element plus an English element.
adjective
capable of being canceled or made legally invalid.
Since the contract was declared defective, it was therefore rescissible.
3312. reveille

REH-vuh-lee
This word is from French, which formed it from Latin.
noun
a signal (as by a bugle) sounded to call military personnel (as sailors) to begin the day.
When it looks like his children have snoozed through their alarm, Mr. Harrison will play reveille on his trumpet to make sure they're awake in time for school.
3313. rhododendron

roh-duh-DEN-drun
This word went from Greek to Latin.
noun
any of several plants with bell-shaped flowers and leathery leaves that cling through the winter.
Evan’s mother plants a rhododendron along the driveway every year on his birthday.
3314. rhyton

RAHY-tahn
This word is from Greek.
noun
a drinking horn made in ancient times that has a base that is shaped into the form of woman, animal or mythological creature.
Heinrich unearthed a rhyton during one of his archaeological expeditions.
3315. rinceau

ran-SOH
This word came from French, which formed it from a Latin word.
noun
a decorative motif that consists of a winding and branching scroll ornamented with leaves and other natural elements.
A twining rinceau was carved in stone around the doorway.
3316. risorgimento

ree-sorj-uh-MEN-toh
This word came from Italian, which formed it from Latin-derived elements.
noun
a period of revival or rebirth.
During the Victorian Age the English novel experienced a risorgimento.
3317. risposta

rih-SPOH-stuh
This word is from a Latin word that passed to Italian.
noun
in music, a restatement of a fugue's subject by a different voice usually at the interval of a fifth above or a fourth below immediately following the initial statement.
The cello section played the risposta a fourth below the original subject.
3318. rissole

rih-SOHL
This word came from French, which probably formed it from Latin.
noun
finely chopped meat or fish that is covered with pastry and deep fried.
Marianne thought her heartburn might be due to the rissole she ate for lunch.
3319. Robigalia

roh-buh-GAY-lee-uh
This word is from a Latin name.
noun
an ancient Roman festival celebrated April 25 including a procession and the sacrifice of a dog to avert blight from the fields.
During Robigalia, the procession would start in Rome and head to a location usually outside of the city.
3320. rocaille

roh-KAHY
This word is from a Latin-derived French word.
noun
an 18th-century style of ornamentation distinguished by shell-like and rocklike forms.
Early 18th-century French fountains were often decorated in the style of rocaille.
3321. roi fainéant

ruh-wah-fay-nay-AHN
This word entry is from French.
noun
a king who has delegated or lost his royal power while still reigning.
Because he was dominated by the mayor of the palace and was a ruler in name only, the Merovingian king was considered a roi fainéant.
3322. rond de jambe

rahn-duh-ZHAHM
This term is from French.
noun
a circular movement of the leg in ballet.
Sadie marveled at the muscle control of her ballet teacher, who was executing a perfectly smooth rond de jambe with her left leg.
3323. rondeau

RAHN-doh
This word is from a word formed in French from Latin-derived elements.
noun
a type of poem in a fixed form of 15 lines that have eight or 10 syllables.
Shona sat up half the night polishing the rondeau she would read aloud the next day.
3324. rooseveltite

ROHZ-uh-vel-tahyt
This word is composed of an American name and an English element.
noun
a bismuth arsenate found in Santiaguilo, Potosí, and Bolivia.
Deposits of rooseveltite have recently been discovered in Russia.
3325. rosemaling

ROH-zuh-mah-ling
The first part of this word passed from Latin to Old Norse to Norwegian, and the second part of this word passed from German to Norwegian.
noun
painted or carved decoration in Scandinavian peasant style that consists of colorful floral designs and inscriptions.
Theo restored the rosemaling on his wife’s antique chair.
3326. roseola

roh-ZEE-uh-luh
This word is from Latin.
noun
a mild disease of young children marked by a fever followed by a spotty rash.
The baby’s appetite came back quickly after her bout with roseola.
3327. rouille

ROO-ee
This word is from a Latin-derived French word.
noun
a type of peppery garlic sauce originating in the French Mediterranean that often accompanies fish dishes.
The food critic praised the new restaurant for its perfectly executed rouille.
3328. rubaiyat

ROO-bee-yaht
This word is from Arabic.
plural noun
poetic units of four lines.
Perhaps the most famous rubaiyat, attributed to Persian polymath Omar Khayyam, were published as a volume in the 19th century and become wildly popular in the fin–de–siècle English-speaking world.
3329. rubefacient

roo-buh-FAY-shunt
This word is from an originally Latin word.
adjective
causing redness (as of the skin).
Paula’s skin disease was treated with a medicine that had a rubefacient effect on her skin.
3330. ruelle

roo-EL
This word was formed in French from a Latin-derived element before becoming English.
noun
an alley.
The taxi raced down a ruelle, nearly sideswiping a pedestrian who was leaving a café.
3331. runcible spoon

RUN-suh-bul-SPOON
This word was coined by a British painter and author.
noun
a fork with three broad curved prongs and a sharpened edge, used with pickles or hors d’oeuvres.
Drusilla's afternoon tea consisted of a slice of mincemeat pie, a baked quince, and a runcible spoon at each place setting.
3332. rupicolous

roo-PIK-uh-lus
This word is formed from Latin-derived elements.
adjective
growing on or living among or in rocks.
The crayfish is a rupicolous crustacean.
3333. ruscus

RUSK-us
This word is from Latin.
noun
any plant of a small genus of European evergreen shrubs with small greenish flowers and red berries.
Ty planted a ruscus in his garden so he could enjoy its bright red berries and pretty green leaves well into the winter months.
3334. rutabaga

roo-tuh-BAY-guh
This word is from Swedish, which formed it from Old Norse.
noun
a large, edible turnip with a yellowish root.
Barbara prepared a side dish of rutabaga for Thanksgiving dinner, much to the delight of most of her family.
3335. ryas

REE-uz
This word is from a Swedish geographical name.
plural noun
Scandinavian handwoven rugs.
At the market in Oslo, Lisbet shopped for colorful ryas to add to her new apartment.
3336. Ryeland

RAHY-lund
This word comes from an English geographical name.
noun
a breed of hardy hornless white-faced English sheep producing high-quality wool.
The wool from one particular Ryeland resulted in the softest yarn spun in the county that year.
3337. Ryukyu

ree-YOO-kyoo
This word is from a Japanese geographical name.
noun
the language related to Japanese spoken by the people inhabiting islands southwest of Japan.
Ryukyu is an endangered language, now that many islanders have shifted towards speaking Standard Japanese.
3338. saccharide

SAK-uh-rahyd
This word is formed from an originally Sanskrit element that went from Pali to Greek to Latin plus a French-derived element.
noun
a simple sugar or an aggregate of sugars.
The juice contains artificial flavors and saccharide.
3339. saeta

sah-AY-tuh
This word passed from Latin to Spanish.
noun
an unaccompanied Andalusian song of lamentation or penitence sung during the religious procession on Good Friday.
In the candlelit chapel, Estrella stood before the crucifix and spontaneously broke into a haunting saeta.
3340. Sagittarius

saj-uh-TAR-ee-us
This word is from Latin.
noun
a southern zodiacal constellation that is represented by the figure of a centaur shooting an arrow.
The symbol for Sagittarius is an archer with a drawn bow.
3341. sakura

suh-KUR-uh
This word is from Japanese.
noun
a type of ornamental hybrid cherry tree with fragrant flowers that was developed in Japan.
Although it was developed in Japan, the sakura is now cultivated worldwide in moderate climates.
3342. salmagundi

sal-muh-GUN-dee
This word is from French.
noun
a salad plate with colorful rows of ingredients, such as meats, hard-cooked eggs, pickled vegetables, and watercress, and dressed with a salad dressing.
The salmagundi took Sarita so long to make that she took a photo of it to post on the food blog she was planning to start someday.
3343. samsara

sum-SAHR-uh
This word is from Sanskrit.
noun
in Hinduism and Buddhism, the indefinitely repeated cycles of birth, misery, and death caused by karma : transmigration.
In Buddhism, the only way to be liberated from samsara is to follow the Buddhist path and ultimately achieve enlightenment.
3344. Sangamon

SANG-guh-mun
This word is from a U.S. geographical name.
adjective
belonging to the third interglacial interval during the glacial epoch in North America.
Maurice sifted through Sangamon soil deposits and took a sample back to the lab.
3345. sangfroid

sahn-FRWAH
This word was formed in French from Latin-derived elements.
noun
extraordinary usually callous composure or steadiness under strain.
Jason remained calm during the prosecutor’s attack and replied to the questions with sangfroid.
3346. sanglier

SANG-lee-ur
This word went from Latin to French to English.
noun
a wild boar.
Opting to let the old sanglier roam, the hunters set out to chase down a younger boar instead.
3347. sannyasi

sun-YAH-see
This word passed from Sanskrit to Hindi.
noun
a wandering Hindu ascetic.
After a sannyasi has passed away, he is typically buried in a seated posture of meditation instead of being cremated.
3348. Saoshyant

SAU-shyunt
This word is from Avestan.
noun
one of three deliverers of later Zoroastrian belief concerning the ultimate destiny of humankind appearing at thousand year intervals and each inaugurating a special period of human progress.
The last Saoshyant is said to finally free all souls and bring them eternal perfection.
3349. Sapporo

SAH-poh-roh
This word is a Japanese geographical name.
geographical entry
a city on western Hokkaido, Japan.
Sapporo is known for its snow festival, which takes place over seven days in February and features approximately 400 snow statures and ice sculptures.
3350. savoir faire

sav-wahr-FAR
This word entry comes from Latin-derived French elements.
noun
an instinctive ability to act appropriately in a particular situation; especially : skill in social relationships.
Clarice believes she lacks savoir faire and always feels awkward in social settings.
3351. Sawan

SAH-wun
This word passed from Sanskrit to Hindi.
noun
a month of the Hindu year.
The temple held a puja for Lord Shiva every Monday during the month of Sawan.
3352. Sbrinz

sprints
This word is from Italian, which formed it from a Swiss geographical name.
noun
a type of hard cheese that can be grated.
Danaye sprinkled some grated Sbrinz on the grilled vegetables.
3353. scaberulous

skuh-BER-uh-lus
This word is from an originally Latin element plus an English element.
adjective
possessing extremely small scales, spots or points.
The agricultural researcher explained to the rancher that scaberulous grasses are good for a cow's digestion.
3354. scagliola

skal-YOH-luh
This word is from Germanic-derived Italian.
noun
an imitation of ornamental marble used for floors, columns, and other ornamental interior work.
After the scagliola is laid on the prepared surface and is hardened, it is then polished to resemble marble.
3355. Schedar

SHEH-dahr
The origin of this word is not given.
noun
in astronomy, an orange giant star that is the brightest star in the constellation Cassiopeia.
Schedar is between four and five times as massive as our sun, and is one of the 58 bright stars commonly used in navigation.
3356. schefflera

SHEH-fluh-ruh
This word was formed in Latin from a German name.
noun
a type of shrubby tropical plant that is grown for its decorative foliage.
The schefflera became popular as a houseplant because it survives in warm indoor conditions that are not nearly moist or bright enough for most plants.
3357. schnecken

SHNEK-un
This word is from German.
plural noun
cinnamon buns made of rich yeast-leavened dough that are rolled up like jelly rolls, cut into crosswise slices, and baked cut side down.
"schnecken" literally means "snails" in German; but most people think that they taste much better.
3358. schwegel

SHFAY-gul
This word is from German.
noun
a wind instrument; specifically: a pipe.
The schwegel is an important part of traditional Bavarian folk music, usually played alongside the tabor drum.
3359. sciatica

sahy-AT-ih-kuh
This word is from an originally Greek word that passed into Latin before becoming English.
noun
pain caused by compression or inflammation that occurs along a nerve located in the lower back, hip, and leg.
As Alicia struggled out of bed, she complained of sciatica in her left leg.
3360. sciolistic

sahy-uh-LIS-tik
This word consists of a Latin part plus two English elements.
adjective
having to do with superficial knowledge or to a person whose knowledge is superficial.
The students’ sciolistic conversation amused Professor Pickett.
3361. sclaff

sklaf
This word is probably imitative.
noun
a golf stroke in which the club head strikes the ground behind the ball before contacting the ball.
Roddy's sclaff sent the ball straight into the water.
3362. scobiform

SKAH-buh-form
The first part of this word is from an originally Latin word, and the second part is from English.
adjective
resembling sawdust.
The scobiform seeds in the botanical display are from a species of South American evergreen trees.
3363. scrofula

SKRAHF-yuh-luh
This word is from Latin.
noun
tuberculosis of lymph nodes especially in the neck.
The primary symptom of scrofula is swollen spots on the neck, often concentrated on one side.
3364. seine

sayn
This word is from a Germanic word that ultimately derives from Greek via Latin.
verb
to fish with a large upright net.
David and Joella seine for perch every time they go to the lake.
3365. selah

SEE-luh
This word is from Hebrew.
interjection
used in the Hebrew Bible probably as an exclamation (as amen or hallelujah).
Deacon Tom ended his reading from the prophecy of Habakkuk by intoning triumphantly, "selah!"
3366. semaphore

SEM-uh-fohr
This word is made up of Greek-derived elements and may have been formed first in French.
noun
a means of communication in which a sender holds and moves flags in certain positions according to a code.
Mr. Jackson taught the Eagle Scouts semaphore on the camp-out by having them climb hills and then signaling them the day’s dinner menu.
3367. seraya

suh-RAHY-uh
This word is from a native name in Borneo.
noun
a type of tree that is rich in resin, has flowers with twisted petals, and yields valuable lumber.
The seraya is a common tree, and its timber is often seen in the international timber trade.
3368. serin

suh-RAN
Originally from Latin, this word perhaps passed to French from Old Provençal.
noun
a small European finch related to the canary.
The diet of a serin consists mostly of seeds, but it will also eat other plant material and insects.
3369. serval

SUR-vul
This word is from a word that went from Latin to Portuguese to French.
noun
a long-legged African wildcat having large ears and a tawny, black-spotted coat.
The serval is one of the most successful hunters in the animal kingdom, able to catch its prey in over half of its attempts.
3370. sesquipedalian

ses-kwuh-puh-DAYL-yun
This word is from a Latin element plus an English element.
adjective
characterized by or tending to use lengthy words.
Norbert dozed off halfway through the professor’s sesquipedalian lecture.
3371. sessile

SEH-sahyl
This word is from originally Latin elements.
adjective
permanently attached : unable to move freely.
Sea anemones are sessile, forcing them to wait for their food to come to them.
3372. seton

SEET-un
This word is from Latin.
noun
one or more threads introduced under the skin by a knife or needle to create a suture.
The veterinarian repaired the horse's fistula with a seton, taking care to ensure proper drainage.
3373. Sfax

sfaks
This word is a north African geographical name.
geographical entry
city and port in Tunisia.
Sfax was founded in 849 C.E. on the ruins of a Roman city.
3374. sforzando

sfort-SAHN-doh
This word is from Latin-derived Italian.
noun
a tone or chord played with additional stress.
The first chord in Mozart's "Adagio in B minor" is a diminished seventh played sforzando.
3375. Shawwal

shuh-WAHL
This word is from Arabic.
noun
the 10th month of the Islamic year.
Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan fasting, falls on the first day of Shawwal.
3376. Shiba Inu

SHEE-bah-EE-noo
This word is from Japanese.
noun
a small, agile dog from Japan that has a stiff outer coat and a soft, dense undercoat.
Emily’s Shiba Inu makes facial expressions that almost seem human.
3377. silique

sih-LEEK
This word is from Latin-derived French.
noun
a two-valved, narrow, elongated, usually many-seeded capsule that opens by sutures at either margin and has the seeds attached to two parts of the carpel that bear ovules and are attached to the main wall.
Each silique on the overwintered kale began to pop open as the plant aged, scattering the seeds on the ground.
3378. Sir Roger de Coverley

sur-rah-jur-duh-KUV-ur-lee
This word entry is an alteration of an English phrase probably formed from a proper name, an English element, and a fictitious place name.
noun
an English country-dance.
Liesl and Rick practiced the Sir Roger de Coverley until they had perfected all the steps.
3379. skaamoogs

SKAH-mohgz
This word is from Dutch-derived Afrikaans.
plural noun
cat sharks of a family of galeoid sharks - used in southern Africa.
skaamoogs are bottom-dwellers that feed on smaller fish and invertebrates.
3380. Skeltonic

skel-TAH-nik
This word consists of a part from an English name plus an English element.
adjective
relating to or characteristic of the English poet John _____, his writings, or short verses in his style.
Erika's Skeltonic poem has the stress pattern, rhyming cadence, and satirical nature characteristic of the style.
3381. skerrick

SKER-ik
This word is perhaps from an Old Norse word that passed into English.
noun
the least bit : trace — chiefly used in Australia.
By the time Hajra's brother was through, there wasn't a skerrick of food left in the fridge.
3382. smriti

SMRIH-tee
This word is from Sanskrit.
noun
the body of Hindu sacred writings containing traditional teachings (as on religious, domestic, and social practice) based on the Vedas.
In his religious studies class, Harold read a selection of works from the smriti.
3383. soirée

swah-RAY
This word came from French, which formed it from a Latin word.
noun
a party that happens in the evening.
When the band’s new album was released, the record company sponsored a soirée to celebrate the occasion.
3384. sororal

suh-ROR-ul
This word is from Latin.
adjective
sisterly.
Though Melanie and Lynette are eight years apart in age, they share a strong sororal bond and are very close.
3385. sorrel

SOR-ul
This word is probably from a Germanic word that became French and then English.
noun
a chestnut-colored horse with a white mane and tail.
Dominic promised to take good care of the sorrel his dad had bought for him.
3386. sostenuto

soh-stuh-NOOT-oh
This word is from Italian.
adjective
sustained to or beyond the note’s full value — used as a direction in music.
As Fiona grew taller, she was able to hold down the piano’s middle pedal to play sostenuto notes.
3387. sous vide

soo-VEED
This entry is made up of Latin-derived French elements.
adjective
related to a method of cooking food slowly in a vacuum-sealed pouch at a low temperature so as to retain most of the juice and aroma.
Gabe tried for three weeks to convince his parents to try a sous vide method for cooking the Thanksgiving turkey.
3388. spiedini

spee-uh-DEE-nee
This word is from Italian, which formed it from a French word of Germanic origin.
plural noun
meat that is rolled around a filling, dipped in batter and cooked on a skewer.
The chef grilled beef spiedini over a hickory fire.
3389. spodumene

SPAH-juh-meen
Originally Greek, this word went from German to probably French before becoming English.
noun
a mineral that is white to yellowish, purplish, or emerald-green color and that occurs in often large prismatic crystals.
Transparent spodumene has been used as a gemstone.
3390. sprechstimme

shprek-shtim-uh
This word is from an originally German word.
noun
an oration delivered with rhythmic inflections.
The technique of sprechstimme is closely associated with Arnold Schoenberg and other members of the Second Viennese School of composers.
3391. sravaka

SRAH-vuh-kuh
This word is from Sanskrit.
noun
a direct disciple of the Buddha.
In Mahayana Buddhism, a sravaka is generally thought to be seeking personal enlightenment or liberation.
3392. stevedore

STEE-vuh-dohr
This word is from a word that went from Latin to Spanish.
noun
someone whose job is to load and unload a ship.
The stevedore returned to the ship after dining at his favorite dockside restaurant.
3393. Strelitzia

strih-LIT-see-uh
This word is from a geographical name plus a Latin element.
noun
a small genus of usually large African herbs resembling the banana and having rigid leaves and richly colored flowers with three sepals and three very irregular petals.
One species of Strelitzia has been named the official flower of the City of Los Angeles.
3394. stretto

STREH-toh
This word came from Italian, which formed it from Latin.
adverb
fast — used to indicate a direction in music.
According to the sheet music, the final section was to be played stretto.
3395. Strigolniki

strih-GAHL-nuh-kee
This word is from Russian.
plural noun
members of a Russian sect that broke away from the Eastern Orthodox Church in the 14th century.
Echoes of the ideas of the Strigolniki can be found in the writings of Leo Tolstoy.
3396. stroganoff

STRAH-guh-nahf
This word is from a Russian name.
adjective
cut finely and cooked in a sauce made of meat stock, sour cream, mustard and onion.
Tyrone prepared beef stroganoff for the mayor’s visit.
3397. struthious

STROO-thee-us
This word consists of a part that went from Greek to Latin plus an English element.
adjective
relating to the ostriches and related birds.
From its enormous size, Keyanna knew that she had found a struthious egg.
3398. stupa

STOO-puh
This word is from Sanskrit.
noun
a semi-spherical mound or tower artificially constructed of earth, brick, or stone, topped by a spire, and containing a relic chamber.
The stupa was said to contain a large relic of the Buddha.
3399. sturnine

STUR-nahyn
This word is from Latin.
adjective
relating or being similar to a starling.
Deb was fairly sure that the sturnine bird at her feeder was not, in fact, a starling.
3400. stygian

STIJ-ee-un
This word consists of a part from a Greek name that passed into Latin plus an English element.
adjective
deathly.
A black robe, a papier-mâché scythe, and some grayish makeup completed Sean’s stygian Halloween costume.
3401. styptic

STIP-tik
This word passed from Greek to Latin to English.
adjective
having the ability to stop bleeding when applied to something bleeding.
Kenneth had to apply a styptic agent to his chin where he cut himself while shaving.
3402. succès fou

suk-say-FOO
This word entry is from French.
noun
an extraordinary success.
Having raked in a whopping $12.46, Trey and Shanna declared their business venture a succès fou and decided to retire.
3403. succorance

SUK-ur-ens
This word is from a word that went from Latin to French to English plus an English element.
noun
the quality or state of depending upon or being dependent upon something else.
The flood victims acknowledged their succorance on the Red Cross for their survival.
3404. Sufi

SOO-fee
This word is from Arabic.
noun
an ascetic Muslim mystic.
The most famous Sufi in America is probably the poet Rumi, whose mystical poetry, originally written in Persian, has become very popular in translation.
3405. supercilious

soo-pur-SIL-ee-us
This word is from Latin.
adjective
haughty.
The supercilious senior ignored the first-year student.
3406. surreptitious

sur-up-TISH-us
This word came to English from Latin.
adjective
secret.
Denise was embarrassed when her surreptitious note to Steve was intercepted by the teacher.
3407. svarabhakti

sfahr-uh-BAHK-tee
This word is from Sanskrit.
noun
the introduction of a vowel sound in Sanskrit especially between r or l and a following consonant.
In modern usage, svarabhakti is used more broadly for vowel sound insertion between any consonants rather than just an insertion between r or l and a following consonant.
3408. Svengali

sven-GAH-lee
This word is from a British literary name.
noun
a person who tries to convince another person to do their bidding, often with evil intentions.
Many fans thought that the rock star’s husband was a Svengali who engineered the group’s breakup.
3409. swainsona

swayn-SOHN-uh
This word was formed in Latin from an English name.
noun
any plant of a genus of Australian herbs and subshrubs having odd-pinnate leaves and racemes of small variously colored flowers with orbicular standard and twisted wings.
Norman wanted to plant a swainsona at the edge of his field, but first he needed to confirm it was not a variety that was poisonous to sheep.
3410. sybaritic

sih-buh-RIH-tik
This word is from a Greek geographical name.
adjective
characterized by luxury.
The duke’s sybaritic bathroom had marble sinks with gold fixtures, floor-to-ceiling mirrors and a whirlpool bath.
3411. synanthrope

SIN-an-throhp
This word was formed in French from originally Greek parts.
noun
an undomesticated animal (such as a mouse, pigeon, or raccoon) that lives in close association with people and benefits from their surroundings and activities.
Rocky the Racoon, the neighborhood synanthrope, grew portly from his steady diet of discarded kitchen scraps and assorted trash.
3412. syncope

SING-kuh-pee
This word went from Greek to Latin.
noun
loss of consciousness resulting from arrest of the blood supply to the brain.
Unexplained dizziness and syncope occasionally occur on arrival at high altitude.
3413. Taal

tah-AHL
This word is a Filipino geographical name.
geographical entry
a volcano on an island in the center of a lake south of Manila in the Philippines.
The Taal has been described as a very small but very dangerous volcano.
3414. tachycardia

tak-ih-KAHR-dee-uh
This word is from Greek.
noun
a heart rate that is faster than normal that can be caused by physiology (such as exercise) or disease.
Cardiologists have successfully used electric shocks to treat severe ventricular tachycardia.
3415. tachyon

TAK-ee-ahn
This word is formed from two Greek-derived elements.
noun
a hypothetical particle believed to move more rapidly than the speed of light.
The tachyon plays a large role in science fiction stories that involve time travel.
3416. taedium vitae

tee-dee-um-VAHY-tee
This word entry is from Latin.
noun
weariness of life : intense discontent.
Lois feared that the taedium vitae she felt would never go away, but with the support of her friends and family she began to feel more cheerful.
3417. tamari

tah-MAH-ree
This word is from Japanese.
noun
a type of aged soy sauce often without added wheat and that is of high quality.
Nadia sautéed the asparagus with garlic, black pepper and tamari.
3418. tambour

TAM-bur
This word went from Persian to Arabic to French.
noun
an embroidery frame.
Basil placed a piece of linen in the tambour, stretched out the edges, and began to embroider.
3419. tam-o'-shanter

TAM-uh-shan-tur
This word is from a Scottish literary name.
noun
a woolen cap of Scottish origin that is made with a tight headband and a very wide flat circular crown usually with a pompon in the center.
Rory's tam-o'-shanter was noticeable from a distance because of its unusually large pompom.
3420. tanager

TAN-ih-jur
This word is from a Portuguese word derived from Tupi, an indigenous language of Amazonian South America.
noun
any of various forest-dwelling American birds that are generally unmusical and have brightly colored males.
The male scarlet tanager has brilliant red plumage with shiny black wings and tail.
3421. tandoori

tahn-DUR-ee
This word is from Hindi, which formed it from a word that passed from Akkadian to Aramaic to Arabic to Persian before coming to Hindi and Urdu.
adjective
cooked in a charcoal-fired clay oven that is shaped like a cylinder.
Meera made tandoori chicken and vegetables for Sanjay’s birthday dinner.
3422. tannined

TAN-ind
This word is from a probably originally Celtic word that passed from Latin into French and then English, plus Latin- and English-derived elements.
adjective
treated with any of several soluble acidic substances that are used to convert skin and hides into leather.
The recently tannined leather remained supple and workable.
3423. taoiseach

THEE-shukh
This word is from Irish Gaelic.
noun
the prime minister of Ireland.
Unlike the U.S. president, the Irish taoiseach is elected by a vote of the Irish legislative body from among its own ranks.
3424. tapetum

tuh-PEE-tum
This word is from Latin, which took it from Greek.
noun
a layer of cells in the eye of primarily nocturnal animals that is covered by double refracting crystals that reflect light.
The tapetum in the eyes of cats, raccoons and cows aids in night vision and causes the pupil to appear to glow in low light.
3425. tarpaulin

tar-PAHL-un
This word was formed from an originally English part plus a part that went from Greek to Latin to English.
noun
a sheet of waterproof material used for covering unprotected goods or objects, such as vehicles.
When rain began during the second inning of the baseball game, the ground crew rolled out the tarpaulin to protect the field.
3426. taurine

TAH-reen
This word is from a Latin word formed from originally Greek and Latin elements.
noun
a neutral-reaction crystalline compound found primarily in the muscles of invertebrates that is used in the construction of a number of surface-active agents.
taurine, which was first isolated from the bile of an ox in 1827, is essential for the proper functioning of the heart and the central nervous system in humans.
3427. Tchefuncte

chuh-FUNGK-tuh
This word is from an American geographical name.
adjective
belonging or relating to a culture of Louisiana of about 500–900 CE noted for its cone-shaped burial mounds, round structures, and coiled pottery decorated with dotted lines.
The archaeologist recognized the Tchefuncte pottery immediately from its unique ornamentation.
3428. Tegucigalpa

tuh-goo-suh-GAL-puh
This word is a Central American geographical name.
geographical entry
the capital city of Honduras.
Tegucigalpa, which sits on the banks of the Choluteca River, is prone to flooding during the rainy season.
3429. telamon

TEL-uh-mahn
This word is from an originally Greek word that passed into Latin.
noun
a supporting column carved as a male figure.
While in Athens, Lupita had her picture taken beside a telamon.
3430. teledu

TEL-uh-doo
This word is from Malay.
noun
a small carnivorous mammal that resembles the badger, emits an offensive fluid like a skunk, and lives in the mountains of Java and Sumatra.
The offensive odor of the teledu pervaded the entire vicinity.
3431. telegnosis

tel-uh-NOH-sis
Both parts of this word are originally Greek.
noun
knowledge of far-away occurrences gained by mysterious means : clairvoyance.
The psychic claimed to have telegnosis of events happening on the other side of the Atlantic.
3432. temalacatl

tay-muh-luh-KAH-tul
This word is from Nahuatl.
noun
a spindle-shaped stone in Aztec sacrificial rites to which an inadequately armed captive was attached while allowed ostensibly to defend himself against his executioners.
The archaeologist somberly wondered aloud how many victims had been felled on the temalacatl that her team had unearthed.
3433. tempeh

TEM-pay
This word is from Javanese.
noun
a food originating in Asia made of fermented soybeans.
Lauren suggested that Celia crumble some tempeh in the enchilada casserole to add protein.
3434. teneramente

ten-uh-ruh-MEN-tee
This word is from Latin-derived Italian.
adverb
in a tender manner — used as a direction in music.
The force with which the new piano student struck the keys made it nearly impossible for him to play the lullaby teneramente.
3435. terai

tuh-RAHY
This word is from an Indian geographical name.
noun
a wide-brimmed double felt sun hat worn mostly in subtropical areas.
Historically, the terai was sometimes worn as part of a military uniform.
3436. teraphim

TER-uh-fim
This word is from Hebrew.
plural noun
images representing household gods among the ancient Jews and other Semitic peoples and later used in divination and as talismanic figures.
Some in Orpah's family believed that their household teraphim might someday speak and answer questions.
3437. teratism

TER-uh-tih-zum
This word is formed from a Greek element plus an English element.
noun
veneration of monsters.
The fact that three dozen "Godzilla" films have been made speaks to the teratism of the viewing public.
3438. terra nullius

ter-uh-nuh-LEE-us
This phrase comes from Latin.
noun
territory not annexed by any nation.
A colloquial term for terra nullius is "no man's land."
3439. Terre Haute

ter-uh-HOHT
This word entry is an American geographical name.
geographical entry
city on the Wabash River in western Indiana.
Eugene V. Debs, born in Terre Haute, organized one of the country’s first industrial unions in 1893.
3440. tessitura

tes-uh-TUR-uh
This word came from Italian, which formed it from a Latin word.
noun
the general range of a melody or voice part.
Soprano parts in Bellini’s operas call for a very high tessitura.
3441. Teutonic

too-TAH-nik
This word was formed in Latin from a Latin name.
adjective
Germanic.
The city was proud of its Teutonic heritage and held many festivals each year.
3442. thalassic

thuh-LA-sik
This word was formed in French from originally Greek elements.
adjective
relating to the ocean or the sea.
Some thalassic currents travel for thousands of miles.
3443. theca

THEE-kuh
This word is from Latin, which formed it from a Greek word.
noun
the pollen sac of the part of a plant's stamen that holds and makes pollen.
In botany class, Arvid learned that the theca is part of a flower's anatomy.
3444. Theravada

ther-uh-VAH-duh
This word was formed in Pali from Sanskrit elements.
noun
the smaller more conservative branch of Buddhism dominant in Sri Lanka, Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, and Cambodia and characterized by adherence to the ideal of self-purification to nirvana through contemplative and moral effort.
Theravada is often contrasted with Mahayana Buddhism, although both claim to be closest to the original teachings of the Buddha.
3445. thesmothete

THEZ-muh-theet
This word is from Greek.
noun
one of the six junior magistrates in ancient Athens.
Joseph has a marble bust of a famous Athenian thesmothete in his office.
3446. thimerosal

thahy-MER-uh-sal
This word consists of originally Greek and Latin elements.
noun
a crystalline organic mercurial used in medicine and surgery as an antiseptic and germicide and also as a biological preservative.
thimerosal is added to some vaccines during manufacturing to prevent germ growth.
3447. Thomism

TOH-mih-zum
This word is probably from an Italian name plus a Latin element.
noun
a theological theory deriving from the Italian theologian Aquinas.
Thomism teaches that philosophy and theology have separate spheres that reach conclusions that support each other.
3448. thuluth

THOO-luth
This word is from Arabic.
noun
one of the chief forms of Arabic and Persian script.
The flag of Saudi Arabia features script written in thuluth.
3449. tic douloureux

tik-doo-luh-ROO
This word entry is from French.
noun
paroxysmal neuralgia involving one or more branches of the trigeminal nerve, being often extremely severe.
Sometimes considered one of the most painful conditions that can affect people, tic douloureux typically occurs only on one side of the face and lasts seconds or minutes per attack.
3450. tichodrome

TAYH-kuh-drohm
This word was formed in Latin from originally Greek parts.
noun
a small bird that is mostly gray, black, and white with a crimson wing patch; that inhabits cliffs in the mountains of southern Asia, Europe, and northern Africa; and that frequents the walls of towns during migration.
The tichodrome that Philippe spotted while rock-climbing in France would be called a “wall creeper” by most of his American friends.
3451. tikka

TIK-uh
Originally Persian, this word came to English from Hindi and Urdu.
noun
an Indian dish of marinated meat cooked on a skewer.
For dinner, Meera ordered chicken tikka and a side of garlic naan.
3452. tikkun

TIH-kun
This word is from Hebrew.
noun
a reading of select passages and prayers from religious works by observant Jews that occurs during the night on some Jewish holidays.
Douglas learned that his synagogue would recite tikkun on the upcoming Jewish holiday.
3453. Tillamook

TIL-uh-mook
This word is from Chinook, a North American indigenous language.
noun
a cheddar cheese of crumbly texture and sharp flavor.
The hikers snacked on Tillamook and apple slices.
3454. tilleul

tih-YURL
This word came from French, which formed it from a Latin word.
noun
a pale greenish yellow.
The color tilleul got its name from the French word for a linden tree whose leaves are greenish yellow.
3455. tinamou

TIN-uh-moo
This word passed from Galibi (gah-LEE-bee), a Cariban language of South America, to French.
noun
any of numerous birds that resemble common domestic fowl in habits but are related to ratite birds including the ostrich, cassowary, and emu.
The eggs of the tinamou are glossy and colorful.
3456. tinnient

TIN-ee-unt
This word is from Latin.
adjective
possessing a ringing or clear quality.
Grandmother’s silver knife made a tinnient sound when Jerrel accidentally dropped it.
3457. tintinnabulary

tin-tuh-NAB-yuh-ler-ee
The word consists of an originally Latin word and an English element.
adjective
relating to or characterized by bells or their sounds.
The bell ringers gave a tintinnabulary rendition of “Winter Wonderland.”
3458. tiramisu

tir-uh-MEE-soo
This word is from Italian.
noun
a dessert that is made of little finger-shaped sponge cakes, mascarpone cheese and espresso.
Greta and Max shared a piece of tiramisu that was topped with shaved chocolate and cocoa powder.
3459. tmesis

tuh-MEE-sis
This word is from an originally Greek word that passed into Latin.
noun
division of sections of a compound word by adding one or more words.
The line "This is not Romeo, he's some other where" from Romeo and Juliet is an example of tmesis.
3460. toccata

tuh-KAH-tuh
This word came from Italian, which formed it from an imitative Latin word.
noun
a piece of music typically for harpsichord or pipe organ with many rapid, equal-timed notes.
Jamila sat down at the church organ and played a fast Bach toccata.
3461. toey

TOH-ee
This word is originally English.
adjective
nervous, worried - used in Australia.
The toey student took a deep breath and began his presentation.
3462. toggenburg

TAHG-un-burg
This word is from a Swiss geographical name.
noun
a type of Swiss dairy goat that is primarily brown.
Micah’s toggenburg has white triangular markings on either side of its tail, a pattern that conforms to the breed standard.
3463. toile

twahl
This word came from French, which formed it from a Latin word.
noun
a type of fabric printed with designs (such as landscapes or flowers) in one color on a white or cream background.
When their new couch arrived, Martin and Luisa were irked to find that it was upholstered in a flowery toile instead of plain blue denim.
3464. Tok Pisin

TAHK-PIH-sin
This word is from Neo-Melanesian.
noun
an English-based creole language that is a national language of Papua New Guinea.
Aashi studied Portuguese and Malay in order to write her dissertation on the historical phonology of Tok Pisin.
3465. tomahawk

TAH-muh-hahk
This word is from Virginian Algonquian.
noun
a Native North American ax used as a weapon.
tomahawk throwing is a popular sport among American historical reenactment groups.
3466. tomalley

tuh-MAL-ee
This word is from Cariban, an indigenous language of Central and South America.
noun
a lobster's liver.
Although tomalley has historically been considered a delicacy, it can collect and concentrate pollutants and toxins.
3467. tonsillitis

tahn-suh-LAHY-tus
This word is formed from an originally Latin element plus an originally Greek element.
noun
inflammation of one or both projecting masses of tissue in the throat.
Dr. Graham treated Erica’s tonsillitis with antibiotics.
3468. topazolite

toh-PAY-zuh-lahyt
This word was formed in French from a part that went from Greek to Latin to French plus a part that went from Greek to French.
noun
a garnet that is green or yellowish.
Sally used a small antique brooch set with a single topazolite as a shawl pin.
3469. toque

tohk
This word is from an originally Spanish word that passed into French.
noun
a close-fitted hat for women that is small, soft and without a brim.
Margo buttoned her jacket and adjusted her blue velvet toque in front of the mirror.
3470. toreutics

tuh-ROO-tiks
This word is from Greek.
plural noun
the art or process of ornamenting metal especially by indenting or embossing.
Archaeological artifacts attest to the ancient Celts’ excellence in toreutics.
3471. torii

TOH-ree-ee
This word is from Japanese.
noun
a Japanese gateway commonly built at the approach to a Shinto shrine.
A torii is used to mark the transition to a sacred space.
3472. toril

tuh-REEL
This word is from Latin-derived Spanish.
noun
a small enclosure from which a bull enters the ring.
The bull exited the toril and charged toward the ring.
3473. tourelle

too-REL
This word came from French, which formed it from a Latin word.
noun
a turret.
The seaside mansion's tourelle was used as a lookout for enemy ships during World War I.
3474. tournedos

toor-nuh-DOH
This word is from a word that went from Greek to Latin to French plus a Latin-derived French word.
noun
a small piece of beef that is wrapped with bacon or salt pork for quick cooking.
Ricardo ordered a tournedos with béarnaise sauce and shiitake mushrooms.
3475. towhee

TOH-hee
This word is imitative in origin.
noun
a common North American finch that is white, reddish, and black or brown.
Duncan watched the towhee through his new binoculars.
3476. trichinosis

trik-uh-NOH-sis
This word is from Greek.
noun
infestation with or sickness caused by certain worms that is caught by eating infested food, such as raw pork.
Madeline cooked the pork chops thoroughly so there would be no danger of trichinosis.
3477. triduum

TRIH-juh-wum
This word is from Latin.
noun
three days of prayer that in the Roman Catholic Church usually precedes a feast or some religiously important occasion.
Grandad wasn't one to go to church services often, except during the triduum of Easter, which was his favorite time of year.
3478. trillado

trih-YAH-doh
This word came from Spanish, which formed it from a Latin word.
noun
market coffee made by sun-drying the beans.
Dried or unwashed coffee known as trillado made up the bulk of Venezuela's coffee output in the early 20th century.
3479. triskelion

trahy-SKEL-ee-un
This word is from an originally Greek word.
noun
a motif of three typically curved or bent branches radiating from a middle point.
A triskelion has been the emblem of the Isle of Man since the 13th century, when the Vikings were ousted.
3480. tristeza

trih-STAY-zuh
This word went from Latin to Portuguese to English.
noun
a highly communicable viral disease of grafted citrus trees that kills the trees by rotting the rootlets.
tristeza has killed more than 80 million citrus trees worldwide to date.
3481. trochee

TROH-kee
This word is from an originally Greek word that passed through Latin to French.
noun
a metrical foot of a long followed by a short syllable or a stressed followed by an unstressed syllable.
When Katie's English teacher asked her for an example of a word demonstrating trochee, Katie responded with "kitten."
3482. trompe l'oeil

trohn-PLUR
This word is from French.
noun
deception of the eye especially by a painting, such as using minute detail to intensify the reality of objects.
"The Goldfinch" by Carel Fabritius is a famous example of trompe l'oeil in which the bird appears to be three-dimensional.
3483. trotteur

trah-TUR
This word was formed in French from a word ultimately of Germanic origin.
noun
a fitted piece of women's clothing (such as a coat) designed for wearing outside.
Isabelle donned her trotteur and went for a stroll in the park.
3484. trous-de-loup

troo-duh-LOO
This word is from French.
plural noun
pits in the form of an inverted cone or pyramid having a pointed stake in the middle constructed as obstacles to the movements of an enemy.
King Wulfgar's soldiers advanced cautiously in the dark, fearful of the trous-de-loup that the invaders had dug around their palisade.
3485. trouvaille

troo-VAHY
This word is from French, which probably formed it from Latin.
noun
windfall.
Olivier received a badly needed trouvaille when he found a 50-euro note on the sidewalk.
3486. tryptophan

TRIP-tuh-fan
This word is made up of originally Greek elements.
noun
a crystalline amino acid that is necessary in the nutrition of animals and humans.
Many people mistakenly blame high levels of tryptophan in turkey for the sleep-inducing effect of Thanksgiving dinner.
3487. tsukupin

TSOO-kuh-pin
This word is from a native name in the Yap Islands.
noun
a big sailing canoe with one outrigger and a triangular sail and is found in the Yap islands.
Mariana was intrigued by the tsukupin in the exhibit on Pacific Island cultures at her local museum.
3488. tullibee

TUL-uh-bee
This word came to English from Canadian French, which probably took it from a Cree word.
noun
a whitefish of central and northern North America.
The tullibee is a favorite prey of the walleyed pike.
3489. tusche

TUSH-uh
This word went from Latin to French to German.
noun
a substance used in lithography for drawing and painting and in etching and silk-screen process as a resist.
During the studio's fine arts class, Miles learned how to properly mix tusche with water in preparation for making a lithographic print.
3490. Typhoean

tahy-FEE-un
This word consists of an originally Greek mythological name that passed to Latin plus an English element.
adjective
of, relating to, or resembling a specific mythical monstrous giant.
John Milton wrote of the "vast Typhoean rage" of the hosts of hell.
3491. ubi sunt

oo-bee-SUNT
This word entry is from Latin.
adjective
of or relating to a type of verse in which the poem or its stanzas begin with words meaning "Where are" in Latin or another language.
Medieval French poet François Villon wrote a famous ubi sunt poem that was translated in the 19th century by Dante Gabriel Rossetti to include the iconic line "Where are the snows of yesteryear?"
3492. ubiquinone

yoo-BIK-wuh-nohn
The first part of this word is from Latin, and the second part was formed in German from a Spanish part and a Greek part.
noun
any of a group of lipid-soluble isomeric cyclic crystalline compounds that are found especially in mitochondria and have a role in cellular respiration - called also Coenzyme Q10.
Yolanda thought that taking ubiquinone might help her recover more quickly from her strenuous workouts during soccer season.
3493. ullage

UL-ij
This word was formed in French from Latin-derived elements before coming to English.
noun
the quantity that a vessel (such as a cask) is missing from being completely full.
The revenue agent verifies the ullage that is claimed for each wine cask.
3494. ululate

UL-yuh-layt
This word is from Latin.
verb
to cry out a typically long and rhythmical noise.
In some parts of India, wedding guests ululate and blow conch shells to welcome the groom to the bride’s house.
3495. unakite

YOO-nuh-kahyt
The first part of this word is from a North American geographical name, and the second part is from English.
noun
an opaque igneous rock flecked with green, black, pink, and white that is used as a gemstone.
Sam, an amateur rock hound, was thrilled to find a chunk of unakite in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
3496. unguiculate

ung-GWIK-yuh-layt
This word is from Latin.
adjective
possessing claws or nails.
Bears, monkeys, cats and humans are four of the many unguiculate mammals.
3497. uraeus

yuh-REE-us
This word is from an originally Greek word that passed into Latin.
noun
a stylized likeness of the sacred asp worn on the headdress of ancient rulers as a symbol of sovereignty.
Rosie admired the large golden uraeus on the pharaoh’s headdress.
3498. urushiol

yuh-ROO-shee-ahl
This word is formed from a Japanese word plus a part that passed from Arabic to Spanish to Latin.
noun
a toxic oily liquid that is one of the main blistering substances in poison ivy and related plants.
What Jonah's doctor called "urushiol-induced contact dermatitis," he called a "poison ivy rash."
3499. Ushuaia

oo-SWAHY-ah
This word is a South American place name.
geographical entry
a town on the southern coast of Tierra del Fuego Island in the south of Argentina.
Ushuaia, which is the southernmost city in the world, is known for its wildlife, including orcas, seals, and penguins.
3500. usufruct

YOO-zuh-frukt
This word is from Latin.
noun
the right to use or enjoy something.
When they sold the land, the Arnolds retained the usufruct to pick the apples in the orchards they had planted.
3501. valvata

val-VAH-tuh
This word is from Latin.
noun
any snail of a genus of freshwater operculate snails having the gill attached only by the base so that it forms a process like a feather outside the shell when extended.
Rishi scooped up a snail shell from the bank of the river and easily identified it as a valvata.
3502. varicella

var-uh-SEL-uh
This word is from Latin.
noun
an acute communicable viral disease primarily experienced during childhood and characterized by fever and blisterlike sores : chicken pox.
Hazel contracted varicella from her cousin when she was five.
3503. velouté

vuh-loo-TAH
This word was formed in French from a Latin-derived element.
noun
a white sauce that consists of cream and stock made thick with flour and butter.
velouté can be used as a sauce by itself or as the base for several other sauces.
3504. verisimilitude

ver-uh-suh-MIL-uh-tood
This word is from Latin.
noun
the state or trait of possessing the appearance of truth.
The artist’s scrupulous attention to detail provided an impressive degree of verisimilitude.
3505. vermeil

VUR-mil
This word is from a Latin-derived French word that became English.
noun
copper, silver or bronze that is covered with gold or a golden color.
The turkey was served on a platter of embossed vermeil.
3506. vexillologist

vek-suh-LAH-luh-jist
The first part of this word comes from Latin, and the second part is originally Greek.
noun
a specialist in the study of flags.
Unable to determine whether the flag was genuinely from 1795, the museum decided to consult a vexillologist.
3507. viaticum

vahy-A-tik-um
This word is from Latin.
noun
an allowance for the expenses of traveling, such as money or supplies.
Shirley has spent all but $50 of the $500 viaticum her father gave her for her spring break trip.
3508. vicissitudes

vuh-SIS-uh-toodz
This word went from Latin to French.
plural noun
changes in circumstance (such as of happiness or wealth).
One could not have imagined the extreme vicissitudes of fortune the Great Depression brought our nation’s populace.
3509. vigneron

veen-yuh-ROHN
This word is from a French word which came from Latin.
noun
a winegrower.
The vigneron welcomed visitors to his vineyards and offered them complimentary samples of his wines.
3510. vignette

vin-YET
This word was formed in French from Latin-derived elements.
noun
a short, descriptive literary work that is often subtle and funny.
Kamaljit found the vignette so amusing that he read it a second and then a third time.
3511. vilipend

VIL-uh-pend
This word passed from Latin to French to English.
verb
to talk about someone or something in a disparaging manner.
Mr. Kelly never votes for candidates who vilipend their opponents instead of discussing the issues.
3512. villanelle

vil-uh-NEL
This word is from an originally Latin word that passed into Italian and then French.
noun
a French poem with five units of three lines of verse plus a unit of four lines of verse.
One of the most striking aspects of the villanelle is its rhyme scheme.
3513. villi

VIH-lahy
This word is from Latin.
plural noun
small slender vascular processes, such as the minute fingerlike processes which cover the surface of the mucous membrane of the small intestine and serve in the absorption of nutriment.
villi are most plentiful toward the beginning of the small intestine.
3514. vinaceous

vahy-NAY-shus
This word is from Latin.
adjective
of the color wine red.
The vinaceous liquid in the three-foot-high bottle at the restaurant is not really wine.
3515. vitiate

VISH-ee-ayt
This word is from Latin.
verb
to make defective or incomplete : spoil.
Freddie argued that Clark’s poor acting ability would vitiate the school play.
3516. vituperative

vahy-TOO-puh-ruh-tiv
This word is from Latin.
adjective
marked by or consisting of wordy disparagement.
Josh’s dad gave him a vituperative lecture after the accident.
3517. vizierial

vih-ZIR-ee-ul
This word is from a word that went from Arabic to Turkish plus an English element.
adjective
coming from or relating to a high executive official of certain Muslim countries.
vizierial duties included shouldering the responsibilities of government when the king was incapacitated.
3518. wabeno

wah-BEE-noh
This word is from Ojibwa.
noun
an Ojibwa shaman.
Les read a story about a wabeno who could look into glowing coals and divine the future.
3519. Waf

waf
This word is an acronym of an English term.
noun
a member of the women's component of the U.S. Air Force formed after World War II.
Theresa's grandmother was a Waf until the program ended in the mid-1970s.
3520. wahine

wah-HEE-nay
This word is from Maori and Hawaiian.
noun
a surfer who is female.
The wahine had been surfing for years and had won several competitions.
3521. Wampanoag

wahm-puh-NOH-ag
This word is from Natick, an indigenous American language.
noun
a Native American people of Rhode Island and neighboring parts of Massachusetts.
The assistance of Massasoit, chief of the Wampanoag, helped the English colonists on the Mayflower survive their first year in the New World.
3522. wapiti

WAH-puh-tee
This word is of Algonquian origin.
noun
a large gregarious deer of North America with the male having large antlers and many tines: an elk.
The older male wapiti is often hunted for its antlers.
3523. weka

WEH-kuh
This word is from Maori.
noun
a type of flightless New Zealand wading bird that has short wings each with a spur used in fighting and that has a thievish temperament.
Claudette's younger sister told her that a weka had stolen her bracelet, but Claudette suspected otherwise.
3524. weltschmerz

VELT-shmerts
This word is from German.
noun
mental listlessness or depression brought about by comparing how the world is to how it ideally should be.
Reggie's thesis will analyze weltschmerz as a common theme in Romantic literature.
3525. Wensleydale

WEN-zlee-dayl
This word is from an English geographical name.
noun
a white cheese that is eaten fresh prior to preserving.
The flavor of Wensleydale pairs well with fruit, such as cranberries.
3526. wentletrap

WEN-tl-trap
This word is from Dutch.
noun
any of numerous graceful, usually white, spirally coiled, and tapering mollusk shells.
Mei Li's favorite shell in her collection is a tiny wentletrap her aunt found on the beach.
3527. whippoorwill

WIP-ur-wil
This word is imitative in origin.
noun
a nocturnal bird of eastern Canada and the United States whose call is often heard just before the sun rises or sets but that is infrequently seen.
The whippoorwill was hard to spot because its feathers blended perfectly with the tree bark.
3528. whydah

HWAHY-duh
This word is a combination of an African geographical name and an African alteration of an originally English word.
noun
any of various African weaverbirds which are mostly black with white or buffy markings.
Connie was delighted to see a whydah on her birdwatching trip to Africa.
3529. wigan

WIG-un
This word is from a British place name.
noun
a plain-weave cotton fabric with a stiff finish used for interlining.
The tailor used wigan to line the hem of the jacket.
3530. witch of Agnesi

WICH-uhv-ahn-YAY-zee
This word entry consists of originally English words plus an Italian name.
noun
a plane cubic curve that is symmetric about the y-axis and approaches the x-axis as an asymptote and that has the equation x2y = 4a2(2a ? y).
When Ms. Keller showed her math class an example of a witch of Agnesi, they were confused by the concept but fascinated by the name.
3531. wushu

WOO-SHOO
This word is from Chinese.
noun
martial arts originating in China.
Actor Jet Li was a member of a team that performed wushu for President Nixon at the White House.
3532. xerogel

ZIR-uh-jel
This word was formed in German from originally Greek and Latin parts.
noun
a solid substance made from a semisolid substance by drying with shrinkage that is not hampered or restrained.
xerogel is highly porous and has a high surface area per gram.
3533. xiphophyllous

zih-fuh-FIL-us
This word consists of originally Greek parts.
adjective
having sword-shaped leaves.
The gladiolus is a xiphophyllous plant.
3534. xyloglyphy

zahy-LAHG-luh-fee
This word consists of two originally Greek parts plus an English element.
noun
wood sculpting that is artistic in nature.
At the state fair, local artists demonstrated their skills at xyloglyphy.
3535. yakitori

yah-kih-TOR-ee
This word is from Japanese.
noun
small pieces of chicken, seafood or beef that have been marinated and are then grilled on skewers made of bamboo.
Mrs. Saito brought an appetizer of chicken yakitori to the Japanese conversation group's end-of-year party.
3536. yosenabe

yoh-suh-NAH-bay
This word is from Japanese.
noun
a soup made of vegetables and seafood in broth.
Akiko ate a quick lunch of yosenabe between appointments.
3537. yttriferous

ih-TRIF-uh-rus
This word is from a word formed from a Swedish geographical name plus a Latin-derived element.
adjective
consisting wholly or in part of a trivalent metallic element considered a rare-earth metal or a related element.
Many of the lunar rocks collected during the Apollo project were yttriferous.
3538. yuga

YUH-guh
This word is from Sanskrit.
noun
one of the four ages of a Hindu world cycle.
Each yuga can loosely be thought of as an age of humankind.
3539. yuloh

YOO-loh
This word is probably from Cantonese, a Chinese dialect.
noun
a type of Chinese oar that has a fixed support and is used at the stern of a boat to propel it forward.
The yuloh is typically used from a standing position, but it is also possible to use it while sitting down.
3540. zacate

zuh-KAH-tee
Originally Uto-Aztecan, this word is from a word that went from Nahuatl to Spanish.
noun
forage of grassy plants : herbage.
The cattle munched lazily on the zacate.
3541. zaibatsu

zahy-BAHT-soo
This word is from Japanese.
plural noun
powerful Japanese industrial and financial diversified companies.
Keiko hopes that her electronics company will become one of the zaibatsu.
3542. Zamboni

zam-BOH-nee
This word is a trademark.
trademark
— used for a machine that resurfaces ice.
The crowd cheered when Michelle drove the Zamboni onto the ice during intermission.
3543. Zanni

ZAH-nee
This word is from a name that went from Hebrew to Greek to Latin to Italian.
noun
an impulsive clown in masked comedy from Italy that acts as a comic servant and performs tricks and acrobatics.
The Zanni turned three backflips before leaving the stage.
3544. zapateado

zah-puh-tee-AH-doh
This word is from Spanish.
noun
a step in Spanish dance that consists of rhythmic tapping or stamping.
Juliana needs practice in zapateado before she can take advanced flamenco classes.
3545. Zdarsky tent

STAHR-skee-TENT
This word entry consists of an Austrian name plus a word that passed from Latin to French to English.
noun
an especially prepared light sheet of cloth that is used for shelter.
Hannah packed a Zdarsky tent instead of a standard one because she was able to fit it in her pack.
3546. zemi

zuh-MEE
This word is from an originally Taino word that passed into Spanish.
noun
an object believed to be the dwelling of a spirit and to possess magic power.
The art museum has a collection of figures from the Caribbean that includes a valuable beaded zemi.
3547. zimocca

zih-MAH-kuh
This word is from Latin.
noun
a sponge occurring in the Mediterranean Sea.
Because of its fine pores, the zimocca is ideal for use in bath sponges.
3548. zortzico

zohr-SEE-koh
This word is from a Basque word.
noun
a type of dance or music of Basque origin with a dotted rhythm.
The traditional zortzico has inspired a number of classical music compositions.
3549. zugzwang

TSOOK-tsfahng
This word is from an originally German word.
noun
the need to make a move in chess when it is not to one’s advantage.
Valerie forced the grandmaster into zugzwang.
3550. Zyzomys

ZAHY-zuh-mis
This word is from a Greek-derived Latin word.
noun
a genus of small Australian murid rodents characterized externally by short, rounded ears and long slightly tufted tail which is usually all white and by upper molar teeth in which the outermost of the usual three tubercles constituting the cross crests is practically absent.
Like lizards, members of the Zyzomys genus can partially shed their tail, helping them to escape predators.