Word of the Day
sycophant
[ sik-uh-fuhnt, -fant ]
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noun
a self-seeking, servile flatterer.
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Why Dictionary.com chose sycophant
More about sycophant
- First recorded in 1530鈥�40.
- Comes ultimately from聽Greek 蝉测虅办辞辫丑谩苍迟脓蝉, 鈥渋nformer.鈥�
- 厂测虅办辞辫丑谩苍迟脓蝉 comes from 蝉欧办辞, meaning 鈥渇ig,鈥� and the stem of 辫丑补铆苍别颈苍, meaning 鈥渢o show.鈥�
EXAMPLES OF SYCOPHANT
- She saw through the sycophant‘s deceptive flattery and remained wary of his ulterior motives.
- The playwright created a character who was an exaggerated representation of a sycophant, using satire to mock those who seek favor through insincere flattery.
SYNONYM OF THE DAY
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oxymoron
[ ok-si-mohr-on ]
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noun
a figure of speech that produces an incongruous, seemingly self-contradictory effect.
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Why Dictionary.com chose oxymoron
More about oxymoron
- First recorded in 1650鈥�60.
- Comes from the Late Latin word oxymorum.
- Oxymorum is from the presumed but unrecorded Greek neuter of 辞虫媒尘艒谤辞蝉, meaning 鈥渟harp-dull.鈥�
EXAMPLES OF OXYMORON
- The song’s title, “Bittersweet Symphony,” perfectly captures the essence of an oxymoron by evoking both positive and negative emotions.
- The comedian’s act was filled with witty oxymorons that left the audience laughing and scratching their heads at the same time.
sesquipedalian
[ ses-kwi-pi-dey-lee-uhn ]
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adjective
(of a word) containing many syllables.
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Why Dictionary.com chose sesquipedalian
More about sesquipedalian
- First recorded in 1650鈥�60.
- Comes from the Latin word 蝉别蝉辩耻颈辫别诲腻濒颈蝉, meaning 鈥渕easuring a foot and a half.鈥�
- The first part, sesqui-, means “one and a half,” and pedal, means “of the feet,” which also forms聽pedestrian,听pedicure, and聽pedal, as in “a foot-operated lever.”
EXAMPLES OF SESQUIPEDALIAN
- The poet’s use of sesquipedalian words in their verses added an air of sophistication to their work.
- A love of language and her sesquipedalian speech made her a captivating public speaker.
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