Word of the Day
usurp
[ yoo-surp ]
Show IPA
verb
to seize and hold (a position or power) by force
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Why Dictionary.com chose usurp
More about usurp
- First recorded between 1275鈥�1325.
- From the Latin verb 奴蝉奴谤辫腻谤别, meaning “to take possession in order to use.”
- Combines two Latin elements: 奴迟墨, related to the word use, + rapere, meaning “to seize;” related to rapture.
EXAMPLES OF USURP
- The king feared that his closest advisor would usurp his throne.
- The vice president of the HOA tried to usurp the president’s authority by calling a secret meeting.
SYNONYM OF THE DAY
Double your word knowledge with the Synonym of the Day!
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Why Dictionary.com chose gloaming
More about gloaming
- From Old English (450鈥�1150) glomung, meaning “twilight.”
- Closely related to the word gloom.
- Primarily used for poetry since the 1700s.
EXAMPLES OF GLOAMING
- The farmer tilled his fields until the gloaming settled over the land.
- The gloaming painted the sky in faint purples and deep blues.
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Why Dictionary.com chose lope
More about lope
- Recorded in Middle English (1150鈥�1475) as lopen or laupen.
- From Old Norse hlaupa, meaning “to jump.”
- Related to the word leap.
EXAMPLES OF LOPE
- They saw a coyote lope across the highway, disappearing into the brush.
- The jogger loped down the stairs, skipping every other step.
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