Word of the Day
debonair
[ deb-uh-nair ]
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adjective
courteous, gracious, and having a sophisticated charm
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Why Dictionary.com chose debonair
More about debonair
- First recorded in 1175鈥�1225.
- From the French phrase de bonne aire, meaning “of good disposition or lineage.”
- Very common in Middle English; fell out of regular usage in the 1800s.
EXAMPLES OF DEBONAIR
- She made introductions with a debonair poise, as if grace came to her as naturally as gravity.
- For picture day, the parents dressed their kids in debonair blazers and tiny silk cravats.
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Why Dictionary.com chose yen
More about yen
- First recorded in 1905鈥�10.
- Likely from Chinese (Cantonese) 测谩丑苍, meaning “craving, addiction.”
EXAMPLES OF YEN
- Never staying put, Charlie had a yen to see the whole world.
- The professor’s yen for uncovering lost voices led her to study dead languages.
scrimshank
[ skrim-shangk ]
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verb
to avoid one's obligations or share of work
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Why Dictionary.com chose scrimshank
More about scrimshank
- First recorded in 1885鈥�90.
- Of obscure origin; possibly related to scrimshaw, meaning “to carve bone or ivory,” an activity one might do to avoid other work.
- Possibly related to scrimp, meaning “to be sparing.”
EXAMPLES OF SCRIMSHANK
- He tried to scrimshank his way out of morning drills, but the sergeant noticed.
- Swamped with messages, the overwhelmed employee chose to scrimshank in the breakroom instead of diving in.
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