Word of the Day
Word of the day
pitapat
[ pit-uh-pat ]
Show IPA
adverb
with a quick succession of beats or taps
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Why Dictionary.com chose pitapat
More about pitapat
- First recorded in 1515鈥�25.
- Imitative of a rapid, percussive sound.
- Historically, used primarily to describe the heart of someone excited.
EXAMPLES OF PITAPAT
- Her footsteps echoed pitapat down the empty hallway.
- Raindrops fell pitapat on the tent’s canvas roof.
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Why Dictionary.com chose vitrify
More about vitrify
- First recorded in 1585鈥�95.
- Combines the Latin root vitrium, meaning “glass,” + -蹿测虏.
- Related to the vitro in in vitro, meaning “glass or vial.”
EXAMPLES OF VITRIFY
- The intense heat began to vitrify the sand at the meteor’s impact site.
- Fluctuating temperatures in the kiln failed to fully vitrify the glaze on the bowl.
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Why Dictionary.com chose shindig
More about shindig
- First recorded in 1855鈥�60.
- Of obscure origin; perhaps related to shinny, a stick-and-ball sport, or the Gaelic word 蝉矛苍迟别补驳, meaning “leap.”
EXAMPLES OF SHINDIG
- Nothing says summer like a rooftop shindig with string lights and loud music.
- I heard they spent ten grand on that shindig and still ran out of guacamole.
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