Word of the Day
algorithm
noun
an ordered set of instructions applied repeatedly to data to solve a problem or accomplish a task.
Why the Museum of Science chose algorithm
You might think algorithms are reserved for complex computer instructions, but if you've ever followed a recipe when you cook, then you have used an algorithm. To learn more, watch this video from award-winning science communicator Maynard Okereke, better known as the Hip Hop M.D.
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More about algorithm
Algorithm is a variant of algorism and ultimately comes from Arabic 补濒-碍丑飞腻谤颈锄尘墨, which refers to the 9th-century mathematician Mu岣mmad ibn M奴s膩 补濒-碍丑飞腻谤颈锄尘墨. In this name, 碍丑飞腻谤颈锄尘 refers to an area of Central Asia now divided between Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Algorism became algorithm because of the influence of Ancient Greek 补谤颈迟丑尘贸蝉, 鈥渘umber,鈥� as in arithmetic. Algorithm was first recorded in English in the 1690s.
EXAMPLE OF ALGORITHM USED IN A SENTENCE
The data scientist applied a simple algorithm and solved the frustrating puzzle in less than 3 seconds.
zaffer
noun
an artificial mixture, resembling smalt, containing cobalt oxide and, usually, silica, used to produce a blue color in glass and in ceramic glazes.
More about zaffer
For the origin of zaffer, 鈥渁 cobalt oxide鈥搒ilica mixture used to produce a blue color,鈥� let鈥檚 travel down a linguistic rabbit hole. Zaffer, from French safre or Italian zaffera, may come from Arabic 鈥檃峁补谤, 鈥測ellow,鈥� which resembles but is not related to saffron and sulfur. Alternatively, zaffer may come from Latin 蝉补辫辫丑墨谤补, 鈥渟apphire,鈥� via Ancient Greek 蝉谩辫辫丑别颈谤辞蝉, 鈥渓apis lazuli,鈥� from a Semitic source akin to Hebrew 蝉补辫辫墨谤, 鈥渟apphire.鈥� One intriguing proposal is that 蝉补辫辫墨谤 and its close Semitic relatives come from Sanskrit 艣补苍颈辫耻谤颈测补, 鈥渄ear to Saturn,鈥� equivalent to 艢补苍颈, the planet Saturn, plus 辫谤颈测谩-, 鈥渄ear.鈥� Zaffer was first recorded in English circa 1660.
EXAMPLE OF ZAFFER USED IN A SENTENCE
The glass blower used zaffer to make the vase a beautiful hue of azure.
barococo
adjective
excessively ornate or fussy in artistic or architectural style.
More about barococo
Barococo, 鈥渆xcessively ornate in style,鈥� is a portmanteau, or blend, of baroque and rococo, two words of complicated origins. Baroque is a borrowing from French and comes from older Portuguese barroco or Spanish barrueco, 鈥渋rregularly shaped pearl,鈥� and from here, numerous linguists have weighed in with their ideas. Perhaps there is a link to Spanish berruca, 鈥渨art鈥� (from Latin 惫别谤谤奴肠补). Rococo is also borrowed from French and derives from Medieval Latin rocca, 鈥渞ock,鈥� which may come from a Celtic source or, alternatively, Latin 谤奴辫脓蝉, 鈥渃liff.鈥� Barococo was first recorded in English in the mid-1920s. For more examples of portmanteaux, check out this article.
EXAMPLE OF BAROCOCO USED IN A SENTENCE
The guests鈥� eyes bulged and jaws dropped when they entered the foyer, which had been renovated in a barococo style.