Word of the Day
edify
[ ed-uh-fahy ]
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verb
to instruct, especially morally or spiritually
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Why Dictionary.com chose edify
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- First recorded between 1300鈥�50.
- From the Latin 补别诲颈蹿颈肠腻谤别, meaning “to build;” combines the root aedes, meaning “temple, sanctuary,” + -蹿测虏, meaning “to make.”聽
EXAMPLES OF EDIFY
- The fables about trickster animals were meant to edify people rather than simply entertain them.
- The gallery was curated to edify visitors who came with an open mind.
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Why Dictionary.com chose teratoid
More about teratoid
- First recorded in 1875鈥�80.
- Combines terato- from the Greek 迟茅谤补蝉, mening “a wonder, omen, or monster,” + -oid, meaning “resembling, like.”
EXAMPLES OF TERATOID
- The goggles gave his eyes a comical, teratoid largeness, like that of a bug or a puppet.
- The newly discovered microorganism was described as teratoid for its bulging, asymmetrical shape.
bijou
[ bee-zhoo ]
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noun
something small, delicate, and exquisitely made
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Why Dictionary.com chose bijou
More about bijou
- First recorded in 1660鈥�70.
- From Breton bizou, meaning “a jeweled ring;” from Proto-Celtic *bistis, meaning “finger.”
EXAMPLES OF BIJOU
- She opened the small box to find a bijou depicting a lion, cradled in satin lining.
- A tiny bijou caught his eye from the corner of the antique shop’s display case.
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