Word of the Day
howdah
[ hou-duh ]
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noun
a seat or platform placed on the back of an elephant
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Why Dictionary.com chose howdah
More about howdah
- First recorded in 1765鈥�75.
- From Arabic hawdaj, meaning “canopied seat carried by a camel or elephant.”
EXAMPLES OF HOWDAH
- As the elephant lumbered forward, the howdah rocked gently from side to side.
- Scrolls from the empire detailed royal hunts, with each howdah manned by archers and lookouts.
peregrine
[ per-i-grin ]
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adjective
wandering, traveling, or migrating
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Why Dictionary.com chose peregrine
More about peregrine
- First recorded between 1350鈥�1400.
- From Latin 辫别谤别驳谤墨苍耻蝉, meaning “foreigner;” related to the word pilgrim.
EXAMPLES OF PEREGRINE
- His peregrine spirit pulled him from city to city, never allowing him to settle down.
- The book focused on peregrine figures throughout history, from Sufi mystics to punk-era drifters.
affinity
[ uh-fin-i-tee ]
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noun
a natural liking for a person or thing
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Why Dictionary.com chose affinity
More about affinity
- First recorded between 1275鈥�1325.
- From Latin 补蹿蹿墨苍颈迟腻蝉, meaning “connection by marriage.”
EXAMPLES OF AFFINITY
- My mother’s affinity for storytelling always made my bedtimes fun during childhood.
- They bonded over a shared affinity for spicy food.
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