Word of the Day
modicum
noun
a moderate or small amount.
More about modicum
Modicum聽in Latin means 鈥渁 small, modest amount,” specifically of money, if we may be so crass. Modicum is a noun use of the neuter singular of the adjective modicus 鈥�(used for) measuring, moderate, restrained, slight,鈥� a derivative of the noun modus 鈥渕easured amount or quantity, limit, measure, time, melody.鈥� Modus is a derivative of the verb 尘别诲颈迟腻谤墨 鈥渢o think about, ponder, meditate,鈥� from the Proto-Indo-European root med-, 尘脓诲-, mod-, 尘艒诲– 鈥渢o measure, take proper measures, judge, cure.鈥� Further Latin derivatives from this set of roots include 尘别诲脓谤墨 鈥渢o heal, cure,鈥� medicus 鈥减丑测蝉颈肠颈补苍,鈥� 尘别诲颈肠墨苍补 鈥渢he art of medicine, the practice of medicine, the administration of medicines,鈥� 谤别尘别诲颈腻谤别 鈥渢o treat (successfully), cure,鈥� and its derivative noun 谤别尘别诲颈腻迟颈艒 (stem 谤别尘别诲颈腻迟颈艒n-), source of English remediate and remediation. The variant mod– also yields Latin modestus 鈥渞estrained, temperate,鈥� and its opposite immodestus 鈥渦nrestrained, licentious,鈥� English modest and immodest. Modicum entered English in the second half of the 14th century.
how is modicum used?
But by relieving himself of his secret he discovers at least a modicum of peace.
Anxiety and聽depression聽naturally arise when we perceive we have no power over a situation. Doing something, such as documenting seasonal changes, is a way to restore a modicum of control and a sense of well-being.
modicum
More about fidelity
Fidelity 鈥渓oyalty, faithfulness鈥� comes via Middle English and Old French from the Latin noun 蹿颈诲脓濒颈迟腻蝉 (inflectional stem 蹿颈诲脓濒颈迟腻迟-), a derivative of the adjective 蹿颈诲脓濒颈蝉 (familiar to Americans from the Marine Corps motto, Semper Fidelis 鈥淎lways Faithful鈥�). 贵颈诲脓濒颈蝉 is a derivative of the noun 蹿颈诲脓蝉 鈥渢rust, assurance, guarantee.鈥� The Latin forms come from the Proto-Indo-European root bheidh-, bhoidh-, bhidh– 鈥渢o trust.鈥� The variant bheidh– is the source of Latin 蹿墨诲耻蝉 鈥渇aithful, loyal,鈥� 蹿墨诲别谤别 鈥渢o trust, have confidence in,鈥� Greek 辫别铆蝉别蝉迟丑补颈 鈥渢o trust, rely on, obey, be persuaded,鈥� and Greek 笔别颈迟丑峁� 鈥�(the goddess of) persuasion.鈥� Bhoidh– is the source of Latin foedus 鈥渇ormal agreement, league, treaty鈥� (source of English federal, federate, and confederate); the variant bhidh– forms Latin 蹿颈诲脓蝉 and Greek 辫铆蝉迟颈蝉 鈥渇aith, trust, authentication,鈥� and 辫颈蝉迟贸蝉 鈥渇aithful, reliable, credible.鈥� The English noun faith comes from Middle English feith, faith, from Old French feid, feit, fei, from Latin fidem, the accusative singular of 蹿颈诲脓蝉. (The English pronunciation of faith is all but identical to that implied by the Old French forms, quite different from the modern French pronunciation.) Fidelity entered English in the early 16th century.
how is fidelity used?
Through it all he’s shown a deep and abiding fidelity to one of our cherished ideals as a people and that is equal justice under the law.
The chiefs of staff of the Army, Navy and Air Force issued similar messages, reinforcing their fidelity to the Constitution and pledging to battle racism in their ranks.
fidelity
lagniappe
noun
a small gift given with a purchase to a customer, by way of compliment or for good measure; bonus.
More about lagniappe
The word lagniappe 鈥渁 gratuity, a tip鈥� has wandered a very long way, indeed, from its original home. People rightly associate lagniappe with New Orleans, The Big Easy, renowned for its wonderful food, jazz, etc.; Mark Twain discusses lagniappe in his Life on the Mississippi (1883, chapter 44). Most Americans would think that lagniappe is a French word, which it is, but Louisiana French, not standard French (lagniappe is not a headword in the online Tr茅sor de la Langue Fran莽aise). Lagniappe comes from Spanish la 帽apa, la yapa, la llapa with the same meaning. 脩补辫补, yapa, llapa in turn comes from Quechua 测谩辫补 鈥渟omething a little extra, a bonus,鈥� in Irish English 鈥渁 tilly鈥� (from Irish Gaelic tuilleadh 鈥渁n additional item or amount鈥�). 驰谩辫补 a derivative of the verb yapay 鈥渢o give more.鈥� Quechua is the language of the Incas, still vigorous and flourishing in the Andes of South America. Lagniappe entered English in the middle of the 19th century.
how is lagniappe used?
During the holidays, New Orleans diners discover a聽lagniappe聽(little something extra) at their favorite fine-dining restaurants.
Certainly the goody bag is essentially worthless鈥攁 few candies and a set of earplugs make up the typical lagniappe.
lagniappe