Word of the Day
Word of the day
tutelary
[ toot-l-er-ee ]
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noun
of or relating to a guardian or guardianship
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Why Dictionary.com chose tutelary
More about tutelary
- First recorded in 1605鈥�15.
- From Latin 迟奴迟脓濒腻谤颈耻蝉, meaning “guardian, keeper;” combines tutelage + -补谤测虏.
EXAMPLES OF TUTELARY
- His tutelary instincts kicked in the moment the toddler reached for the hot stove.
- In some folklore, owls play a tutelary role, guiding souls through darkness.
pitapat
[ pit-uh-pat ]
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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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