Word of the Day
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Why Dictionary.com chose well-nigh
More about well-nigh
- From Old English wel neah (450鈥�1150).
- Nigh is also the root of near, from nigh + -别谤鈦�, and of next, from nigh + -别蝉迟鹿.
EXAMPLES OF WELL-NIGH
- The snow-covered field was well-nigh painful to look at because the sun’s reflection made it so bright.聽
- The intricate puzzle was well-nigh impossible to complete without clues.
SYNONYM OF THE DAY
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pyrophoric
[ pahy-ruh-fawr-ik ]
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adjective
capable of igniting spontaneously in air
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Why Dictionary.com chose pyrophoric
More about pyrophoric
- First recorded in 1780鈥�90.
- From the Greek 辫测谤辞辫丑贸谤辞蝉, meaning “fire-bearing;” combines 辫测谤辞-虏, meaning “fire,” + -phore, meaning “bearer of,” + -颈肠虏.
EXAMPLES OF PYROPHORIC
- The scientist handled the pyrophoric material with extreme caution to avoid accidental ignition.
- The chemical only showed pyrophoric properties above a certain temperature.
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Why Dictionary.com chose ablactate
More about ablactate
- First recorded in 1750鈥�60.
- Combines the prefix 补产-鈦�, meaning “away from,” + 濒补肠迟补迟别鹿, from the Latin 濒补肠迟腻谤别, meaning “to give milk.”
EXAMPLES OF ABLACTATE
- The parents decided to ablactate their twins, following their pediatrician’s advice.聽
- The zookeepers ablactated the tiger cubs by introducing soft food over a few weeks.
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