Author: Ken Saunders

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for January 16, 2021 is: effusive • ih-FYOO-siv  • adjective 1 : marked by the expression of great or excessive emotion or enthusiasm 2 : characterized or formed by a nonexplosive outpouring of lava Examples: Lila's history teacher wrote an…

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for January 15, 2021 is: vulcanize • VUL-kuh-nyze  • verb : to treat crude or synthetic rubber or similar plastic material with chemicals to give it useful properties (such as elasticity, strength, and stability) Examples: "In 1939 [Charles] Cornell invented…

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for January 14, 2021 is: servile • SER-vul  • adjective 1 : of or befitting a menial position 2 : meanly or cravenly submissive : abject Examples: "Ms. [Judith] Jamison remembers Ailey's teaching her 'Cry' in the company's original studios….…

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for January 13, 2021 is: rapport • ra-POR  • noun : a friendly, harmonious relationship; especially : a relationship characterized by agreement, mutual understanding, or empathy that makes communication possible or easy Examples: Once our daughter had developed a rapport…

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for January 12, 2021 is: pedantic • pih-DAN-tik  • adjective 1 : of, relating to, or being a pedant 2 : narrowly, stodgily, and often ostentatiously learned 3 : unimaginative, dull Examples: "It is always very difficult to know how…

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for January 11, 2021 is: mimesis • muh-MEE-sis  • noun : imitation, mimicry Examples: "Art preserves, through mimesis, what no longer exists, offers a permanent record of impermanent reality—in this way, it can be not only a comfort but a…

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for January 10, 2021 is: haptic • HAP-tik  • adjective 1 : relating to or based on the sense of touch 2 : characterized by a predilection for the sense of touch Examples: "Unlike most haptic systems, which rely on…

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for January 9, 2021 is: baksheesh • BAK-sheesh  • noun : payment (such as a tip or bribe) to expedite service Examples: "Penn noted that from 2014 until May, the state's largest utilities pumped some $57 million in campaign contributions…

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for January 8, 2021 is: amok • uh-MUK  • adverb 1 : in a violently raging, wild, or uncontrolled manner 2 : in a murderously frenzied state Examples: "Legitimate software can also run amok if it's not coded to play nicely…