Toluu

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day

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sanctionToday

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for January 07, 2009 is:

sanction \SANK-shun\  verb
1 : to make valid or binding usually by a formal procedure (as ratification) *2 : to give effective or authoritative approval or consent to

Example sentence:
The parks committee was willing to sanction the consumption but not the sale of alcohol on park premises.

Did you know?
"Sanction" can also be a noun meaning "authoritative approval" or "a coercive measure." The noun entered English first, in the 15th century, and originally referred to a formal decree, especially an ecclesiastical decree. (The Latin "sancire," meaning "to make holy," is an ancestor.) By the end of the 17th century, the meaning of the noun "sanction" had extended to refer to both a means of enforcing a law (a sense that in the 20th century we began using especially for economic penalties against nations violating international law) and the process of formally approving or ratifying a law. When the verb "sanction" appeared in the 18th century, it had to do with ratifying laws as well. Soon it had also acquired an additional, looser sense: "to approve."

*Indicates the sense illustrated in the example sentence.

candorYesterday

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for January 06, 2009 is:

candor \KAN-der\  noun
1 : whiteness, brilliance 2 : freedom from prejudice or malice : fairness *3 : unreserved, honest, or sincere expression : forthrightness

Example sentence:
When the job applicant admitted to some indiscretions in his past, the interviewer thanked him for his candor.

Did you know?
The origins of "candor" shine through in its first definition. "Candor" traces back to the Latin verb "candēre" ("to shine or glow"), which in turn derives from the same ancient root that gave the Welsh language "can," meaning "white," and the Sanskrit language "candati," which translates to "it shines." Other descendants of "candēre" in English include "candid," "incandescent," "candle," and the somewhat less common "candent" and "candescent" (both of which are synonyms of "incandescent" in the sense of "glowing from or as if from great heat"). There is even "excandescence ," an uncommon word that refers to a feverish condition brought on by anger or passion.

*Indicates the sense illustrated in the example sentence.

elysianJanuary 5

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for January 05, 2009 is:

elysian \ih-LIZH-un\  adjective, often capitalized
1 : of or relating to Elysium *2 : blissful, delightful

Example sentence:
"The summer, in some climates, makes possible to man a sort of Elysian life." (Henry David Thoreau, Walden)

Did you know?
In classical mythology Elysium, also known as the Elysian Fields, was the paradise reserved for the heroes immortalized by the gods. Ancient Greek poets imagined it as the abode of the blessed after death. The first known use of the place-name as a word for a blissful state enjoyed by mere mortals is found in Shakespeare's Henry V. Following the Bard, many other writers over the centuries have used "Elysium," as well as "Elysian Fields," to refer to paradisiacal places or states. Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) was the first to summon "Elysian" as an adjective for the blissful quality emanating from such places.

*Indicates the sense illustrated in the example sentence.

lollygagJanuary 4

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for January 04, 2009 is:

lollygag \LAH-lee-gag\  verb
: to spend time idly, aimlessly, or foolishly : dawdle

Example sentence:
"Please stop lollygagging around and get ready for school," pleaded Mom.

Did you know?
You certainly didn't want to be known as a "lollygagger" at the beginning of the 20th century. Back then, "lollygag" was slang for "fooling around" (sexually, that is). That sense of "lollygag" was in use as long ago as 1868, and it probably originated as an alteration of the older (and more dawdlingly innocent) "lallygag." Nowadays, "lollygag" doesn't usually carry such naughty connotations, but back in 1946, one Navy captain considered lollygagging enough of a problem to issue this stern warning: "Lovemaking and lollygagging are hereby strictly forbidden.... The holding of hands, osculation and constant embracing of WAVES [Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service], corpsmen or civilians and sailors or any combination of male and female personnel is a violation of naval discipline...."

tocsinJanuary 3

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for January 03, 2009 is:

tocsin \TOCK-sin\  noun
1 : an alarm bell or the ringing of it *2 : a warning signal

Example sentence:
A coalition of parents was sounding the tocsin for the school music program -- if voters didn't approve a tax increase, the program was sure to be axed.

Did you know?
Although it has occasionally been spelled like its homonym "toxin," "tocsin" has nothing to do with poison. Rather, it is related through French, and ultimately Latin, to the English words "touch" and "signal." "Tocsin" long referred to the ringing of church bells to signal events of importance to local villagers, including dangerous events such as attacks. Its use was eventually broadened to cover anything that signals danger or trouble.

*Indicates the sense illustrated in the example sentence.