Word of the Day
earthshine
[ urth-shahyn ]
Show IPA
noun
a faint glow on the dark part of the moon during a crescent phase, caused by sunlight reflecting off the earth
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Why Dictionary.com chose earthshine
More about earthshine
- First recorded in 1825鈥�35.
- Combines earth + 蝉丑颈苍别鹿; after moonshine.
- Possibly influenced by the earlier German word with the same meaning, Erdschein, which has cognate elements.
EXAMPLES OF EARTHSHINE聽
- Through the telescope, the soft earthshine made the entire lunar surface faintly visible.
- Leonardo da Vinci was one of the first to correctly explain the phenomenon of earthshine.
SYNONYM OF THE DAY
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Why Dictionary.com chose warren
More about warren
- First recorded between 1350鈥�1400.
- From Old French guarenne, meaning “an enclosed area for breeding game animals for hunting.”
EXAMPLES OF WARREN聽
- A rabbit bolted from the underbrush and vanished into the safety of its warren.
- The fox waited patiently outside the warren, hoping for an easy meal.
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Why Dictionary.com chose apace
More about apace
- First recorded between 1275鈥�1325.
- From Middle English 补辫腻蝉; combines 补-鲁, meaning “at” or “on,” + pace.
- Originally meant “at a (steady) pace” and could sometimes mean “slowly;” its meaning later narrowed to “at a swift pace.”
EXAMPLES OF APACE
- Thunder rolled in the distance, and the rain followed apace.
- News of the peace treaty spread apace, filling the streets with celebration.
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