Word of the Day
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Why Dictionary.com chose sere
More about sere
- From Old English (450鈥�1150) 蝉脓补谤, meaning “dry, barren.”
- Related to the word 蝉别补谤鹿.
- Historically, it could also describe something worn and useless.聽
EXAMPLES OF SERE
- The sere vines clung desperately to the crumbling wall.
- A wind stirred the forest floor, shifting sere leaves.
SYNONYM OF THE DAY
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Why Dictionary.com chose aerie
More about aerie
- First recorded in 1575鈥�85.
- Of obscure origin; perhaps related to Latin aerius, meaning “high, lofty;” or perhaps related to atrium, meaning “a central room.”
EXAMPLES OF AERIE
- A pair of ospreys returned to and rebuilt their aerie every spring to lay eggs.
- Rangers spotted a golden eagle’s aerie tucked into a rocky crevice.
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Why Dictionary.com chose cardinal
More about cardinal
- First recorded as an adjective in 1340鈥�45.
- From Latin 肠补谤诲颈苍腻濒颈蝉, meaning 鈥渉inge;鈥� hence, it refers to something on which other things hinge.
EXAMPLES OF CARDINAL聽
- The teacher reminded the students that curiosity is a cardinal trait of great thinkers.
- The tire blew out on an empty highway, and that’s when she realized the cardinal lesson of always making sure to have a spare.
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