WORD OF THE DAY
albeit / conjunction / awl-BEE-it
Definition
1: even though
2: although
Examples
Kara's big break as an actress came in a big-budget Academy Award-nominated movie, albeit in a minor role where she played a hotel clerk.
"He admitted hitting a home run at Wrigley was 'a dream come true,' albeit with a big twist. Originally the dream had him wearing a Cubs uniform."
— Paul Sullivan, The Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2019
Did You Know?
Albeit dates to the 14th century and comes from a Middle English word meaning, literally, "all (or completely) though it be."
Its heritage is clear in its pronunciation, which is as though it were three words instead of one: all, be, it. In the early 20th century, albeit was accused of being archaic. That descriptor was never quite accurate; the word had mostly been holding steady at "not-terribly-common" since at least the mid-18th century.
When albeit began to see a marked increase in use in the mid-20th century, several usage commentators proclaimed that it was making a comeback, and its "archaic" descriptor was fully recognized as no longer apt.
Wednesday, March 4, 2020
Tuesday, March 3, 2020
Rectitudinous
WORD OF THE DAY
rectitudinous / adjective / rek-tuh-TOO-duh-nus
Definition
1: characterized by the quality of being honest and morally correct
2: piously self-righteous
Examples
The senatorial candidate's supporters insist that he is possessed of a rectitudinous character and a spotless record.
"In a personal boycott of the Mongol regime, with its prejudicial attitude toward many native-born Chinese scholars, Ni took to living a fugitive's life on houseboat, always on the move, painting soundless little vistas of river and sky, with thin bare trees standing as symbols of his own rectitudinous isolation."
— Holland Cotter, The New York Times, 30 Sept. 2010
Did You Know?
Rectitudinous comes to us straight from Late Latin rectitudin-, rectitudo (English added the -ous ending), which itself ultimately derives from the Latin word rectus, meaning both "straight" and "right." (Other rectus descendants in English include rectitude, of course, and rectilinear, rectangle, and rectify.)
In one of its earliest known print appearances, in the year 1897, it was used in the phrase "notoriously and unctuously rectitudinous."
Although rectitude often expresses an admirable moral integrity, rectitudinous has always had a less flattering side.
It can suggest not only moral uprightness but also a displeasing holier-than-thou attitude.
rectitudinous / adjective / rek-tuh-TOO-duh-nus
Definition
1: characterized by the quality of being honest and morally correct
2: piously self-righteous
Examples
The senatorial candidate's supporters insist that he is possessed of a rectitudinous character and a spotless record.
"In a personal boycott of the Mongol regime, with its prejudicial attitude toward many native-born Chinese scholars, Ni took to living a fugitive's life on houseboat, always on the move, painting soundless little vistas of river and sky, with thin bare trees standing as symbols of his own rectitudinous isolation."
— Holland Cotter, The New York Times, 30 Sept. 2010
Did You Know?
Rectitudinous comes to us straight from Late Latin rectitudin-, rectitudo (English added the -ous ending), which itself ultimately derives from the Latin word rectus, meaning both "straight" and "right." (Other rectus descendants in English include rectitude, of course, and rectilinear, rectangle, and rectify.)
In one of its earliest known print appearances, in the year 1897, it was used in the phrase "notoriously and unctuously rectitudinous."
Although rectitude often expresses an admirable moral integrity, rectitudinous has always had a less flattering side.
It can suggest not only moral uprightness but also a displeasing holier-than-thou attitude.
Monday, March 2, 2020
Perquisite
WORD OF THE DAY
perquisite / noun / PER-kwuh-zut
Definition
1a: a privilege, gain, or profit incidental to regular salary or wages; especially
1b: one expected or promised
2: gratuity, tip
3: something held or claimed as an exclusive right or possession
Examples
One of the job's perquisites is use of a company car.
"American consumers want choices, employers like using health insurance as a perquisite and competition improves efficiency."
— Chris Tomlinson, The Houston Chronicle, 15 Dec. 2019
Did You Know?
Looking to acquire a job loaded with perquisites, or "perks" (a synonym of perquisites)? Don't give up the search! Make plenty of inquiries, send out an exquisitely crafted resume, and follow up with queries.
Your quest may result in your conquering of the job market. After all, today's word perquisite derives from Latin perquirere, which means "to search for thoroughly."
That Latin word, in turn, is from the verb quaerere, meaning "to ask" or "to seek." Seven other words in this paragraph are from quaerere as well—acquire, inquiries, exquisitely, queries, conquering, quest, and, of course, perk (which was formed by shortening and altering perquisite).
perquisite / noun / PER-kwuh-zut
Definition
1a: a privilege, gain, or profit incidental to regular salary or wages; especially
1b: one expected or promised
2: gratuity, tip
3: something held or claimed as an exclusive right or possession
Examples
One of the job's perquisites is use of a company car.
"American consumers want choices, employers like using health insurance as a perquisite and competition improves efficiency."
— Chris Tomlinson, The Houston Chronicle, 15 Dec. 2019
Did You Know?
Looking to acquire a job loaded with perquisites, or "perks" (a synonym of perquisites)? Don't give up the search! Make plenty of inquiries, send out an exquisitely crafted resume, and follow up with queries.
Your quest may result in your conquering of the job market. After all, today's word perquisite derives from Latin perquirere, which means "to search for thoroughly."
That Latin word, in turn, is from the verb quaerere, meaning "to ask" or "to seek." Seven other words in this paragraph are from quaerere as well—acquire, inquiries, exquisitely, queries, conquering, quest, and, of course, perk (which was formed by shortening and altering perquisite).
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