Word of the Day
pithy
adjective
brief, forceful, and meaningful in expression.
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Why Dictionary.com chose pithy
More about pithy
- Pithy is a Middle English word dating back to 1300–50.
- It comes from pith, the white, spongy part of a citrus fruit between the rind and the thin skin of individual segments.
- Pith can also refer to the important or essential part of something.
- Pith was first recorded before 900 and comes from the Old English word pitha, a cognate of the Dutch word pit.
EXAMPLES OF PITHY
- In one pithy statement, she encapsulated the essence of the entire debate.
- The speaker’s pithy remark resonated with the audience, leaving a lasting impression.
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Why Dictionary.com chose spumescent
More about spumescent
- Spumescent was first recorded in 1855–60.
- Spumescent comes from the word spume, which means “to froth” or which can refer to the foam or froth itself.
- Spume comes from the Latin word spūma, meaning “foam, froth.”
- The ending –escent is borrowed from Latin, where it expresses the beginning of an action or process and often corresponds to verbs ending in –esce and nouns ending in –escence.
- Other examples with this ending are luminescent, adolescent, and frondescent.
EXAMPLES OF SPUMESCENT
- The barista skillfully poured steamed milk into the espresso, creating a spumescent layer of foam on top.
- The bubbling jacuzzi produced a relaxing and spumescent experience for the tired travelers.
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Why Dictionary.com chose eudemonia
More about eudemonia
- Eudemonia comes from the Greek word eudaimonía.
- The root, eudemon, means “a good or benevolent demon or spirit.”
- The concept of eudemonia comes from Aristotelianism, the philosophy of Aristotle (384–322 b.c.), and it centers on happiness as the result of an active life governed by reason.
EXAMPLES OF EUDEMONIA
- After years of hard work and self-reflection, she finally achieved a state of eudemonia, finding true happiness and fulfillment in her life.
- Many philosophers argue that the pursuit of eudemonia should be the ultimate goal for individuals, as it encompasses not just momentary pleasure but also long-term well-being.
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