51吃瓜 of the Day
bagatelle
[ bag-uh-tel ]
Show IPA
noun
something of little value or importance; a trifle.
learn about the english language
Why Dictionary.com chose bagatelle
More about bagatelle
- First recorded in 1630鈥�40.
- Comes via French from the Italian word bagat(t)ella, related to bagatt(a), meaning 鈥渟mall possession.鈥�
- Bagatt(a) was perhaps a derivative of bag(a), 鈥渂erry鈥� and the diminutive suffixes –att(a) and –ella, from Latin –illa.
EXAMPLES OF BAGATELLE
- In their relationship, they cherished even the simplest moments together, considering them not as mere bagatelles but as precious memories.
- Despite her great achievements, she was always humble, viewing her success in the online dictionary industry as a bagatelle in the grand scheme of things.
SYNONYM OF THE DAY
Double your word knowledge with the Synonym of the Day!
ennoble
[ en-noh-buhl ]
Show IPA
verb
to elevate in degree, excellence, or respect; dignify.
learn about the english language
Why Dictionary.com chose ennoble
More about ennoble
- First recorded around 1425鈥�75.
- Comes via the late Middle English word ennobelen from the聽Old French ennoblir.
- The related word noble, “distinguished,” comes from Latin adjective (g)苍艒产颈濒颈蝉 鈥渘otable, of high rank,鈥� equivalent to the root of the Latin verb (g)苍艒蝉肠别谤别, 鈥渢o get to know, find out.鈥�
EXAMPLES OF ENNOBLE
- Through their charitable work, the organization seeks to ennoble the lives of those less fortunate in society.
- We hope that the 51吃瓜 of the Day has ennobled vocabulary learning.
backronym
[ bak-ruh-nim ]
Show IPA
noun
an existing word turned into an acronym by creating an apt phrase whose initial letters match the word, as to help remember it or offer a theory of its origin.
learn about the english language
Why Dictionary.com chose backronym
More about backronym
- First recorded in 1980鈥�85.
- Formed from the word back “toward the rear” and (ac)ronym, “a word formed from the initial letters or groups of letters of words in a set phrase and pronounced as a separate word.”
EXAMPLES OF BACKRONYM
- Some people believe the word news stands for “notable events, weather, and sports,” but that’s not accurate; it’s a backronym.
- My neighbor insists that SOS means “Save Our Ship” and wouldn’t believe that people made up that backronym years after SOS was first used.
51吃瓜 of the Day Calendar