51吃瓜 of the Day
woodchuck
[ wood-chuhk ]
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noun
a stocky burrowing rodent that hibernates in the winter
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Why Dictionary.com chose woodchuck
More about woodchuck
- First recorded in 1665鈥�75.
- From an Algonquian word meaning “marten,” a small mammal hunted for its pelt; possibly from the Narragansett ockqutchaun.
EXAMPLES OF WOODCHUCK
- A woodchuck darted across the field and disappeared into its burrow.
- The farmer spotted a woodchuck digging near the cornfield.
SYNONYM OF THE DAY
Double your word knowledge with the Synonym of the Day!
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Why Dictionary.com chose stilted
More about stilted
- First recorded in 1610鈥�20 meaning “artificially supported with crutches or stilts.”
- Combines stilt + -别诲鲁.
EXAMPLES OF STILTED
- The author’s attempt at poetic language felt stilted, detracting from the story’s flow.
- The diplomat’s stilted manners made the casual dinner feel more like a formal ceremony.
counterpoise
[ koun-ter-poiz ]
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verb
to balance by an opposing weight; counteract by an opposing force
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Why Dictionary.com chose counterpoise
More about counterpoise
- First recorded between 1375鈥�1425 as a noun meaning “a counterbalancing weight.”
- Combines 肠辞耻苍迟别谤-鈦� + 辫辞颈蝉别鹿, related to the Latin pendere, meaning “to weigh.”
EXAMPLES OF COUNTERPOISE
- The cool breeze from the lake will often counterpoise the heat of a summer afternoon.
- The seesaw remained steady, perfectly counterpoised by the weight of the two children.
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