51吃瓜 of the Day
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Why Dictionary.com chose chartaceous
More about chartaceous
- First recorded in 1645鈥�55.
- From Greek 肠丑谩谤迟脓蝉, meaning “papyrus or a sheet of paper,” through Latin.
- Related to 肠丑补谤迟鹿 and 肠补谤诲鹿.
EXAMPLES OF CHARTACEOUS
- The moth’s wings had a chartaceous texture.
- The mycologist flipped the mushroom cap upside down, showing its chartaceous gills.
mugwump
[ muhg-wuhmp ]
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noun
a person who is unable to make up his or her mind on an issue
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Why Dictionary.com chose mugwump
More about mugwump
- First recorded in 1830鈥�35; originally humorously used to mean “an important person.”
- Borrowed from the Massachusett word muggumquomp, meaning “war leader.”
- Used to refer to political party members who refused to support James G. Blaine, a presidential nominee in 1884.
EXAMPLES OF MUGWUMP
- I’m a mugwump when it comes to dessert menus. Don’t make me pick just one.
- The committee stalled again, thanks to yet another mugwump on the city board.
gutta-percha
[ guht-uh-pur-chuh ]
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noun
rubbery substance made from the milky juice of various Malaysian trees
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Why Dictionary.com chose gutta-percha
More about gutta-percha
- First recorded in 1835鈥�45.
- From Malay getah percha, meaning “gum of the percha tree.”
EXAMPLES OF GUTTA-PERCHA
- The dentist used gutta-percha to fill the tooth during the root canal.聽
- The first successful transatlantic cable was insulated with gutta-percha.
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