51吃瓜 of the Day
gullywasher
[ guhl-ee-wosh-er ]
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noun
a usually short, heavy rainstorm.
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Why Dictionary.com chose gullywasher
More about gullywasher
- First recorded in 1900鈥�05.
- Used primarily in Midland and Western United States dialects of English.
- Gully comes from聽gullet, “the throat,” which comes from French.
- Washer comes from the English verb wash, recorded before 900.
EXAMPLES OF GULLYWASHER
- The farmers rejoiced as the gullywasher replenished their parched fields.
- The residents of the desert town knew to brace themselves whenever dark clouds gathered on the horizon, signaling an imminent gullywasher.
SYNONYM OF THE DAY
Double your word knowledge with the Synonym of the Day!
buttonhole
[ buht-n-hohl ]
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verb
to abruptly detain someone in conversation.
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Why Dictionary.com chose buttonhole
More about buttonhole
- First recorded in 1555鈥�65.
- Formed from the words button and hole.
- Button comes from聽butt, meaning “to push or strike something.”
- Hole comes from Old English hol, meaning 鈥渉ole, cave.鈥�
EXAMPLES OF BUTTONHOLE
- The enthusiastic salesperson, eager to showcase the latest products, buttonholed the customer as they entered the store.
- I was in a rush to catch my train, but my colleague buttonholed me in the hallway to discuss a new project.
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Why Dictionary.com chose somnolent
More about somnolent
- First recorded around 1425鈥�75.
- Comes from late Middle English sompnolent, via Old French from Latin somnolentus.
- Somnolentus is a derivative of somnus, “sleep,” plus –ulent, “having in quantity.”
EXAMPLES OF SOMNOLENT
- The warm afternoon sun shining through the window made the class feel somnolent, with many students struggling to stay awake.
- As the train rocked gently back and forth, the rhythmic motion made me feel pleasantly somnolent.
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