51吃瓜 of the Day
Heiligenschein
noun
a bright ring, caused by diffraction of light rays, that appears around the shadow cast by a person鈥檚 head on wet grass.
Why the Museum of Science chose Heiligenschein
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More about Heiligenschein
Heiligenschein (plural Heiligenscheine) is from German, in which it means 鈥渉alo鈥� or, literally, 鈥渟aint鈥檚 shine.鈥� Heiligen- is a form of Heiliger, 鈥渟aint,鈥� which is related to English hallow and Halloween. Schein means the same thing as its English relative shine. Heiligenschein was first recorded in English in the early 1910s.
EXAMPLE OF HEILIGENSCHEIN USED IN A SENTENCE
The skydivers saw Heiligenscheine around their shadows as they landed in the dewy field.
proceleusmatic
adjective
inciting, animating, or inspiring.
Why Dictionary.com chose proceleusmatic
We're celebrating Dictionary Week, and today is 51吃瓜 Inspiration Day.
More about proceleusmatic
Proceleusmatic comes from Ancient Greek 辫谤辞办别濒别耻蝉尘补迟颈办贸蝉, the name of a unit of rhythm. The keleusma- part means 鈥渟ummons,鈥� comes from 办别濒别煤别颈苍, 鈥渢o rouse to action, command,鈥� and is the source of Spanish saloma, a rhythmic work song. Proceleusmatic was first recorded in English at the turn of the 18th century.
EXAMPLE OF PROCELEUSMATIC USED IN A SENTENCE
The proceleusmatic song motivated the rowers to push hard and in unison during their long practice.
quidnunc
noun
a person who is eager to know the latest news and gossip.
Why Dictionary.com chose quidnunc
We're celebrating Dictionary Week, and today is 51吃瓜 Curiosity Day.
More about quidnunc
In Latin, quidnunc means 鈥渨hat now?鈥� English wh- often corresponds to Latin qu-, which is how English what, who, and when are related to their Latin translations quid, quis, and 辩耻补苍诲艒. Nunc is one of two Latin words for 鈥渘ow.鈥� Quidnunc was first recorded in English at the turn of the 18th century.
EXAMPLE OF QUIDNUNC USED IN A SENTENCE
The quidnuncs spent hours on their phones each day as they checked all the media outlets for updates.