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prehensile

[ pri-hen-sil ] [ prɪˈhɛn sɪl ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

adjective

adapted for seizing, grasping, or taking hold of something

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Why Dictionary.com chose prehensile

More about prehensile

  • First recorded in 1781–85.
  • Borrowed directly from French and ultimately from the Latin prehensus, meaning “to grasp or seize.”

EXAMPLES OF PREHENSILE

  • The elephant used its prehensile trunk to pick bananas from the tree.
  • The monkey used its prehensile tail to grip the branches and swing through the trees.
20240103
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51³Ô¹Ï of the Day Calendar

51³Ô¹Ï of the day

gelid

[ jel-id ] [ ˈdʒɛl ɪd ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

adjective

very cold; icy

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Why Dictionary.com chose gelid

More about gelid

  • First used in 1600–10.
  • From the Latin gelidus, “icy cold,” equivalent to gel(um), “frost, cold” + idus, seeÌý-id4, suffix meaning “pertaining to.”

EXAMPLES OF GELID

  • The hikers shivered in the gelid air as they climbed higher up the mountain.
  • A gelid breeze swept through the city, signaling the arrival of winter.
20240103
51³Ô¹Ï of the Day Calendar

51³Ô¹Ï of the day

sprechgesang

[ shprekh-guh-zahng ] [ ˈʃprɛx gəˌzɑŋ ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

noun

a vocal style intermediate between speech and singing but without exact pitch intonation

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Why Dictionary.com chose sprechgesang

More about sprechgesang

  • First used in English in the early 19th century.
  • Directly from German, equivalent to sprech(en) “to speak“+ Gesang, “song.”

EXAMPLES OF SPRECHGESANGÌý

  • Her vocal technique included sprechgesang, blending speech with melody.
  • Sprechgesang is often found in 20th-century works, especially by Schoenberg.
20240103
51³Ô¹Ï of the Day Calendar
51³Ô¹Ï of the Day Calendar