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Word of the Day

Word of the day

gallimaufry

[ gal-uh-maw-free ] [ ˌgæl əˈmɔ fri ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

noun

a hodgepodge; confused medley; jumble.

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Why Dictionary.com chose gallimaufry

More about gallimaufry

  • First recorded in 1545–55.
  • Comes from the Middle French word galimafree, “kind of sauce or stew.”
  • Galimafree is probably a conflation of galer, “to amuse oneself.”
  • Related to gallant, “brave, spirited, noble-minded, or chivalrous.”
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EXAMPLES OF GALLIMAUFRY

  • The artist’s studio was a gallimaufry of colorful paints, brushes, and unfinished canvases.
  • Walking through the crowded market, he couldn’t help but notice the gallimaufry of sights, sounds, and smells that surrounded him.

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Word of the day

inveterate

[ in-vet-er-it ] [ ɪnˈvɛt ər ɪt ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

adjective

settled or confirmed in a habit, practice, feeling, or the like.

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Why Dictionary.com chose inveterate

More about inveterate

  • First recorded in 1375–1425.
  • Comes from Latin, from the past participle of inveterāre, “to grow old, allow to grow old, preserve.”
  • Inveterāre contains veter-, the stem of vetus, meaning “old,” which is also the stem of the word veteran.
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EXAMPLES OF INVETERATE

  • The inveterate procrastinator always left things until the last minute.
  • As an inveterate optimist, she always saw the bright side of every situation.

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Word of the day

steadfast

[ sted-fast ] [ ˈstɛdˌfæst ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

adjective

firm in purpose, resolution, faith, attachment.

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Why Dictionary.com chose steadfast

More about steadfast

  • First recorded before 1000.
  • Comes from the Middle English word stedefast, from Old English stedefæst.
  • A combination of stead, “the place of a person,” and fast, “firmly fixed in place.”
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EXAMPLES OF STEADFAST

  • Despite facing numerous challenges, she remained steadfast in her commitment to finishing the marathon.
  • The community was grateful for the steadfast support of volunteers during the crisis.

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