WordsWatcher

WordsWatcher Daily word origins from on Twitter and occasional blog posts on etymology.

Someone who reads seemingly endlessly; a bookworm. Greek "biblion"=book + "fagein"=to eat" + "-ist"=suffix used to creat...
10/20/2024

Someone who reads seemingly endlessly; a bookworm. Greek "biblion"=book + "fagein"=to eat" + "-ist"=suffix used to create an agentive noun i.e. "someone who..."

Someone who reads seemingly endlessly; a bookworm. Greek “biblion”=book + “fagein”=to eat” + “-ist”=suffix used to create an agentive noun i.e. “some…

Made of, or having the appearance of, glass. Latin "vitreus"=glassy, bright, shiny etc. < "vitrum"=a glass vessel.
10/19/2024

Made of, or having the appearance of, glass. Latin "vitreus"=glassy, bright, shiny etc. < "vitrum"=a glass vessel.

Made of, or having the appearance of, glass. Latin “vitreus”=glassy, bright, shiny etc. < “vitrum”=a glass vessel.

Small; in grammar and etymology, an affix that changes the sense of a word to indicate smallness e.g. "-ette" in "kitche...
10/18/2024

Small; in grammar and etymology, an affix that changes the sense of a word to indicate smallness e.g. "-ette" in "kitchenette" means a small kitchen. French "diminutif" < Latin "diminutivus" < "deminuere"=to lessen, make small.

Small; in grammar and etymology, an affix that changes the sense of a word to indicate smallness e.g. “-ette” in “kitchenette” means a small kitchen. French “diminutif…

To examine coins closely to separate legitimate ones from fakes. Persian "sarrif"=an expert in detecting fraudulant mone...
10/16/2024

To examine coins closely to separate legitimate ones from fakes. Persian "sarrif"=an expert in detecting fraudulant money < Arabic "carraf"=banker < "carafa"=to exchange.

To examine coins closely to separate legitimate ones from fakes. Persian “sarrif”=an expert in detecting fraudulant money < Arabic “carraf”=banker < “carafa& #822…

To criticize someone severely; to punish. Latin "castigare"=to chastise, correct, or reprove < "castus"= pure, chaste + ...
10/15/2024

To criticize someone severely; to punish. Latin "castigare"=to chastise, correct, or reprove < "castus"= pure, chaste + "-ate"=verb-forming suffix.

To criticize someone severely; to punish. Latin “castigare”=to chastise, correct, or reprove < “castus”= pure, chaste + “-ate”=verb-forming suffix.

Middle English "geslyng" < Old Norse "gaesling" < "gas"=goose + "-ling"=diminutive suffix.
10/14/2024

Middle English "geslyng" < Old Norse "gaesling" < "gas"=goose + "-ling"=diminutive suffix.

Middle English “geslyng” < Old Norse “gaesling” < “gas”=goose + “-ling”=diminutive suffix.

A curse or the state of being under a curse. Latin "maledicere"=to abuse or insult < "male"=badly + "dicere"=to speak.
10/13/2024

A curse or the state of being under a curse. Latin "maledicere"=to abuse or insult < "male"=badly + "dicere"=to speak.

A curse or the state of being under a curse. Latin “maledicere”=to abuse or insult < “male”=badly + “dicere”=to speak.

In biology, the passage of a liquid pass through the wall of a living cell; by extension, the ability to learn things gr...
10/13/2024

In biology, the passage of a liquid pass through the wall of a living cell; by extension, the ability to learn things gradually without much effort. Greek "osmos"=push, thrust < "othein"=to push.

In biology, the passage of a liquid pass through the wall of a living cell; by extension, the ability to learn things gradually without much effort. Greek “osmos”=push, thrust < & #82…

A form of mental illness where a person believes they are a dog. French "cynanthropie" < Greek "kunanthropos" < "kuon"=d...
10/12/2024

A form of mental illness where a person believes they are a dog. French "cynanthropie" < Greek "kunanthropos" < "kuon"=dog + "anthropos"=man.

A form of mental illness where a person believes they are a dog. French “cynanthropie” < Greek “kunanthropos” < “kuon”=dog + “anthropos”=man.

Fear of being or riding in vehicles. Greek "amaksa"=chariot < "ama"=together + "akson"=axis + "fobos"=fear.
10/11/2024

Fear of being or riding in vehicles. Greek "amaksa"=chariot < "ama"=together + "akson"=axis + "fobos"=fear.

Fear of being or riding in vehicles. Greek “amaksa”=chariot < “ama”=together + “akson”=axis + “fobos”=fear.

A winter residence; place to keep plants warm in winter. Latin "hibernaculum" < "hibernus"=wintery + "-cule"=diminutive ...
10/10/2024

A winter residence; place to keep plants warm in winter. Latin "hibernaculum" < "hibernus"=wintery + "-cule"=diminutive suffix.

A winter residence; place to keep plants warm in winter. Latin “hibernaculum” < “hibernus”=wintery + “-cule”=diminutive suffix.

To do something with great haste; to rush or accelerate. Latin "festinare"=to hurry" + "-ate"=suffix forming verbs from ...
10/09/2024

To do something with great haste; to rush or accelerate. Latin "festinare"=to hurry" + "-ate"=suffix forming verbs from Latin verbs ending in "-are."

To do something with great haste; to rush or accelerate. Latin “festinare”=to hurry” + “-ate”=suffix forming verbs from Latin verbs ending in “-are.”

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