Proxemics is a noun that refers to the study of the space people need to put between each other in order to function.

The Latin word Proximus (PROX ee moose) means ‘nearest.’ This has given birth to words like ‘approximate’ and ‘proximity.’ Our word of the day is related to these words, but it refers to a more formal study.

An example of its use is: I didn’t understand all the crowding that existed in many of those large Asian cities until I studied the proxemics of the situation. Once I grasped the reasons for all that crowding, it made perfect sense.

Stewardship is a noun that refers to the responsible overseeing of something.

Steward — a word of Old English origin — refers to someone responsible for managing or taking care of something. Our word of the day is a broader term that refers to the act of being a steward.

My only responsibility as the manager of the parking lots is to make sure it doesn’t get invaded by bears. I’m proud to say that after three years, we’ve had no bear sightings. When you get right down to it, the stewardship of a parking lot isn’t exactly a thrilling job.

Inflorescence is a noun that refers to a flowering or blooming.

Our word of the day comes directly from Latin where it means ‘to begin to bloom.’ The inflorescence of those daisies in my yard seemed to bring a smile to everyone who visited me. There’s something about blooming flowers that just makes people happy.

Jury-rig is a verb that means to construct in a makeshift manner.

Our word of the day has its orin in Middle English where it means ‘to improvise.’ When we jury-rig something we create it or ‘rig’ it on the spot with no plan of action.

An example of its use is: When camping in the woods, we had to improvise a way to carry everything to the car, so we wrapped everything up in the tent. Using your tent as a makeshift backpack is the kind of improvising that brings out the creativity of campers.

Typification is a noun that refers to a representative of.

The Latin word typus (TEA poos) means ‘type.’ When we say something typifies something, we mean it embodies it or serves as an example of its type. So the typification of something is the best example of it.

I found that Ron’s tantrum after the game was the typification of his rants. Like all of his rants, they started out serious and wound up being petty and selfish.

Recension is a noun that refers to a revised edition of a text.

Our word of the day has evolved from the Latin word censere (CHEN sair ay) which means ‘to censer.’ A recension of someone’s writing is basically a revision that censors the origin in some way.

Example: The book that was published was a recension that omitted the basketball scenes. I resisted this because the movie was mainly about basketball.

Quidnunc is a noun that refers to a person who gossips or a busybody.

Our word of the day comes directly from the Latin phrase ‘quid nunc’ (KWEED NOONK) which translates to ‘what’s new.’ A quidnunc is someone who very much wants to know what’s new at all times — especially as it pertains to juicy gossip.

I had no idea Veronica was such a quidnunc when I moved into the neighborhood. Before I had even settled into the house, she knew all my my illicit past of having multiple overdue library books.

Scilicet is an adverb that means namely or ‘specifically.’

Our word of the day combines two Latin words. There’s scire (SHEER ay) which means ‘to know’ and ‘licet’ (LEECH et) for ‘it is permitted.’ Together they get a word that basically means ‘specifically’ or ‘namely.’ For example: My son’s problem was that he was hanging out with the wrong crowd, scilicet those guys Corey and Hank. Those are the guys specifically that got him into all kind of wild behavior like riding his bike without training wheels.

Votive is an adjective that means done to fulfill a vow or promise. It can also be used as a noun that refers to a short candle used in a religious ceremony.

Our word of the day comes from the Latin word votum (VOE tomb) which means ‘vow.’ It is often used in a religious context. For example: After he’d been shunned by the community, Gary made a votive prayer. He vowed he would never again root from the Yankees against the Red Sox.

Plaudit is a noun that refers to praise or approval.

Our word of the day comes directly from a Latin word meaning ‘applause’ or ‘claps.’ In recent years, the word is more likely to be used metaphorically and not in a reference to actual clapping. For example:

I didn’t expect to get non-stop plaudits from the critics for my novel, but I’m happy I did. That kind of praise is alway deeply encouraging.