Cabotinage is an adjective that means overacting or hamming. 

Originally stemming from the French word for a cabinet, our word of the day entered English in the 19th century to describe over-the-top bad acting. Here’s an example:

All the cabotinage in the movie really put me off. A character couldn’t even catch a migraine without screaming and shouting.

Plumbeous is an adjective that means ‘dull gray in color.’ 

Our word of the day gets its origin from the Latin word plumbum (PLUME boom) which means ‘lead.’ By the late 16th century, plumbeous became the word to describe the color of lead. Here’s an example:

When we first moved into our home, we knew we had some painting to do. Neither one of us were fond of the plumbeous walls. That dull gray just didn’t excite us. 

Microcosm is a noun that refers to a thing regarded as encapsulating in miniature the characteristics of something much larger. 

Our word of the day has been with us since the 14th century. It’s derived from the Greek prefix M-I-C-R-O, which means ‘small,’ and Kosmos (COS mose) meaning ‘world’ or ‘order.’ Here’s an example of microcosm in use:

Our baseball team had become a microcosm for our country. Not only did we embody America’s belief in hard work and a ‘can do’ spirit, but we also believed in drinking lots of beer after victory was won. 

Alluvion is a noun that refers to the flow of water against a shore. 

Our word of the day comes from the Latin word luere (lou WEAR ay) which means ‘to wash.’ Arriving at our shores in the mid16th century, alluvion soon came to refer specifically to water washing against the shores. Here’s an example:

The alluvion at the beach is a truly breathtaking sight. I could sit back and watch the tide crash into the sand all day long. 

Sluice is a verb that means to cleanse or rinse with water. 

Dating back from the 17th century, our word of the day was first used as a noun to describe a gate used to hold back water. In time it became a verb to describe the act of watering something. Here’s an example:

I really need to sluice that porch. All that mildew and dirt need to be rinsed off before our party guests arrive and are too disgusted to enter our home.

Synderesis is a noun that refers to inborn knowledge of the basic principles of morality.

Originally stemming from Greek philosophy and the Greek language, our word of the day may be used to describe an innate understanding of right and wrong. Here’s an example of synderesis in use:

My dog’s synderesis must not have been properly functioning when he gobbled up all the apples yesterday. He should have known by now that he was only allowed one per day.

Posit is a verb that means to propose an explanation. 

Our word of the day began as the Latin word for ‘placed,’ By the mid-17th century, it had placed itself in English as a word that specifically meant to place something as a proposed explanation. Here’s an example of posit in use:

It may seem obvious that the missing cookie from the cabinet was eaten by me, but I posit that the ants stole it away in the middle of the night. This explanation may seem far-fetched, but ants are known for their great strength, aren’t they?

Euthenics is a noun that refers to the study of the effect of living conditions on humanity.

The Greek prefix E-U means ‘good,’ while ‘Thenein’ is Greek for ‘to make or do.’ Euthenics is a word that refers to the efforts to improve human conditions. Here’s an example of it in use:

Back when we were living in the desert, we could have really used some kind euthenics program. In fact, the best way to improve our lives would have been to give us an air conditioner. 

Inchmeal is an adverb that means ‘little by little.’ 

The Old English word meal, in addition to its contemporary use, also meant ‘measure’ or ‘quantity.’ By the mid 16th century, it was combined with the measurement ‘inch’ to describe something happening slowly. Here’s an example:

The worm was crawling inchmeal across the floor. It may take him a while to get there, but he sure seems determined. 

Infrasocial is an adjective that means lacking social organization. 

Our word of the day comes from the Latin word ‘socius’ (SO see oos) meaning ‘friend’ and adds the prefix I-N-F-R-A meaning ‘below.’ If something or someone is infrasocial, their behavior is less than ideal. Used by researchers, infrasocial came into use in the mid-20th century. Here’s an example:

The guys in my old Fraternity could be infrasocal at times. Unless they were looking for a fight, they weren’t very interested in getting know people outside of the house.