Parkour is a noun that refers to the sport of moving through an environment while negotiating objects.

Coming directly from the French word for ‘route’ or ‘course,’ our word of the day refers to a sport that has gained popularity very recently. It involves rapidly running and jumping through difficult terrain, usually in a crowded, urban environment.

I would love to participate in parkour someday, but I’m not sure if I have the stamina. For somebody my age, moving rapidly through the restroom is enough of a challenge.

Melange is a noun that refers to a mixture of different elements.

Our word of the day comes directly from the French word that means ‘a mixture’ or ‘medley.’ Melange is a synonym of ‘assortment,’ but it specifically means a mix of thing things that don’t ordinarily go together. For example: My dad’s record collection was a pretty strange melange. He had records by The Rolling Stones, MC Hammer and Benny Goodman.

Dogsbody is a noun that refers to a person tasked with menial work.

Our word of the day began as a term used in the British navy for pudding. It has come to refer to a person who has a tedious, unpleasant job.

I was a dogsbody for my first year at the television station. I got people’s coffee, answered phones and did other tasks nobody else wanted to do.

Sempiternal is an adjective that means seeming to last forever.

The Latin word semper (SEM per) means forever. Our word of the day has the same basic meaning. For me, old westerns have a sempiternal quality to them. As far as I’m concerned, they will be great for all eternity.

Iota is a noun that refers to a very small quantity.

Our word of the day gets its name from the ninth letter of the Greek alphabet. And because iota is also the smallest letter, it came to refer to something extremely small.

Charles may have pretended to care about his cousin’s misfortune, but when Devon needed his help, he didn’t do one iota to assist him.

Peregrinate is a verb that means to navigate by foot.

Our word of the day comes from the Latin word peregre (PAIR ay grey) which means ‘to travel abroad.’ The word’s meaning has broadened since evolving into English to simply mean ‘travel from place to place’ — usually by foot.

The thing I love most about living in the country is the open spaces available to roam. You can peregrinate for miles and never find yourself in the same spot twice.Peregrinate is a verb that means to navigate by foot.

Our word of the day comes from the Latin word peregre (PAIR ay grey) which means ‘to travel abroad.’ The word’s meaning has broadened since evolving into English to simply mean ‘travel from place to place’ — usually by foot.

The thing I love most about living in the country is the open spaces available to roam. You can peregrinate for miles and never find yourself in the same spot twice.

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Astigmatic is an adjective that means showing an incapacity for observation or discrimination.

Coming from the Greek word stigma (STEEG ma) the term astigmatism refers to an eye condition that causes images to seem distorted. The word can also be used metaphorically to describe an inability to see things clearly.

With all due respect to Johnny, I feel he has an astigmatic interpretation of the evens at the office party. I don’t know why he seems so unable to see things clearly, but his feeling on things just seems distorted to me.

Ambivert is a noun that refers to someone who has characteristics of an extrovert and an introvert.

The terms introvert and extrovert have been around since roughly the turn of the 20th century. An extrovert is described as someone who enjoys being with other people and an introvert is someone generally prefers to be alone. Our word of the day combines those words to describe someone who has tendencies of both terms.

I had always thought of Donna as an ambivert, but after seeing her warm gregarious social behavior, I see her more as an extrovert. She doesn’t have any introversion in her as far as I can tell.

Politesse is a noun that refers to formal politeness.

The Latin word politus (po LEE toos) means ‘civil’ or ‘polite.’ It is the basis of words like ‘politics’ and it’s used to indicate a politeness reserved for formal settings. For example: I was afraid that Jeremy would embarrass us at the governor’s mansion — especially with his wild sense of humor. He’s not familiar with the kind of politesse that’s expected at formal gatherings.