Ballast is a noun that refers to something that gives stability.

The origin or our word of the day is uncertain, but we know that it began as a word to describe a device used to create balance on such things as sailboats. When used figuratively, it refers to anything that provides balance or stability. For example: When she joined a workplace with so many people in their late teens and twenties, Sara needed to serve as a ballast. Because she was in her forties, she could provide the kind of stability that a younger person could not.

Procrustean is an adjective that means enforcing conformity.

According to Greek mythology, Procrustes was a cruel villain who was eventually killed by the hero Theseus. Today the word is used to describe a villain who forces others to move in lock step to their command.

Mrs. Beale could be a procrustean leader in our sixth grade English class. She demanded that everybody adhere to her very strict dress code that included no short sleeves, no shorts, no colors except for those representing the Pittsburgh Steelers black and gold.

Semiotics is a noun that refers to a study of signs and symbols.

Our word of the day  comes from the Greek word sēmeiotikos (same OH tea kose) means ‘of signs.’ A course in semiotics is a course in signs, symbols and their meaning.

According to my professor, there’s a lot to learn by examining the semiotics of a movie. Even when certain themes aren’t stated directly, they can be embedded in a work of art through the use of various signs and symbols.

Predilection is a noun that refers to a preference for.

The Latin word prediligere (pray day LEEGE air ay) means ‘to prefer before others.’ Having a predilection means to have a preference before others. For example: When it comes to food and movies, everyone knows I have a predilection for Italian. Nothing moves me more than an evening of Sergio Leone movies while eating linguini and clam sauce.

Pro forma is an adjective that means standard or done as a matter of politeness.

Our word of the day comes directly from a Latin phrase that translates to ‘for form’s sake.’ It’s often used to describe the form of documents.

I could tell the letter supposedly sent by the company offering a million dollar settlement was a fake because it wasn’t written in a pro forma manner. A legitimate letter of that kind would have been written in a far different way.

Foment is a verb that means to instigate or stir up.

Our word of the day comes from the Latin word fovere (for VARE ay) meaning to ‘heat.’ Heating something up is often used in cooking to help ingredients blend together. When we heat up or foment something in a more figurative sense, we instigate them, for example: We didn’t know that when Tammy objected to our uniform, she was trying to foment a rebellion on the softball team. Before long, everyone was boycotting practice until they got the blue and white pinstripes they wanted.

Ingratiate is a verb that means to bring oneself into favor with.

The Latin phrase in gratium (een GRATS ee oom) means ‘in favor.’ When someone ingratiates themselves to someone, they bring themselves in favor with them. The word is frequently used in an unflattering way to suggest that the person doing the ingratiating has an agenda.

When Harvey offered to work late last week, we knew he was simply trying to ingratiate himself to the new boss. This was exactly what we’d come to expect from a man who has a history of trying to kiss up to people in authority.

Askance is an adverb that means ‘with a look of suspicion or disapproval.’

The origin of our word of the day is not known, but we are aware that it’s been around since the late 15th century and it is used in a context to describe a look or an attitude of suspicion. For example: Terri looked askance at the company’s policy of asking for her social security number immediately after entering the building. It seemed a very good reason to suspect something odd was going on.

Perforce is an adverb that is used to express necessity.

Our word of the day comes directly from Middle English, meaning ‘by force.’ When we do something perforce, we do it because we’re forced to do so out of social or practical necessity. For example: When I asked Eric how things were going, I was doing so perforce, not because I wanted an answer. But Eric gave me a forty-five minute update on exactly how things were going.

Incandescent is an adjective that means bright or brilliant.

The Latin word candidus (can DEE doos) means ‘brilliant’ or ‘bright.’ Our word of the day has evolved from this origin and can be used in a literal or metaphorical sense. For example: Sandy’s incandescent performance was an inspiration to us all. It’s not often that you see someone play the violin with such passion and brilliance.