Ambit is a noun that refers to the bounds or limits of a place.

The Latin word ambitus (am BEE toos) means ‘a circuit’ or ‘circumference.’ A person’s ambit refers to the space they are allowed to work with.

I know the problems in the packing department are outside of my ambit, but I really think there are issues that everyone at the company — regardless of their department — has to deal with.

Remora is a noun that refers to a hindrance or a drag.

Our word of the day gets its name from a long, thin fish that is known to attach itself to an animal and behave like a parasite. When used outside of the realm of the animal kingdom, it may refer to anything that acts in a parasitic manner, for example: Those reporters really can make it difficult for the police to do their jobs. They attach on to us like remora and not let go until they get the story they want.

Nadir is a noun that refers to the lowest point.

Having roots in Arabic, our word of the day’s origin is in astronomy. A nadir refers to the point of the celestial sphere that is directly opposite the zenith and vertically downward from the observer. In more common usage, the word simply means ‘a things lowest point.’ For example: I think my athletic career reached its nadir when I struck out five times in a high school baseball game. That was the worst humiliation I’ve ever faced in a sports setting.

Endue is a verb that means to provide or endow.

The Latin word inducere (in do CHAIR ay) means ‘to introduce’ in the way that you would introduce something into a person’s life. When you endue something to a person, you provide it or ‘introduce’ it.

Someday, I hope to endue a business to my children. It may take a while, but It has always been a dream of mine to endow them with a means to make a living.

Impresario is a noun that refers to a promoter of entertainment.

The Italian word impresa (im PRAYS uh) refers to ‘an undertaking.’ An impresario is someone involved in entertainment undertakings.

We needed the help of a well-connected impresario in order for our band to be a success. Having a promoter helps spark great word of mouth among music fans.

Haver is a verb that means to vacillate or hem and haw.

The origin or our word of the day is uncertain, but we know it has been around since the early 18th century to mean ‘acting in an indecisive manner.’

I always thought Brian was deeply committed to the project, but lately he seems to have a great deal. I really wish he would make up his mind about how he feels about it.

Immemorial is an adjective that means extending beyond the reach of memory.

The Latin word memorialis (mem or ee AL ees) roughly translates to ‘memory.’ With the prefix I-M, we get a word that means ‘lacking memory.’ Our word of the day is used to refer to something ‘beyond memory.’ For example: There is something immemorial about the tribal rhythms we heard at the shore. They seemed like echoes from the ancient past.

Aforethought is an adjective that means premeditated or deliberate.

Our word of the day combines the prefix A-F-O-R-E, meaning ‘before’ with the common English word ‘thought.’ Together they refer to something thought out in advance. The word is frequently used in legal proceedings in reference to criminal behavior that is premeditated. For example: The jury felt Carol let her gerbil loose on Robin’s hamster with malice aforethought. But knowing Carol as well as I do, I find it hard to believe she would deliberately harm Robin’s hamster like that.

Ministration is a noun that refers to assistance or care.

Our word of the day shares its Latin roots with the word minister. Both refer to the act of service, but while minister is usually employed in the context of a church, ministration is a broader term that refers to any kind of help or assistance.

The ministration I was given for my back pain was very helpful. Daily massages are a healthy way to start each day.

Inimical is an adjective that means indicating hostility.

Our word of the day has its roots in the Latin word amicus (ah ME coos) which means ‘friend.’ By adding the negative prefix I-N, we get a word for someone not behaving in a friendly manner. Inimical behavior is considered adversarial or antagonistic.

I didn’t understand Charlie’s inimical feelings for his neighbor Jen until I learned about the incident involving Jen’s doberman. After hearing about that dog’s history I instantly understood his adversarial feelings.