Incommode is a verb that means to disturb or inconvenience.

The Latin word commodus (COMB moe doos) means convenient. By adding the prefix I-N, we get a word the means inconvenient. After taking on the form of a verb, our word of the day entered English in the late 16th century.

I didn’t mean to incommode you, but I felt the phone call was important enough to disrupt the meeting.

Malefactor is a noun that refers to a person who does harm.

Our word of the day combines male (MOLL ay) the Latin word for ‘bad’ or ‘evil,’ with factor, which is derived from facare (fuh CHAIR ay) the Latin word for ‘do.’ In combination, we get a word that refers to ‘an evildoer.’

We don’t yet know who stole that money intended for the orphanage. But once identified, the malefactor will be punished to the full extent of the law.

Aposematic is an adjective that means serving as a warning or alarm.

The Greek word sema (SEM uh) which refers to ‘a sign,’ provides the origin of our word of the day. Aposematic means a sign of danger or caution.

When Sandra told us the inspector was on his way, nobody paid attention. But looking back those words probably had an aposematic significance.

Detente is a noun that refers to an easing of tensions between rivals.

Our word of the the day comes directly from French where it refers to ‘a relaxation.’ When imported into English, the word came to refer to a relaxation of tension between nations or regions. In more recent years, it’s just as likely to have the same meaning, but applied to individuals.

I sense there’s detente between Carly and Evan. The two of them seem to be getting along a lot better than they had in the past.

Agrestic is an adjective that means rustic or related to the country.

The Latin word agrestis (A GRES stis) meaning ‘a field,’ is the basis of words like agriculture and agrarian. It’s also the origin of our word of the day.

May wife didn’t care for the simplicity of that country home we stayed in for two weeks, but personally, I found it had a lovely agrestic charm.

Educe is a verb that means to elicit or draw out something.

Our word of the day has it’s origin in the Latin word educere (ed doo CHAIR ay) which means ‘to lead.’ After entering English, it’s meaning has evolved to mean ‘to draw out.’

My daughter is usually shy with strangers. But with an adorable magic trick, Marvin the Magnificent educed a giant smile from her.

Scrutator is a noun that refers to one who investigates or examines.

The Latin word scrutari (screw TAR ee) means ‘to search or examine.’ Our word of the day shares this root with the word scrutinize. So it may help to think of a scrutator as ‘one who scrutinizes.’

If I had known we’d have a visiting scrutator to take a look at the carpet, I would done a better job of cleaning.

Peccadillo is a noun that refers to a slight offense.

The Spanish word Pecado (pe COD oh) means sin. The addition of the suffix I-L-L-O, which means ‘little’ gives us a word that means ‘small sin.’ From there, peccadillo was directly imported into English.

Aaron may not be concerned about the peccadillos from his past, but they may hurt his chances if he ever runs for office. All those tiny sins have a way of adding up.

Symbiotic is an adjective that means characterized by a cooperative, interdependent relationship.

The Greek word symbiosis (sim be OH sis) is a noun that refers to ‘a living together.’ Our word of the day is the adjective version. It entered English in the late 19th century and was mainly used in a biological context. For example two animals with a mutually beneficial relationship were said to have a symbiotic relationship. By the early 20th century, the word came to be used in contexts that had nothing to do with biology.

Now that Susan needs Ross’s help to get around, the two of them have a symbiotic relationship. Before that, their union was always one-sided.

Sequacious is an adjective that means servile or subservient.

A sequacious person is more like to follow than lead, so it makes sense that our word of the day would be derived of the Latin word sequi (SAY kwee) which means ‘to follow.’

Ralph tends to be surrounded by sequacious people. He seems to enjoy being tended to by servile individuals.