Discompose is a verb that means to disturb or agitate from a calm state. 

Compose is a Latin-based word that’s been around since the late Middle English period and it  means ’to order or arrange.’ When we add the prefix D-I-S to it, we get our word of the day, which means to remove or disturb that order. Here’s an example:

Things were going well at the party until those hoodlums came in to discompose the environment. Soon, all that sense of calm just evaporated and we had a gang fight on our hands. 

Balter is a verb that means to dance or move clumsily. 

Our word of the day comes from Old English and has been around since the 16th century. Here’s an example of balter in use:

Watching my dad balter around the living room when he hears his favorite song can be embarrassing. But let’s be honest, I’ve been known to dance around like a dork myself on occasion. 

Astrogate is a verb that means to guide a rocket or ship through space. 

The Greek prefix A-S-T-R-O means ‘star.’ It’s used by English speakers in words like ‘astrology’ and ‘astronaut,’ to describe things related to the stars or outer space. Our word of the day combines astro with the suffix GATE which is often used to describe any kind of travel, as in ‘navigate’ or ‘congregate.’ Here’s an example of astrogate in use:

As a child, I dreamt of being an astronaut and pictured myself steering a giant spaceship into the unknown. As a grown up the closest I came to realizing this dream is when I get to astrogate a make-believe spaceship through a video game.

Babylonic is an adjective that means tumultuous. 

Babylon was an ancient city in Mesopotamia and was noted for its great luxury as well as its corruption. Since the mid-20th century, the adjective babylonic has been used to describe an environment that resembles Ancient Babylon. Here’s an example:

I enjoyed working at the post office but found the place babylonic. There was air conditioning, snacks and free back rubs — but only for the upper management.

Argonaut is a noun that refers to an adventurer on a quest. 

Fans of Greek Mythology may be familiar with the Argonauts, a group of heroes who accompanied Jason on board the ship Argo in the quest for the Golden Fleece. But since the 17th century, the word Argonaut has been used more broadly by English speakers to describe anyone engaged in an adventurous quest, for example:

Those Argonauts in the shipping department have been trying to beat us in the annual darts tournament for years. But as long they face our office in the competition’s final round, their quest for immortality will be denied.

Animalcule is a noun that refers to a microscopic animal, nearly or completely invisible to the naked eye. 

The Latin word ‘animalculum’ (ahn ee MAL kyoo loom) means ‘little animal.’ Since the 17th century, the word has been used — mostly in a scientific context — to describe animals too small to be seen without the aid of a microscope. Here’s an example:

The discovery of an anmalcule in the patient’s hair helped the scientists better understand the source of her illness. It’s fascinating to consider that had she developed the conditions in the years before microscope, her malady would have remained a mystery. 

Pierian is an adjective that means related to the arts. 

Our word of the day gets its name from a region in ancient Macedonia known as the Perian mountains. In this mythical place, the Muses were said to bestow people with artistic ability and inspiration. Since the 16th century, Pierian has been used to describe anything of an artistic nature. 

My son’s pierian tendencies haven’t served him well in school. His writings on the bathroom walls may have been the result of artistic inspiration, but they’re usually frowned upon by the principal. 

Anomalistics is a noun that refers to the use of scientific methods to try and find a rational explanation for seemingly unusual phenomena. 

An anomaly refers to something that deviates from the norm. Its origin is the Greek word anomilos (ah NO me losse) which means ‘against the laws or norms.’ A study of something abnormal to understand it is called anomalistics. Example:

Even after years of anomalistics, the group of scientists couldn’t understand the social phenomenon taking place in town. Apparently, some strange behavior can never be fully understood.

Anhedonia is a noun that refers to the inability to feel pleasure.

Our word of the day comes directly from the Greek word for ‘without pleasure.’ Anhedonia may be used in a clinical sense to describe a psychiatric condition or it may be used informally, for example:

My loss in the ping-pong tournament last week left me in a state of anhedonia for two or three days. Even apple pie didn’t give me pleasure. Of course, a few days and apple pies later, I was feeling my usual buoyant sense. 

Infodemic is a noun that refers to a glut of useless information. 

Our word of the day has only been around for a few short years, but it combines to words ‘information’ and ‘epidemic’ that have been around much longer. Information is Latin in origin and refers to ‘facts provided or learned about something or someone.’ Epidemic comes from Greek and means ‘upon the people.’ When lousy information is foisted upon the people, you’ve got an infodemic on your hands. 

Last summer’s infodemic about all kinds of political figures made me so skeptical about the news, I was told it would be partly cloudy with a high of seventy, I didn’t believe it. I guess that’s what a downpour of useless information can do.