Atemporal is an adjective that means existing without relation to time. 

The word temporal comes from the Latin temporailis (tem poor AL is) meaning transitory. The addition of A as a suffix implies the opposite, so atemporal means ‘not transitory.’ Or ‘not limited to time.

The album was released thirty years ago, but its quality is atemporal. It sounds as fresh today as it did when it was first recorded.

Equipoise is a noun that means balance of forces or interests. 

Equipoise combines E-Q-U-I meaning equal and P-O-I-S-E meaning balance and gives us something that means balance of interests. 

The deal struck between me and the law firm was hardly a deal between equals. It could have used a little more equipoise. 

Digerati is a noun that refers to people with expertise or personal involvement with information technology.

Our word of the day is a portmenteau, meaning a combination of two words that forms another word. Digerati combines digital — meaning related to computer technology —  with literati — meaning a group of people involved in the literary world —  and gives us a word that means ‘people involved with the world of digital technology. The word emerged during the 1990s.

I had a feeling the digerati would enjoy my latest novel. Its themes of digital technology seemed likely to resonate with those in the tech world.

Kenspeckle is an adjective that means easily recognizable. 

The exact origin of kenspeckle is uncertain, but the word appears to have Scandinavian roots, perhaps through the Old Norse words ‘Kenna’ which means ‘to know or perceive’ and spak which means ‘wisdom.’ 

I could still identify the old football stadium after twenty-five years. There was something kenspeckle about those rusted old benches.

Alimentary is an adjective that means related to nourishment or sustenance. 

Alimentum (ah lee MENT oom) is Latin for nourishment. After morphing a little, the word entered English in the late 16th century. 

After running a marathon, the body craves something alimentary. Soda pop and crackers just won’t do.

Sanative is an adjective that means conducive to good health and well-being. 

Sanative came to us from Late Middle English, but has its origin in Latin. The word Sanare (sah NAR ay) means ‘to cure.’ Our word of the day is often used to refer to diets or exercise that may have healing or healthy qualities.

Since catching a cold, I’ve been eating lots of chicken soup. According to urban lore, it has sanative powers.

Improbity is a noun that means a lack of honesty or integrity. 

The Latin word probus (PRO boos) means upright or generous. By adding the prefix ‘I-M’ we get the opposite meaning or ‘wicked.’ 

That story on the news about the horrific behavior taking place at the factory put chills through my body. I’d never before seen that kind of improbity in the workplace. 

Nubilous is an adjective that means cloudy or foggy. 

Our word of the day is a direct descendent of the Latin word nubes (NOO bess) which means cloud. Nubilous may be used literally to refer to actual clouds or figuratively to mean vague or hazy, as in: I didn’t have a notion of what I wanted to do when I grew up. I just had a nubilous idea of doing something in law enforcement. 

Exonerate is a verb that means to absolve of blame. 

The Latin verb exonerare (ecks on air RAHR ay) means ‘freed from a burden.’ Our word of the day is often used in a legal sense, as in: Charles assured us that the DNA would exonerate his client. And sure enough, the blood sample revealed that the defendant was not guilty of the crime.

Minutiae is a noun that means small precise details. 

Minutiae is from Latin. Minutias (mi NOOT ee us) means ‘smallness.’ Our word of the day refers to smallness not in physical size but importance. I’ve got important things to worry about. I don’t have to concern myself over the minutiae of my cat’s food preferences.