Pert is an adjective that means lively or cheerful.

The Latin word apertus (ah PEAR toos) meaning ‘opening’ is where our word of the day was born. In time, the word’s meaning shifted to its current meaning of ‘lively’ or ‘energetic.’ When used pejoratively it can mean ‘bold’ or ‘saucy.’ When used positively it can mean cheerful, as in: Rachel’s pert behavior made her well-liked at the office. Something about her cheerful demeanor brightened everyone’s day.

Camarilla is noun that means a small group of people with a shared purpose.

Our word of the day comes from Spanish. It’s the diminutive of the word camera (COM ay rah) meaning ’room,’ as in a place where political cliques and plotters are likely to meet. The word soon evolved to refer to the plotters themselves. It has also expanded to use outside of politics. 

The CEO knew things were serious when a camarilla of employees gathered outside his office. He didn’t know why they had united, but he knew it had to be important.

Myrmidon is a noun that means a subordinate who carries out orders without question.

In Greek mythology there’s a tale about a group of warriors from Thessaly (THES a lee) who accompanied Achilles to Troy. When using mymidon today, a person doesn’t have to be especially warlike to earn the title. They must simply be a subordinate who takes orders without regard for moral consequences. 

I don’t think it was Marie who was responsible for slashing my tires. It’s more likely that the task was done by one of her mymidons.

Banausic is an adjective that means mundane or only serving a practical purpose.

The Greek word for artisans is banausikos (aon ah SEE kos). If artisans seems like a strange way to define a word for mundane, keep in mind that the word artisans didn’t necessarily refer to artists. It referred broadly to anyone who was skilled at making things with their hands. That mostly included people making pretty mundane things like cups or knives.

Everyone raved about the psychedelic poster covering the hole on my wall.. Little did they know it was there for banausic reasons.

Ariose is an adjective that means songlike. 

Music lovers may be familiar with an aria, a song performed by a solo voice in an opera. Ariose comes from the same root, the Latin word aer (EYE ur) meaning ‘air.’ Describing something as ariose can be a supreme compliment, for example: It always surprised me that Michelle never pursued a career in music. With her ariose voice, she would have been a big success.

Minerva is a noun that means a woman of great wisdom.

Fans of Roman mythology may recall Minerva as the Goddess of wisdom. So referring to somebody — even a mere mortal — as a Minerva is another way of identifying her a source of great wisdom. 

To most people, my Grandmother was just an ordinary lady. But after all the brilliant advice I’d gotten from her I came to recognize her as a Minerva.

Moonstruck is an adjective that means dreamily romantic or bemused by love.

Our word of the day combines the familiar word ‘moon’ with the past participle of strike, to give us a way to describe someone who’s been metaphorically ‘struck’ or affected by the moon. Keep in mind that in the late 17th  century, when moonstruck came to life, it was common for people to believe the moon had special powers to affect our behavior. Today, we simply think of moonstruck as a metaphor for being high on love.

Having a crush on his classmate has put Kevin in a strange mood. I’ve never seen him this moonstruck before.

Auspice is a noun that means support or help.

The Latin word auspex (OW speks) means ‘observer of birds.’ If that seems an odd place for our word of the day to take flight, consider the phrase ‘take him under your wing,’ meaning provide protection and support for him. That’s exactly the kind of context that auspice is best used.

I spent my first year at the studio under the auspice of a wonderful director. With his support and protection, I soared as a filmmaker.

Simon-pure is a noun that means a completely authentic person. 

Our word of the day comes from 18th century satirical play called Bold Stroke for a Wife. The name Simon-pure came to mean ‘authentic’ partly because the character is impersonated by someone else for most of the play and is only revealed to be ‘authentic’ when when the real Simon-pure identifies himself. Also the character is a Quaker preacher who is ‘authentic’ in the sense of being ‘honest.’

Today the word is often used in a sarcastic sense. For example: Desmond comes across like such a Simon-Pure, but I think it’s all a facade. Deep down, he’s just as devious as anyone else. 

Gourmand is a noun that means a person who loves to eat. 

Our word of the day comes directly from Old French where it meant ‘wine taster.’ More recently, the word’s appetite has expanded to include food. And in case you’re wondering, ‘gourmand’ has the same origin as ‘gourmet.’  — as in ‘a gourmet chef.’ They both mean ‘a connoisseur of good food,’ but gourmand is more likely to refer to somebody who enjoys eating that food — not necessarily cooking it.

Over the years, being a gourmand has expanded my cultural horizons a great deal. But unfortunately all that savoring of French and Italian cuisine has also expanded my waistline.