Today’s word of the day is polychromatic, P-O-L-Y-C-H-R-O-M-A-T-I-C. Polychromatic is an adjective that means multicolored. 

The Greek word polykhromos (poe lee CRO mose) combines the words for ‘many’ and ‘colors.’

Rhonda’s new polychromatic hairstyle caught me off-guard. She always seemed too conservative for something like that.

Polychromatic is spelled P-O-L-Y-C-H-R-O-M-A-T-I-C. 

Today’s word of the day is voluptuary, V-O-L-U-P-T-U-A-R-Y. Voluptuary is a noun that refers to a person devoted to a life of luxury and pleasure. 

The Latin word voluptus (vo LOOP toos) means ‘pleasure.’ From that we get voluptuary, a person who is deeply devoted to pleasure.

After winning the lottery, Erica became something of a voluptuary. Her entire life seems to revolve around bathing herself in luxury. 

Once again, voluptuary is spelled V-O-L-U-P-T-U-A-R-Y. 

Today’s word of the day is rococo, R-O-C-O-C-O. Rococo is an adjective that means ornate. 

Coming from the Latin word roca (RO ca) meaning ‘stone,’ rococo originally referred to a specific style of architecture. People would later use the word to describe musical passages or writing that was elaborate or ornate. It may also be used to describe more mundane things, such as: Alan’s doodling is always very rococo. It looks like seventeenth century art. 

Rococo is spelled R-O-C-O-C-O. 

Today’s word of the day is estival, E-S-T-I-V-A-L. Estival is an adjective that means belonging to or pertaining to summer. 

Don’t be fooled by our word of the day’s similarity to ‘festival.’ Estival, although closely related to festival, actual derives from The Latin word aestivalis (ah ESS ti val ees) which means ‘heat’ or ‘summer.’ 

Donna takes an estival road trip once a year. She’s deeply infatuated with the New Hampshire countryside in July.

Once again, estival is spelled E-S-T-I-V-A-L. 

Today’s word of the day is shivoo (SHI voo) S-H-I-V-O-O. Shivoo is a noun that means a party or celebration. 

Shivoo is an old 19th century word of unknown origin. Its best used describe an informal gathering. If you’re wearing a tuxedo to go there, it’s not a shivoo. 

Andy, can I borrow those funky sunglasses of yours? I bet they’ll be a big hit at tonight’s shivoo. 

Shivoo is spelled S-H-I-V-O-O. 

Today’s word of the day is Pliskie, P-L-I-S-K-I-E. Pliskie is a noun that means a mischievous trick. 

The origin of pliskie is unknown, but we do know it’s commonly used to describe a practical joke of some kind. 

I don’t understand why Corey was so upset with out little Pliskie. Maybe he’s just one of those guys who can’t take a joke. 

Once again, Pliskie is spelled P-L-I-S-K-Y.

Today’s word of the day is fusty, F-U-S-T-Y. Fusty is an adjective than means old-fashioned or out-of-date.

Fusty comes from an Old French word Fuste (fyoost) which meant “smelling of the cask.” A cask was a wooden case that would decay over time. Today Fusty can be used literally to mean something that smells stale. Or it can be used metaphorically to mean something that is old-fashioned. 

You’re not really going to wear those fusty old bell-bottoms in public, are you, dad? It’s been decades since they’ve been in style. 

Fusy is spelled F-U-S-T-Y. 

Today’s word of the day is dekko, D-E-K-K-O. Dekko is a noun that means a quick look or glance. 

Dekko has its origin in the Hindi word, Dekho (DE ko) that means ‘a look.’ It’s an informal word best used in contexts like: After quick dekko around, I decided that Sammy’s Burgers would be a nice place to get some food. I could tell right away, it was clean and quiet.

The spelling of dekko is D-E-K-K-O.

Today's word of the day is funambulism, F-U-N-A-M-B-U-L-I-S-M. Funambulism is a noun that means tightrope walking or a display of mental agility.

Tightrope walking was a highly popular spectacle in ancient Rome. So it's no surprise that the language generally spoken by the Romans, Latin, would give us the word for this act of daring. Funis (FOO nis) is Latin for rope, and ambulare (am byoo LAHR ay) means walk.

Funambulism may literally refer to the act of tightrope walking or it may be metaphorically used to indicate a feat of mental gymnastics that could be just as tricky, such as: When George was caught sleeping in history class, I wanted to see him talk his way out of a trip to detention. Sure enough he dazzled us all with an act of funambulism by convincing Mrs. Sharpe that he'd been up all night caring for his sick grandmother.

Once again, funambulism is spelled F-U-N-A-M-B-U-L-I-S-M. 

Today's word of the day is supererogation. It's spelled S-U-P-E-R-E-R-O-G-A-T-I-O-N. Supererogation is a noun that means the act of performing more than is required.

The Latin prefix 'super' means 'over and above,' but the second section of our word of the day is a little more complicated. Erogare (air oh GAHR ay) also Latin, originally meant 'to expand public funds after asking the consent of the people.' 

Later the word took on on a religious meaning, and came to be referred to as the doing of good deeds beyond what is needed for salvation. 

More recently, supererogation's meaning has expanded further still, and is now used to refer to any act performed beyond obligation. Connie has been an outstanding employee. Her staying late last night was an act of supererogation.

Once again, supererogation is spelled S-U-P-E-R-E-R-O-G-A-T-I-O-N.