Today’s word of the day is raillery, R-A-I-L-L-E-R-Y. Raillery is a noun that means good natured ridicule.

You may have noticed the word rail embedded in our word of the day. The two words do share a common ancestor in the Latin word ragere (rah GER ay). But when used to describe a conversation the two words differ a great deal in tone. Rail means to revile or scold in  harsh or abusive language. Raillery, on the other hand, in a softer more playful word. 

After two weeks off, I began to miss my co-workers. I don’t know how I made it through the day without my daily supply of banter and raillery. 

Once again, raillery is spelled R-A-I-L-L-E-R-Y. 

Today’s word of the day is emblazon. It’s spelled E-M-B-L-A-Z-O-N. Emblazon is a verb that means to celebrate or extol.

Emblazon got its start with the Anglo-French word blazon (BLAY son) which referred to a heraldic coat of arms, something intended to celebrate a history of nobility. These days, when we emblazon something, we can do it with words. 

It is rare that film lovers emblazon a first-time director with such high praise. But Michael’s film is worthy of every adoring word.

Emblazon is spelled E-M-B-L-A-Z-O-N.

Today’s word of the day is impute, I-M-P-U-T-E. Impute is a verb that means to lay the responsibility or blame for.

The latin word imputo (eem POO toe) means to lay to a charge. Impute is similar to words like ascribe and attribute, but it is typically used in different contexts. You can attribute or ascribe a successful venture to someone, but you wouldn’t impute it. Our word of the day is saved for accusations that would discredit a person, for example: the mayor held a press convince to deny his involvement in the incident. He insisted that his opponent’s attempts to impute him were nothing more than mudslinging.

Once again, impute is spelled I-M-P-U-T-E.

Today’s word of the day is trammel, T-R-A-M-M-E-L Trammel is a verb that means to restraint freedom.

The Latin word for three, trēs  (tray ss) may seem like an unusual origin for trammel, but keep in mind that a trammel is the name of a fishing net with three layers. It could be helpful to think of a net when using the word to mean a restraint on freedom.

My son was upset when I didn’t allow him to drive to San Diego for the concert. He felt I was trying to trammel his freedom.

Trammel is spelled T-R-A-M-M-E-L.

Today’s word of the day is lachrymose. It’s spelled L-A-C-H-R-Y-M-O-S-E. Lachrymose is an adjective that means tending to cause tears.

Our word of the day has its origin in lacrima (LAA Cree ma) the Latin word for tear. Lachrymose may refer to someone or something that sheds tears or causes them in others, but let’s be clear that we’re referring here to tears of sadness — not joy. 

My sister is a sucker for those lachrymose soap operas. With all those deaths, heartbreaks and unrequited loves, she is always in tears by the end of each episode.

Once again, the spelling of lachrymose is L-A-C-H-R-Y-M-O-S-E.

Today’s word of the day is sublimate, S-U-B-L-I-M-A-T-E Sublimate is a verb that means to direct the expression of a desire or an impulse to a more socially acceptable one.

When a person sublimates a base impulse for something more acceptable, you could say they are elevating their decorum. So it makes sense that the Latin word sublimis (soo BLEE mees) means elevated or lofty.

Mr. Ross can really be annoying with his elaborate lunch demands. So I usually sublimate my desire to throw his salad all over his suit into finishing his order as quickly as possible.

Sublimate is spelled S-U-B-L-I-M-A-T-E.

Today’s word of the day is Aesopian. It’s spelled A-E-S-O-P-I-A-N. Aesopian is an adjective that means conveying an innocent meaning to an outsider but a hidden meaning to others.

Aesop’s fables are well known for containing a hidden meaning or moral beneath their innocuous surface. An Aesopian statement contains a similarly hidden message. 

When Julie told me and the kids to make sure not to forget anything when we came home that afternoon, she was actually delivering an Aesopian message. She was signaling me to make sure I picked up the cake for Aurora’s surprise birthday party.

Once again, Aesopian is spelled A-E-S-O-P-I-A-N.

Today’s word of the day is climacteric. It’s spelled C-L-I-M-A-C-T-E-R-I-C. Climacteric is a noun that means a major turning point. 

The word klimakter (KLEE mack ter) comes from Ancient Greek. It’s literal translation is ‘rung on a ladder,’ which may be helpful if you think of that rung as the most important one on the ladder.

My first job interview didn’t seem like a big deal at the time. But looking back, I had reached a climacteric in my life.

Once again, climacteric is spelled C-L-I-M-A-C-T-E-R-I-C.

Today’s word of the day is ruction, R-U-C-T-I-O-N. Ruction is a noun that means a disturbance. 

The precise origin of ruction is unclear. It seems to be a shortening of insurrection. But while insurrection is a more specific term that refers to something like a rebellion against an authority, ruction may be used to describe anything from a prison riot to the noise made by a pair of unruly toddlers.

The ruction outside my front door caught my attention immediately. I opened the door to find my cranky grandparents had been accidentally locked out.

Once again, ruction is spelled R-U-C-T-I-O-N. 

Today’s word of the day is doughty. It’s spelled D-O-U-G-H-T-Y. Doughty is an adjective that means valiant. 

A word of Old English derivation, doughty may sound out of place

If used in a contemporary context. It’s probably best to use it in reference to figures of the past — or perhaps modern day combatants whose bravery seems to belong to days of lore.

My sister stood only five foot three. But when anybody messed with her little brother, they had to face a warrior with a fiercely doughty spirit. 

Once again, doughty is spelled D-O-U-G-H-T-Y.