Pinion is a verb that means to cut off the wing of a bird to prevent flight. 

Dating back to the 17th century, our word of the day comes from the French word pignon (PEEN yone) which referred to the part of a bird’s wings that make flight possible. Pinion may still be used as a noun to refer to this part of the wing or it can be a verb that means to clip the wing to prevent a bird from flying. 

Similarly, our word of the day may be used metaphorically to refer to shackling someone. For example:

As a kid in class, I hated not being permitted to use my calculator for math problems. It seemed the teacher was trying to pinion me in my quest for mathematical knowledge. 

Chevelure is a noun that refers to a head of hair. 

Coming almost directly from French, our word of the day has been used as a sophisticated way of referring to a person’s hair since the 15th century. Here’s an example:

I have to admit that Genevieve looked stunning when she entered the ballroom. Not only was she decked out in a long, flowing evening gown, but that chevelure on top of her head made her look like royalty. 

Commination is a noun that means the actin of threatening divine vengeance. 

Derived from late Middle English, our word of the day combines the Latin prefix C-O-M, meaning expressing intensive force with the latin verb minari (me NAR ee) meaning to threaten. 

Our word of the day is often used in a biblical or spiritual context in reference to a divine creature threatening to punish sinners, but it may also be used metaphorically. Here’s an example:

When our boss threatened to dock the pay of anyone who left work early, it seemed to come from the loudspeakers like the voice of God. One thing for sure: the commination kept everybody at work until the final whistle. 

Prolegomenon is a noun that refers to an introduction to a book. 

Coming from the 17th century, our word of the day combines the Latin prefix P-R-O which means ‘before’ and the Latin word legein (lay JEN) meaning ‘to read.’ Before you read the actual content of a book, you read its introduction, or its prolegomenon. 

I loved that book I recently read on the modern problem of short attention spans, but I had to skip past that prolegomenon. I guess my attention span was just too short to endure a long, boring introduction.  

Antidromic is an adjective that means traveling in a direction that is the opposite of normal. 

Coming from Greek, our word of the day combines the prefix A-N-T-I, meaning ‘against.’ and the word dromos (DRO mose) which means ‘running.’ It’s a fairly recent addition to English, having just arrived in the early 20th century. 

I often find that jogging in the opposite direction from my usual path is a good way to keep me on my toes. All that antidromic movement, if nothing else keeps things from getting boring. 

Manuduction is a noun that refers to the act of guiding or leading as if by hand. 

Our word of the day combines the Latin word manus (MAN oose) meaning ‘hand’ and ductio (DUCK she oh) which means ‘to lead.’ Together they get the word that means ‘to lead by hand.’ Here’s an example of manuduction in use:

I was completely lost on my first day of work at the toy store. I needed someone to lead me by hand through all the inventory, but unfortunately no such manuduction was available. 

Disconsolate is an adjective that means without consolation or comfort. 

Our word of the day is derived from the Latin word consolari (con so LAR ay) meaning, ’to console’ and the prefix D-I-S, which means ‘not.’ When someone is disconsolate, they cannot be consoled. 

Fred was disconsolate after his team’s loss last Sunday. I tried to cheer him up with the news that at least my team won. But for some reason, that did nothing to ease his sadness.

Oppugn is a verb that means to call into question the truth or validity of. 

Our word of the day combines the Latin prefix O-B which means ‘against,’ and the word pugnare (poog NAR ay) which means ‘to fight.’ To oppugn something means to oppose it, more specifically, to oppose the validity or truth of it. Example:

I didn’t mean to oppugn the judge's decision last week, but anybody watching that pie-eating contest could clearly see that I was the winner. 

Vellicate is a verb that means to twitch. 

The Latin word vellicare (vel ee CAR ay) means ‘to pluck or pull.’ By the early 17th century the word was brought into English and had taken on the more specific meaning it has today. It now refers to an involuntary twitch. Here’s an example:

When my eye began to vellicate, I panicked immediately. The last time a twitch like that came to my eye, I would up having a very serious eye condition. 

Agley is an adverb that means askew or wrong. 

The precise origin of our word of the day is unknown, but we do know it comes from the Scottish word gley (GLAY) which means ‘squint.’ Here’s an example of agley in use:

I knew something was agley in the kitchen when I walked into the house. When I immediately caught the scent of baked cookies in the air, I knew exactly what was askew. Donna had made cookies earlier that day and failed to invite me!