Purloin is a verb that means to steal.

Our word of the day is derived from the French word for ‘put away.’ Purloin is often used in an informal or humorous way. Example:

The food at the banquet was so delicious I was tempted to purloin the leg of lamb at our table. The only thing stopping me from stealing it was that I couldn’t fit the entire tray in my backpack.

Confrere is a noun that refers to a fellow member of a profession.

Our word of the day combines the Latin prefix C-O-N with the Latin word frater (FRAH ter). Together they form a synonym of colleague. Here’s an example:

Peter is a confrere of mine in the insurance business, so I have great respect for him. But I don’t have great respect for the disingenuous sales tactics he uses. Just because someone is in the same profession doesn’t mean they have great integrity.

Vulnerary is an adjective that means something used for healing. It can also be used as a noun that refers to a medicine used in the healing of wounds.

The Latin word vulnus (VOOL noose) means ‘wound.’ In the Late 16th century, vulnerary came to adopt its present meaning.

I wasn’t convinced of the vulnerary impact of those berries we found in the woods. But, to my surprise, they made my cold go away immediately.

Insuperable is an adjective that means impossible to overcome.

The Latin word superare (soo pair ARE ay) means ‘to overcome.’ The addition of the prefix I-N gives us the basis for our word of the day. Here’s an example of insuperable:

At first it seemed the barriers against a career in law were insuperable. But after a great deal of hard work and intense study, I was able to overcome the challenges and finally find a job as a lawyer.

Degringolade is a noun that refers to a rapid decline or downfall.

Coming directly from French, our word of the day is an erudite synonym of the word ‘downfall.’ Here’s an example of it in use:

My degringolade began when I turned thirteen and my voice changed. This was exactly when my career as a singer in the soprano section went downhill.

Winkle is a verb that means to obtain with great difficulty.

Our word of the day began as an abbreviated version of the word periwinkle, whose origin is unclear. The word first appeared in English in the late 16th century and is generally used with an object. For example:

I promised not to reveal my daughter’s birthday present, but after hours of fierce interrogation, she winkled the truth out of me. I’d never before seen her so determined to obtain something regardless of the difficulty involved.

Connatural is an adjective that means belonging together naturally.

Our word of the day is related to the Latin-derived word natural. It adds the Latin prefix C-O-N which means ‘together.’ Here’s an example of it in use:

Steve had moments of being an unpleasant man, but thankfully, the connatural quality of his temperament was kindness. That was just his innate personality.

Cockalorum is a noun that refers to a self-important person.

Our word of the day is derived from the word cock, a rooster. When a person of little importance pretends to be important, it is said they strut around like a rooster.

A cockalorum like Larry could always be relied upon to congratulate himself for every one of the team's victory. It didn’t matter to him that he spent most of the game sitting on the bench.

Sockdolager is a noun that refers to an exceptional person or thing.

Our word of the day seems to have originated from the word sock, a euphemism of punch. To deliver a sockdolager to someone’s mouth, means to punch them in the mouth.

I expected a sockdolager when I told Sally she had gained a few pounds, but instead she thanked me for the fitness advice. But I’ve still said a number of crazy things for which I deserved to be clobbered.

Apgar is a noun that refers to a test to determine a newborn’s health.

Originating in the 1960s, our word of the day is named after Virginia Apgar, the American anesthesiologist who devised a method of assessment. It is used in medical contexts to measure the physical condition of a newborn infant. Here’s an example:

The patient gave birth to a nine pound, five our boy who achieved a perfect Apgar score. She was delighted to bring home a healthy child.