Hamartia is a noun that refers to a fatal flaw.

Our word of the day comes directly from Greek. Hamarta was used by the Greeks to describe the tragic downfall of a here in a story. More recently it may be used more broadly. Here’s an example:

After the team's initial success, Eric’s ego seemed to be his Hamarta. This has been the fatal flaw of many great athletes in the past.

Fantasticate is a verb that means to make something seem fanciful.

Our word of the day is derived from the word fantasy, which comes from the Greek word phantasia (FAWN toss yah). When we fantasticate something, we make it more fantastic or more like a fantasy.

The events that unfolded that night were strange, but nowhere near as surreal and fanciful as Helen made them seem. As a writer of fantasy fiction, she has a tendency to fantasticate details.

Churl is a noun that refers to an impolite, mean-spirited person.

Coming from Old English, our word of the day is generally used as an insult. It sometimes means ‘a miser’ or ‘cheap person.’ Or it can simply refer to someone who isn’t polite.

Only a churl could ruin the birthday party of a ten-year-old with impolite behavior. But leave it to the grown-ups to spoil the fun.

Exigency is a noun that refers to an urgent need or demand.

The Latin word exigere (eggs uh JEER ay) means ‘to enforce.’ Our word of the day entered English in the late 16th century, as a noun that referred to ‘a dire need.’

A mistake by my landlord created an exigency for my plumber. Poor plumbing can often make for urgent situations.

Aoristic is an adjective that means indefinite or indeterminate.

The Greek word aoristos (OUR ee stose) means ‘vague’ or ‘indefinite.’ Aoristic is often used in grammar to describe an unqualified past tense of a verb without reference to duration or completion of the action. But it can also be used more broadly, to mean anything unclear. Here’s an example:

Many found Sid’s behavior that night aoristic. Nobody fully understood what he meant by his strange, rambling speech.

Catechize is a verb that means to instruct through questions and answers.

The Greek word Katekhein (COT ay kine) means to ‘to instruct’ or ‘to make someone hear.’ The word later evolved into catechize, which was often used in a religious context. Today the word can be used in any situation where someone is instructing through questions and answers.

If you catechize new employees, I find that training works better that way. A series of questions and answers is often a good way to provide instruction.

Biddable is an adjective that means easily lead or controlled.

The word ‘bid’ is of unclear origin, but it means ‘to offer.’ A biddable person is very willing to offer their service or help.

Debra didn’t care for her new job. She had the feeling they were seeking someone one biddable, someone willing to do whatever anyone asked for any reason.

Umbrageous is an adjective that means inclined to take offense easily.

Our word of the day is loosely related to the word umbrella, which comes from the Latin word umbra (OOM bruh) meaning ‘shadow.’ This word also referred to a ‘ground for suspicion’ or ‘offense.’ When someone has taken umbrage with something, we mean, they are offended. An umbrageous person is very apt to take offense.

Our umbrageous boss didn’t like the wig I gave him for his birthday. I would have selected another gift if I’d known he was so easily offended about his hair loss.

Lout is a noun that refers to an uncouth or aggressive person.

Our word of the day is of German origin. It entered the English language in the mid 16th century and since then is almost never used in a flattering context. Here’s an example: Only a lout like Steve could make a mess of the office party. You’d have to be really aggressive and cruel to ruin a lovely gathering like that.

Florilegium is a noun that refers to a volume of writing.

The Latin prefix F-L-O-R has given birth to many words likes ‘flower’ and ‘florist.’ Its path to becoming the origin of a word for a collection of books began with the word legere (lay JARE ay) with means ‘gather.’ A florilegium once referred to a collection of books about flowers and later meant a collection of any books.

Here’s an example of our word of the day in use: For my research, I found a few books on the necessary topic, but I actually needed more books. Ideally, I needed a florilegium.