GAM-uht
The festival featured a gamut of musical styles, from jazz to electronic dance music.
Fun Fact
“Gamut” originally referred to the full musical scale in medieval music notation. Over time, it expanded to describe anything that covers a broad spectrum—whether it’s emotions, experiences, or flavors on a tasting menu.
KAS-tih-gayt
(verb) To reprimand someone severely; to criticize harshly.
The editor castigated the writer for missing yet another deadline.
Early 17th century: from Latin castigare, from castus ‘pure’ + agere ‘to drive’.
Fun Fact
Castigate doesn’t just mean to critique—it means to come down hard, often with a tone of moral authority. In the past, it could even refer to physical punishment, but today it’s used more metaphorically: a boss tearing into an employee, a coach yelling during halftime, or a pundit scolding a public figure. It’s always loud, sharp, and meant to correct.