ak-wee-ESS
(verb) To accept something reluctantly but without protest.
He acquiesced to the board’s decision, even though he disagreed.
Fun Fact
“Acquiesce” often appears in legal writing or formal agreements, describing passive consent. In pop culture, it shows up in scenes where characters silently give in—not out of agreement, but exhaustion, loyalty, or inevitability.
FULL-mih-nayt
(verb) To express vehement protest or criticism; to explode violently or flash like lightning.
The senator fulminated against the proposed legislation during a heated press conference.
Late Middle English: from Latin “fulminatus,” past participle of “fulminare” meaning “to strike with lightning,” from “fulmen” meaning “lightning.”
Fun Fact
Fulminate originally described literal lightning strikes before evolving to describe explosive anger. The chemistry connection remains strong: fulminating compounds are highly unstable explosives that detonate from the slightest disturbance. Mercury fulminate was used in blasting caps and firearm primers precisely because it explodes so violently. When someone fulminates verbally, they’re essentially detonating—their words strike with lightning speed and explosive force. The Pope can issue a fulmination, a formal denunciation accompanied by excommunication, keeping the word’s most dramatic ecclesiastical use alive.
Today's Word Hypnagogic hip-nuh-GAH-jik Definition (adjective) Relating to the state...
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