- Today's Word
Benequivocal
[buh-neh-kwiv-uh-kul]
Definition
- (adjective) This captivating term combines “benevolence,” signifying kindness and goodwill, with “equivocal,” suggesting something open to multiple interpretations. It’s used to describe a statement, action, or intention that is undeniably kind and clear, leaving no room for doubt.
Example
Imagine receiving a heartfelt and straightforward message of support from a friend during a difficult time. You might say, “Sarah’s words of encouragement were truly Benequivocal. I knew she cared, and her support was crystal clear.”
Fun Fact
“Benevolence” has its roots in Latin, with “bene” meaning “well” and “volens” meaning “willing.” “Equivocal” originates from the Latin “aequivocus,” which means “having equal voices” or “ambiguous.” “Benequivocal” playfully combines these concepts to celebrate clear and unequivocal acts of kindness.
(noun) A person who believes that the pursuit of pleasure and sensory enjoyment is the highest good and chief aim of life
A self-proclaimed hedonist, she planned her entire sabbatical around exceptional food, warm weather, and long afternoons with nothing to do.
Hedonist derives from the Greek hedone, meaning “pleasure” or “delight,” from hedys (“sweet”). The philosophical school of Hedonism was formally developed in ancient Greece — most notably by Epicurus, who argued that pleasure, properly understood, was the foundation of a good life. The word entered English in the 19th century as both a philosophical term and a descriptor for those who live purely for sensory gratification.