Laudatory

Today's Word Laudatory LAW-duh-tor-ee Definition (adjective)Expressing praise and commendation; complimentary and approving. Example The retiring professor received laudatory speeches from colleagues who celebrated her decades of groundbreaking research. Word Origin Mid-16th century: from Late Latin “laudatorius,” from Latin “laudare” meaning “to praise,” from “laus” meaning “praise.” Fun Fact Laudatory connects to “applaud” through shared roots in praise, though we clap while laudatory remarks use words. Ancient Romans held “laudatio funebris”—funeral orations praising the deceased’s virtues, a tradition surviving in modern eulogies. Academic culture has “laudatio” ceremonies where scholars publicly praise doctoral candidates. Critics sometimes dismiss overly laudatory reviews as lacking objectivity, coining “hagiography” for biography so laudatory it treats subjects like saints. The Latin “laus” also gives us “laureate,” originally referring to those crowned with laurel wreaths for achievement. While praise can feel hollow, effective laudatory remarks balance genuine appreciation with specific examples, making commendation meaningful rather than empty flattery.

Spurious

Today's Word Spurious SPYOOR-ee-us Definition (adjective) Not being what it purports to be; false or fake, though having a deceptive appearance of genuineness. Example The article was filled with spurious statistics that couldn’t be verified by any reliable source. Word Origin Late 16th century: from Latin “spurius” meaning “illegitimate” or “false,” of unknown ultimate origin. Fun Fact Spurious originally described illegitimate children before evolving to describe anything falsely claiming authenticity. Scientists use “spurious correlation” for statistical relationships that appear meaningful but result from coincidence—like ice cream sales correlating with drowning deaths (both increase in summer). Spurious combines the appearance of legitimacy with actual falseness, making it more insidious than obvious fakes. The term “spurious ware” once described pottery made to look expensive but crafted from cheap materials. Modern misinformation often succeeds precisely because it’s spurious rather than obviously false—sophisticated enough to deceive those not looking carefully. Unlike lies, which are deliberately false, spurious things might even fool their creators.

Venerate

Today's Word Venerate VEN-uh-rayt Definition (verb) To regard with great respect or reverence; to honor deeply. Example Many cultures venerate their elders, recognizing the wisdom gained through lived experience. Word Origin Early 17th century: from Latin “veneratus,” past participle of “venerari” meaning “to revere,” related to “venus” meaning “love” or “charm.” Fun Fact Veneration occupies the space between respect and worship—deeper than admiration but not necessarily religious. The Catholic Church distinguishes between venerating saints (permissible) and worshipping them (forbidden), though critics sometimes miss this nuance. Ancient Romans venerated ancestors through household shrines, believing proper veneration brought family blessings. Modern Japan venerates age and experience in ways that puzzle youth-obsessed Western cultures. The word connects to Venus through shared roots in love and desire, suggesting veneration contains affection alongside respect. You can venerate people, traditions, or even abstract concepts—anything worthy of profound respect earns veneration, whether a civil rights leader, a cultural practice, or the ideal of justice itself.

Immutable

Today's Word Immutable ih-MYOO-tuh-bul Definition (adjective) Unchanging over time or unable to be changed; permanent and fixed. Example The Constitution’s basic principles were designed to be immutable, requiring extraordinary effort to amend. Word Origin Late Middle English: from Latin “immutabilis,” from “in-” (not) + “mutabilis” (changeable), from “mutare” meaning “to change.” Fun Fact Computer programmers prize immutable data structures that cannot be altered once created, making code more predictable and secure. Philosophers debate whether anything is truly immutable—even supposedly eternal truths shift with new understanding. The phrase “immutable laws of nature” once included ideas later overturned by quantum mechanics and relativity. Religious texts often describe divine attributes as immutable, emphasizing permanence amid worldly change. Ironically, our understanding of what counts as immutable itself changes over time. Blockchain technology achieves immutability through cryptographic methods, creating permanent records that theoretically cannot be altered—though “theoretically” always carries weight in discussions of absolute permanence.

Accretion

Today's Word Accretion uh-KREE-shun Definition (noun) Growth or increase by the gradual accumulation of additional layers or matter. Example The planet formed through accretion as dust and gas particles slowly clumped together over millions of years. Word Origin Early 17th century: from Latin “accretio(n-),” from “accrescere” meaning “to grow,” from “ad-” (to) + “crescere” (to grow). Fun Fact Accretion explains how planets, pearls, and your retirement savings all grow—through gradual addition rather than sudden creation. Astronomers use accretion disks to describe how matter spirals into black holes, adding mass bit by bit. Oysters create pearls through accretion, coating irritants with layer upon layer of nacre. Financial advisors love the term for describing compound interest’s power. While “accumulation” works similarly, accretion specifically emphasizes the layering process—each addition building on what came before. The Antarctic ice sheet grows by accretion as annual snowfall compresses into new ice layers, preserving ancient atmospheric bubbles like geological time capsules.

Odious

Today's Word Odious OH-dee-us Definition (adjective) Extremely unpleasant or repulsive; deserving or arousing hatred. Example The politician’s odious remarks about vulnerable communities sparked widespread outrage. Word Origin Late Middle English: from Latin “odiosus,” from “odium” meaning “hatred,” derived from “odi” meaning “I hate.” Fun Fact Odious doesn’t just mean unpleasant—it describes something so offensive it provokes hatred or disgust. Legal scholars coined the phrase “odious debt” for loans taken by corrupt regimes that morally shouldn’t be repaid by successor governments. The term “odious comparison” comes from Shakespeare, who wrote “comparisons are odorous” (likely meaning odious). While “odor” and “odious” sound similar, they’re unrelated etymologically, though something truly odious might well smell bad too. The word maintains its power precisely because we reserve it for things genuinely deserving contempt rather than mere dislike.

Mollify

Today's Word Mollify MAH-lih-fy Definition (verb) To appease or soothe someone’s anger or anxiety; to soften or calm. Example The manager tried to mollify the frustrated customer by offering a full refund and sincere apology. Word Origin Late Middle English: from French “mollifier” or Latin “mollificare,” from “mollis” meaning “soft.” Fun Fact Mollify literally means “to make soft,” and this softening applies to emotions rather than physical objects. Diplomats and customer service representatives are professional mollifiers, trained to transform anger into acceptance. The word shares its root with “mollusk” (soft-bodied creatures) and “emollient” (skin softeners). Interestingly, you can mollify someone without actually solving their problem—sometimes people just need their feelings acknowledged. Ancient rhetoricians studied mollification as an essential persuasive technique, recognizing that softening opposition often matters more than winning arguments.

Surreptitious

Today's Word Surreptitious sur-up-TISH-us Definition (adjective) Kept secret, especially because it would not be approved of; stealthy or secretive. Example She cast a surreptitious glance at her phone during the meeting. Word Origin Late Middle English: from Latin “surreptitius,” from “surripere” meaning “to take away secretly,” from “sub-” (secretly) + “rapere” (to seize). Fun Fact Surreptitious behavior isn’t necessarily illegal or immoral—it’s just done on the sly because it wouldn’t be approved. Surreptitious glances at your watch during boring presentations, surreptitious snacking before dinner, surreptitious phone checks during conversations—these minor sneaky acts define modern life. The word shares its Latin root with “rapture” through the idea of seizing, though surreptitious seizing happens quietly rather than ecstatically. Spy novels love the word for describing covert operations, but everyday surreptitious acts are far more common than espionage, making it the perfect word for socially awkward secret-keeping.

Overweening

Today's Word Overweening oh-ver-WEE-ning Definition (adjective) Showing excessive confidence or pride; arrogant and presumptuous. Example His overweening ambition led him to make promises he couldn’t possibly keep. Word Origin Middle English: from “over-” + “weening” (present participle of “ween” meaning “to think or suppose”), from Old English “wēnan.” Fun Fact Overweening captures a specific flavor of arrogance—not just confidence but confidence that exceeds what’s warranted or appropriate. The “weening” part comes from an old word for thinking or supposing, so someone overweening literally thinks too much of themselves. Greek tragedies warned against overweening pride as hubris that angered the gods. Politicians and CEOs are frequently accused of overweening ambition when their reach exceeds their grasp. The word suggests not just excessive pride but a dangerous blindness to one’s own limitations—the kind of arrogance that precedes a fall.

Craven

Today's Word Craven KRAY-vin Definition (adjective) Contemptibly lacking in courage; cowardly. Example His craven refusal to stand up for his beliefs disappointed his supporters. Word Origin Middle English: from Old French “cravant” meaning “defeated or overcome,” past participle of “cravanter” meaning “to crush or overwhelm.” Fun Fact Craven goes beyond simple cowardice into contemptible territory—it’s cowardice that deserves scorn. Medieval knights accused of craven behavior faced public humiliation and loss of honor. The word originally described someone completely defeated or crushed in battle, and that sense of total collapse remains. In Shakespeare’s hands, craven became the ultimate insult for warriors who fled rather than fought. Modern usage preserves that moral judgment: calling someone craven suggests not just fear but shameful abdication of duty or principle when courage was required.