KOR-pyuh-lens
(noun) The state of being excessively overweight.
Historical portraits often glorified corpulence as a sign of wealth.
Fun Fact
In past centuries, corpulence was associated with prosperity and high status—a far cry from today’s ideals. The word is still used in medical and formal writing, but now with more sensitivity.
AB-ruh-gayt
(verb) To abolish, repeal, or put an end to something (especially a law, policy, or agreement).
The committee voted to abrogate the outdated regulation, clearing the way for more modern standards.
From Latin abrogare, meaning “to repeal” or “to take away by law.”
Fun Fact
The word abrogate often appears in legal, political, and diplomatic contexts because it refers to formal or authoritative cancellation—not just casual discontinuing. Interestingly, some treaties have been “abrogated by conduct,” meaning nations effectively ended them simply by acting differently rather than announcing a repeal. The term highlights how powerful the act of unmaking a rule can be—sometimes as impactful as creating one.
Today's Word Altruistic al-troo-IS-tik Definition (adjective) Showing unselfish concern for...
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