- Today's Word
Cursory
KUR-suh-ree
Definition
- (adjective) Done quickly and without enough attention to detail; superficial.
Example
He gave the contract only a cursory glance before signing, which later proved to be a costly mistake.
Fun Fact
“Cursory” comes from the Latin cursor, meaning “runner,” which reflects its association with speed. While efficiency is valuable, a cursory approach can sometimes lead to errors—whether it’s skimming an important email, rushing through an exam, or speed-reading a recipe and realizing too late that you needed baking soda instead of baking powder!
(adjective) Having an obstinately uncooperative attitude toward authority or discipline; stubbornly resistant to control
The recalcitrant student refused to put away his phone despite three separate warnings from the teacher.
Recalcitrant comes from the Latin recalcitrare — from re- (“back”) + calcitrare (“to kick”) — itself derived from calx (“heel”). The original image is vividly literal: a horse or mule kicking back against its rider or handler. It entered English in the 19th century, retaining that core sense of stubborn, physical resistance before broadening to describe any obstinate defiance of authority.