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Deleterious

Deleterious

Deleterious


del-uh-TEER-ee-uhs

Definition

(adjective) Causing harm or damage, often in a subtle or unexpected way.

Example

Prolonged exposure to stress can have deleterious effects on your health.

Word Origin

Mid 17th century: from medieval Latin deleterius, from Greek dēlētērios ‘noxious’, from dēlētērios (related to destroy or *to hurt’).

Fun Fact

Deleterious is often used when something appears harmless but turns out to be damaging—like sugary drinks, misinformation, or prolonged noise. It’s not the loud crash—it’s the slow rot. You’ll find it in medical journals, legal decisions, and HR handbooks. It’s a favorite when talking about effects that are subtle, cumulative, and serious—without sounding dramatic.

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Postulate

  • Today's Word
Postulate

Postulate

Postulate


POS-chuh-layt

Definition

(verb) To suggest or assume something as a basis for reasoning or argument without prior proof.

Example

The scientist postulated that the mysterious signals were coming from a previously undiscovered layer of the atmosphere, a theory that took years to confirm.

Word Origin

Postulate derives from the Latin postulare, meaning “to demand” or “to claim,” rooted in poscere, meaning “to ask urgently.” In medieval logic and mathematics, a postulate was a foundational assumption that didn’t require proof — something demanded to be accepted as a starting point. Euclid’s famous geometric postulates, written around 300 BCE, are among the most influential examples in intellectual history.

Fun Fact

Euclid’s fifth postulate — the so-called “parallel postulate,” which states that parallel lines never meet — frustrated mathematicians for over 2,000 years. Countless scholars tried to prove it from first principles rather than accept it as an assumption, and all failed. It wasn’t until the 19th century that mathematicians realized you could simply reject the postulate and build entirely valid alternative geometries — leading to the development of non-Euclidean geometry, which later became essential to Einstein’s theory of general relativity.

Postulate

Today's Word Postulate POS-chuh-layt Definition (verb) To suggest or assume...

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Desultory

Today's Word Desultory DES-ul-tor-ee Definition (adjective) Lacking a plan, purpose,...

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Sanguine

Today's Word Sanguine SANG-gwin Definition (adjective) Optimistic or positive, especially...

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Notional

Today's Word Notional NOH-shun-ul Definition (adjective) Existing only in theory...

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Conflated

Today's Word Conflated kun-FLAY-ted Definition (verb) Combined or mixed two...

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