- Today's Word
Derivation
deh-ruh-VAY-shun
Definition
(noun) The derivation of the word “salary” comes from the Latin word for salt.
Example
The derivation of the word “salary” comes from the Latin word for salt.
Fun Fact
Linguists love derivation because it lets them trace how words evolve—from one language to another, and one meaning to another. Some derivations are direct (photo → photos → light), but others take surprising turns. The word salary comes from the Latin salarium, which referred to money paid to Roman soldiers to buy salt. This makes derivation a vital tool for not just grammar nerds, but also historians and anthropologists.
(verb) To express vehement protest or criticism; to explode violently or flash like lightning.
The senator fulminated against the proposed legislation during a heated press conference.