- Today's Word
Duskiss
[DUSS-kiss]
Definition
- (noun) The enchanting moment when the sun’s fading rays tenderly kiss the horizon during the magical twilight hour, painting the sky with a breathtaking array of colors.
Example
As the day drew to a close, the young couple found themselves entranced by the duskiss, watching the sun’s last golden hues melt into the evening sky, creating an unforgettable romantic ambiance.
Fun Fact
The term “twilight” comes from the Old English word “twi-leoht,” which means “half-light.” It refers to the time just before night when the sun has set, but its light still softly illuminates the sky. This magical period is further divided into three stages: civil twilight, nautical twilight, and astronomical twilight, each defined by the angle of the sun below the horizon. During civil twilight, the sun is less than 6 degrees below the horizon, allowing objects to be clearly distinguishable. Nautical twilight occurs when the sun is between 6 and 12 degrees below the horizon, making it possible to see the horizon and stars. Astronomical twilight happens when the sun is between 12 and 18 degrees below the horizon, and the sky is dark enough for astronomical observations.
(verb) To criticize someone or something severely and publicly, often with harsh or scathing language.
The columnist excoriated the company’s leadership for ignoring repeated safety warnings.
Excoriate comes from the Latin excoriare, meaning “to strip off the skin,” from ex- (“off”) and corium (“hide” or “skin”). While the word originally described physical abrasion, its meaning shifted metaphorically over time to describe verbal attacks so harsh they feel skin-deep, leaving nothing protected.