- Today's Word
Enervate
EN-er-vayt
Definition
- (verb) To weaken or drain of energy or vitality.
Example
The intense heat enervated the hikers by midday.
Fun Fact
“Enervate” often gets confused—it sounds like it should mean “energize,” but it’s the opposite. Derived from Latin enervare (“to weaken the sinews”), it’s used to describe anything that saps strength—stress, illness, or even tedious meetings. Historical uses describe soldiers worn down by long marches or armies enervated by internal conflict.
(adjective) Distant from the ordinary; elevated, refined, or thin (as in air at high altitudes).
The scientist’s rarefied theories fascinated her peers but left the public scratching their heads.
From Latin rarefacere, meaning “to make thin.”