- Today's Word
Enmity
EN-muh-tee
Definition
- (noun) Deep-seated hostility, hatred, or ill will, especially between rivals or enemies.
Example
The long-standing enmity between the two feuding families had lasted for generations.
Fun Fact
“Enmity” comes from the Old French enmiteit, which evolved from the Latin inimicus, meaning “enemy.” Unlike fleeting anger, enmity suggests a lasting, often mutual animosity—think of classic literary rivalries like Sherlock Holmes and Professor Moriarty or historical conflicts like the Hatfields and McCoys. Interestingly, enmity can also exist in milder forms, such as friendly sports rivalries, where competition breeds respect alongside opposition.
(adjective) Found or appearing everywhere simultaneously; seeming to be present in all places at once.
Smartphones have become so ubiquitous that it’s now more unusual to spot someone without one than with one.
Ubiquitous derives from the Latin ubique, meaning “everywhere,” combined with the suffix -ous denoting a quality or characteristic. The Latin root breaks down further into ubi (“where”) and que (“and, also”) — essentially meaning “and wherever else.” The word entered English in the 19th century, initially used in theological discussions about God’s omnipresence before expanding into general use.