- Today's Word
Hallowed
HAL-ohd (or HAL-uhd)
Definition
- (adjective) Regarded as holy, sacred, or revered.
- Greatly respected or honored.
Example
The soldiers gathered at the hallowed ground of the battlefield to honor those who had given their lives for freedom.
Fun Fact
“Hallowed” originates from the Old English word hālig, meaning “holy” or “sacred.” It shares roots with the word “holy” and gained prominence through religious contexts, especially in phrases like “hallowed be thy name” from the Lord’s Prayer. Over time, the word expanded beyond strictly religious usage to describe anything deeply revered, from historic sites to cherished traditions. Its connection to “All Hallows’ Eve” (Halloween) ties it to ancient customs honoring the dead, underscoring its enduring sense of sanctity.
(noun) Excessive confidence or boldness; rashness in the face of danger or opposition without regard for consequences.
The junior analyst had the temerity to challenge the CEO’s projections in front of the entire board — and was proven right six months later.
Temerity derives from the Latin temeritas, meaning “rashness” or “blind chance,” rooted in temere — “rashly” or “by chance” — suggesting action taken without looking, in the dark, without regard for what might be coming. It entered English in the 15th century carrying its full Latin sense of dangerous, heedless boldness — the kind that mistakes the absence of fear for the presence of wisdom.