- Today's Word
Harried
HAIR-eed
Definition
(adjective) Feeling strained as a result of persistent demands or stress.
Example
The harried assistant juggled calls, emails, and last-minute meetings.
Fun Fact
Harried stems from the same root as harass—both come from old Norse and Middle English words related to raiding or attacking. Originally used in military contexts, harried now refers to a psychological onslaught: the kind of pressure that comes from emails piling up, kids yelling, and zero time for yourself. It’s the perfect word for a Monday at 4:59 p.m.
(verb) To isolate or remove something—or someone—from others; to set apart.
During the trial, the judge decided to sequester the jury to prevent outside influence.
Sequester comes from the Latin sequestrare, meaning “to surrender something to a trustee” or “to set aside.” Over centuries, the meaning shifted toward isolation and removal—particularly in legal, environmental, and scientific contexts where something is intentionally kept separate.