- Today's Word
Joyvency
[joi-vn-see]
Definition
- (noun) A portmanteau of “joy” and “juvenescence” (the state of being youthful or regaining youthful qualities), this term refers to a state of pure, childlike joy and exuberance that rejuvenates the spirit and awakens a sense of youthful vitality.
Example
As she danced barefoot in the rain, splashing in puddles and twirling with abandon, Sarah felt a surge of joyvency wash over her, transporting her back to the carefree bliss of childhood and filling her with an infectious sense of youthful glee.
Fun Fact
The concept of “joyvency” celebrates the idea that experiencing moments of pure, uninhibited joy can have a rejuvenating effect on the soul, awakening a sense of youthful exuberance and vitality that transcends age. It suggests that tapping into the well of childlike wonder and delight can be a potent elixir, revitalizing the spirit and reminding us of the simple joys that once filled our younger selves with boundless enthusiasm and zest for life.
(verb) To use vague or ambiguous language in order to avoid committing to a clear position or answer.
When asked directly whether he had approved the deal, the CEO equivocated for ten minutes without ever giving a straight answer.
Equivocate derives from the Medieval Latin aequivocare, meaning “to call by the same name,” built from aequus (“equal”) and vox (“voice” or “word”). The idea behind the root is of a word that sounds the same but carries two equally valid meanings — giving the speaker plausible deniability by exploiting ambiguity. It entered English in the 16th century, almost immediately acquiring its negative connotation of deliberate evasiveness.