puh-SIF-ik
(adjective) Peaceful in nature or intent; avoiding conflict.
Her pacific nature helped resolve the argument before it escalated.
Fun Fact
The Pacific Ocean was named by explorer Ferdinand Magellan for its calm waters—mar pacífico, or “peaceful sea.” But beyond geography, pacific describes people, policies, or actions focused on keeping the peace, not just staying quiet. It shows up in everything from foreign policy to personality types.
AB-ruh-gayt
(verb) To abolish, repeal, or put an end to something (especially a law, policy, or agreement).
The committee voted to abrogate the outdated regulation, clearing the way for more modern standards.
From Latin abrogare, meaning “to repeal” or “to take away by law.”
Fun Fact
The word abrogate often appears in legal, political, and diplomatic contexts because it refers to formal or authoritative cancellation—not just casual discontinuing. Interestingly, some treaties have been “abrogated by conduct,” meaning nations effectively ended them simply by acting differently rather than announcing a repeal. The term highlights how powerful the act of unmaking a rule can be—sometimes as impactful as creating one.
Today's Word Altruistic al-troo-IS-tik Definition (adjective) Showing unselfish concern for...
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