- Today's Word
Serendiplexity
[seh-ren-dip-lex-uh-tee]
Definition
- (noun) This captivating term merges “serendipity,” the occurrence of fortunate events by chance, with “complexity,” the state of being intricate and multifaceted. It’s used to describe the intricate interplay of unexpected events and circumstances that lead to a unique and complex outcome.
Example
Imagine embarking on a spontaneous road trip with friends, and along the way, you stumble upon a hidden gem of a town, meet fascinating locals, and have unforgettable adventures. You might say, “Our road trip was pure Serendiplexity. We never planned for all these amazing experiences, but they made the trip unforgettable.”
Fun Fact
The word “serendipity” was coined based on a fairy tale, “The Three Princes of Serendip,” in which the characters made discoveries by chance. “Complexity” has its roots in the Latin word “complexus,” meaning “entwined” or “twisted together.” “Serendiplexity” playfully combines these concepts to celebrate the intricate beauty of unexpected discoveries.
(noun) a system of conveying information through visual signals, often using flags, lights, or mechanical arms, especially over long distances.
Before modern radio communication, ships relied on semaphore to send urgent messages across open water.
Semaphore comes from the early 19th-century French word sémaphore, which itself is rooted in the Greek words sēma (meaning “sign”) and phoros (meaning “bearing” or “carrying”), literally translating to “sign-bearer.” The term was first used to describe mechanical signaling towers across France that transmitted messages visually from station to station long before electrical communication existed.