- Today's Word
Solstalgia
[sol-stal-jee-uh]
Definition
- (noun) This evocative term combines “solstice,” representing the point in the year when the sun reaches its highest or lowest point, with “nostalgia,” signifying a sentimental longing for the past. It’s used to describe the wistful feeling associated with the changing seasons, especially during solstices.
Example
Imagine standing in the crisp air of a winter solstice, surrounded by the beauty of nature transitioning to a new phase. It’s not just a seasonal shift; it’s a Solstalgia. You might say, “Every winter solstice brings a sense of Solstalgia. The changing landscapes and the memories associated with this time of year create a beautifully nostalgic atmosphere.”
Fun Fact
“Solstice” refers to the point in the year when the sun reaches its highest or lowest point, marking a change in seasons, while “nostalgia” signifies a sentimental longing for the past. “Solstalgia” creatively combines these concepts to celebrate the wistful feelings associated with the changing seasons.
(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.