SOM-nuh-lunt
(adjective) Sleepy or drowsy; inducing sleep.
The somnolent atmosphere in the lecture hall was hard to resist.
Fun Fact
“Somnolent” doesn’t just describe people—music, lighting, or even a voice can be somnolent. It’s often used in travel writing and poetry to describe languid settings where time feels slow and eyes get heavy.
FULL-mih-nayt
(verb) To express vehement protest or criticism; to explode violently or flash like lightning.
The senator fulminated against the proposed legislation during a heated press conference.
Late Middle English: from Latin “fulminatus,” past participle of “fulminare” meaning “to strike with lightning,” from “fulmen” meaning “lightning.”
Fun Fact
Fulminate originally described literal lightning strikes before evolving to describe explosive anger. The chemistry connection remains strong: fulminating compounds are highly unstable explosives that detonate from the slightest disturbance. Mercury fulminate was used in blasting caps and firearm primers precisely because it explodes so violently. When someone fulminates verbally, they’re essentially detonating—their words strike with lightning speed and explosive force. The Pope can issue a fulmination, a formal denunciation accompanied by excommunication, keeping the word’s most dramatic ecclesiastical use alive.
Today's Word Hypnagogic hip-nuh-GAH-jik Definition (adjective) Relating to the state...
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