- Today's Word
Susurrous
soo-SUR-uhs
Definition
- (adjective) Full of soft, whispering, or rustling sounds.
Example
The susurrous murmur of the leaves in the evening breeze created a soothing backdrop for their quiet conversation.
Fun Fact
“Susurrous” derives from the Latin word susurrus, meaning “a whisper or murmur.” Its onomatopoeic quality mimics the gentle, soothing sounds it describes. The term is often used to evoke tranquility in nature, such as rustling trees, flowing water, or hushed voices. It’s a testament to the beauty of subtle sounds that fill the spaces between silence and noise.
(adjective) Having an obstinately uncooperative attitude toward authority or discipline; stubbornly resistant to control
The recalcitrant student refused to put away his phone despite three separate warnings from the teacher.
Recalcitrant comes from the Latin recalcitrare — from re- (“back”) + calcitrare (“to kick”) — itself derived from calx (“heel”). The original image is vividly literal: a horse or mule kicking back against its rider or handler. It entered English in the 19th century, retaining that core sense of stubborn, physical resistance before broadening to describe any obstinate defiance of authority.