- Today's Word
Trepidation
[trep-i-DAY-shun]
Definition
- (noun) A feeling of fear or anxiety about something that may happen. It describes a state of nervous uncertainty or apprehension about a future event or situation.
Example
As she approached the stage to give her first public speech, Sarah felt a sense of trepidation, her heart racing and palms sweating.
Fun Fact
The word “trepidation” comes from the Latin word “trepidare,” meaning “to tremble.” In medieval astronomy, it was used to describe a hypothetical oscillation of the heavens, believed to account for certain irregularities in the precession of the equinoxes. This astronomical use is now obsolete, but it shows how words can shift in meaning over time. Today, “trepidation” is primarily used to describe emotional states rather than celestial movements.
(adjective) Found or appearing everywhere simultaneously; seeming to be present in all places at once.
Smartphones have become so ubiquitous that it’s now more unusual to spot someone without one than with one.
Ubiquitous derives from the Latin ubique, meaning “everywhere,” combined with the suffix -ous denoting a quality or characteristic. The Latin root breaks down further into ubi (“where”) and que (“and, also”) — essentially meaning “and wherever else.” The word entered English in the 19th century, initially used in theological discussions about God’s omnipresence before expanding into general use.