- Today's Word
Whispermist
[wisp-er-mist]
Definition
- (noun) This ethereal term combines “whisper,” signifying a soft and hushed voice, with “mist,” representing a light and delicate fog. It’s used to describe a moment of quiet mystery and serenity, where soft whispers blend with the subtle touch of mist.
Example
Envision a tranquil morning by the lakeside, where the mist delicately dances on the water’s surface, and distant conversations are carried in gentle whispers. It’s not just a quiet morning; it’s a Whispermist. You might say, “The early hours by the lake were filled with a Whispermist. The soft whispers and the delicate mist created an atmosphere of serene mystery.”
Fun Fact
“Whisper” relates to a soft and hushed voice, often associated with intimacy, while “mist” signifies a light and delicate fog. “Whispermist” creatively combines these concepts to celebrate the ethereal and serene moments where soft sounds intertwine with the subtle touch of mist.
(verb) To criticize someone or something severely and publicly, often with harsh or scathing language.
The columnist excoriated the company’s leadership for ignoring repeated safety warnings.
Excoriate comes from the Latin excoriare, meaning “to strip off the skin,” from ex- (“off”) and corium (“hide” or “skin”). While the word originally described physical abrasion, its meaning shifted metaphorically over time to describe verbal attacks so harsh they feel skin-deep, leaving nothing protected.