- Today's Word
Wizened
WIH-zuhnd
Definition
- (adjective) Shriveled, wrinkled, or withered, often due to age or exposure.
Example
The wizened old man sat by the fire, his face etched with the lines of a life well-lived.
Fun Fact
“Wizened” comes from the Middle English wisenen, meaning “to dry up or shrivel.” While often associated with age, the term can also describe anything that has become weathered over time, such as dried fruit, ancient parchment, or even landscapes exposed to harsh elements. Literature frequently uses “wizened” to evoke wisdom and resilience, reinforcing the idea that age and experience leave their mark in both physical and metaphorical ways.
(adjective) Translucently clear; easily understood; expressed with perfect clarity
His pellucid explanation of the complex tax code left the entire room nodding in understanding.
Pellucid derives from the Latin pellucidus, meaning “transparent” or “allowing light through,” from per (“through”) + lucere (“to shine”). It entered English in the 17th century, used first to describe physically clear substances like water or glass, and later extended metaphorically to describe clear, luminous writing and thought.