- Today's Word
Yonderific
[yon-duh-RIF-ik]
Definition
- (adjective) Something that is excitingly distant or out of reach, yet still visible or attainable with effort. It’s used to express a mix of anticipation and challenge for a goal or destination that’s just beyond one’s immediate grasp.
Example
The mountain peak looked absolutely yonderific from the base camp – so close yet so far, promising an amazing view once we make the climb.
Fun Fact
The word “yonderific” combines “yonder,” an old English word meaning “over there” or “in the distance,” with the suffix “-ific” meaning “making” or “causing.” This type of word formation is called derivation, where new words are created by adding affixes to existing words. Interestingly, the human brain is wired to be motivated by slightly out-of-reach goals. A study published in the journal “Neuron” found that the brain’s reward system is most active when a reward is uncertain but possible, which aligns perfectly with the concept of something being “yonderific.”
(verb) To reprimand someone severely; to criticize harshly.
The editor castigated the writer for missing yet another deadline.
Early 17th century: from Latin castigare, from castus ‘pure’ + agere ‘to drive’.