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Every current definition, where the word came from, what it first meant, and a short game that leaves you able to use it with full confidence. Real meanings only, straight from the dictionary record.
Words with surprising stories
enthusiasm
An intensity of feeling; an excited interest or eagerness.
from Anglo-Normansalary
A fixed amount of money paid to a worker, usually calculated on a monthly or annual basis, not hourly, as wa…
from Old Frenchnice
Pleasant, satisfactory, complimentary.
from Old Frenchcourage
The quality of being confident, not afraid or easily intimidated, but without being incautious or inconsider…
from Middle Frenchdisaster
An unexpected natural or man-made catastrophe of substantial extent causing significant physical damage or d…
from Englishserendipity
The phenomenon of making an unplanned, fortunate discovery through a combination of unexpected circumstances…
from Medieval Latinquarantine
A period of 40 days, particularly
from Old Frenchcompanion
A friend, acquaintance or partner; someone with whom one spends time or accompanies
from Old Englishword
The smallest unit of language that has a particular meaning and can be expressed by itself; the smallest dis…
from Frenchsabotage
A deliberate action aimed at weakening someone (or something, a nation, etc) or preventing them from being s…
from Latingenius
Someone possessing extraordinary intelligence or skill; especially somebody who has demonstrated this by a c…
from Anglo-Normanmercy
Relenting; forbearance to cause or allow harm to another.