Category Archives: Word of the Week

Cloth is a noun and defined as a woven or felted fabric made from wool, cotton, or a similar fiber.  Cloth is one of the many words in the English language that has its roots in Greek mythology. In this case, the word cloth derives from Clotho, one of the three Fate sisters. The FatesContinue reading “Word of the Week: Cloth”

Nemesis is a noun and is defined as one that inflicts retribution or vengeance. Nemesis is one of the many words in the English language that has its roots in Greek mythology. In this case, the word nemesis derives from the Greek goddess Nemesis. We were introduced to the Greek goddess Nemesis in previous week’sContinue reading “Word of the Week: Nemesis”

Chronology is a noun and is defined as the science that deals with measuring time by regular divisions and that assigns to events their proper dates.  Chronology is one of the many words in the English language that has its roots in Greek mythology. In this case, the word chronology derives from Chronos, the GreekContinue reading “Word of the Week: Chronology”

Chaos is a noun and defined as a state of utter confusion. Chaos is one of the many words in the English language that has its roots in Greek mythology. In this case, the word chaos derives from the Greek figure Chaos.  Chaos is known as the primeval emptiness that was present before the earth,Continue reading “Word of the Week: Chaos”

Echo is a noun and is defined as a repetition or imitation of another.  Echo is one of the many words in the English language that has its roots in Greek mythology. In this case, the word echo derives from the story of the nymph Echo written by the Roman poet Ovid in his epicContinue reading “Word of the Week: Echo”

Narcissism is a noun and is defined as a love of or sexual desire of one’s own body. Narcissism is one of the many words in the English language that has its roots in Greek mythology. In this case, the word narcissism derives from the story of the handsome warrior Narcissus written by the RomanContinue reading “Word of the Week: Narcissism”

Arachnid is a noun and defined as a class of arthropods comprised of terrestrial invertebrates, including spiders, scorpions, mites, and ticks, and has a segmented body divided into two regions of which the anterior bears four pairs of legs but no antennae. Arachnid is one of the many words in the English language that hasContinue reading “Word of the Week: Arachnid”

Zephyr is a noun and is defined as a slight wind. The English word zephyr was first used in the 1500s, and evolved from the word for the Greek god of the west wind, Zephyrus, which was the gentlest of the winds and the messenger of spring. Zephyrus had three brothers Boreas (personified north wind),Continue reading “Word of the Week: Zephyr”

Yearn is a verb but can also be used as a noun, yearning. Defined as to have an earnest or strong desire, the word yearn derives from the Old English word giernan (to be eager).  Synonyms Long, Pine  Sentence Jehee yearns to be back at work after the COVID-19 pandemic required her to work at home forContinue reading “Word of the Week: Yearn”

Xanthic is an adjective and is defined as of or relating to a yellow or yellowish color. It can be used to describe the yellow color of a beautiful Daffodil or the yellowish stains on an old T-shirt. Xanthic derives from the French word xanthique (yellowish color), while the word xanthique can be traced backContinue reading “Word of the Week: Xanthic”