Onomatopoeia (noun)
on-oh-mat-a-pee-uh
The formation of a word by imitation of a sound made by or associated with its referent.
First recorded in 1570–80 and comes via Late Latin, from the Greek word onomatopoiía, which translates as “the making of words.”The word ‘poet’ shares the same Greek stem.
Example sentences
“The comic book artist skillfully used onomatopoeia in the action scenes, drawing “zap” and “pow” in speech bubbles.”
Firkin (noun) fer-kin a small wooden vessel or tub for butter, lard, etc. First recorded around 1400–50 and comes from the late Middle English word ferdkyn or firdekyn. (more…)
Collocation (noun) coll-ok-ay-shun the arrangement, especially of words in a sentence. 1595–1605; Latin collocātiōn- (stem of collocātiō ), equivalent to collocāt (more…)
Infelicitous (adj) in-fel-is-it-us inapt, inappropriate, or awkward; malapropos / not felicitous, happy, or fortunate; unhappy. First recorded in 1825–35 (more…)
Absquatulate (verb) ab-skwat-yu-layt to flee; abscond. First recorded in 1820–30. Formed from ab-, “away from,” and squat, “to sit in a low or crouching position.” (more…)
Steadfast (adj) sted-fast Firm in purpose, resolution, faith, attachment. First recorded before 1000 and comes from the Middle English word stedefast, from Old English stedefæst. (more…)
Motte (noun) mot (historic)a mound forming the site of a castle or camp. late 19th century: from French, ‘mound’, from Old French mote (see moat). (more…)
Plash (noun) plash A gentle splash. / A pool or puddle. First recorded before 1000; Middle English plasch “pool, puddle,” Old English plæsc; cognate with Dutch, Low German plas, probably…
Fulgurate (verb) gul-guyr-ayt To flash and dart like lightning. 1670–80; Latin fulgurātus, past participle of fulgurāre to flash, glitter, lighten, derivative of fulgur flash of lightning (more…)