Category Words dictionary

What is the meaning, origin and usage of word ‘Brusque’?

Meaning: An adjective, brusque refers to being curt, blunt or using very few words and sounding rude.

Origin: The term was borrowed from French brusque meaning “lively, fierce” which in turn came from Italian brusco meaning “sour, sharp or rough”. The Italian word was derived from bruscus, the Latin name for a plant called butcher’s broom, whose prickly twigs have long been used for making brooms. The term has been in use in English since the mid-17th Century.

Usage: He gave a brusque “No argument!” and walked off.

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What is the meaning, origin and usage of word ‘Sashay’?

Meaning: A verb, “sashay” means to walk in an an ostentatious or conspicuous manner, with exaggerated movements

Origin: The word is borrowed from the French word chassé, which refers to a dance step in which a slide on one foot is followed closely by a slide on the other foot. It comes from the French verb chasser, meaning “to chase.”

Usage: As sashyed about in her gown into the ballroom, all eyes were glued at her.

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What is the meaning, origin and usage of word ‘Juvenile’?

Meaning: It is an adjective that describes something or someone young, immature, or pertaining to young people. It can refer to the early stage of development, youthfulness, or lack of maturity.

Origin: The term juvenile originated from the Latin word “juvenilis,” which means “youthful” or “young.” It entered the English language in the late 16th Century.

Usage: The juvenile bird eagerly practised flying, its wings still weak and unsteady.

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What is the meaning, origin and usage of word ‘Cavil’?

Meaning: To raise trivial and frivolous objection, find fault without good reason (usually followed by at or about).

Origin: In use since the 1540s, the word originates from the French caviller, meaning to mock, jest, from Latin cavillari, meaning to jeer, argue scoffingly. This, in turn, is from Latin cavilla, meaning jest, jeering, which is related to Latin calumnia, meaning slander, false accusation.

Usage: Even he could find nothing to cavil about.

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What is meaning, origin and usage of word ‘Bedazzle’?

Meaning: The word bedazzle is used when the outstanding ability or striking appearance greatly impresses someone. It is also used to denote decorating or personalising clothing or accessories using beads, glitter, etc

Origin: The word, which has been in use since the 1590s, was first used to mean "blind by excess of light". It is arrived at by combining "be" with "dazzle”. Dazzle acquired the figurative sense of "overpower or excite admiration by brilliancy or showy display" from 1560s.

Usage: Bedazzled by our gadgets, we seem to have completely lost ourselves to these devices.

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What is meaning, origin and usage of word ‘Plaque’?

Meaning: A noun, plaque refers to the bacterial accumulation on teeth. It also refers to a tablet in metal, marble or clay with writing on it, placed near a monument to commemorate a person or an event.

Origin: The term is borrowed from French plaque meaning plate or patch. It's derived from Dutch plac meaning "tablet" which in turn comes from plakken meaning "to stick or stain". It has been in use in English since the mid-19th Century.

Usage: The dentist said there is a severe build-up of plaque on my mom's teeth.

The artery walls have been narrowed by plaque.

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