Language Archives

The noun onus means “a disagreeable necessity”, an “obligation”, “burden”, or “blame”. From Merriam-Webster:

English borrowed the word — spelling, meaning, and all — from Latin in the 17th century. We can also add that it’s a distant relative of the Sanskrit word for “cart” (a vehicle that carries a burden). English isn’t exactly loaded with […]

So, you might’ve seen one of those commercials… You know, the Kikkoman commercials with all the fancy food photography that always seems to be on just before dinner time. (I wonder why. )

Umami is more than just an advertising gimmick, though. Apparently it’s the fifth taste, along with saltiness, sourness, bitterness, and sweetness. And […]

Autotelic is an adjective that means “having within itself the purpose of its existence or happening”.

The adjective haptic means “of or relating to the sense of touch; tactile”.

Damask is a type of “rich patterned fabric”, and it can also refer to “the pink color of the damask rose”.

To winnow is “to separate or distinguish”, “to analyze critically”. But it can also just mean “to fan” or “blow away”, especially to separate grains from dirt “by throwing it into the air and allowing the wind or a forced current of air to blow away impurities”.

Cursory is an adjective meaning “going rapidly over something, without noticing details; hasty; superficial”.

Innumerate means “unfamiliar with mathematical concepts and methods” — in other words, innumeracy is another way of saying “numerical illiteracy”.

Vacuous is an adjective meaning “without contents; empty”. Its more specific meanings include “devoid of meaning”, “devoid of expression”, “lacking in ideas or intelligence”, or “idle”.

Jejune is fun to say, but it means “not interesting; dull”. Its other meanings include “immature”, “uninformed”, and “lacking in nutritive value”.