Wordsmith.org: the magic of words


A.Word.A.Day

About | Media | Search | Contact  


Home

Today's Word

Yesterday's Word

Archives

FAQ



Apr 25, 2012
This week's theme
Words from fencing

This week's words
foible
forte
elan
riposte
touché

Discuss
Feedback
RSS/XML
Bookmark and Share Facebook Twitter Digg MySpace Bookmark and Share
A.Word.A.Day
with Anu Garg

elan

PRONUNCIATION:
(ay-LAHN*)
*this syllable is nasal in French

MEANING:
noun: A combination of energy, enthusiasm, and style.

ETYMOLOGY:
From French élan (enthusiasm), from élancer (to dart), from lancer (to throw), from Latin lancea (lance). Earliest documented use: 1880.

USAGE:
"'Margaret Whitlam was seldom afraid to speak her mind and she spoke it with elan and wit,' John Robertson said."
Labor Party Forever Indebted to Margaret Whitlam; AAP (Australia); Mar 17, 2012.

See more usage examples of elan in Vocabulary.com's dictionary.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
A morning-glory at my window satisfies me more than the metaphysics of books. -Walt Whitman, poet (1819-1892)

We need your help

Help us continue to spread the magic of words to readers everywhere

Donate

Subscriber Services
Awards | Stats | Links | Privacy Policy
Contribute | Advertise

© 1994-2024 Wordsmith