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This week's theme Words with nautical origins. This week's words mainstay figurehead Today's word in Visual Thesaurus Figurehead (Image source: BoatNerd.Com) Discuss Feedback RSS/XML A.Word.A.Day with Anu Garg figurehead PRONUNCIATION: (FIG-yuhr-hed, FIG-uhr-hed) MEANING: noun: A person who is head of a group in name only, having no authority or responsibility. ETYMOLOGY: The term is derived from the figurative use of the term figurehead which is an ornamental carving, usually of a human figure, on the bow of a ship. From Latin figure (form, shape) + Old English heafod (top of the body). USAGE: "Recent years have seen rectors elected who take a more active role, rather than simply being a figurehead." Fiona Macleod; Call for 'Student Champion' Rectors to Be Part of All Scots Universities; The Scotsman (Edinburgh, Scotland); Sep 8, 2008. A THOUGHT FOR TODAY: The soul is healed by being with children. -Fyodor Dostoyevsky, novelist (1821-1881)

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