Wordsmith.org: the magic of words


A.Word.A.Day

About | Media | Search | Contact  


Home

Today's Word

Yesterday's Word

Archives

FAQ


Discuss
Email this
Feedback
RSS/XML
Permalink

A.Word.A.Day--flagrante delicto

(fluh-GRAN-tee di-LIK-to) Pronunciation RealAudio

adverb In the very act of committing the offense; red-handed.

[From Medieval Latin, literally, while the crime is blazing.]

"Mr. Big, the dung beetle, for instance, regularly patrols his tunnel to check on Mrs. Big, and if he catches her in flagrante delicto, he throws the interloper out."
Richard Conniff; Close Encounters of the Sneaky Kind; Smithsonian (Washington, DC); Jul 2003.

This week's theme: Terms from Latin

X-Bonus

If moral behavior were simply following rules, we could program a computer to be moral. -Samuel P. Ginder, US navy captain

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