This week’s theme
Words with hidden animals

This week’s words
auspicate
ettercap
expiscate


Wordsmith Games

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A.Word.A.Day

PRONUNCIATION:

(EK-spuh-skayt, ek-SPIS-kayt)

MEANING:

verb tr.: To fish out; to find out by careful investigation.

ETYMOLOGY:

From Latin expiscari (to fish out), from ex- (out) + piscari (to fish), from piscis (fish). Earliest documented use: 1598.

NOTES:

We use a lot of fishing metaphors when talking about uncovering information. We cast a wide net, reel in the evidence, and try not to get distracted by red herrings. Expiscate takes that metaphor and dresses it up in a tuxedo.

USAGE:

“I will next take up in turn a few further items of importance, expiscating them one by one.”
Wyndham Lewis; Time and Western Man; Chatto & Windus; 1927.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY: