Wordsmith.org: the magic of words


A.Word.A.Day

About | Media | Search | Contact  


Home

Today's Word

Subscribe

Archives



Oct 9, 2024
This week’s theme
Eponymic adjectives

This week’s words
Damoclean
Penelopean
melpomenish
Alician
Atlantean

melpomenish
Melpomene
Note the tragic mask in her hand.

Bookmark and Share Facebook Twitter Digg MySpace Bookmark and Share
A.Word.A.Day
with Anu Garg

melpomenish

PRONUNCIATION:
(mel-POM-uh-nish)

MEANING:
adjective: Tragic; related to tragedy.

ETYMOLOGY:
After Melpomene, the Muse of tragedy in Greek mythology. Earliest documented use: 1801.

USAGE:
“I blunder and flounder on the stage of this melpomenish play called life. I feel like my soul has been pierced with a knife.”
Henry Daniel Madu Onwufuju; The Cothurnate Inebriate; Xlibris; 2023.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
Imagine there's no countries, / It isn't hard to do. / Nothing to kill or die for, / And no religion, too. / Imagine all the people / Living life in peace. -John Lennon, musician (9 Oct 1940-1980)

What they say

“A.Word.A.Day, a rare exception to the usual blight on my mailbox”
Read more

The Wall Street Journal


More articles

Anu Garg on words

“Each word comes with a biography. These words have fascinating stories to tell, if only we take the time to listen.”

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

© 1994-2025 Wordsmith