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Apr 2, 2026
This week’s themeAll vocabulary, no cardio This week’s words slummock nictate oscitate
Two Ironing Women (detail), 1884-1886
Art: Edgar Degas Wordsmith Games
A.Word.A.Day
with Anu Gargoscitate
PRONUNCIATION:
MEANING:
verb intr.: To yawn or gape.
ETYMOLOGY:
From Latin oscitare (to yawn), from os (mouth) + citare (to move).
Earliest documented use: 1623.
USAGE:
“Disappointed of their normal African harvest, the granaries of Rome
oscitated half-empty and forlorn.” Reginald Hargreaves; Enemy at the Gate; Macdonald & Co.; 1945. A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
You see, war is not the answer / For only love can conquer hate. / You know
we've got to find a way / To bring some lovin' here today. -Marvin Gaye,
singer and songwriter (2 Apr 1939-1984)
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