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Feb 21, 2006
This week's theme
Red-herring words

This week's words
sextet
potatory
gyrovague
discommode
obsequy
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A.Word.A.Day
with Anu Garg

potatory

(POH-tuh-tor-ee) Pronunciation Sound Clip RealAudio

adjective: Pertaining to or given to drinking.

From Latin potatorius, from Latin potatus, past participle of potare (to drink).

The word potatory has little to do with potatoes, unless the drink in question happens to be aquavit (a dry spirit made from potatoes). Two more familiar cousins of today's word are potion and potable.

"An expert's guide to the potatory pleasures of port, sherry, montilla, and madeira."
James Ainsworth; Vat City; Punch (London, UK); Feb 23, 1990.

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