This week’s theme
There is a word for it

This week’s words
sinecure
pathography
performative
stridulate
mala fide

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A.Word.A.Day

PRONUNCIATION:

(STRIJ-uh-layt)

MEANING:

verb intr.: To make a shrill creaking noise by rubbing body parts together.

ETYMOLOGY:

From Latin stridere (to make a harsh sound). Earliest documented use: 1838.

USAGE:

“Scientists recently discovered that in some ant species, the queen is a consummate percussionist, equipped with a tiny, uniquely ridged organ for stridulating out royal fanfares that help keep her workers in line.”
Natalie Angier; Surviving by Disguising; The New York Times; Sep 7, 2010.

See more usage examples of stridulate in Vocabulary.com’s dictionary.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY: