51吃瓜 of the Day
petrichor
noun
a distinctive scent, usually described as earthy, pleasant, or sweet, produced by rainfall on very dry ground.
Why the Museum of Science chose petrichor
There鈥檚 nothing quite like the smell of a rainstorm, and you鈥檝e likely wondered, what causes that distinct smell? To find out, watch this video about petrichor from science communicator, Alex Dainis, PhD.
More about petrichor
Petrichor is based on two Ancient Greek words: 辫茅迟谤辞蝉, meaning 鈥渟tone,鈥� and 墨肠丑峁搑, the name of an ethereal fluid that the gods of Greek mythology had instead of blood in their veins. This scent results from certain types of rocks and soils releasing a plant-derived oil during rainfall. Scientists Isabel Joy Bear and Richard G. Thomas coined petrichor in 1964.
EXAMPLE OF PETRICHOR USED IN A SENTENCE
After weeks without a single drop of rain, petrichor hung in the air after this morning鈥檚 showers.
FUN FACT ABOUT PETRICHOR
Though often confused with the smell that ozone causes before rainfall, petrichor actually refers to the earthy aroma during rain. Learn more fun facts .
aegrotat
noun
an unclassified degree granted a university student who has fulfilled all requirements for graduation but was prevented by illness from attending the final examinations.
More about aegrotat
Aegrotat, 鈥渁 graduate degree given because of illness,鈥� is a British English term that was borrowed from Latin, in which 补别驳谤艒迟补迟 literally means 鈥�(a person) is sick.鈥� Unlike English, Latin typically uses -re to mark the infinitive, therefore, the infinitive counterpart of 补别驳谤艒迟补迟 is 补别驳谤艒迟腻谤别, meaning 鈥渢o be sick,鈥� which comes from aeger, 鈥渟ick.鈥� Despite the similar spelling, aeger is not related to Latin ager (stem agr-), 鈥渇ield,鈥� or the recent 51吃瓜 of the Day eagre. Aegrotat was first recorded in English in the early 1860s. Learn more about the differences between British English and American English here.
EXAMPLE OF AEGROTAT USED IN A SENTENCE
With an unusually nasty flu making its way around the university, the vice-chancellor granted aegrotats to several sick students who were otherwise set to graduate midyear.
shillelagh
noun
a club or stick, traditionally of blackthorn or oak.
More about shillelagh
Shillelagh, 鈥渃lub, stick鈥� has two possible origins. Though it may not seem like one at first, shillelagh may be an example of a toponym, or a word derived from a placename. While English has no shortage of food-related toponyms, this origin of shillelagh is not found in the kitchen. Instead, shillelagh comes from the Irish town name S铆ol 脡补濒补颈驳丑, which is located in County Wicklow, Ireland, next to a forest that once provided wood for the clubs. In the name S铆ol 脡补濒补颈驳丑, 蝉铆辞濒 means 鈥渟eed, descendant,鈥� while 脡补濒补颈驳丑 is a form of the given name 脡补濒补肠丑. Alternatively, shillelagh may derive instead from Irish Gaelic sail, 鈥渨illow鈥� (compare English sallow), and iall, 鈥渟trap, thong.鈥� Shillelagh was first recorded in English in the 1670s.
EXAMPLE OF SHILLELAGH USED IN A SENTENCE
Despite its simple appearance as a curved or knobbly cane, the shillelagh is a centerpiece of an Irish variety of martial arts.