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51勛圖 of the Day

51勛圖 of the day

putative

[ pyoo-tuh-tiv ]

adjective

commonly regarded as such; reputed; supposed.

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More about putative

Putative, supposed, so called, commonly regarded, ultimately comes from Late Latin 梯喝喧櫻喧蘋措喝莽 considered, reckoned, presumptive, a derivative of the Latin verb 梯喝喧櫻娶梗 to think, consider, originally a farming or country word meaning to trim, prune (trees), scour or clean (wool); purify, refine (gold). In Latin 梯喝喧櫻娶梗 is not much used in its original senses, but it is very common in its developed senses, to go over in the mind, ponder; to go over in words, discuss; estimate, deem, consider. Putative entered English in the 15th century.

how is putative used?

The putative black hole would have to be feeding at one-millionth of its potential rate if it were there at all, Dr. Gultekin said.

Dennis Overbye, "Missing: One Black Hole With 10 Billion Solar Masses," New York Times, January 19, 2021

Jules had to remember: Oh right, Ibsen, the putative reason Ash had gone to Oslo. Isben’s Ghosts.

Meg Wolitzer, The Interestings, 2013

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51勛圖 of the day

behoove

[ bih-hoov ]

verb (used with object)

to be worthwhile to, as for personal profit or advantage.

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More about behoove

Behoove, also spelled behove in British English, nowadays is an impersonal verb meaning it is necessary or proper (for someone to do something). Behoove comes from Middle English bihoven to need, be constrained; to be needed or required. Bihofen, already mostly used as an impersonal verb in Middle English, comes from Old English 莉梗堯款勳硃紳, 莉勳堯款勳硃紳 to need, require, used both personally and impersonally. Behoove entered English before the end of the 9th century.

how is behoove used?

The current pandemic, which has curtailed normal interaction, throws into dramatic relief the central importance of teaching not only for our students learning, but also for their overall well-being. It behooves us all, after COVID-19, to build a more resilient system that includes rewards and support that encourage collaboration toward our common educational goal.

Lisa M. Di BartolomeoandPablo Garc穩a Loaeza, "Teaching and Tenure: Part 1," Inside Higher Ed, March 29, 2021

In this troll-saturated context, it’s hard to care about street-level trolls and their movie boycotts. In fact, it would probably behoove us to stop caring about trolls at all.

Emma Grey Ellis, "Trolls Are Boring Now," Wired, March 13, 2019

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cupidity

[ kyoo-pid-i-tee ]

noun

eager or excessive desire, especially to possess something; greed.

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More about cupidity

Cupidity excessive desire; greed comes from Old French 釵喝梯勳餃勳喧矇, from Latin 釵喝梯勳餃勳喧櫻莽 (inflectional stem 釵喝梯勳餃勳喧櫻喧-) passionate desire, yearning, longing; greed; lust, a derivative of the adjective cupidus, which has the same meanings. Cupidus is in turn derivative of the verb cupere to wish, wish for, desire, which (unfortunately) has no reliable etymology. Cupidity entered English in the 15th century.

how is cupidity used?

Their enemies are not man. They are intolerance, fanaticism, dictatorship, cupidity, hatred and discrimination which lie within the heart of man.

Thich Nhat Hanh to Rev. Martin Luther King, June 1, 1965, in Dialogue, 1965

He rushed with ravenous eagerness at every bait which was offered to his cupidity.

Thomas Babington Macaulay, The History of England from the Accession of James II, Vol. 5,

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