Wordsmith.org: the magic of words


A.Word.A.Day

About | Media | Search | Contact  


Home

Today's Word

Yesterday's Word

Archives

FAQ


Oct 25, 2007
This week's theme
There is a word for it

This week's words
famulus
caruncle
lexiphanes
dewclaw
nosism

“There is no material with which human beings work which has so much potential energy as words.” ~Earnest Calkins
Send energy to friends & family
Bookmark and Share Facebook Twitter Digg MySpace Bookmark and Share
A.Word.A.Day
with Anu Garg

dewclaw

(DOO-klaw, DYOO-) Pronunciation Sound Clip

noun: A small claw not reaching the ground, on the foot of some animals.

[Origin uncertain, perhaps from the fact that other claws touch the ground, but a dewclaw only brushes the dew on the grass. A related term is dewlap, a loose fold of skin hanging under the neck of an animal such as a cow.]

"Dog lovers need to keep an eye on dewclaws and remember to keep the nails trimmed."
Gina Spadafori; Beware of Halloween Hazards for Animals; The Sacramento Bee (California); Oct 28, 2006.

X-Bonus

It is not giving children more that spoils them; it is giving them more to avoid confrontation. -John Gray, author (b. 1951)

We need your help

Help us continue to spread the magic of words to readers everywhere

Donate

Subscriber Services
Awards | Stats | Links | Privacy Policy
Contribute | Advertise

© 1994-2024 Wordsmith