This week's theme
Words made with combining forms

This week's words
rhizophagous
zymurgy
logomania
plutolatry
otorhinolaryngology

This week's comments
AWADmail 573

Next week's theme
Word coined from animals

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A.Word.A.Day

PRONUNCIATION:

(oh-toh-ry-no-lar-ing-GOL-uh-jee)

MEANING:

noun: The branch of medicine dealing with the ear, nose, and throat. Also known as otolaryngology.

ETYMOLOGY:

The word is coined so that one is forced to use all three -- ear, nose, and throat -- to be able to pronounce it. Either that, or it's from Greek oto- (ear) + rhino- (nose) + laryngo- (larynx) + -logy (study). Earliest documented use: 1900. Also see, rhinorrhea.

USAGE:

"Pete Colangelo, chief of otorhinolaryngology, hunched in front of Ellen Sandler, peering through the center hole of his head mirror at a hyperilluminated spot far within her left nostril."
Michael Palmer; Side Effects; Bantam; 1985.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY: