This week's theme
Contranyms

This week's words
enjoin
liege
nickel-and-dime
prodigious
cull

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Verbs

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A.Word.A.Day

PRONUNCIATION:

(kuhl)

MEANING:

verb tr.:
1. To select the best.
2. To select inferior items for removing.
3. To reduce the size of a herd.

ETYMOLOGY:

From Old French cuillir (to pick), from Latin colligere (to collect). Ultimately from the Indo-European root leg- (to collect), which is also the source of lexicon, legal, dialog, lecture, logic, legend, logarithm, intelligent, diligent, sacrilege, elect, and loyal. Earliest documented use: 1330.

USAGE:

"Susan Kelly is interested in culling the best ideas from all over the world."
Eleanor Clift; Fresh Eyes on Medical Care; Newsweek (New York); Oct 29, 2009.

"Lacklustre performances by New Zealand teams have led to calls to cull one of them."
Adrian Seconi; NZ Officials Oppose Dropping Team; Otago Daily Times (New Zealand); May 16, 2012.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY: