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May 10, 2023
This week’s theme
Eponyms

This week’s words
Vulcan
Taylorism
Palladian
gomer
alexander

A sculpture of Athena in front of the Austrian Parliament Building in Vienna
A sculpture of Athena in front of the Austrian Parliament Building in Vienna
Photo: Gryffindor / Wikimedia

palladian
Andrea Palladio
Art: Alessandro Maganza (1556-1630)

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A.Word.A.Day
with Anu Garg

Palladian

PRONUNCIATION:
(puh-LAY-dee-uhn)

MEANING:
adjective:
1. Wise or learned.
2. Relating to wisdom, knowledge, or learning.
3. Of or relating to the classical architectural style of Andrea Palladio.

ETYMOLOGY:
For 1 & 2: After Athena (also known as Pallas Athena), a goddess of wisdom in Greek mythology. Her name has also resulted in other words such as palladium and athenaeum. Earliest documented use: 1562.

For 3: After Andrea Palladio (1508-1580), Venetian architect. Earliest documented use: 1731.

USAGE:
“From under the cloak’s hood, an errant strand of bronze hair dangled across her Palladian face.”
Jonathan Malone; Invictus; 2020.

“The Palladian mansion was three stories tall, constructed of gray stone, and had so many windows that Sophie suspected the duke paid a fortune in window taxes.”
Maya Rodale; Groom of One’s Own; Avon; 2010.

See more usage examples of Palladian in Vocabulary.com’s dictionary.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
The softer you sing, the louder you're heard. -Donovan, musician (b. 10 May 1946)

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