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Jun 13, 2003

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This week's words
extemporize
impresario
macroscopic
postdiluvian
plausive

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AWADmail 91

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A.Word.A.Day--plausive

plausive (PLO-ziv, -siv) adjective

Applauding.

[From Latin plaus-, past participle of plaudere (to applaud). Other words that derive from the same Latin root are: plaudit, plausible, and explode. The word "explode" appears out of place here until we realize that it literally means "to drive out by clapping", from ex- (out) + plaudere (to clap).]

"Forty businessmen met at the Pittsburgh Hotel to complete plans for next week's voluntary Downtown cleanup campaign. Store owners who helped by maintaining their sidewalks would receive plausive signs for their front doors."
On This Date; The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette; Jun 2, 1998.

"For first-year volunteers and visitors to the Santa Fe Indian Market's artist competition Friday at the Sweeney Convention Center, wide-eyed amazement and plausive sentiments were the most common responses."
John T. Huddy; Awe of the Beholder; The Albuquerque Journal; Aug 17, 2002.

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