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A.Word.A.Day--proscribe

Are you the practical type who looks for words that are immediately usable? Words such as resistentialism and petrichor don't excite you. You'd rather have no-nonsense words that come in suit and tie, words that you can put to work right away. You want words that can go into your college report, office memo, or position paper.

This week we feature a medley of words that could be considered more employable by those readers. For others, even if you know these words, their etymologies may be something you'd enjoy.

proscribe (pro-SKRYB) verb tr.

1. To forbid something, especially by law.

2. To denounce, condemn, or exile someone.

[From Latin proscribere (to publish in writing, to name someone as outlawed), from pro- (front) + scribere (write).]

See more usage examples of proscribe in Vocabulary.com's dictionary.

-Anu Garg (garg wordsmith.org)

"Tremendous pressure is being brought on the government by some political parties and organizations to proscribe the LTTE for its atrocities." Heingo; Ramifications of Banning Political Parties and Organisations; Sri Lanka Daily Mirror (Colombo); Dec 16, 2006.

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