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A.Word.A.Day--tittle

tittle (TIT-l) noun

1. A small diacritic mark, such as an accent, a vowel mark, or a dot over an i.

2. The tiniest bit; an iota.

[Middle English titil, from Medieval Latin titulus, diacritical mark, from Latin, title, superscription.]

"Reporters and editors crave detail, down to the dot and tittle, and assume as much about the reader, listener or viewer." Deborah Mathis, Clinton: The Arkansas view, USA Today, 17 Jan 1994.

Ever wondered if there is a word for that dot over the letter i, or what to call that fleshy fold of skin hanging from the throat of a rooster? Ever spent a weekend trying to find out what to call those vertical grooves on the side of a coin, or if there is a term for the big toe? Relax, help is at hand. This week's AWAD answers these and a few other questions that may be keeping you up at night. (-: -Anu

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