This week’s theme
There’s a word for it

This week’s words
acarophobia
exclosure
untrack
mise en abyme
zetetic

This week’s comments
AWADmail 798

Next week’s theme
Words made with combining forms

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A.Word.A.Day

PRONUNCIATION:

(zuh-TET-ik)

MEANING:

adjective: Proceeding by inquiry, search, or investigation.
noun: A skeptic or inquirer.

ETYMOLOGY:

From Greek zetein (to seek or inquire). Earliest documented use: 1645.

ETYMOLOGY:

NOTES: Samuel Rowbotham (1816-1884), a flat Earther, wrote a book called Zetetic Astronomy: Earth Not a Globe in 1881. Yesterday’s flat Earthers are today’s climate change denialists.

USAGE:

“It’s an old argument, and one that has been around for centuries, and it has pretty much been put to rest in these contemporary times. But just in case you come across any zetetic types or perhaps a member of the International Flat Earth Society, here is a little link you can throw into your argument, which gives the ‘Top 10 Reasons Why We Know the Earth is ROUND’.”
Emory Schley; Trying to Find the Elusive Tailwind Cafe; Ocala Star-Banner (Florida); Jan 9, 2013.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY: