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Obelus
Definition: The name for the division symbol ÷Pronunciation: aa-buh-luhs
Word Class: Noun
Root Language: Greek
We all know what the division symbol (÷) is and what it looks like, but not many people call it by its proper name, which is Obelus. The word Obelus from ὀβελός (obelós), the Ancient Greek word for a sharpened stick, spit, or pointed pillar. This is also the root of the word obelisk. Besides the tradtional division sign, Obelus can also be used to describe the dagger mark, †, which is used to indicate dubious content or as a footnote marker. The division symbol, ÷, or Obelus was first used by the Swiss mathematician Johann Rahn in his book Teutsche Algebra in 1659.
Nudiustertian
Definition: Of or relating to the day before yesterdayPronunciation: noo-dee-uhs-TUR-shuhn
Word Class: Adjective
Root Language: Latin
It appears to be a pretty useful word, but it is difficult to use. This is because its an adjective and not a noun. It comes from the Latin nudius tertius, from the phrase nunc dies tertius est, “now is the third day.” The earliest documented use of Nudiustertian dates to 1647 when it was used by Nathaniel Ward in The Simple Cobler of Aggawam in America.The passage where Nathaniel Ward uses the word Nudiustertian reads: “When I heare a‥Gentledame inquire‥what [is] the nudiustertian fashion of the Court; I mean the very newest.”
Nikehedonia
Definition: The pleasure or excitement that comes from anticipating success
Pronunciation: nai-kee-huh-daa-nee-uh
Word Class: Noun
Root Language: Greek
Nikehedonia doesn’t appear in regular English dictionaries, but it’s one of those words that everyone should know. Campbell’s Psychiatric Dictionary defines Nikehedonia as the pleasure or You might recognize the different parts of the word Nikehedonia because it stems from the Greek word nike, which means victory and hedone, which means pleasure.excitement that comes from anticipating success. In other words, Nikehedonia is that feeling you get when you just know you’re about to win something.
Metanoia
Definition: A transformative change of heart
Pronunciation: met-uh-noi-uh
Word Class: Noun
Root Language: Greek
Changing one’s beliefs, especially when they might be hurting another person, is incredibly difficult, but totally possible. A transformative change of heart, spiritual conversion, or radical shift in one’s beliefs is called Metanoia. The origin of the word Metanoia is Greek from metanoiein to change one’s mind, repent, from meta- + noein to think, from nous which means mind. Metanoia can be used to mean repentance, atonement, or reformation. While Metanoia is Greek in origin, it is used in Christianity and even appears in the King James Bible as its verbal cognate metanoeo/μετανοέω, which translates as repent.The Greeks personified Metonia as a shadowy goddess, cloaked and sorrowful, who accompanied Kairos, the god of Opportunity, sowing regret and inspiring repentance for the “missed moment.
Meldrop
Definition: A drop of mucus hanging from the tip of one’s nosePronunciation: mell–drawp
Word Class: Noun
Root Language: Old English or Old Norse
Meldrop is a very useful Old English word that people have forgotten. It is used to describe a drop of mucus hanging from the tip of one’s nose. In simpler terms, Meldrop is the snot dripping down your nose when your sick or after you’ve been crying. While Meldrop was a popular Old English word, the etymology of the word is from an Old Norse word which means “a drop of foam from a horse’s mouth.”Meldrop used to be listed in Merriam-Webster dictionaries, as recently as 1934, but use of the word is so scarce that it no longer warrants an inclusion in modern editions of the dictionary.
Lalochezia
Definition: Emotional relief gained by using indecent or vulgar language.
Pronunciation: lal’ō-kē’zē-ă
Word Class: Noun
Root Language: Greek
For the most part, we’re all told not to use swear words, especially in public as a child, but sometimes situations arise where cursing feels appropriate. That emotional relief or euphoric feeling you get after letting out some swears is called Lalochezia. This is definitely a word that you should add to your vocabulary, especially if you’re fond of unleashing curse words to destress.Lalochezia roughly translates to “crapping out of your mouth” as it comes from the Greek lalos, meaning “speech or chatter” and khezo, which means “I defecate.
Gargalesthesia
Definition: The sensation commonly associated with ticklingPronunciation: gar-guhl-es-thee-zee-yah
Word Class: Noun
Root Language: Greek
Gargalesthesia isn’t a word that comes up in a regular dictionary because its a scientific term used to describe the sensation commonly associated with tickling. More specifically, Gargalesthesia is the harder, laughter-inducing tickling. Gargalesthesia and the related word knismesis were coined in 1897 by psychologists G. Stanley Hall and Arthur Allin. Knismesis is the lighter, feather-like type of tickling. The root of Gargalesthesia comes from the Greek gargalizo meaning “to tickle.” Gargalesthesia is a common response in primates and is typically triggered when someone touches our most ticklish areas like the feet, neck, navel, or ribs.
Crapulence
Definition: Sickness caused by excessive eating or drinkingPronunciation: krăp′yə-ləns
Word Class: Noun
Root Language: Latin
Despite the way the the word looks and sounds, Crapulence has nothing to do with the word crap or any other euphemisms for excrement. However, Crapulence and the related words crapulent and crapulous do have to do with feeling unwell. Specifically, Crapulence means sickness caused by excessive eating or drinking. In other words, Crapulence is overindulgence.Crapulence comes from the Late Latin word crapulentus, which is derived from Latin crapula, meaning “intoxication.”