Word of the Day - 01/21/26
estuary
/'ɛsʧu,ɛri/(n.): the wide part of a river where it nears the sea; fresh and salt water mix
The salmon migrate from the ocean into the estuary to spawn.
Word Origin
The word 'estuary' originates from the Latin word 'aestuarium', meaning 'tidal inlet' or 'place where the tide flows'. 'Aestuarium' itself derives from 'aestus', which means 'tide', 'boiling', or 'surging heat'. The 'boiling' or 'surging' aspect refers to the movement of water, particularly the tides.
Words with a similar Latin root include 'aestivate' (to spend the summer in a state of torpor, from 'aestas' meaning 'summer') and 'aestival' (pertaining to summer, also from 'aestas'). Both 'aestivate' and 'aestival' can also be spelled 'estivate' and 'estival' respectively.